Double Clutch Transmission Parallel Shaft Gear Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle powertrain design, there is a tradeoff between increasing the number of shift ranges in a transmission to optimize engine operation and reducing the overall length of the engine and transmission assembly, which affects fuel efficiency and mountability.
Innovation Solution
A double clutch transmission (DCT) configuration with parallel input and output shafts, drive and driven gears, and synchronizers that allow for multiple shift ranges while maintaining a relatively short transmission length, enabling power to be transmitted efficiently through shared gears and synchronizers to achieve various shift ranges without increasing the overall length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the number of shift ranges in the transmission is increased to optimize engine operation, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the overall length of the engine and transmission assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple shafts by having the first and second output shafts coincide spatially, and by having driven gears on both shafts engage with a single common drive gear. This consolidation allows multiple shift ranges to be achieved through gear ratios rather than through extended mechanical pathways, thereby improving fuel efficiency while maintaining a compact assembly length.
Solution Approach 2:
The common drive gear serves multiple functions by being engaged with driven gears on both the first and second output shafts. This single component enables the transmission of power to multiple shafts simultaneously, allowing the system to achieve multiple shift ranges without requiring separate transmission pathways for each range, thus avoiding an increase in overall assembly length.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of shift ranges in the transmission is increased, then engine operating region coverage is improved, but the transmission length becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmission pathways for multiple shift ranges by using a common drive gear that is engaged with driven gears on both the first and second output shafts. This merging of transmission pathways allows the transmission to provide multiple shift ranges for comprehensive engine operating region coverage while maintaining a compact transmission length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the length issue by changing the spatial arrangement from a linear sequential transmission to a parallel configuration where the first and second output shafts coincide. This dimensional reorganization allows multiple shift ranges to be achieved through the engagement relationship between gears rather than through extended transmission length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple shafts and gears are used to provide multiple shift ranges, then shift range versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces structural complexity by merging the transmission pathways of multiple shafts through a common drive gear. Instead of requiring separate independent transmission systems for each output shaft, the common drive gear allows both shafts to share a single drive gear, thereby simplifying the overall transmission structure while maintaining shift range versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The common drive gear performs multiple functions by simultaneously engaging with driven gears on both the first and second output shafts. This multi-functional component reduces the total number of separate drive gears needed, thereby reducing device complexity while still providing versatile shift range options.
Data Source
AI summary
A double clutch transmission (DCT) may include a first input shaft and a second input shaft disposed to or not to receive power from the same power source, respectively; a first output shaft and a second output shaft each disposed in parallel with the first input shaft; a first drive gear disposed on and rotated with the first input shaft; a second drive gear disposed on and rotated with the second input shaft; a first driven gear engaged with the first drive gear and rotatably disposed on a selection output shaft which is one of the first output shaft and the second output shaft; a second driven gear engaged with the second drive gear and rotatably disposed on the selection output shaft; and a sleeve synchronizer selectively connecting between the first driven gear and the second driven gear.