Functional integration of a parking brake with a gear selector and an agricultural machine with such a

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for the functional integration of a parking brake (50) with a gear selector (20) of an agricultural machine, and to an agricultural machine with such a device (10). The gear selector (20) is intended to allow the selection of one of at least two gears, and the transmission of the gear selection to the transmission (36) is effected by means of kinematics (24, 32) that interact via a connecting shaft (22). The parking brake (50) has a connecting shaft (72) to transmit the setting of the actuating lever (52) to the brakes (80). The shaft (72) connects the kinematics (54, 64) between the actuating lever (52) and the two brakes (80). According to the invention, the connecting shaft (22) of the gear selector (20) and the connecting shaft (72) of the parking brake (50) are arranged concentrically.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for functionally integrating a parking brake with a gear selector of an agricultural machine, and to an agricultural machine with such a device. The gear selector allows the operator to select one of at least two gears, and the gear selection is transmitted to the transmission via kinematics that interact through a connecting shaft. The parking brake has a connecting shaft to transmit the setting of the actuating lever to the brakes. This shaft connects the kinematics between the actuating lever and the two brakes. According to the invention, the connecting shaft of the gear selector and the connecting shaft of the parking brake are arranged concentrically.

[0002] Agricultural machinery, such as tractors, can switch between at least two gears depending on the task at hand, the prevailing terrain, and the surface. The desired gear is selected by the driver using a gear selector and transmitted to the gearbox via a kinematic system. A shaft is typically also used to transmit the gear selection.

[0003] Parking brakes prevent a parked agricultural machine from rolling away. Here, too, the setting of the parking brake lever is transmitted via kinematics, ideally evenly to the brakes on the wheels on the same axle of the machine. To ensure that the parking brake lever setting is transmitted to both brakes, a connecting shaft is typically used. The setting is transferred to this shaft and from there to the two brakes.

[0004] According to this, the current situation requires two connecting shafts and corresponding kinematics and bearings, which consumes a lot of installation space and increases the weight of the agricultural machine.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of reducing the installation space required and the weight of the agricultural machine.

[0006] The object of the invention is achieved with a device according to claim 1 and an agricultural machine according to claim 12. Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the remaining features mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0007] The device according to the invention for functionally integrating a parking brake with a gear selector for an agricultural machine is formed with • a gear selector for selecting one of at least two gears and a connecting shaft of the gear selector, a first kinematic mechanism for transmitting a gear request from the gear selector to the connecting shaft of the gear selector and a second kinematic mechanism for transmitting the gear request from the connecting shaft of the gear selector to a gearbox of the agricultural machine, and • a parking brake with an actuating lever and a connecting shaft of the parking brake, which is held in a bearing on both sides, a third kinematic for transmitting the setting of the actuating lever to the connecting shaft of the parking brake and two further kinematics for transmitting the setting of the parking brake from its connecting shaft to the brakes of the agricultural machine, wherein the connecting shaft of the gear selector and the connecting shaft of the parking brake are arranged concentrically.

[0008] The device according to the invention is intended to create a functional integration of the connecting shaft of the gear selector with the connecting shaft of the parking brake in an agricultural machine. For this purpose, the system for selecting a gear stage, i.e., a gear, and the parking brake system are arranged in the available installation space in such a way that their intended use can be realized without restriction.

[0009] The term "agricultural machine" can refer to any powered vehicle capable of at least one load change, i.e., switching from one gear stage or speed to at least one other gear stage or speed. This includes, for example, tractors and similar towing vehicles, but also combine harvesters, harvesting machines, ride-on lawnmowers, and passively driven machines, such as towed machines that need to be secured against rolling away and are powered by a motor with at least two power levels. This could, for example, be a pump mounted on a trailer. The drive can be electric or internal combustion.

[0010] The gear selector system consists of the gear selector itself, which is located near the driver of the agricultural machine, preferably close to the seat, and with which one of at least two gears can be selected. It is permanently mounted to the vehicle. Using the gear selector, any gear can be selected from at least two gears, and switching between the available gears is possible.

[0011] The gear selector interacts with a primary kinematic mechanism that connects the gear selector to a connecting shaft and transmits the desired gear, i.e., the selected gear, to this connecting shaft. Leverage, pull rods, cable systems, and / or similar components can be used for such a kinematic mechanism, depending on the available space, weight specifications, and the forces involved.

