Highly-integrated clutch executing mechanism, gearbox and vehicle
By integrating the actuator housing, piston, separation bearing and solenoid valve in the vehicle transmission and shortening the air path, the increased response time and air leakage risk caused by long air passages in the transmission is solved, and a faster and more stable shifting process is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510366048.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-13
AI Technical Summary
In existing vehicle gearboxes, due to unreasonable structural arrangement, the inlet and exhaust gases are too long, which increases the shift response time, and there may be potential risks such as air leakage.
Using a highly integrated clutch actuator, the actuator housing, piston, separation bearing and solenoid valve are integrated, and the total length of the air path is shortened, thereby reducing complex air paths.
It solves the increase in response time and air leakage caused by long air passages, improves the response speed and stability of the clutch actuator, and reduces the failure rate and design difficulty.
Smart Images

Figure CN120140366A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of vehicle transmissions, and particularly relates to a highly integrated clutch actuator, a transmission, and a vehicle. Background Art
[0002] In the current domestic commercial vehicle market, the popularity rate of AMT automatic transmissions is increasing year by year. With the improvement of customers' acceptance and recognition of AMT, the requirements for AMT shifting performance and reliability are also getting higher and higher. When an AMT automatic transmission shifts gears, the system needs to automatically complete the processes of clutch disengagement, gear shifting out, gear shifting in, and clutch engagement. Among them, clutch disengagement and engagement are controlled by a clutch actuator, and gear shifting out and gear shifting in are controlled by a shift actuator; as a core component in the AMT shifting process, the clutch actuator plays a crucial role, affecting the comfort and economy of vehicle driving.
[0003] As an improvement, the current technological development trend of AMT automatic transmissions is integration, that is, as much as possible to integrate the mechanism body, air circuit, sensors, and solenoid valves together. On the one hand, it can reduce various transfer air circuits, improve performance, and reduce failure rates. On the other hand, it can save space and be more beautiful. However, the clutch actuator used in the current integrated AMT automatic transmission is a central clutch actuator, and its main structure includes a housing, a piston, a release bearing, and a sensor. The installation position is between the clutch and the front cover of the oil pump, while the solenoid valve for controlling the clutch actuator is installed in the shift actuator, which is far from the clutch actuator and requires a long and complex transfer air circuit. On the one hand, the long air circuit leads to an increase in response time. On the other hand, the transfer air circuit is not easy to design and there are potential risks such as air leakage. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present invention provides a highly integrated clutch actuator, a transmission, and a vehicle, aiming to solve the problem that in the current vehicle transmission, due to the unreasonable arrangement of the structure, the intake and exhaust air circuits are too long, which increases the shifting response time and may also have potential risks such as air leakage.
[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: The present invention provides a highly integrated clutch actuator, including an actuator body. The actuator body includes a support plate, the support plate can be connected to the brake cavity of the front cover of the oil pump, and the support plate is integrated with an adjacent actuator assembly and a solenoid valve assembly in the thickness direction thereof. The actuator body has an air circuit group, wherein: The actuator assembly includes an actuator housing, the actuator housing has an annular cavity, a piston is arranged in the annular cavity, a return spring is arranged at the bottom of the piston along its axial direction, and a release bearing is arranged at the top position. The solenoid valve assembly includes a solenoid valve mounting seat and a valve group cover plate disposed on the solenoid valve mounting seat, and a solenoid valve group is arranged inside the solenoid valve mounting seat; The air circuit group includes a main intake air circuit, an actuator air circuit, and a brake air circuit, and the solenoid valve group is used to control the intake and exhaust of the main intake air circuit, the actuator air circuit, and the brake air circuit.
[0006] In some embodiments, the solenoid valve group includes a plurality of clutch solenoid valves and brake solenoid valves. The clutch solenoid valves are used to control the intake and exhaust of the actuator air circuit, and the brake solenoid valves are used to control the intake and exhaust of the brake air circuit.
[0007] Further, the main intake air circuit can be connected to compressed air, the actuator air circuit is connected to the inner cavity formed by the clutch solenoid valve and the actuator housing, and the brake air circuit is connected to the brake solenoid valve and the brake inner cavity.
[0008] Further, the support plate is provided with a second air hole corresponding to the brake air circuit.
[0009] In some embodiments, the actuator housing is provided with a first air hole, and the first air hole is communicated with the annular cavity of the actuator housing and connected to the actuator air circuit.
[0010] In some embodiments, an outer sealing ring and an inner sealing ring are arranged on the mating surface between the piston and the actuator housing.
