Transmission Shift Spring Module for Smooth Gear Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transmission systems for motor vehicles face challenges in efficiently and comfortably shifting gears, particularly in reducing wear, noise, and jerk, while also minimizing design complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring an electric motor actuator and a spring module, kinematically connected to a shift element on a shaft, allows for axial displacement of the shift element between gear components, utilizing a spring arrangement with distinct stiffness characteristics to facilitate smooth and efficient gear engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring module with distinct stiffness characteristics is introduced between the actuator and shift element, then shifting comfort is enhanced and wear is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A spring module is introduced as an intermediary element between the actuator and the shift element. This spring module includes a first spring with a first stiffness characteristic and a second spring with a second stiffness characteristic, which together mediate the force transmission during gear shifting. The first spring is active during engagement and the second spring is active during disengagement, providing optimized comfort and wear reduction for each phase of the shifting operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spring module uses distinct stiffness characteristics for engagement and disengagement, then wear and noise are minimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring module employs local quality by using different spring stiffness characteristics for different functional phases. The first spring has a first stiffness characteristic optimized for the engagement phase, while the second spring has a second stiffness characteristic optimized for the disengagement phase. This allows each spring to be specifically tailored to minimize wear and noise during its respective active phase, while the overall design remains manufacturable through modular construction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator is positioned away from the shift element, then design flexibility is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission path is segmented into distinct functional sections by introducing the spring module with two springs. The first spring section handles the engagement phase and the second spring section handles the disengagement phase. This segmentation allows the actuator to be positioned at an optimal location for design flexibility while maintaining a manageable component count through the modular spring assembly.
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 solution enhances shifting comfort, reduces shift time, minimizes wear and noise, and simplifies design and manufacturing, while allowing for precise rotational-speed window settings during engagement.
Implementation Method 1
a spring module (7) which is active between the actuator (6) and the shift element (4), wherein the spring module (7) includes a spring arrangement (9, 19, 29) having a force characteristic which differs in at least one quadrant of a force-displacement diagram
Data Source
AI summary
A device (5) for selective displacement of a shift element (4) towards a first shift position and/or a second shift position includes an actuator (6) and a spring module (7). The spring module (7) includes an actuator-side force-introduction element, a shift element-side force-introduction element, and a spring arrangement. The spring arrangement includes a first spring end and a second spring end. The actuator-side force-introduction element and the shift element-side force-introduction element each include a first support section and a second support section for supporting the spring ends. The first spring end is associated with the first support section of the shift element-side force-introduction element and with the second support section of the actuator-side force-introduction element. The second spring end is associated with the first support section of the actuator-side force-introduction element and with the second support section of the shift element-side force-introduction element.