WO2006050773A1

WO2006050773A1 - Actuation device for controlling the gear change of a motor vehicle gear box

Info

Publication number: WO2006050773A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/010659
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nader Vafai; Jörg Remse
Original assignee: Voith Turbo Gmbh & Co.Kg
Priority date: 2004-11-09
Filing date: 2005-10-04
Publication date: 2006-05-18
Also published as: DE102004054258B3

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuation device which is used to control the gear change of a vehicle gearbox. Said actuation device comprises a selection axis (3) which can carry out translatory and/or rotatory movements, an actuation element (4) which is mechanically coupled to the selection axis, a housing (6) wherein the actuation element is mounted and guided in a displaceable manner and a gear box assistance device (9). The inventive actuation device, which is used to control the gear change of a vehicle gear box, is characterised by the following characteristics: the gear box assistance device comprises a drive motor (10) which is arranged in the housing of the actuation device and is mechanically connected to the actuation element, and a control device (15) which is associated with the gearbox assistance, said control device being coupled to the regulating device of the drive motor, and comprises a device which is used to detect at least one variable characterising, at least indirectly, the actuation of the actuation element and is used to generate a signal which is to be processed in the control device in order to generate a regulating signal for the regulating device.

Description

Actuator for controlling the gear change of a

Motor vehicle transmission

The invention relates to an actuating device for controlling the gear change of a motor vehicle transmission, in particular for use in commercial vehicles and buses, wherein the gear change transmission comprises a switching axis that can perform translational movements for the selection of the switching path and a rotating movement for switching, in detail with the features the preamble of claim 1.

A generic actuating device is previously known from the document EP 0 876 562 B1. This includes an actuating element which is mechanically or via other power transmission means connected to the switching axis. The switching operation still works relatively directly, but the operating forces increase due to the larger number of bearings for the coupling mechanism. The actuator is thereby exposed to movements in different directions of movement in a shift gate, namely at least to the left or right to select the gear shift and forward and reverse to shift the gear change. It is known to transmit these movements from the actuator to the gear change transmission via corresponding power transmission means. In the embodiment described in the document EP 0 876 562 B1, the transmission takes place via a plurality of Bowden cables, which are claimed exclusively on train. Conceivable, however, are other options. All versions have in common, however, that the forces are transmitted from the actuator directly to the switching axis and at spatially remote arrangement of the actuator from the transmission here alone due to the long transmission paths and the variety of storage and leadership opportunities very high forces must be applied to the control, to be able to implement this movement directly into a movement of the switching axis. Depending on the installation situation can thus with the same actuator and same transmission configuration different sensations regarding the applied switching forces are caused. Furthermore, a stiffness of the actuator also represents a significant security risk, in particular, there is also the possibility that the

Actuator springs back by itself in a certain position.

Actuators for controlling the gear change in motor vehicle transmissions are also known from the following publications:

DE 199 00 820 A1

EP 0692 658 A1

US 2002/0124669 A1.

The document DE 199 00 820 A1 discloses a servo

A transmission supporting apparatus for a manual transmission comprising a shift lever connected to a shift operation member of a transmission by means of a transmission means for transmitting a shift movement, and a servo drive for moving the shift operation member. The servo assisting device is a

Assigned control device for controlling the servo drive, wherein the shift lever is movable against the force of a spring means in its two opposite actuating directions.

A further embodiment of a servo-assisted actuating device for controlling the gear change is previously known from the document US 2002/0124669 A1. In this embodiment, the switching signal is converted to the shift lever in an electronic signal, which in turn is used to control the actual power transmission means on the transmission.

In this embodiment, actuators, power transmission means and gear are executed in dissolved construction and spatially separated arranged and coupled to each other via corresponding ones of the connecting elements.

From the document EP 0692 658 A1 an embodiment of a

Actuator already known, which transmits the selection of the actuator directly via Bowden cables to the corresponding transmission means. This embodiment is based on the purely mechanical transmission of the predetermined signal via the actuator and is thus in part only relatively difficult to operate.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a way of switching support, which allows to operate the actuator with low operating forces in a variety of installation situations, regardless of the spatial distance of the switching axis of

Actuator. The solution according to the invention should be characterized by a low design effort.

