Gear shifting equipment for automated gearshift transmissions

Abstract

This invention relates to a shifting device for an automated transmission, comprising: a shift and selection shaft arranged to rotate about its longitudinal axis for performing a shifting process and to move axially for performing a shifting process; a hydraulic or pneumatic shifting actuator arranged transversely to the shift and selection shaft, the piston rod of the shifting actuator being in an adjustable connection with a rocker arm arranged on the shift and selection shaft at least anti-rotationally; and a hydraulic or pneumatic shifting actuator, the piston rod of the shifting actuator being axially fixed in an adjustable connection with the shift and selection shaft. To achieve a simple and compact structure for the shifting device and to realize high shifting and selection power, the rocker arm has radially protruding transverse tabs on its outer periphery, and the transverse tabs of the rocker arm are fitted into transverse grooves constructed on the piston rod of the shifting actuator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a shifting device for an automated transmission, comprising: a shift and selection shaft arranged to rotate about its longitudinal axis for performing a shifting process and to move axially for performing a shifting process; a hydraulic or pneumatic shifting actuator arranged transversely to the shift and selection shaft, the piston rod of the shifting actuator being in an adjustable connection with a rocker arm arranged on the shift and selection shaft at least to resist relative rotation; and a hydraulic or pneumatic shifting actuator, the piston rod of the shifting actuator being axially fixed in an adjustable connection with the shift and selection shaft. Background Technology

[0002] Many manual or automatic shift transmissions implemented with an intermediate shaft structure have shift and selector shafts arranged to rotate about their longitudinal axis for the selection process and supported axially for the shifting process. During selection, one of the multiple shift forks or rocker arms is form-locked to the shift and selector shaft, while the others are disengaged. During shifting, the shift fork or rocker arm (which engages with a shift sleeve supported axially on the drive shaft and resists relative rotation) moves the shift sleeve axially, thus engaging or disengaging one of two typically paired drive stages.

[0003] A shifting device for a shift transmission having such a shift and selection shaft is known from DE 10 2013 202 272 A1. This shift and selection shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and axially movable via a guide member having one selection slide and multiple shift slides. Multiple shift forks are supported on the shift and selection shaft in a axially movable manner, and by rotating the shaft, one of these shift forks is form-locked to the shaft. The shift forks are coupled by engaging one of a plurality of radially protruding shift pins arranged circumferentially offset on the shaft with a slotted recess secured to either the respective shift fork or an integrally formed shift fork plate. With a single shift fork assigned to each of the highest forward and reverse gears, two shift pins are provided, circumferentially offset on the shift and selector shaft. These shift pins engage with different recesses in at least one shift fork plate of the shift fork at different rotation angles of the shift and selector shaft. Thus, with respect to the externally operated shift and selector shaft, the relevant gear is assigned to a different shift groove, thereby preventing accidental shifting to one of the two gears.

[0004] DE 10 2013 212 633 A1 discloses another shifting device for a shift transmission having such a shift and selection shaft, which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis for performing a shifting process and axially movable for performing a shifting process. The shift and selection shaft has a plurality of radially projecting shift pins arranged circumferentially offset. Furthermore, a locking sleeve is axially fixed and rotatably arranged on the shift and selection shaft for each shift pin, each locking sleeve having an axially elongated bore and a locking bolt, wherein the shift pins of the shift and selection shaft radially penetrate the elongated bore of the locking sleeve. On each shift pin, a shift fork is guided on the locking sleeve in a manner axially movable. An annular assembly is tightened within or on each shift fork, the annular assembly comprising two shift rings with inward radial recesses, two intermediate rings, and a locking ring with an inward radial recess. With the shift and selector shafts positioned at a specific rotation angle, the corresponding locking bolt is engaged in the recess of its locking ring, and the corresponding shift pin rests against one of its two shift rings, so that one of the shift forks can always move axially, while the other shift forks are rested against their locking rings by the corresponding locking bolts and are axially fixed by being engaged in one of the recesses of their shift rings by the corresponding shift pins.

