Improved countershaft assembly for a vehicle transmission

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a layshaft assembly for use in a vehicle transmission, comprising a clutching mechanism with a synchronizing assembly arranged for synchronizing the rotation of a driven gearwheel with a first gearwheel or a second gearwheel, wherein the first gearwheel and the second gearwheel extend adjacent to each other along a central axis, and wherein the synchronizing assembly is located between adjacent respective outer circumferential surfaces of the first gearwheel and the second gearwheel and a sleeve. The present disclosure also relates to an annular biasing means support and a complementary biasing means insert for placement onto the annular biasing means support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a countershaft assembly for a vehicle transmission, an annular biasing means support for a clutch mechanism, a biasing means insert for use with the annular biasing means support, a vehicle transmission, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Today, vehicle transmissions used in road vehicles typically include a synchronizer gearbox. This synchronizer gearbox typically includes an input shaft coupled to the engine crankshaft and an output shaft aligned with the input shaft and coupled to the vehicle's wheels. To rotatably engage the input shaft to the output shaft, the vehicle transmission includes one or more countershaft assemblies. These countershaft assemblies include a countershaft rotatable about a central axis and equipped with gears. Typically, one of these gears is fixedly connected to the countershaft, while the others are selectively engaged to the countershaft via a clutch mechanism. This clutch mechanism is typically located between the engageable gears, allowing them to be controlled by a single lever, such as a shift fork. Typically, the clutch mechanism includes a dual synchronizer comprising a synchronizer hub fixedly connected to the countershaft and a sleeve movable axially along the countershaft. The sleeve is movable in a first engaged position, a second engaged position, and a neutral position. In the first engaged position, rotation of the hub is coupled to rotation of the first of the engageable gears. In the second engaged position, rotation of the hub is coupled to rotation of the second of the engageable gears. In neutral, the rotation of the wheel hub is independent of the rotation of the connected gears.

[0003] The disadvantage of this clutch mechanism is that it requires many parts to connect to the countershaft, thus increasing the size of the countershaft assembly. This is especially true since many gearboxes include more than one of these countershaft assemblies, making the gearbox bulky. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One objective is to provide an improved counterspindle assembly. In particular, one objective is to reduce the size of the counterspindle assembly.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a countershaft assembly for a vehicle transmission is provided, comprising: - a countershaft rotatably disposed about a central axis; - a first gear rotatably disposed about the countershaft and the central axis; - a second gear disposed about the central axis and about the countershaft; and - a clutch assembly rotatably disposed about the countershaft and the central axis. The clutch assembly includes: - a driven gear; - a clutch mechanism including a movable sleeve for selectively engaging rotation of the driven gear with either the first gear or the second gear. The clutch mechanism further includes a synchronizing assembly configured to synchronize rotation of the driven gear with either the first gear or the second gear, wherein the first gear and the second gear extend adjacent to each other along the central axis, and wherein the synchronizing assembly is located between adjacent corresponding outer circumferential surfaces of the adjacent first gear and the second gear and the sleeve.

[0006] Advantageously, the length of the countershaft assembly is reduced because the first and second gears are spaced only minimally, for example, by bearing means (e.g., needle roller bearings) or the usual spacing required in gear assemblies. Since the synchronizing assembly is located on the outer circumferential surface of the gears, a synchronizing hub is not required. Furthermore, the sleeve can be operated with a single lever. Because it is not necessary to connect the synchronizing assembly to the countershaft itself, the number of (moving) parts is reduced.

[0007] The sleeve is preferably selectively movable between the first gear and the second gear when connected to the driven gear, and / or the sleeve is movable in an axial direction parallel to the central axis.

[0008] The sleeve is movable in a first engaged position, a second engaged position, and a neutral position. In the first engaged position, the rotation of the driven gear is connected to the rotation of the first gear via the sleeve. In the second engaged position, the rotation of the driven gear is connected to the rotation of the second gear via the sleeve. In the neutral position, the rotation of the driven gear and the sleeve is independent of the rotation of the connected gear.

[0009] In one embodiment, the synchronization component further includes a biasing means and a support. The biasing means is configured to bias the sleeve to a disengaged position, in which the sleeve is disengaged from the first gear and the second gear. The support is configured to at least partially support the biasing means and is positioned adjacent to the outer circumferential surfaces of the first gear and the second gear.

[0010] In this application, the biasing means is preferably a biasing mechanism. Whenever the term "biasing means" is mentioned, it can be used interchangeably with "biasing mechanism," and vice versa.

[0011] In one embodiment, the driven gear extends along the central axis adjacent to either the first or second gear. This makes the countershaft assembly more compact.

[0012] In another embodiment, the sleeve is supported by a driven gear.

[0013] In another embodiment, the movement of the sleeve is restricted by a protrusion on the stop surface in the driven gear.

