Compact Park Lock Assembly With Lateral Pull Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing park lock assemblies for vehicle transmissions are inefficient due to their size, stress distribution, and packaging requirements, as they typically rely on pushing mechanisms that do not optimize strength and compactness.
Innovation Solution
A compact park lock assembly that uses rollers to pivot a locking lever between unlocked and locked positions, incorporating a movable guide plate for alignment, torque transmission, and position sensing, with an abutment plate member for secure mounting and spring features to restrain movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a traditional pushing mechanism is used to actuate the park lock, then the assembly can lock the transmission, but the package size is large and stress distribution is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional pushing mechanism by using a pulling mechanism instead. The actuator pulls the guide plate toward the parking lock gear, which in turn pulls the roller and actuates the pawl into engagement with the gear teeth. This inversion allows for a more compact design with improved stress distribution, as the pulling action creates more favorable stress paths through the components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the direction of actuation from longitudinal pushing to lateral pulling. This parameter change in the actuation direction enables a compact packaging arrangement where the guide plate can be positioned closer to the parking lock gear, reducing the overall volume while improving the structural strength and stress distribution in the pawl and guide plate.
2Ease of manufacture
If the guide plate is made as a single-piece integrated component, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different mounting configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate is designed as a multi-functional component that performs several functions simultaneously: it guides the roller movement, transmits torque from the actuator to the pawl, provides structural support, and enables position sensing. This multi-functionality is achieved through its integrated geometry that incorporates guide surfaces, engagement features, and mounting provisions, allowing a single piece to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate components.
3Force
If the roller is positioned to engage the ramped end of the locking lever, then actuation force is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guide plate and the actuator into a closely integrated assembly where the guide plate directly transmits the pulling force to the roller, which engages the ramped end of the locking lever. This merging eliminates the need for separate linkages or intermediate components, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the mechanical advantage provided by the ramped engagement geometry for improved actuation force.
Data Source
AI summary
A compact park lock assembly configured to be pulled towards a ramped section of a locking lever during actuation to unlock and lock a park lock gear. The compact park lock assembly includes a guide plate configured to align the park lock assembly during assembly, receive input loads from a pinion drive gear arrangement, position and restrain movement of the guide plate, and provide for sensing of the position of the locking lever during operation. The compact park lock assembly also includes an abutment plate to facilitate mounting of the park lock assembly, a spring section to restrain the guide plate, and a clip section to force and retain the abutment plate section to a housing.