blocking mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a blocking mechanism comprising a transmission housing (1), a movable pawl (34) comprising a locking finger (35) pivotably mounted in a plane about a pivot axis on the transmission housing between a locking position, in which the locking finger engages in a locking recess, and a release position, in which the locking finger disengages from the locking recess, the movable pawl comprising a cam surface, a linear actuator (37) moving a movable carriage (38) guided by a guide rail (27), wherein the movable carriage comprises a cam follower movable on the cam surface, a housing (2) formed in the transmission housing, wherein the guide rail is fitted in the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a blocking mechanism for blocking the rotation of the shaft of the transmission system of a mobile device (such as a motor vehicle). Background Technology

[0002] The blocking mechanism is used, for example, as a parking brake to hold a stationary motor vehicle in place. In this case, these blocking mechanisms can prevent the driveshaft of the motor vehicle from rotating. Such blocking mechanisms are particularly used in motor vehicles with automatic transmissions, hybrid vehicles, or electric vehicles.

[0003] When the blocking mechanism is activated, its components may be subjected to significant loads. Therefore, the components of the blocking mechanism must be able to withstand considerable forces to ensure reliable blocking.

[0004] A blocking mechanism is known, comprising a pawl having locking fingers and pivotally mounted on the transmission housing between a released position and a locked position. In the locked position, the locking fingers are inserted into a locking recess, which is fixed to the driveshaft to be blocked so as to rotate integrally with the driveshaft. The blocking mechanism further includes an actuator that moves a movable bracket, which is guided to rotate on the transmission housing by a guide rail. The movable bracket includes rollers that interact with a cam surface of the pawl, such that translational movement of the movable bracket causes the pawl to pivot. The guide rail is a stamped sheet metal piece. The guide rail includes an attachment surface on one side and a guide surface on the other. The attachment surface is attached to the surface of the transmission housing by an attachment member (such as a screw), and the rollers of the movable bracket roll against the guide surface, which is substantially perpendicular to the attachment surface. However, due to manufacturing tolerances of the guide rail, the angle formed between the attachment surface and the guide surface may vary around 90°. Furthermore, such guide rails tend to deform under various mechanical stresses. However, it is important to ensure the precise positioning of the guide rail's guiding surface relative to the pawl, so as to ensure reliable blocking on the one hand, and prevent excessive loads from passing through the blocking mechanism and thus damaging it on the other.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a reliable, inexpensive, easy-to-implement, and high-load-bearing blocking mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One idea that forms the basis of this invention is a blocking mechanism for preventing the rotation of a vehicle's shaft.

[0007] One idea that forms the basis of this invention is a blocking mechanism that can solve one or more technical problems encountered in the prior art, such as those described above.

[0008] This invention relates to a blocking mechanism for preventing rotation of a vehicle shaft, the shaft having at least one locking recess, the blocking mechanism comprising:

[0009] - Transmission housing;

[0010] - A movable pawl, including a locking finger, is pivotally mounted in a plane about a pivot axis on the transmission housing between a locked position and a released position. In the locked position, the locking finger engages in a locking recess; in the released position, the locking finger disengages from the locking recess. The movable pawl includes a cam surface.

[0011] - Linear actuator, the linear actuator moves the movable bracket guided by the guide rail.

[0012] The movable bracket includes a cam follower, which is movable on a cam surface to move the movable pawl from a released position to a locked position.

[0013] - Housing, the housing is formed within the transmission housing.

[0014] The guide rail is assembled in the housing to prevent it from moving in the plane.

[0015] These features ensure that the guide rail remains within the housing and prevents deformation when the blocking mechanism moves from the released position to the locked position or vice versa. Specifically, the housing absorbs the load applied to the guide rail by the movable bracket. This ensures precise relative positioning of the guide rail.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the housing is machined to a size that is chosen to fix the guide rail and prevent the guide rail from moving in any direction in the plane.

[0017] The term "machined housing" in the context of this invention should be interpreted as referring to the removal of material from the transmission housing.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the housing has a first sidewall facing the second sidewall and spaced a certain distance from the second sidewall, and a first longitudinal wall located between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

[0019] The guide rail corresponds to the housing having a first sidewall II facing the second sidewall II and being a certain distance away from the second sidewall II, and a first longitudinal wall II located between the first sidewall II and the second sidewall II.

