Modular Parking Lock Unit for Electric Drive Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking lock systems for electric drive assemblies in motor vehicles are not easily integratable and require significant adaptation efforts, leading to increased production costs and complexity, especially when integrating a parking lock into existing electric drives without one.
Innovation Solution
A modular parking lock unit with a compact design that includes a ratchet wheel, a locking element, and a controllable actuator, which can be easily connected to the electric drive assembly, allowing for a unified production line for both equipped and unequipped electric drives, with a focus on a compact radial arrangement and flexible mounting options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a parking lock is integrated into existing electric drive assemblies, then the motor vehicle is prevented from unintentionally rolling away, but the production complexity increases and adaptation efforts are required
Solution Approach 1:
The parking lock is designed as a separate, modular unit that can be independently manufactured and then integrated into the electric drive assembly. This segmentation allows the parking lock to be produced on dedicated production lines and simplifies the integration process into existing electric drive systems, reducing overall production complexity while maintaining the safety function.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking lock unit is designed with universal mounting features and standardized interfaces that allow it to be integrated into different models and types of electric drive assemblies. This multi-functionality enables a single parking lock design to serve multiple applications, reducing the need for model-specific adaptations and simplifying production.
2Reliability
If a parking lock is integrated into existing electric drive assemblies, then the motor vehicle is prevented from unintentionally rolling away, but the production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the parking lock into a separate modular unit, it can be manufactured using optimized processes specific to parking lock production, rather than requiring reconfiguration of general electric drive production lines. This dedicated manufacturing approach reduces unit costs through specialization and volume production.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking lock unit is pre-assembled and pre-tested as a complete functional module before integration into the electric drive assembly. This preliminary action allows for efficient manufacturing of the parking lock subsystem and simplifies the final integration step, reducing overall production time and cost.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact radial arrangement is used for the ratchet wheel in the parking lock housing, then the design becomes more compact, but the space for other components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The parking lock unit utilizes axial space in addition to radial space by extending components along the axial direction of the rotational axis. This dimensional approach allows the ratchet wheel to have a compact radial arrangement while compensating for reduced radial space by optimizing axial dimensions, thereby maintaining overall compactness without sacrificing mounting flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Components within the parking lock housing are arranged in a nested configuration where smaller components are positioned within or around larger components. This nesting allows efficient use of the limited space around the ratchet wheel, enabling a compact radial arrangement while still accommodating necessary mounting features and other components.
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 simple and cost-effective integration of a parking lock into electric drive assemblies, reducing production complexity and allowing for identical production lines for both equipped and unequipped systems, while ensuring a compact and versatile design that can be adapted to various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a sleeve-shaped shaft journal which is rotatably supported in the first bearing receptacle about a rotational axis
Implementation Method 2
a ratchet wheel which is connected to the shaft journal in a rotationally fixed way... a locking element which is movably supported in the parking lock housing and which is transferable into a locking position in which the locking element blocks a rotational movement of the ratchet wheel
Implementation Method 3
a controllable actuator connected to the parking lock housing and configured to selectively transfer the locking element into the locking position or into the releasing position
Data Source
AI summary
An electric drive assembly comprises a parking lock housing, a sleeve-shaped shaft journal supported in the parking lock housing so as to be rotatable around a rotational axis, wherein the shaft journal comprises a connecting profile for connection to the driveshaft of the electric drive assembly in a rotationally fixed way; a ratchet wheel connected to the shaft journal in a rotationally fixed way and received in a receiving space between the base portion and the cover portion; a locking element movably supported in the parking lock housing and that can be transferred into a locking position for blocking the ratchet wheel and into a releasing position for releasing the ratchet wheel; and a controllable actuator for actuating the locking element; wherein an inner diameter of the parking lock housing in the region of the ratchet wheel substantially corresponds to a greatest outer diameter of the ratchet wheel.