EP0433357A1

EP0433357A1 - A gear lever for a vehicle transmission

Info

Publication number: EP0433357A1
Application number: EP89910143A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David Parsons
Original assignee: Automotive Products PLC
Current assignee: Automotive Products PLC
Priority date: 1988-09-06
Filing date: 1989-09-04
Publication date: 1991-06-26
Also published as: GB9101889D0; GB2240595A; KR900701564A; WO1990002895A1; GB2240595B; GB8820928D0

Abstract

Le levier de changement de vitesse est de ceux qu'il faut actionner pour provoquer un changement de rapport. Le levier de changement de vitesse se compose d'une partie principale allongée (12), d'un manche (13) qui est mobile par rapport à la partie principale et d'un dispositif détecteur à effet Hall (50) pour détecter les mouvements relatifs du manche. Le manche (13) est relié à la partie principale (12) au moyen de ressorts à lames espacés (36, 37) qui s'étendent longitudinalement le long de la partie principale. Si l'on bouge transversalement le manche (13) par rapport à la partie principale (12), les ressorts (36, 37) fléchissent et obligent le manche (13) à suivre une trajectoire sensiblement linéaire, dans la direction où se fait le changement de vitesse.The gearshift lever is one that must be actuated to cause a gear change. The gear shift lever consists of an elongated main part (12), a handle (13) which is movable relative to the main part and a Hall effect detector device (50) for detecting movements relative of the handle. The handle (13) is connected to the main part (12) by means of spaced leaf springs (36, 37) which extend longitudinally along the main part. If the handle (13) is moved transversely relative to the main part (12), the springs (36, 37) flex and force the handle (13) to follow a substantially linear trajectory, in the direction in which the gear switch.

Description

A GEAR LEVER FOR A VEHICLE TRANSMISSION

The invention relates to a gear lever for a vehicle transmission of the kind in which the onset of a ratio change is effected by manipulation of the gear lever. Such gear levers normally comprise an elongate main section, a handle movable relative to the main section and sensor means for sensing the movement of the handle relative to the main section.

Certain gear levers proposed hitherto for such transmissions have utilised a simple pivotal connection between the main section and the handle and it has been found that the connection can lead to a false indication of the intended shift direction at the onset of a gear change. The problem arises because, when grasping the handle to effect a gear change, it is known that users will sometimes tilt the handle relative to the main section in a direction opposite to the direction of intended shift and the system will then fail to operate the vehicle clutch to enable the ratio change to be made. GB-A-785,365 describes a gear lever having a handle movable relative to a main section. However, the handle is not subject to any directional control and can move in any direction not corresponding to any specific ratio change direction.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved gear lever.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a gear lever for a vehicle transmission of the kind in which the onset of a ratio change is effected by manipulation of the gear lever, the gear lever comprising an elongate main section, a handle movable relative to the main section and sensor means for sensing said relative movement of the handle, the handle being connected to the main section by elongate connection means which during movement of the handle transverse to the main section constrains the handle to follow a path in the gear change direction.

Such an arrangement ensures that the relative movement is in the gear change direction whereby the sensor means can sense specific directional movement of the handle for required ratio changes. Also, with such an arrangement, any, say, backward tilting of the handle prior to effecting a forward shift movement of the gear lever will not lead to a false indication of the intended shift direction and prevent the handle moving in the forward direction relative to the gear lever to initiate the ratio change.

In GB-A-785,365 the gear lever has an elongate tubular spring with one end connected to the elongate main section of the gear lever at a position adjacent the handle. The opposite end of the spring is connected to rod extending from the handle so that the connection with the rod, and hence the handle is well inboard of the free end of the elongate main section. That is disadvantageous and not only leads to a somewhat complex concentric arrangement of gear lever components but also to the need to provide a separate pivot for the handle remote from the free end of the main section.

To avoid such disadvantages the connection means in the present invention may be secured at one end to the handle at a position adjacent a free end of the main section. The connection means may also be secured to the main section itself at a position inward of the free end with the connection means preferably extending alongside the main section. In that way the handle effectively moves about a point spaced well inward of the free end of the gear lever leaving the handle free to move fore and aft relative to the free end of the main section to initiate the ratio change.