[0012] A second kinematic mechanism engages the gear selector's connecting shaft, which in turn transmits the gear selection request to the agricultural machine's gearbox. This second kinematic mechanism can also be formed using levers, pull rods, cable systems, and / or similar components, as required by the agricultural machine's specifications.

[0013] The connecting shaft of the gear selector is called a connecting shaft because of its transmitting or mechanically coupling effect between the first and second kinematics. Occasionally, the term "shaft" is used to refer to a single, co-acting element.

[0014] The interaction within the gear selector system is such that adjusting the gear selector causes the associated connecting shaft to move via the first kinematic mechanism, which in turn moves the second kinematic mechanism, thus transmitting the gear selection to the transmission. For example, the gear selector can be designed as a lever mounted to rotate around a horizontal axis, with the gear selection or height level being chosen during rotation around this axis.

[0015] The second system is that of the parking brake. This consists of an actuating lever with which the parking brake can be applied in a known manner. The actuating lever is also fixed to the vehicle and located in the vicinity of the operator of the agricultural machine, preferably near the seat. The setting of the actuating lever is transmitted to the connecting shaft of the parking brake by a third kinematic mechanism (relative to the entire device).

[0016] The connecting shaft of the parking brake serves to transmit the parking brake setting as evenly as possible to the two brakes of the wheels on one axle of the agricultural machine and therefore connects them in the broadest sense. For the sake of readability, it will subsequently be referred to simply as the shaft. The connecting shaft of the parking brake is held in a bearing at both ends, preferably at each end, with the bearings being fixed to the vehicle and, in particular, to the body of the agricultural machine. The bearings can be, for example, ball bearings.

[0017] To transmit the braking request to the brakes, an additional kinematic mechanism is provided between the parking brake's connecting shaft and each individual brake. This mechanism interacts with both the parking brake's connecting shaft and the respective brake to achieve the desired braking effect. Preferably, both of these additional kinematic mechanisms can be of identical design to reduce the number of different components and simplify assembly.

[0018] Regarding the third and subsequent kinematics, the above also applies. Various combinations for the kinematics are disclosed with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0019] The special feature of the present invention is that the two connecting shafts are arranged concentrically, so that one connecting shaft at least partially encloses the other connecting shaft. This achieves functional integration between the parking brake system and the gear selector system.

[0020] In principle, the connecting shaft of the gear selector can enclose the connecting shaft of the parking brake, or vice versa. However, due to the structural arrangement of the transmission (more or less centrally with respect to the y-direction of the agricultural machine) and the brakes (more or less on the outside of the agricultural machine), it is preferable if the connecting shaft of the parking brake forms the inner shaft and the connecting shaft of the gear selector forms the outer connecting shaft, i.e., at least partially enclosing it. This will be illustrated in particular by the optional embodiments of the device according to the invention. This avoids a complex design of an external parking brake shaft with slots for the kinematics to engage with the connecting shaft of the gear selector and / or a more elaborate and space-consuming kinematic system for transmitting the settings of the gear selector and parking brake to the transmission or the brakes.

[0021] Therefore, the outer, i.e., enclosing, connecting shaft is a hollow shaft that can rotate independently of the movement of the inner connecting shaft. Each shaft is thus adjusted by the action of its respective kinematics without the other being moved and adjusted along with it. They are therefore decoupled with respect to their rotation for transmitting the gear selection or braking request.

[0022] The functional integration of gear selection and parking brake according to the invention now allows for significant space savings. Furthermore, separate bearings for two connecting shafts are no longer necessary because the outer (enclosing) connecting shaft is held by the inner connecting shaft, which is mounted on the vehicle. Overall, this results in weight savings, simplified assembly, and reduced costs.

[0023] In a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is provided that the first kinematics of the gear selector has a pull rod, the pull rod engages a first tab arranged on the connecting shaft of the gear selector, and the second kinematics engages a second tab arranged on the connecting shaft of the gear selector, and a translation in the movement of the gear selector to a movement in the transmission into the gearbox is set by means of the length of the tabs.

[0024] The transmission of the gear selection request from the gear selector to the gear selector's connecting shaft is thus achieved by means of a pull rod, which is coupled at its end facing the shaft to a lug that is arranged on or attached to the shaft. The coupling between the pull rod and the lug can be made, for example, by means of a clevis.

