Damped Vehicle Park Lock Structure for Sudden Torque Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional parking lock devices for electric vehicles experience sudden and high torque when engaging, leading to stress on components and increased costs due to the need for more massive and heavier designs, which are not cost-effective or compact.
Innovation Solution
A parking lock device with a rotationally soft ratchet wheel and damping devices, such as rubber elements or spring elements, that absorb torque during the locking effect, reducing stress on components and allowing for a more cost-effective and compact design by distributing the torque more evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional parking lock devices are used without damping mechanisms, then the locking effect is achieved, but sudden high torque is generated causing stress on components and requiring massive designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing damping devices (such as dampers or elastic elements) between the ratchet wheel and pawl that are pre-positioned to absorb the sudden torque冲击 during locking engagement. These damping mechanisms are built into the structure in advance, so when the pawl engages the ratchet wheel, the torque is gradually absorbed rather than transmitted instantly, preventing component stress while maintaining reliable locking.
2Strength
If damping devices are added to mitigate sudden torque, then component stress is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the damping function with existing structural components. Instead of adding completely separate damping mechanisms, the design integrates dampers into the housing structure or combines them with the ratchet wheel assembly. For example, the damping elements may be embedded within the housing walls or integrated with the ratchet wheel mounting structure, allowing torque absorption while maintaining a compact and relatively simple overall structure.
3Reliability
If massive components are used to withstand high torque, then reliability is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical approach of using massive components to withstand torque with a hybrid system that incorporates damping elements (which may be viscoelastic materials or fluid-based dampers). These damping devices absorb torque through non-mechanical means such as material damping or fluid resistance, allowing the use of lighter structural components while maintaining the same torque resistance and reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The damping devices effectively mitigate the sudden torque, reducing the need for massive components, resulting in a lighter, more compact, and cost-effective electric drive axle with improved damping of the locking effect.
Implementation Method 1
the damping device (4) is arranged between the vane region (2) and one of the stops (AN) in the azimuthal intermediate region (ZB)... a transmission of a torque from the stop (AN) to the vane region (2) can be at least partially absorbed by the damping device (4)
Implementation Method 2
The damping device (4) comprises a spring element (FE) or can comprise a plurality of spring elements (FE)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a park lock device (10) for a vehicle (F), comprising a vane wheel (1) which can be connected to a drive shaft (AW) of the vehicle (F); a housing (G) which comprises a ratchet wheel (3) and lateral caps (SD) or comprises the ratchet wheel (3) and holding elements (HM), the ratchet wheel (3) enclosing a space in the interior of the housing (G), the ratchet wheel (3) comprising stops (AN), the stops (AN) extending radially inwards into the space, and the vane wheel (1) being surrounded by the ratchet wheel (3) and by the space, concentrically in relation to the drive shaft (AW), in such a way that the vane region (2) extends between two mutually azimuthally adjacent stops (AN); at least one damping device (4) which is located between the vane region (2) and one of the stops (AN) in the azimuthal intermediate region (ZB); and a pawl (SK) by means of which a rotation of the ratchet wheel (3) can be blocked, wherein the transmission of a torque from the stop (AN) to the vane region (2) can be absorbed at least in part by the damping device (4) when the ratchet wheel (3) is blocked.