Power Take-Off Arrangement With Unified Actuator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power take-off arrangements in vehicles require multiple actuators to control engagement and disengagement of multiple power take-off units, leading to increased complexity, weight, and power consumption, while also adding cost and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A power take-off arrangement with a main coupling device and two actuators that control three coupling devices, allowing for engagement of either power take-off unit to lock the main transmission member to the input shaft, and automatic disengagement when all units are not in use, minimizing power consumption and reducing the need for additional actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple actuators are used to control engagement of multiple power take-off units, then each coupling device can be independently controlled, but the device complexity, weight, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control function for multiple coupling devices into a single actuator. The actuator controls both the main coupling device (11) and at least one secondary coupling device (15, 19) through a unified control mechanism, reducing the total number of actuators while maintaining independent control capability for each coupling device during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator is designed with multi-functional capability to control different coupling devices (main coupling device 11 and secondary coupling devices 15, 19) at different times. The actuator can selectively engage or disengage different coupling devices based on operational requirements, making one component perform multiple control functions
2Ease of operation
If multiple actuators are used to control multiple coupling devices, then precise control is achieved, but the weight of the arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuator functions into a single actuator unit, directly reducing the total weight of the actuator system. The unified actuator controls both the main coupling device (11) and secondary coupling devices (15, 19), eliminating the weight of redundant actuator components while preserving control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed as a universal control component capable of operating different coupling devices. This multi-functional design allows one actuator to replace multiple specialized actuators, significantly reducing the overall weight of the control system while maintaining precise control over power take-off unit engagement
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators are used for controlling coupling devices, then each unit can be controlled independently, but the cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple actuator control functions into a single actuator mechanism, reducing the total space required for actuator installation. The unified actuator is positioned to control both the main coupling device (11) and secondary coupling devices (15, 19) through coordinated mechanical linkages, minimizing spatial requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A power take-off arrangement (1) for a vehicle (5) that includes an input shaft (7), a main transmission member (9), a main coupling device (11), a first power take-off unit (13), a second power take-off unit (17), a first coupling device (15), and a second coupling device (19). The first coupling device (15) and the second coupling device (19) are configured to connect, in an engaged state, a respective power take-off unit (13, 17) to the main transmission member (9). The first and second coupling devices (15, 19) are connected to the main coupling device (11) such that the main coupling device (11) is controlled to be in the engaged state when any one of the first and second coupling devices (15, 19) is in the engaged state.