Device for selecting at least one gear in gearbox

Abstract

The invention relates to a selection device (4) comprising a lever (18), a selection fork (6), and a control member (20) sliding along the lever (18), the control member (20) comprising a first arm (24) and a second arm (26), the selection device (4) comprising an energy accumulation device (22). According to the invention, the energy accumulation device (22) comprises at least two slides (36, 38) between which at least one elastic element (44) is arranged, and the energy accumulation device (22) and the selection fork (6) extend at least partially between the first arm (24) of the control member (20) and the second arm (26) of the control member (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of devices for internally controlling the gears of a gearbox and more particularly to devices for selecting such gears. Background Art

[0002] The selection device allows engagement between an axially movable sliding sleeve and at least one idler gear, usually two idler gears. The idler gear(s) are freely mounted around the shaft and the sliding sleeve is rotatably coupled to the shaft. Thus, engagement of the idler gear enables the idler gear to be rigidly connected to the shaft for rotation therewith. The axial movement of the sliding sleeve is controlled by a selection fork, which is used to select at least one gear, usually two gears. This engagement occurs when the angles of the engagement teeth of the sliding sleeve and the engagement teeth of the idler gear(s) correspond.

[0003] Such a selection device can be used in some semi-automatic gearboxes in which the selection of the gear is controlled by an actuator (such as an electromechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a magnetic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or other actuator). It is difficult to achieve an angular correspondence between the engagement teeth of the sliding sleeve and the engagement teeth of the idler gear due to the risk of interference that would prevent meshing. It may then be necessary to store kinetic energy originating from the actuator when the sliding sleeve and the engagement teeth of the selected idler gear are positioned so that their angles correspond.

[0004] A system allowing such energy storage is known from FR 2988800 A1. A disadvantage of this system is its considerable footprint inside the gearbox, in particular its axial footprint. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to overcome this drawback by proposing a selection device provided with an energy accumulation device which allows such energy storage in the event of an interference when the selection fork attempts to bring the sliding sleeve into engagement with the selected idler gear. This therefore provides the selection device with a certain degree of operating flexibility. Such an energy accumulation device has a reduced axial footprint, which makes it possible to save space inside the gearbox.

[0006] Therefore, the main purpose of the present invention is a device for selecting at least one gear in a gearbox, the device comprising a control rod extending along a main axis, a fork rigidly connected to the control rod for selecting at least one gear, and a control member sliding on the control rod along the main axis, the selection device comprising at least one energy accumulation device for selecting at least one gear, characterized in that the energy accumulation device comprises at least two sliding members, at least one elastic element is inserted between the at least two sliding members, each sliding member is capable of translating on the control rod along the main axis, and the control member comprises at least a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm is capable of axially pushing one of the sliding members along the main axis respectively against the restoring force applied by the elastic element, the selection device is characterized in that the energy accumulation device and the selection fork are axially positioned between the first arm of the control member and the second arm of the control member.

[0007] The energy accumulation device corresponds to an auxiliary device, here a damping device. In particular, the energy accumulation device, due to its elastic element, makes it possible to provide flexibility to the selection device during the selection of the gear by the selection fork. The selection fork is axially arranged on the control rod, at least partially between the two arms of the control member and between the slides of the energy accumulation device; more specifically, the selection fork is positioned between the two slides, which in turn are axially positioned between the first arm and the second arm of the control member. It will be understood here that the selection fork is positioned in a space delimited on one side by a first plane and on the other side by a second plane, the first arm of the control member extending mainly in the first plane and the second arm of the control member extending mainly in the second plane. This positioning enables the selection device to have a reduced axial footprint. The two sides of the fork are used to control the compression of the energy accumulation device, which makes it possible to reduce the total footprint of the selection device and to re-center the axial footprint of the energy accumulation device on the fork.

[0008] Advantageously, the elastic element is prestressed.

[0009] The first and second arms of the control member and the slider are slidable on the control rod.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the two slides and the elastic element are positioned between the first arm of the control member and the second arm of the control member.

