Park Lock Pre-Assembly Bracket for Transmission Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of park lock systems in transmissions is complex, time-consuming, and prone to errors due to limited space and multiple components, which affects reproducibility and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A park lock system with a mounting bracket that pre-assembles the park lock pawl and actuation device as a single unit, allowing for independent assembly outside the transmission housing, reducing the number of components and simplifying the assembly process by providing alignment and connection elements for easy integration into the transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the park lock system is assembled with multiple components inside the transmission housing at a late stage, then the functionality is maintained, but the assembly time increases and assembly errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly timeVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The park lock system is divided into a pre-assembly unit containing all park lock components (park lock pawl, return spring, actuation device) that can be assembled separately and independently before final installation into the transmission housing. This segmentation allows parallel assembly processes and reduces the complexity of final assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The park lock components are pre-assembled into a complete functional unit before being installed into the transmission housing. This preliminary assembly includes mounting the park lock pawl on the park shaft, installing the return spring, and configuring the actuation device, all performed in advance to simplify the final installation step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple components are assembled in limited space inside the transmission housing, then the compactness is maintained, but assembly mistakes increase and reproducibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly reproducibilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a pre-assembled unit with all components properly configured before final installation. This separate assembly process allows for dedicated quality control procedures and standardized assembly protocols, improving reproducibility and reducing assembly mistakes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket serves as an intermediary component that facilitates the assembly of multiple park lock components. It provides a structured platform for mounting the park lock pawl, return spring, and actuation device, making the assembly process more systematic and reproducible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the park lock system components are assembled independently outside the transmission housing, then assembly time is reduced and quality control is improved, but the integration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The park lock system is segmented into a separate pre-assembly unit that can be manufactured and assembled independently using simplified procedures. This modular approach allows each subsystem to be optimized for ease of assembly while minimizing integration complexity through standardized connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket is designed as a universal component that provides standardized mounting interfaces for the park lock pawl, return spring, and actuation device. This multi-functional bracket simplifies the integration process by providing a common platform that accommodates all components with standardized connection methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3464959B1Park lock system, transmission comprising such a park lock system, method for assembling such a park lock system into a transmission.
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 PUNCH POWERTRAIN NV
  • EP3464959B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3464959B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3464959B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A park lock system comprising a park lock pawl that is adjustable between a park position in which the park lock pawl is engaged with a park gear and a non-park position in which the park lock pawl is disengaged from the park gear; an actuation device for actuating the park lock pawl between the park position and the non-park position; a mounting bracket that is configured for receiving the park lock pawl and for receiving the actuation device such that, when the park lock pawl and the actuation device are mounted to the mounting bracket, a pre-assembly unit is provided for assembly into a transmission housing, wherein the mounting bracket further is provided with connection elements for connection to the transmission housing.