Electromechanical Coupling Assembly for Powershift Transmission Tip-In Clunk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Powershift transmissions experience tip-in clunk and shift harshness due to the absence of a torque converter, leading to noise and mechanical linkage issues during driver acceleration from coasting, which conventional automatic transmission control strategies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A controllable coupling assembly with an electromechanical apparatus that includes a housing part with an excitation coil and a movable locking element, allowing for adjustable engagement and disengagement between coupling members, utilizing an electromagnetic source and a reciprocating armature to manage the coupling mode and absorb impact energy, thereby reducing noise and stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a torque converter is absent in a powershift transmission, then mechanical linkage and gear shift efficiency are improved, but tip-in clunk and shift harshness increase due to noise and mechanical linkage issues during driver acceleration from coasting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controllable coupling assembly as an intermediary device between the engine and transmission. This coupling assembly includes electromagnetic actuators that can selectively engage or disengage the connection, serving as a mediator to control torque transmission and eliminate tip-in clunk while maintaining mechanical linkage efficiency
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional one-way clutch is used, then the driving member can freely rotate in the second direction (overrunning condition), but engagement noise increases as the amount of relative rotation increases when the driving plate reverses direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional purely mechanical one-way clutch with an electromechanical coupling assembly. This substitution uses electromagnetic fields and controlled actuation to manage engagement, eliminating the noisy mechanical impact of traditional clutch engagement while maintaining the overrunning capability through controlled disengagement
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a controllable coupling assembly with electromagnetic actuators is implemented, then shift harshness and noise are eliminated, but device complexity increases due to additional electromagnetic components and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coupling assembly with existing transmission components, integrating electromagnetic actuators into the existing mechanical structure. This consolidation approach reduces overall system complexity by combining multiple functions into unified components rather than adding separate independent systems
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 effectively eliminates shift harshness and noise associated with tip-in clunk by providing a controlled mechanical connection that minimizes parasitic losses and adapts to different operating modes, enhancing the performance and quietness of powershift transmissions.
Implementation Method 1
An electromagnetic source including at least one excitation coil which is at least partially surrounded by the housing part. A reciprocating armature is arranged concentrically relative to the at least one excitation coil and is axially movable when the at least one excitation coil is supplied with current.
Data Source
AI summary
Electromechanical apparatus for use with a coupling assembly and controllable coupling assembly including such apparatus are provided. The apparatus includes a housing part including an end wall having an outer coupling face with a single pocket defining a load-bearing shoulder in communication with an inner face of the end wall. An electromagnetic source includes at least one excitation coil which is at least partially surrounded by the housing part. An element is received within the pocket in an uncoupling position and is movable outwardly from the pocket to a coupling position characterized by abutting engagement of the element with the load-bearing shoulder. A reciprocating armature is arranged concentrically relative to the at least one excitation coil and is axially movable when the at least one excitation coil is supplied with current. The armature is connected to the element to move the element between the coupling and uncoupling positions.