Park Lock Actuator With Preloaded Spring and Pivoting Armature
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle park lock actuators for automatic transmissions face challenges in ensuring reliable emergency mechanism function, particularly in power failures, as they require an independent power source and can leave the P-position undesirably if not preloaded correctly.
Innovation Solution
The actuator incorporates a spring element loaded by an electromagnetic retaining apparatus with a tiltable and pivotable magnet armature, ensuring the spring element is preloaded and held in place using a planar magnetic contact surface, eliminating the need for an independent power source and preventing unintended shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an independent power source is used to trigger the emergency mechanism, then the emergency function can be activated, but the system complexity increases and the P-position cannot be set if the independent power source is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source requirement from the emergency mechanism by using a spring element that is mechanically preloaded during normal operation. The spring stores energy independently of any power source, allowing the emergency mechanism to function without requiring an independent power source or battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is preloaded during normal operation before an emergency occurs. This preliminary action stores the necessary energy in advance, so that when power failure or actuator malfunction occurs, the emergency mechanism can immediately engage the P-position without requiring additional power or complex activation systems.
2Reliability
If the spring element is preloaded by leaving the P-position, then the emergency mechanism becomes available, but the P-position is left undesirably creating an unsafe vehicle situation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is preloaded during normal operation while the vehicle is in the P-position, rather than requiring the P-position to be left. This preliminary loading occurs through the electromagnetic retaining apparatus holding the spring in a preloaded state, ensuring emergency readiness without creating unsafe conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic retaining apparatus acts as an intermediary that holds the spring element in a preloaded state without requiring mechanical displacement from the P-position. This mediator enables the spring to be ready for emergency engagement while the transmission remains securely in the P-position.
3Reliability
If a magnetic holding force is used to hold the spring element, then the spring position can be maintained, but gaps or asymmetrical force introduction reduce the magnetic holding force
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet armature is made tiltable and pivotable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to maintain optimal contact with the electromagnet. This dynamic capability compensates for manufacturing tolerances and ensures consistent magnetic holding force without requiring extremely precise manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic holding force is enhanced by allowing the armature to change its orientation parameters (tilt and pivot angles) to optimize the magnetic circuit. This parameter adjustment ensures maximum magnetic coupling between the armature and electromagnet despite variations in assembly precision or operating conditions.
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 configuration ensures the spring element is always preloaded, maintaining the P-position even in power failures, enhancing safety and reliability by maintaining the P-position without additional power sources and preventing unsafe shifting scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic retaining apparatus with an electromagnet (50) which interacts magnetically with a magnet armature (52) for holding the spring element (5) in a preloaded state
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic retaining apparatus with an electromagnet (50) which interacts magnetically with a magnet armature (52)
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator to set a park lock of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle has a drive (2) driving a drive shaft (1), a first actuating element (3) operatively connected to the drive shaft (1) for actuating a switching device, a spring element (5), which is supported on one side on a housing component (16) of the actuator, and on the other side on a second actuating element (17) designed to load the spring element (5). The actuator also has an electromagnetic retaining device (32) with an electromagnet (50) which interacts magnetically with a magnetic armature (52) comprising a ferromagnetic material component to retain the spring element (5) which is under loading, building up a spring return force. The magnetic armature (52) is mounted tiltably and/or pivotably on a pivot component (55) of the retaining device (32).