FR2757459A1 - Electro-magnetically actuated mechanism for changing vehicle gears in sequence - Google Patents

Abstract

The electro-magnetically actuated selector for a sequential gearbox for a motor vehicle comprises two buttons (1,2) for control. These provide increment and decrement commands respectively for the gear ratio in operation for the gearbox, the selector returning automatically to its neutral position after each action. Each button operates via a logic circuit (3,4) to control switching elements (18,19,28,29), with the operation of two electromagnets (12,13) providing movement of their cores to provide gear speed change in the required direction. The logic circuit sensing the end of movement of the cores comprises elements (20,21,28,29) cutting the supply to the electromagnet concerned to prevent successive gear changes when the button is held depressed.

Description

Electromechanical actuator selector for gearbox
sequential
The present invention relates to an electromagnetic selector for sequential gearboxes. The invention is in particular intended to be used for motorized vehicles such as motorcycles, quads, sidecars, rally cars, karts, etc. The invention is used as a gearbox control, from the handlebars in the case from a motorcycle, or from the steering wheel in the case of a car.

 Traditionally gear selection in sequential gearboxes is carried out by mechanical control.

For example, in the case of motorcycles, a swivel pedal controls gear changes. The driver's foot, or pilot, rotates the pedal up the motorcycle to increase the speed ratio and down to decrease it. However, these types of speed selectors require effort and attention on the part of the driver, especially in the case of competitions where gear changes are very frequent. As a result, these types of pivoting pedal selectors can lead the driver or pilot to make a maneuvering error. The sequential gearboxes of rally cars are controlled by a manual lever coupled to a calculation system on board the vehicle which makes the system complex and expensive.

In addition, in the case of competitions, the time required for the passage of a speed limits the performance of vehicles during a race. Formula 1 cars have button controls located on the steering wheel but which do not control a sequential gearbox.

 A first object of the invention is to propose a selector for a sequential gearbox which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art noted above. In particular, an object of the invention is to propose a selector for a sequential gearbox which is simple to make and use, ensuring rapid and efficient gear change, in complete safety.

 These aims are achieved by the fact that the electromagnetic actuation selector for sequential gearboxes of motor vehicles comprises two control buttons actuating respectively the incrementation and the decrementation of the gearbox gear ratio, the selector automatically returning to the position. neutral after each actuation.

 According to another particular feature, each button controls, by means of a control logic circuit associated with switching means, the supply of two electromagnets each ensuring the translation of at least one core to carry out the control of the speed change mechanism in the direction respectively, of an increment of the speeds when the actuation of a first button, or of a decrementation of the speeds when the actuation of a second button.

 According to another particular feature, the logic circuit for controlling the end of travel of the translation of the core (s) comprises means cutting the power supply to the actuated electromagnet concerned, to prevent the incremental or successive decrementation of speed when the selected control button is kept pressed.

 According to another particular feature, a first switching means supplies the rest contact of a respective limit switch, which rest contact of the limit switch controls a second switching means, the second switching means supplying the electro respective associated magnet, the working contact of the limit switch cutting the power supply to the electromagnet by switching the second switching means.

 According to another particular feature, the supply of a respective electromagnet simultaneously ensures, via the rest contact of the limit switch, the supply of a third switching means, causing, by a first contact, the ignition cut-off and by a second contact the clutch control, allowing the gases to be conserved during actuation of the control button.

 According to another particular feature, the respective supply links of the limiting contacts to the third switching means each comprise diodes preventing the supply control of one electromagnet from supplying the supply control of the other electromagnet.

According to another particular feature, the supply of each electromagnet simultaneously supplies a respective input of a display system,
The respective supply of each input of the display system respectively performing the incrementing or the decrementing of a digital display representing the current state of the vehicle speed.

 According to another particular feature, the actuation of a button respectively causes, by the circuit of the control logic, the switching of the supply of a light device with two positions, the light devices constituting respective indicator lights for the actuation or not of one of the control buttons.

 According to another particular feature, the translation of the core (s) of the electromagnets causes the translation of an actuating finger, the translation of the actuating finger effecting the speed change by rotation of a crank of the speed change mechanism at using a link system.

