Compact Parking Lock Module With Integrated Fluidic Detent Piston

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parking lock modules for motor vehicles require a large structural space due to complex designs with multiple components, making them unsuitable for mass production and constrained transmission housing installations.

Innovation Solution

A simplified parking lock module design where the detent element forms both the piston and the pressurizable surface of the fluidic actuator, eliminating separate components and allowing for direct force application along a single axis, reducing the structural space requirement and simplifying installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex design with multiple separate components is used for the parking lock module, then the actuation function can be achieved, but the structural space requirement increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation functionVSAvoidstructural space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the piston and pressurizable surface into a single integrated detent element. The piston forms the pressurizable surface itself, eliminating the need for separate components. This merging reduces the structural space requirement while maintaining the actuation function through direct force application along a single axis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detent element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the piston and the pressurizable surface for the fluidic actuator, and also functions as the detent mechanism for positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the module design.

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

2Reliability

If a complex design with multiple separate components is used for the parking lock module, then the actuation function can be achieved, but the installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation functionVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the piston and pressurizable surface into one integrated detent element, the number of parts to be assembled is reduced. This simplifies the installation process and reduces installation complexity while maintaining the complete actuation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary separate components from the design. By removing the distinct piston component and integrating its function into the detent element, the assembly process becomes simpler and more straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If separate piston and pressurizable surface components are used, then the fluidic actuation can be achieved, but the component count and structural footprint increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluidic actuationVSAvoidcomponent count
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The piston and pressurizable surface are merged into a single detent element structure. The detent element itself forms the pressurizable surface, eliminating the need for a separate piston component. This reduces the component count while maintaining fluidic actuation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detent element is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the piston (moving component) and the pressurizable surface (actuator interface). This universal design reduces the overall component count and simplifies the device structure.

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

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 results in a more compact and cost-effective parking lock module with reduced installation complexity and space usage, ensuring efficient actuation of the parking lock without increasing the structural footprint.

Implementation Method 1

The detent element is preloaded into the arresting position by means of a spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the detent element is movable, counter to the spring, into the release position by means of at least one fluidic actuator with a pressurizable effective surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3604864B1Parking lock module for actuating a parking lock in a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 FTE AUTOMOTIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3604864B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3604864B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3604864B1 patent drawingFigure 5~11

AI summary

A parking lock module (10) has a housing (30), in which, for the actuation of a parking lock, a positioning member (40) is accommodated in longitudinally displaceable fashion, which positioning member is movable from a locking position into an unlocking position and vice versa. The positioning member is selectively fixable relative to the housing by means of an arresting device (46), which arresting device has a detent contour (60) fixed to the positioning member and has a detent element (62) on the housing. The detent element is movable from an arresting position, in which it is in engagement with the detent contour, into a release position, in which it releases the detent contour, and vice versa. Here, the detent element (62) is passively preloaded into the arresting position by means of a spring (64) and is actively movable, counter to the spring, into the release position by means of at least one fluidic actuator (70) with a pressurizable effective surface (72). In a very compact embodiment, the detent element itself is formed as a piston (74) which is guided displaceably along a feed axis (Z) and which forms the pressurizable effective surface of the fluidic actuator.