[0011] In some embodiments, the lower end surface of the release bearing is mounted on the piston. The release bearing can move reciprocally with the piston, and the upper end surface of the release bearing can abut against the clutch to realize the separation and engagement of the clutch.
[0012] In some embodiments, a buffer pad is arranged between the solenoid valve mounting seat and the solenoid valve group.
[0013] The present invention also provides a gearbox, and the gearbox is configured with the above-mentioned highly integrated clutch actuator.
[0014] The present invention also provides a vehicle, and the vehicle includes the above-mentioned gearbox.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the highly integrated clutch actuator, gearbox, and vehicle of the present invention have the following beneficial effects: The highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention provides an integrated control clutch actuator, which integrates the actuator housing, piston, release bearing and control solenoid valve together. It can well solve the problems of increased response time due to too long air path, difficult design of transfer air path and potential risks such as air leakage, and can also solve the vibration problem of the solenoid valve caused by the operation of the clutch actuator. The moving parts of the clutch actuator of the present invention are integrated with the solenoid valve. Due to the absence of complex transfer air paths and the shortening of the total air path length, the clutch separation and engagement processes can be completed more quickly and accurately. The reduction of the transfer air path also reduces the design difficulty of the transmission housing and the front cover of the oil pump, as well as the rejection rate during the production and processing process. The clutch actuator of the present invention has a reasonable structural layout, improves the response speed and stability on the basis of ensuring the performance of the actuator, and has better practical significance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings of the specification are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and form a part of the present invention. The schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the state where a highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention, a transmission, and a clutch actuator in a vehicle are installed on the front cover of the oil pump; Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of a highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention, a transmission, and a vehicle without a valve group cover plate installed on the clutch actuator; Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of a highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention, a transmission, and a vehicle; Figure 4 It is a partial cross-sectional view of a highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention, a transmission, and a vehicle; Figure 5 It is a structural diagram of a support plate and a solenoid valve mounting seat in a highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention, a transmission, and a vehicle; Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of a support plate in a highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention, a transmission, and a vehicle.
[0018] Reference numerals: 1, actuator housing; 2, front cover of the oil pump; 3, support plate; 4, valve group cover plate; 5, solenoid valve mounting seat; 6, rubber pad; 7, solenoid valve group; 8, piston; 9, outer sealing ring; 10, inner sealing ring; 11, release bearing; 12, return spring; 13, first air hole; 14, air circuit of the clutch actuator; 15, second air hole; 16, brake air circuit; 17, main intake air circuit, 18, reserved mounting hole. Detailed implementation manners
[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Usually, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings here can be arranged in various different configurations.
[0020] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present invention, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without making creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0021] Similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent drawings.
[0022] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper", "lower", "horizontal", "inner", etc. are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship, it is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of the invention is usually placed when in use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive distinction and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0023] In addition, if the term "horizontal" appears, it does not mean that the component is required to be absolutely horizontal, but it can be slightly inclined. For example, "horizontal" only means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical", and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but it can be slightly inclined.
[0024] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should also be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, if the terms "set", "installed", "connected", and "connected" are used, they should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.
[0025] As Figures 1-3 shown, a highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention includes an actuator body. The actuator body includes a support plate 3. The support plate 3 can be connected to the brake cavity of the front end cover 2 of the oil pump. The support plate 3 is integrated with adjacent actuator components and solenoid valve components in the thickness direction. The actuator body has an air circuit group, where: The actuator components include an actuator housing 1. The actuator housing 1 has an annular cavity. A piston 8 is arranged in the annular cavity. A return spring 12 is arranged at the bottom of the piston 8 along its axial direction, and a release bearing 11 is arranged at the top position. The solenoid valve components include a solenoid valve mounting seat 5 and a valve group cover plate 4 arranged on the solenoid valve mounting seat 5. A solenoid valve group 7 is arranged in the solenoid valve mounting seat 5. The air circuit group includes a main intake air circuit 17, an actuator air circuit 14, and a brake air circuit 16. The solenoid valve group 7 is used to control the intake and exhaust of the main intake air circuit 17, the actuator air circuit 14, and the brake air circuit 16.
