Transaxle Relay Arm Linkage for Brake Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transaxles with hydraulic systems face interference issues between components, particularly when the brake arm and link member are positioned on the proximal side of the transaxle casing, leading to potential mechanical conflicts and the need for an interference avoidance mechanism that can function with either left and right manipulation levers or a single lock pedal.
Innovation Solution
A transaxle design incorporating a braking unit with a speed control arm, brake arm, and relay arm, where the relay arm is journaled to rotate relative to the transmission operating shaft, allowing the brake arm to lock the axle and move the transmission to a neutral position, eliminating the need for additional devices like a brake operating lever or pedal, and reducing the number of link parts through a compact configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the brake arm and link member are positioned on the proximal side of the transaxle casing, then the braking function is achieved, but interference with other vehicle components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The relay arm is journaled to rotate relative to the transmission operating shaft, utilizing a different spatial dimension and rotation axis to achieve brake operation without interfering with other components positioned on the proximal side of the transaxle casing
2Reliability
If additional devices like brake operating lever or pedal are added, then complete brake operation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay arm combines multiple functions into a single component: it transmits brake operation force, controls the brake arm rotation, and interfaces with the transmission operating shaft, eliminating the need for separate brake operating levers or pedals
Solution Approach 2:
The relay arm serves multiple purposes: it acts as a linkage for brake operation, a control mechanism for the brake arm, and an interface with the transmission system, making the brake system more compact and less complex
Data Source
AI summary
A transaxle with a brake includes an axle supported by the transaxle casing, a continuously variable transmission disposed in the transaxle casing, a braking device that is disposed in the transaxle casing and locks a rotation of the axle, a speed control arm that is journaled so as not to rotate relatively with respect to the transmission operating shaft of the transmission, controls the transmission, and is capable of changing a rotation of the axle continuously. A brake arm that is journaled with respect to an operating shaft of the braking device and a relay arm that is journaled so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the transmission operating shaft are also included. The relay arm has one end connected to the brake arm via a link mechanism and the other end for lock operation input.