[0011] According to one feature, the selection device comprises at least two stop means, each associated with one of the slides, opposing the force exerted by the elastic element by retaining the slide relative to the control rod in the rest position of the control member.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the selection device comprises at least two abutment devices, each of which is associated with one of the slides or one of the first and second arms, and counteracts a greater compression of the elastic element by securing the slide or the arm relative to the control rod in a predetermined maximum compression state of the elastic element.

[0013] Each abutment means is associated with one of the slides and resists a greater compression of the elastic element by retaining it relative to the control rod in a predetermined maximum compression of the elastic element, and each stop means is bidirectional, each abutment means being formed at least in part by one of the stop means. In other words, each stop means makes it possible to retain one of the slides axially in a first axial direction associated with a predetermined maximum compression of the elastic element and in a second axial direction associated with a predetermined maximum extension of the elastic element (in particular when maintaining a certain degree of prestressing).

[0014] Each slide is therefore axially movable between two end positions associated respectively with the rest state of the selection device and with the state of maximum compression of the elastic element (which occurs in the event of interference of the toothing).

[0015] The elastic element extends between the first and second slides and is prestressed between these two elements. The elastic element will therefore be at least partially compressed between the first and second slides and exert a thrust at each of its ends and therefore on each of these slides. The presence of such an elastic element makes it possible to accumulate energy while waiting for the angular coincidence of the drive hub and the gear for a certain ratio, which is necessary for selecting this ratio.

[0016] An axial assembly play j may exist between the slide and the associated arm.

[0017] According to one feature of the invention, at least one of the slides comprises at least one orifice in which the control rod has at least one stop member extending, the orifice being configured to allow the slide to move, in particular translate, relative to the stop member along the main axis of the control rod. The stop member in particular forms part of the stop means.

[0018] At least one of the slides has an annular portion extending around the control rod. The annular portion includes an aperture in which a stop member rigidly connected to the control rod extends. Such a stop member may be, for example, a pin. Preferably, each slide has such an aperture for receiving the pin. The aperture is shaped so that the slide can translate along the control rod; therefore, it will be understood that there is an axial space between the pin and the peripheral wall of the aperture. For example, the aperture is elliptical in shape or its diameter is significantly larger than the diameter of the pin, for example, between twice and three times as large.

[0019] According to another feature of the invention, the control member comprises at least one elliptical hole in which the stop member extends, the elliptical hole being configured to allow the control member to move relative to the stop member along the main axis of the control rod, thereby hindering the control member from rotating relative to the rod along the axis (Y).

[0020] Thus, the stop member, here a pin, can penetrate the control rod from one side to the other, extending into the orifice at one of its ends and at least into the oblong hole at the other of its ends. In the same way as for the orifice of the slider, there is an axial space between the pin and the edge of the oblong hole to allow the control member to slide along the main axis of the control rod.

[0021] According to one feature of the invention, the control lever has two stop members, each of which extends in an orifice of a slide, the elastic element being configured to generate a force which holds each of these slides against the stop member assigned to said slide.

[0022] In some embodiments, each slide may be provided with an aperture; where applicable, the control lever has two pins, each of which extends in an aperture of one of the two slides. The selection fork is then at least partially positioned between a first pair formed by a first aperture and a first pin and a second pair formed by a second aperture and a second pin.

[0023] As mentioned above, the elastic element is prestressed, for example compressed, between the two slides. The resulting force holds each of these slides against the pin extending in its orifice.

[0024] According to another feature of the invention, the energy accumulation device is configured so that the elastic element is stressed by the thrust of the control member on one of the slides. When the control member translates along the control rod, it drives at least one of the slides, which is then pushed towards the other slide. Therefore, in the event of interference, the reaction force generated by the interference between the engaging teeth causes the elastic element to be compressed; it will therefore be understood that the translation of the control member along the main axis of the control rod causes the elastic element to be compressed. When the interference ceases and the angles of the engaging teeth correspond, the spring is extended to move the fork.