[0014] In another embodiment, the support is annular. Preferably, the support is held in a fixed radial position relative to a central axis solely by a sleeve. The support can be positioned along the inner surface of the sleeve.

[0015] Advantageously, the support body is neither connected to the countershaft nor has a bearing mounted to the countershaft, thus reducing the number of parts, especially those prone to wear, such as bearings.

[0016] Other embodiments are defined by the appended claims and may include an annular biasing means support and, optionally, the following biasing means insert.

[0017] According to a second aspect, an annular biasing means support is provided for use in a clutch mechanism, the clutch mechanism including a movable cylindrical clutch sleeve, the annular support comprising: one or more first support structures located on the outer side of the annular support and configured to contact corresponding one or more complementary support structures on the inner side of the sleeve, such that when the annular support is positioned along the inner side of the sleeve, the annular support is supported by the sleeve and rotates together with the sleeve about a central axis; one or more second support structures, each second support structure being positioned at least partially along the outer side of the annular support and configured to support a biasing means configured to bias the sleeve to a central position relative to the annular support.

[0018] Advantageously, the annular support is configured to be supported only by the sleeve, thus eliminating the need for a synchronizing hub in the clutch mechanism and / or the countershaft assembly / synchronizer. It is understood that the annular biasing means support can be included in the synchronizing assembly of the countershaft assembly described above and below.

[0019] In one embodiment, as will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, the annular biasing means support includes a biasing means. In other words, a biasing means is integrated therein. In an alternative embodiment, the annular biasing means support is configured to receive one or more biasing means inserts including a biasing means.

[0020] According to a third aspect, a biasing means insert or extension is provided, configured to be attached to an annular biasing means support, wherein the biasing means insert includes: a biasing means configured to bias a sleeve to a central position relative to the annular support when the biasing means insert is attached to the annular support; and one or more support structures, each support structure being positioned at least partially along the inner side of the biasing means insert and configured to be attached to a complementary support structure of the annular biasing means.

[0021] Advantageously, the biasing means can be replaced more easily, rather than the entire annular biasing means support. The combination of the annular biasing means support and the biasing means insert can also incorporate a wider range of shapes and surfaces, while still allowing the use of common manufacturing techniques such as punching, thereby reducing component costs.

[0022] As part of any of the above aspects, the biasing means may each include a first end and a second end, wherein the biasing means is rod-shaped and extends from the first end to the second end in a direction parallel to the central axis, wherein the first end is in a fixed position relative to the biasing means insert, and the second end is configured to be reversibly bent in the radial direction relative to the central axis, wherein preferably, the biasing means is shaped as a leaf spring.

[0023] Advantageously, this construction is very compact compared to the commonly used ball-and-pawl assembly.

[0024] The biasing means may include a tongue movable between an inward position and an outward position, wherein the tongue is biased toward the outward position.

[0025] The sleeve may include a guide surface that mates with a biasing means for pushing the tongue into the engagement position.

[0026] The biasing means may include a first type of biasing means and a second type of biasing means, wherein the first type of biasing means is configured to bias the sleeve toward a central position in a first axial direction from the first axial end face of the biasing means insert to the second axial end face, and wherein the second type of biasing means is configured to bias the sleeve toward a central position in a second axial direction from the second axial end face to the first axial end face.

[0027] With this construction, the sleeve is symmetrically offset toward the neutral / center position in two directions.

[0028] According to another aspect, a component is provided that includes an annular biasing means support and a biasing means insert.

[0029] It should be understood that the secondary shaft assembly according to the first aspect may include an annular biasing means support according to the above aspect, and / or may also include an assembly of biasing means inserts.

[0030] According to another aspect, a sleeve is provided for a clutch mechanism of any countershaft assembly described herein. Specifically, the sleeve includes teeth on its inner surface configured to lock with a first gear and a second gear. Furthermore, a first type of tooth includes a recess at its first axial end, and a second type of tooth includes a recess at its second axial end. The first and second types of teeth are configured to interact with a biasing means or biasing mechanism of the support described herein.

[0031] According to another aspect, a sleeve according to any of the embodiments described may be provided. The sleeve may include a receiving structure, such as a cavity or opening, located on its inner side for receiving a biasing mechanism, such as a spring and a biasing element. The biasing element may include a protrusion configured to interact with complementary recesses in the support as described above and below. The sleeve may be configured to receive and rotatably hold the support on its inner side. The biasing element may include a spherical portion as a protrusion. An assembly or kit of the sleeve, support, and biasing mechanism components is another aspect disclosed in this patent. This assembly or kit of components may also include two synchronizer rings.

[0032] According to another aspect, the sleeve and synchronizer assembly can be applied to any part of the vehicle transmission, wherein the first gear and the second gear will be positioned adjacent to each other, and the synchronizer assembly is positioned as defined above.