[0025] The further transmission from the shaft to the gearbox of the agricultural machine by means of the second kinematics includes a second tab, which is also arranged on or at the connecting shaft of the gear selector.

[0026] The ratio of the lengths of the connecting links determines the translation of the gear selector's movement into the transmission of the desired gear position. The link length is defined as its radial extension from the shaft. If both links are the same length, the transmission ratio is 1:1 (one to one); a one-centimeter movement of the gear selector in one direction is translated at the gear selector's connecting shaft into an equal movement towards the transmission. To reduce the force required to operate the gear selector, the length of the link to which the pull rod engages should be increased, while the length of the link in the second kinematic mechanism can remain the same.

[0027] An extension of the tab of the first kinematic mechanism can also be provided to offer a larger adjustment range for setting multiple gears if the desired gear is set using a lever as a gear selector with a movement rotating around a horizontal axis, as described earlier.

[0028] By adjusting the length ratio of the links of the first and second kinematics to each other, the transmission ratio between the desired gear setting and its realization in the direction of the gearbox is achieved. In particular, if only the length of the link of the first kinematic is adjusted, the second kinematic can usually remain unchanged, so that no adjustments need to be made in the gearbox.

[0029] The aforementioned pull rod of the first kinematic mechanism can be designed such that it has opposing threads at its ends. That is, it should have a right-hand thread at one end and a left-hand thread at the other. This allows for simple assembly, as the threads at both ends engage with corresponding threads when the pull rod is screwed in. Furthermore, this design offers the advantage of adjusting the effective length of the pull rod, because the distance between the threads can be varied depending on how far the pull rod is screwed into the corresponding threads. This allows for tolerance compensation, adjustment of the pull rod length, and / or fine-tuning.

[0030] Another embodiment of the device according to the invention consists in the fact that the desired gear is set by means of transmitting an associated height step in the gear selector or by means of such a height step and a lateral movement.

[0031] As previously explained, the desired gear is selected by rotating a gear lever around a horizontal axis. The gear is then selected based on the lever's position after rotation. This rotation occurs within a limited angular range, giving the user the impression that the gear lever is being moved higher or lower, thus shifting to a different height level corresponding to a specific gear.

[0032] Since the travel of the gear selector and the number of gears that can be set and transmitted to the transmission are limited, an alternative version of this design allows, in addition to adjusting the height level, a lateral movement of the gear selector and the transmission of this lateral movement to the transmission to select one or more additional gears. The lateral movement can be rotary or translational. Such gear selection and transmission can be implemented using suitable kinematics.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the third kinematic mechanism is formed with a pull rod and a lever, and the subsequent kinematic mechanisms are each formed with a further lever and a further pull rod, with the levers engaging the connecting shaft of the parking brake at their end furthest from the pull rod of the respective kinematic mechanism. This results in a very functional and simple construction for transmitting the setting of the parking brake's actuating lever.

[0034] The setting of the actuating lever is first transmitted within the third kinematic system (i.e., the parking brake linkage from the actuating lever to the connecting shaft) to a pull rod, which in turn carries a lever that interacts with or engages the parking brake's connecting shaft. Two further kinematic systems engage this connecting shaft to transmit the braking request to the agricultural machine's brakes. These are preferably constructed in the same or at least a similar manner to reduce the number of necessary and different components, thereby simplifying component inventory and assembly. These two further kinematic systems are moved by the rotation of the shaft resulting from the action of the third kinematic system.These additional kinematics each include a lever that engages the shaft and interacts with a pull rod, which in turn acts on the respective brake or its own associated kinematics.

[0035] In this way, the number of necessary components can be kept low and only a manageable installation space is required.

[0036] Since the concentrically arranged connecting shafts only partially overlap, it is essential to ensure that the shafts do not shift relative to each other along their common axis. This can be achieved by using clamping rings. For this purpose, recesses are formed on the outer diameter of the sections of the inner shaft corresponding to the ends of the outer shaft. During assembly of the concentrically arranged shafts, after the shafts have been aligned concentrically, a clamping ring, which could be, for example, a slotted or open steel spring washer, is pushed or screwed onto the inner shaft from both ends until it reaches the area of ​​the recess.Such a ring is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the inner shaft, so that it is pre-tensioned and therefore slightly open in the area of ​​its slot, before returning to its original shape in the area of ​​the recess. This ensures that it sits firmly in the recess and cannot be moved. The recess is designed so that the clamping ring protrudes at least partially beyond the circumference of the inner shaft, thus creating a mechanical barrier against the outer connecting shaft sliding along the inner shaft.