The connection means may comprise two spaced apart members which may be arranged on opposite sides of the main section. In that way, the members may be arranged to move together e.g., substantially after the fashion of opposite sides of a parallelogram type linkage as the handle moves relative to the main section. In that way the direction of relative movement of the handle is controlled whereas in GB-A- 785,365 the handle can move in any direction.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a gear lever for a vehicle transmission of the kind in which the onset of a ratio change is effected by manipulation of the gear lever, the gear lever comprising an elongate main section, a handle movable relative to the main section and sensor means for sensing said relative movement of the handle, the handle being connected to the main section by elongate connection means which during movement of the handle transverse to the main section constrains the handle to follow a path in the gear change direction, the connection means comprising two spaced apart members arranged to move together substantially after the fashion of a parallelogram-type linkage as the handle moves relative to the main section. The connection means is preferably resilient whereby movement of the handle relative to the main section causes the connection means to bend resiliently e.g.,about one end. Preferably, the resilient connection means is rigidly secured to the handle and the main section and may be in the form of an elongate leaf spring.

Preferably, two leaf springs are connected to the main section and handle in such a way that they will bend only in the gear change direction, e.g., in parallelogram fashion.

In another embodiment, the connection means may comprise one or more pivoted arms. For example two pairs or sets of arms of equal length may be provided arranged in parallelogram fashion. In such a case, resilient means such as leaf spring means may be provided to cause the arms normally to occupy a given initial position.

The connection means may be arranged within the handle for compactness and to enhance appearance of the gear lever. Alternatively the handle may extend from said one end of the connection means and, in such a case the connection means may be housed within a gaiter or other suitable cover. The sensor means may comprise a first part associated with the handle and a second part associated with the main section.

In one embodiment the sensor means is contained within the handle. In another embodiment the sensor means is contained within a free end part of the main section of the lever. Both arrangements lend themselves to compactness and provide protection for the sensor means.

The first part may be movable relative to the second part.

Preferably, one of said parts comprises a magnet and the other part may comprise one or more sensors for sensing the position of the magnet.

In one embodiment one of said parts is carried by the handle and the other of said parts is carried by the main section.

In another embodiment the first and second parts of the sensor means are mounted on respective first and second mountings which are slidable one upon the other during movement of the handle relative to the main section. Preferably one of the mountings is formed with a slot which slidably receives a projection on the other of the mountings.

One of the mountings may be carried by one of the handle and main section and the other of the mountings engages the other of the handle and main section. Said other of the mountings may be formed with a recess which receives a projection on the other of the handle and main section.

Preferably one of said mountings includes a spacer which spaces a wall of the mounting from an adjacent surface to accommodate wiring associated with the sensor means.

The sensor means may comprise a magnet, a sensor for sensing the magnet and an element which is movable into a space between the sensor and the magnet. The element is preferably movable from a first position in which it lies between the sensor and the magnet and a second position in which it no longer lies between the sensor and the magnet. Preferably the element is movable through the space to vary or interrupt the magnetic flux sensed by the sensor. The element is preferably formed from a non- magnetised ferrous material and may be in the form of a vane. In a preferred embodiment, there are two magnets 49, to associated sensors 52a, 52b opposite the respective magnets and preferably spaced therefrom to form two sets spaced apart in the gear change direction, and the element is normally biased into a position, eg substantially midway, between the sets.

Where the sensor means is arranged within the main section it is preferably contained within a housing part of the main section. The housing part may include a hollow portion which connects to part of the gear lever through a resilient member. Conveniently, the handle may be connected to the housing by said elongate connecting means.

In order to control the amount of relative movement between the handle and main section, stop means, such as a resilient buffer, may be provided.

Conveniently, the first and second parts of the sensor may comprise parts of a Hall Effect switch arranged, e.g., in a clutch and throttle control circuit of the vehicle.