[0020] Furthermore, the first sidewall II, the second sidewall II, and the first longitudinal wall II of the guide rail are in contact with the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the first longitudinal wall of the housing, respectively.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the housing has a second longitudinal wall facing the first longitudinal wall and spaced a certain distance from the first longitudinal wall, and wherein the guide rail has a second longitudinal wall II facing the first longitudinal wall II and spaced a certain distance from the first longitudinal wall II.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the guide rail includes only a first sidewall II, a second sidewall II, and a first longitudinal wall II.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the guide rail includes only a first sidewall II, a second sidewall II, a first longitudinal wall II, and a second longitudinal wall II. In other words, the guide rail does not include a bottom wall or a top plate.

[0024] According to one embodiment, all walls of the guide rail are perpendicular to the plane.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the thickness of the first sidewall II, the second sidewall II, the first longitudinal wall II and / or the second longitudinal wall II of the guide rail is between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm; preferably between 2.5 mm and 3 mm.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the housing has an opening, and the guide rail has an opening II, wherein the opening in the housing and the opening II in the guide rail are through openings.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the opening in the housing is formed in at least one wall selected from the following: a first side wall, a second side wall, a first longitudinal wall, and a second longitudinal wall of the housing, preferably formed in the second longitudinal wall.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the opening II in the guide rail is formed in at least one wall selected from the following: a first side wall II, a second side wall II, a first longitudinal wall II, and a second longitudinal wall II of the guide rail, preferably formed in the second longitudinal wall II.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the opening in the housing and the opening II in the guide rail face each other.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the housing has a notch and the guide rail has a notch II, the notch in the housing and the notch II in the guide rail being through notches and designed to allow the linear actuator to pass through.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the notch is selected from: a recess, a cut, an elongated hole, a groove, or a slot.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the recess in the housing is located on the first side wall of the housing, and the recess II in the guide rail is located on the first side wall of the guide rail.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the housing has a height between 15 mm and 30 mm.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the cam follower includes a movable roller that is movable on the cam surface at an opening in the housing and at an opening II in the guide rail.

[0035] Thanks to these features, the friction between the movable bracket and the guide rail is reduced when the movable bracket moves relative to the guide rail. Therefore, the movement of the movable bracket is ensured without wear on the movable bracket or the guide rail.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the movable bracket includes a second movable roller that can move along a first longitudinal wall II of the guide rail.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the guide rail includes a check stop to prevent the movable bracket from moving beyond the guide rail.

[0038] Thanks to these features, the movable bracket is kept inside the housing.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the check block is formed by the first sidewall II of the guide rail.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the attachment device attaches the guide rail to the transmission housing, and the attachment device attaches the guide rail in a direction perpendicular to the plane.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the attachment device is selected from screws, screw / nut systems, or adhesive materials.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the guide rail is made of a single piece of bent metal strip.

[0043] The present invention also relates to a transmission system comprising a shaft having at least one locking recess and a blocking mechanism as defined above.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the shaft includes a wheel that includes at least one locking recess. For example, the wheel is a ratchet.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the wheel includes one to twelve locking recesses.

[0046] According to one embodiment, a plurality of recesses are regularly spaced apart from each other.

[0047] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle including the transmission system described above. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Figure 1 This is an end view of a portion of a transmission housing, including a housing for guide rails, according to one embodiment.

[0049] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional image.

[0050] Figure 3 This is an end view of a portion of a transmission housing including a housing and guide rails according to one embodiment.

[0051] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional image.

[0052] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the guide rail.

[0053] Figure 6 This is an end view of a portion of a transmission housing including a blocking mechanism according to one embodiment.

[0054] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A three-dimensional image.

[0055] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of a guide rail according to another embodiment.

[0056] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of a guide rail according to another embodiment.

[0057] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of a guide rail including an attachment device according to one embodiment.

[0058] Figure 11 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the axle whose rotation is obstructed in a vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0059] Mechanisms for preventing the rotation of a vehicle's shaft specifically include: a movable pawl, a linear actuator, a movable bracket, a guide rail, and a housing. The blocking mechanism is specifically designed to immobilize a vehicle (e.g., an automobile) when it is parked.

[0060] Various elements of the guiding mechanism according to various alternative embodiments are presented below.

[0061] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The transmission housing 1 is shown, including the housing 2 for the vehicle blocking mechanism.

[0062] The housing 2 is formed within the transmission housing 1; in other words, the housing is not a separate part attached to the transmission housing 1. Specifically, the housing 2 is either cut out directly into or formed within the thickness of the wall of the transmission housing 1.

