Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlled elements
Patent
1987-07-09
1989-07-18
Braun, Leslie A.
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlled elements
180 8914, 180336, B60K 2012
Patent
active
048481785
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a National Phase application of PCT/EP86/00673, filed Nov. 21, 1986, and based upon Luxembourg application Ser. No. PCT/EP85/00652 filed Nov. 28, 1985 under the International Convention.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Our present invention relates to a remote shift arrangement for the shifting of gears in motor vehicle transmission of the type which has a remote shift bracket fastened in the vehicle equipped with a shift lever, a shift rod array consisting of shift rods and articulations, preferably universal joints, which transmit the shift motions to a shift arrangement (e.g. a rotary input shaft) of a shift transmission, and support or idler arm bearings for the support of the shift rod array in the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Shift arrangements of this type are known, particularly for urban and long-distance buses, where the shift rod array has to extend over relatively great distances and where due to obstacles, such as axles, luggage compartments, and gas tanks, the shift rod array must be deviated in vertical as well as horizontal directions.
The steadily increasing utilization of the space below the floor of such buses, particularly long-distance buses, causes an ever increasing number of changes of direction in the shift rod array and thus ever more bearing locations. These bearings are preferably plain bearings for the axial displacement and rotary motion, e.g. with plastic bushings.
With increasing numbers of changes of direction and, therewith, in the number of bearing locations, friction also increases and stiffness decreases. Such remote shift arrangements require therefore high shifting forces and result in shift arrangements which are hard to operate and have poor indexing of the selected speeds.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an improved remote shift arrangement which will facilitate operation and increase the stiffness of the shifting path and thus convenience of shifting and efficiency as well as reliability of shifting with the least possible construction cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by providing the shift rod array with at least one idler arm bearing with an idler arm movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and which is journaled on the vehicle (e.g. by a bearing bracket, and tie rod end) and with its head or opposite tie rod end rotatably connected to the shift rod array. This makes possible a limited rotary and longitudinal motion of the shift rod array.
The use of idler arms for the support of the shift rod array reduces friction considerably, particularly when the shift rod array, as in modern long-distance buses, has several articulations and deviates relatively greatly from a straight-line connection from the remote shift bracket to the rotary input shaft on the transmission. Thus, comparative measurements of mechanical eficiency of 55% in customary remote shift arrays have shown improvement to 98% with sliding bearings.
By the use of a generallly known tie rod end, which is manufactured in large numbers, in the idler arm, a simple and economical solution is attained, particularly since this tie rod can be used as manufactured, without any modification.
An optimization of efficiency is attained when for the limited excursion of the idler arm from center position (i.e. for shifting of the transmission into "neutral" or extreme positions for certain speeds), ball bearings are built in between the idler arm and the fixed bearing bracket.
Tie rod ends can also be used as bearing brackets in connection with idler arms formed as forks because the oscillating motion is relatively small.
When the connecting cone of the tie rod end is centrally fastened in a corresponding bore in the connecting flange of a universal joint, e.g. in known manner with a nut secured on a threaded stud, then the tie rod end can be passed easily over the open linkage portion. The shift rods can then be formed in known man
REFERENCES:
patent: 2137337 (1938-11-01), Gemmer
patent: 2390711 (1945-12-01), Holmstrom
patent: 2468316 (1949-04-01), Waters
patent: 2669316 (1954-02-01), Schjolin
patent: 2854088 (1958-09-01), Dence
patent: 3978737 (1976-09-01), Hobbensiefken et al.
patent: 4206826 (1980-06-01), McMillen et al.
patent: 4582161 (1986-04-01), Nilsson
489, 490, 491; Reparatur Anleitung, Volvo 240, Sept. 1976, Querschnit durch die Motor-Technik.
Fuhrer Gerd
Heller Hubert
Anchell Scott
Braun Leslie A.
Dubno Herbert
Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
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