Gear levers in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig.1 is a vertical cross-section through one form of gear lever in accordance with the invention,

Fig.2 is a cross-section through the handle of the gear lever in Fig.1 on the line II-II in Fig.1,

Fig.3 is a cross-section through part of the handle of the gear lever showing an alternative form of sensor,

Figs.3A and 3B are diagrammatic views of part of the gear lever shown in Fig.3 and drawn to a larger scale,

Figs.4 and 5 are cross-sections of the handle shown in Fig.3 on the lines IV-IV and V-V respectively in

Fig.3 ,

Fig.6 is a cross-section through part of the main section of another gear lever on line VI-VI in Fig.7 showing a form of rotational location of gear lever parts,

Fig.7 is a cross-section through the main section shown in Fig.6 on the line VII-VII in Fig.6, Fig.8 is a cross-section through another form of a main section of a gear lever on line VIII-VIII in Fig.9 showing a different form of rotational location,

Fig.9 is a cross-section through the main section shown in Fig.8 on the line IX-IX in Fig.8,

Fig.10 is a cross-section through a further form of main gear lever section showing a further form of rotational location,

Fig.11 is a cross-section through the main section shown in Fig.10 on the line XI-XI in Fig.10.

Fig.12 is a cross section through part of a further gear lever in accordance with the invention.

Fig.13 is a cross section of the arrangement in Fig.12 on the line XIII - XIII in Fig.12,

Figs.14, 15 and 16 are cross sections through the gear lever of Fig.13 on the lines XIV - XIV, XV -XV and XVI - XVI respectively in Fig.13,

Fig.17 is a cross section through the arrangement in Fig.12 on the line XVII - XVII in Fig.12, Fig.18 is a cross section through part of another gear lever in accordance with the invention,

Fig.19 is a cross section through part of the arrangement shown in Fig.18 generally on line XIX - XIX in Fig.18 and

Fig.20 is a view of part of the gear lever of Fig.18 looking in the direction of arrow XX in Fig.18.

Fig.21 is a cross section through part of a gear lever in accordance with the invention having a pivoted parallelogram connection means, and

Fig.22 is a cross section though the gear lever shown in Fig. 21 on line XXII-XXII in Fig. 21 In Figs.1 and 2, a gear lever 10 comprises an elongate main section 12 and a handle 13. The gear lever is pivot ble about its inner end (i.e. its lower end as viewed in Fig.1) to select desired ratios in a vehicle transmission (not shown). The lower end of the gear lever is enclosed within a rubber boot or gaiter 14.

The main section 12 comprises a shank 15 which extending into a barrel 16 and which is mounted within the barrel on shock absorbing rings (one ring 17 only being shown). Arrangements of shock absorbing rings will be described with reference to Figs.6-9. The barrel 16 has a reduced diameter upper end 18 which locates and is welded to a further part of the main section in the form of an upwardly extending rod 19. The lower end of the barrel 16 is secured to a location plate 20 having an aperture 22 therein in which is secured a cylinder 23. The shank 15 carries a transverse plate 24 on which is mounted a pin 25 extending coaxially through the liner 23. The pin 25 carries upper and lower shock absorbing rings 26, 27 respectively which fit firmly into the liner 23 so as to lock the barrel 18 in a rotational sense to the shank 15. .A washer 28 is placed on the upper shock absorbing ring 26 and a snap ring 29 locates in a groove 30 in the pin 25 to secure the barrel 16 axially on the shank 15.

The rod 19 is machined to define a mounting 32 which has a flange 33 and a body 34. The body 34 has flat surfaces 35 formed thereon. Connection means in the form of two leaf springs 36, 37 are secured against the flat surfaces 35 of the body 34 by means of two spaced apart rivets 38 extending through the body. The leaf springs are parallel and extend upwardly from the body 34 into engagement with a sleeve 39 at their upper ends. The sleeve 39 has upper and lower annular sections 40, 42, the latter being formed with diametrically opposed flat surfaces 43 against which •the leaf springs 36, 37 are secured by rivets 44 passing through the lower annular section 42.

