Shifting device for moving vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a shifting device (20) for a moving vehicle (1), comprising a selection shaft (40) in which a shuttle (41), a worm (21) and a guide tube (45) in which the worm (21) is located are arranged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of gear shifting devices, and more particularly to a gear shifting device for a mobile machine that is propelled at least by electricity, such as an electric-assisted bicycle. Background Art

[0002] When the mobile machine is in motion, power is transmitted to the wheels via a crank system which rotates about the axis of a crankset which drives the rear wheel, usually via a chain.

[0003] Gearboxes for mobile machines are known in the prior art. For example, patent FR2913661 discloses a gearshift device for a bicycle having a gearbox with gears and a sliding shuttle for selecting a transmission ratio.

[0004] The shuttle acts on a pawl system which in turn acts on the input pinion to engage the selected gear. The disadvantages of this system of the prior art derive from the fact that the shuttle is not perfectly guided. Summary of the invention

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome one or more disadvantages of prior art arrangements by providing an improved gearshift arrangement.

[0006] To this end, the present invention proposes a shifting device for a mobile machine, comprising a selection shaft in which a shuttle, a worm and a guide tube in which the worm are located are arranged.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, one of the ends of the tube is inserted in a rotation blocking element, so that the shuttle can be prevented from rotating.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide tube is formed by two blades arranged longitudinally with respect to the worm, one blade on each side of the worm.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two blades are arranged around the worm along its length at between 45 and 180 degrees.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the length of the guide tube is determined so that the worm is completely inserted therein.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the length of the guide tube is the same as the length of the worm.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first end of the guide tube is in the form of a ring which ends in a slot-shaped cutout.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the groove cooperates with a groove of at least one anti-rotation washer fixed to the selection shaft.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second end of the guide tube is formed by a second ring which is inserted into an opening formed in the rotation blocking element.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotation blocking element is formed by a washer.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotation blocking element comprises an opening in its center, into which the guide tube and the end of the worm are inserted.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotation blocking element is arranged radially with respect to the worm.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the rotation blocking element is larger than the diameter of the selection shaft to ensure the stability of the rotation blocking.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotation blocking element has at least one outer cutout and / or at least one inner cutout.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, an external cutout is formed at an outer edge of the rotation blocking element so as to form a tab that is offset relative to a radial plane of the blocking element.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the inner cutout is located between the outer edge of the rotation blocking element and its central opening and is made in such a way as to form a tab that is offset relative to a radial plane of the rotation blocking element.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotation blocking element is positively press-fitted into a suitable housing in the gearbox cover of the machine.

[0023] The invention also relates to a mobile machine, in particular an electrically assisted mobile machine, having a gear shifting device according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood and will become more clearly apparent by reading the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example, in which:

[0025] - Figure 1 is an overall view of a mobile machine according to one aspect of the present invention,

[0026] - Figure 2 Yes Figure 1 Front view of a gearbox of a transmission assembly of a mobile machine: 2a) viewed from a first side, 2b) viewed from a second side,

[0027] - Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a transmission assembly according to the present invention,

[0028] - Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a shifting device according to the present invention,

[0029] - Figure 5 is a front cross-sectional view of a shifting device according to the present invention,

[0030] - Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a shaft of a transmission assembly according to the present invention,

[0031] - Figure 7 is a front view of a retaining ring according to the present invention,

[0032] - Figure 8 is a front view of a rotation blocking element and a guide tube according to the invention: 8a) with a shuttle, 8b) without a shuttle,

[0033] - Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the interior of a gearbox including a transmission assembly according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1 There is shown a mobile machine 1 according to one aspect of the invention. The machine 1 here is an electric assisted bicycle comprising an electric motor 2. The electric motor 2 is designed to provide some of the propulsion of the machine.

[0035] The bicycle comprises at least two wheels 3, 3' which are powered during use via two pedals or equivalent rotation of the axes of the crankset about axis Xp, for example driving the rear wheel via a chain or any other transmission means.

[0036] The machine 1 further comprises a control unit 4 and a plurality of sensors 5, 5', 5", which are located, for example, at the crankset, on the frame of the bicycle or at the wheels 3, 3'.

[0037] The machine 1 shown here also comprises energy storage means in the form of batteries 6, a lighting system 7, a crankset 8 of axis Xp, a positioning and / or navigation system 90 and a human-machine interface system 91, which in particular comprises a touch screen capable of displaying information for said user and / or taking into account his needs. The human-machine interface system 91 is in particular connected to the positioning system 90 and serves as a navigation interface. The invention is not limited to a particular human-machine interface system and may comprise any system known to a person skilled in the art.

