Shift Lever Assembly with Divided Housing and Elastic Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shift lever assemblies for automatic transmission vehicles cannot be assembled automatically in an automation production line, leading to manual assembly and increased assembly tolerance, which reduces productivity.
Innovation Solution
The shift lever assembly is designed with divided components that can be assembled automatically, using elastic pins and bushes to connect the components pivotably, allowing all assembly procedures to be performed automatically in an automation production line, minimizing tolerance and improving quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the shift lever housing is formed integrally and connected using hinge shaft and nut, then the assembly structure is simple, but it cannot be assembled automatically in an automation production line process
Solution Approach 1:
The shift lever housing is divided into multiple separate components (first housing component, second housing component, third housing component) that can be assembled automatically. This segmentation allows each component to be independently positioned and connected through automatic assembly processes, resolving the contradiction between automation capability and structural simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual assembly is used for the shift lever assembly, then the assembly structure can be maintained, but assembly tolerance increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic pins are designed to be elastically deformed during automatic insertion, allowing them to pass through alignment holes and then expand to secure the components. This self-service mechanism enables automatic assembly with precise tolerance control, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic pins change their dimensional parameters (diameter) through elastic deformation during the assembly process. They are inserted in a deformed state with smaller diameter to pass through tight tolerances, then return to their original larger diameter to secure the joint, enabling both high precision and automation.
3Extent of automation
If hinge shaft and nut are used for connection, then the connection is secure, but the components cannot be assembled automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical fastening system (hinge shaft and nut requiring threading and tightening) is replaced with an elastic pin system that uses elastic deformation for insertion and expansion for securing. This substitution maintains connection reliability while enabling automatic assembly, as the elastic pins can be inserted and secured through automated insertion processes without manual threading.
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 approach enables all assembly procedures to be performed automatically, enhancing productivity and quality by eliminating manual assembly and reducing assembly tolerance.
Implementation Method 1
applying an external force to the elastic pin, thereby reducing a diameter of the elastic pin to fit into the assembling opening
Implementation Method 2
when the external force is removed from the elastic pin, the diameter of the elastic pin returns to a state before the external force is applied thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A shift lever assembly and assembling method for an automatic transmission vehicle may include a shift lever housing including divided components to be assembled, a shift lever, when assembled, one end of which is disposed in the divided components and connected pivotably to one or more of the divided components and the other end of which is arranged to protrude outside through a range hole formed in one of the divided components, and a plurality of elastic pins that are fitted cooperatively into the divided components when assembled to connect integrally the divided components.