[0037] To ensure the mobility of the connecting shafts relative to each other, and especially their rotation around each other, the space between the connecting shaft of the gear selector and the connecting shaft of the parking brake is filled with a lubricant such as oil or grease. To prevent this lubricant from leaking out and / or dirt or moisture from entering the lubricant, sealing caps or bellows can be fitted to both ends of the connecting shaft of the gear selector. The sealing caps close off the ends of the surrounding, outer shaft, thus achieving the desired effect.

[0038] If the gear selector is intended to also undergo a lateral displacement to select a gear, bellows are suitable to prevent the escape of lubricant or the ingress of foreign particles into the lubricant, since the opening and closing of the bellows can follow this lateral movement without restricting it.

[0039] The device according to the invention can be further developed such that the inner connecting shaft is also a hollow shaft. Regardless of the configuration or assignment of the connecting shafts to their function, both connecting shafts should therefore be designed as hollow shafts arranged concentrically. This allows for a considerable weight reduction.

[0040] The connecting shaft of the gear selector and / or the connecting shaft of the parking brake should be made of a sufficiently strong material, i.e., a material with a high modulus of elasticity, to withstand the applied forces and the resulting deformations. Therefore, the connecting shaft of the gear selector and / or the connecting shaft of the parking brake can be made of steel, aluminum, a plastic, or a fiber-reinforced plastic. While the geometric dimensions, especially the diameter and thickness of the shafts, can be reduced when using steel due to its high load-bearing capacity, weight can be saved when using aluminum, although adjustments to the geometry will be necessary. The use of plastics or even fiber-reinforced plastics can be considered for weight optimization purposes.

[0041] When the parking brake lever is actuated and the braking request is transmitted to the brakes on the wheels of the agricultural machine, considerable forces are at work, which can lead to twisting of the components, namely the third kinematic mechanism, the parking brake connecting shaft, and / or other kinematic components. This can potentially impair the even transmission of the braking request to both brakes and result in uneven braking performance. The primary deformation in the parking brake system results from the length of the brake shaft.

[0042] To counteract this, the device can be further designed so that any potential twisting of the parking brake kinematics and / or its connecting shaft during the transmission of a braking request is compensated for by adjusting the cross-sections used and / or by employing springs. Thus, structural modifications should reduce and / or compensate for any potential twisting.

[0043] This can be achieved by selecting sufficiently stiffened cross-sections. For example, the levers of the third and / or subsequent kinematics can be designed with ribs so that they are less or hardly deformed at all.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, springs can be provided, particularly in areas of higher force application, to absorb and compensate for these forces before they act on the next moving component. For example, on another kinematic mechanism consisting of a lever and a pull rod, as already described, the engagement of the lever with the pull rod can be equipped with disc springs, so that the lever initially acts on the disc springs in the area of ​​engagement with the pull rod before the force is transmitted to the pull rod.Particularly in the case of an asymmetrical arrangement of the third kinematics and further kinematics in the parking brake system, twisting can be compensated for or reduced by the number of disc springs used in the two further kinematics, by using a higher number of disc springs in the further kinematics that is located closer to the third kinematics than in the further kinematics that is located further away from the third kinematics on the shaft.

[0045] The use of springs offers a further advantage: The parking brake shown here, as is known, can also have several detents to adjust the braking force. The forces required to achieve a higher locking force increase accordingly, especially since the available play in the kinematics decreases when a higher locking force is set. If the disc springs are now arranged in the previously described example of the further kinematics, they can provide the necessary play for further tightening of the parking brake and reduce the force required.

[0046] Finally, an embodiment of the invention can consist of providing sensors on the parking brake, and in particular on its actuating lever, to monitor the parking brake setting. This can be done, for example, in the form of a sensor that is arranged to trigger when the parking brake is engaged and indicates that the locking effect is present. This allows a user of the agricultural machine to recognize that the parking brake is securely engaged. Furthermore, the sensor information can be used to indicate that the locking effect is present when a user wishes to move the agricultural machine without first releasing the parking brake.