[0033] According to another aspect, a vehicle transmission including any of the aforementioned countershaft assemblies is provided.

[0034] According to another aspect, a vehicle including a vehicle transmission was provided.

[0035] Further embodiments of the above aspects are defined by the appended claims and may be additionally derived from the following description of the accompanying drawings.

[0036] The effects and advantages of the vehicle transmission and vehicle according to the foregoing aspects are at least the same as those of the countershaft assembly according to the foregoing aspects, and these effects and advantages are incorporated herein by reference. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate currently preferred, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the apparatus of this disclosure. These embodiments may be combined or applied independently of each other. The above and other advantages of the features and purposes of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and these aspects and embodiments will be better understood, wherein:

[0038] Figure 1 A perspective side view of an example of a secondary shaft assembly is shown;

[0039] Figure 2A perspective cross-sectional view of an example of a secondary shaft assembly is shown;

[0040] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an example of a secondary shaft assembly is shown;

[0041] Figure 4 A perspective side sectional view of an example sleeve with a synchronization component is shown;

[0042] Figure 5 A perspective side view of an example support for a synchronization component is shown.

[0043] Figure 6A A cross-sectional view of an example of a counterspindle assembly with the sleeve in the neutral position is shown;

[0044] Figure 6B A cross-sectional view of an example of a countershaft assembly with the sleeve in a first engagement position where it is in exemplary engagement with a first gear is shown.

[0045] Figure 7A A cross-sectional view of an example of a counterspindle assembly with the sleeve in the neutral position is shown;

[0046] Figure 7B A cross-sectional view of an example of a countershaft assembly with the sleeve in a second engagement position where it is in exemplary engagement with a second gear is shown.

[0047] Figure 8 A perspective side view shows another example of a support on which an example bias mechanism insert is placed;

[0048] Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 Decomposed perspective side view;

[0049] Figure 10 As shown Figure 8 The sectional side view shown illustrates a first example construction of the biasing mechanism and support.

[0050] Figure 11 A cross-sectional side view showing a second example construction of the biasing mechanism and support is shown;

[0051] Figure 12 A cross-sectional side view showing a third example construction of the biasing mechanism and support is shown;

[0052] Figure 13 A schematic side view of another example of a sleeve with a synchronization component is shown;

[0053] Figure 14 A schematic side view shows yet another example of a sleeve with a synchronization component;

[0054] Figure 15 It shows Figure 1 A perspective sectional side view of the sleeve of an example secondary shaft assembly;

[0055] Figure 16 It shows something similar to Figure 13 A side sectional view of an example sleeve with a synchronizer component;

[0056] Figure 17 The sub-shaft assembly is shown Figure 16 An example of a perspective side sectional view;

[0057] Figure 18 It shows Figure 16 A perspective side view of the support structure of an example synchronizer component; and

[0058] Figure 19 It shows Figure 18 The example is a perspective side view of the support structure along with various other elements of the synchronizer assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0059] Similar or corresponding features are indicated by similar or corresponding reference numerals in the accompanying drawings.

[0060] The secondary shaft assembly 10 includes a secondary shaft 12 rotatably arranged about a central axis 14, a first gear 16 rotatably arranged about the secondary shaft 12 and the central axis 14, a second gear 18 arranged about the central axis 14 and the secondary shaft 12, and a clutch assembly rotatably arranged about the secondary shaft 12 and the central axis 14.

[0061] The clutch assembly includes a driven gear 22 and a clutch mechanism 20. The clutch mechanism 20 includes a movable sleeve 30 for selectively engaging rotation of the driven gear 22 with either a first gear 16 or a second gear 18. The clutch mechanism 20 also includes a synchronizing assembly 24 configured to synchronize rotation of the driven gear 22 with either the first gear 16 or the second gear 18. The first gear 16 and the second gear 18 extend adjacent to each other along a central axis 14. The synchronizing assembly 24 is located between adjacent corresponding outer circumferential surfaces 17 and 19 of the adjacent first gear 16 and second gear 18 and the sleeve 30.

[0062] Synchronization component 24 may include a biasing mechanism 36 configured to bias sleeve 30 to a disengaged position (see [link]). Figure 6A and Figure 7A At this disengaged position, the sleeve disengages from the first gear 16 and the second gear 18.

[0063] Synchronization component 24 may also include support 28 (see Figure 5The support 28 is configured to at least partially support the biasing mechanism 36 and is located between the sleeve 30 and the first gear 16 and the second gear 18, preferably adjacent to the outer circumferential surface 17 of the first gear 16 and the outer circumferential surface 19 of the second gear 18.

[0064] The support 28 may be annular. The support can be positioned along the inner surface of the sleeve 30. It can be seen that the support 28 is supported only by the sleeve 30 and does not require a separate synchronizing hub. In other words, the support 28 is neither connected to nor bearing-mounted to the countershaft except through the sleeve 30. The support 28 can be positioned at least partially around the first gear 16 and the second gear 18.