[0005] The applicant's unpublished DE 10 2020 103 143.2 describes a shift module for an automated group transmission, comprising a multi-stage main transmission, two half-gear groups upstream of the main transmission, and two multiple-gear groups downstream of the main transmission. Three shift actuators and one selector actuator are arranged on the inner side of the shift module's housing facing the group transmission, configured as pneumatically operated piston-cylinder mechanisms. The shift actuators associated with the main transmission are arranged coaxially and axially adjacent to the shift and selector shafts of the main transmission, which are rotatable about their longitudinal axis for gear selection and axially movable for shifting. The piston rods of the shift actuators are connected to the shift and selector shafts via a form-locked, axially fixed, and anti-rotational connection. The gear selector actuator, assigned to the main transmission, is arranged transversely to the shift actuator and has a U-shaped housing on its piston rod oriented transversely to its longitudinal axis. A rocker arm, axially fixed and anti-rotationally fixed to the piston rod of the shift actuator, is embedded in this housing. Therefore, when the gear selector actuator is operated, the axial movement of its piston rod rotates the shift and selection shafts of the main transmission, corresponding to the gear selection process in the main transmission. When the shift actuator is operated, the axial movement of its piston rod also moves the shift and selection shafts of the main transmission axially, corresponding to the gear shifting process in the main transmission. Based on the sequential axial arrangement of the main transmission's shift and selection shafts and the associated shift actuators, the shifting device, consisting of the main transmission's shift and selection shafts and shift modules, occupies a disadvantageously large structural space, at least in the axial direction. Furthermore, the U-shaped housing arranged on the piston rod of the gear selector actuator has a relatively high mass that limits the achievable gear selection power. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to propose a shifting device for an automated shift transmission of the aforementioned structural type, which has a simple and compact structure and achieves high selection and shifting power through the small mass of the movable parts.

[0007] This task is solved by a shifting device having the features of claim 1, comprising a piston rod with a shift actuator and a special connection between the shift and shift shafts. Advantageous improvements are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention relates to a shifting device for an automated transmission, the shifting device comprising: a shift and selection shaft arranged to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis for performing a shifting process and axially movable for performing a shifting process; a hydraulic or pneumatic shifting actuator arranged transversely to the shift and selection shaft, the piston rod of the shifting actuator being in an adjustable connection with a rocker arm arranged on the shift and selection shaft at least in a manner resistant to relative rotation; and a hydraulic or pneumatic shifting actuator, the piston rod of the shifting actuator being axially fixedly in an adjustable connection with the shift and selection shaft.

[0009] To address the proposed task, the shifting device specifies that the rocker arm has radially protruding transverse tabs on its outer periphery, and the transverse tabs of the rocker arm are fitted into transverse grooves constructed on the piston rod of the shifting actuator.

[0010] The arrangement of the gear selector actuator transverse to the shift and selector shafts allows the shift and selector shafts to rotate about their longitudinal axis via the axial movement of the actuator's piston rod. This enables the adjustment of one of multiple gear selection positions. In particular, it is preferable that the gear selector actuator is arranged perpendicular to the shift and selector shafts. By constructing or fastening radially protruding transverse tabs on the outer periphery of the rocker arm of the shift and selector shafts, and by constructing transverse grooves in the piston rod of the gear selector actuator, a connection between the piston rod of the gear selector actuator and the shift and selector shafts can be achieved, which allows for a connection that is structurally very simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0011] According to an advantageous improvement of the subject matter of the invention, the transverse groove within the piston rod of the gear selector actuator is configured as a recess. This recess can be manufactured cost-effectively by a milling process. Since the connecting element is not fastened to a separate connecting element on the piston rod of the gear selector actuator but is instead generated through the aforementioned recess, the component that moves to perform the gear selection process advantageously has a smaller mass. This contributes to high gear selection power.

[0012] Another improvement of the invention is that the rocker arm on the shift and selector shaft is also axially fixedly connected to it. This allows the rocker arm, fastened to the shift and selector shaft, to move axially together with its lateral contact plate during axial movement of the shift and selector shaft. Specifically, the lateral contact plate of the rocker arm is long enough that it is guided within the lateral groove of the piston rod of the selector actuator throughout the entire axial adjustment range of the shift and selector shaft. This allows for a simple measure to prevent the lateral contact plate from being pulled out of the lateral groove.

