One-Piece Locking Plate for Vehicle Transmission Shifting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for vehicle transmission switching devices are technically complex and require additional elements, making them labor-intensive and costly, with a need for a simpler, weight-optimized solution that can function as a stop for a reset mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a stationary locking plate connected to a switching shaft via a leg projecting at right angles, featuring a one-piece design that includes a cam for reduced friction and a neutral lane groove for easy switching operations, allowing for axial parallel alignment and simplified production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a locking plate is connected to a switching shaft via a separate connecting member (as in prior art), then the locking device can function as a stop for reset mechanisms, but the device complexity and manufacturing labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plate is merged with the connecting leg into a single integrated component that is directly connected to the switching shaft. This eliminates the need for separate connecting members while maintaining the locking function, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing labor without sacrificing adaptability
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used (locking plate, connecting member, switching shaft), then each component can be optimized independently, but the manufacturing labor and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plate and connecting leg are combined into a single piece that can be manufactured as one integrated component. This reduces the number of parts that need to be produced and assembled, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency while still allowing for optimized design of the integrated structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional elements are added to achieve locking functionality, then the locking device can perform multiple functions, but the weight and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plate serves dual functions as both a locking element and a connecting element to the switching shaft. By merging these functions into a single component, the design eliminates additional elements that would increase weight, while maintaining full functional capability for locking and serving as a stop for reset mechanisms
4Reliability
If a complex connecting mechanism is used to attach the locking plate to the switching shaft, then the connection can be robust, but the manufacturing precision requirements and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting leg is integrated directly with the locking plate to form a single rigid structure attached to the switching shaft. This simplified one-piece construction inherently provides robust mechanical connection without requiring complex joining mechanisms, thereby reducing both manufacturing precision requirements and labor intensity while maintaining connection reliability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Locking device for a shifting arrangement of a vehicle transmission with a locking plate (1) and a selector shaft (3), the locking plate (1) being rigidly connected to the selector shaft (3) via a journal (2) projecting substantially perpendicularly to the locking plate (1).