[0063] The housing 2 has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners and includes a first sidewall 21 facing the second sidewall 22 and at a certain distance from the second sidewall, a first longitudinal wall 23 facing the second longitudinal wall 24 and at a certain distance from the second longitudinal wall, and a bottom wall 46.

[0064] Housing 2 is designed to house and secure the guide rail, especially in Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in the image.

[0065] Figure 3 and Figure 4 It shows including Figure 1 and Figure 2 The housing 2 depicted is part of the transmission housing 1, and a guide rail 27 housed in the housing 2 is also shown.

[0066] The guide rail 27 has similar dimensions to the housing 2 for secure mounting within the housing 2; in other words, the guide rail 27 follows the contours of the housing 2. Therefore, the guide rail is held in a stationary position within the housing 2 in plane P, perpendicular to the bottom wall 46, and in an orthogonal direction O perpendicular to this plane, which includes the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. This arrangement is particularly advantageous because various pressures applied to the guide rail 27 are absorbed by the walls of the housing 2 and thus by the transmission housing 1. This arrangement maintains the dimensions of the guide rail 27 without deformation and therefore does not deteriorate over time. Figure 5 This type of guide rail is specifically shown in the image.

[0067] and Figure 1 and Figure 2 The same as the casing 2 shown, Figure 5 The guide rail 27 shown has a first side wall II 28 facing the second side wall II 29 and being a certain distance away from the second side wall II, and a first longitudinal wall II 30 facing the second longitudinal wall II 31 and being a certain distance away from the second longitudinal wall II.

[0068] The first sidewall II 28 and the second sidewall II 29 of the guide rail 27, as well as the first longitudinal wall II 30 and the second longitudinal wall II 31, are in contact with the first sidewall II 21 and the second sidewall II 22, and the first longitudinal wall II 23 and the second longitudinal wall II 24 of the housing 2, respectively.

[0069] Furthermore, the first sidewall 21 of the housing 2 includes a notch 25 designed to allow the linear actuator to pass through, in which the linear actuator... Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in the figure, notch 25 has a "U" shape.

[0070] The first sidewall II 28 of the guide rail 27 includes a recess II 32, which has a shape corresponding to the shape of the recess 25 in the housing 2, such as... Figure 4 As shown. Notch II 32 is designed to allow the linear actuator to pass through, the linear actuator in Figure 6 and Figure 7 It is described in the middle.

[0071] The second sidewall 22 and the second longitudinal wall 24 of the housing 2 have a common opening 26, thereby allowing a movable bracket (such as...) located in the housing 2. Figure 6 and Figure 7 (as shown) and the movable pawl located at opening 26 (as shown) Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 11 Contact is made between (as shown).

[0072] The second longitudinal wall II 31 and the second side wall II 29 of the guide rail 27 have a common opening II 33 that communicates with the opening 26 in the housing 2.

[0073] The first sidewall II 28 of the guide rail 27 is a check block for the movable bracket 38, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, this allows the movable bracket to be held in the housing 2 and moved within it via the guide rail 27.

[0074] The guide rail 27 is used to guide the movable bracket and ensure that it performs only the translational movement necessary to actuate the locking fingers in the locking recess, so that the blocking mechanism is in the locked position. For example, the locked position allows the motor vehicle to be parked.

[0075] The guide rail is made, for example, of a metal strip that is cut to form notches and then bent three times along its length to form the walls constituting the guide rail. The metal strip has a rectangular shape before being bent. The metal strip may also include notches intended to form notches in the guide rail before being bent.

[0076] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A partial view is shown of the mechanism used to prevent the shaft from rotating in the release position.

[0077] The blocking mechanism includes, for example Figures 1 to 4 The shell 2 described in the document and as follows Figures 3 to 5 The guide rail 27 described herein. The blocking mechanism further includes a movable pawl 34 located within the transmission housing 1.

[0078] The movable pawl 34 has an elongated shape and has a first end 71 and a second end 72 that is a certain distance away from the first end 71.

[0079] The first end 71 allows the movable pawl 34 to be attached to the transmission housing 1 while permitting rotational movement of the movable pawl 34. In other words, the movable pawl is pivotally mounted in plane P about a pivot axis.