[0025] According to one feature, the energy accumulation device is configured so that the elastic element is subjected to a first stress when the control member moves along the main axis in a first direction, and the elastic element is subjected to a second stress when the control member moves along the main axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The control member can translate in a first direction or in a second direction along the main axis of the control rod, in the first direction the control member applies a thrust to the first slide, and in the second direction the control member applies a thrust to the second slide. The elastic element is subjected to a first stress when it is compressed in the first direction, and is subjected to a second stress when it is compressed in the second direction.

[0026] According to one feature of the invention, the elastic element is configured to be positioned along a compression axis that is separate from the main axis of the control rod. The compression axis and the main axis of the control rod may, for example, be parallel but non-coincident.

[0027] According to another feature of the invention, at least one of the arms of the control member comprises a bearing surface configured to abut against at least one of the slides. This bearing surface is in contact with the aforementioned annular portion surrounding the control rod; it therefore faces the selection fork.

[0028] According to one feature of the invention, each slide has a first extension extending perpendicularly to the main axis, and the elastic member is compressed between the first extensions of the slides and is kept spaced apart from the control rod.

[0029] According to one feature of the invention, each slide has a first extension and a second extension, each extending perpendicularly to the main axis of the control rod and on both sides thereof, and the energy accumulation device includes two elastic elements, a first elastic element of these elastic elements is compressed between the first extensions of the slides, and a second elastic element of these elastic elements is compressed between the second extensions of these slides.

[0030] Here, the energy accumulation device includes a first elastic element and a second elastic element, each extending between a first slide and a second slide.

[0031] The first elastic element and the second elastic element are at a distance from the control rod. Advantageously, these elastic elements extend parallel to the main axis Y.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the energy accumulation device comprises more than two elastic elements positioned preferably evenly around the control rod.

[0033] Since the selection fork is positioned between the two slides, it will further be understood that the elastic element can be placed axially overlapping the selection fork.

[0034] According to one feature, the first extension of the slide and, where applicable, the second extension of the slide extend substantially orthogonally to the first and second arms of the control member.

[0035] According to one feature, the selection fork has a central hub and an actuating arm, the central hub being threadedly coupled to the control rod, the central hub being positioned between the two elastic elements. Thus, the central hub of the selection fork corresponds to its portion surrounding the control rod and enables the central hub to be rigidly connected to the control rod. According to these embodiments, a single plane can pass through the central hub and through the two elastic elements. Thus, the elastic elements are opposite each other relative to the control rod.

[0036] According to one feature of the invention, the central hub is positioned axially on the axis Y between the two slides.

[0037] According to one feature of the invention, the elastic element is a spring and at least one extension of one of the slides and / or of the other slide comprises at least one member for centering the spring.

[0038] Each extension of each slide may for example have a centering member, such as a peg, positioned in the middle of the spring coil.

[0039] The invention further relates to a gearbox comprising a device for selecting at least one gear as described above, an electromechanical actuator driving a control member to slide along the main axis of a control rod.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the gearbox includes a first gear for one speed ratio and a second gear for another speed ratio, the shift fork is capable of rotatably coupling the sliding sleeve with one of the first gear and the second gear, and the elastic element and preferably the energy accumulation device are placed in the axial space occupied by the first gear and the second gear, that is, the space occupied by the first gear, the axial space occupied by the second gear, and the axial space placed between the first gear and the second gear.

[0041] Thus, the gearbox comprising the selection device may be a semi-automatic gearbox in which an electromechanical actuator (e.g. an electric motor) produces the selection of one or more speed ratios. To this end, the electromechanical actuator has a pin which extends in the control member and is configured to move the control member. The electromechanical actuator thus rotates, and this rotation drives the control member in translation along the control rod by means of the pin.

