Vehicle Transmission Shift Control Using Relative Angular Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle transmissions face challenges with complex synchronizers and noisy gear shifting due to tooth tip-to-tooth tip contact, particularly in non-synchronous transmissions, which affect driver comfort and gear shifting efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A transmission system with a sensor arrangement to measure the relative angular position of rotating members, allowing for optimized control of the shifting mechanism to ensure smooth engagement and reduce unwanted tooth contact, using splines or other engagement means to connect rotating members, and a control unit to manage gear shifting based on measured data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a synchronizer with friction rings is used to synchronize rotation speeds before gear shifting, then gear shifting smoothness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the friction rings from the synchronizer assembly, separating the speed synchronization function from the gear engagement function. This allows the synchronizer to operate without the complex friction ring mechanism, reducing device complexity while maintaining gear shifting smoothness through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the gear shifting process into distinct phases: speed synchronization (performed before engagement) and actual gear engagement. By segmenting these functions, the complex friction ring synchronization mechanism is separated from the simpler engagement process, allowing each to be optimized independently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dog rings with few teeth and large gaps are used in non-synchronous transmission to enable gear shifting, then gear shifting capability is improved, but noise increases and driver comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs speed synchronization as a preliminary action before gear engagement. By synchronizing the rotation speeds of the input and output shafts beforehand, the teeth of the dog ring and gear can engage smoothly without impact or noise, eliminating the need for few-teeth dog rings with large gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by synchronizing speeds before engagement, transforming the gear shifting process from a high-impact non-synchronous operation to a smooth synchronous operation. This parameter change allows the use of dog rings with more teeth and smaller gaps, reducing noise and improving driver comfort.
3Ease of operation
If conventional synchronizers with multiple components are used, then gear shifting smoothness is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the friction rings from the synchronizer assembly, extracting the speed synchronization function from the mechanical synchronizer structure. This simplification reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining gear shifting smoothness through alternative synchronization methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the synchronizer to perform multiple functions: speed synchronization, gear engagement, and disengagement. By making the synchronizer multi-functional, the design reduces the need for separate specialized components, simplifying the overall assembly and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission for a vehicle includes a first rotating member for rotation about an axis and a second rotating member for rotation about the axis. The first rotating member and the second rotating member are connectable to each other such that the first rotating member and the second rotating member are rotationally locked relative to each other for transferring torque between the first rotating member and the second rotating member. The transmission comprises a sensor arrangement for measuring a relative angular position of the first rotating member and the second rotating member while at least one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member is rotating.