[0026] In a highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention, the support plate 3 integrates the actuator components and the solenoid valve components, integrating the split structure into a single module, reducing the occupied space, and improving the controllability of the vehicle layout. By integrating the main intake air circuit 17, the actuator air circuit 14, and the brake air circuit 16 with the solenoid valve group 7, the present invention avoids complex external pipeline connections and reduces the installation complexity. The annular cavity of the actuator housing 1 combines with the piston 8 and the release bearing 11 to achieve precise separation and engagement of the clutch. At the same time, the return spring 12 can reset the piston 8. Moreover, the actuator body of the present invention is directly connected to the brake cavity of the front end cover 2 of the oil pump to form a support structure, reducing the influence of vibration on the air circuit and the solenoid valve, reducing the failure rate. The integrated design of the air circuit group and the solenoid valve 7 reduces the leakage risk and improves the airtightness.
[0027] In some embodiments, in the clutch actuator of the present invention, the solenoid valve group 7 includes a plurality of clutch solenoid valves and brake solenoid valves. The clutch solenoid valves are used to control the intake and exhaust of the actuator air passage 14, and the brake solenoid valves are used to control the intake and exhaust of the brake air passage 16. By differentiating the clutch solenoid valves from the brake solenoid valves, the present invention realizes the independent control of the actuator air passage 14 and the brake air passage 16, avoids air passage interference, can separately adjust the clutch separation speed, and at the same time maintains the pressure stability of the brake, improving the smoothness of gear shifting.
[0028] Specifically, the main intake air passage 17 of the present invention is connected to a compressed air source, and the actuator air passage 14 and the brake air passage 16 are directly connected to the corresponding cavities respectively, forming a short-path air passage system, reducing the pressure build-up delay and improving the control response speed.
[0029] Preferably, in the clutch actuator of the present invention, the first air hole 13 directly conducts the annular cavity of the actuator housing 1 and the actuator air passage 14, optimizing the air flow distribution efficiency and ensuring the stable and balanced air pressure during the movement of the piston 8. And through the combined use of the outer sealing ring 9 and the inner sealing ring 10, the present invention forms a double sealing barrier to prevent the leakage of high-pressure gas.
[0030] In some embodiments, in the clutch actuator of the present invention, the buffer pad between the solenoid valve mounting seat 5 and the solenoid valve group 7 can absorb the vibration impact during vehicle operation, protect the components, and reduce the risk of solenoid valve failure caused by vibration. The buffer pad can be but is not limited to a rubber pad 6 under actual working conditions.
[0031] The present invention also provides a transmission, and the transmission is configured with the above highly integrated clutch actuator.
[0032] The present invention also provides a vehicle, and the vehicle includes the above transmission.
[0033] The transmission adopting the clutch actuator of the present invention and the vehicle adopting the transmission can improve the control accuracy and optimize the driving experience.
[0034] The highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention integrates the actuator housing 1, the piston 8, the release bearing 11, and the solenoid valve group 7 together. By shortening the air passage and having a reasonable structural layout, it improves the corresponding speed and control stability on the basis of ensuring performance, and can solve the vibration problem of the solenoid valve caused by the operation of the clutch actuator.
[0035] The highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention 1) Key components such as piston 8, return spring 12, release bearing 11, etc. are integrated in the actuator housing 1, and a first air hole 13 is provided on the actuator housing 1. The stroke of the clutch is controlled by controlling the intake and exhaust air volume of the first air hole 13; a support plate 3 is provided between the actuator housing 1 and the front end cover 2 of the oil pump. The support plate 3 is fixedly connected to the front end cover 2 of the oil pump, and the actuator housing 1 is installed on the support plate 3.
[0036] 2) A solenoid valve mounting seat 5 is integrated on the support plate 3. Four clutch solenoid valves and two brake solenoid valves removed from the shift actuator are installed here, and air paths are provided on both the solenoid valve mounting seat 5 and the support plate 3.
[0037] In the present invention, the number of solenoid valves integrated on the support plate 3 can be flexibly selected. If brake solenoid valves are integrated, since the brake air path is designed on the support plate 3 and is directly connected to the brake inner cavity of the front end cover 2 of the oil pump, the response speed of the brake will be significantly increased.
[0038] Moreover, in the present invention, some solenoid valves in the shift actuator are removed, increasing the available space inside it. More sensors and shift solenoid valves can be arranged in the shift actuator, further improving the product performance and reliability.
[0039] 3) The air paths on the support plate 3 and the solenoid valve mounting seat 5 are mainly divided into three. The first is the main intake air path 17, which is connected to compressed air. The second is the clutch actuator air path 14, which is connected to the clutch solenoid valve and the inner cavity of the actuator housing 1. The third is the brake air path 16, which is connected to the brake solenoid valve and the brake inner cavity.