 According to another particular feature, the control logic circuit includes a flip-flop circuit for controlling the switching means associated with the selected button while preventing the control logic circuit from taking into account a simultaneous control of the second button.

According to another particular feature, the means cutting the power supply to the actuated electromagnet concerned in order to prevent the successive incrementation or decrementation of speed when the selected control button is kept actuated comprise at least one magnetic sensor detecting the limit switches of the selector device, the sensor (s) controlling, by means of a switching means,
The power of the respective electromagnet.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description below made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 schematically represents the control circuit of the electromagnetic selector according to the invention,
FIG. 2A schematically represents and seen from the side the selector device according to the invention,
FIG. 28 schematically represents a top view of the selector device of FIG. 2A,
- Figure 3 shows schematically the control circuit of the electromagnetic selector in another embodiment of the invention.

 FIG. 1 represents the control circuit of the electromagnetically actuated selector according to the invention. The entire circuit is connected to a general supply represented by the two polarity signs "+" and "-" located respectively at the upper left and right ends of FIG. 1. A general switch (30) disposed between the two upper ends of the circuit makes it possible to control the supply of the circuit. The switch (30) is associated with an indicator light indicating whether the selector circuit is supplied. The circuit has two control buttons (1, 2) or switches, which respectively control the incrementing and decrementing of the speeds by operating the movement of the selector. Each button (1, 2) controls the supply of a respective control logic circuit (3, 4). Each control logic circuit consists of a relay (3, 4) with four contacts, respectively (301 to 304) and (401 to 404), each of the contacts having a working position and a rest position. Thus, the first button (1) or switch controls the supply of the first relay (3), while the second button (2) controls the supply of the second relay (4). The connection of the first button (1) to the first relay (3) passes through the first contact (401), closed in the rest position, of the second relay (4).

Symmetrically, the connection of the second button (2) to the second relay (4) passes through the first contact (301), closed in the rest position, of the first relay (3). In this way, when a button (1, 2) is actuated, the first contact (301, 401) of the relay (3, 4) controlled by the button (1, 2) actuated opens. Thus the supply of the relay (4, 3) whose button (2, 1) is not pressed is impossible. This prevents the simultaneous supply of the two relays (3, 4) when the two buttons (1, 2) are pressed. We will now describe the part of the circuit controlled by the first button (1), that is to say the button (1) which controls the incrementation of speeds, the part of the circuit controlled by the second button (2), decrementing the speeds, being symmetrical and identical. Of course, during operation of the device the general switch (30) is closed. The second contact (302) of the first relay (3), or first control logic circuit (3), controls the supply of two indicator lights (5, 7). In the rest position, the second contact (302) of the first (3) relay controls the supply of a first (5) of the two indicators (5, 7). For example, this first indicator (5) is green and signals to the driver of the machine that the button (1) for controlling the increment of the speeds is not actuated. In the working position, that is to say when the button (1) is actuated and therefore the relay (3) energized, this second contact (302) switches and controls the supply of the second indicator light (7). Thus, the first warning light (5) goes out and the second warning light (7), for example of red color, lights up to signal to the driver of the machine that the control button (1) for increasing the speeds is operated. It is also the working position of the second contact (302) of the first relay (3) which will control the supply of a first electromagnet (13). For this, the connection between the second contact (302) in the working position and the second indicator (7) comprises a connection to a rest contact (119) of a first switching means (19). This first switching means (19) consists of a relay (19) which will be called hereinafter "first additional relay (19)" The rest contact (119) of the first additional relay (19) is closed when this relay (19) is not powered. Then, this rest contact (119) of the first (19) additional relay is connected to the rest contact (210) of a first limit switch (21). In the rest position this rest contact (210) is closed and controls a second switching means (29). This second switching means (29) consists of a relay (29) or power relay (29). In the following description, this second switching means (29) will be called "power relay (29)".