The rod 19 of the main section 12 has a reduced diameter upper section 46 which passes with clearance 47 through a bore 45 in the sleeve 39. The upper end of the reduced diameter (constituting the free end of the main section 12) section 46 is formed with a socket 48 carrying a magnet part 49 of a Hall Effect switch 50 constituting the aforesaid sensor means. The upper end of the sleeve 39 is suitably secured to a sensor part 52 of the switch 50 which includes first and second sensors 52a, 52b. The cylindrical outer periphery of the upper annular section 40 is fast with a cylindrical liner 53 of a hand knob 54 of the handle 13. The liner 53 extends outwardly from the lower end of the knob 54 to enclose the leaf springs 36, 37 and mounting 32.

An electrical lead 55 extends from the sensor 52a, 52b of switch 50 through a bore 56 in the sleeve 39. The lead then extends alongside leaf spring 37, through a bore 57 in flange 33 and then along the outer periphery of the barrel 16 beneath a cover 58 and through a flexible sleeve 59 to electronic circuitry (not shown) for controlling the clutch and accelerator of the vehicle during a ratio change. The gear lever will normally be used to operate a transmission having a typical H-gate pattern for the gear change plus reverse. In Fig.1, the gear lever is shown in the neutral position and will be moved in the direction of arrow A for selection of second, fourth and reverse ratios and moved in the direction of arrow B for selection of first, third and fifth ratios, the gear lever being shifted along the neutral path as appropriate.

The gear lever is for use in a system where the intention to change gear is triggered by movement of the gear lever in the directions of the arrows. For example, to select first ratio, pressure is applied to the knob in the direction of arrow B by the driver which causes the leaf springs 36, 37 to flex in the direction of arrow B about their lower ends. The springs move after the fashion of a parallelogram linkage thereby causing the sensors 52a, 52b to move relative to the magnet 49 of the Hall Effect switch 50, movement of the sleeve 39 relative to the rod 19 being permitted by the clearance 47. The signal derived from sensor 52b of the switch 50 is transmitted through the lead 55 to the control system to operate the clutch and control engine speed. To change from first to second ratio, a load is applied to the knob 54 in the direction of arrow A which causes the leaf springs 36, 37 to flex in the direction of arrow A and the signal derived from the sensor 52a of switch 50 is transmitted to the control system. If, when moving in the direction of arrow A, the user applies to the knob a clockwise twisting movement as indicated by arrow C there would, in prior gear levers, have been a tendency for the knob to move in direction B thereby indicating a first or third or fifth ratio condition even though the user were simultaneously applying a load in direction B to select second, fourth or reverse ratio. Therefore, a false indication of intended ratio would have resulted. However, even if a twisting load is applied to the knob 54 when moving the knob in the direction of arrow A, the leaf springs 36, 37 will still flex in the direction of arrow A about their lower ends and give a true indication of the intended ratio.

The knob cannot move sideways relative to the rod 19 during movement of the gear lever along the neutral path in view of the horizontal spacing of rivets 38, 44.

It will therefore be appreciated that the leaf spring arrangement constrains the handle 13 to move in a substantially linear path relative to the main section 12 during a ratio change. Figs.3-5 show a handle 13 which incorporates a vane operated Hall Effect switch 50. In this case, the upper section 46 of rod 19 carries a vane 62 of non magnetised ferrous material such as steel. Two sensors 52a, 52b are mounted on a wall 52c of a sensor part 52 carried by sleeve 39. The sensors 52a, 52b are spaced apart in the gear change direction. Two magnets 49 are arranged opposite the respective sensors 52a, 52b on a further wall 52d of the sensor part 52. The vane 62 occupies a space 61 between the walls. Wires can be taken from the sensors 52a, 52b in a suitable manner. The leaf springs 36, 37 normally maintain the vane midway between the two sets of sensors/magnets 52a, 49 and 52b, 49 as shown in Fig. 4. In that position magnetic flux F as shown in Fig 3A passes between magnets 49 and the respective sensors 52a, 52b. Pole pieces 190, 191 may be used to encourage the flux to extends across space 61. When the knob 54 is moved in direction A or B the relative movement between the knob 54 and rod 19 will cause the vane to lie between either one sensor and its associated magnet or between the other sensor and its associated magnet as shown in Fig. 3B. The vane 62 thereby interrupts the flux F as shown. The interruption is sensed by the sensor which then provides the signal required for selection of ratio. If desired, the sensors and magnets could be- positioned so that movement of the knob 54 relative to rod 19 effectively causes the vane to move from between one sensor and its magnet or from between the other sensor and its magnet to restore the flux to that sensor and thereby provide the signal. The reference herein to the vane "moving" into the space between a sensor and magnet refers to the effective movement created by relative movement between the vane 62 and the sensor part 52.

