Final Drive Disconnect Mechanism With Asymmetric Coupling Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for disconnecting a transmission output from a final drive assembly in vehicles, especially in tight spaces, are labor-intensive and require significant effort, as they often lack accessible ports or require complete removal of components, making quick servicing difficult.
Innovation Solution
A disconnect mechanism that includes a drive member, a driven member, a collar, and a coupler member, allowing for rotational and longitudinal movement to removably couple and decouple the input and output members, facilitating easy access and quick disconnection without the need for extensive labor or special tooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional disconnect methods are used, then the transmission output can be disconnected from the final drive assembly, but the process requires significant labor and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a disconnect mechanism as an intermediary device between the transmission output and final drive assembly. This mechanism includes a drive member, driven member, collar, and coupler member that work together to facilitate easy disconnection. The coupler member specifically acts as the mediator that can be quickly engaged and disengaged from coupling holes, eliminating the need for labor-intensive conventional disconnect methods while maintaining reliable power transmission when coupled.
2Ease of operation
If access ports are provided for technician access, then the transmission output can be disconnected, but the design may require complete removal of the final drive assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnect mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a drive member with coupling holes in the final drive assembly, a corresponding coupler member with matching coupling holes, a collar, and a driven member. This segmentation allows the disconnect function to be integrated into the existing assembly structure without requiring complete removal of the final drive assembly, while still providing easy access through the coupler member's ability to be quickly engaged and disengaged from the coupling holes.
3Loss of time
If the coupler member is designed for quick disconnect, then maintenance time is reduced, but the mechanism requires precise alignment of coupling holes
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler member and drive member are designed with asymmetric coupling hole arrangements that provide self-alignment features. The coupling holes are positioned and sized to guide the coupler member into proper alignment with the drive member during the quick disconnect operation. This asymmetric design ensures that even with minimal precision requirements, the coupling holes align correctly as the coupler member is inserted or removed, enabling fast maintenance while maintaining reliable connection.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a disconnect mechanism for removably coupling an input member and an output member to one another. The mechanism includes a drive member configured to be rotationally driven and a driven member rotationally coupled to the drive member. A collar is rotatably coupled to the driven member, where rotation of the drive member induces rotational and longitudinal movement of the collar along the shaft. The mechanism further includes a coupler member coupled to the collar such that the coupler member is adapted to be removably coupled to the input member and output member. As the collar moves along the longitudinal shaft, the coupler member moves longitudinally between a first position in which the input member and output member are coupled and a second position in which the input member and output member are decoupled from one another.