Thus, in the rest position, when the power relay (29) is not supplied, the latter contact opens the supply circuit of the coil of a first (13) electromagnet to which it is connected. In the working position, that is to say when the power relay (29) is supplied, the contact of the latter closes the supply circuit of the coil of the electromagnet (13) to which it is connected. Thus, when the button (1) is pressed, the first relay (3) supplies the rest contact (210) of the first limit switch (21). This break contact (210) controls the power relay (29), the power relay (29) supplying the coil (13) of the first electromagnet. The supply of the coil of the first electromagnet (13) causes the translation of a core associated with this electromagnet (13). The translation of the core caused by electromagnet (13) controls the movement of the selector in the direction of an incrementation of the gear speed ratio. By being translated, this core actuates the first limit switch (21) so the working contact (211) of the latter is closed, while the rest contact (210) opens simultaneously. The opening of the rest contact (210) of the first limit switch (21) opens the supply circuit of the first (29) power relay. The first (29) power relay being no longer supplied, its contact switches to the rest position and opens the supply circuit of the coil of the first electromagnet (13). The actuation of the first limit switch (21) in the working position simultaneously causes the supply of the first (19) additional relay. Indeed, the working contact (211) of the first limitation contactor (21) controls the supply of the first (19) additional relay. Indeed, the working contact (211) is connected on the one hand, to the working position of the third contact (303) of the first relay (3), and on the other hand to the control circuit of the first (19) relay additional. The supply of this first (19) additional relay causes the flip-flop of its working contact (1119). The working contact (1119) of the first (19) additional relay opens the connection between the general power supply and the rest contact (210) of the first limit switch (21). This diversion of the supply to the rest contact (210) of the first limit switch (21) by the additional relay (19) and carried out by the formation of a self-maintained circuit as long as the button (1) is kept pressed. In fact, the first (29) additional relay remains powered as long as the button (1) is kept actuated by the driver. Cutting off the supply to the solenoid coil (13) described above allows the core to return to its rest position under the action of known return means. By returning to its rest position the core ceases to stress the first limit switch (21) which then returns to its rest position. If the operator still keeps the button (1) pressed, an additional incrementation of the gear ratio will not occur because, as described above, the first additional relay (19) is always energized and diverts the supply of the contactor from limit switch (21). In this way, an untimely shifting is avoided even if the driver keeps the button (1) pressed. To increment successively speeds the driver will have to release the button (1) before actuating it again. This gives great safety and efficiency to the speed selection device, regardless of the vehicle on which it is installed. Advantageously, the supply of the coil of the first (13) electromagnet simultaneously causes the incrementation of a digital display (15) of known type. For this, the connection between the first (29) power relay and the solenoid coil (13) includes a connection to a first input (16) of
the digital display (15). Thus, at each supply of the coil of the first (13) electromagnet causing the speed ratio to be incremented, the display receives an increment signal. In the same way, and as described below, decreasing the speeds causes the digital display (15) to decrease. This incremental display (15) therefore informs the driver in real time of the position of the vehicle gearbox. Advantageously, when the gearbox is in neutral, known means send a signal of this state which sets the digital display (15) to zero. Furthermore, the connection between the normally closed contact (210) of the first limit switch (21) and the control circuit of the first (29) power relay comprises a connection to a third switching means (22). This third switching means (22) consists of a cut-off relay (22) with two contacts (220, 221). The two contacts (220, 221) of this power relay (22) respectively control the ignition and the clutch of the vehicle. In the rest position of the relay (22), the first contact (220) is closed and the second (221) is open. In the working position of the power relay (22), the opening of the first contact (220) controls the ignition of the vehicle engine, while the closing of the second contact (221) controls the clutch through a solenoid valve (not shown) connected to the latter. In this way it is possible to conserve the gases during the actuation of the button (1). When the control button (1) is released, the contacts (301 to 304) of the first (3) relay as well as that (119) of the first (19) additional relay return to the rest position. The circuit is again in its initial rest state. If the driver actuates the first (1) control button again, a new incrementation of the speed ratio will be carried out, in the same manner as described above. The circuit which controls the decrementation of the speed ratio is identical and symmetrical to the circuit described above.

