A shift fork, a rotating body arrangement, a gearbox, a vehicle and a method for assembly of a rotating body arrangement

Abstract

A shift fork (100) configured to be engageable with a shift sleeve (200) arranged around a rotating body (300) is presented. The shift fork (100) comprises: - two arms (110, 120) forming an opening (130) to receive the shift sleeve (200) and the rotating body (300); wherein each arm (110, 120) comprises: - a mounting rod (111, 121) comprising a groove (112,122); and - a pad (140, 150) being releasably attachable in the groove (112, 122); wherein the pad (140, 150) comprises: - a cut-out (141, 151) comprising two at least partly opposing surfaces (142, 143, 152, 153) configured to fit into the groove (112, 122) and to match the circular cross- section (113, 123) of the groove; - a pad width (WP) matched to a groove width (WG) of the groove (112, 122); - a fastening element (145, 155) configured to secure the pad (140, 150) in the groove (112, 122); and - at least one section (146, 156) being engageable with the shift sleeve (200).

Description

[0001] A SHIFT FORK, A ROTATING BODY ARRANGEMENT, A GEARBOX, A VEHICLE AND A METHOD FOR ASSEMBLY OF A ROTATING BODY ARRANGEMENT

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a shift fork, and more specifically to a shift fork to be utilized in a rotating body arrangement, such as e.g. a gearbox. The present invention further relates to a rotating body arrangement or a gearbox comprising the shift fork, and to a vehicle comprising the rotating body arrangement or gearbox. The invention also relates to a method for assembly of a rotating body arrangement, e.g. a gearbox.

[0004] Background

[0005] The following background description constitutes a description of the background to the present invention, which does not, however, necessarily have to constitute prior art.

[0006] Shift forks may be used in many applications in a vehicle. Shift forks may generally be used for displacing shift sleeves arranged around rotating bodies. Such rotating bodies may be comprised in essentially any rotating gearbox arrangement, and may comprise, for example a gearbox, a main gearbox, a range gear, a split gear, a planetary gear, a power take-off, a retarder and / or a differential gear. As an example, a shift fork may be used in a gearbox for moving one or more shift sleeves in order to engage or disengage gears of the gearbox.

[0007] Brief description of the invention

[0008] Conventional designs of the shift fork only allows two different sequences for assembly of a rotating body arrangement, more specifically two possible sequences for assembly of the shift sleeve and the shift fork around the rotating body. According to a first possible assembly sequence, the shift fork and the shift sleeve are mounted axially around the rotating body. This axial mounting according to the first assembly sequence is only possible to perform if the shift fork and the shift sleeve are mounted together, i.e. at the same time, around the rotating body. Thus, the shift fork and the shift sleeve here have to be assembled together before they are mounted as a combined package around the rotating body. It should be noted that if a conventional shift fork would be axially mounted separately around the rotating body, it would then be impossible to thereafter mount the shift sleeve around the rotating body.

[0009] According to a second possible assembly sequence, the shift sleeve is axially mounted around the rotating body before mounting of the shift fork. Thereafter, i.e. after the shift sleeve has already been mounted, the shift fork may be mounted radially around the rotating body. The radial mounting of the shift fork around the rotating body according to the second possible assembly sequence is, however, only possible after the shift sleeve has already been mounted around the rotating body. Thus, if the shift fork would first be radially mounted around the rotating body, it would thereafter be impossible to mount the shift sleeve around the rotating body.

[0010] Thus, a conventional shift fork either has to be axially mounted around the rotating body together with a shift sleeve, or has to be radially mounted after the shift sleeve has been mounted around the rotating body. It is in other words impossible to assemble all the parts of a rotating body arrangement if the conventional shift fork is mounted around the rotating body before the shift sleeve has been mounted around the rotating body.

[0011] These features of conventional shift forks restrict the assembly possibilities for the rotating body arrangements, and also cause increased mounting time and / or costs associated with assembly of rotating body arrangements.

[0012] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a shift fork such that these problems are at least partly solved.

[0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, this objective is achieved through the above-mentioned shift fork. The shift fork is configured to be engageable with a shift sleeve arranged around a rotating body to displace the shift sleeve in an axial direction of the rotating body; wherein the shift fork comprises:

[0014] - two arms together forming an opening configured to receive the shift sleeve and the rotating body therein; wherein each arm comprises:

[0015] - a mounting rod at a distal end of the arm, the mounting rod extending in an axial direction of the rotating body and comprising a groove around the mounting rod, such that the mounting rod has a smaller circular cross-section in the groove than of outside the groove; and

[0016] - a pad being releasably attachable in the groove; wherein the pad comprises:

[0017] - a cut-out comprising two at least partly opposing surfaces configured to fit into the groove of the mounting rod and to match the circular cross-section of the groove;

[0018] - a pad width matched to a groove width of the groove;

[0019] - a fastening element configured to secure the pad in the groove; and

[0020] - at least one section being engageable with the shift sleeve.