[0042] According to one feature of the invention, the electromechanical actuator drives the control member to slide along the main axis in a first direction or in a second direction opposite to the first direction in order to select two separate gears.

[0043] Sliding of the control member in a first direction may, for example, guide the selection fork to select a first gear, whereas sliding of the control member in a second direction guides the selection fork to select a second gear.

[0044] The invention also relates to a power train comprising an electric machine and a gearbox as described above.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the rotation speed of the electric machine can be controlled in order to reduce the duration of the interference phase between the engaging teeth of the sliding sleeve and one of the first and second gears.

[0046] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a gearbox as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Further characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on reading the following description and on studying exemplary embodiments given by way of non-limiting illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a gearbox according to the present invention;

[0049] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the gearbox in FIG.

[0050] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a selection device according to the present invention;

[0051] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A close-up view of a portion of the selection device in;

[0052] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Another perspective view of the selection device in;

[0053] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 Schematic depiction of the selection device in. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The features, variants and different embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various combinations, as long as they are not mutually incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, it is conceivable that the variant of the present invention only includes the selection of the features described below that are separated from the other features described, provided that this selection of features is sufficient to confer technical advantages and / or distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0055] In the drawings, elements common to the several figures have the same reference numerals.The axial direction extends along the main axis Y or parallel to the main axis.

[0056] therefore, Figure 1 and Figure 2 A portion of a gearbox 1 according to the invention is schematically shown in a perspective view and in a perspective cross-sectional view along line A, respectively. The gearbox 1 may, for example, be intended to be arranged on a motor vehicle. Here, the gearbox 1 is a semi-automatic or automatic gearbox, i.e. it uses an actuator, such as an electromechanical actuator 2. Such an electromechanical actuator 2 may, for example, be an electric motor which produces the selection of one or more speed ratios in the gearbox 1. The selection of the speed ratio is performed by a selection device 4 according to the invention according to the reference Figures 3 to 6 The mechanism described in more detail is further implemented.

[0057] The selection device 4 is configured to select a speed ratio by means of a selection fork 6. To this end, the selection fork 6 is capable of moving a sliding sleeve 7 which connects a drive hub 8 rigidly connected for rotation with the shaft to a first gear 10 or a second gear 12, both of which are gears mounted idling around the shaft (not shown). This interaction between the sliding sleeve 7 and one or the other of the first idling gear 10 and the second idling gear 12 occurs when the angles of the teeth of these two elements coincide.

[0058] Since the sliding sleeve is rotatably coupled to the drive hub 8 by means of splines, the engagement of the sliding sleeve 7 with one of the idler gears 10, 12 enables the idler gear 10, 12 to be rotatably coupled to the shaft. Preferably, the engagement teeth of the sliding sleeve 7 are in continuation of these splines on each side of the sliding sleeve 7.

[0059] Here, the drive hub 8 and the sliding sleeve 7 are positioned between the first gear 10 and the second gear 12, and the actuating arm 14 of the selection fork 6 is also positioned between these two gears 10, 12. Each of the first gear 10 and the second gear 12 corresponds to a ratio of the gearbox 1, for example, the first gear 10 corresponds to the first speed ratio and the second gear 12 corresponds to the second speed ratio. In order to select one or the other of these speed ratios, the selection fork 6 can be moved laterally so that the sliding sleeve 7 engages with the first gear 10 or the second gear 12.

[0060] As in Figure 3 As can be seen in Figure 1 , the selection fork 6 has, in addition to its actuating arms 14, a central hub 16. This central hub 16 is mounted around a control rod 18 of the selection device 4 and is rigidly connected to it. This control rod 18 extends along a main axis Y and corresponds, for example, to a solid cylinder. Although the central hub 16 of the selection fork 6 extends mainly along this main axis Y, the actuating arms 14 of the selection fork, on the contrary, extend substantially perpendicularly to this main axis.

