Shift Device Bearing Plate Segmentation for Support Distance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switching devices face challenges in achieving a larger support distance between shaft bearing points, particularly when the lower end of the shaft cannot be integrated into the transmission housing, and have high assembly costs due to the use of cast materials and complex tooling.

Innovation Solution

A switching device design featuring a head housing with a pivotable and longitudinally displaceable selector shaft, using separate bearing plates and traverses made of sheet metal, which can be easily assembled and adapted, allowing for adjustable support distances and reducing production costs by avoiding cast components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If cast elements are used for bearing points to achieve larger support distance, then the support distance between bearing points is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport distance between bearing pointsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing plate is divided into separate modular components that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Instead of using a single complex cast element, the bearing plate consists of multiple segments that can be produced using simpler, more cost-effective manufacturing processes while maintaining the required support distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing plate combines multiple functions into a single integrated component that provides both structural support and bearing functionality. By merging the bearing surface, mounting features, and structural support into one plate, the design achieves the required support distance without needing separate cast elements for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If cast materials are used for bearing points, then structural integrity is improved, but the assembly complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing plate design incorporates adjustable and adaptable features that allow the same basic structure to accommodate different support distances and mounting configurations. This dynamic adaptability reduces the need for multiple specialized cast components, simplifying assembly while maintaining structural integrity through standardized strong connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the switching device is preassembled with functional elements outside the transmission, then the assembly effort is reduced, but the adaptability to different transmission configurations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly effortVSAvoidadaptability to transmission configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing plate is designed as a universal component with standardized mounting features and adjustable bearing positions that can accommodate various transmission configurations and functional element arrangements. This multi-functionality allows the preassembled switching device to be adapted to different transmission types without requiring custom-designed bearing points for each application.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2486309B1Shift device
Publication Date: 2015.03.04 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP2486309B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2486309B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a shifting device (1), comprising a head housing (2) and at least one gearshift shaft (3) and at least one function element (4) on the gearshift shaft (3), wherein the gearshift shaft (3) is mounted to be movable relative to the head housing (2) on two bearing points (7, 10) in the shifting device (1) that are spaced longitudinally to each other. The function element (4) is arranged longitudinally between the two bearing points (7, 10).