[0021] The presented shift fork provides for an improved flexibility for the assembly of a rotating body arrangement comprising the rotating body, the shift sleeve and the shift fork. Especially, it is made possible to first assemble / mount the shift fork around the rotating body, and to thereafter assemble / mount the shift sleeve and engage the shift fork with / to the shift sleeve.

[0022] It should be noted that the shift sleeve can only be mounted axially around the rotating body, since the shift sleeve is ring-shaped and enclose the rotating body. However, the pads of the presented shift fork, being releasably attachable in the grooves of the mounting rods and also being configured to engage with the shift sleeve, provides the flexibility of the assembly order of the shift sleeve and the shift fork, since the shift sleeve may be mounted when the shift fork is already in place.

[0023] Thus, the presented shift fork makes it possible to change the assembly order of the shift fork and the shift sleeve in a way that was not possible for conventional shift forks. In some situations, it may save time, and therefore also costs, to assemble / mount the shift sleeve only after the shift fork has been assembled / mounted, which is made possible with the presented shift fork.

[0024] The rotating body arrangement may be a large and / or complex vehicle component, for example be a gearbox of some kind. To be able to, depending on the situation and / or the component at hand, vary the assembly order of the shift sleeve and the shift fork, such that the order becomes suitable for the current situation and specific component, may speed up the assembly process considerably. For example, if the rotating body arrangement is a gearbox, it may comprise multiple shift sleeves that should be engaged with the shift fork, such that they can be simultaneously shifted by the shift fork. For such complex rotating body arrangements, at least one shift sleeve has to be mounted around the rotating body after the shift fork has been mounted, because otherwise some parts of the gearbox that have to be mounted axially, such as e.g. a planetary gear or some other type of gear, and / or one or more retaining rings or the like, would be impossible to assemble.

[0025] The presented shift fork, comprising the releasably attachable pads, facilitates assembly of such complex rotating body arrangements, because the shift fork and possibly also one or more further shift sleeves may first be mounted. Thereafter, other parts of the rotating body arrangement, such as some kind of gear and / or one or more retaining rings or the like are mounted axially. Finally, the shift sleeve is mounted and engaged with the shift fork to complete the assembly. Of course there could be more mounting steps and further parts to assemble than here mentioned. However, as is clear for a skilled person, only the parts of the rotating body arrangements needed for explaining the shift fork are mentioned in this document.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0027] - the cut-out is U-shaped; and

[0028] - the two at least partly opposing surfaces are parallel surfaces of the U-shaped cutout, the parallel surfaces being configured at a distance from each other matching a groove diameter of the circular cross-section of the groove.

[0029] The U-shaped cutout, having a diameter matching / corresponding to the diameter of the circular cross-section of the groove, provides for a tight fit of the pad in the groove, and also provides for a large contact area between the pad, i.e. the U- shaped cutout of the pad, and the groove of the mounting rod. The U-shaped cutout also provides for a simple and quick mounting of the pad on the mounting rod. Thus, a simplified assembly resulting in a strong and robust releasable attachment of the pad to the mounting rod is provided.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pad is configured to be inserted radially into the groove of the mounting rod. The radial insertion of the pad into the groove facilitates for the sleeve being possible to mount and engage with the shift fork after the shift fork has been mounted.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fastening element is configured to extend through openings of a first and a second leg forming a II- shaped inner pad surface, such that the fastening element and the U-shaped inner pad surface together form a confined space matched to the groove diameter.

[0032] Hereby, the groove, and thus the mounting rod, is enclosed by the pad and the fastening element. More in detail, the groove of the mounting rod is enclosed in the confined space created by the U-shaped inner pad surface and the fastening element, which is matched to the groove diameter. Hereby, the pad is securely attached to the mounting rod.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fastening element comprises one in the group of:

[0034] - a screw screwed into a thread configured in the openings of one of the first and second legs of the pad;

[0035] - a screw and a nut;

[0036] - a spiral pin;

[0037] - a retaining clip;

[0038] - a wire

[0039] - a parallel pin;

[0040] - a spring pin; and

[0041] - a clevis pin and a retaining clip.