[0061] The selection device 4 further comprises a control member 20 and an energy accumulation device 22, both of which are able to slide along the main axis Y of the control rod 18. The control member 20 comprises a first arm 24 and a second arm 26, which are connected by a central plate 28. The arms 24, 26 and the central plate 28 form a U-shape, the central plate 28 extending parallel to the control rod 18, i.e. parallel to the main axis Y, while the arms 24, 26 are substantially perpendicular thereto. The first arm 24 and the second arm 26 each comprise a circular window in order to receive the control rod 18 and allow the control member 20 to translate along the control rod. The first arm and the second arm 24, 26 flank the control rod 18 on both sides of the selection fork 8. In other words, the selection fork 8 is at least partially positioned between the first arm 24 and the second arm 26. The central hub 16 can thus be positioned on the control rod 18 between these two arms 24 , 26 , while the actuating arm of the selector fork 6 is positioned between a first plane in which the first arm 24 extends and a second plane in which the second arm 26 extends, these planes being perpendicular to the main axis Y of the control rod 18 .

[0062] The control portion 30 of the control member 20 extends from the central plate 28 and is spaced a distance from the first arm 24 and the second arm 26. The control portion 30 (particularly Figure 5 32) is curved here and is penetrated by an opening 32. The electromechanical actuator 2 is connected to the selection device 4 by means of this opening 32. More specifically, and as shown in Figure 1As can be seen in the figure, a pin 34 extending from one of the faces of the electromechanical actuator 2 can be inserted into this opening 32. During operation of the electromechanical actuator 2, the pin 34 thus rotates and moves; since it abuts against the wall of this opening 32, the pin drives the control member 20, which then translates along the main axis Y of the control rod 18. When the pin 34 starts to rotate, the pin drives the control member to translate in a first direction A or in a second direction B. These two directions A, B are opposite to each other and are Figure 6 Indicated by arrows.

[0063] The energy accumulation device 22 comprises at least one slide. In the example described here, the energy accumulation device 22 comprises a first slide 36 and a second slide 38 which translate on the control rod 18 along the main axis Y. To this end, the slides 36, 38 have an annular circular portion threadedly coupled to the control rod 18. Each slide 36, 38 has a first extension 40 and a second extension 42 corresponding to the portion of the slide 36, 38 extending from the circular portion perpendicular to the control rod 18. Here, the first extension 40 and the second extension 42 of each slide 36, 38 extend in the same plane and in mutually opposite directions relative to the control rod 18.

[0064] The first slide 36 is positioned on the control rod 18 between the first arm 24 of the control member 20 and the central hub 16 of the selection fork 6, while the second slide 38 is positioned between this central hub 16 and the second arm 26 of the control member 20. It will be understood that the selection fork 6 is positioned on the control rod 18 between the first and second slides 36, 38, which in turn are positioned between the first and second arms 24, 26 of the control member 20.

[0065] According to the invention, at least one elastic element extends between the slides 36, 38. In the embodiment shown in these figures, the energy accumulation device 22 has a first elastic element 44 extending between the first extension 40 of the first slide 36 and the first extension 40 of the second slide 38, and a second elastic element 46 extending between the second extension 42 of the first slide 36 and the second extension 42 of the second slide 38. The elastic elements 44, 46 therefore overlap axially with the selection fork 6, the central hub 16 of which extends here in the same plane as the extension direction of these elastic elements 44, 46. In other words, the extension axes of the elastic elements 44, 46 and the main axis Y are arranged in the same plane.

[0066] Such elastic elements 44, 46 are, for example, springs. These elastic elements are prestressed between the respective extensions 40, 42, i.e., at least partially compressed between the first slide 36 and the second slide 38. Due to this prestressing, it will be understood that the elastic elements 44, 46 exert a thrust on each of these slides 36, 38 at their ends.

[0067] like Figure 4 , in order to ensure that the elastic elements 44, 46 are retained in the energy accumulation device, the first and second slides 36, 38 may have a centering member 48. Such a centering member 48 may be, for example, a stud stamped on the extension 40, 42, around which the spring coils forming the elastic elements 44, 46 are partially wound.

