Shift Module Assembly Using a Pre-Mounted Pivot Lever

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of automated manual transmission switching modules is complicated by the need to insert the external end of the swivel lever into a U-shaped recording on the piston rod of the selector actuator, which can lead to errors and difficulties during assembly.

Innovation Solution

The swivel lever is fastened to the piston rod of the switching cylinder, allowing for an axial and rotational connection with the selection rod, eliminating the need for the external end insertion and simplifying the assembly process by using a ring-shaped lever head and a cylinder-shaped fastening element for secure attachment, and a U-shaped core bracket for axial resistance and rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the swivel lever is inserted into the U-shaped receptacle on the selector actuator's piston rod, then the selector actuator can be connected to the switching device, but the assembly process becomes complicated and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of inserting the swivel lever into the U-shaped receptacle on the selector actuator, the invention inverts the connection approach by attaching the swivel lever directly to the switching cylinder's piston rod. This reversal eliminates the insertion step and simplifies assembly while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the swivel lever attachment with the switching cylinder's piston rod structure. By integrating the swivel lever connection into the piston rod assembly rather than requiring separate insertion into the selector actuator, the design combines multiple functions into a single streamlined component arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the swivel lever is externally inserted into the U-shaped receptacle, then the selector actuator can engage with the switching device, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengagement capabilityVSAvoidassembly productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The swivel lever is pre-attached to the switching cylinder's piston rod during manufacturing or assembly preparation, rather than requiring field insertion. This preliminary action ensures the lever is already in position and properly oriented before the selector actuator is installed, eliminating time-consuming on-site adjustment and insertion operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention inverts the traditional assembly sequence by having the swivel lever come pre-mounted on the switching cylinder rather than being inserted into the selector actuator. This reversal of the connection approach streamlines the assembly process and improves productivity by eliminating difficult insertion operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3862597B1Shift module for actuating an automated shift transmission
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 ZF CV SYST EURO BV
  • EP3862597B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3862597B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a switching module (2) for actuating an automated transmission, comprising at least one switching actuator designed as a hydraulic or pneumatic switching cylinder (8), the piston rod (18) of which is axially fixed in the assembled state to a switching rod (48) designed as a hollow shaft of an internal transmission switching device, and a selector actuator designed as a hydraulic or pneumatic selector cylinder (12), the piston rod (26) of which has a U-shaped receptacle (28) oriented transversely to its longitudinal axis, into which a pivot lever (30) engages in the assembled state, the pivot lever being rotationally fixed to a selector rod (44) internal to the transmission.To simplify the assembly of the shift module (2) on the transmission, it is provided that the pivot lever (30) is assigned to the shift module (2) and is fixed to the piston rod (18) of the shift cylinder (8) in a rotationally fixed manner, and that the piston rod (18) of the shift cylinder (8) is axially fixed and rotationally fixed to the selector rod (44) of the transmission in the assembled state, which in turn is axially fixed and rotatable about its longitudinal axis mounted in the transmission-internal shift rod (48).