[0013] To simplify assembly, the shift and selector shafts, selector actuators, and shift actuators can be structurally combined in a pre-assembled shift module. The shift module is placed over an opening in the area above the transmission housing and screwed to it. Shift forks are also provided to this shift module, provided they are arranged axially movable on the shift and selector shafts. Shift rocker arms are assigned to the shift transmission, typically pivotally supported within the transmission housing. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to two embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 A perspective side view shows the shifting device according to the invention;

[0016] Figure 2 A perspective top view shows the shifting device according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 Shown in partial, perspective view according to Figure 1 The first embodiment of the push rod of the gear shifting device; and

[0018] Figure 4 Shown in partial, perspective view according to Figure 1 The second embodiment of the push rod of the gear shifting device. Specific implementation plan

[0019] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The shifting device 2 shown is used for shifting and selecting gears in a multi-stage automated shift transmission (not shown in detail). The shifting device 2 has a shifting and selection shaft 4, a selection actuator 6, and a shift actuator 8.

[0020] The shift and selection shaft 4 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis in accordance with the rotation direction arrow 10 for performing the gear selection process, and is axially movable in two axial directions in accordance with the direction symbol 12 for performing the gear shifting process. Two shift forks 14 and 16 are supported on the shift and selection shaft 4 in an axially movable manner, and are respectively fitted into their corresponding shift sleeves, which are arranged in a known manner on the drive shaft of the shift transmission. The shift sleeves and the drive shaft of the transmission are not shown.

[0021] By rotating the shift and selection shaft 4 to a specific rotation angle position corresponding to the rotation direction arrow 10, one of the two shift forks 14, 16 is form-locked to the shift and selection shaft 4 via an invisible connecting element, corresponding to the gear selection process. By rotating the shift and selection shaft 4 to a specific axial position corresponding to the direction symbol 12, the shift sleeve engaged with the coupled shift forks 14, 16 moves axially, thus engaging or disengaging one of the two associated drive stages, corresponding to the gear shift process. The gear selection actuator 6 is constructed as a hydraulic or pneumatic piston-cylinder mechanism and is arranged here in an axial orientation perpendicular to the shift and selection shaft 4.

[0022] The piston rod 28 of the gear selector actuator 6 is in an adjustable connection with the rocker arm 18, which is anti-rotational and axially fixed on the shift and selector shaft 4. For this purpose, the rocker arm 18 has a radially projecting transverse tab 20 on its outer periphery, which engages with the transverse groove 30 of the piston rod 28 of the gear selector actuator 6. The transverse groove 30 is currently configured as a recess in the piston rod 28 of the gear selector actuator 6 and is manufactured by milling. The transverse tab 20 of the rocker arm 18 has a length L such that the transverse tab is guided within the transverse groove 30 of the piston rod 28 of the gear selector actuator 6 throughout the entire axial adjustment range of the shift and selector shaft 4.

[0023] When the gear selector actuator 6 is operated, the shift and selection shaft 4 rotates about its longitudinal axis in accordance with the rotation direction arrow 10 via the adjusting connection between the transverse groove 30 and the transverse connecting piece 20 of the rocker arm 18 through the axial movement of its piston rod 28 corresponding to the direction arrow 32. This corresponds to the gear selection process. Three locking recesses 34 of the locking device (not shown further) can also be seen on the piston rod 28 of the gear selector actuator 6.

[0024] The shift actuator 8 is configured as a hydraulic or pneumatic piston-cylinder mechanism and is arranged parallel to and directly adjacent to the axis of the shift and selector shaft 4. The piston rod 36 of the shift actuator 8 is axially fixed to the shift and selector shaft 4 in an adjustable connection via a radially oriented push rod 38 that is axially fixed and anti-rotationally fastened to the piston rod 36.

[0025] According to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The first embodiment of the push rod 38, shown in a partially cutaway view, has a disc-shaped guide element 40 at its free end, which is guided in the lever arm 22 of the rocker arm 18 in a manner that is axially fixed, radially movable, and pivotable. For this purpose, the lever arm 22 of the rocker arm 18 is oriented as radially as possible toward the piston rod 36 of the shift actuator 8. Furthermore, the lever arm 22 has a box-like or bag-like cavity 23 with an opening 24 into which the push rod 38 is pivotally engaged with the guide element 40.

[0026] When the shift actuator 8 is operated, the axial movement of its piston rod 36 corresponding to direction symbol 42 causes the shift and selection shaft 4 to move axially corresponding to direction symbol 12 via the adjusting connection between push rod 38 and rocker arm 18, which corresponds to the shifting process. When the shift and selection shaft 4 rotates in the direction of rotation arrow 10 due to the shifting process, the adjusting connection between rocker arm 18 and push rod 38 causes the piston rod 36 of the shift actuator 8 to rotate in the opposite direction to the rotation of the shift and selection shaft relative to the rotation direction arrow 44.

