Electric Drive Parking Lock Reduces Disengagement Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking lock systems for motor vehicles with electric drives require high forces for disengagement, leading to complex designs, increased production costs, and reduced service life due to high wear on force-loaded components.
Innovation Solution
A parking lock assembly with an electric drive that utilizes an electro-mechanical actuator to reduce the forces needed for disengagement, featuring a locking mechanism with a spring arrangement and sensors to manage torque and inclination, allowing for a simpler, cost-effective design and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a mechanical spring arrangement is used to hold the locking mechanism in the locked position, then the locking force is sufficient to prevent vehicle rolling, but the forces required for disengagement become excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical spring-loaded locking mechanism with an electro-mechanical system. An electric drive unit is introduced to actively disengage the locking mechanism by applying a controlled torque to the shaft, substituting the need for high mechanical disengagement forces with an electrically actuated solution. This allows the spring to maintain locking force while the electric drive handles the disengagement action.
2Reliability
If high forces are used in the locking mechanism to ensure secure locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the wear on force-loaded components increases and service life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric drive unit substitutes for high-force mechanical disengagement, significantly reducing wear on force-loaded components such as the locking member, shaft, and engagement elements. By using controlled electric torque instead of high mechanical forces, the system maintains locking reliability while extending the service life of mechanical components through reduced wear and stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static spring-loaded mechanism to a dynamic electro-mechanical system where the electric drive can actively control the disengagement process. This dynamic approach allows for controlled, low-force disengagement that reduces impact and wear on components, thereby extending service life while maintaining secure locking when engaged.
3Strength
If the locking mechanism is designed to handle high disengagement forces, then the locking strength is sufficient, but the device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electric drive unit serves multiple functions: it powers the vehicle's drivetrain and simultaneously provides the disengagement force for the parking lock. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate high-force mechanical disengagement mechanism, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining sufficient locking strength through the spring arrangement.
4Strength
If larger dimensions are used for the locking mechanism components to handle the forces, then the structural strength is adequate, but the weight and size of the assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electric drive unit enables the use of lighter, smaller locking mechanism components by replacing high-force mechanical disengagement with controlled electric torque. The spring can be designed with lower force requirements since the electric drive handles disengagement, allowing for reduced component dimensions and weight while maintaining adequate structural strength for secure locking.
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 reduces the forces required for disengaging the parking lock, leading to a more compact, lightweight design with lower production costs and extended service life by leveraging the electric drive to manage torque and inclination, ensuring reliable locking and unlocking operations.
Implementation Method 1
the electric drive is controllable in order to transmit a torque to the shaft
Implementation Method 2
which is held in the locking position by a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A parking lock assembly for a motor vehicle is described that has at least one electrically drivable driving axle. The parking lock comprises an electric drive, a shaft which is arranged in the driveline of a motor vehicle and which is drivable by the electric drive, as well as a locking mechanism which is controllable in the locking sense in order to prevent a rotational movement of the shaft and which is controllable in the opening sense in order to release the shaft. The electric drive is controllable in order to transmit torque to the shaft if, in spite of the locking mechanism being controlled in the opening sense, the shaft is prevented from carrying out a rotational movement. Furthermore, a method of actuating such a parking lock assembly is described.