Instead of completely interrupting or completely restoring the sensed magnetic flux, a partial interruption or restoration may be sufficient to provide a signal . In such a case the vane 62 would only partially cut across the lines of flux F.

Fig.6 shows an alternative arrangement for locating the barrel 16 rotatably relative to the shank 15.

The shank 15 has a reduced diameter upper end section 70 having a spherical end 72 and a flared skirt 73. The shank 15 supports an annular plastics sleeve 74 having a reduced diameter portion 75 which locates a first shock absorbing ring 76 in engagement with the inner periphery of the barrel 16. A second and frusto-conical shock absorbing ring 77 is arranged between the upper end section 70 and a tapered wall portion 78 of the barrel 16. The lower end of the sleeve 74 abuts a third shock absorbing ring 80. The shank 15 is formed with four radially projecting ribs 82. The barrel 16 is flared outwardly as indicated at 8.4 and is indented so as to form four axially extending ribs 85 which project radially inwardly. The indenting of the outward flare 84 causes the shock absorbing ring 80 to deform as shown in Fig.7 so as to locate the barrel in rotational sense on the shank 15. A snap ring 87 locates in a peripheral groove 88 at the lower end of the barrel 16.

In Figs.8 and 9, the shank 15 again has an upper end section 70 having a spherical end 72 and a flared skirt 73. Just below the upper section 70, the shank is formed with an axial slot 90 which locates a fin 92 formed on a plastics sleeve 93 which passes over the shank. The fin 92 on the sleeve 93 prevents rotation of the sleeve 93 relative to the shank 15. The sleeve 93 has an upper end 94 formed with radial projecting ribs 95 as shown clearly in Fig.9. The upper end 94 is surrounded by a first shock absorbing ring 96 adjacent a second shock absorbing ring 97 between the upper end section 70 of the shank and the tapered wall portion 78 of the barrel 16. The tapered wall portion 78 is indented so as form four inwardly projecting ribs 98 which deform the first shock absorbing ring 96 as shown in Fig.8. The barrel 16 is then located in a rotational sense with respect to shank 15.

The lower end of the plastic sleeve 93 abuts a third shock absorbing ring 99 which is held in place by means of a snap ring 100 located in a groove 101 on the inside of the barrel 16.

The location arrangements shown in Figs.6-9 are particularly neat as, unlike to location arrangements shown in Fig.1 at the lower end of the gear lever there are no substantial outward projections.

Figs.10 and 11 show yet another method of locating the barrel 16 on the shank 15. In this case, the barrel 16 has an extended lower end 102 formed with coaxial bores 103. The bores have cylindrical liners 104 which locate shock absorbing rings 105. The rings 105 are held in place by means of a retaining pin 106 having a wide head 107 in engagement with one ring 105, the other ring abutting a washer 108 held in place by a snap-ring 109 located in a groove 110 in the pin. The pin 106 lies in a transverse groove 112 in the shank 15 and thereby locates the barrel 16 both rotatably and axially on the shank 15.

The upper end of the shank 15 in Fig.1 and Figs.10 and 11 may be of the form shown in Fig.6 or 8 with appropriate shock absorbing rings arranged between the upper end and the adjacent tapered portion of the barrel.

In Figs.12 to 17 parts corresponding to parts in earlier figures carry the same reference numerals. In Figs.12 - 17, the upper section 46 of the rod 19 is secured to a sleeve 120 having opposed flat sides 122 against which parallel leaf springs 36, 37 are held by means of rivets 38. The rivets 38 pass through apertures in the lower ends of the leaf springs and through parallel bores 121 in the sleeve 120. The sleeve 120 is formed with a groove 119 for receiving wire 55.

