Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Interchangeably locked
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-14
2004-04-20
Ho, Ha (Department: 3681)
Machine element or mechanism
Gearing
Interchangeably locked
C074S336001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06722219
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a transmission including devices for controlling and actuating the transmission, as well as a method of operating the transmission.
A transmission in the sense of the present invention is a mechanism that can be shifted in steps or in a continuous, step-less range into different shift positions corresponding to different transmission ratios between two shafts of the transmission. The transmission can be configured as a gear-shifting transmission or a cone-pulley system, or any other transmission that may benefit from the present invention. The transmission can be shifted automatically or manually, or in a partially automatic or automated mode with the possibility of manual intervention. Depending on the design of the transmission, the shifts from one shift position to another may or may not cause an interruption in vehicle traction.
A transmission in the sense of the present invention is configured in particular as an automatic transmission or as an automated shift transmission.
An automatic transmission in the present context is a transmission in which the shifts are controlled automatically and occur without interruption in the tractive force. The term “automatic transmission” in the present context specifically refers to transmissions with a planetary gear mechanism.
The term “automated shift transmission” relates to a transmission that allows automated shifting between different shift positions and is characterized by an interruption in vehicle traction during the shift processes. The automated shift transmission can be equipped with at least one electric motor to actuate the shift movements.
The term “shift transmission” as used in the present context generally relates to a transmission with a track pattern, i.e., a shift pattern with at least one selector track and several shift tracks, with a first shifter element such as a shift finger that is movable along the tracks.
In the context of the present invention, a selector track or shift track can be a physically existing track or a virtual track.
The term “virtual track” refers to an arrangement where a control device or an actuator device generates signals that allow the first shifter element to move or be moved only along certain track-like paths.
A shift track in the sense of the present invention consists either of one branch that runs in one direction essentially from a defined position on the selector track, or two branches that run in opposite directions from a selector position on the selector track. Movement along a shift track brings the first shifter element to a predetermined position in which a predetermined gear level or a predetermined transfer ratio of the transmission is engaged.
A transmission in the sense of the present invention is equipped with an actuator device, i.e., a device that can apply a force to at least one shifter element that is part of a shift mechanism, so that the shifter element is moved in predetermined ways to shift the transmission into different shift positions.
The actuator mechanism contains in particular at least one electric motor. A preferred arrangement has a first motor used as a selector motor to move the first shifter element along the selector track, and a second motor used as a shifter motor to move the first shifter element in the direction of the shift tracks.
A transmission includes a control device which transmits control commands and/or supplies power to the actuator device. The control commands or the power transmitted from the control device determine the nature, timing, duration, direction and intensity of the action to be exerted by the actuator device on the first shifter element. The control command signals can control the actuator device alone, or they can also control a further device such as a clutch, more specifically an automated clutch device. With preference, the signals transmitted from the control device to the actuator device are in the form of electric currents or voltages.
A transmission in the context of the present invention is also equipped with a position-detecting device.
A position-detecting device is a device that can detect a position or a change in position in absolute or relative terms. In particular, the position-detecting device can measure a travel distance or an angle of rotation or a change in distance or angle from one point in time to another.
The position-detecting device can be based on a principle of absolute or relative measurement. The position-detecting device is configured in particular as an incremental position sensor or an angle-detection sensor.
Preferably, an incremental angle-detection sensor is arranged on an electric motor, specifically the aforementioned shifter motor or selector motor.
Automated shift transmissions are known in which a control device transmits output signals in the form of electric voltages to a selector motor and a shifter motor. The signals can have the effect that the selector and shifter motors actuate a shifter shaft which, in turn, causes shift processes to be performed in the transmission. In a transmission of this kind, incremental displacement sensors are arranged at the selector motor and shifter motor to detect position changes and thereby determine the current shift position of the transmission.
The transmissions of the foregoing description are proven in practical use.
Nevertheless, there have been instances of malfunctions in transmissions of this kind. In particular, the malfunctions were related to the gear-shifting process, causing in some cases damage to the transmission, loss of driving comfort in the vehicle equipped with the transmission, or dangerous traffic situations.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention therefore has the objective of providing a transmission, a control device for controlling the transmission, as well as a method of operating the transmission with the purpose of improving operating safety in a simple and cost-effective way and also offering the possibility of improved driving comfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To meet the foregoing objective, the invention proposes a transmission with one or more first shifter elements movable in a track pattern with a selector track and shift tracks and one or more second movable shifter elements. Moving the first and/or second shifter element will set the transmission into different shift positions.
The transmission according to the invention further includes: an actuator device which acts on at least one of the shifter elements, a main position-detecting device to detect the position of one of the movable shifter elements in the directions of the selector track and shift track, and at least one redundant position-detecting device, which can under certain predetermined conditions detect the position of one of the movable shifter elements.
In short, the invention proposes a transmission with a main position-detecting device as well as a redundant position-detecting device.
The main position-detecting device within the context of the present invention is in particular a primary position-detecting device not restricted to any specific configuration.
The shifter mechanism that is part of the transmission has a first shifter element movable in a track pattern, and also a second movable shifter element. Moving at least one of the shifter elements will set the transmission into different shift positions. Specifically, the first shifter element takes the form of a so-called shifter finger, and the second shifter element takes the form of a so-called shifter shaft.
The main position-detecting device, configured in particular as an incremental sensor device, is designed to detect the position of a movable shifter element with regard to the directions of selecting and shifting, i.e., the two coordinates of movement along the selector track and shift tracks.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main position-detecting device indicates the position with a higher degree of accuracy than the redundant position-detecting device.
The invention shows a way t
Berger Reinhard
Gallion Michael
Hauptmann Marc
Vornehm Martin
Zimmermann Martin
Ho Ha
LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
LandOfFree
Transmission, shiftable in a track pattern does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Transmission, shiftable in a track pattern, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Transmission, shiftable in a track pattern will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3200404