Transmission Adapter With Integrated Speed Sensor Receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for adding a speed sensor to non-OEM four-wheel drive vehicles, such as those with Allison brand 1000/2000 style transmissions, require drilling into the transmission or transfer case, which degrades the structural integrity and yields uncertain results.
Innovation Solution
A transmission adapter with a speed sensor receiver and coupler design that allows for the addition of a speed sensor without drilling, featuring a speed sensor retainer lip and alignment edges to connect with housings, and a coupler with ends that fit within the adapter to connect with transmission and transfer case housings, ensuring precise alignment and retention of the speed sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a speed sensor is added by drilling into the transmission or transfer case, then the speed sensor can be installed to enable four-wheel drive functionality, but the structural integrity of the transmission or transfer case is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component that interfaces between the transmission and transfer case. The adapter includes a speed sensor receiver that couples to the transmission output shaft, allowing the speed sensor to be installed on the adapter rather than directly in the transmission or transfer case. This mediator approach enables four-wheel drive functionality while preserving the structural integrity of the original components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the speed sensor installation into separate modular components: the adapter body, the speed sensor receiver, and the coupling mechanisms. This segmentation allows the speed sensor to be installed on the adapter assembly without requiring modifications to the transmission or transfer case housings, thus maintaining their structural integrity while achieving the desired functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a speed sensor is added by drilling into the transmission or transfer case, then the speed sensor can be installed, but the results are uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is pre-manufactured with the speed sensor receiver and coupling features already integrated. This preliminary preparation ensures proper alignment and fitment when installing the speed sensor, eliminating the uncertainty associated with field drilling and installation. The pre-engineered adapter provides reliable, repeatable results across different installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as a standardized intermediary that provides a reliable mounting interface for the speed sensor. By using this pre-designed mediator component, the installation process becomes predictable and reliable, avoiding the uncertain outcomes of ad-hoc drilling and modification approaches.
3Ease of manufacture
If drilling is performed to add a speed sensor, then the speed sensor can be mounted, but the structural integrity of the transmission or transfer case is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as a mediator that provides all necessary mounting features for the speed sensor. The speed sensor receiver and mounting holes are integrated into the adapter, which is then installed on the transmission output shaft. This approach enables easy speed sensor mounting while completely avoiding drilling into the transmission or transfer case housings, thus preserving their structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the speed sensor mounting function from the transmission or transfer case housings and relocates it to the adapter. By taking out the mounting requirements and incorporating them into the adapter assembly, the original housings remain undrilled and structurally intact, while the speed sensor can still be easily mounted on the adapter.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission adapter apparatus and method includes an adapter with a first side and a second side, an inside and an outside, and a circumferential edge with a width surrounding a hollow center with a diameter. A speed sensor receiver is provided in the circumferential edge from the outside to the inside with an opening from the outside into the hollow center where the speed sensor receiver is configured to receive and retain a speed sensor and where the speed sensor receiver is perpendicular to a centerline through the hollow center of the adapter. A speed sensor retainer lip is provided in the receiver such that a speed sensor located in the speed sensor receiver is retained at a selected distance from the hollow center of the adapter. Holes are provided in the adapter where the holes are configured to align with a transmission housing and a transfer housing. A coupler is provided that is configured to fit within the hollow center of the adapter where the coupler includes a first end and a second end where the first end is connectable with a transmission in the transmission housing and where the second end is connectable with a transfer case in the transfer housing.