[0080] The second end 72 is located at opening II 33 in the guide rail 27 and opening 26 in the housing. The second end 72 includes a cam surface 36 facing inwards towards the interior of the housing 2, the cam surface being located on the first lateral surface of the movable pawl 34. The second end 72 further includes a locking finger 35 projecting outwards from the second lateral surface of the movable pawl 34 towards the exterior of the housing 2. The locking finger 35 is designed to insert into a locking recess when the blocking mechanism is triggered. Figure 11 As shown in the diagram. A locking recess is located, for example, on ratchet 44, which can receive the locking finger 35, as shown in the diagram. Figure 11 As shown in the diagram, the ratchet is fixed to the rotationally restricted drive shaft 60 so that it rotates integrally with the drive shaft.

[0081] according to Figure 11 In the alternative shown, the movable pawl 34 further includes a torsion spring 50. The torsion spring 50 is wound around a first end 71 of the movable pawl 34. The torsion spring 50 includes a first end 51 abutting against a support surface of the transmission housing and a second end 52 abutting against a support surface of the movable pawl 34. The torsion spring 50 is arranged to apply a restoring force to the movable pawl 34 to return it to the released position. The blocking mechanism further includes, as shown... Figure 6 The linear actuator 37 shown in the middle section is attached to the transmission housing 1. The linear actuator 37 includes a rod 39 that is movable in the longitudinal direction X.

[0082] The rod 39 extends through the recess 25 in the housing 2 and the recess 32 in the guide rail 27 into the interior space of the housing 2. The rod 39 is attached to a movable bracket 38 located in the housing 2.

[0083] The movable bracket 38 is designed to be guided by the guide rail 27.

[0084] When the movable bracket 38 is pushed back by the movable pawl 34 during the dynamic phase, the movable bracket 38 abuts against the first sidewall 28 of the guide rail 27, which thus forms a check stop for the movable bracket 38. The movable bracket 38 is then pushed against the movable pawl 34 by a restoring force applied by a traction spring 40, which surrounds the rod 39 and includes a first end attached to the actuator body and a second end attached to the movable bracket 38. This effect can occur, for example, during an attempt to engage at excessively high speeds. Exceeding a threshold speed, for example between 3 km / h and 5 km / h, the movable pawl 34 springs back to prevent engagement, and the movable bracket 38 is thus pushed into contact.

[0085] The movable bracket 38 further includes a first movable roller 41 that is movable along the first longitudinal wall II 30 of the guide rail 27. The movable bracket 38 further includes a cam follower 42, which includes a second movable roller that contacts and is movable along the cam surface 36 of the movable pawl 34.

[0086] The movable bracket 38 further includes a lug 43 located at the second end of the movable pawl 34. The lug 43 is designed to hold the movable pawl 34 in the plane P.

[0087] To move the movable pawl 34 to the locked position, the rod 39 of the linear actuator 37 moves through the recess II 32 in the guide rail 27, thereby moving the movable bracket 38 longitudinally. The movable bracket 38 moves from the first sidewall II 28 of the guide rail 27 toward the second sidewall II 29. The movement of the movable bracket 38 causes the first movable roller 41 to move along the first longitudinal wall II 30 of the guide rail 27 and causes the cam follower 42 to move along the cam surface 36 of the movable pawl 34. The cam surface 36 has an inclined surface, and the movable bracket 38 thus applies pressure toward the cam surface 36 of the movable pawl 34 by its movement. This pressure causes the second end of the movable pawl 34 to rotate toward the locking recess, causing the locking finger 35 to engage in a position present, for example, as shown in the image. Figure 11 The ratchet 44 is locked in the locking recess shown in the diagram.

[0088] Figure 11 A transmission housing 1 including a ratchet 44 is shown. The ratchet 44 has a plurality of recesses 45 that are regularly spaced apart from each other completely around the ratchet 44. Each of the plurality of recesses 45 has dimensions for receiving a locking finger 35 that can receive a movable pawl 34. Figure 11 The vehicle's axle 60 is also shown, which is prevented from rotating by a blocking mechanism.

[0089] To move the blocking mechanism from the locked position to the released position, lever 39 moves in a certain way, causing movable bracket 38 to move toward the first sidewall II 28 until the movable bracket abuts against the first sidewall II 28 of guide rail 27. Locking finger 35 disengages from locking recess on ratchet 44, releasing the ratchet and thus allowing drive shaft 60 to rotate.

[0090] Figures 8 to 10 Guide rails 27 according to several embodiments are shown, which are intended to be fitted into the housing of the transmission housing.

