Parking Lock Assembly With Radial Locking Elements for Compact Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking lock units for motor vehicles, particularly in hybrid electric and electric vehicles, require a larger installation space and more components, and do not efficiently secure the transmission power path, posing a risk of unintentional vehicle movement.
Innovation Solution
A compact parking lock unit design featuring a rotationally fixed parking ratchet wheel, spring arrangements, and radially movable locking elements, which are actuated by a ring to engage or disengage with the ratchet wheel, ensuring secure locking and release with minimal components and space, utilizing a supporting sleeve and spring arms to manage the locking elements' movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional parking lock units are used, then the vehicle transmission power path can be blocked, but the installation space required is large and the number of components is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional elements into a single integrated parking lock unit. The support sleeve integrates the support function for locking elements, the ratchet wheel support, and the transmission power path blocking function into one compact component structure, reducing the overall installation space while maintaining reliable blocking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements are radially movable within the support sleeve structure, with the first and second spring arrangements nested within the same radial space. The locking elements can be moved radially inward to engage with the ratchet wheel teeth, creating a nested configuration that minimizes the external dimensions while maintaining the blocking function.
2Reliability
If conventional parking lock units are used, then the transmission power path can be blocked, but the number of components required is high
Solution Approach 1:
The support sleeve combines multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components: support for locking elements, support for the ratchet wheel, and the blocking mechanism itself. This merging reduces the total component count while ensuring reliable power path blocking through the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support sleeve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the locking elements in the radial direction, supports the ratchet wheel, provides the opening for locking element movement, and enables the blocking of the transmission power path. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
3Ease of operation
If spring arrangements are used to load locking elements, then the locking elements can be moved radially, but the component count increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second spring arrangements are integrated within the same radial space of the support sleeve structure, with the locking elements moving radially between them. This merging of spring arrangements into a compact configuration enables radial movement capability while minimizing the increase in overall component complexity.
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 provides a safe and space-efficient blocking of the transmission power path, reducing the risk of unintentional vehicle movement while minimizing component count and installation space, ensuring reliable operation with a stable equilibrium in the locked position.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring arrangement (7) and a second spring arrangement (12), which is arranged, with respect to a longitudinal axis (L1) of the parking ratchet wheel (3), radially outwardly to the first spring arrangement (7); and at least one locking element (6), which is arranged between the first spring arrangement (7) and the second spring arrangement (12) so as to be radially movable with respect to the longitudinal axis and is spring-loaded by at least one of the first spring arrangement (7) and the second spring arrangement (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A parking lock unit for a transmission assembly of a motor vehicle includes a parking ratchet wheel defining a longitudinal axis and a first spring arrangement. A second spring arrangement is arranged radially outwards of the first spring arrangement with respect to a longitudinal axis. A supporting sleeve is arranged coaxially to the parking ratchet wheel and is supported in a circumferential direction by the transmission assembly. The supporting sleeve has at least one opening. At least one locking element is arranged between the first and second spring arrangements and is radially movable in the at least one opening with respect to the longitudinal axis. The locking element is spring loaded by at least one of the first and second spring arrangements. The at least one locking element is movable radially inwards into a locked position and radially outwards into a release position by rotation of an actuating ring about the longitudinal axis.