Single-Actuator Parking Lock Interlock for EV Coupling Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicles with electric drive systems face complexity and inefficiencies in controlling coupling mechanisms and parking lock devices, requiring multiple servo motors and increased control complexity.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle with an actuating device that integrates a clutch and parking lock element, actuated by a single actuator, allowing automated switching between coupling and decoupling positions, and displacement between parking lock and unlocking positions, using a dual-function actuating device with a retaining region to secure the parking lock device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple servo motors are used to control coupling mechanism and parking lock device separately, then control precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control functions of the coupling mechanism and parking lock device into a single actuating device with one actuator. This merging approach reduces the number of independent control systems from multiple servo motors to a single integrated system, thereby reducing device complexity and weight while maintaining reliable control through unified coordination of both functions
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both coupling mechanism actuation and parking lock device displacement. This universal design allows one actuator to fulfill multiple roles that previously required separate dedicated motors, simplifying the overall control architecture while preserving functional reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple servo motors are used for separate control functions, then functional independence is improved, but weight and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single actuating device, consolidating what would have been separate servo motors into one integrated unit. This combination significantly reduces system weight while maintaining the ability to independently control coupling and parking lock functions through coordinated actuation sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator in the actuating device is designed with universal capability to perform both coupling mechanism control and parking lock device displacement. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple dedicated motors, reducing weight while preserving functional independence through software-controlled operation sequences
3Reliability
If retaining region prevents parking lock element displacement, then safety is improved, but operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining region is designed to preemptively prevent displacement of the parking lock element into the parking lock position when the coupling mechanism is in the decoupled state. This preliminary protective action ensures safety by blocking potentially unsafe configurations before they can occur, while the system maintains operational flexibility by allowing full freedom of movement when the coupling mechanism is properly engaged
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle has an electric drive machine for driving the motor vehicle and a coupling mechanism which can be switched at least between a coupling position, in which the electric drive machine is coupled to a drive wheel so as to transmit torque, and a decoupling position in which the electric drive machine is decoupled from the drive wheel. A parking lock device has at least one parking lock element that can be moved between a parking lock position, in which the at least one parking lock element at least indirectly blocks a rotation of the drive wheel, and an unlocking position in which the at least one parking lock element releases the rotation of the drive wheel. An actuation device with an actuator is designed to actuate a clutch of the coupling mechanism, which clutch has at least one switching element and is used to switch between the coupling position and the decoupling position, and is designed to move the at least one parking lock element between the parking lock position and the unlocking position. The switching element has a retaining region preventing the parking lock element from moving into the parking lock position as long as the lock has not been adjusted to the coupling position.