[0047] Alternatively, the sensor can be positioned and configured to detect a released parking brake. Accordingly, the sensor detects when the parking brake is loose, i.e., not engaged and not providing any locking effect. When the parking brake is engaged, the sensor's triggering event ceases, and no further detection occurs. Therefore, before driving the agricultural machine, it can be checked or ensured that the parking brake is indeed released.

[0048] Such a sensor can be a so-called contact sensor with a ball, in which, when the parking brake is released, a ball is pressed against a pressure-sensitive or electronic sensor, thus detecting a contact from which the released parking brake can be deduced. When the parking brake is applied, the pressure on the ball is relieved, so that no contact is detected, from which it can be concluded that the parking brake is now engaged.

[0049] According to the invention, an agricultural machine with the device disclosed above is also claimed. As already stated at the outset, the agricultural machine can be any agricultural machine that has at least two gears, i.e., transmission or power levels for selection. Preferably, this agricultural machine is a tractor.

[0050] With the device and agricultural machine according to the invention, a reduction in the required installation space and thus weight can be achieved through the concentric arrangement of the connecting shafts of the parking brake and gear selector. Separate bearings are unnecessary for the outer shaft, as it is held by the inner shaft. This also simplifies assembly.

[0051] Unless otherwise stated in individual cases, the various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another.

[0052] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 an overview of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a second setting of the gear selector in the device Fig. 1, Fig. 3. A detail regarding the connecting shafts for a translation, Fig. 4 a detail regarding the storage of the device Fig. 1, Fig. 5 a detail on the further kinematics of the device from Fig. 1, Fig. 6 a detail on the connecting shafts of the device from Fig. 1, Fig. 7 another detail about the connecting shafts of the device Fig. 1, and Fig. 8 a sensor arrangement on the parking brake Fig. 1.

[0053] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the device 10 according to the invention for the functional integration of the gearshift system and the parking brake system. Details are given in the following sections. Fig. 2 to 8 are executed, to which reference is made at appropriate points. The device is intended for an electrically powered tractor.

[0054] How Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the device 10 according to the invention is formed with a gear selector 20 and a parking brake 50.

[0055] The gear selector 20 is mounted to the vehicle and protrudes into the interior of the agricultural machine, allowing it to be operated by a user seated in the vehicle. The transmission and brakes are located behind the vehicle seat in the agricultural machine (not shown), so the user reaches behind them to operate the gear selector 20 and the parking brake 50.

[0056] In this embodiment, the gear selector 20 is designed to select between two gears. This is described in relation to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 explained, whereby in and after Fig. 2. Only the elements essential for understanding are marked with reference symbols in the figures. This is located in the upper right corner of the Fig. 2. For clarification, a section through the fastening of the gear selector 20 is shown. Fig. 2 shown.

[0057] To select a gear, the gear selector 20 is moved around a horizontal axis so that it can be moved between a first height level 38 and a second height level 40, each of which is assigned to a gear.

[0058] A first kinematic mechanism 24 transmits the setting of the gear selector 20 to its associated connecting shaft 22, which in this embodiment forms the outer of the concentrically arranged connecting shafts 22, 72. This first kinematic mechanism 24 is formed by a pull rod 28, which has opposing threads 30 at its ends. A clevis is arranged at the end of the pull rod 28 facing the connecting shaft 22, which engages a first lug 26 located on the shaft 22. A second lug 34 is arranged at the other end of the shaft 22, belonging to the second kinematic mechanism 32 and realizing the transmission of the gear selection to the transmission (characterized only with respect to direction).

[0059] As can be seen from the comparison of the Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen in section 2, when the gear selector 20 is changed from the first height level 38 ( Fig. 1) to the second altitude level 40 ( Fig. 2) the movement is transferred by means of the first kinematics 24 to the connecting shaft 22 of the gear actuator 20 and from there by means of the second kinematics 32 to the transmission 36, so that a gear change results.

[0060] How Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the length L1 of the tab 26 corresponds to the length L2 of the tab 34 on the connecting shaft 22 of the gear selector 20. To enable switching between more than two gears, the gear selector 20 system can incorporate a transmission mechanism to translate the movement of the gear selector 20 into movement towards the transmission 36. This can be achieved by increasing the length L1 of the tab 26. This provides a greater available travel range for the gear selector 20, along which more than two gears could be selected.

[0061] With reference to Fig. 1 and the Fig. 4 and Fig. Section 5 will now explain the parking brake system 50. The essential components, named below, are made of steel. The parking brake 50 has an actuating lever 52 with which the parking brake 50 can be applied. This actuating lever 52, like the gear selector 20, is also fixed to the vehicle interior of the agricultural machine, located laterally behind the driver.

