Rotatable Drum Cam-Track for Pulling Pushing Gear Lock

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gear change locking devices for motor-vehicles require separate mechanical transmissions for different market regions, leading to increased costs and storage space due to the need for different pulling and pushing actions depending on the region.

Innovation Solution

A control device featuring a rotatable drum with a cam-track that can be adapted for either pulling or pushing actions by using a drum with a cam-track of different orientations, allowing all device parts to remain identical except for the drum, which can be produced in two versions to accommodate both modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate mechanical transmissions are provided for different market regions, then the gear change locking device can accommodate different regional requirements (pulling or pushing actions), but the device complexity and quantity of parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different market regionsVSAvoidcomplexity of mechanical transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single mechanical transmission system that can perform both pulling and pushing actions. The transmission includes a drum with a cam-track and a follower element that can engage with the cable in either tension or compression mode, allowing the same device to serve multiple market regions without requiring separate transmissions for each region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the mechanical transmission adaptable through the relative positioning of the follower element and cam-track on the drum. The system can dynamically switch between pulling and pushing modes by adjusting the engagement point, allowing the transmission to change its functional mode based on the required market specification without physical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate mechanical transmissions are provided for different market regions, then regional requirements are met, but manufacturing costs and storage expenses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different market regionsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single mechanical transmission system that can perform both pulling and pushing actions. The transmission includes a drum with a cam-track and a follower element that can engage with the cable in either tension or compression mode, allowing the same device to serve multiple market regions without requiring separate transmissions for each region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If a single mechanical transmission is used for both pulling and pushing actions, then production costs are reduced, but the transmission must be more complex to accommodate both modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcomplexity of mechanical transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the transmission into distinct functional elements: the drum, the cam-track, and the follower element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve both pulling and pushing modes, reducing overall complexity compared to a monolithic design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the mechanical transmission adaptable through the relative positioning of the follower element and cam-track on the drum. The system can dynamically switch between pulling and pushing modes by adjusting the engagement point, allowing the transmission to change its functional mode based on the required market specification without physical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 simplifies production, reduces costs, and minimizes storage expenses while maintaining consistent device dimensions, enabling easy adaptation to different market requirements without altering other components.

Implementation Method 1

a rotatable drum (18) with a cylindrical surface (17) having a cam-track (16)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentUS8904897B2Device for locking a motor-vehicle gear change in a parking positon

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 FIAT POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGIES

AI summary

A device for controlling a device for locking a motor-vehicle gear change in a parking condition includes a transmission which connects the gear change lever to a driven member movable between an operative position and an inoperative position, respectively for engagement and disengagement of the locking device. The transmission is connected to the driven member through a rotatable drum with a cylindrical surface having a cam-track cooperating with a cam-following element. The cam-track is designed so as to cause engagement of the locking device when the transmission is subjected to a pulling action or to a pushing action, depending upon the requirements.