Self-Locking Gear Shifting Layout for Redundant EV Parking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current new energy vehicles face space and safety challenges with single-control electronic parking brake (EPB) systems lacking redundancy and dual-control systems occupying large space, which is not conducive to lightweight development.

Innovation Solution

A gear shifting apparatus with a primary and secondary power transmission unit, intermediate shaft, and clutch units that allow for self-locking and non-self-locking states, reducing space occupation and providing dual insurance during parking by preventing wheel rotation, thus integrating with the electronic parking brake system to form a redundant safety mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dual-control EPB system is used to improve safety redundancy, then safety reliability is improved, but the occupied space and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety redundancyVSAvoidoccupied space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the parking brake function with the gear shifting apparatus by integrating a clutch mechanism that can lock the transmission system. The clutch unit, when engaged, prevents power transmission from the motor to the wheels, effectively serving as a parking brake. This combination eliminates the need for separate dual-control EPB systems while maintaining safety redundancy through the self-locking capability of the clutch mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch mechanism in the gear shifting apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: power transmission during driving and parking brake function when locked. The same mechanical components (clutch plates, springs, actuating mechanisms) serve both transmission control and wheel locking purposes, reducing overall system complexity and space requirements while providing redundant safety through the self-locking feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a dual-control EPB system is used to improve safety redundancy, then safety reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety redundancyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the parking brake function with the gear shifting apparatus by integrating a clutch mechanism that can lock the transmission system. The clutch unit, when engaged, prevents power transmission from the motor to the wheels, effectively serving as a parking brake. This combination eliminates the need for separate dual-control EPB systems while maintaining safety redundancy through the self-locking capability of the clutch mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch mechanism in the gear shifting apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: power transmission during driving and parking brake function when locked. The same mechanical components (clutch plates, springs, actuating mechanisms) serve both transmission control and wheel locking purposes, reducing overall system complexity and space requirements while providing redundant safety through the self-locking feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If additional parking mechanisms are added to improve safety redundancy, then safety reliability is improved, but the occupied space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety redundancyVSAvoidoccupied space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the parking brake function with the gear shifting apparatus by integrating a clutch mechanism that can lock the transmission system. The clutch unit, when engaged, prevents power transmission from the motor to the wheels, effectively serving as a parking brake. This combination eliminates the need for separate dual-control EPB systems while maintaining safety redundancy through the self-locking capability of the clutch mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch mechanism in the gear shifting apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: power transmission during driving and parking brake function when locked. The same mechanical components (clutch plates, springs, actuating mechanisms) serve both transmission control and wheel locking purposes, reducing overall system complexity and space requirements while providing redundant safety through the self-locking feature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4134572B1Gear shifting apparatus, electric drive system, and new energy vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP4134572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4134572B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4134572B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application relates to a gear shifting apparatus, an electric drive system, and a new energy vehicle. The gear shifting apparatus includes a primary power transmission unit, a secondary power transmission unit, an intermediate shaft, an intermediate shaft gear, a first clutch unit, a second clutch unit, and a third clutch unit. The intermediate shaft gear is fixedly sleeved on the intermediate shaft, and the first clutch unit is disposed between the intermediate shaft and the primary power transmission unit. The second clutch unit is disposed between the intermediate shaft and the secondary power transmission unit. The third clutch unit is disposed between the primary power transmission unit and the intermediate shaft gear. When the first clutch unit achieves power transmission between the intermediate shaft and the primary power transmission unit, the second clutch unit achieves power transmission between the intermediate shaft and the secondary power transmission unit, and the third clutch unit achieves power transmission between the intermediate shaft gear and the primary power transmission unit, the gear shifting apparatus is in a self-locking state.