[0068] The elastic elements 44, 46 are configured to be stressed in particular during translation of one or the other of the slides 36, 38 along the control rod 18, along the compression axis X. This compression axis X may for example be parallel to the main axis Y of the control rod 18, but not coincident therewith.

[0069] The control rod 18 is provided with at least one stop member which may take the form of a pin. As can be seen in these figures, the control rod 18 here has a first pin 50 and a second pin 52 which penetrate the control rod from one side to the other. These pins 50, 52 thus extend perpendicularly to the main axis Y, with a first end 54 of the pin facing the gearwheel 8, 10, 12 and a second end 55 of the pin facing the electromechanical actuator 2.

[0070] The pins 50, 52 are positioned axially on the control rod 18 on both sides of the selection fork 8. More specifically, the first end 54 of the first pin 50 extends in a first orifice 56 carried by the annular portion of the first slide 36, while the first end 54 of the second pin 52 extends in a second orifice 58 carried by the annular portion of the second slide 38. Likewise, the pins 50, 52 pass through two orifices, respectively, which are positioned on the first and second slides 36, 38 so that they are opposite to the first and second orifices 56, 58 along the axis of the pins 50, 52. Further, the second end 55 of the first pin 50 extends in a first oblong hole 60 carried by the central plate 28 of the control member 20, while the second end 55 of the second pin 52 extends in a second oblong hole 62 also carried by this central plate 28. In Figure 3 In particular, the first and second orifices 56, 58 are shown, while Figure 5 The first and second elliptical holes 60, 62 can be seen in FIG.

[0071] The apertures 56, 58 of the slides 36, 38 are configured to allow these slides 36, 38 to move relative to the pins 50, 52 along the main axis Y in both the first direction A and the second direction B. To this end, there is an axial space between the peripheral walls of these apertures 56, 58 and the ends 54, 56 of the pins 50, 52 received by these apertures. This axial space can be in particular Figure 4 More specifically, the peripheral wall of the orifices 56, 58 comprises an inner portion, which is the portion of these walls axially closest to the selection fork 6, and an outer portion, which is the portion axially farthest from the selection fork 6. When the selection device 4 to which the present invention relates is in a rest state, these inner portions are in contact with the pins 50, 52, while there is an axial space between these pins 50, 52 and the outer portions.

[0072] Similarly, and as in Figure 5 As can be seen in the figure, the oblong holes 60, 62 of the control member 20 are configured to allow the control member 20 to move relative to the pins 50, 52 along the main axis Y in both the first direction A and the second direction B. Here, there is also a gap between the outer peripheral edge of the oblong holes 60, 62 and the second end 56 of the pins 50, 52. Here, there is a gap on both sides of the pins 50, 52 parallel to the main axis Y of the control rod 18.

[0073] As described above, the resilient elements 44, 46 are prestressed, e.g. compressed, between the slides 36, 38. This prestress has the effect of generating a force which holds the first slide 36 against the first pin 50 and the second slide 38 against the second pin 52. It will be appreciated that, as described above, this pressure is exerted on the axially inner portion of the apertures 56, 58.

[0074] In the selection device 4, the energy accumulation device 22 is in contact with the control member 20. For this purpose, and as in particular in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the arms 24, 26 of the control member 20 each have a bearing surface suitable for pushing one of the slides 36, 38. A first bearing surface 64 is formed on the first arm 24, and a second bearing surface 66 is formed on the second arm 26. These bearing surfaces 64, 66 are configured to abut against the slides 36, 38; more specifically, the first bearing surface 64 is configured to abut against an annular portion of the first slide 36, and the second bearing surface 66 is configured to abut against an annular portion of the second slide 38. These bearing surfaces 64, 66 are the areas of the arms 24, 26 that push the slide in question when it is desired to engage a certain speed ratio.