[0042] Thanks to the herein described matching designs of the cut-out of the pad and the groove, the fastening element does not have to be very strong. The task of the fastening element is primarily to hold the pad in the groove, i.e. to secure that the pad does not fall out of the groove. The forces on the pad are primarily axially directed, and the fastening element will thus not experience any heavy forces. Therefore, the fastening element may be flexibly chosen depending on the application.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a width difference between the groove width and the pad width is less than or equal to a width difference threshold value, such that the pad is tightly fitted into the groove. Hereby, the pad is securely and robustly fitted / attached in the groove of the mounting rod, i.e. the pad is safely attached to the shift fork. Also, the production costs and the complexity of the assembly of the pad on the mounting rod may be chosen.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the width difference threshold value is one in the group of:

[0045] - a value in an interval of 1 / 100 to 50 / 100 mm;

[0046] - a value in an interval of 1 / 100 to 30 / 100 mm;

[0047] - a value in an interval of 1 / 100 - 5 / 100 mm;

[0048] - a value in an interval of 5 / 100 - 30 / 100 mm;

[0049] - a value of 0 mm; and

[0050] - a value of < 0 mm.

[0051] By a suitable choice of the width difference threshold value, the fit of the pad in the groove and its stability / robustness may be chosen depending on the application. Also, the production costs and the complexity of the assembly of the pad on the mounting rod may be chosen by the choice of width difference threshold. Larger values for the width difference threshold results in a less complicated assembly and lower production costs for the pad and the mounting rod, but also in less stability / robustness for the fit. Smaller values for the width difference threshold, on the other hand, possibly results in a more complicated assembly and higher production costs for the pad and the mounting rod, but also in better stability / robustness for the fit.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a diameter difference between a groove diameter of the circular cross-section of the groove and a distance between the two at least partly opposing surfaces is less than or equal to a diameter difference threshold value, such that the pad is tightly fitted around the circular cross-section of the groove.

[0053] Hereby, the pad is securely and robustly fitted / attached in the groove of the mounting rod, i.e. the pad is safely attached to the shift fork. Also, the production costs and the complexity of the assembly of the pad on the mounting rod may be chosen.

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter difference threshold value is one in the group of: - a value in an interval of 1 / 100 to 30 / 100 mm;

[0055] - a value in an interval of 5 / 100 - 20 / 100 mm;

[0056] - a value of 0 mm; and

[0057] - a value of < 0 mm.

[0058] By a suitable choice of the diameter difference threshold value, the fit of the pad in the groove and its stability / robustness may be chosen to match the application. Also, the production costs and the complexity of the assembly of the pad on the mounting rod may be chosen by the choice of diameter difference threshold. Larger values for the diameter difference threshold results in a less complicated assembly and lower production costs for the pad and the mounting rod, but also in less stability / robustness for the fit. Smaller values for the diameter difference threshold, on the other hand, possibly results in a more complicated assembly and higher production costs for the pad and the mounting rod, but also in better stability / robustness for the fit.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pad is releasably attachable in the groove by one in the group of:

[0060] - a press fit of the pad in the groove;

[0061] - a clearance fit of the pad in the groove.

[0062] By utilizing press fit, a tight, robust and strong fit of the pad in the groove is provided, such that the pad is firmly attached to the mounting rod. When clearance fit is utilized, the assembly is easier and faster. The shift sleeve is by the press fit or clearance fit engaged with the pad, and it thus also engaged with the shift fork via the pad, such that the shift fork can move / shift / displace the shift sleeve.

[0063] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one section of the pad is configured to be insertable into a notch of the shift sleeve.

[0064] Hereby, the shift sleeve is securely engaged with the pad, and thus which the shift fork, such that the shift sleeve may be moved / shifted / displaced in both axial directions by the shift fork.

[0065] According to an aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned objective is achieved through a rotating body arrangement comprising: - a rotating body comprised in, or comprising, one in the group of:

[0066] -- a gearbox;

[0067] -- a main gearbox;

[0068] -- a range gear;

[0069] -- a split gear;

[0070] -- a planetary gear;

[0071] -- a power take-off;

[0072] -- a retarder; and

[0073] -- a differential gear;

[0074] - a shift sleeve arranged around the rotating body; and

[0075] - a herein described shift fork.

[0076] The rotating body arrangement has the advantages mentioned above for the shift fork. Thus, a flexible shift fork is provided, which is usable in in a large number of applications and / or systems, e.g. in a vehicle.

[0077] According to an aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned objective is achieved through a gearbox comprising:

[0078] - a planetary gear;

[0079] - a shift sleeve arranged around at least a part of the planetary gear; and

[0080] - a herein described shift fork.

[0081] The gearbox has the advantages mentioned above for the shift fork.

[0082] According to an aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned objective is achieved through a vehicle comprising:

[0083] - a herein described rotating body arrangement; or

[0084] - a herein described gearbox.

[0085] The vehicle has the advantages mentioned above for the shift fork.

