Deployable Manual Park Release Handle for Power-Loss Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles lack a reliable mechanism to manually shift the transmission out of the park position when electrical power is lost, necessitating manual intervention with tools to tow the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A manual park release assembly with a deployable handle and actuator that converts rotary motion into linear motion to move the transmission shift lever, allowing manual shifting without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual park release mechanism is provided, then the vehicle can be shifted out of park position when electrical power is lost, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical actuation system with a purely mechanical manual operation system. The manual park release mechanism uses a cable connected to the shift lever that can be actuated mechanically without electrical power, thereby maintaining reliability during power loss while avoiding complex electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cable as an intermediary element between the manual operation point and the shift lever. This cable serves as a simple mechanical mediator that transmits force from the user's manual input to the transmission shift lever, enabling park release without complex direct mechanical linkages.
2Device complexity
If tools are required for manual park release, then the mechanism can be simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The manual park release mechanism is designed to be universally operable without requiring specialized tools. The cable actuation system can be operated using common household objects or direct manual input, making it universally accessible and easy to operate in emergency situations while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If the handle is deployable and rotatable, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed with dynamic characteristics, being deployable from a retracted position and rotatable to multiple positions. This dynamic design allows the handle to adapt to different user needs and operating conditions, improving ease of operation while the deployment and rotation mechanisms are kept simple to minimize overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a deployable portion that can extend from the housing, and a rotatable portion that can be positioned at different angles. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving operational flexibility while keeping the overall structure manageable and not overly complex.
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
Enables safe and efficient manual shifting of the transmission out of the park position, facilitating vehicle movement when electrical power is unavailable, without the need for additional tools.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator includes a threaded shaft and a nut threaded on the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A manual park release assembly includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, and a handle disposed at least partially in the housing. The handle is deployable relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis between a stored position and a deployed position, and the handle is rotatable relative to the longitudinal axis when the handle is in the deployed position. The manual park release assembly further includes an actuator having a first portion coupled to the handle for rotation with the handle and a second portion coupled to the first portion and movable axially in response to rotation of the first portion.