The hand knob 54 houses .an annular mounting 123 which is a push fit into the hand knob and which is retained behind an internal peripheral protrusion 124. The upper end of the mounting 123 is formed with four recesses 125 and two sets of coaxial bores 126, 127. The upper end is also formed with two parallel faces 128. The hand knob 54 also includes a sleeve 129 having a projection 130 formed with^* parallel faces 132 which locate between the faces 128. The upper ends of the leaf springs 36, 37 are sandwiched between the faces 128, 132. Rivets 44 pass through the bores 126, 127, through apertures in the upper ends of the leaf springs, and through bores 134 extending between the faces 132 of the projection 130.

The sleeve 129 has a hollow upper section formed with a counterbore 131 in which locate a sensor part 52 of a Hall Effect switch 50. The sensor part 52 comprises a circular upper plate 135 supporting sensors 52a, 52b and having two arcuate shoulders 136 thereon and two radial lugs 137, 138 which locate in respective recesses 139, 140 formed in the sleeve 129. The lugs 137, 138 locate the sensor part 52 angularly relative to the leaf springs 36, 37. The sleeve 129 has two opposed tabs 142 which are bent inwardly onto the shoulders 136 to hold the sensor part 52 firmly in position.

The circular plate 135 has two downwardly projecting arms 143 formed with parallel horizontal grooves 144. The grooves slidably support a carrier 145 for a magnet 49. The carrier comprises a rectangular block having projections 147 which slidably locate in the grooves 144, a transverse slot 148 which receives the upper end of the rod 19 and a bore 149 in which the magnet 49 is located.

In use, movement of the hand knob 54 in gear change direction A or B as shown in Fig.13, will cause the leaf springs 36, 37 to flex substantially in a parallelogram fashion and the sensor part 52 will slide relative to the carrier 145 so that the sensors 52a, 52b will move relative to the magnet 49.

The wire 55 from the sensors 52a, 52b passes through lug 138, through a slot 150 in the sleeve 129, along a groove 151 in the mounting 123 along the groove 119 in the sleeve 20 and out of the lower end of the hand knob. It is then suitably secured to the gear lever, e.g, as described with respect to Fig.1. An annular resilient stop 151 is provided for limiting the relative movement between the hand knob 54 and the rob 19. A clearance 47 between the upper end 46 of the rod 19 and the adjacent surface of projection 130 permits such, relative movement.

The rod 19 may be mounted on a barrel 16 in the manner described with reference to Figs.1 to 10.

A further gear lever will now be described with reference to Figs.18 - 20.

The main section 12 includes a rod 19 extending into a hollow housing 160 and is suitably secured thereto through an annular resilient shock absorbing member 162. The housing 160 is formed with opposed flat surfaces 163 and two parallel screw threaded bores 164 extend therebetween. The housing 160 includes a tubular upper section 165 having a free upper end constituting the free end of the main section 12 and which contains a sensor part 52 for sensors 52a, 52b. The sensor part 52 is in the form of a mounting which has two arcuate walls 167 integral with a circular end wall 168 having an integral downwardly extending foot 169. The foot rests on an adjacent surface 170 of the housing 160. The walls 167 are spaced apart and have parallel inner faces 170 formed with opposed slots 144. The slots 144 slidably support a magnet carrier 145 as in Figs.12 to 17. A magnet 49 is located in the lower end of the carrier 145. The upper end of the carrier 145 is formed with a bore 175 which locates a substantially spherical end 176 of a rod 177 extending downwardly from a hand knob mounting 178 of a handle 13. The hand knob mounting 178 supports a hand knob 54 and is formed with two parallel flat surfaces 179 which, in the position shown in Fig.18, are contained in the same planes as surfaces 163 of the housing 160. Also, two screw threaded bores 180 extend between the faces 179.

The hand knob mounting 178 is secured to the housing 160 by means of two parallel leaf springs 36, 37 which are held in place by bolts 182 which screw into the bores 164, 180. An annular resilient stop 183 is arranged within the mounting 165 and secured therein by means of a retainer ring 184. In use, movement of the hand knob in gear change direction A or B will cause the leaf springs 36, 37 to flex as ^"in the previous Figures to cause the magnet 49 to move relative to the sensors 52a, 52b, signals from the sensors being used as described earlier. The amount of relative movement is controlled by the stop 183.