[0062] The setting of the actuating lever 52 is transmitted to the connecting shaft 72 of the parking brake 50 by means of a third kinematic mechanism 54, formed by a pull rod 56 and a lever 58. The lever 58 is stiffened against twisting by means of a rib 60 formed on it. The connection between the pull rod 56 and the lever 58 is made by means of a clevis 62. The engagement of the third kinematic mechanism 54 with the connecting shaft 72 takes place at one end of the connecting shaft 72.

[0063] The connecting shaft 72 is held by means of two bearings 74. The bearings 74 are each bolted to the body 100 of the agricultural machine (bolted connection 75). A recess is provided in the body 100 for the passage of the connecting shaft 72 of the parking brake 50. The shaft 72 is designed as a hollow shaft ( Fig. 7).

[0064] At each of the two ends of the connecting shaft 72, a further kinematic mechanism 64 is arranged, which transmits the setting of the parking brake 50, transmitted to the connecting shaft 72 by means of the third kinematic mechanism 64, to the brakes 80 and their associated kinematic mechanisms 82. The brakes 80 and their associated kinematic mechanisms 82 can be selected arbitrarily, provided they can be actuated by means of the kinematic mechanisms 54, 64 shown.

[0065] The further kinematics 64 are each formed with a lever 68, which is stiffened with a rib 60, and a pull rod 66, which interacts with the kinematics 82 of the brakes by means of a clevis 70 ( Fig. 5) The pull rod 66 is guided through a passage in the lever 68 and secured at its free end by means of a nut and a lock nut. This fastening can also be secured against unintentional loosening with a pin or a spring clip. In this case, the pull rod 66 is designed as a threaded rod to allow connection with the clevis head 70 and locking with the nuts.

[0066] When the parking brake is applied, after the setting is transmitted to the connecting shaft 72, the lever (referring to Fig. 5) is pulled to the left, and moves the pull rod 66 with it as soon as it reaches its detent. When the parking brake 50 is released, the lever 60 is reset and the pull rod 66 is pulled through the guide into its starting position by the restoring forces of the brakes 80.

[0067] However, in order to reduce wear when the parking brake is applied and to enable application with low resistance, the area of ​​the pull rod 66, which is moved by the passage of the lever 68, is covered with a shrink tube 77.

[0068] Furthermore, two disc springs 76 are provided in the area of ​​the locking mechanism of the drawbar 66. These are intended to adjust the available travel when applying the parking brake 50. In addition, these disc springs 76 can absorb twisting during the application of the parking brake 50 and compensate for uneven load distribution. Thus, adjustments can be made to the further kinematic mechanism 64 at the right end of the connecting shaft 72 ( Fig. 1) two of these disc springs 76 are provided, as in Fig. 5 shown, and at the in Fig. 1 left further kinematics 64 four disc springs 76.

[0069] As can already be seen in several figures, the connecting shafts 22 and 72 are arranged concentrically, with the connecting shaft 22 of the gear selector 20 at least partially enclosing the connecting shaft 72 of the parking brake 50. The space between the two shafts 22, 72 is filled with a lubricant. To prevent this lubricant from leaking out, sealing caps 78 are arranged at the ends of the connecting shaft 22 ( Fig. 6 and Fig. 7) They also prevent dirt and / or water from entering the space between the shafts 22 and 72.

[0070] To prevent the shafts 22 and 72 from unintentionally shifting laterally relative to each other, clamping rings 42 are arranged at the ends of the connecting shaft 22 of the gear adjuster 20, each of which is arranged and clamped in recesses 44 in the area of ​​the ends of the outer connecting shaft 22 in the outer radius of the connecting shaft 72 ( Fig. 7). Fig. Figure 7 also shows that sliding bearings 44 can be provided in the end regions of the outer shaft 22 between this shaft and the inner connecting shaft 72 to facilitate the movement of the concentrically arranged shafts 22, 72 around each other. The sliding bearings can be made of brass or bronze.

[0071] To monitor the setting of the actuating lever 52 of the parking brake 50, a sensor is provided in the area of ​​the actuating lever 52. For this purpose, Fig. Reference is made to Figure 8. There, the actuating lever 52 is shown in a released position 52.1 and a tightened position 52.2. An angle bracket 86 is arranged on the actuating lever 52, the positions of which are shown: 86.1 when the actuating lever 52.1 is released and 86.2 when the actuating lever 52.2 is tightened.