[0040] 4) The rubber pad 6 arranged below the solenoid valve group 7 in the present invention can play a shock-absorbing role, solving the vibration problem caused by the clutch actuator during operation to the solenoid valve group 7 and extending the service life of the solenoid valve group 7.
[0041] A highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention integrates moving parts with the solenoid valve group 7. Since there is no complex transfer air path and the total length of the air path is shortened, the clutch separation and engagement process can be completed more quickly and accurately; the reduction of the transfer air path also reduces the design difficulty of the transmission housing and the front end cover 2 of the oil pump and the rejection rate during the production and processing process, having certain practicality.
[0042] Such as Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown in the figure, specifically, a highly integrated clutch actuator of the present invention, wherein the actuator housing 1 is fixedly connected to the support plate 3, the support plate 3 is fixedly connected to the front end cover 2 of the oil pump, and a brake is integrated on the front end cover 2 of the oil pump. The second air hole 15 is the air inlet and exhaust hole of the brake inner cavity. A piston 8, an outer sealing ring 9, an inner sealing ring 10, a release bearing 11 and a return spring 12 are installed in the actuator housing 1, jointly constituting the mechanical part of the clutch actuator. The solenoid valve mounting seat 5 is integrated on the support plate 3 and is used to mount the clutch solenoid valve and the brake solenoid valve. A rubber pad 6 is provided between the solenoid valve 7 and the solenoid valve mounting seat 5 to play a shock absorption role. The valve group cover plate 4 is fixedly connected to the solenoid valve mounting seat 5 through bolts to protect the solenoid valve group 7. The above parts jointly constitute the control part of the clutch actuator.
[0043] In the actual working condition, the actuator housing 1 of the present invention is designed with a central through hole, which is in clearance fit with the first shaft of the transmission. The piston 8, the release bearing 11 and the return spring 12 are arranged in the annular cavity formed by the annular design. In order to ensure the sealing performance during the movement process, the mating surface between the piston 8 and the actuator housing 1 is provided with an outer sealing ring 9 and an inner sealing ring 10. The number of sealing rings can be flexibly selected according to the actual engineering application; the release bearing 11 is installed on the piston 8 and reciprocates axially along with the piston 8. The upper end surface of the release bearing 11 contacts the clutch release finger, and the separation and engagement of the clutch are realized through components such as the diaphragm spring; one end of the return spring 12 is connected to the actuator housing 1, and the other end abuts against the piston 8, which is used to eliminate the axial clearance between the release bearing 11 and the clutch release finger in the non-ventilated state. The return spring 12 can be a large-diameter spring coaxial with the through hole of the actuator housing 1, or a plurality of small-diameter springs evenly distributed in the annular cavity of the actuator housing 1.
[0044] The solenoid valve mounting seat 5 of the present invention is integrated on the support plate 3, and the two can be integrally designed or separately designed and fixedly connected through bolts; the solenoid valve group 7 removed from the shift actuator is installed on the solenoid valve mounting seat 5, wherein the clutch solenoid valve controls the compressed air of the air circuit 14 of the clutch actuator, and the brake solenoid valve controls the compressed air of the brake air circuit 16. Since the piston 8 will generate strong impact and vibration under the push of compressed air, a layer of rubber pad 6 is provided between the solenoid valve group 7 and the solenoid valve mounting seat 5, which can weaken the influence of vibration on the solenoid valve group 7 and extend the service life of the solenoid valve group 7. A valve group cover plate 4 is installed above the solenoid valve group 7 and is fixedly connected to the solenoid valve mounting seat 5 through bolts, playing a role in sealing and protecting the solenoid valve group 7.
[0045] As Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown in the figure, the present invention is provided with a plurality of reserved mounting holes 18 (bolt through holes and threaded holes) on the support plate 3. The actuator housing 1, the front end cover 2 of the oil pump and the support plate 3 are connected together by bolts passing through the bolt through holes, and the threaded holes cooperate with the bolts to connect the actuator housing 1 and the support plate 3 together. A plurality of air paths are provided on the support plate 3, including a main intake air path 17, a clutch actuator air path 14 and a brake air path 16. The main intake air path 17 is connected to compressed air and is responsible for supplying air to the solenoid valve 7.
