Parking Locking Gear with Clutch-Assisted Low-Force Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing parking locking mechanism for automatic transmissions is complex, leading to increased assembly difficulties and costs, and requires a large actuator to release the locking mechanism, especially when operating on inclined surfaces, which is disadvantageous for miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
A rotation locking device comprising a locking gear with engaging concave portions, a reverse input blocking clutch, and an engaging member that allows for easy configuration and reduces the force required to release the engagement by rotating the engaging member in the same direction as the applied force, using a reverse input blocking clutch with input and output members and engaging elements to manage torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional parking locking mechanism with detent plate, rod, and cam structure is used, then the locking function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and assembly becomes troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking gear and engaging member into a simplified integration structure where the engaging member directly engages with the locking gear's concave portions. This merges multiple components (detent plate, rod, cam) into a more compact arrangement, reducing device complexity while maintaining the locking function through the engagement between the engaging member's protrusion and the locking gear's concave portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking gear is designed with multiple concave portions that can engage with engaging members at different positions. This universal design allows the same locking gear structure to serve multiple locking points simultaneously, reducing the need for separate locking mechanisms for each position, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If a conventional parking locking mechanism is used, then the locking function is achieved, but the assembly work becomes troublesome and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the engaging member directly with the locking gear structure and eliminating intermediate components like the detent plate and rod, the assembly process is simplified. The engaging member can be directly installed onto the locking gear, reducing the number of assembly steps and lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable locking engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into modular components: the locking gear with concave portions and the engaging member with protrusions. This segmentation allows for independent manufacturing and testing of each component, making assembly more straightforward and reducing overall assembly complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If a conventional parking locking mechanism is used, then the locking function is achieved, but a large actuator with large output is required to release the mechanism, which is disadvantageous for miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional release mechanism by allowing the locking gear itself to facilitate the release process. When the locking gear rotates, its concave portions naturally guide the engaging member's protrusion out of engagement, enabling release with minimal actuator force. This inversion of the release mechanism allows for a much smaller, lighter actuator compared to conventional designs that require large forces to disengage the locking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging member acts as an intermediary between the actuator and the locking gear. It translates the small rotational movement of the actuator into the necessary engagement and disengagement actions, amplifying the effect of the small actuator force and enabling miniaturization of the actuator while maintaining reliable locking and release functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotation locking device 4 has a locking gear 5; a reverse input blocking clutch having an input member 12 and an output member 13; and an engaging member 8, and switches between a first mode where an engaging claw portion 14 engages with an engaging concave portion 9 by the output member 13 rotating the engaging member 8 due to the input member 12 being rotationally driven, and rotation of the locking gear 5 is restricted, and a second mode where engagement between the engaging claw portion 14 and the engaging concave portion 9 is released and rotation of the locking gear 5 is allowed.