Transmission Parking Lock Securing Unit With Electromagnetic Toggle Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles with automatic transmissions face safety issues due to the risk of the parking brake not being engaged, potentially causing the vehicle to roll away if the driver forgets to activate it, necessitating a solution that ensures the parking lock is reliably engaged without complex constructions.
Innovation Solution
A safety unit comprising an actuating unit, a support unit connected via a spring, a toggle lever unit, and a fixing unit with an electromagnet, which holds the toggle lever unit in a fixing position to secure the parking lock in the engaged position, and releases it to maintain the position even when the electromagnet is switched off, ensuring the parking lock remains engaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a securing unit with electromagnet and toggle lever unit is used to ensure the parking lock is engaged, then vehicle safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded actuating unit automatically engages the parking lock when the electromagnet is de-energized, without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. The system uses the stored energy in the spring to automatically move the transmission element to the predetermined position, making the system self-actuating in the safety-critical state.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnet replaces a purely mechanical locking mechanism with an electromagnetic holding force. This allows the system to maintain the parking lock in the engaged position using only magnetic force when energized, and automatically releases to allow spring-driven engagement when de-energized, simplifying the overall mechanical structure compared to dual-actuator systems.
2Reliability
If a spring-loaded actuating unit is used to tension the safety mechanism, then the parking lock can be reliably engaged, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating unit transitions from a static mechanical linkage to a dynamic spring-loaded system that can automatically adjust its force application. The spring provides continuous pressure to ensure the transmission element is reliably tensioned, while the toggle lever unit provides mechanical advantage to amplify the engagement force, creating a adaptive rather than rigid connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates in two distinct states: held in the engaged position by the electromagnet during normal operation, and automatically actuated by the spring when the electromagnet is de-energized. This periodic switching between electromagnetic holding and spring-driven actuation simplifies the control logic while ensuring reliable engagement.
3Reliability
If the electromagnet is designed to hold the toggle lever unit in the fixing position, then the parking lock remains engaged when powered, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-loaded in the opposite direction to the desired engagement movement, storing potential energy ready to actuate the parking lock. The electromagnet only needs to apply a holding force to prevent the spring from releasing, rather than continuously driving the engagement. This reverses the conventional approach where energy is used to drive the action rather than hold the position.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnet replaces a continuous mechanical actuation system with an electromagnetic holding field. Instead of requiring continuous mechanical force to maintain engagement, the system uses magnetic flux to hold the toggle lever unit in the fixing position, consuming energy only to maintain the magnetic field rather than to physically move components.
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 simple, compact, and reliable means to maintain the parking lock in the engaged position, enhancing vehicle safety by ensuring the parking brake is always activated, even in emergencies, without adding complex structures.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing unit with an electromagnet, wherein the fixing unit is designed to hold the toggle lever unit in a fixing position when the electromagnet is energized
Implementation Method 2
a support unit which can be or is arranged to be movable in a direction of movement relative to the actuating unit and is connected to the actuating unit via a spring
Data Source
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AI summary
The approach presented here creates a securing unit (150) for setting a predefined position of a component (140) of a transmission (110). The securing unit (150) comprises an actuating unit (205) which is coupled or can be coupled to a transmission element (130, 255) to set the predefined position of the component (140) of the transmission (110). The securing unit (150) also comprises a supporting unit (210) which can be arranged or is arranged such that it can move in a movement direction (310) relative to the actuating unit (205) and is connected to the actuating unit (205) via a spring (250). The securing unit (150) also comprises a triggering unit (215) with a toggle lever unit (220), the toggle lever unit (220) being coupled between the actuating unit (205) and the supporting unit (210). Finally, the securing unit (150) comprises a fixing unit (225) having an electromagnet (230), the fixing unit (225) being designed to hold the toggle lever unit (220) in a fixed position when the electromagnet (230) is in an energised state and thereby to fix the actuating unit (205) relative to the supporting unit (210), and the fixing unit (225) also being designed to allow the toggle lever unit (220) to move into a released position when the electromagnet (230) is in a non-energised state in order to allow the component (140) of the transmission (110) to be brought into the predefined position thereby.