Ford Parking Pawl Mechanism

Methods Development and Technology Transfer Services

Ergonomic and safety concerns must be addressed when designing the Park Reverse Neutral Drive Lever (PRNDL), especially when analyzing the force input required to switch between gears in an automatic transmission. Force must be low enough for the switch to feel comfortable, yet high enough to prevent the system from inadvertently moving from park to reverse, for example. SIMULIA recently worked with Ford to develop a robust methodology for simulating a parking pawl rooster comb mechanism that addressed ergonomic and durability issues.