Lay-Shaft Clutching Assembly for Shorter Vehicle Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lay-shaft assemblies in vehicle transmissions require multiple clutching mechanisms to space gearwheels apart, limiting their proximity and necessitating longer shaft lengths, which complicates operation and increases space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A lay-shaft assembly with a rotatable clutching assembly positioned on one side of the gearwheels, allowing closer gearwheel placement and using a single operating lever to control the clutching mechanism, reducing the overall length of the lay-shaft by eliminating the need for a driven gearwheel on the shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If gearwheels are placed adjacent to each other to reduce space, then space efficiency improves, but each gearwheel would need its own clutching mechanism increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple clutching mechanisms into a single integrated clutching assembly that can selectively couple either the first or second gearwheel to the driven gearwheel. This single assembly includes a synchronizer hub, synchronizer sleeve, and dog clutches that can engage with both gearwheels, eliminating the need for separate clutching mechanisms for each gearwheel while maintaining the ability to selectively couple them.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutching assembly is designed as a universal mechanism that can perform multiple functions: it can couple the driven gearwheel to the first gearwheel, couple it to the second gearwheel, or disengage from both. The synchronizer hub and sleeve are configured to selectively engage with different gearwheels, making the single clutching assembly capable of controlling multiple gearwheel connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If clutching mechanism is placed between gearwheels to enable selective coupling, then gear selection capability improves, but gearwheels must be spaced apart increasing lay-shaft length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the clutching assembly from a position between the gearwheels (radial arrangement) to a position where the gearwheels are adjacent to each other on one side of the clutching assembly (axial arrangement). This dimensional reconfiguration allows the gearwheels to be placed closer together along the lay-shaft while the clutching assembly operates in a different spatial configuration, reducing the required lay-shaft length.
3Reliability
If driven gearwheel is fixedly connected on the lay-shaft to ensure stable power transmission, then transmission reliability improves, but the lay-shaft length must accommodate the driven gearwheel width increasing space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the driven gearwheel such that it extends around the clutching mechanism, effectively nesting the clutching assembly within the spatial envelope of the driven gearwheel. This nested configuration allows the driven gearwheel to maintain its function for stable power transmission while the clutching mechanism operates within its internal space, eliminating the need for additional lay-shaft length to accommodate the driven gearwheel separately.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lay-shaft assembly (10) for use in a vehicle transmission, comprising a lay-shaft (12) which is rotatable around a central axis (14), a first gearwheel (16) rotatable around the lay-shaft and the central axis, a second gearwheel (18) fixedly connected to the lay- shaft and rotatable with the lay-shaft around the central axis, and a clutching assembly (20) rotatable around the lay-shaft and the central axis. The clutching assembly (20) comprises a driven gearwheel (22) and clutching mechanism for selectively coupling the rotation of the driven gearwheel (22) to either the first gearwheel (16) or the second gearwheel (18). The clutching assembly (20) has a first axial end (24) and a second axial end (26) opposite the first axial end. The first gearwheel and the second gearwheel are arranged on a part of the lay-shaft extending from the first axial end (24) of the clutching assembly (20).