Gearbox Shift and Park Actuation Using One Spindle Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current actuation systems for gearboxes in electric or hybrid vehicles are costly and complex due to the need for hydraulic systems for multiple movement elements or multiple electro-mechanical actuators for shifting and parking functions, leading to increased size, weight, and part count.

Innovation Solution

A single electro-mechanical actuator system with a spindle and threaded tube that can be axially moved between positions to connect with either a shift fork or a park element, enabling the actuation of multiple gearbox movement elements, reducing the need for multiple actuators and hydraulic systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hydraulic system is used to actuate multiple movement elements, then the actuation capability is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single electro-mechanical actuator is designed to perform multiple functions by actuating different movement elements through a shared transmission mechanism. The actuator can selectively engage with either the shift fork or park element, enabling one actuator to replace what would traditionally require multiple actuators or a hydraulic system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the actuation of multiple movement elements (shift fork and park element) into a single integrated system. The shared transmission mechanism merges the actuation paths, allowing one actuator to control multiple functions through a unified mechanical structure rather than separate independent systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electro-mechanical actuators are used to actuate multiple movement elements, then the actuation capability is improved, but the weight and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation capabilityVSAvoidactuator weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

One electro-mechanical actuator is designed with multi-functionality to actuate both the shift fork and park element through a shared transmission mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple separate actuators and thereby reducing total weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuation system merges multiple actuation functions into a single actuator unit with a shared transmission mechanism, consolidating what would be separate actuator assemblies into one integrated component, reducing overall size and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electro-mechanical actuators are used to actuate multiple movement elements, then the actuation capability is improved, but the number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A single actuator is designed to perform multiple actuation functions by engaging with different movement elements through a shared transmission mechanism, reducing the total number of actuators and associated parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the actuation of multiple movement elements into one integrated system with a shared transmission mechanism, consolidating multiple separate actuator assemblies and their components into a single unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution simplifies the actuation system, reducing costs, weight, and size while providing additional shift functionalities, including park element actuation, without the complexity of hydraulic systems, by using a single actuator to manage multiple gearbox movement elements.

Implementation Method 1

a spindle (3) which can be driven by the actuator (4), a threaded tube (5) engaged with the spindle (3), wherein the threaded tube (5) is movable axially along the spindle (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP4261438A1Actuation system for the actuation of movement elements of a gearbox and arrangement for a gearbox comprising the actuation system

Publication Date: 2023.10.18 VALEO ELECTRIFICATION

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

Actuation system (1), in particular for the actuation of movement elements of a gearbox, comprising: an actuator (4), a spindle (3) which can be driven by the actuator (4), a threaded tube (5) engaged with the spindle (3), wherein the threaded tube (5) is movable axially along the spindle (3), wherein the threaded tube (5) can be connected with one movement element at a time, either with a shift fork (8) or a park element, whereby, when the threaded tube (5) is connected with the shift fork (8), it can be moved between a first position, in which the threaded tube (5) closes a first shift element of a gearbox, a neutral position in which all shift elements are opened and no gearbox power transfer is possible, a third position, in which the threaded tube (5) closes a second shift element of the gearbox, and, when the threaded tube (5) is connected with the park element, it can be moved to a fourth position enabling actuation of the park element.