Park Lock Rod Assembly With Keyhole Slots for Manual Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing park lock rod assembly for vehicle transmissions requires a costly and complex fixture-assisted process for assembling the rod and spring, which increases assembly costs and complexity, and necessitates tightly controlled operations to maintain required tolerances.
Innovation Solution
A manually assembled park lock rod assembly with a guide member featuring L-shaped and keyhole slot configurations allows the rod and spring to be loaded and captured without fixtures, enabling assembly by hand and eliminating the need for crimping or additional fasteners, utilizing grooves and slots to secure the rod in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixture-assisted crimping process is used to assemble the rod and spring, then the assembly is secure and reliable, but the assembly cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is segmented into distinct functional zones: an L-shaped slot for rod insertion and positioning, a central cavity for spring reception, and a second slot for rod capture. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently, enabling simple manual assembly while ensuring secure retention of the rod and spring without requiring complex fixtures or crimping operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If a fixture-assisted crimping process is used to assemble the rod and spring, then the required tolerances are maintained, but the assembly cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member's slot configuration performs self-positioning and self-alignment functions. The L-shaped first slot guides the rod into the correct orientation, the spring cavity automatically positions the spring, and the second slot captures the rod end. This self-service mechanism ensures proper tolerances are maintained during assembly without requiring expensive fixtures or specialized equipment, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining precision.
3Strength
If the rod is crimped to the guide member, then the connection is secure, but additional fastening processes and tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is nested within the guide member's slot structure. The rod passes through the L-shaped first slot, engages with the spring in the central cavity, and is captured by the second slot. This nesting arrangement creates a secure connection through geometric interlocking rather than mechanical fastening, eliminating the need for crimping, welding, or other additional fastening processes while maintaining strong structural integrity.
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
This solution simplifies the assembly process, reduces costs, and maintains the rod in slidable engagement with the guide member, ensuring reliable operation without the need for tools or fixtures, while preventing separation during reciprocating movement.
Implementation Method 1
The park lock rod assembly is spring loaded and includes a lock rod captured by a guide member so as to drive a roller cage mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An improved park lock rod assembly is provided for a park lock mechanism of a vehicle transmission wherein the park lock rod assembly includes a spring-loaded lock rod captured by a guide member. The guide member includes a first bulbous open slot that is generally L-shaped and receives one end of the lock rod, and another open slot spaced axially from the first open slot that receives another end of the lock rod. This slot configuration allows the rod to pivot relative to the guide member and seat within the second open slot, which permits ready assembly of the lock rod to the guide member. The park lock rod assembly may be manually assembled without the need for crimping or other fasteners. Further, the rod is grooved to cooperate with keyhole shapes provided in the open slots wherein the groove and slot configurations permit the rod to be assembled into the guide member while preventing separation during reciprocating movement of the lock rod.