Sliding Transmission Actuator Support for Rigid Height Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic vehicle driving devices face instability and rigidity issues when performing shift-lever operations on a chassis dynamometer due to the weight of the transmission actuator and limitations in height adjustment and support structure, leading to undesirable vibrations and incomplete height position adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A support structure for the transmission actuator comprising a frame with sloping beams, a movable frame that slides along these beams for height adjustment, and a lock mechanism to secure the movable frame, allowing seamless height adjustment and enhanced rigidity through guided movement and support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the transmission actuator is supported by a cylindrical columnar member through a pin member (cantilever structure), then the actuator can be positioned at different heights, but the support rigidity is lowered and vibrations occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight position adjustmentVSAvoidsupport rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into a fixed frame and a movable frame that can slide independently along the sloping beams. This segmentation allows the movable frame to adjust height while the fixed frame maintains overall structural rigidity, preventing vibrations that would occur with a single cantilevered support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The weight-bearing function is extracted from the height-adjustment mechanism. The movable frame slides along predefined sloping beams that provide structural support, separating the rigidity function (provided by the fixed frame and beams) from the adjustment function (provided by the sliding mechanism).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the transmission actuator is tilted to meet shift levers of different height positions, then the actuator can accommodate various heights, but operation becomes unstable due to the actuator's own weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight position adaptationVSAvoidoperational stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The movable frame is designed to maintain a horizontal orientation regardless of its height position along the sloping beams. This equipotential design ensures that the transmission actuator operates in a stable horizontal plane at any height, eliminating instability caused by tilting while still accommodating different shift lever heights through vertical translation of the entire horizontal assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Ease of manufacture

If the transmission actuator is fixed to a base on the driver's seat, then the actuator can be mounted, but seamless height position adjustment is impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidcontinuous height adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure transitions from a static fixed mounting to a dynamic sliding mechanism. The movable frame can slide continuously along the sloping beams to achieve seamless height adjustment, while lock mechanisms provide dynamic locking at desired positions. This combines the simplicity of fixed mounting with the flexibility of continuous adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If through holes are spaced at certain distances on the cylindrical columnar member, then the actuator can be positioned at discrete heights, but continuous height adjustment is impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment mechanism simplicityVSAvoidcontinuous height adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The discrete hole-and-pin adjustment mechanism is replaced with a continuous sliding mechanism. Instead of moving a pin between spaced holes, the movable frame slides continuously along the sloping beams, enabling seamless height adjustment while maintaining mechanical simplicity through guide rails and friction-based positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11453116B2Transmission actuator support structure for vehicle automated driving device

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 MEIDENSHA CORP

AI summary

A transmission actuator unit (131) configured by combination of a selecting actuator (133) and a shifting actuator (134) is mounted on an upper surface of a connection box unit (101). A connection box frame (102) is slidably supported along guide rails (20) between a pair of main beams (15a) of a slanting frame (11). By sliding the connection box unit (101), it is possible to adjust a height position of the transmission actuator unit (131) to a height position of a shift lever.