[0065] The support 28 is located in the recesses formed by the tapered outer circumferential surfaces 17 and 19 of the first gear 16 and the second gear 18, respectively. The first gear 16 and the second gear 18 include first axial ends 162 and 182 and second axial ends 164 and 184, respectively, and the first axial end 162 of the first gear 16 is adjacent to the second axial end 184 of the second gear 18.

[0066] In this example, see, for example Figure 3 The driven gear 22 extends adjacent to the second gear 18. The sleeve 30 is supported by the driven gear 22 and extends within the annular cavity 23, partially extending into the driven gear 22. The inner surface 230 of the driven gear 22 in the cavity 23 includes splines or teeth and / or grooves that interact with complementary grooves and / or splines or teeth of the sleeve 30, such that the sleeve 30 rotates with the driven gear 22 but is movable in an axial direction parallel to the central axis 14. The axial movement of the sleeve 30 can be limited by the end wall of the cavity 23 on the second axial end side 58 of the sleeve 30 and by the surface of the first gear 16 on the first axial end side 60 of the sleeve 30. The axial movement of the sleeve 30 can alternatively or additionally be limited by a protruding engaging stop surface in the driven gear 33. A bearing element, such as a row needle roller bearing (not shown), can be placed between the driven gear 22 and the countershaft 12.

[0067] The secondary shaft assembly 10 may include a third gear 42 fixedly connected to the secondary shaft 12 and arranged to rotate together with the secondary shaft about a central axis 14. A first gear 16 is preferably fixedly connected to the secondary shaft 12 such that rotation of the first gear 16 causes rotation of the third gear 42.

[0068] like Figure 15 As shown in more detail below, sleeve 30 may include splines 52 and grooves 54 that work in conjunction with complementary grooves and splines of driven gear 33. Sleeve 30 may also include a plurality of teeth 61, 64 and 68, wherein teeth 61 and 64 work in conjunction with biasing mechanism 36. This will be described in further detail below.

[0069] Now for reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The synchronization assembly 24 includes a first synchronization ring 32 and a second synchronization ring 34. Each synchronization ring has a first synchronization ring tooth 320 and a second synchronization ring tooth 340 on its respective outer surface. The synchronization ring may also include a first friction surface 72 and a second friction surface 74. A support body 28 is located between the first synchronization ring 32 and the second synchronization ring 34. The support body 28 and the synchronization rings 32 and 34 are supported by a sleeve 30 and rotate together with the sleeve 30.

[0070] The first synchronizing ring 32 is configured to synchronize the rotation of the sleeve 30 with the rotation of the first gear 16 before the sleeve 30 is connected to the first gear 16. For example... Figure 6A and 6B As shown, the sleeve 30 can move from the neutral position to the first engaged position, where the sleeve 30 and the first gear 16 are mechanically connected, and torque can be transmitted from the driven gear 22 to the first gear 16. In this example, the first gear 16 can rotate freely about the countershaft 12 and is associated, for example, with reverse gear.

[0071] Before reaching the first engagement position, the sleeve must overcome the biasing force applied by the biasing mechanism 36. This causes the sleeve 30 to exert an axial force toward the first synchronizing ring 32. The first synchronizing ring 32 is then pushed against the outer circumferential surface 17, which, like the circumferential surface 19, is tapered in the illustrated example. As the synchronizing ring rotates together with the sleeve 30, the first gear 16 will eventually rotate synchronously with the sleeve 30 due to friction as the first synchronizing ring 32 pushes against the outer circumferential surface 17. Once the sleeve 30 and the synchronizing ring 32 are synchronously rotated, the sleeve can slide further on the first tooth 160 at the outer surface of the first gear 16, allowing torque to be transmitted from the driven gear 22 to the first gear 16. The first synchronizing ring tooth 320 and the second synchronizing ring tooth 340 facilitate rotational alignment of the teeth of the sleeve 30 with the corresponding grooves or spaces between the corresponding teeth of the first gear 16 and the second gear 18.

[0072] The synchronization assembly 24 also includes a second synchronization ring 34 configured to synchronize the rotation of the sleeve 30 with the rotation of the second gear 18 before the sleeve 30 is engaged with the second gear 18. The sleeve 30 can slide to... Figure 7B The second engagement position is shown.

[0073] Before reaching the second engagement position, sleeve 30 must overcome the biasing force applied by biasing mechanism 36. This causes sleeve 30 to exert a force on the second synchronizing ring 34 in the axial direction. The first synchronizing ring 34 is then pushed against the outer circumferential surface 19, which is tapered in the illustrated example. As the synchronizing ring rotates together with sleeve 30, the second gear 18 will rotate synchronously with sleeve 30 after a period of time due to friction as the second synchronizing ring 34 pushes against the outer circumferential surface 19. Once sleeve 30 and synchronizing ring 32 have rotated synchronously, sleeve 30 can further slide on the second tooth 180 at the outer surface of the second gear 18, allowing torque to be transmitted from driven gear 22 to the second gear 18.

