Gear-changing device and associated mobility device.

Abstract

The invention relates to a gear-changing device (20) for a mobility device (1) comprising: a selector shaft (40) in which a shuttle (41) and a worm gear (21) are disposed; three input gears (50, Fri) arranged to rotate freely around the selector shaft (40); three output gears (60, Fi) fixed for rotation to a hollow shaft (80); a gear-changing actuator (70) arranged to move the shuttle (41) along the worm gear (21) between three positions and engage a selected gear; the device comprising at least one series of three pawls arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis (X2) of the selector shaft (40); each pawl (42) being associated with a lifting device (43) for lifting the pawl via the shuttle (41) and engaging the selected gear via the input and output gears. output. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: 5.

Description

Title of the invention: Gear changing device and associated mobility device.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of gear-changing devices, and more particularly to a gear-changing device for a mobility device using at least one electric propulsion, and for example an electric-assisted bicycle.

[0002] During the operation of a mobility device, a driving force is transmitted to the wheels via a crank system rotating around a bottom bracket axle which drives the rear wheel generally by a chain.

[0003] Gear-changing devices for mobility equipment are already known in the prior art. These gear-changing devices comprise a gearbox in which a shuttle is configured to, during its movement, position itself under a gear of a selected ratio and engage that ratio via a ratchet. Such a device requires numerous parts. Its manufacture and maintenance are complex.

[0004] The present invention therefore aims to overcome one or more of the drawbacks of prior art devices by proposing a simplified transmission assembly for mobility equipment.

[0005] To this end, the present invention proposes a gear-changing device for a mobility device comprising: - a selection shaft in which a shuttle and a worm gear are arranged, - three input pinions arranged to rotate freely around the selector shaft, - three output gears fixed in rotation to a hollow shaft - a gear change actuator arranged to move the shuttle along the worm gear between three positions, and engage a selected ratio,

[0006] the device comprising at least a series of three pawls arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis of the selection shaft, each pawl being associated with a lifting device allowing the pawl to be lifted via the shuttle, and the selected ratio to be engaged via the input and output gears.

[0007] Such a number of pawls allows for optimization of the machine.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gear change device comprises two sets of three pawls arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis of the selection shaft.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the series of pawls are arranged at 180 degrees to each other around the selection shaft.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device includes a radial locking system, formed in one piece, to hold all the pawls in place on the selection shaft.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking system is formed of a longitudinal flat part from which three tabs extend, each of the tabs being positioned above one of the pawls.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises three input and output pinions, three pawls and three tabs.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the radial locking system includes a positioning tab.

[0014] The invention also relates to a mobility device, in particular an electrically assisted mobility device, comprising a gear-changing device according to the invention.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device is an electrically assisted bicycle

[0016] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be better understood and will become more apparent upon reading the description given below, with reference to the accompanying figures, given by way of example and in which: - Figure [1] is a view of a mobility device according to one aspect of the invention, - [Fig.2] illustrates the transmission assembly of the mobility device of [Fig.1], - Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of part of the transmission assembly according to one embodiment of the invention, - Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another part of the transmission assembly according to one embodiment of the invention, - Figure 5 is an elevational view of the ratchet system according to the invention. - Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a ratchet system according to the invention. - Fig. 7 is an elevation view of the housing closure system a gear-changing device according to the invention, or according to another embodiment of the invention. - [Fig.8] is a cross-sectional view of part of the output shaft.

[0017] Figure 1 illustrates a mobility device 1 according to one aspect of the invention. The device 1 is here an electrically assisted bicycle comprising an electric motor 2. The electric motor 2 is arranged to provide part of the propulsion of the device.

[0018] The bicycle comprises at least two wheels 3, 3' to which a driving force is supplied, via two pedals rotating around a bottom bracket axle with axis Xp [Fig.2] which drives the rear wheel for example by a chain, or any other means of transmission during its use.

[0019] The device 1 also includes a control unit 4 and several sensors 5, 5', 5”, located for example at the level of the pedal assembly, on the frame of the bicycle or at the level of a wheel 3, 3'.

[0020] The device 1 shown herein also includes an energy storage device in the form of a battery 6, a lighting system 7, a crankset 8 with axle Xp [Fig. 2], a localization and / or navigation system 90, and a human-machine interface system 91 comprising, in particular, a touchscreen capable of displaying information and / or responding to user requests. The human-machine interface system 91 is specifically connected to the localization system 90 and serves as a navigation interface. The invention is not limited to a particular human-machine interface system and may include any system known to those skilled in the art.

