Transmission Disconnect Mechanism With Short-Rotation State Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transmission systems with disconnect mechanisms require significant operator effort and often make it difficult to determine the operative state, as they typically rely on multiple turns of a lever for disconnection and lack clear axial position indicators.
Innovation Solution
A disconnect mechanism comprising a lever, inner shaft, outer shaft, and housing with helical slots, where manual rotation of the lever drives the outer shaft's protrusions through the slots, allowing for transition between engaged and disengaged states with less than 90 degrees of rotation, and includes a biasing element and snap rings for secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manually operated disconnect mechanisms are used, then power transmission interruption is achieved, but operator effort becomes undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnect mechanism uses a spring-biased design where the spring automatically engages the disconnect when the lever is released, eliminating the need for operator effort to maintain the disengaged state. The operator only needs to initiate the disengagement motion, and the mechanism completes the action itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from a static multi-turn lever system to a dynamic spring-loaded system that uses elastic potential energy storage and release to perform the disconnect action automatically, reducing operator effort significantly.
2Reliability
If traditional disconnect mechanisms are used, then disconnection is achieved, but it becomes difficult to determine the operative state
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism incorporates visual indicators that change appearance or position based on the engagement state. The helical slot geometry and protrusion positioning create observable alignment features that clearly indicate whether the disconnect is engaged or disengaged, making the operative state easily detectable.
Solution Approach 2:
The design provides immediate visual feedback to the operator about the current state of the disconnect mechanism through the positional relationship between the helical slots and protrusions, allowing the operator to confirm the operative state without additional indicators or instruments.
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
Reduces operator effort and enhances the visibility of the operational state by allowing disconnection with less than 60 degrees of lever rotation and providing clear axial position correlation, making the mechanism easier to use and understand.
Implementation Method 1
the disconnect mechanism may include a biasing element arranged between the inner shaft and the outer shaft such that the biasing element extends along the longitudinal axis, the biasing element may apply a biasing force to the outer shaft
Data Source
AI summary
Transmission systems, disconnect mechanisms, and methods of assembling disconnect mechanisms are envisioned. A disconnect mechanism is adapted to selectively decouple a driving device from a driven device. The disconnect mechanism includes a lever, an inner shaft, an outer shaft, and a housing. The inner shaft is coupled to the lever, the outer shaft is coupled to the inner shaft, and the housing at least partially houses the inner shaft and the outer shaft.