[0038] The wheels 3 , 3 ′ are provided with a braking system 31 , in particular comprising a disc brake 32 .

[0039] like Figure 3As shown, the machine 1 has a transmission assembly 10. The transmission assembly 10 has a gear shifting device 20 according to the invention and an electric motor 2 for supplying some power to propel the machine 1.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the transmission assembly 10 is at least partially contained in the cover 316 ( Figure 2 In the closed gearbox 30 (shown), the cover 316 is positioned at the crankset 8, and the axis Xp of the crankset 8 coincides with the output axis Xv of the gear shifting device 20.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, Figures 3 to 5 The shifting device 20 shown in FIG. 1 has at least 2 gear ratios, for example 7 gear ratios between a first gear ratio referred to as 1st gear and a higher gear ratio referred to as 7th gear.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gear shift device 20 comprises a series of seven output pinions 60 of the axis X, namely the pinions marked F1 to F7, which rotate integrally with the hollow shaft 80, and a series of seven input pinions 50, namely the pinions marked FR1 to FR7, which are designed to rotate freely around the selection shaft 40.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 The selection shaft 40 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged around a shuttle 41 of the worm 21 of the shift device 20 .

[0044] According to a variant of the invention, the shifting device 20 comprises a planetary gear set.

[0045] The machine 1 according to the invention comprises a gearshift actuator 70 designed to move the shuttle 41 along the worm 21 by means of a helical kinematic connection, between at least 2 positions, for example between seven positions from P1 to P7, and to engage a selected gear ratio.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the selection shaft 40 is hollow.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the shift actuator 70 includes an electrical device in the form of a reduction gear set for moving the shuttle 41. The reduction gear set includes a motor 81 and a reducer 82.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the reduction gear set further includes a pinion 22 on the axis of the worm 21, an intermediate pinion 22' and a pinion 22'' on the axis Xm of the motor 81. The tooth set of the pinions 22, 22', 22" can be straight teeth as shown in the figure, or helical teeth in a variant not shown.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the reduction gear set includes a Figure 3Parallel axes or pinions with perpendicular axes as shown.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the shift actuator 70 includes a bevel gear set, a spur gear set, or a helical gear set and / or has one or more stages.

[0051] According to a variant embodiment of the invention, the gearshift actuator 70 has a belt or a chain or a universal joint or a pinion.

[0052] The rotational guidance of the worm 21 is ensured, for example, by means of rolling bearings at each of its ends.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the shuttle 41 is configured so that during its movement, the shuttle 41 is positioned under the pinion of the selected gear ratio and engages this gear ratio.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, shuttle 41 is configured similarly to the one described in application FR2975367.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the shifting device 20 comprises at least two pawls 42 at the selection shaft 40 , for example, seven pawls 42 for a 7-speed machine 1 .

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the shifting device 20 comprises a series of seven pawls positioned one after another along the longitudinal axis X2 of the selection shaft 40 .

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gearshift device 20 comprises at least one series of at least seven detents positioned one after another along the longitudinal axis X2 of the selection shaft 40 .

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gearshift device 20 comprises three series of at least seven pawls positioned one after another along the longitudinal axis X2 of the selection shaft 40. The series are spaced 120 degrees from each other around the selection shaft 40.

[0059] The pawl 42 has a shape configured to cooperate with the input pinion FRi. The pawl 42 is inserted into a recess 420 formed on the selection shaft 40 via one of its ends 422. The end is fully inserted into the housing so as to be tightly pressed against the upper surface 423 of the housing 420. Each pawl 42 is associated with a lifting device, such as Figure 4 and Figure 6 A ball 43 is visible in the drawing, which is housed in a bore 430 in the selection shaft 40 , protrudes into the interior of the shaft 40 , and is positioned below each pawl 42 so as to be able to lift it via the shuttle 41 .

[0060] When a gear is selected, the shuttle 41 is located under the input pinion FRI corresponding to the selected gear ratio i, the input pinion FRI is then prevented from rotating by one of the pawls 42 and meshes with the corresponding output pinion.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pawl 42 is Figure 6 and Figure 7 A retaining ring 44 is shown held in place.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the invention, the ring is made of an elastic material. According to one embodiment of the invention, the ring 44 is made of pressed spring steel. According to another embodiment of the invention, the ring 44 is made of plastic. The retaining ring 44 is located inside the selection shaft 40. The ring 44 forms a cylinder that is tightly pressed against the inner surface of the selection shaft 40 inside the selection shaft 40. Therefore, the retention is achieved from the inside of the selection shaft 40.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ring is open in the longitudinal direction.