[0086] According to an aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned objective is achieved through a method for assembly of a rotating body arrangement comprising:

[0087] - a rotating body,

[0088] - a shift sleeve arranged around the rotating body, and

[0089] - a herein described shift fork; the method comprising the following steps, performed in the following order:

[0090] - receiving the rotating body in the opening of the shift fork;

[0091] - after the rotating body has been received in the opening, axially mounting the shift sleeve around the rotating body; and

[0092] - engaging two releasable pads of the shift fork with the shift sleeve by attaching one releasable pad in the groove of each of the two arms of the shift fork.

[0093] The method has the advantages mentioned for the shift fork above. The shift fork is here first assembled / mounted around the rotating body, and thereafter the shift sleeve is assembled / mounted and engaged with the shift fork. Thus, an assembly order of the shift fork being mounted before the shift sleeve is made possible, which was impossible for conventional shift forks. Hereby valuable assembly time may be saved.

[0094] For complex rotating body arrangements, such as e.g. gearboxes possibly comprising multiple shift sleeves, the presented assembly method makes an efficient and fast assembly of the rotating body arrangements possible.

[0095] According to an embodiment, the rotating body is received in the opening of the shift fork by one in the group of:

[0096] - radially mounting the shift fork around the rotating body; and

[0097] - axially mounting the shift fork around the rotating body.

[0098] Hereby, the flexibility of the assembly of the rotating body arrangement is further increased.

[0099] Brief list of figures

[0100] Embodiments of the invention will be illustrated in more detail below, along with the enclosed drawings, where similar references are used for similar parts, and where:

[0101] Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example vehicle, in which aspects and embodiments of the present invention may be implemented,

[0102] Figures 2a-c schematically illustrate perspective views of a shift fork according to some embodiments, Figures 3a-d schematically illustrate perspective views of a pads and fastening arrangements according to some embodiments,

[0103] Figures 4a-c schematically illustrate perspective, axial and cross-sectional views of some parts of a rotating body arrangement according to some embodiments,

[0104] Figures 5a-c schematically illustrate perspective, axial and cross-sectional views of some parts of a rotating body arrangement according to some embodiments,

[0105] Figures 6a-b schematically illustrate side and cross-sectional views of some parts of a rotating body arrangement according to some embodiments,

[0106] Figure 7 schematically illustrates a flow chart diagram for a method according to some embodiments, and

[0107] Figures 8a-d schematically illustrate perspective views of various assembly steps of a method according to some embodiments.

[0108] Description of preferred embodiments

[0109] Figure 1 schematically shows an exemplary heavy vehicle 500, for example a truck or a bus, which will be used to explain the herein presented embodiments. The embodiments are, however, not limited to use in vehicles as the ones shown in figure 1 , but may also be used in lighter vehicles, such as cars or other types of vehicles. Actually, the herein presented shift fork may be used for shifting a shift sleeve in essentially any rotating body arrangement, both onboard and offboard vehicles.

[0110] A vehicle 500, as shown schematically in Figures 1 , comprises multiple wheels, of which at least one pair is drive wheels 503, 504. The vehicle 500 furthermore comprises a powertrain 502 configured to transfer a torque between at least one power source 501 , such as e.g. at least one electric machine or a combustion engine, or a combination of a combustion engine and at least one electric machine, implementing a so-called hybrid drive, to the at least one pair of drive wheels 503, 504.

[0111] The torque provided by the power source 501 may be provided to the at least one pair of drive wheels 503, 504 via a differential gear 505, and drive shafts connected with the differential gear 505. The torque is provided to the differential gear 505 from the at least one power source 501 via a gearbox 507. If the power source 501 is a combustion engine or a combination of a combustion engine and at least one electric machine, the powertrain may comprise a coupling positioned between the power source 501 and the gearbox 507. If the power source 501 is at least one electric machine, the coupling may be omitted in the power train 502.

[0112] The vehicle 500 may comprise a retarder 508, arranged for providing an auxiliary braking force on the powertrain 502. The retarder 508 may, according to some embodiments, be arranged at, or adjacent to, the gearbox 507.

[0113] The vehicle may further comprise a power take off (PTO) arrangement 509 providing torque to an auxiliary equipment / entity, for example via a torque providing shaft coupled to the powertrain 502, as schematically illustrated in figure 1.

[0114] The vehicle 500 obviously comprises a large number of components and features. However, in figure 1 , only the components / features / arrangements / units / devices / entities / apparatuses of the vehicle useful for understanding the present invention are schematically illustrated.