[0075] like Figure 6As shown, an assembly gap j may exist between each slide 36 , 38 and the associated arm 24 , 26 of the control member 20 .

[0076] According to the invention, the energy accumulation device 22 is configured so that the elastic elements 44, 46 are stressed by a thrust from the control member 20 on one of the slides 36, 38. This thrust corresponds to a translation of the control member 20 along the main axis Y of the control rod 18 in a first direction A, in the case of which the thrust is exerted on the first slide 36, or in a second direction B, in the case of which the thrust is exerted on the second slide 38. If the control member 20 is driven by the electromechanical actuator 2 so that it translates in the first direction A, then in the event of an interference in the engagement device, the first bearing surface 64 of the control member thus abuts against the first slide 36 and stresses the elastic elements 44, 46 until the first pin 50 is no longer in contact with the axially inner portion of the peripheral wall of the first orifice 56, but in the event of maximum spring compression, the first pin is in contact with the axially outer portion of the peripheral wall of the first orifice, which axially outer portion is therefore a portion at a distance from the selection fork 6. On the contrary, if the electromechanical actuator 2 drives the control member 18 on the control rod 18 in the second direction B, the second bearing surface 66 of the control member abuts against the second slide 38 and the elastic elements 44, 46 are stressed until the second pin 52 comes into contact with the axially outer portion of the peripheral wall of the second orifice 58, which then has an abutment function. Therefore, the elastic elements 44, 46 are subjected to a first stress when the control member 20 moves in the first direction A, and to a second stress when the control member 18 moves in the second direction B.

[0077] The electromechanical actuator 2 drives the control member 20 in a first direction A and a second direction B allowing the selector fork 6 to select two separate speed ratios. Movement in the first direction A, which causes the sliding sleeve 7 to engage with the second gear 12, may correspond, for example, to the selection of a first speed ratio, while movement in the second direction B causes the sliding sleeve 7 to engage with the first gear 10 and may cause the selection of another speed ratio.

[0078] This selection is facilitated by the energy accumulation device 22, since the stress exerted on the elastic elements 44, 46 makes it possible to accumulate energy while waiting for the angles of the selection fork 6 and the sliding sleeve 7 on the one hand to coincide with the angle of one of the first gear 10 or the second gear 12 on the other hand, as previously described. When the control member 20 abuts against one or the other of the slides 36, 38 and applies a thrust, the elastic elements 44, 46 thus give the selection fork 6 flexibility in axial movement while waiting for the angles to coincide in order to allow the sliding sleeve 7 to engage with the first gear 10 or the second gear 12. Once the angles coincide, the elastic elements 44, 46 quickly extend and then push the selection fork 6 against one or the other of the first gear 10 and the second gear 12, thereby allowing it to engage.

[0079] Figure 6 The third diagram in FIG. 1 shows two axial bearing scenarios that may limit the relative translation of the first slide 36 and the control rod 18 in the thrust direction A, namely a scenario in which the control member 20 and the control rod 18 abut against each other, and / or a scenario in which the first slide 36 and the control rod 18 directly abut against each other. Both stop mechanisms are shown in this diagram, but a single stop mechanism may be sufficient to limit the relative translation of the first slide 36 and the control rod 18.

[0080] The invention therefore proposes a selection device provided with an energy accumulation device which confers mobility to the selection fork and further has a reduced axial footprint, which enables space to be saved inside the gearbox.

[0081] However, the present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein, but also extends to all equivalent means and configurations and any technically effective combination of such means.

Claims

1. A device (4) for selecting at least one gear in a gearbox (1), said device comprising a control rod (18) extending along a main axis (Y), a fork (6) rigidly connected to said control rod (18) for selecting at least one gear, and a control member (20) sliding on said control rod (18) along said main axis (Y), said device (4) comprising at least one energy accumulation device (22) for selecting at least one gear, characterized in that The energy accumulation device (22) includes at least two sliding members (36, 38), between which at least one elastic element (44, 46) is inserted, each sliding member (36, 38) can translate on the control rod (18) along the main axis (Y), and the control member (20) includes at least a first arm (24) and a second arm (26), each of which can resist the restoring force applied by the elastic element (44, 46) to push one of the sliding members (36, 38) axially along the main axis (Y), and the selection device (4) is characterized in that the energy accumulation device (22) and the selection fork (6) are axially positioned between the first arm (24) of the control member (20) and the second arm (26) of the control member (20).