[0064] The length of the ring 44 is determined so that the entire set of pawls 42 remains in place.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring 44 has an opening 440 that cooperates with the ball 43 located below the detent pawl. The retaining ring 44 is thus able to retain the ball 43 in place.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring 44 comprises at least two tabs 441 formed by the ring 44. More specifically, the tabs 441 are formed by cutting, pressing or bending, or by any other process capable of obtaining a tab shape on the retaining ring 44. According to one embodiment, the retaining ring 44 comprises as many tabs 441 as the pawls 42.

[0067] Each tab 441 is arranged below the pawl 4 at a portion 422 of the pawl 42 that is inserted into a housing 420 formed in the selection shaft 40 .

[0068] The retaining ring 44 is thus able to keep the pawls in the closed position. To this end, the retaining ring 44 applies a pressure or compression force to each pawl 42 through the tabs, which is sufficient to press the pawl 42 firmly into the housing 420 while allowing it to be lifted by the shuttle 41. The compression force is defined to counteract the centrifugal effect on the pawl 42.

[0069] This means that each tab 441 presses on the end 422 of the pawl, which is thus firmly pressed against the upper face 423 of the housing 420 , and the other end 424 of the pawl can therefore be lifted freely by the ball 43 by a pivoting action.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring 44 comprises at least one series of seven tabs 441 positioned one after another below each pawl 42 along the longitudinal axis X2 of the selection shaft 40 .

[0071] According to one embodiment of the invention, the shifting device 20 comprises three series of at least seven tabs 441 positioned one after another along the longitudinal axis X2 of the selection shaft 40. These series are spaced 120 degrees from each other around the selection shaft 40.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining ring 44 comprises at least one series of seven openings 440 positioned one after the other below each ball 43 along the longitudinal axis X2 of the selection shaft 40 .

[0073] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gearshift device 20 comprises three series of at least seven openings 440 positioned one after another along the longitudinal axis X2 of the selection shaft 40. These series are spaced 120 degrees from each other around the selection shaft 40.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a series of tabs 441 and openings 440 are inserted in the radial direction of the retaining ring 44 .

[0075] When the machine is in use, shuttle 41 makes it possible to select a chosen gear ratio which will engage input pinion FRi via pawl 42 .

[0076] The input pinion FRi then meshes with the output pinion Fi.

[0077] If the machine 1 is running in the transmission ratio i without changing the gear, the worm 21 does not rotate.

[0078] During a gear ratio change, the worm 21 is driven in rotation by the gearshift actuator 70, resulting in an axial movement of the nut 210 of the worm 21, which drives the shuttle 41 and thus allows a gear change. The pivot connection thus achieved converts the rotational movement of the worm 21 into a translational movement of the shuttle 41.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the invention, stops limit the movement of the shuttle 41 at each end. According to another embodiment of the invention, the movement of the shuttle is controlled by a position sensor.

[0080] In an embodiment not shown, the shuttle 41 can adopt a position known as the neutral position P0 in which no transmission ratio is engaged.

[0081] In the context of the present invention, the worm 21 is positioned at Figure 4 The guide tube 45 is used to guide the shuttle 41 along the worm 21.

[0082] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide tube 45 is formed by two blades 451, also called rails. The two blades 451 are arranged longitudinally relative to the worm 21, and there is one blade on each side of the worm 21. According to one embodiment of the invention, the two blades are arranged around the worm 21 at between 45 and 180 degrees along its length.

[0083] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the guide tube 45 is determined so that the worm 21 can be completely inserted therein.

[0084] According to one embodiment of the invention, the length of the guide tube 45 is the same as the length of the worm 21. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first end 450 of the guide tube 45 is in the form of a ring 452 which ends in a slot-shaped cutout 453.

[0085] According to one embodiment of the invention, these grooves 453 cooperate with grooves of at least one anti-rotation washer 455 fixed to the selection shaft 40. This washer 455 is fixed in rotation and is configured to enable the worm 21 to rotate without driving it.

[0086] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second end 454 of the guide tube 45 is formed by a second ring 456 which is inserted into an opening 461 formed in the rotation blocking element 46 .

