A park lock mechanism is a device that is fitted to an automatic transmission on a vehicle. The mechanism lock up the transmission so that no rolling of the vehicle can be done when the vehicle is put in the park position. The aim of this thesis is to develop a method in order the evaluate designs on a Park Lock Mechanism (PLM) that can be found in a dual clutch transmission (DCT). A Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tool to calculate the output that is required for an evaluation of a park lock mechanism design will be created. The CAE tool shall calculate static, dynamic, and snap torque on a ratchet wheel in a gradient, with or without a trailer, also the minimum and maximum coefficient of friction between the pawl and cone, pull out force, the maximum amount of rollback, torque needed from the return spring, preload force from actuator spring, and engagement speed. The CAE tool created uses an Excel Visual Basics for Applications (VBA) workbook for all calculations. The tool allows the user to choose different vehicles with the required specification to evaluate the values for that PLM. The CAE tool will save time and cost if lots of different PLM’s are going to be designed. The CAE tool has potential for future work when more calculations can be added that can be in use for the evaluation the PLM. The CAE tool developed by the master thesis student calculates all the required values for evaluation of a PLM design, executed in a fast, efficient, and easy to use program.

A park lock is a mechanism used to prevent unintentional movement of the vehicle. A failure in the proper function of this mechanism can lead to the safety concerns of an automobile. The main focus of this thesis is to understand the reason behind the failure of the park lock mechanism by FEM analysis in ANSA. For this, temperature build up during the park lock engagement has been studied in a dynamic explicit analysis. The FE results are compared to results from experiments on park lock. The modelling has been done in ANSA, ABAQUS was used as a solver for simulation and the results have been studied in META. The results indicate that there is a rise in the temperature. This is due to the friction between the contact surfaces and the oscillations generated in the vehicle. Based on the observations, discussions and conclusions are formulated and the research questions are answered.