[0074] Figure 5 A first embodiment of the support 28 is shown. Here, the support 28 integrates a biasing mechanism. The support 28 includes a first axial end face 112 and a second axial end face 110. The support 28 includes a first support structure 114 located outside the support 28 and configured to contact one or more corresponding complementary support structures inside the sleeve 30, such that the annular support is supported by the sleeve, and when the annular support is positioned along the inside of the sleeve, the annular support rotates together with the sleeve about a central axis.

[0075] The first support structure is configured to at least partially allow axial movement of the support 28 relative to the sleeve 30 and restrict rotational movement of the support 28 relative to the sleeve 30. The support structure is preferably configured such that some clearance exists during rotation of the support 28 relative to the sleeve 30, allowing for various tooth alignments. Advantageously, the support 28 can be shaped by deforming a sheet metal. The sheet metal can be deformed by, for example, stamping, indentation, cutting, bending, or punching, and any combination thereof.

[0076] The biasing mechanism 36 may include a plurality of biasing elements, each biasing element may include a first end and a second end, wherein the biasing element is rod-shaped and each biasing element extends from the first end to the second end in a direction parallel to the central axis, wherein the first end is fixed relative to the support and the second end is configured to be reversibly bent in the radial direction relative to the central axis, wherein preferably, the biasing means is shaped as a leaf spring.

[0077] like Figure 5 As shown, the biasing mechanism 36 may include a biasing member, which is implemented here by leaf springs or tongues 102 and 104, and can be described as rod-shaped. The leaf spring extends parallel to the central axis 14. Leaf spring 102 is of the first type, extending from a first end 112 of the support 28 to a second end 110 of the support 28, and is configured to be oriented toward the disengaged position in a first axial direction from the first gear 16 toward the second gear 18. Figure 6A and Figure 7A )Offset sleeve 30.

[0078] The second type of leaf spring 104 extends from the second end 110 of the support 28 to the first end 112 and is configured to bias the sleeve 30 toward the disengagement position in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction from the second gear 18 toward the first gear 16.

[0079] Leaf springs 102 and 104 each include protrusions 106 and 107 at their outer ends and extending radially outward. In this example, the protrusions are spherical or ball-shaped.

[0080] like Figure 15 As shown, sleeve 30 includes corresponding complementary recesses or pawls for receiving protrusions. Sleeve 30 includes a recess 62 in tooth 61 for receiving a protrusion 106 of the second type of leaf spring 104. Similarly, sleeve 30 includes a recess 66 in tooth 64 for receiving a protrusion 107 of the first type. Protrusions 106 and 107 and recesses 62 and 66 are positioned such that leaf springs 102 and 104 are in an unbent resting position when sleeve 30 is in the disengaged (center) position.

[0081] As described above, teeth 61 and 64 are also used for synchronizing the first or second gear with sleeve 30. Therefore, these teeth 61 and 64, in addition to synchronizing and locking with gears 16 and 18, have additional functions that make the sleeve more compact. Furthermore, fewer parts are required compared to using ball spring elements, for example, that do not need to work with a pawl. A leaf spring shaped along the axial direction uses less space than a standard ball spring element. Sleeve 30 also includes tooth 68 solely for synchronizing and locking functions.

[0082] Figure 8 and 9 A second embodiment of the support 128 is shown. Unless otherwise stated, support 128 provides the same and similar functions as support 28. Support 128 is configured to receive separate biasing mechanism inserts or covers 130, 132, and 134.

[0083] The support 128 also includes a first spring base 142 and a second spring base 144, which are positioned such that the deflection of the first type of biasing mechanism (particularly leaf spring 102) and the second biasing mechanism (particularly leaf spring 104) is respectively restricted.

[0084] Figure 10-12 Several embodiments of the spring base are shown. Although only the base for the second type of leaf spring 104 is shown, corresponding embodiments of the spring base 142 exist. Figure 10In this configuration, the spring base 144 is tilted by a constant in the axial direction. The spring 104 moves freely along its entire length in the radial direction 152. Figure 11 In this configuration, the spring base 244 is inclined at a constant angle, but includes a contact portion 248 that contacts the base portion 105 of the leaf spring 104. This increases the spring constant as the deflection of the leaf spring 104 increases.

[0085] exist Figure 12 In the middle, the spring base 344 includes an arcuate shape. A portion 350 of the spring base 344 extending from the second edge surface 110 towards the first edge surface 112 follows a... Figure 12 An arc with radius r is schematically drawn using dashed lines. In this configuration, the spring constant of leaf spring 104 increases further with increasing deflection of leaf spring 104. The effective arm length of leaf spring 104 decreases with increasing deflection.

