Fluid Actuator Assembly Segmentation for Transmission Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator assemblies for transmission gear engagement require large piston diameters, leading to packaging issues and clearance problems when mounted outside the transmission, necessitating a more compact solution.
Innovation Solution
The use of two pistons working together within a housing, with a divider separating them into pressurized and non-pressurized regions, allows for equivalent force generation as a larger single piston, reducing the overall assembly size and improving mounting and clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a single large-diameter piston is used to generate sufficient force, then the required force is achieved, but the packaging size of the actuator assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single large-diameter piston is segmented into two smaller-diameter pistons that work together within the same actuator housing. This segmentation allows the force-generating surface area to be distributed across multiple smaller components, reducing the overall packaging volume while maintaining equivalent total force output.
2Force
If a single large-diameter piston is used, then sufficient force is generated, but clearance between the actuator assembly and adjacent components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The piston assembly is segmented into two smaller pistons with reduced individual diameters, allowing them to be arranged within a more compact actuator housing. This segmentation creates sufficient clearance between the actuator assembly and adjacent transmission components while maintaining the required force generation capability through the combined surface area of both pistons.
3Force
If the actuator assembly is placed outside the transmission, then the piston can accommodate sufficient volume for force generation, but packaging issues with adjacent components arise
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator assembly is redesigned with two smaller pistons instead of one large piston, enabling the entire assembly to be compacted and positioned within or adjacent to the transmission housing. This segmentation reduces the footprint of the actuator assembly, eliminating packaging conflicts with adjacent components while maintaining force generation through the combined piston surface area.
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
This configuration reduces the packaging size of the actuator assembly, enabling better integration with the transmission and adjacent components while maintaining equivalent force generation, thus addressing the packaging and clearance issues.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid F pressurizes against both of the first and second pistons (28, 30) and moves the first and second pistons (28, 30) and the shaft (32) as a unit from a first pressurized position to a second pressurized position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An actuator assembly is driven by a fluid and actuates a component of a transmission. The actuator assembly includes a housing defining an interior and a divider dividing the interior into first and second chambers. The actuator assembly includes a first and second pistons movably disposed in the first and second chambers, respectively. The actuator assembly includes a shaft engaging the first and second pistons. The first and second pistons and the shaft are movable together as a unit from a first pressurized position to a second pressurized position. The housing defines at least one port fluidly connected with the first and second chambers for providing the fluid into and out of the first and second chambers with the fluid pressurizing against the first and second pistons and moving the first and second pistons and the shaft as a unit from the first pressurized position to the second pressurized position.