Automotive Parking Lock Emergency Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanisms for emergency release of a parking lock in automatic transmissions require significant installation space and multiple parts, limiting their integration and increasing costs and complexity within the vehicle's drive train and chassis.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism featuring a lever connected to the transmission's selector shaft, which can be actuated using a threaded unlocking tool inserted through the transmission housing, allowing for external release of the parking lock with minimal parts and space requirements, utilizing a threaded pin to rotate the lever and deactivate the parking lock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical emergency release mechanism is integrated into the transmission, then the parking lock can be released in case of hydraulic failure, but the installation space and design options are significantly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the emergency release mechanism at the rear of the transmission housing, accessible from the vehicle's underbody rather than integrating it within the main transmission body. This spatial repositioning allows the mechanism to be located in an otherwise unused space, avoiding interference with the drive train and chassis design while maintaining emergency release functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a connecting rod with a guiding groove as an intermediary element that transmits the mechanical force from the externally accessible lever to the parking lock actuator. This intermediary mechanism enables the emergency release function to be activated from outside the transmission while maintaining a compact internal structure.
2Reliability
If special tools and forced power activated systems are used for manual emergency release, then the parking lock can be deactivated, but the complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the emergency release mechanism to be activated by the driver using a simple lever that can be operated with basic hand tools already available in the vehicle's toolkit. The mechanism uses the driver's manual input force directly, without requiring specialized emergency release tools or complex forced power activation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring complex powered systems to activate the emergency release, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple mechanically-linked lever system that converts manual lever movement directly into the necessary actuation force for releasing the parking lock, eliminating the need for additional motors, hydraulics, or electronic control systems.
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 reduces the number of parts and installation space needed, lowering manufacturing and installation costs while enabling efficient external access for emergency release of the parking lock, even when hydraulic pressure is absent.
Implementation Method 1
the end, facing the lever, causes the lever to rotate
Data Source
AI summary
The mechanism for emergency release of a parking lock of an automatic transmission. The mechanism comprises and is connected, in a rotationally fixed manner, with the selector shaft (1) of the shifting device of the transmission. A lever (2), which is positioned facing the transmission housing (3), at the side of the shifting device, can be activated by an unlocking tool (5) that is inserted from the outside through an opening (4) in the transmission housing (3) to release the parking lock.