Thus, the second (2) button controls the decrementation of the vehicle speed ratio. The second control logic circuit (4) or second relay (4), the power supply of which is controlled by the decrement button (2), controls two indicator lights (6, 8) corresponding respectively to the indicator lights (5, 7) described above. In the same way as above, the part of the circuit carrying out the decrementation comprises: a first switching means (18) consisting of a second (18) additional relay, a second (20) limit switch, and a second means of switching (28) consisting of a power relay (28) which controls the supply of the coil of a second (12) electromagnet.

The supply of the coil of the second (12) electromagnet displaces the same core as that described above. Indeed, the core is common to the two electromagnets (12, 13). However, the supply of the coil of the second (12) electromagnet moves the core in the opposite direction to that corresponding to the incrementation. This preferred embodiment of the invention with a single core, common to the two electromagnets (12, 13), is in no way limiting. Thus, it is possible to provide a core for each electromagnet (12, 13), the displacement of a first core carrying out the incrementing of the speeds while the displacement of the second core carries out the decrementation. As before, supplying the coil of the electromagnet (12) corresponding to the decrementation causes the digital display (15) to decrement via the latter's second input (17). Similarly, the second (20) limit switch is connected to the cut-off relay (22), or third switching means. Advantageously, the connections of the limit switch contacts (20, 21) to the cut-off relay (22) each comprise a diode respectively (121, 122) preventing the two coils from being supplied regardless of the control button (1, 2) operated. These limit switch contacts (20, 21) can be replaced by magnetic sensors which then control switching means, such as relays, between a rest position and a working position. The magnetic sensors associated with their switching means perform the same functions as the limit switch contacts (20, 21) of the embodiment described in this description. This advantageous variant in which the limit switch contacts (20, 21) are replaced by magnetic sensors makes it possible in particular to reduce the size of the device.

 Figures 2A and 2B schematically represent the selector device according to the invention. Elements identical to those described above are designated by the same reference numerals. The two electromagnets (12, 13) cause the translation of a threaded rod (41) whose free non-threaded end is sliding in a sliding cushion (46). The threaded rod (41) constitutes a plunger integral with the core (s) of the electromagnets (12, 13). An actuating finger (40) is made integral with the threaded rod (41) in a known manner by means of a nut (48) and lock nut (49) system. The actuating finger (40) is translated between the two controls (47, 147) secured to a limit switch device (247) of known type. For this purpose, the actuating finger (40) is provided with cams (120, 120) which control the limit switch device (247) and perform the function of the limit switch contacts designated by the references (20 and 21 ) in the circuit of FIG. 1. These cams (120, 121) respectively actuate the controls (47, 147) of the end-of-travel device (247) during the travel limit switches of the actuating finger (40). Note that the limit switch system can be replaced by a magnetic sensor system. The translation of the moving part or finger (40) causes the rotation of a crank (42) of the speed change device by means of a link system (43). Thus, according to the direction of movement of the moving part (40) on the rod (41), the crank (42) rotates around the axis (45) in the direction of either an incrementation or a decrementation of the ratio of speed.

As described above, after each gear change the selector assembly returns to the rest position.

 FIG. 3 represents the control circuit of the electromagnetic selector in another embodiment of the invention. In this other embodiment, the elements identical to those described above are designated by the same reference numerals. This other embodiment differs only very little from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. In particular, the same elements fulfill the same functions and the description developed above remains valid here. The circuit of Figure 3 differs from the circuit of Figure 1 only in a few details. For example, the relays (3, 4) have two tilting contacts (301, 302; 401, 402). The second contacts (302, 402) of the relays (3, 4) of Figure 3 provide the control functions performed by the second (302, 402) and third (303, 403) contacts of the relays (3, 4) of the figure 1.

Thus, in the working position, the second contacts (302, 402) of the relays of FIG. 3 ensure the supply of both the rest contacts (210, 220) and the working contacts (211, 221) of the contacts (20 , 21) limit switch. Furthermore, the connection between the second switching means (28, 29) and the third switching means (22) comprises a connection to a motor (1115). The motor (1115) is intended for controlling a clutch. This motor (1115) can be replaced by a solenoid valve which in a known manner controls a hydraulic cylinder. The control of the display (15) comprises a contact (115) which signals when the gearbox is in neutral.

