Parking Lock Tube-Guided Piston for Simpler Hydraulic Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking units for automatic transmission parking locks face challenges in efficiently guiding and securing pistons under pressure or hydraulic pressure, often resulting in complex designs and high material costs due to the need for precise machining and heavy materials.
Innovation Solution
A locking unit design featuring a solenoid and latching elements interacting with a piston having latching receptacles, where the piston is guided by an internal tube section and housed in a plastic or metal structure with a pressure conducting channel, utilizing a sealing ring for fluid-tight operation and a center section for structural support, allowing for simplified production and reduced mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional guidance structures are used for the piston, then reliable guidance is achieved, but the design becomes complex and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the guidance function from a separate complex guidance structure and integrates it into the tube section that already exists for other purposes (housing the piston and providing pressure conduction). The tube section's inner wall serves dual functions: containing the piston and guiding its movement, thereby eliminating the need for additional dedicated guidance components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The tube section is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the piston, conducts pressure to actuate the piston, and provides guidance for smooth piston movement through its inner wall surface. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall design while ensuring reliable piston guidance
2Manufacturing precision
If precise machining is used for the guidance structure, then smooth piston movement is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface parameter of the tube section's inner wall by providing it with a smooth finish or appropriate surface treatment, which is sufficient for achieving smooth piston movement without requiring complex precise machining of separate guidance components. This approach maintains the necessary manufacturing precision while significantly improving ease of manufacture through simpler processing requirements
3Strength
If heavy materials are used for the housing, then structural strength is improved, but the overall weight of the locking unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction where the tube section (which requires strength for containing and guiding the piston) can be made from a strong material like metal, while the outer housing can be made from lighter materials. This composite approach allows the critical load-bearing components to have sufficient strength while the overall structure uses lighter materials where possible, reducing the total weight of the locking unit
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple housing design is used, then production is simplified, but fluid-tight sealing becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sealing element as an intermediary component between the piston and the tube section inner wall. This sealing element (such as a sealing ring or coating) is applied to the tube section's inner surface, maintaining the simplicity of the overall housing design while ensuring fluid-tight sealing is achieved through the specialized sealing component. This approach keeps production simple while reliably achieving the required sealing performance
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
The design achieves smooth piston movement, secure locking in multiple positions, and reduced material costs through simplified production methods and the use of lighter materials while maintaining dynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
the locking unit has a solenoid and at least one latching element, and the latching element interacting with the armature or the armature rod of the solenoid
Implementation Method 2
The piston lies in a fluid-tight manner against the tube section. The piston has a sealing means which seals the piston in a fluid-tight manner on the tube section
Implementation Method 3
A pressure conducting channel can be formed on the outer side of the tube section. A pressurized medium can flow into said pressure conducting channel in order to actuate the piston
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a locking unit, in particular for the parking lock of an automatic transmission, for locking the movement of a piston which is movable by a drive and in particular can be acted upon with pressure or hydraulic pressure, wherein the locking unit has an internal tube section which is designed as a guide of the piston.