Detent Spring Single Fastener Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

In automotive gear shift mechanisms, the limited space available often prevents the accurate and precise mounting of detent springs using the conventional pair of fasteners, as they need to be spaced far enough apart for proper location.

Innovation Solution

A detent spring is mounted using a single fastener with a separate locating feature, where the tail end cooperates with the fastener and a mounting block to ensure accurate positioning, utilizing a camming action for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a pair of fasteners is used to mount the detent spring, then the detent spring can be accurately and precisely located, but sufficient space is required for the two fasteners which may not be available in confined spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracy of detent springVSAvoidspace required for fasteners

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of two separate fasteners into a single fastener by integrating a locating feature directly onto the detent spring tail. This locating feature cooperates with the single fastener to provide both positioning and securing functions, eliminating the need for a second fastener and reducing the space requirement while maintaining location accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detent spring is segmented into functional portions: a body portion that engages the detent plate and a tail portion that provides the locating feature. This segmentation allows the tail to cooperate with the single fastener to establish precise location in both longitudinal and transverse directions, achieving accurate positioning without requiring two separate fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If a single fastener is used to mount the detent spring, then space is saved in confined areas, but accurate and precise location of the detent spring becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace required for fastenersVSAvoidlocation accuracy of detent spring

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The locating feature on the detent spring tail acts as an intermediary element between the single fastener and the detent spring body. This intermediary feature enables the single fastener to establish precise location in both longitudinal and transverse directions by providing reference surfaces for positioning, thereby achieving accurate location with only one fastener.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the tail end of the detent spring is designed to cooperate with the fastener for locating, then accurate positioning in lengthwise and side-to-side directions is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracy of detent springVSAvoidstructure complexity of detent spring

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locating feature is implemented as a localized structural modification on the tail portion of the detent spring rather than redesigning the entire spring. This local quality approach adds minimal complexity by providing reference surfaces only where needed for fastener cooperation, while the rest of the detent spring maintains its simple roller engagement design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution allows for accurate and precise location of the detent spring in both lengthwise and side-to-side directions within a confined space, ensuring reliable operation of the gear shift mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

The fastener which mounts the detent spring on the mounting block preferably has a camming action on the detent spring to facilitate the insertion of the fastener into an opening in the detent spring.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCamming action: Cam

Data Source

PatentUS7654168B2Detent spring

Publication Date: 2010.02.02 FCA US LLC

AI summary

A detent spring assembly that accurately locates a detent plate in a gear shift mechanism of an automotive vehicle has a detent spring which includes an elongated flexible strip. A roller on the strip is engageable with any one of a series of notches in the detent plate to properly position the detent plate. A fastener secures the detent spring to a support. A part on the strip engages the support at a point spaced from the fastener to cooperate with the fastener in accurately and precisely locating the strip.