Manual Transmission Automatic Shifting via Parallel Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic transmission systems require more time for gear shifting due to sequential operations and complex mechanisms, and modifying existing manual transmissions to implement automatic shifting is costly and complicates the system.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle transmission device that rearranges shift blocks and actuators to enable automatic gear shifting using a manual transmission without modifications, allowing parallel activation of shift actuators for gear disengagement and engagement, and using a gear disengagement determination unit to reduce shifting time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sequential operations are used for gear shifting, then the control logic is simple, but the gear shifting time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the select operation before the shift operation. The select actuator positions the shift lever at the neutral position in advance, preparing the transmission for the subsequent shift operation. This sequencing allows the shift actuator to engage gears more quickly without conflict, reducing overall shifting time while maintaining simple control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear shifting operation is segmented into two distinct phases: select operation (positioning the shift lever) and shift operation (engaging the gear). By dividing the shifting process into separate selectable and executable operations, the system can optimize each phase independently, allowing parallel preparation and execution that reduces total shifting time.
2Extent of automation
If existing manual transmissions are modified to implement automatic shifting, then automatic shifting capability is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing manual transmission system universal by adding actuators that can perform both select operations (positioning) and shift operations (engagement). The same shift lever and gear mechanism serve both manual and automatic functions, allowing the transmission to adapt to different operating modes without requiring separate systems, thereby achieving automatic shifting while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shift actuators as intermediaries between the control system and the gear mechanism. These actuators mediate the transition from manual to automatic operation by automatically positioning and engaging the shift lever, while the existing manual transmission components remain unchanged. This intermediary approach enables automatic shifting capability without fundamentally altering or complicating the core transmission system.
3Productivity
If multiple actuators are added for automatic shifting, then shifting speed improves, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shifting operation is segmented into select operation (handled by select actuator) and shift operation (handled by shift actuator). This segmentation allows each actuator to be optimized for its specific function and enables parallel execution of positioning and engagement operations, improving shifting speed without requiring a single complex multi-functional actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The select actuator performs preliminary positioning of the shift lever before the shift actuator engages the gear. This preliminary action prepares the system in advance, allowing the shift actuator to execute the engagement operation quickly and efficiently. The time-consuming positioning task is separated from the critical engagement task, improving overall shifting speed while using a minimal number of actuators.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle speed change arrangement that can perform automatic speed change using a manual transmission, including shift blocks such that a shift block of a reverse-1st speed, a shift block of 4th speed-5th speed, a shift block of 2nd speed-3rd speed, and a shift block of 6th speed are arranged in this sequence in a select operation direction. The arrangement also includes first to fourth shift levers for shifting the shift blocks, select actuators for selecting the first to fourth shift levers, a first shift actuator for shifting the first or second shift lever, a second shift actuator for shifting the third or fourth shift lever, a gear disengagement determination unit for determining whether a gear is disengaged when the gear engagement or disengagement is made using the first and second shift actuators, and a drive unit for driving the gear engaging shift actuator when gear disengagement is determined.