[0115] Figures 2a-c schematically illustrate perspective views of a shift fork 100 according to some embodiments. The shift fork 100 comprises two arms 110, 120 together forming an opening 130 therebetween. The two arms 110, 120 are designed such that the opening 130 formed by the two arms 110, 120 is configured to receive a shift sleeve 200 and a rotating body 300 therein, as schematically illustrated e.g. in figures 4a-c, 5a-c and 6a-b.

[0116] Each one of the two arms 110, 120 comprises a mounting rod / bar / stick / pole 111 , 121 at a distal end of the arm 110, 120, i.e. at the distal end of the arm 110, 120 being opposite to a proximal / central end where the two arms 110, 120 are coupled together. The mounting rod 111 , 121 extends in an axial direction A of the rotating body 300, as illustrated in figures 2b and 6a. The mounting rod 111 , 112 comprises a circumferential groove / trench 112 ,122 configured around the mounting rod 111 , 121 , such that the mounting rod 111 , 121 has a smaller circular cross-section 113, 123 in the groove 112, 122 than of outside the groove. Each arm 110, 120 further comprises a pad / wear plate 140, 150 being releasably attachable in the groove 112, 122, as illustrated for one pad 150 in figures 2a-c. As illustrated in figures 3a-d, each pad 140, 150 comprises a cut-out 141 , 151 comprising two at least partly opposing surfaces 142, 143, 152, 153 configured to fit into the groove 112, 122 of the mounting rod 111 , 121 and to match the circular cross-section 113, 123 of the groove.

[0117] The pad 140, 150 has a pad width WP, illustrated e.g. in figures 3c, 4c and 5c, which is matched to a groove width WG of the groove 112, 122, illustrated in figures 4c and 5c. The pad 140, 150 further comprises a fastening element 145, 155 configured to secure the pad 140, 150 in the groove 112, 122. The pad 140, 150 also comprises at least one section 146, 156, e.g. an outer surface, being engageable with the shift sleeve 200, as illustrated in figures 2a-c, 3a-d, 4a-c, 5a-c and 6a-b. It should be noted that the at least one section 146, 156 may have essentially any shape and / or form being engageable with the shift sleeve. Thus, the outer surfaces of the pads 140, 150 do not have to have the shape and / or form as in the examples schematically illustrated in figures 2a-c, 3a-d, 4a-c, 5a-c and 6a-b.

[0118] Hereby, the shift fork 100 is, by the releasably attachable pads 140, 150 configured to be engageable with a shift sleeve 200 arranged around a rotating body 300 to displace the shift sleeve 200 in an axial direction A of the rotating body 300.

[0119] According to an embodiment, the cut-out 141 , 151 of the pad 140, 150 is essentially U-shaped and has the two at least partly opposing surfaces 142, 143, 152, 153 formed as parallel surfaces of the U-shaped cut-out 141 , 151 . Thus, the two legs of the U-shape form the two at least partly opposing surfaces 142, 143, 152, 153, as illustrated in figures 3a-d and 6a-b. The parallel surfaces are configured / arranged at a distance DP from each other, illustrated in figure 3d, wherein the distance DP between the parallel surfaces match a groove diameter DG of the circular crosssection 113, 123 of the groove, illustrated in figures 4c, 5c and 6a-b.

[0120] According to an embodiment, a diameter difference DD between the groove diameter DG of the circular cross-section 113, 123 of the groove and the distance DP between the two at least partly opposing surfaces 142, 143, 152, 153; DD = DG - DP; is less than or equal to a diameter difference threshold value DDth; DD < DDth. Hereby, the pad 140, 150 is tightly fitted around the circular cross-section 113, 123 of the groove 112, 122.

[0121] According to an embodiment, the diameter difference threshold value DDth, which is thus also a maximal value for the diameter difference DD between the groove diameter DG of the circular cross-section 113, 123 of the groove and the distance DP between the two at least partly opposing surfaces 142, 143, 152, 153, has a value in an interval of 1 / 100 to 30 / 100 mm, has a value in an interval of 5 / 100 - 20 / 100 mm, , has a value of 0 mm, or has a value of < 0 mm, i.e. is less than zero.

[0122] As schematically illustrated in figures 2a-c, the pad 140, 150 is, according to an embodiment, configured to be inserted radially into the groove 112, 122 of the mounting rod 111 , 121.

[0123] According to an embodiment, schematically illustrated in figures 3a-d and 6a-b, the fastening element 145, 155, e.g. a screw or anther suitable fastening arrangement, is configured to extend through openings 147, 148, 157, 158 of a first and a second leg forming a U-shaped inner pad surface 149, 159. Hereby, the fastening element 145, 155 and the U-shaped inner pad surface 149, 159 together form a confined space matched to the groove diameter DG.