[0087] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second ring 454 is housed in an anti-rotation element 47 , for example of the washer type.

[0088] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotation blocking element 46 is formed by a washer. According to one embodiment of the invention, the washer comprises an opening 461 in its center into which the guide tube 45 and the end of the worm 21 are inserted. The rotation blocking element 46 is arranged radially with respect to the worm 21, i.e. perpendicularly to the axes Xv and Xp of the machine 1.

[0089] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the rotation blocking element 46 is greater than the diameter of the selection shaft 40 to ensure the stability of the rotation blocking.

[0090] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation blocking element 46 has at least one outer cutout 462 and / or at least one inner cutout 463 .

[0091] According to one embodiment of the invention, an external cutout 462 is formed at the outer edge of the rotation blocking element 46. The cutout is made in such a way that a tab 462 is formed. The tab 462 is offset outwardly relative to a radial plane of the blocking element 46, i.e. in a direction parallel to the axis of the worm 21 and away from the worm.

[0092] According to one embodiment of the invention, the internal cutout 463 is located between the outer edge of the rotation blocking element 46 and its central opening 461. The cutout is made in such a way that a tab 463 is formed. The tab 463 is offset outwards relative to the radial plane of the blocking element 46, i.e. in the same direction as the external tab 462 is offset.

[0093] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation blocking element 46 has at least two outer tabs 462 and at least two inner tabs 463. The inner tabs 462 and the outer tabs 463 are arranged in such a manner as to be inserted into each other.

[0094] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation blocking element 46 has five outer tabs 462 and five inner tabs 463. Figure 8 As shown, the inner tab 462 and the outer tab 463 are arranged in such a manner as to be inserted into each other.

[0095] The set of tabs provides a certain degree of elasticity to the rotation blocking element 46, so that damage to the set of tabs due to, for example, vibrations can be avoided.

[0096] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation blocking element 46 is press-fitted into a suitable housing 317 in the cover of the gearbox 30. The rotation blocking element 46 is firmly held in the housing by means of the elasticity of the tabs. The size of the housing is defined to allow the rotation blocking element 46 to be forcibly inserted therein. Therefore, the rotation blocking element 46 can prevent the rotation of the guide tube 45 by the action of friction and pressure. The rotation blocking element 46 can also center the guide tube 45, thereby centering all other elements.

[0097] Fig. 9 The transmission assembly according to the present invention is shown in more detail. Figure 1 The gearbox 30 of the mobile machine 1 .

[0098] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gearbox comprises a first housing 311 designed to accommodate the gears of the shifting device 20 and at least two housings 312 , 313 which are different from each other and designed to accommodate the electric motor and the shifting actuator, respectively.

[0099] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gear box 30 is open on one side.

[0100] According to one embodiment of the invention, this side is closed by a cover 316 .

[0101] The scope of the invention is not limited to the details given above and allows many other specific forms of embodiment without departing from the field of application of the invention. Therefore, the present embodiment should be considered as illustrative and can be modified without departing from the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A gear shift device (20) for a mobile device (1), comprising a selection shaft (40), in which a shuttle (41), a worm (21), and a guide tube (45) are arranged, and the worm (21) is located in the guide tube (45).

2. The gear shifting device (20) according to claim 1, wherein: One of the ends (455, 456) of the tube (45) is inserted in a rotation blocking element (46), thereby preventing the shuttle (41) from rotating.

3. The gear shifting device (20) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein: The guide tube (45) is formed by two blades (451) arranged longitudinally with respect to the worm (21), one blade on each side of the worm (21).

4. The gear shifting device (20) according to claim 3, wherein: The two blades (451) are arranged around the worm (21) at 45 to 180 degrees along the length of the worm.

5. The gear shifting device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The length of the guide tube (45) is determined so that the worm (21) can be completely inserted into the guide tube.

6. The gear shifting device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The length of the guide tube (45) is the same as the length of the worm (21).

7. The gear shifting device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The first end (450) of the guide tube (45) is in the form of a ring (452) which terminates in a slot-shaped cutout (453).

8. The gear shifting device (20) according to claim 7, wherein: The groove (453) cooperates with a groove of at least one anti-rotation washer (455) fixed to the selection shaft (40).

9. The gear shifting device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The second end (454) of the guide tube (45) is formed by a second ring (456) which is inserted into an opening (461) formed in the rotation blocking element (46).

10. A mobile machine (1), in particular an electrically assisted mobile machine, having a gear shifting device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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