The solution according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

According to the invention, the actuating device for controlling the gear change of a vehicle transmission comprises a shift assistance device, which comprises a drive machine, which in the housing of the

Actuator is arranged and is mechanically connected to the actuating element. The switching support device is associated with a control device, which is at least indirectly characterizing the movement of the actuating element size, or an intentional movement of the actuating element at least indirectly characterizing size, ie directly descriptive or indirectly descriptive of a functional relationship or proportional size in a manipulated variable for controlling the drive machine in the form of a servo drive implements. The connection of the drive machine of the shift assistance device is preferably carried out within the housing of the actuator. This allows very short distances and a direct connection. To further reduce the required

Supporting forces, however, can be provided outside the housing a connection which requires long leverage correspondingly small support forces from the side of the drive machine to optimally support the actuation of the actuator. In this case, it is possible to fall back on very small-sized servo drives with a constant or only slightly enlarged housing of the actuating device.

The solution according to the invention makes it possible, regardless of the arrangement of the actuating device, in particular the actuating element in the vehicle and the vehicle transmission always with the lowest possible actuation force to realize the switching operation.

At least one of the following can be understood as meaning the variables which at least indirectly characterize the actuation of the operating element, wherein these are indicated at the beginning, that is to say at the beginning. H. Initiation of the operation of the control element and / or during actuation, d. H. be recorded delayed in time;

- The actuation - for example, movement direction, actuating travel and / or angle descriptive sizes

- the quantities describing the intensity - for example speed

In order to ensure support until placement, the variables characterizing these are also determined during actuation. In this case, either the entire actuation path is monitored or a part which already clearly characterizes the desired gear to be engaged and thus the complete actuation path. With regard to the arrangement of the control device there are a variety of possibilities. This can be arranged both in the housing of the actuator, on the housing of the actuator as well as in spatial distance from this. In the simplest case, this can be a simple transmission element which converts the actuating signal on the actuating element directly into a manipulated variable for the drive machine. However, it is also conceivable direct control, in particular in terms of size, in which case additionally the movement of the actuating element and the intensity of the movement is detected. In the latter possibility, this may be a control device associated with the control device or in a remote location arrangement, this function can also be taken over by an existing anyway in the vehicle control device. The corresponding signals can be transmitted electronically or wirelessly.

With regard to the specific embodiment in the connection between the drive machine and the actuating element there are a variety of possibilities. In the simplest case, a coupling mechanism is selected, which is designed in terms of its design so that with small

Supporting forces as high as possible moments can be transmitted to the actuator.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the solution according to the invention is used for an actuating device according to claim 11. This is a particularly advantageous embodiment, which is characterized in power transmission only by the application of tensile forces.

The solution according to the invention is explained below with reference to figures. The following is shown in detail: Figures 1a and 1b illustrate in a schematically simplified representation of the basic structure and the basic principle of an inventively designed actuator;

Fig. 2a u. 2b illustrated in a schematic representation the structure of a particularly advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention;

Fig. 3a and 3b illustrate in a schematic representation of the structure of a further particularly advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention.

Figure 1 a illustrates in a schematically simplified representation of the basic structure and the basic function of an inventively designed actuator 1 for controlling the gear change in a vehicle transmission 2, comprising a switching axis 3, which can perform a translational and / or rotational movement. The actuating device 1 in this case comprises an actuating element 4 in the form of a shift lever or shift lever 5. This is mechanically connected to the shift axis 3. The actuating device 1 further comprises a housing 6, in which the actuating element 4 is movably mounted or guided. The housing 6 has for this purpose an opening 7, which is preferably carried out so that the movements of the shift lever 5 are not hindered. Therefore, a shift gate 8 would not necessarily be required.

For this purpose, the actuating element 4 is rotatable depending on the embodiment and / or tiltable and / or slidably mounted in the axial direction. The individual movements described for individual switching operations can also be superimposed on each other. According to the invention, a shift assistance device 9 is provided, which comprises a drive machine 10, which is mechanically coupled to the activation element 4, wherein the attachment preferably takes place here within the housing 6. This means that depending on Embodiment of the connection between the drive shaft 11 of the engine 10 and the actuator 4 is also a corresponding coupling 12 is provided. In the simplest case, the design of the coupling 12 takes the form of a simple lever mechanism 19. As the drive machine 10, an electric motor 14 is usually used, which takes over the function of a servomotor, due to the performance to be used on standard used in trucks wiper motors or similar standard products In particular, motors with a similar power range can be used. As already stated, the drive machine 10 is integrated in the housing 6 and stored there. The control takes place via a control device 15, which may be in the form of a control unit or, in the case of an embodiment with a spatially distant arrangement of the components required for the realization of the control function, may also be designed as a virtual control device 15.