2. The device (4) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein: The device (4) comprises at least two stop means (50, 52; 56, 58), each associated with one of the slides (36, 38), which counteract the force exerted by the elastic elements (44, 46) by retaining the slide relative to the control rod (18) in a rest position of the control member (20).

3. The device (4) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein: At least one of the slides (36, 38) includes at least one aperture (56, 58), the control rod (18) having at least one stop member (50, 52) extending in the aperture (56, 58), the aperture (56, 58) being configured to allow the slide (36, 38) to move relative to the stop member (50, 52) along a main axis (Y) of the control rod (18).

4. The device (4) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein: The control member (20) includes at least one elliptical hole (60, 62), the stop member (50, 52) extending in the elliptical hole (60, 62), and the elliptical hole (60, 62) is configured to allow the control member (20) to move relative to the stop member (50, 52) along the main axis (Y) of the control rod (18), thereby hindering the rotation of the control member (20) relative to the rod (18) along the axis (Y).

5. The device (4) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 2, wherein: The control rod (18) has two stop members (50, 52), each of which extends in an orifice (56, 58) of the slide (36, 38), and the elastic element (44, 46) is configured to generate a force that holds each of the slides (36, 38) against the stop member (50, 52) assigned to the slide (36, 38).

6. The device (4) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The energy accumulation device (22) is configured such that the elastic element (44, 46) is subjected to a first stress when the control member (20) moves in a first direction (A) along the main axis (Y), and such that the elastic element is subjected to a second stress when the control member (20) moves in a second direction (B) opposite to the first direction (A) along the main axis (Y).

7. The device (4) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The elastic elements (44, 46) are configured to be positioned along a compression axis (X) that is spaced apart from a main axis (Y) of the control rod (18).

8. The device (4) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Each slide (36, 38) has a first extension (40) extending perpendicularly to the main axis (Y), and the elastic member (44, 46) is compressed between the first extensions (40) of the slides (36, 38) and is kept spaced apart from the control rod (18).

9. The device (4) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Each sliding member (36, 38) has a first extension portion (40) and a second extension portion (42) respectively extending perpendicularly to the main axis (Y), and the energy accumulation device includes two elastic elements (44, 46), a first elastic element (44) of the elastic elements is compressed between the first extension portions (40) of the sliding members (36, 38), and a second elastic element (46) of the elastic elements is compressed between the second extension portions (42) of the sliding members (36, 38).

10. The device (4) as claimed in claims 8 and 9, wherein: The first extension of the slider and, where applicable, the second extension of the slider extend substantially orthogonally to the first and second arms of the control member.

11. The device (4) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein: The selection fork (6) has a central hub (16) and an actuating arm (14), wherein the central hub (16) is threadedly coupled to the control rod (18), and the central hub (16) is positioned between the two elastic elements (44, 46).

12. The device (4) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 9, wherein: The elastic element (44, 46) is a spring, and at least one extension (40, 42) of one of the slides (36, 38) and / or the other slide comprises at least one member (48) for centering the spring.

13. A gearbox (1) comprising a device (4) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, and an electromechanical actuator (2) which drives the control member (20) to slide along the main axis (Y) of the control rod (18).

14. A gearbox (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising a first gear for one speed ratio and a second gear for another speed ratio, the shift fork (6) being capable of rotatably coupling a sliding sleeve (7) to one of the first and second gears, the elastic element (44, 46) and preferably the energy accumulation device (22) being placed in the axial space occupied by the first and second gears.

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