Wiring 55 associated with the sensors 52a, 52b passes beneath the end wall 168 (which is spaced from the surface 170 by the foot 169). The wiring then passes through an inclined bore 189 in the housing 160.

To enclose the spring 36, 37 and the entire housing 160, a flexible gaiter 186 is located around a neck 187 of the hand knob mounting 178 and extends to an appropriate part (not shown) of the vehicle body.

A pin 187 projects through the upper section 165 and into a recess 188 in the sensor part 52 to locate the sensors 52a, 52b angularly relative to the leaf springs 36, 37.

In each embodiment described the leaf springs 36, 37 normally bias the handle 13 centrally relative to the main section 12 so that the magnet 49 or vane 62 lies midway between the sensors 52a, 52b. In Figs.21 and 22, the leaf springs 36,37 are omitted and the knob 54 is connected to the rod 19 by two pairs of pivot arms 200, 201. The lower ends of the arms 200, 201 are pivotally connected to a block 203 on the rod 19 so that the arms can pivot in the gear change direction A, B. the upper ends of the arms 200, 201 are pivotally connected to a projection 204 on the knob. The block 203 carries two leaf springs 205 which resiliently engage the arms as shown or which are shaped to resiliently engage the inside of the knob 54 so as normally to centralise the knob. The underside of projection 204 carries sensors 52a, 52b and the upper end of the rod 19 carries a magnet 49. The arrangement of the sensors and magnets is similar to that in Fig. 1. When the knob 54 is moved in direction A or B to initiate a gear change, the arms 200, 201 constrain the knob to move in the gear change direction in a substantially linear path relative to rod 19. the sensor 52a or 52b then provides a signal which is transmitted to the control system through wiring (not shown). It may be possible to use a singe arm appropriately pivotally connected between the knob 54 and rod 19 and which is centrally biased by springs or the like.

It is envisaged that a physical contact switching system could be used as the sensor means instead of the Hall Effect switches. In that way the sensors 52a, 52b would be replaced, eg, by respective microswitches either of which could be operated by rod 19 or a member thereon during movement of the knob 54 in direction A or B.

Claims

1. A gear lever for a vehicle transmission of the kind in which the onset of a ratio change is effected by manipulation of the gear lever, the gear lever comprising an elongate main section (12), a handle (13) movable relative to the main section and sensor means (50) for sensing said relative movement of the handle, the handle being connected to the main section (12) by elongate connection means (36, 37) extending longitudinally of the main section characterised in that the elongate connection means (36, 37) during movement of the handle (13) transverse to the main section (12) constrains the handle (13) to follow a path in the gear change direction.

2. A gear lever according to Claim 1 characterised in that the connection means (36, 37) being secured at one end to the handle (13) at a position adjacent a free end of the main section (12).

3. A gear lever according to Claim 2 characterised in that the connection means (36, 37) is secured to the main section (12) at a position inwards of a free end of the main section.

4. A gear lever according to Claim 3 characterised in that the connection means extends alongside the main section.

5. A gear lever according to any preceding claim characterised in that connection means comprises two spaced apart members (36, 37).

6. A gear lever according to Claim 5 characterised in that the two members (36, 37) are arranged on opposite sides of the main section (12) and are arranged so that they move simultaneously, substantially after the fashion of a parallelogram- type linkage as the handle (13) moves relative to the main section (12).

7. A gear lever according to any preceding claim characterised in that the connection means (36, 37) is resilient and movement of the handle (13) relative to the main section (12) causes the connection means to flex resiliently.

8. A gear lever according to Claim 7 characterised in that the connection means (36, 37) is rigidly secured to at least one of the handle (13) and main section (12).

9. A gear lever according to any preceding claim characterised in that the connection means comprises one or more elongate leaf springs (36, 37).

10. A gear lever according to any of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the connection means comprises a pivoted arm (200, 201).

11. A gear lever according to claim 10 characterised in that spaced apart pivoted arms (200, 201 ) are provided.

12. A gear lever according to claim 10 or 11 characterised in that resilient means (205) is provided for causing the arm or arms (200, 201) to maintain a given initial position.

