Manual Gearbox Shift Actuator With Coupled Mass for Vibration Decoupling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shift mechanisms for manual vehicle transmissions suffer from increased vibrations and acoustic impairments, requiring large installation space, high costs, and excessive weight, which negatively impact driver comfort and compatibility with other vehicle components.

Innovation Solution

A shift actuation mechanism featuring a vibration-decoupled mass connected via a coupling rod to a support bearing, allowing for reduced mass inertia while maintaining shifting performance, and utilizing a shift cable for transmission, with cost-effective and space-saving design elements such as elastic support bearings and stamped sheet metal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mass is attached to the shift lever to provide mass inertia for shifting, then shifting performance is improved, but vibrations from the engine are transmitted to the shift lever causing acoustic impairments and reduced driver comfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshifting performanceVSAvoidvibrations and acoustic impairments
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coupling rod as an intermediary element between the shift lever and the mass. This coupling rod is connected to the shift lever at one end and to the mass at the other end, allowing it to transmit shifting forces while isolating vibrations. The coupling rod acts as a mediator that separates the functional connection (force transmission) from the harmful connection (vibration transmission), thereby resolving the contradiction between improving shifting performance and reducing vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional shift actuation designs are used, then shifting function is achieved, but large installation space is required which limits adaptability to different vehicle configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation space adaptabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the shift actuation system into separate functional components: the shift lever, the coupling rod, and the mass. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and arranged in different spatial configurations. The coupling rod can be positioned at various distances from the selector shaft, and the mass can be mounted at different locations, providing flexibility to adapt to different installation spaces and vehicle configurations without compromising the shifting function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If conventional shift actuation components are used, then shifting function is achieved, but high provision costs and weight are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshifting functionVSAvoidcomponent weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive components such as a basic coupling rod and a straightforward mass element rather than complex, expensive shift actuation mechanisms. The coupling rod can be made from simple materials like steel or aluminum, and the mass can be a simple counterweight or inertia element. This approach achieves the required shifting function with minimal complexity, thereby reducing both provision costs and weight compared to conventional shift actuation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The solution effectively decouples vibrations, reduces weight and installation space requirements, and enhances driver comfort by optimizing mass inertia and shifting force transmission, while being cost-effective and adaptable to existing vehicle designs.

Implementation Method 1

The coupling rod can, for example—possibly exclusively—serve to transmit the inertial forces of inertia.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial forces: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

the support bearing is also mounted in a vibration-decoupled manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration decoupling: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3649381B1Shift actuator for a manual gearbox of a motor vehicle having a mass coupled via a coupling rod
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3649381B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3649381B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a shift actuator (1) for a manual gearbox of a motor vehicle, which shift actuator can be actuated using a manual shift lever of the motor vehicle. The shift actuator (1) has a shift actuator lever (2) for actuating a shift shaft of the gearbox. The shift actuator lever - and therefore in particular the shift shaft - can be rotated about a shift rotation axis (DS) using a shift cable pull (3). The comfort of the vehicle driver is improved - in particular in a cost-effective, weight-saving and/or space-saving manner - by connecting the shift actuator lever (2) via a coupling rod (4) to a mass (6) rotatably mounted on a support bearing (5).