Shift Fork Bend Geometry for Compact Vehicle Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle transmission systems face challenges in optimizing the use of available installation space and achieving a compact, robust, and efficient shift fork design that minimizes friction and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
The design of a shift fork with a fork bend that partially surrounds the shift sleeve, featuring an axial step in the form of a circular ring section, which allows for a compact and rigid structure with S-shaped contours and engaging elements to interact with the shift sleeve, optimizing the use of installation space and reducing friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the fork bend is designed to partially surround the shift sleeve with an axial step, then the use of installation space is optimized and compactness is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fork bend is divided into two radially adjacent sections that are axially offset, creating an axial step. This segmentation allows each section to perform different functions: one section engages with the toothed gear while the other overlaps with the groove side wall, optimizing space utilization without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire fork structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial step introduces a dimensional variation in the axial direction, allowing the fork bend to utilize available installation space more effectively. By offsetting sections in the axial dimension rather than only in radial or circumferential directions, the design achieves compactness while maintaining functional requirements.
2Strength
If the fork bend has an axial step with sections engaged in the toothed gear and overlapping the groove side wall, then the rigidity and robustness are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the fork bend have different axial positions and engagement characteristics. The first section is designed to engage with the toothed gear while the second section overlaps with the groove side wall. This local differentiation of quality allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, providing enhanced rigidity where needed while maintaining manufacturability through localized geometric variations rather than complex overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle transmission includes a toothed gear, a shift sleeve, a shift fork configured to actuate the shift sleeve, and a fork bend partially surrounding the shift sleeve in an installed state. At least one region of the fork bend has an axial step. The at least one region having the axial step has a shape of a circular ring section substantially extending at an angle of 180 degrees in a circumferential direction of the fork bend. The axial step has two radially adjacent sections arranged axially offset in relation to one another. One section of the fork bend partially engages in the toothed gear in an initial switching state and a second section of the fork bend overlaps with one side wall of a groove in the shift sleeve in an axial direction.