[0046] As Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown in the figure, a first air hole 13 is provided on the actuator housing 1 of the present invention. The first air hole 13 is directly connected to the annular cavity of the actuator housing 1 and is communicated with the clutch actuator air path 14 on the support plate 3. The first air hole 13 can be provided on the side surface or the bottom surface of the actuator housing 1, and can be flexibly selected according to actual engineering applications. The clutch actuator air path 14 is embedded in the support plate 3 and is communicated with a plurality of clutch solenoid valves, and is responsible for the intake and exhaust during the operation of the clutch actuator.
[0047] The present invention integrates the mechanical part and the control part of the clutch actuator. Compared with the installation of the clutch solenoid valve in the shift actuator, the total length of the air path of the present invention is shortened and the transfer air path is reduced, fundamentally solving the problem of many and complex transfer air paths, accelerating the response speed of the clutch actuator, and providing a more powerful guarantee for accurate and rapid shifting of the transmission.
[0048] As Figure 4 shown in the figure, a second air hole 15 is provided on the front end cover 2 of the oil pump of the present invention. The second air hole 15 is directly connected to the brake inner cavity and is communicated with the brake air path 16 on the support plate 3. The brake air path 16 is communicated with the brake solenoid valve and is responsible for the intake and exhaust during the operation of the brake. Through the highly integrated clutch actuator designed by the present invention, since the brake solenoid valve is relatively close to the mechanical components of the brake and the air path is directly connected without transfer, the pressure building process of the brake will be relatively fast and the response time will be greatly reduced. In this way, the shifting performance of the transmission can be improved.
[0049] Finally, it should be noted that the above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not impose any form of limitation on the present invention; any ordinary technician in the industry can smoothly implement the present invention according to what is shown in the specification and the above; however, any minor changes, modifications and equivalent variations made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention by using the technical content disclosed above are equivalent embodiments of the present invention; at the same time, any equivalent changes, modifications and evolutions made to the above embodiments based on the substantial technology of the present invention still fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.
Claims
1. A highly integrated clutch actuator, characterized in that: The actuator body comprises an actuator body, the actuator body comprises a support plate (3), the support plate (3) can be connected to the brake inner cavity of the front end cover (2) of the oil pump, the support plate (3) is integrated with adjacent actuator components and electromagnetic valve components along the thickness direction thereof, the actuator body has an air circuit group, wherein: The actuator assembly comprises an actuator housing (1), the actuator housing (1) having an annular cavity, a piston (8) being arranged in the annular cavity, the piston (8) being provided with a return spring (12) at the bottom along the axial direction thereof and a release bearing (11) at the top position thereof; The solenoid valve assembly comprises a solenoid valve mounting seat (5) and a valve group cover plate (4) arranged on the solenoid valve mounting seat (5); a solenoid valve group (7) is arranged in the solenoid valve mounting seat (5); The air circuit group comprises a main air intake circuit (17), an actuator air circuit (14) and a brake air circuit (16), and the solenoid valve group (7) is used to control the air intake and exhaust of the main air intake circuit (17), the actuator air circuit (14) and the brake air circuit (16).
2. The highly integrated clutch actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solenoid valve group (7) comprises a plurality of clutch solenoid valves and brake solenoid valves, the clutch solenoid valves being used to control the air intake and exhaust of the actuator air circuit (14), and the brake solenoid valves being used to control the air intake and exhaust of the brake air circuit (16).
3. The highly integrated clutch actuator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The main air intake path (17) is capable of communicating with compressed air, the actuator path (14) is connected to an inner cavity formed by a clutch solenoid valve and an actuator housing (1), and the brake path (16) is connected to a brake solenoid valve and a brake inner cavity.
4. The highly integrated clutch actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The support plate (3) is provided with a second air hole (15) corresponding to the brake air path (16).
5. The highly integrated clutch actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The actuator housing (1) is provided with a first air hole (13), the first air hole (13) being in communication with the annular cavity of the actuator housing (1) and in communication with the actuator air path (14).
6. The highly integrated clutch actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The matching surfaces between the piston (8) and the actuator housing (1) are provided with an outer sealing ring (9) and an inner sealing ring (10).
7. The highly integrated clutch actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end surface of the release bearing (11) is mounted on the piston (8), the release bearing (11) can follow the piston (8) to make reciprocating motion, and the upper end surface of the release bearing (11) can abut against the clutch to achieve separation and engagement of the clutch.
8. The highly integrated clutch actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A buffer pad is provided between the solenoid valve mounting seat (5) and the solenoid valve assembly (7).
9. A gearbox, characterized in that: The gearbox is equipped with a highly integrated clutch actuator according to any one of claims 1-8.
10. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises a transmission as claimed in claim 9.