[0124] According to an embodiment, schematically illustrated in figures 3c, 4c and 5c, a width difference DW between the groove width WG and the pad width WP; DW = WG - WP; is less than or equal to a width difference threshold value DWth; DW < DWth. Hereby, the pad 140, 150 is tightly fitted into the groove 112, 122.

[0125] According to an embodiment, the width difference threshold value DWth; which is thus also a maximal value for the width difference DW between the groove width WG and the pad width WP is a value in an interval of 1 / 100 to 50 / 100 mm, is a value in an interval of 1 / 100 to 30 / 100 mm, is a value in an interval of 1 / 100 - 5 / 100 mm, is a value in an interval of 5 / 100 - 30 / 100 mm, is a value of 0 mm, or is a value of < 0 mm, i.e. is less than zero.

[0126] According to an embodiment, the shift fork 100 is releasably attachable in the groove 112, 122 by a clearance fit of the pad 140, 150 in the groove 112, 122. For example, the clearence fit is here provided by the diameter difference threshold value DDth being larger than zero; DDth > 0; and / or the width difference threshold value DWth being larger than zero; DWth > 0.

[0127] According to an embodiment, the shift fork 100 is releasably attachable in the groove 112, 122 by a press fit of the pad 140, 150 in the groove 112, 122. The press fit, sometimes also called interference fit, is here provided by the above mentioned values for the diameter difference threshold value DDth and / or the width difference threshold value DWth being smaller than zero. Thus, a press fit of the shift fork 100 in the groove, i.e. of the pad 140, 150 in the groove 112, 122, may be achieved by the diameter difference threshold value DDth having a value of zero; DDth < 0; and / or by the width difference threshold value DWth having a value of zero; DWth < 0.

[0128] According to an embodiment, the pad 140, 150 and / or the mounting rod 111 , 121 are heated and / or cooled in connection with the fitting of the pad 140 / 150 into the groove 112, 122, in order to achieve the press fit.

[0129] The herein described fastening element 145, 155 being utilized for securing the pad 140, 150 in the groove 112, 122 may be essentially any type of fastening element, which may extend through the pad 140, 150 and possibly also engage with the circular cross-section 113, 123 of the groove 112, 122, such that the pad 140, 150 is firmly held in the groove 112, 122.

[0130] For example, the herein described fastening element 145, 155 may comprise a screw being screwed into a thread configured in an opening 147, 148, 157, 158 in one of the first and second legs of the pad 140, 150, as illustrated in figures 3a-d. The herein described fastening element 145, 155 may also comprise a screw and a nut, a spiral pin, a retaining clip or a wire. Also, essentially any suitable type of pin-lock may used as a fastening element 145, 155, such as e.g. a parallel / cylindical pin, a spring pin, and / or a clevis pin and a retaining clip.

[0131] According to an embodiment, schematically illustrated in figures 4a-c, the at least one section 146, 156, e.g. the at least one outer surface of the pad 140, 150, is configured to be insertable into, and to engage with, a notch 210 of the shift sleeve 200. Hereby, the shift sleeve 200 may be shifted in both axial directions A around the rotating body 300, i.e. may be shifted back and forth in the axial direction.

[0132] According to an embodiment, schematically illustrated in figures 5a-c, the at least one section 146, 156 of the pad, e.g. the at least one outer surface of the pad, is configured to be engaged against a rim / lip 211 of the shift sleeve 200. Hereby, the shift sleeve 200 may be shifted in one axial direction A around the rotating body 300.

[0133] The at least one section 146, 156 may have essentially any shape and / or form being suitable for engagement with the shift sleeve 200, i.e. with the notch 210 or rim / lip 211 of the shift sleeve 200. Thus, the outer surfaces of the pads 140, 150 do not have to have the shape and / or form as in the examples schematically illustrated in figures 4a-c and 5a-c. For example, the at least one section 146, 156 may be nonstraight, e.g. may be concavely or convexly curved / shaped, towards the shift sleeve 200, i.e. towards the notch 210 or rim / lip 211 .

[0134] According to an aspect, a rotating body arrangement 505, 507, 508, 509 is presented. The rotating body arrangement 505, 507, 508, 509 comprises a shift sleeve 200 arranged around a rotating body 300 and a herein described a shift fork 100. The rotating body arrangement 505, 507, 508, 509 may according to various embodiments comprise the rotating body 300 as being comprised in, or comprising a gearbox 507 of some kind, for example including a main gearbox, a range gear, a split gear and / or a planetary gear. The rotating body 300 may also be comprised in, or may comprise a power take-off 509, a retarder 508 and / or a differential gear 505.

