Selector Ring Assembly for Seamless Gear Shifts Without DCT Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single clutch synchromesh transmission systems require disengagement from the power source before gear changes, leading to potential torque spikes and transmission damage due to mismatched engine and gear speeds. Dual Clutch Transmission systems are complex and inefficient, while instantaneous transmission systems face challenges in packaging and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of an instantaneous type transmission system with a selector assembly where first and second selector rings can be identical, reducing manufacturing costs and improving packaging efficiency. This system includes a gear selector assembly with engagement members distributed evenly around annular members, allowing for relative translational movement and identical selector rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional single clutch synchromesh transmission systems are used, then the system is simple in structure, but torque spikes and transmission damage occur due to mismatched engine and gear speeds during gear changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions the new gear selector ring in engagement with the new gear element before disengaging the clutch from the engine. This preliminary action ensures the new gear is ready to receive torque immediately when the clutch re-engages, eliminating the speed mismatch problem that causes torque spikes and transmission damage in conventional systems.
2Reliability
If Dual Clutch Transmission systems are used, then seamless gear shifting is achieved, but the system becomes complex and inefficient with heavy and expensive components
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the gear selection function into two independent selector rings: one for selecting the new gear and one for maintaining the current gear. This segmentation allows the new gear to be pre-selected while the clutch is disengaged, and then seamlessly transferred to the power source when the clutch re-engages, achieving smooth shifting without requiring two clutches.
Solution Approach 2:
The new gear selector ring acts as an intermediary mechanism that pre-engages the new gear element with the selector ring during clutch disengagement. This intermediary arrangement allows the new gear to be prepared in advance and smoothly transferred to the power source without direct engagement, eliminating the need for complex dual clutch control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional opposite-handed gear selector rings are used, then each gear position can be selectively engaged, but separate tooling is required increasing manufacturing cost and time
Solution Approach 1:
The selector ring is designed with asymmetric engagement members positioned at specific locations around the ring. This asymmetric configuration allows the same ring design to selectively engage different gear elements at different rotational positions, eliminating the need for separate opposite-handed rings while maintaining full gear selection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission system (300), including: a first gear selector assembly (329), wherein the first gear selector assembly (329) includes a first selector ring (54) and a second selector ring (56), the first and second selector rings (54,56) being movable translationally relative to one another; wherein the first selector ring (54) includes a first set of engagement members (45) fixed together by a first annular member (53), and each engagement member in the first set (45) includes a first part (59) located on a first side of the first annular member (53) and a second part (61) located on a second side of the first annular member (53), each first part (59) having a first drive face (67) oriented generally in a first rotational direction and a first non-drive face (69) oriented generally in a second rotational direction, and each second part (61) includes a second drive face (67) oriented generally in the first rotational direction and a second non-drive face (69) oriented generally in the second rotational direction; and wherein the second selector ring (56) includes a second set of engagement members (46) fixed together by a second annular member (55), and each engagement member in the second set (46) includes a first part (63) located on a first side of the second annular member (55) and a second part (71) located on a second side of the second annular member (55), each first part (69) having a first drive face (67) oriented generally in the second rotational direction and a first non-drive face (69) oriented generally in the first rotational direction, and each second part (71) includes a second drive face (67) oriented generally in the second rotational direction and a second non-drive face (69) oriented generally in the first rotational direction.