Power Shift Transmission with Alternate Modes for Smooth Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power shift transmissions in work vehicles lack efficient modes for smooth gear transitions, leading to increased energy consumption and operational complexity due to limited gear ratios and reverse modes.
Innovation Solution
A power shift transmission system with multiple shafts, gears, and clutches configured to provide numerous forward and reverse modes, including alternate modes with similar transmission ratios, allowing for efficient shifting based on rotational energy differences to minimize energy loss and reduce part count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional power shift transmissions use limited gear ratios, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and smoothness of gear transitions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is divided into multiple shafts (input shaft, counter shafts, output shaft) with gears distributed across them. Each shaft handles specific gear ratios, allowing the complex 21-forward-mode transmission to be segmented into manageable components. This segmentation enables high adaptability while controlling device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces alternate forward modes as an additional dimension beyond traditional sequential gear ratios. These alternate modes provide similar transmission ratios to standard modes, creating a two-dimensional gear selection space (standard modes × alternate modes) that enhances adaptability without proportionally increasing mechanical complexity.
2Ease of operation
If power shift transmissions lack alternate modes with similar ratios, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation and energy efficiency during gear transitions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Alternate forward modes act as intermediary states between standard forward modes. When transitioning between gears, the system can use alternate modes with similar ratios as intermediate steps, reducing the shock and energy loss during transitions. This intermediary approach smooths gear changes while managing the complexity of having multiple modes through controlled engagement sequences.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transmission has many forward modes and reverse modes, then the adaptability improves, but the loss of energy during mode changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system pre-configures alternate forward modes with ratios similar to standard modes before mode changes are needed. This preliminary arrangement allows the system to quickly switch between modes with minimal energy loss, as the alternate modes are already positioned and ready for engagement. The preliminary structuring of gear ratios reduces the energy penalty associated with frequent mode changes across 21 forward modes and reverse modes.
Data Source
AI summary
A power shift transmission includes a plurality of shafts, a plurality of gears, a plurality of clutches, a plurality of forward modes, and a plurality of alternate forward modes. Each forward mode has a distinct transmission ratio, and each alternate forward mode has a transmission ratio similar to one of the plurality of forward modes.