[0086] The biasing force of the biasing mechanism can be adjusted by changing the shape of the spring base.

[0087] exist Figure 13 and 14 Two additional embodiments of the sleeve and synchronization assembly 524 are shown in the figure. Figure 13 In this embodiment, sleeve 530 includes a biasing mechanism comprising spring 537 and ball 538, while support 528 includes support recesses 539 for supporting the synchronizing mechanism, particularly the ball 538, and thus are complementary in shape. Therefore, sleeve 530 and support 528 work together in a manner similar to the other embodiments described above. Sleeve 530 is biased to a neutral position. Synchronizing assembly 524 also includes a first synchronizing ring 532 and a second synchronizing ring 534. When sleeve 530 moves axially (parallel to the central axis), support 528 also axially pushes against either the first or second synchronizing ring, thus causing sleeve 530 and either the first gear 16 or the second gear 18 to rotate, as described above. Sleeve 530 may include three springs and balls equally spaced along the circumference of the sleeve. Support 528 includes three support recesses 539 equally spaced along the circumference of the annular support 528.

[0088] Figure 16 The text shows the relationship with... Figure 13 A similar embodiment is described, but the ball 538 is formed as a spherical head 538, which connects to the pin base 590. Typically, the ball 538 and the spherical head 538, together with the pin base 590, represent a biasing member. In the illustrated location, the pin base 590 is located inside a cavity within the sleeve 530, while the spherical head 538 is primarily located within a recess 539. Although not necessarily to scale, the relative dimensions are similar to, for example... Figure 3 , 6AThe dimensions of 6B, 7A, and 7B. The recess 539 in the support 528 is elliptical and wider in width than the spherical head 538. This shape causes a gradual increase in the force applied laterally to the synchronizing rings 532 and 534 as the sleeve moves axially in either direction.

[0089] exist Figure 17 middle, Figure 16 The sleeve 530 and synchronizer assembly shown are displayed in conjunction with Figure 3 A similar countershaft assembly. Sleeve 530 is in a second engaged position, where it engages with the second gear 18, as shown. The biasing mechanism includes a biasing member, in this example comprising a spring 537 and pin / ball head assemblies 590 and 538, positioned where the biasing member is pushed into a cavity within sleeve 538. In this position, the ball head 538 is primarily located within a cavity within sleeve 530.

[0090] exist Figure 18 and 19 In the middle, more details are shown, such as Figure 16 and 17 The components of the synchronizer assembly shown. Figure 18 The image shows a support 528 and its recess 539, in which, in this example, the recess 539 is an elliptical recess 539. The recess 539 is used to support a biasing mechanism, which includes, for example, a spring 537 and a ball 538 (or a spherical head 538 and a pin-shaped base 590).

[0091] The support is typically used as a support member to at least partially support the biasing mechanism. The recess 539 is configured to convert the spring force in the radial direction relative to the central axis into an axial biasing force.

[0092] Also visible is a first support structure 514 located on the outer side of the annular support 528. Support structure 514 here includes splines or teeth, causing the support 528 and sleeve 530 to rotate at the same speed. Support structure 514 is configured to overcome the drag torque generated by the corresponding synchronizing rings 532 and 534 during synchronization.

[0093] Figure 19 A support body, a first synchronizing ring 532 and a second synchronizing ring 534, a biasing member, and a spring 537 are shown. The synchronizing rings are held in place by corresponding first clamping extensions 592 and second clamping extensions 594. These clamping extensions 592 and 594 are configured to grip the clamping portion 591 of the support body 528. In the example shown, the support body 528 has three clamping portions 591, and each synchronizing ring includes three clamping extensions. The clamping extensions 592 and 594 are configured to allow rotational clearance, preferably in the range of 2° to 10°, and most preferably, in this example, about 5°.

[0094] exist Figure 14 In this embodiment, support 628 includes a biasing mechanism comprising spring 537 and ball 638, while sleeve 630 includes support recesses 639 for supporting the synchronization mechanism, particularly its ball 638, thus their shapes are complementary. Therefore, sleeve 630 and support 628 work together in a manner similar to the other embodiments described above. Sleeve 630 is biased to a neutral position. Synchronization assembly 624 also includes a first synchronization ring 632 and a second synchronization ring 634. When sleeve 630 moves axially, support 628 also axially pushes against either the first or second synchronization ring, thus causing sleeve 630 and either the first gear 16 or the second gear 18 to rotate, as described above. Sleeve 630 may include three springs and balls equally spaced along the circumference of the sleeve. Support 628 includes three support recesses 639 equally spaced along the circumference of the annular support 628.

