Parking Lock Actuator Venting Against Lubricant Intrusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of a parking lock in a transmission housing of an electrically driveable vehicle poses challenges due to the presence of lubricants and higher temperatures, leading to potential functional failures of the parking lock actuator.

Innovation Solution

A transmission device with a pressure equalization apparatus that forms a gas-permeable connection between the interior of the parking lock actuator and the exterior of the transmission housing, preventing lubricant penetration and ensuring robust operation without additional construction space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a parking lock is integrated in the transmission housing to save construction space, then construction space is saved, but the parking lock actuator becomes sensitive to lubricants and temperatures causing functional failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction spaceVSAvoidparking lock actuator operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the transmission housing into two separate compartments: a first compartment containing the parking lock actuator and a second compartment containing the transmission elements. This segmentation isolates the actuator from the harmful environment (lubricants and high temperatures) in the transmission compartment, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving the space-saving integration approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A partition wall with a selectively permeable membrane acts as an intermediary between the first compartment (actuator) and second compartment (transmission elements). The membrane allows pressure equalization to prevent lubricant infiltration while blocking the actual lubricant and harmful substances, thus protecting the actuator without compromising the integrated design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the parking lock actuator is sealed to prevent lubricant penetration, then reliability improves, but pressure differences cause lubricant intrusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparking lock actuator operationVSAvoidlubricant penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall incorporates a selectively permeable membrane that functions as a porous material. This membrane allows gas and pressure to pass through for equalization while blocking liquid lubricant and contaminants, thus preventing harmful factor penetration while maintaining pressure balance to avoid lubricant intrusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If a pressure equalization apparatus is added to prevent lubricant intrusion, then reliability improves, but construction space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparking lock actuator operationVSAvoidconstruction space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure equalization function is merged into the partition wall structure itself through the selectively permeable membrane. This integration eliminates the need for separate pressure equalization components, thereby improving reliability by preventing lubricant intrusion while avoiding additional construction space requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution effectively prevents lubricant intrusion into the parking lock actuator, enhancing the robustness and reliability of the transmission device while optimizing the use of available construction space.

Implementation Method 1

The pressure equalization apparatus provided in the transmission device according to the invention equalizes the pressure between the interior of the parking lock actuator and the exterior of the transmission housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a pressure equalization apparatus, which runs through the first plug connector of the first connection apparatus and forms a gas-permeable connection between the interior of the parking lock actuator and the exterior of the transmission housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas permeability: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS12325307B2Transmission device for an electrically driveable vehicle, drive device for an electrically driveable vehicle, and vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 VALEO EAUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH

AI summary

A transmission device for an electric vehicle that includes a transmission element, a parking lock with a parking lock actuator which blocks the transmission element, and a transmission housing which encloses the transmission element and the parking lock. The device further includes a first connection apparatus that has a first cable arrangement that extends into the transmission housing and a first plug connector by which the first cable arrangement connects the exterior of the transmission housing to the parking lock actuator. The device further includes a pressure equalization apparatus which runs through the first plug connector of the first connection apparatus and forms a gas-permeable connection between the interior of the parking lock actuator and the exterior of the transmission housing.