Park Lock Emergency Actuation Using Gear and Cam Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modern motor vehicles with automatic transmissions, the park lock actuation systems face challenges when hydraulic pressure or electric power is unavailable, making it difficult to disengage or engage the park position, especially during system failures, and existing solutions require additional power sources or complex mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A device with a manual emergency actuating mechanism using a toothed wheel and spur gear system, where a first engaging element interacts with a control cam to activate or deactivate the park lock, allowing for operation independent of hydraulic pressure and electric power, ensuring the park position can be manually managed even in failure scenarios, and is designed for compact installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic pressure or electric power is unavailable, then the park lock cannot be actuated by the normal system, but the vehicle cannot be moved or towed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate mechanical transmission mechanism consisting of a toothed wheel and spur gear that mediates between the manual emergency actuator and the park lock mechanism. This intermediary mechanical system transfers force from the manual actuator through the toothed wheel and spur gear to the park lock, enabling operation independent of hydraulic or electric systems while maintaining controlled force transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency actuating mechanism is designed to be self-sufficient, using a manual crank that directly drives the toothed wheel through mechanical engagement. The system serves itself by converting manual rotational input into the linear or rotational motion needed to actuate the park lock without requiring external power sources, hydraulic pressure, or electrical energy
2Reliability
If a manual emergency actuating mechanism is added, then the park lock can be operated without power, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the emergency actuating function with the existing park lock mechanism by integrating the toothed wheel and spur gear directly into the current actuation system. The manual crank, toothed wheel, and spur gear form a unified mechanical assembly that combines the emergency input function with the existing lock mechanism, avoiding separate independent systems and reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spur gear acts as an intermediary element that simplifies the transmission of motion from the toothed wheel to the park lock mechanism. This intermediate gear provides smooth mechanical coupling and force transmission, reducing the complexity that would otherwise require direct mechanical connections or more complex transmission systems
3Ease of operation
If a toothed wheel and spur gear system is used, then manual actuation is enabled, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where the toothed wheel is positioned within or adjacent to the existing actuator housing, and the spur gear is integrated into the same spatial envelope. The manual crank extends from the existing actuator assembly, allowing all components to be nested within or adjacent to the current park lock actuator space, minimizing additional installation area
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency actuating components (toothed wheel, spur gear, manual crank) are merged with the existing park lock actuator structure, sharing common mounting surfaces, housing space, and structural support. This consolidation allows the manual actuation system to utilize the same installation footprint as the original electrically-actuated system
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 reliable and intuitive activation or deactivation of the park lock in all situations, including system failures, without the need for additional power sources, ensuring the vehicle can be moved or towed safely, while maintaining a compact and low-wear design.
Implementation Method 1
A device with a manual emergency actuating mechanism using a toothed wheel and spur gear system
Implementation Method 2
whereby a first engaging element interacts with a control cam to activate or deactivate the park lock
Data Source
AI summary
A device for actuating a park lock in an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, in which a gear position selector can be used to set at least one drive-, neutral- and park position. When the park position is selected, a park lock that is operatively connected to the automatic transmission can be actuated, and it can then be activated or deactivated with an emergency actuator device that can be operated manually. The emergency actuating device has a toothed wheel (gear) that can be made to engage with a spur gear that is configured as an intermediate toothed wheel (gear). A first engaging element engages into a control cam provided on the spur gear and, when the spur gear moves, the first engaging element can be moved in order to activate and deactivate the park lock in the control cam.