[0095] Integrating this spherical ratchet structure into the sleeve or support, especially when the synchronizing assembly 524 or 624 is placed between the first gear and the second gear, and even more so between their tapered axial outer circumferential end faces, reduces the size and number of components in the countershaft assembly, including the sleeve and the synchronizing assembly.

[0096] For illustrative and descriptive purposes, descriptions of various illustrative constructions have been presented, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the constructions to the disclosed forms. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Moreover, different exemplary constructions may provide different features compared to other exemplary constructions. The selection and description of one or more constructions are intended to best explain the principles of the constructions, their practical applications, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure of various constructions with various modifications to suit a particular intended use.

Claims

1. A countershaft assembly for a vehicle transmission, comprising: - A secondary shaft that can be rotatably arranged around the central axis; - A first gear rotatably arranged around the secondary shaft and the central axis; -A second gear positioned around the central axis and the secondary shaft; and - A clutch assembly rotatably disposed about a secondary shaft and a central axis, the clutch assembly comprising: - Driven gear, the driven gear extends adjacent to the first gear or the second gear, and - A clutch mechanism, including a movable sleeve for selectively engaging the rotation of a driven gear with either a first gear or a second gear, wherein the sleeve is configured to be supported by the driven gear, the inner surface of which includes splines, teeth, and / or grooves that interact with grooves, splines, and / or teeth of the sleeve, such that the sleeve rotates together with the driven gear and moves in an axial direction parallel to the central axis. The clutch mechanism also includes a synchronization component, which is configured to synchronize the rotation of the driven gear with that of the first gear or the second gear. The first gear and the second gear extend adjacent to each other along the central axis, and the synchronizing assembly is located between the adjacent corresponding outer circumferential surfaces of the adjacent first gear and the second gear and the sleeve. The synchronization components include: - A biasing means, configured to bias the sleeve to a disengaged position, in which the sleeve disengages from the first and second gears, and - A support body, configured to be positioned between the sleeve and the first and second gears to at least partially support the biasing means, and the support body is supported only by the sleeve and rotates together with the sleeve about a central axis.

2. The countershaft assembly of claim 1, wherein the support is configured to be positioned adjacent to the outer circumferential surface of the first gear and the outer circumferential surface of the second gear.

3. The secondary shaft assembly according to claim 2, wherein the support is annular.

4. The secondary shaft assembly according to claim 2, wherein the support is positioned along the inner surface of the sleeve.

5. The countershaft assembly of claim 1, wherein the support is positioned at least partially around the first gear and the second gear.

6. The countershaft assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing means comprises a first type of biasing means and a second type of biasing means, wherein the first type of biasing means is configured to bias the sleeve toward the disengagement position in a first axial direction from the first gear toward the second gear, and wherein the second type of biasing means is configured to bias the sleeve toward the disengagement position in a second axial direction from the second gear toward the first gear.

7. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 6, wherein the support includes a biasing means.

8. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein each biasing means includes a first end and a second end, wherein the biasing means is rod-shaped and each biasing means extends from the first end to the second end in a direction parallel to the central axis, wherein the first end is fixed relative to the support and the second end is configured to be reversibly bent in the radial direction relative to the central axis.

9. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 8, wherein the biasing means is shaped as a leaf spring.

10. The countershaft assembly of claim 8, wherein each biasing means includes a protrusion located at its second end and extending toward the sleeve, wherein the sleeve includes a complementary recess for receiving the protrusion, wherein the protrusion and the recess are positioned such that when the sleeve is in the disengaged position, the biasing means is in an unbent resting position.

11. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 8, wherein the support includes a corresponding spring base positioned such that the deflection of each biasing means is limited.

12. The secondary shaft assembly according to claim 11, wherein the spring base has an arcuate shape such that the spring coefficient of the biasing means increases with the increase of the deflection of the biasing means.

13. The secondary shaft assembly according to claim 6, wherein the support body includes a first axial end face and a second axial end face, wherein, The first type of biasing means extends from the first axial end face toward the second axial end face, and the second type of biasing means extends from the second axial end face toward the first axial end face.

14. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein the synchronization component comprises: - A first synchronizer ring, configured to synchronize the rotation of the sleeve with the rotation of the first gear before the sleeve is coupled to the first gear. - A second synchronizer ring, configured to synchronize the rotation of the sleeve with the rotation of the second gear before the sleeve is connected to the second gear.

15. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 14, wherein... The support is located between the first synchronizer ring and the second synchronizer ring, and The support body is movable axially along the central axis toward the first synchronizer ring and toward the second synchronizer ring so that a corresponding synchronizer sleeve in the first synchronizer ring and the second synchronizer ring rotates with the first gear and the second gear, respectively.

16. The countershaft assembly of claim 1, wherein the first gear and the second gear each include a first axial end and a second axial end, and the first axial end of the first gear is adjacent to the second axial end of the second gear.

