Gearbox Fork Shaft Interlock Rocker for Safe Dual Ratio Shifting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing robotic gearbox systems face challenges in safely and efficiently managing the interverillage function between fork trees, particularly in hybrid motor vehicles where thermal and electrical speed ratios need to be passed simultaneously, while ensuring safety by preventing concurrent operation of reports of the same category.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical interverillage system comprising a first lever, a second lever, and an interverous ending, with each lever capable of occupying active and dead positions, and an interverous switch that locks the levers in specific positions using eccentric cam profiles and a locking pawn, allowing for the interverillage switch to engage and maintain the locking position, ensuring safe and efficient passage of thermal and electrical relationships.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical interlocking system is integrated into the motorized actuation assembly, then safety is increased, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical interlocking system is integrated into the existing motorized actuation assembly by combining the interlocking rocker and locking pins with the lever and cam mechanisms. This merging approach adds safety functionality while utilizing the existing structural framework, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The interlocking rocker acts as an intermediary mechanical element that mediates between the two levers. It provides the interlocking function through locking pins that engage with notches in the cam profiles, creating a safety mechanism that operates independently of the control system while physically connecting the two gear selection paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the interlocking rocker is elastically returned to its rest position, then the system automatically resets, but additional components are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic resetVSAvoidadditional components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The return spring provides self-service by automatically returning the interlocking rocker to its rest position after gear selection. This elastic restoration mechanism eliminates the need for manual resetting or additional actuation systems, as the spring automatically resets the interlocking state whenever the levers return to neutral

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The return spring changes the positional parameter of the interlocking rocker by providing elastic force that restores the rocker to its neutral position. This parameter change (position restoration) is achieved through the elastic deformation and recovery of the spring material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system enhances safety and efficiency by allowing robust integration into motorized activation sets, enabling the interverillage function while maintaining the safety protocols, ensuring that thermal and electrical relationships are managed effectively without concurrent operation of same-category reports.

Implementation Method 1

an interlocking rocker which: -- is pivotally mounted, about a rocking axis parallel to the first axis, in two opposite directions to occupy one or the other of two opposite angular locking positions, relative to an intermediate angular rest position towards which the interlocking rocker is elastically returned

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

carries a first eccentric cam whose cam profile includes a first notch for locking the first lever in its neutral position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical locking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP4240990B1Actuating assembly and system for interlocking two gearbox fork shafts
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 HORSE POWERTRAIN SOLUTIONS S L U
  • EP4240990B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4240990B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP4240990B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly (E) for actuating two fork shafts of a gearbox which comprises two rotating actuators (AR1, AR2) and a system (SI) for interlocking with a first lever (L1) which supports a drive finger (D1) of a first fork and a cam (C1) the profile of which comprises a notch (CV1) for locking the first lever (L1); a second lever (L2) which supports a drive finger of a second fork and a cam (C2) the profile of which comprises a second notch (CV2) for locking the second lever (L2); and a pivoting interlocking rocker (B) which supports a locking pin (PV) that is able to interact with one or other of the two locking notches (CV1, CV2) in order to angularly lock the associated lever (L1, L2) when the other lever (L2, L1) is actuated in order to engage a gear ratio.