Transmission Actuator Layout With Inline PCB for Compact Gear Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuators for motor vehicle transmissions are bulky and lack compactness, and they do not integrate means for controlling the electric motor effectively, which contradicts the automotive industry's goals of reducing weight and size.
Innovation Solution
The actuator design includes a housing with a circuit board positioned between the electric motor and motor pinion, allowing for compact integration of power and control electronics, along with a reduction mechanism featuring a stepped-pinion wheel and toothed-sector pinion, and a pin that interacts with a movable member to change gear ratios, enabling efficient control of the electric motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If step-down means are added to demultiply rotational movement, then the actuator can control gear ratios, but the actuator becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the step-down means directly into the housing structure, combining the housing and reduction mechanism into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate bulky step-down means while maintaining gear ratio control functionality, thereby reducing actuator weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If step-down means are added to demultiply rotational movement, then the actuator can control gear ratios, but the actuator size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The step-down means are merged into the housing structure, integrating the reduction mechanism within the existing housing volume. This eliminates the need for additional separate components and reduces the overall actuator size while maintaining gear ratio control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the reduction mechanism, and acts as part of the step-down means. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing actuator size.
3Volume of moving object
If the circuit board is positioned between the electric motor and motor pinion, then the actuator becomes more compact, but the space for the reduction mechanism is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is positioned in the axial direction between the electric motor and motor pinion, utilizing the available axial space rather than radial space. This dimensional arrangement allows the reduction mechanism to maintain its volume while the actuator achieves a more compact overall form.
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 design results in a compact, lightweight actuator that effectively controls gear ratios in motor vehicle transmissions, optimizing weight and compactness while integrating motor control, suitable for hybrid transmissions with six gear ratios.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor (1) having a stator (2) and a rotor (3) mounted on a rotor shaft (4) extending along an axis X1
Implementation Method 2
a reduction mechanism (40) driven by the motor pinion (5)
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator for the actuation of at least one movable member of a motor vehicle transmission. The actuator includes a housing, at least one electric motor having a stator and a rotor mounted on a rotor shaft extending along an axis X1, a motor pinion fixed to the opposite end of the shaft from the rotor, a circuit board for supplying power to the stator and controlling the electric motor, and a reduction mechanism driven by the motor pinion. The housing defines a first volume in which the electric motor and the circuit board are received. The circuit board is located axially along the axis X1 between the electric motor and the motor pinion. The actuator further includes a cover defining a second volume in which the reduction mechanism is received, the housing and the cover each have guides for guiding the reduction mechanism.