[0135] According to an aspect, a gearbox 507 is presented. According to an embodiment, the gearbox 507 comprises a planetary gear, a shift sleeve 200 arranged around at least a part of the planetary gear, and a herein described shift fork 100. According to some embodiments, the gearbox 507 comprises other types of gears than planerary gears or a combination of planetary gears and other types of gears, a shift sleeve 200, and a herein described shift fork 100.

[0136] According to an aspect, a vehicle 500 is presented. The vehicle 500 comprises a rotating body arrangement 505, 507, 508, 509, as described above, or a gearbox 507 according as described above. The above described shift fork 100 makes it possible to assemble the rotating body arrangement 505, 507, 508, 509 in other sequences than was possible for conventional shift forks.

[0137] Figure 7 illustrates a flow chart for an assembly method 400 for a rotating body arrangement 505, 507, 508, 509, such as e.g. a gearbox, comprising a herein described shift fork 100. Thus, the rotating body arrangement 505, 507, 508, 509 comprises a rotating body 300, a shift sleeve 200 arranged around the rotating body 300, and a shift fork 100 as described in this document. Figures 8a-d schematically illustrate some parts of the rotating body 300, the shift sleeve 200 and the shift fork 100 for some stages of the assembly method 400.

[0138] Figure 8a illustrates the rotating body 300, the shift sleeve 200 and the shift fork 100 before the assembly has started.

[0139] Step 410 of figure 7 and figure 8b and illustrate the first step 410 of the method 400, which is the step of receiving 410 the rotating body 300 in the opening 130 of the shift fork 100. Thus, after the first step 410 has been performed, the shift fork 100 is arranged around the rotating body 300, as illustrated in figure 8b.

[0140] According to an embodiment, the rotating body 300 is received in the opening 130 of the shift fork 100 by radially mounting the shift fork 100 around the rotating body 300. According to another embodiment, the rotating body 300 is received in the opening 130 of the shift fork 100 by axially mounting the shift fork 100 around the rotating body 300. Thus, the shift fork 100 may be either radially or axially mounted on the rotating body 300 in the first step 410.

[0141] Then, after the first step 410 has been performed, i.e. after the rotating body 300 has been received 410 in the opening 130 of the shift fork 100, the shift sleeve 200 is in a second step 420 illustrated in figure 8c axially mounted around the rotating body 300. Thus, after the second step 420, both the rotating body 300 and the shift sleeve 200 are arranged in the opening 130 of the shift fork 100, as shown in figure 8c.

[0142] Then, in a third step 430, two releasable pads 140, 150 of the shift fork 100 are engaged with the shift sleeve 200. As illustrated in figure 8d, one releasable pad 140, 150 is here attached in the groove 112, 122 of each one of the two mounting rods 111 , 121 of the two arms 110, 120 of the shift fork 100.

[0143] Thus, thanks to the pads 140, 150 being releasably attachable to the shift fork 100, it is possible to first mount the shift fork 100 around the rotating body 300, and to after that mount the shift sleeve 200 around the rotating body and engage the shift sleeve 200 with the shift fork 100 via the pads 140, 150.

[0144] In other words, a flexible assembly order of the rotating body arrangement is provided by the herein presented shift fork 100, which allows mounting of the shift sleeve 200 after the shift fork 100 has been mounted. This is made possible by the pads 140, 150 being releasably attachable to the shift fork 100, thereby also engaging the shift fork 100 with the shift sleeve 200.

[0145] The present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments. Instead, the present invention relates to, and encompasses all different embodiments being included within the scope of the independent claims.

Claims

Claims1 . A shift fork (100) configured to be engageable with a shift sleeve (200) arranged around a rotating body (300) to displace the shift sleeve (200) in an axial direction (A) of the rotating body (300); wherein the shift fork (100) comprises:- two arms (110, 120) together forming an opening (130) configured to receive the shift sleeve (200) and the rotating body (300) therein; wherein each arm (110, 120) comprises:- a mounting rod (111 , 121 ) at a distal end of the arm (110, 120), the mounting rod (111 , 121 ) extending in an axial direction (A) of the rotating body (300) and comprising a groove (112 ,122) around the mounting rod (111 , 121 ), such that the mounting rod (111 , 121 ) has a smaller circular cross-section (113, 123) in the groove (112, 122) than of outside the groove; and- a pad (140, 150) being releasably attachable in the groove (112, 122); wherein the pad (140, 150) comprises:- a cut-out (141 , 151 ) comprising two at least partly opposing surfaces (142, 143, 152, 153) configured to fit into the groove (112, 122) of the mounting rod (111 , 121 ) and to match the circular cross-section (113, 123) of the groove;- a pad width (WP) matched to a groove width (WG) of the groove (112, 122);- a fastening element (145, 155) configured to secure the pad (140, 150) in the groove (112, 122); and- at least one section (146, 156) being engageable with the shift sleeve (200).