[0021] The wheels 3, 3' are equipped with a braking system 31, including disc brakes 32.

[0022] The vehicle 1 comprises a transmission assembly 10 illustrated [Fig.2]. The transmission assembly 10 includes an automatic gear-changing device 20 according to the invention and the electric motor 2 to provide part of the power for the propulsion of the vehicle 1.

[0023] According to a first variant of the invention, the device has 3 speeds.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the transmission assembly 10 is at least partly housed in a casing 30 here positioned at the level of the pedal assembly 8 whose axis Xp coincides with the output axis Xv of the gear changing device 20.

[0025] In the context of the invention, the gear change device 20 illustrated [Fig.2] to [Fig.4] comprises three ratios.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gear change device 20 illustrated [Fig.3] and [Fig.4] comprises 3 ratios distributed between a first ratio called ratio n°1 and a higher ratio called ratio n°3.

[0027] According to one embodiment of this first variant, the gear change device 20 comprises a series 60 of three output pinions with reference axis X from Fi to F3, fixed in rotation to a hollow shaft 80 [Fig.8] and a series 50 of three input pinions with reference axis X from FRi to FR3, arranged to rotate freely around the selection shaft 40.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the selection shaft 40 illustrated [Fig.3] to [Fig.6] houses a shuttle 41 surrounding a worm gear 21 of the speed change device 20.

[0029] The device 1 according to the invention, comprises a speed change actuator 70 arranged to move the shuttle 41 along the worm screw 21 by a helical kinematic linkage, between 3 positions from Pi to P3 and engage a selected ratio.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the speed change actuator 70 comprises electrical means for moving the shuttle 41, in the form of a geared motor. This includes a motor 81 and a gearbox 82.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the geared motor also includes a pinion 22 on the axis of the worm gear 21, an intermediate pinion 22' and a pinion 22'" on the axis Xm of the motor 81. The teeth of the pinions 22, 22', 22" can be straight as illustrated or helical in a variant not illustrated.

[0032] The rotational guidance of the worm screw 21 is, for example, ensured by means of bearings at each of its ends.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the shuttle 41 is configured so that, during its movement, it positions itself under the pinion of the selected gear and engages that gear. According to one embodiment of the invention, the gear-changing device 20 comprises a series of three pawls arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis X2 of the selector shaft 40.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gear change device 20 comprises at least a series of three pawls arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis X2 of the selection shaft 40.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gear change device 20 comprises two sets of three pawls arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis X2 of the selection shaft 40.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the series are arranged at 180 degrees to each other around the selector shaft 40. This reduces the number of parts compared to the prior art. The pawls 42 have a shape configured to cooperate with the input pinions Fri. The pawls 42 are arranged in recesses 420 formed on the selector shaft 40. Each pawl 42 is associated with a lifting device, and for example a ball 43, visible [Fig. 5] and [Fig. 6], disposed in a bore 430 of the inner shaft, protruding inside the inner shaft, positioned under each pawl 42 so as to be able to lift it via the shuttle 4L

[0037] Thus, during a change of speed ratio, the worm gear 21 is driven in rotation by the speed change actuator 70, causing the axial movement of the nut 210 of the worm gear 21, which drives the shuttle 41. The shuttle 41 is positioned under the input pinion Fr, corresponding to the selected ratio i, which is then blocked in rotation by one of the pawls 42, and meshes with the corresponding output pinion.

[0038] In the context of the invention, to hold the pawls 42 in place in their housing, the gear-shifting system includes at least one radial locking system 44 formed in one piece. That is to say, a system 44 that holds the pawls 42 pressed into their housing, while allowing them to be lifted by means of the ball 43 and the shuttle 41. The radial locking system 44 is formed in one piece. This facilitates its assembly and manufacture and reduces costs.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking system 44 comprises a longitudinal flat part 440.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the system 44 comprises three tabs 441 in the case of a three-speed device.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the tabs 441 are formed from a first edge 442, parallel to the axis Xb of the locking system 44, of the flat part 440 and oriented perpendicularly with respect to the axis Xb of the locking system 44. The locking system 44 in rotation thus forms a comb with flattened and spaced teeth.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flat part 440 is inserted, via a second edge 443 opposite that 442 where the tabs 441 are located, into a longitudinal groove 45, parallel to the axis of the shaft, formed in the selection shaft 40.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, this second edge 443 is folded towards the shaft 40 to fit into the groove 45.

