Vehicle Shift Actuator Direct Cam Drive Reduces Parts

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle speed-change systems have a high number of parts in the transmission path from the shift actuator to the shift mechanism, leading to increased weight and noise.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle speed-change system with a shift actuator fixed to the side surface of the transmission case, incorporating a motor, planetary gear mechanism, and actuator output shaft that directly operates the shift mechanism, reducing the number of parts and overlapping the shift mechanism in a side view, thereby minimizing the transmission distance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If intermediate parts such as a rod are used to transmit motion from the shift actuator to the shift cam, then the transmission path is established, but the number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission path establishmentVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes intermediate transmission parts (rod, link mechanism) from the system by establishing direct contact between the actuator output shaft and the shift cam. The actuator output shaft directly pushes the shift cam to rotate, eliminating the need for intermediate components while maintaining reliable motion transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the functions of multiple components into a direct contact system. The actuator output shaft directly engages with the shift cam surface, merging the transmission function into a single integrated interaction rather than requiring separate intermediate parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If intermediate parts such as a rod are used to transmit motion from the shift actuator to the shift cam, then the transmission path is established, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission path establishmentVSAvoidweight of transmission components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the rod and link mechanism from the transmission path. The actuator output shaft directly contacts the shift cam, eliminating the weight of intermediate components while maintaining effective motion transmission from the actuator to the shift mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If intermediate parts such as a rod are used to transmit motion from the shift actuator to the shift cam, then the transmission path is established, but the noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission path establishmentVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes intermediate parts (rod, link mechanism) that generate noise through connection and movement. The direct contact between the actuator output shaft and shift cam eliminates noise from intermediate component interactions while maintaining reliable transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If the shift actuator is arranged away from the shift mechanism, then the transmission path is established, but the transmission distance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission path establishmentVSAvoidtransmission distance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges the shift actuator and shift mechanism in an overlapping configuration where the actuator is positioned above the shift mechanism in the vertical direction. This nested spatial arrangement minimizes the transmission distance while maintaining functional separation and reliable motion transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 configuration reduces the number of parts, decreases weight, and lowers noise, while allowing for improved maintainability and producibility by communalizing the transmission and shift mechanisms, and enhancing cooling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a transmission mechanism (64) that transmits rotation of the motor (61)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlanetary gear mechanism: Epicyclic Gearing

Data Source

PatentUS10563762B2Vehicle speed-change system

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP

AI summary

Provided is a vehicle speed-change system including the following: a transmission; a transmission case that retains the transmission; a shift mechanism that performs a speed-change operation of the transmission; and a shift actuator that operates the shift mechanism. The shift actuator includes the following: a motor; a transmission mechanism that transmits rotation of the motor; and an actuator output shaft that outputs motive power transmitted by the transmission mechanism. The shift actuator is fixed to a side surface of the transmission case, and is arranged such that at least a portion of the motor overlaps the shift mechanism in a side surface view of the vehicle.