[0072] With the actuating lever 52.1 released, the angle bracket in its position 86.1 rests against a contact sensor 84 with a ball, thus pressing a ball inside the sensor 84 against a contact, allowing the released state of the actuating lever 52.1 to be detected. When the actuating lever is pulled (position 52.2), the angle bracket in position 86.2 no longer presses the ball inside the ball sensor 84. The absence of contact allows the system to detect that the parking brake is now engaged. Reference symbol list 10 Device 20 gear selectors 22 Connecting shaft of the gear selector 24 first kinematics 26 Tab of the first kinematics 28 pull rod 30 threads 32 second kinematics 34 Tab of the second kinematics 36 gearboxes 38 first altitude level 40 second altitude level 42 clamping ring 44 plain bearings 46 Recess in inner connecting shaft 50 Parking brake 52 operating levers 54 third kinematics 56 pull rod 58 levers 60 rib 62 Fork head 64 more kinematics 66 Pull rod 68 levers 70 Fork head 72 Connecting shaft of the parking brake 74 warehouses 75 screw connection 76 disc springs 77 Heat shrink tubing 78 sealing caps 80 brakes 82 Kinematics associated with the brake 84 Sensors 86 angles 100 bodywork L1, L2 Length of the tabs

Claims

[1] Device (10) for functional integration of a parking brake (50) with a gear selector (20) for an agricultural machine with • a gear selector (20) for selecting one of at least two gears and a connecting shaft (22) of the gear selector (20), a first kinematic mechanism (24) for transmitting a gear request from the gear selector (20) to the connecting shaft (22) of the gear selector (20) and a second kinematic mechanism (32) for transmitting the gear request from the connecting shaft (22) of the gear selector (20) to a gearbox (36) of the agricultural machine, and • a parking brake (50) with an actuating lever (52) and a connecting shaft (72) of the parking brake (50), which is held on both sides in a bearing (74), a third kinematic (54) for transmitting the setting of the actuating lever (52) to the connecting shaft (72) of the parking brake (50) and two further kinematics (64) for transmitting the setting of the parking brake (50) from its connecting shaft (72) to the brakes (80) of the agricultural machine, wherein the connecting shaft (22) of the gear selector (20) and the connecting shaft (72) of the parking brake (50) are arranged concentrically. [2] Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the first kinematics (24) of the gear selector (20) has a pull rod (28), the pull rod (28) engages a first tab (26) arranged on the connecting shaft (22) of the gear selector (20), and the second kinematics (32) engages a second tab (34) arranged on the connecting shaft (22) of the gear selector (20), and by means of the length of the tabs (26, 34) a translation in the movement of the gear selector (20) to a movement in the transmission into the gearbox (36) is set. [3] Device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the drawbar (28) has opposing threads (30) at its ends. [4] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the desired gear setting is to be achieved by transferring an associated height level (38, 40) in the gear selector (20) or by means of such a height level (38, 40) and a lateral movement. [5] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the third kinematics (54) is formed with a pull rod (56) and a lever (58) and the further kinematics (64) are each formed with a further lever (68) and a further pull rod (66), wherein the levers (58, 68) each engage the connecting shaft (72) of the parking brake (50) at their end furthest from the pull rod (56, 66) of the respective kinematics (54, 64). [6] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the concentrically arranged connecting shafts (22, 72) are secured against displacement relative to each other by means of clamping rings (42). [7] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that sealing caps (78) or bellows are arranged at the ends of the connecting shaft (22) of the gear selector (20). [8] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the internal connecting shaft (22, 72) is a hollow shaft. [9] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the connecting shaft (22) of the gear selector (20) and / or the connecting shaft (72) of the parking brake (50) is made of steel, aluminium, a plastic or a fiber-reinforced plastic. [10] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that any possible twisting of the kinematics of the parking brake (50) and / or of its connecting shaft (72) during the transmission of a braking request is compensated by an adjustment of the cross-sections used and / or the use of springs (76). [11] Device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a sensor (84) is provided on the operating lever of the parking brake (50) to monitor the setting of the parking brake (50). [12] Agricultural machine with a device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the agricultural machine is in particular a tractor.

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