[0044] The locking system 44 is arranged on the selection shaft 40 so that each tab 441 is positioned on a ratchet 42.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, each ratchet 42 has a recess 421 whose shape is complementary to that of the tongue 441 so that the tongue 441 is housed in the recess 421, and does not move when the ratchet is locked.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotation-locking device 44 comprises a positioning tab 446. This positioning tab 446 is disposed on the second edge 443 inserted in the groove 45. This tab 446 cooperates with an additional housing 445 of complementary shape to that of the positioning tab 446 formed in the selection shaft 40. This positioning tab 446 allows the tabs 441 of the device to be centered above the pawls 42.

[0047] The rotation locking system 44 thus exerts on each pawl 42 a pressure, or clamping force, sufficient to lock the pawl 42 in the housing 421 while allowing it to be lifted by the shuttle 41.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gear change system comprises at least two rotation locking systems 44 arranged to lock two sets of pawls.

[0049] Thus, during the operation of the mobility device, the shuttle 41 allows the selected ratio to be selected, which will engage an input pinion Fri via a ratchet 42 and be blocked in rotation by means of the rotation blocking system 44.

[0050] The input pinion Fri then meshes with an output pinion Fi.

[0051] If the machine 1 runs in a ratio i, without changing it, the worm screw 21 does not turn.

[0052] During a change of speed ratio, the worm gear 21 is driven in rotation by the gear shift actuator 70 causing the axial movement of the nut 210 of the screw 21 which drives the shuttle 41 and thus allows the gear change. Thanks to the pivot joint thus created, the rotational movement of the worm screw 21 is transformed into the translational movement of the shuttle 4L

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, a stop 211, 211' limits at each end the movement of the shuttle 4L. According to another embodiment of the invention, the movement of the shuttle is controlled by a position sensor.

[0054] According to an embodiment not illustrated, the shuttle 41 is able to take a position called neutral position PO for which no speed ratio is engaged.

[0055] The assembly is arranged in a housing illustrated [Fig. 7] with a first face 100.

[0056] The housing 30 comprises a casing 301 defining a first compartment 302 arranged to house the gears of the speed-changing device 20. The casing 301 also defines several second compartments, distinct from one another. The compartments 303, 304, 305, and 306 are arranged to house, respectively, the electric motor 2, the reduction gear 82, the speed-changing actuator 70, and the control unit 4 of the mobility device. The second compartments are preferably sealed, in particular the one arranged to contain the control unit 4. This first face 100 is closed by a hood or cover type closure system.

[0057] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the details given above and allows for embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the field of application of the invention. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration and may be modified without, however, departing from the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

Demands

1. A gear-changing device (20) for a mobility device (1) comprising: - a selector shaft (40) in which a shuttle (41) and a worm gear (21) are disposed, - three input gears (50, Fri) arranged to rotate freely about the selector shaft (40), - three output gears (60, Fi) rotationally fixed to a hollow shaft (80), - a gear-changing actuator (70) arranged to move the shuttle (41) along the worm gear (21) between three positions and engage a selected gear, characterized in that it comprises at least one series of three pawls arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis (X2) of the selector shaft (40), each pawl (42) being associated with a lifting device (43) for lifting the pawl via the shuttle (41) and engaging the gear select via the input and output gears.

2. Gear changing device (20) according to claim 1, the gear changing device 20 comprises two sets of three pawls arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis X2 of the selection shaft 40.

3. Gear-changing device (20) according to claim 2, wherein the sets of pawls are arranged at 180 degrees to each other around the selector shaft (40)

4. Gear-changing device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a radial locking system (44), formed in one piece, for holding all the pawls (42) in place on the selector shaft (40).

5. Gear change device (20) according to claim 4, wherein the locking system (44) is formed of a longitudinal flat part (440) from which extend three tabs (441), each of the tabs (441) being positioned above one of the pawls (42).

6.

7.

8.

9. Gear changing device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising three input (50) and output (70) gears, three pawls (42) and three tabs (441). Gear change device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the radial locking system (44) includes a positioning tab (446). Mobility device (1), in particular electrically assisted mobility device, comprising a gear-changing device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims. Mobility device according to claim 8, wherein the device (1) is an electrically assisted bicycle.

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