Shift Sleeve Coupling for Sequential Drive and Parking Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive train systems face challenges in achieving simple torque transmission and locking of drive wheels, with potential blockages and misalignments leading to damage and inefficient operation.

Innovation Solution

A drive train design featuring a switching sleeve with torque interfaces that allows sequential coupling and locking of drive wheels and parking lock units through axial displacement, utilizing a spring element to compensate for misalignments and sensors to ensure precise state detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single shift sleeve is used to sequentially couple the drive motor and parking lock unit to the drive wheel, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the risk of blockage and misalignment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling mechanism complexityVSAvoidcoupling reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a shift sleeve as an intermediary component that sequentially couples the drive motor and parking lock unit to the drive wheel. The shift sleeve acts as a mediator that transfers torque from either the drive motor or parking lock unit to the drive wheel, eliminating the need for complex multi-component coupling mechanisms while maintaining reliable torque transmission through its axial displacement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the axial extension of the torque interface is increased to enable sequential coupling of multiple components, then the adaptability and versatility of the coupling mechanism is improved, but the length of the component increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling adaptabilityVSAvoidshift sleeve length
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shift sleeve is designed with a universal torque interface that can simultaneously or sequentially couple with multiple components (drive motor, parking lock unit, and drive wheel) along its axial extension. This multi-functional torque interface allows the same component to perform different coupling functions at different axial positions, enabling the shift sleeve to adapt to various coupling states without requiring multiple separate components

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

3Reliability

If separate actuating elements are used for the friction clutch and parking lock, then the reliability of individual actuation is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation reliabilityVSAvoidactuating mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the actuation of the friction clutch and parking lock into a single actuating mechanism. The actuating device is designed to axially displace the shift sleeve, which simultaneously controls both the friction clutch and parking lock actuation through its sequential coupling positions. This unified actuation approach reduces the number of separate actuating elements while maintaining reliable control through the shift sleeve's axial displacement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables reliable and efficient torque transmission and locking of drive wheels, preventing blockages and ensuring safe transitions between driving and parked states, while minimizing damage risks.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a spring element to compensate for misalignments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4483078B1Drive train comprising an actuating assembly and a coupling device for coupling an output shaft to a drive and for actuating a parking lock
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
  • EP4483078B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4483078B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4483078B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive train (1) of a motor vehicle, said drive train comprising an actuating device (2) for actuating a coupling device (3) for coupling at least one drive wheel (4) to a drive motor (5) and for coupling the drive wheel (4) to a parking lock unit (6). A shifting sleeve (10) is provided which displaces in the axial direction and thus can successively connect torque interfaces (11, 13 and 14) to one another. This makes it possible to sequentially establish a driving state and a parking state of the drive train (1).