13. A gear lever according to any preceding claim characterised in that the connection means (36, 37) is contained within an enclosure (54, 186).

14. A gear lever according to Claim 13 characterised in that the enclosure comprises part (54) of the handle (13) .

15. A gear lever according to Claim 13 characterised in that the enclosure is a gaiter (186).

16. A gear lever according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sensor means (50) includes one or more microswitches, contact switches or the like.

17. A gear lever according to claim 13 characterised in that two microswitches, contact switches or the like are provided spaced apart in the direction of gear change.

18. A gear lever according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sensor means (50) comprises a first part (52; 49) associated with the handle (13) and a second part (49; 52) associated with the main section (12).

19. A gear lever according to Claim 18 characterised in that the first part (52; 49) is movable relative to the second part (49; 52).

20. A gear lever according to Claim 18 or 19 characterised in that one of said parts comprises a magnet (49) and the other part comprises one or more sensors (52a, 52b, 52c) for sensing the position of the magnet.

21. A gear lever according to claim 19, 20 or 21 characterised in that two sensors (52a, 52b) of the sensor means (50) are provided spaced apart in the gear change direction.

22. A gear lever according to any of claims 18 to 21 characterised in that the first and second parts of the sensor means are mounted on respective first and second mountings (52, 145) which are slidable one upon the other during movement of the handle (13) relative to the main section (12).

23. A gear lever according to Claim 22 characterised in that one of the mountings (52) is formed with a slot (144) which slidably receives a projection 147 on the other of the mountings.

24. A gear lever according to Claim 22 or 23 characterised in that one of the mountings (52, 145) is carried by one of the handle (13) and main section (12) and the other of the mountings engages the other of the handle and main section.

25. A gear lever according to Claim 24 characterised in that the said other of the mountings (145) is formed with a recess (148; 175) which receives a projection (46, 176) on the other of the handle and main section.

26. A gear lever according to any of Claims 22 to 25 characterised in that one of said mountings includes a spacer (169) which spaces a wall (168) of the mounting from an adjacent surface (170) to accommodate wiring (55) associated with the sensor means.

27. A gear lever according to any preceding Claim characterised in that the sensor means (50) is arranged within the handle.

28. A gear lever according to any of claims 1 to 15 or 18 to 27 when appendant to any of claims 1 to 14 characterised in that the sensor means comprises a magnet (49), a sensor (52a, 52b) for sensing the magnet and an element (62) which can occupy a space (61) between the sensor (52a, 52b) and the magnet (49).

29. A gear lever according to claim 28 characterised in that the element 62 can occupy a position in which it lies between the sensor (52a, 52b) and the magnet (49) and a position in which it no longer lies between the sensor (52a, 52b) and the magnet (49) .

30. A gear lever according to claim 28 or 29 characterised in that the element (62) is movable through the space (61) to vary or interrupt the magnetic flux (F) sensed by the sensor (52a, 52b).

31. A gear lever according to claim 28, 29 or 30 characterised in that the element (62) is formed from a ferrous material.

32. A gear lever according to any of claims 28 to 31 characterised in that the element is a vane

(62) .

33. A gear lever according to any of claims 18 to 32 in which there are two magnets (49), two opposed sensors (52a, 52b) forming two sets, and the element (62) is normally biased into a position in which it lies substantially midway between the two sets.

34. A gear lever according to any preceding Claim characterised in that the sensor means (50) is arranged within a housing part (160) of the main section.

35. A gear lever according to Claim 34 characterised in that the housing part (160) includes a hollow portion which connects to part of the gear lever through a resilient member (162).

36. A gear lever according to Claim 34 or 35 characterised in that the housing part (160) is connected to the handle (13) by said elongate connecting means (36, 37).

37. A gear lever according to any preceding Claim characterised in that stop means (151; 183) is provided for limiting movement of the handle (13) relative to the main section (12).

38. A gear lever according to Claim 37 characterised in that the stop means is a resilient buffer (151; 183).

39. A gear lever according to any preceding Claim characterised in that the sensor means is a Hall Effect switch (50) arranged in a control circuit of the vehicle.