The control device 15 in the form of the control unit is integrated directly in the housing 6. Also conceivable is an arrangement on the housing 6 or in spatial distance to this. These further possibilities are shown in FIG. 1a in a schematically simplified representation with a broken line. The drive machine 10 is associated with an adjusting device 16, which may be, for example, a device for controlling the power supply or the like. This adjusting device 16 is controlled via the control device 15, that is, either electronically or wirelessly coupled with this. Further, a device for detecting an actuation of the actuating element 17 is provided on the actuating element 4, which is preferably in the form of a signal generator and generates a corresponding signal for the control device 15, wherein on the basis of at least this signal, a drive of the drive machine 10 takes place. As already stated, the connection between the drive machine 10, in particular the drive shaft 11 and the

Actuator 4, be executed in various ways. In the simplest case, a coupling structure in the form of a coupling mechanism 18 is selected, which is the Drive machine 10, in particular the drive shaft 11, connects to the actuating element 4. Depending on the arrangement of the drive machine 10, at least one rotational movement is always to be converted into a translatory or tilting movement or, in the case of a vertical design of the axis of the drive shaft 11, an additional deflection is required for the axis A _{4 of} the actuating element 4. In the simplest case, this is ensured as shown in Figure 1 a via a lever mechanism 19 which connects the actuating element 4 with the drive machine 10. The solution according to the invention makes it possible to support a switching movement of the actuating element 4. The necessary manual forces for bridging the synchronization of the transmission 2 are thus additionally electrically assisted, whereby a very simple solution was constructively found here.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1a, the connection of the switching support device 9 is carried on the actuating element 4 within the housing 6. It is also conceivable, however, according to the configuration of the actuating element 4 and the storage in the housing 6, a coupling of the connection between the engine 10 and the Actuator 4 outside the housing. 6

The inventive solution of the combination of an actuating element 4 with a switching support device 9 is not limited to a specific embodiment of an actuator 1. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, however, the shift assist device 9 is designed with an actuating device 1.2 according to FIG. 1b in a highly schematized embodiment and according to FIGS. 2a and b and 3a and 3b. In these, the control device 15 and the prime mover 10 are integrated in the housing 6.

FIG. 2 a illustrates a view from the front on the basis of a first embodiment of the switching device, while FIG. 2 b shows a view from the rear. The entire actuator is 1.2 designated. The arrangement of the switching support device 9 is shown only very heavily schematized in broken lines. This comprises, as already stated, an actuating element 4.2, which is rotatably coupled to a block 20, which in turn is rotatably mounted in the housing 6.2 of the device. The axis lines 21 and 22, around which a respective hook-shaped element 23 and the block 20 can rotate, intersect at a 90 degree angle. The hook-shaped element 23 comprises two coupling points 24 and 25 which lie on both sides of the axis line 21 about which they can rotate. The block 20 is provided with a coupling point 26 located on the axis line 21 about which the coupling points 24 and 25 can rotate, but on the other side of the axis line 22 as the coupling points 24 and 25. The coupling points 24 and 25 are over two Bowden cables 27 and 28 connected to the coupling points 29 and 30, which are arranged on a structural part 31 which is rotatably connected to a structural part 32 which is fixedly connected to a switching axis 3 of a change gear 2, not shown. The structural part 31 is rotatably connected to a reaction rod 33, which is coupled at its other end 34 to the housing of the gear change transmission, not shown. The connected to the switching axis 3 construction part 32 is provided on its other side of the axis line and the switching axis 3 with a lever 35 which in turn has a coupling point 36, wherein the coupling point connected to the actuator 26 via a third Bowden cable 37 connected to the coupling point 36 is. To tension the outer pull of the third Bowden cable 37 in the pulling direction of the inner cable all trains are biased in their pulling direction, so that a game in the system can be fully compensated. Evident here is further the arrangement of the drive machine 10, as well as the coupling mechanism 18 with the actuator 4.2. The functioning of the device is as follows:

In order to select the correct switching path, the actuating element 4.2 according to FIG. 1a is moved to the right, for example, with the hook-shaped element 23 also rotates to the right and the coupling point 24 goes up while the coupling point 25 goes down. The coupling point 26 remains in place, because this is located on the axis of rotation 21. Since the movements of the coupling points 24 and 25 via the Bowden cables 27 and 28 to the

Coupling points 29 and 30 are transmitted, the structural member 31 will rotate clockwise about its point of rotation. Because the construction part 31 is rotatably connected to a fixed element 38, the point of rotation or the axis of rotation 39 of the construction part 31 will go upwards and the switching axis will also be moved upward. Moving the actuator 4.2 in a different direction, that is, for example, to the left, the coupling point 24 is moved downward and the coupling point 25 upwards, which movements are transmitted via the Bowden cables 27 and 28 in turn to the coupling points 29 and 30. The construction part 31 then experiences a rotational movement in the counterclockwise direction, which results from the fact that the rotation axis 39 goes downwards and thus moves downwards onto the switching axis 3, that is to say in the vertical direction. If the actuator 4.2 moves forward or backward, thereby the block 20 will rotate about the axis line 22, wherein the coupling point 26 is moved upwards or downwards, which movement over the Bowden cable 37 to the

Coupling point 36 is forwarded. This has the consequence that the coupling point 36 is moved forward or backward, whereby then the switching axis 3 is set in a rotational movement. Simultaneously with the upward or downward movement of the coupling point 26, the coupling points 24 and 25 also move downward or upward, which movements transmitted via the Bowden cables 27 and 28 to the coupling points 29 and 30 on the structural part 31, which then also moves forward or backward and doing a rotational movement about the axis line of the switching axis 3 executes. To recognize in the figures 2a and 2b is in a schematically simplified representation of the arrangement of the control device, in particular of the control unit 15 and the prime mover 10 and their coupling with the actuator 4.2. With this switching element support device 9 is Thus, created a power amplifier, which can be very low, the forces exerted by the driver on the actuator 4.2 forces, as these are transmitted via the Schaltelemeηtunterstützungseinrichtung 9 in addition to the Bowden cables 27 and 28.

An analogous embodiment, but with the views made in the exchange of the Bowdenzuganschlussanordnung, is shown in Figures 3a and 3b. FIG. 3 a illustrates, on the basis of a representation according to FIG. 1 b, the basic principle of the solution according to the invention in a modified actuating device 1.2, which operates on the basic principle of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 a, 2 b. To recognize here is also the integration of the switching support device 9 in the housing and also the arrangement of the control device 15 at least partially, preferably completely in the housing. FIG. 3 b illustrates in detail the detail based on a view according to FIG

Structure of the actuator 1.2. Since this works on the same basic principle as in FIGS. 2a, 2b, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements. The function will not be discussed separately. In this regard, reference is made to the comments on the figures 2a, 2b.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the shift assistance device 9 is preferably completely integrated in the housing for guiding and supporting the actuating element 4. Designs in dissolved construction, ie at least partially arranged outside of the housing elements are also conceivable LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1.2 actuator

2. Vehicle transmission

3. Switching axis

4, 4.2 actuator

5 gear sticks

6 housing

7 opening

8 shift gate

9 shift assist device

10 prime mover

11 drive shaft

12 coupling

13 auxiliary scene

14 electric motor

15, 15 ', 15 ", control device

16 adjusting device

17 Device for recording the operation of the

actuating element

18 coupling mechanism

19 lever mechanism

20 block

21 axis line

22 axis line

23 hook-shaped element

24 coupling point

25 coupling point

26 coupling point

27 Bowden cable

28 Bowden cable 29 coupling point

30 coupling point

31 construction part

32 construction part

33 reaction rod

34 end

35 lever

36 coupling point

10 37 Bowden cable

38 stationary element

39 rotation axis

Claims

claims

First actuating device (1, 1.2) for controlling the gear change of a vehicle transmission (2), comprising a switching axis (3) which can perform translational and / or rotational movements;

1.1 with an actuating element (4, 4.2) which is mechanically coupled to the switching axis (3);

1.2 with a housing (6) in which the actuating element (4, 4.2) is mounted and movably guided;

1.3 with a shift assistance device (9); characterized by the following features:

1.4 the shift assistance device (9) comprises a drive machine (10) which is arranged in the housing (6) of the actuating device (1, 1.2) and is mechanically connected to the actuating element (4, 4.2);

1.5 with one of the shift assistance device (9) associated control device (15) which is coupled to the adjusting device (16) of the drive machine (10);

1.6 with a device for detecting at least one, the actuation of the actuating element (4, 4.2) at least indirectly characterizing

Size and for generating a signal for processing in the control device (15) for generating an actuating signal for the actuating device (16).