17. The countershaft assembly of claim 16, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the first gear is tapered toward its first axial end, and wherein the outer circumferential surface of the second gear is tapered toward its second axial end, wherein the synchronizing assembly is located between the tapered outer circumferential surfaces of the adjacent first and second gears and the sleeve.

18. The secondary shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein The sleeve includes splines on its inner surface. The first gear includes a first tooth on its outer surface, and The second gear includes a second tooth on its outer surface. The spline is configured to mesh with the first and second teeth.

19. The countershaft assembly of claim 1, wherein the first gear and the second gear are movably arranged relative to each other.

20. The countershaft assembly of claim 19, wherein the friction reduction means is located between the first gear and the second gear.

21. The countershaft assembly according to claim 20, wherein the friction reduction means is a bearing means.

22. The secondary shaft assembly according to claim 21, wherein the bearing means is a needle roller bearing.

23. The countershaft assembly of claim 20, wherein only the friction reduction means is located between the first gear and the second gear, at corresponding adjacent surfaces of the first gear and the second gear.

24. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 1, wherein the secondary shaft assembly includes a third gear fixedly connected to the secondary shaft and configured to rotate about a central axis with respect to the secondary shaft, wherein the first gear fixedly connected to the secondary shaft causes rotation of the third gear to occur.

25. The countershaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the sleeve is cylindrical and the support is annular, the support comprising: One or more first support structures are located outside the support body and are configured to contact one or more corresponding complementary support structures inside the sleeve, such that when the support body is placed along the inside of the sleeve, the support body is supported by the sleeve and rotates together with the sleeve about a central axis. One or more second support structures, each second support structure being positioned at least partially along the outer side of the support body and configured as a support biasing means, the biasing means being configured to bias the sleeve relative to the support body to a central position.

26. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 25, wherein one or more of the first support structures are configured to at least partially allow axial movement of the support body relative to the sleeve and restrict rotational movement of the support body relative to the sleeve.

27. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 25, wherein the support is formed by deforming a metal plate.

28. The countershaft assembly of claim 27, wherein the thickness of the metal plate is less than 3 mm.

29. The countershaft assembly of claim 27, wherein the thickness of the metal plate is less than 2 mm.

30. The countershaft assembly of claim 27, wherein the thickness of the metal plate is less than 1 mm.

31. The countershaft assembly of claim 27, wherein the metal plate is deformed by at least one or any combination of stamping, indentation and punching.

32. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 25 further includes a first axial end face and a second axial end face extending centrally through the support relative to the central axis.

33. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 32, wherein the first axial end face and the second axial end face are configured to transmit a force in a direction parallel to the central axis to the respective object when placed adjacent to the first axial end face and the second axial end face of the support, respectively.

34. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 33, wherein the object is a synchronization ring.

35. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 25, wherein the support includes a biasing means.

36. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 32, wherein the biasing means comprises a first type of biasing means and a second type of biasing means, wherein the first type of biasing means is configured to bias the sleeve toward a central position in a first axial direction from the first axial end face toward the second axial end face, wherein, The second type of biasing means is configured to bias the sleeve toward the center position in the second axial direction from the second axial end face to the first axial end face.

37. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 25, wherein the second support structure is configured to receive one or more biasing means inserts such that the biasing means inserts are held in a fixed position relative to the support.

38. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 37, wherein the biasing means support structure of the biasing means insert includes a respective base surface located below the biasing means, such that when one or more biasing means inserts are attached to the support, the movement of each biasing means relative to the biasing means insert in the radial direction relative to the central axis is restricted.

39. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 38, wherein each base surface is inclined in an axial direction parallel to the central axis.

40. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 39, wherein the inclined base surface has an arcuate shape.

41. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 25, further comprising a biasing means insert configured to attach to a support, wherein the biasing means insert comprises: The biasing means is configured to bias the sleeve relative to the support to a central position when the biasing means insert is attached to the support. One or more biasing means support structures, each biasing means support structure being positioned at least partially along the inside of the biasing means insert and configured to be attached to a complementary second support structure of the support body.

42. The secondary shaft assembly of claim 41, wherein the biasing means comprises a first type of biasing means and a second type of biasing means, wherein the first type of biasing means is configured to bias the sleeve toward a central position in a first axial direction from the first axial end face of the biasing means insert toward the second axial end face, and wherein the second type of biasing means is configured to bias the sleeve toward a central position in a second axial direction from the second axial end face to the first axial end face.

43. The countershaft assembly of claim 1, wherein each biasing means includes a protrusion at its second end and extending radially outward, wherein the protrusion is configured to be inserted into a complementary recess included in the sleeve for receiving the protrusion, wherein the protrusion and the recess are positioned such that the biasing means is in a resting position when the sleeve is in a centered position.

44. A vehicle transmission, comprising a countershaft assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 43.

45. A vehicle, including a vehicle transmission as claimed in claim 44.

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