 It is clear that the invention is not limited to the nonlimiting exemplary embodiments described above. For example, the different switching and control logic means, consisting of relays, can be replaced by other electronic circuits and components known to those skilled in the art performing the same control and switching functions. The same applies to the diodes which can be replaced by other known means.

 Thus, the electromagnetic selector for sequential gearbox ensures a quick and efficient gear change while guaranteeing great safety in its use, while being simple in structure.

 Other modifications within the reach of the skilled person are also part of the spirit of the invention.

Claims (11)

 1. Electromagnetic actuation selector for sequential gearbox of motorized vehicles, characterized in that there are two control buttons (1, 2) respectively actuating the incrementation and the decrementation of the gearbox gear ratio, the selector automatically returning to neutral position after each actuation.  2. electromagnetic actuation selector according to claim 1 characterized in that each button (1, 2) controls, via a control logic circuit (3, 4) associated with means (18, 19; 28 , 29) for switching, the supply of two electromagnets (12, 13) each ensuring the translation of at least one core to perform the control of the speed change mechanism in the direction respectively, of an increment of the speeds during the actuation of a first (1) button, or a decrementation of the speeds when the actuation of a second (2) button.  3. electromagnetic actuation selector according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the logic control circuit of the end of travel of the translation of the core or cores comprises means (20, 21, 28, 29) cutting the supply of the actuated electromagnet (12, 13) concerned, to prevent the successive incrementation or decrementation of speed when the selected control button (1, 2) is kept actuated.  4. electromagnetic actuation selector according to claim 3 characterized in that a first switching means (19, 18) feeds the rest contact (210, 200) of a respective limit switch (21, 20), which break contact (210, 200) of the limit switch (21, 20) controls a second switching means (29, 28), the second switching means (29, 28) supplying the respective electromagnet ( 12, 13) associated, the working contact (211, 201) of the limit switch (21, 20) cutting the supply of the electromagnet (12, 13) by switching the second switching means ( 29, 28).  5. electromagnetic actuation selector according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterized in that the supply of a respective electromagnet (12, 13) simultaneously ensures, via the normally closed contact (210, 200) of the limit switch (20, 21), the supply of a third switching means (22), causing, by a first contact (220) the ignition cut-off and by a second contact (221) the control clutch, making it possible to conserve the gases during actuation of the control button (1,2).  6. electromagnetic actuation selector according to claim 7 characterized in that the respective supply links of the limiting contacts (20, 21) to the third switching means (22) each comprise diodes (121, 122) preventing the control d power supply of an electromagnet (13) does not supply the power control of the other electromagnet.  7. electromagnetic actuation selector according to claim 2 characterized in that the supply of each electromagnet simultaneously supplies a respective input (16, 17) of a display system, the respective supply of each input (16, 17) the display system respectively incrementing or decrementing a digital display representing the current state of the vehicle speed.  8. electromagnetic actuation selector according to claim 2 characterized in that the actuation of a button (1, 2) respectively causes, by the circuit of the control logic (3, 4) the switching of the power supply a two-position light device (5, 7; 6, 8), the light devices constituting respective indicator lights for actuation or not of one of the control buttons (1, 2).  9. electromagnetic actuation selector according to claim 2 characterized in that the translation of the core (s) of the electromagnets (12, 13) causes the translation of a finger (40) for actuation, the translation of the finger (40) actuating effecting the speed change by rotation of a crank (42) of the speed change mechanism by means of a link system (43).  10. electromagnetic actuation selector according to one of claims 2 to 9 characterized in that the control logic circuit (3, 4) comprises a flip-flop circuit for controlling the switching means associated with the button (1, 2) selected by preventing the taking into account by the control logic circuit (3, 4) of a simultaneous control of the second button (2,1).  11. Electromagnetic actuation selector according to claim 3 characterized in that the means cutting the power supply of the electromagnet (12, 13) actuated concerned to prevent the incrementation or the successive decrementation of speed when the button (1, 2) of the selected control is kept actuated comprise at least one magnetic sensor detecting the limit switches of the selector device, the sensor or sensors controlling, by means of a switching means, the supply of the respective electromagnet (12.13).