Second actuating device (1, 1.2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (15) in the housing (6) is arranged.

3. actuating device (1, 1.2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (15) on the housing (6) is arranged.

4. actuator (1, 1.2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (15) is arranged at a spatial distance from the housing (6, 6.2).

5. actuating device (1, 1.2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the drive machine (10) via a coupling mechanism (18) with the actuating element (4.2) is connected.

6. actuating device (1, 1.2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (18) is designed as a lever mechanism (19).

7. actuating device (1, 1.2) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the connection of the coupling mechanism

(18) to the actuating element (4, 4.2) within the housing (6).

8. actuating device (1, 1.2) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the connection of the coupling mechanism (18) to the actuating element (4, 4.2) outside of the housing (6).

9. actuating device (1, 1.2) according to claim 8, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (18) is guided in a Hilfskulisse (13).

10. Actuating device (1, 1.2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the mechanical coupling between the actuating element (4, 4.2) with the switching axis (3) comprises at least one Bowden cable. 11. Actuator (1, 1.2) according to claim 10, characterized by the following features:

11.1 the actuating element (4, 4.2) is connected to a hook-shaped element (23) and a block (20), which in the actuating device

(1, 1.2) are mounted so that they can perform a tilting movement about a first axis line (21) and a tilting movement about a second axis line (22), wherein the axis lines (21, 22) intersect;

11.2 the hook-shaped element (23) has a first (24) and a second coupling point (25) lying on one side of the second axis line (22) and on both sides of the first axis line (21), and the block (20) has a third coupling point (26) disposed on the other side of the second axis line (22) on the first axis line (21), wherein the coupling points (24, 25, 26) with coupling points (29, 30, 36) of at least one further second structural element (32) is connected, which cooperates with the switching axis (3) by force transmission means (27, 28, 37) which transmit forces acting in a single direction only;

11.3 the hook-shaped element (23) and the block (20) are provided with two vertical axes (21, 22) arranged in the housing (6), the switching axis (3) being coupled to the second construction element (32), which is formed on one side of the Schaltachs axis line with a rotatably connected thereto first construction element (31) which is provided with the two located on both sides of a rotation axis of the coupling points (29, 30);

11.4 the first structural element (31) is rotatably coupled to a reaction rod (33) connected to the gear change transmission, the first and coupling points (29, 30) being connected to the coupling points (24, 25) on the hook-shaped element (23); 11.5 the second construction element (32) points to the, the first

Design element opposite side of the Schaltachs axis line a coupling point (36), wherein the coupling point (36) with the coupling point (26) of the block (20) and the hook-shaped element (23) is connected;

11.6 the power transmission means (27, 28, 37) are fixed to the coupling points (29, 30, 36, 24, 25, 26) of the individual

Construction elements (31, 32), the block (20) and the hook-shaped element (23) coupled.

12. actuating device (1, 1.2) according to claim 11, characterized in that the force transmission means in such a way with the second

Construction element (32) and the first construction element (23) are connected, that the reciprocating movement of the switching axis (3, 3.2) is aligned transversely to the part of the force transmission means (27, 28, 37) directly to the structural element ( 32, 23) is adjacent.

13. Actuator (1, 1.2) according to claim 11, characterized in that the force transmission means are formed by hydraulic medium columns, which are contained in suitable lines, each line is provided at both ends with a cylinder in which a piston is, whose rod is coupled to an associated coupling point and the media columns are each claimed solely to pressure.

Actuating device (1, 1.2) according to one of Claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the force transmission means (27, 28, 37) connecting said third coupling point (26) to said first structural element and said further coupling point (36) at second structural element (32) interconnect, are biased.