Self-Actuating Retaining Mechanism for Vehicle Parking Lock Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing parking lock actuating devices in vehicles with automatic transmissions face safety-critical issues when hydraulic or electrical system faults occur, leading to unintended release or failure to engage the parking lock, especially during remote-start operations.
Innovation Solution
A device with a self-activating retaining mechanism and an electromagnet-actuated release element that maintains the piston unit in a defined position, preventing erroneous release or engagement of the locking mechanism, even in the event of system faults, by using dual locking devices to ensure the parking lock remains engaged or disengaged as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hydraulic system is used to actuate the parking lock, then the parking lock can be engaged and disengaged using the vehicle's existing hydraulic infrastructure, but safety-critical faults in the hydraulic or electrical systems can cause unintended release or failure to engage the parking lock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a safety device that preemptively counteracts potential harmful effects of hydraulic or electrical system faults. The device includes a piston that can be positioned in a safety position to prevent the parking lock from engaging or disengaging when faults are detected, thereby blocking the harmful action before it can occur. This is achieved through a control unit that monitors system conditions and actuates the piston accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a safety piston and control mechanism that mediates between the hydraulic actuation system and the parking lock. This intermediary device decouples the direct connection between the hydraulic system and the parking lock, allowing the safety device to intervene and prevent faulty actuation while still permitting normal operation when system conditions are adequate.
2Reliability
If a spring-loaded piston unit is used for parking lock actuation, then the parking lock can be reliably engaged through spring force, but the piston unit may be erroneously displaced by hydraulic pressure spikes or faults leading to unintended release
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device applies preliminary anti-action by positioning a piston in a predetermined safety position that mechanically blocks erroneous displacement caused by hydraulic pressure spikes or faults. The piston is arranged to prevent the parking lock actuating device from moving out of its engagement position, thereby counteracting harmful hydraulic forces before they can cause unintended release.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by designing the safety device to absorb and mitigate the effects of hydraulic faults before they can affect the parking lock. The piston and associated components are positioned and dimensioned to cushion against pressure spikes and faulty actuation, protecting the parking lock mechanism from harmful effects while allowing normal operation.
3Ease of operation
If remote-start operations are enabled, then vehicle convenience is improved, but the risk of unintended parking lock release during startup increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by incorporating a control unit that continuously monitors system conditions during remote-start operations and adjusts the piston position accordingly. The control unit receives information about hydraulic pressure, electrical system status, and parking lock position, and actuates the safety device to maintain the parking lock in its engagement position throughout the startup process, preventing unintended release while enabling remote-start convenience.
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 solution effectively prevents safety-critical operating conditions by ensuring the parking lock remains securely engaged or disengaged, even when hydraulic pressurization is erroneous, thereby enhancing vehicle safety during remote-start operations and system faults.
Implementation Method 1
an actuating device with an electromagnet for actuating a release element
Implementation Method 2
at least one piston unit which is spring-loaded in the closing direction of the locking mechanism
Implementation Method 3
can be actuated hydraulically in the opening direction of the locking mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A device for actuating a locking mechanism, in particular for actuating a parking lock of a vehicle having an automatic transmission. The device comprises a piston which axially moves, a retaining device which is self-activating when the piston is in an axial position in which the locking mechanism is open to hold the piston in the axial position in which the locking mechanism is open, and an actuating device for actuating a release element, which deactivates the retaining device. To hold the piston in an axial position in which the locking mechanism is closed, the retaining device is self-activating, and can be deactivated to enable the piston to move, starting from the axial position in which the locking mechanism is closed, to the axial position in which the locking mechanism is open.