[0027] According to only Figure 4 The second embodiment of the push rod 46, shown in a partially cutaway view, has a forked connecting element 48 at its free end, which is axially fixed and pivotally engaged in an outer annular groove 26 of the shift and selection shaft 4. In this embodiment of the push rod 44, when the shift actuator 8 is operated, the shift and selection shaft 4 is moved axially in accordance with the direction symbol 12 via the adjusting connection between the push rod 46 and the annular groove 26 by the axial movement of its piston rod 36 corresponding to the direction symbol 42, which corresponds to the shifting process. However, in this embodiment of the push rod 46, the piston rod 36 of the shift actuator 8 does not rotate when the shift and selection shaft 4 rotates in accordance with the rotation direction arrow 10 due to the shifting process.

[0028] To simplify assembly, the shift and selector shaft 4, the selector actuator 6, and the shift actuator 8 are structurally combined in a pre-assembled shift module 50.

[0029] List of reference numerals

[0030] 2. Gear shifting equipment

[0031] 4. Shift and selector shaft

[0032] 6. Selective Actuator

[0033] 8. Gear shift actuator

[0034] 10. Arrows indicating the direction of rotation of the shift and selector shafts.

[0035] 12. Direction symbols for the axial movement of the shift and selector shafts.

[0036] 14 First shift fork

[0037] 16 Second shift fork

[0038] 18 joysticks

[0039] 20 Horizontal splicing

[0040] 22. The lever arm of the joystick

[0041] 23. Cavity inside the lever arm of the joystick

[0042] 24. Openings at the ends of the cavity

[0043] 26. Annular groove in the gear shift and gear selection shaft (second embodiment)

[0044] 28 Piston rod of the gear selector actuator

[0045] 30. Transverse groove inside the piston rod of the selector actuator

[0046] 32. Arrow indicating the axial mobility of piston rod 28

[0047] 34. Locking recess inside the piston rod of the gear selector actuator

[0048] 36 Piston rod of the gear shift actuator

[0049] 38. Push rod on the piston rod of the gear shift actuator (first embodiment)

[0050] 40 Guide element on push rod 38

[0051] 42. Direction symbol for the axial mobility of piston rod 36

[0052] 44. Arrow indicating the direction of rotation of piston rod 36.

[0053] 46. ​​Push rod on the piston rod of the gear shift actuator (second embodiment)

[0054] 48 Connecting element on push rod 46

[0055] 50 shift module

[0056] L is the length of the horizontal splice 20.

Claims

1. A shifting device (2) for an automated shift transmission, the shifting device comprising: a shifting and selection shaft (4) arranged to rotate about its longitudinal axis for performing a shifting process and to move axially for performing a shifting process; a hydraulic or pneumatic shifting actuator (6) arranged transversely to the shifting and selection shaft (4), the piston rod (28) of the shifting actuator being in an adjustable connection with a rocker arm (18) arranged on the shifting and selection shaft (4) at least resisting relative rotation; and a hydraulic or pneumatic shifting actuator (8), the piston rod (36) of the shifting actuator being axially fixedly connected to the shifting and selection shaft (4) in an adjustable connection, wherein, The rocker arm (18) has a radially protruding transverse tab (20) on its outer periphery, and the transverse tab (20) of the rocker arm (18) is embedded in a transverse groove (30) constructed on the piston rod (28) of the gear selector (6), wherein the piston rod (36) of the gear selector (8) is axially fixed to the gear selector shaft (4) in an adjustable connection by a radially oriented push rod (38) that is axially fixed and anti-rotationally fastened to the piston rod (36) of the gear selector (8), wherein the push rod has a disc-shaped guide element (40) at its free end, the guide element being guided in the arm (22) of the rocker arm (18) in an axially fixed, radially movable and pivotable manner.

2. The gear shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transverse groove (30) is configured as a recess in the piston rod (28) of the gear selector (6).

3. The gear shifting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The rocker arm (18) is also axially fixedly connected to the shift and select shaft (4), and the length (L) of the transverse tab (20) of the rocker arm (18) is such that the transverse tab (20) is guided in the transverse groove (30) of the piston rod (28) of the selector actuator (6) within the entire axial adjustment range of the shift and select shaft (4).

4. The gear shifting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The shift and select shaft (4), the select actuator (6) and the shift actuator (8) are combined in a pre-assembled shift module (50).

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