Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Interchangeably locked
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-19
2001-11-20
Estremsky, Sherry (Department: 3681)
Machine element or mechanism
Gearing
Interchangeably locked
C074S331000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318197
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a speed changeable gear drive apparatus, more particularly to a speed changeable gear drive apparatus for transmitting a drive of an output shaft of an electrically powered motor to drive a wheeled vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional motorcar includes a mechanical drive apparatus for transmitting a drive of an output shaft of an electrically powered motor to a differential gear device to drive the wheel axles of the motorcar. Moreover, a motor frequency changer is provided to control the rotary speed of the output shaft of the electrically powered motor. However, the motor frequency changer is expensive and is liable to cause damage after a long term of use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a speed changeable gear drive apparatus which can transmit a drive of an output shaft of an electrically powered motor while dispensing with the need for using a motor frequency changer.
According to this invention, the speed changeable gear drive apparatus includes a pair of frame supports which are spaced apart from each other in an axial direction such that a drive shaft is journalled thereon with a first axis oriented in the axial direction. The drive shaft is adapted to couple with and is driven by an output shaft to rotate about the first axis. First and second driving gears respectively have first and second teeth in different number, and are mounted in tandem on the drive shaft so as to be rotatable therewith. A driven shaft with a second axis is disposed parallel to the drive shaft to be journalled relative to the frame supports, and includes left and right end portions and an intermediate portion interposed therebetween. A first driven gear is mounted on the left end portion, and is rotatable with the driven shaft. The first driven gear has a first rim portion with third teeth thereon to mesh with the first teeth, and a first hub portion which includes a first outer annular wall radially spaced apart from the first rim portion, and a first inner annular wall opposite to the first outer annular wall radially. The first inner annular wall is disposed around and is spaced apart from the left end portion so as to define an annular coupling area. A plurality of first spline members are disposed on the first inner annular wall of the first driven gear and are angularly displaced from one another. An annular bearing member has an inner annular race sleeved on and rotatable with the first outer annular wall, and an outer annular race opposite to and rotatable relative to the inner annular race and spaced apart from the first rim portion radially to define an annular accommodation area. A second driven gear is mounted on the intermediate portion of the driven shaft, and includes a second rim portion with fourth teeth formed thereon to mesh with the second teeth of the second driving gear, and a second hub portion which includes a second inner annular wall radially opposite to the second rim portion, and a second intermediate annular portion interposed between the second rim portion and the second inner annular wall. An annular anchoring member is disposed to be coaxial to and extends from the second intermediate annular portion of the second hub portion and towards the first driven gear and into the annular accommodation area so as to be sleeved on and be rotatable with the outer annular race of the annular bearing member. A plurality of second spline members are disposed on the second inner annular wall of the second hub portion and are angularly displaced from one another. An annular coupling member is sleeved on and is retainingly shiftable relative to the driven shaft along the second axis. The annular coupling member includes an output end portion adapted to drive a wheeled vehicle, and a splined end portion spaced apart from the output end portion along the second axis. As such, when the annular coupling member is shifted to a first position or a second position by a shifting member, the splined end portion is coupled with the first spline members or with the second spline members so as to transmit the drive of the first driving gear or the second driving gear to the output end portion.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5000057 (1991-03-01), Tseng
patent: 5297450 (1994-03-01), MacPherson
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Estremsky Sherry
Lewis Tisha D.
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