Nested Gear Shift Arrangement for Compact Dual-Gear Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gear shift arrangements in vehicle transmissions require separate and individually controlled shift forks for each gear wheel with a bearing to a transmission shaft, leading to high costs and significant space usage within the gearbox housing.

Innovation Solution

A gear shift arrangement that utilizes axially movable connecting mechanisms and an actuator arrangement, where one actuator can control two shift forks, reducing the number of components and space required, by using connector elements that enclose each other and allowing axial movement, enabling efficient engagement of gear wheels without sequential disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate and individually controlled shift forks are used for each gear wheel, then each gear wheel can be engaged independently, but the number of components increases and space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent gear engagement capabilityVSAvoidNumber of shift forks and actuators

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single actuator arrangement is designed to control multiple connecting mechanisms (first and second connecting mechanisms) through a shared actuator connector element. This multi-functional actuator can selectively engage different gear wheels by distributing control signals to various connecting mechanisms, thereby reducing the total number of actuators while maintaining independent gear engagement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting mechanisms are arranged in a nested configuration where the first connector element is enclosed by the second connector element, which in turn encloses the actuator connector element. This nested structure allows multiple connecting mechanisms to share the same spatial envelope, significantly reducing space consumption within the gearbox housing while maintaining functional independence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If separate and individually controlled shift forks are used for each gear wheel, then each gear wheel can be engaged independently, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent gear engagement capabilityVSAvoidManufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator arrangement serves multiple functions by controlling both the first and second connecting mechanisms through a single actuator connector element. This consolidation reduces the total component count, leading to lower manufacturing costs while preserving the ability to independently engage different gears

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple controlling functions are merged into a single actuator arrangement that can selectively engage different gear wheels. By combining what would traditionally require separate actuators into one shared actuator system, the overall system cost is reduced while maintaining operational independence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connecting mechanisms are used for different gear wheels, then each gear can be engaged, but space within the gearbox housing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveGear engagement capabilityVSAvoidSpace in gearbox housing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting mechanisms utilize axial movement along the transmission shaft rather than radial or lateral displacement. By moving components along the axial dimension, the design efficiently packs multiple connecting mechanisms into a compact space without increasing the overall footprint of the gearbox housing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3559516B1Gear shift arrangement for a transmission of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.03.02 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a gear shift arrangement (100) for a transmission arrangement of a vehicle, the gear shift arrangement comprising an axially movable first connecting mechanism (102) connectable to a first gear wheel for engagement of a first gear of the transmission arrangement; an axially movable second connecting mechanism (104) connectable to a second gear wheel for engagement of a second gear of the transmission arrangement; an actuator arrangement (106) configured to controllably connect the first connecting mechanism (102) and the first gear wheel to each other, and to controllably connect the second connecting mechanism (104) and the second gear wheel to each other, wherein the first connecting mechanism (102) comprises a first connector element (108), the second connecting mechanism (104) comprises a second connector element (110) and the actuator arrangement (106) comprises an actuator connector element (112), wherein the second connector element (110) at least partially enclosing the actuator connector element (112), and the actuator connector element (112) at least partially enclosing the first connector element (108), wherein the gear shift arrangement (100) further comprises means (114) for selectively connecting the actuator connector element (112) to the first (108) and second (110) connector elements.