2. The shift fork (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein- the cut-out (141 , 151 ) is U-shaped; and- the two at least partly opposing surfaces (142, 143, 152, 153) are parallel surfaces of the U-shaped cut-out (141 , 151 ), the parallel surfaces being configured at a distance (DP) from each other matching a groove diameter (DG) of the circular crosssection (113, 123) of the groove.

3. The shift fork (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 -2, wherein the pad (140, 150) is configured to be inserted radially into the groove (112, 122) of the mounting rod (111 , 121 ).

4. The shift fork (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 -3, wherein the fastening element (145, 155) is configured to extend through openings (147, 148, 157, 158) of a first and a second leg forming a U-shaped inner pad surface (149, 159), such that the fastening element (145, 155) and the U-shaped inner pad surface (149, 159) together form a confined space matched to the groove diameter (DG).

5. The shift fork (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fastening element (145, 155) comprises one in the group of:- a screw screwed into a thread configured in the openings (147, 148, 157, 158) of one of the first and second legs of the pad (140, 150);- a screw and a nut;- a spiral pin;- a retaining clip;- a wire- a parallel pin;- a spring pin; and- a clevis pin and a retaining clip.

6. The shift fork (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 -5, wherein a width difference (DW) between the groove width (WG) and the pad width (WP) is less than or equal to a width difference threshold value (DWth), such that the pad (140, 150) is tightly fitted into the groove (112, 122).

7. The shift fork (100) as claimed claim 6, wherein the width difference threshold value (DWth) is one in the group of:- a value in an interval of 1 / 100 to 50 / 100 mm;- a value in an interval of 1 / 100 to 30 / 100 mm;- a value in an interval of 1 / 100 - 5 / 100 mm;- a value in an interval of 5 / 100 - 30 / 100 mm;- a value of 0 mm; and- a value of < 0 mm.

8. The shift fork (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 -7, wherein a diameter difference (DD) between a groove diameter (DG) of the circular cross-section (113, 123) of the groove and a distance (DP) between the two at least partly opposing surfaces (142, 143, 152, 153) is less than or equal to a diameter difference threshold value (DDth), such that the pad (140, 150) is tightly fitted around the circular cross-section (113, 123) of the groove (112, 122).

9. The shift fork (100) as claimed claim 8, wherein the diameter difference threshold value (DDth) is one in the group of:- a value in an interval of 1 / 100 to 30 / 100 mm;- a value in an interval of 5 / 100 - 20 / 100 mm;- a value of 0 mm; and- a value of < 0 mm.

10. The shift fork (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 -9, wherein the pad (140, 150) is releasably attachable in the groove (112, 122) by one in the group of:- a press fit of the pad (140, 150) in the groove (112, 122);- a clearance fit of the pad (140, 150) in the groove (112, 122).11 . The shift fork (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 -9, wherein the at least one section (146, 156) of the pad is configured to be insertable into a notch (210) of the shift sleeve (200).

12. A rotating body arrangement (505, 507, 508, 509) comprising:- a rotating body (300) comprised in, or comprising, one in the group of:-- a gearbox;-- a main gearbox;-- a range gear;-- a split gear;-- a planetary gear;-- a power take-off;-- a retarder; and-- a differential gear;- a shift sleeve (200) arranged around the rotating body (300); and- a shift fork (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 -12.

13. A gearbox (507) comprising:- a planetary gear;- a shift sleeve (200) arranged around at least a part of the planetary gear; and- a shift fork (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 -12.

14. A vehicle (500) comprising:- a rotating body arrangement (505, 507, 508, 509) according to claim 12; or- a gearbox (507) according to claim 13.

15. A method (400) for assembly of a rotating body arrangement (505, 507, 508, 509) comprising:- a rotating body (300),- a shift sleeve (200) arranged around the rotating body (300), and- a shift fork (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1-11 ; the method (400) comprising the following steps, performed in the following order:- receiving (410) the rotating body (300) in the opening (130) of the shift fork (100);- after the rotating body (300) has been received (410) in the opening (130), axially mounting (420) the shift sleeve (200) around the rotating body (300); and- engaging (430) two releasable pads (140, 150) of the shift fork (100) with the shift sleeve (200) by attaching one releasable pad (140, 150) in the groove (112, 122) of each of the two arms (111 , 121 ) of the shift fork (100).

16. The method (400) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the rotating body (300) is received in the opening (130) of the shift fork (100) by one in the group of:- radially mounting the shift fork (100) around the rotating body (300); and- axially mounting the shift fork (100) around the rotating body (300).

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