[0091] Figure 8A guide rail 27 is shown, which is intended to be fitted into a housing formed in the transmission housing. The guide rail 27 has dimensions similar to the housing, and is thus secured within the housing 2 by the shape fit between the walls of the housing and the walls of the guide rail 27. In this respect, the guide rail 27 has a first side wall II 28 facing and spaced a distance from the second side wall II 29, and a first longitudinal wall II 30 located between the first side wall II 28 and the second side wall II 29. The first side wall II 28 and the second side wall II 29 are curved. The first side wall II 28 of the guide rail 27 includes a notch II 32.

[0092] Figure 9 and Figure 10 The guide rail is shown, which further includes a groove 47 located on the edge of the first longitudinal wall II 30.

[0093] The groove 47 receives an attachment device 48 (e.g., a screw) designed to attach the guide rail 27 in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first longitudinal wall 30.

[0094] Intended to accept Figures 8 to 10 The housing of the guide rail is sized to accommodate the guide rail 27 mounted within it. Therefore, the housing has four parts: a bottom wall, a first sidewall facing and spaced a certain distance from the second sidewall, and a first longitudinal wall located between the first and second sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls are respectively curved into complementary semicircles to conform to the first and second sidewalls of the guide rail. The first longitudinal wall of the housing faces the opening formed by the gap between the first and second sidewalls.

[0095] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with several specific embodiments, it is apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto, and that the invention includes all technical equivalents of the described apparatus and combinations thereof, if such fall within the scope of the invention.

[0096] The use of the verbs “comprising” or “including” and their variations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those described in the claims.

[0097] In the claims, any reference numerals in parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims.

Claims

1. A blocking mechanism for blocking rotation of a vehicle axle, the axle having at least one locking recess (45), the blocking mechanism comprising: - Transmission housing (1); - A movable pawl (34), the movable pawl including a locking finger (35), the movable pawl (34) being pivotally mounted in a plane about a pivot axis on the transmission housing (1) between a locked position and a released position, wherein in the locked position the locking finger (35) engages in at least one locking recess (45), and in the released position the locking finger (35) disengages from the at least one locking recess (45), the movable pawl (34) including a cam surface (36), - A linear actuator (37) that moves a movable bracket (38) guided by a guide rail (27). The movable bracket (38) includes a cam follower that is movable on the cam surface (36) to move the movable pawl from the released position to the locked position. - Housing (2), the housing being formed within the transmission housing (1), The guide rail (27) is assembled in the housing (2) to prevent the guide rail (27) from moving in the plane; The housing has a notch (25), and the guide rail has a notch II (32), wherein the notch (25) in the housing and the notch II (32) in the guide rail are through notches and are intended to allow the linear actuator (37) to pass through.

2. The blocking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The housing (2) has a first sidewall (21) facing the second sidewall (22) and spaced a certain distance from the second sidewall, and a first longitudinal wall (23) located between the first sidewall (21) and the second sidewall (22). The guide rail (27) corresponds to the housing (2) having a first side wall II (28) facing the second side wall II (29) and being a certain distance away from the second side wall II, and a first longitudinal wall II (30) located between the first side wall II (28) and the second side wall II (29). Furthermore, the first sidewall II (28), the second sidewall II (29), and the first longitudinal wall II (30) of the guide rail (27) are in contact with the first sidewall (21), the second sidewall (22), and the first longitudinal wall (23) of the housing (2), respectively.

3. The blocking mechanism according to claim 2, wherein, The housing (2) has a second longitudinal wall (24) facing the first longitudinal wall (23) and at a certain distance from the first longitudinal wall, and wherein the guide rail (27) has a second longitudinal wall (31) facing the first longitudinal wall (30) and at a certain distance from the first longitudinal wall (30).

4. The blocking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The housing has an opening (26), and the guide rail (27) has an opening II (33), wherein the opening (26) in the housing (2) and the opening II (33) in the guide rail (27) are through openings.

5. The blocking mechanism according to claim 4, wherein, The cam follower includes a movable roller (42) that is movable on the cam surface (36) at an opening (26) in the housing (2) and at an opening II (33) in the guide rail (27).

6. The blocking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The guide rail (27) includes a check stop (28) to prevent the movable bracket (38) from moving beyond the guide rail (27).

7. The blocking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein, The anti-return block is formed by the first sidewall II (28) of the guide rail (27).

8. The blocking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The attachment device attaches the guide rail (27) to the transmission housing (1) and prevents the guide rail from moving in a direction perpendicular to the plane.

9. The blocking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The guide rail is made of a single piece of bent metal strip.

10. A transmission system comprising a shaft having at least one locking recess (45) and a blocking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A motor vehicle comprising the transmission system according to claim 10.

Images