GB2169365A

GB2169365A - Gear selector

Info

Publication number: GB2169365A
Application number: GB8500543A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Murray Boss Turner
Original assignee: Lancer Boss Ltd
Current assignee: Lancer Boss Ltd
Priority date: 1985-01-09
Filing date: 1985-01-09
Publication date: 1986-07-09
Also published as: GB8500543D0

Abstract

A gear selector for the selection of gears in a gearbox comprises a housing 1 which is adapted to be mounted on the steering column of a vehicle. The housing contains a multi-positional electric switch and a control arm 5 which extends out of the housing. Movement of the control arm 5 is limited by a gate 9 mounted on the housing. The vehicle may be a fork-lift truck. The gears may include two reverse ratios. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gear selector The invention relates to an electric gear selector for the selection of gears in the gearbox of a vehicle.

The invention is particularly useful in relation to vehicles having more than one reverse gear, such as fork-lift trucks or other loadhandling vehicles.

In one particular embodiment the invention relates to an electric gear selector which is adapted to be mounted on the steering column of a vehicle.

According the present invention there is provided an electric gear selector for the selection of gears in the gearbox of a vehicle, comprising a multi-positional electric switch having a plurality of operational positions which are selected by a control arm which is pivotably mounted on the switch, about two perpendicular axes, between a plurality of discrete positions each corresponding to a respective operational position of the switch and to a respective operational position of the gearbox; wherein said control arm passes through a gate disposed in a plane spaced from the switch, and wherein the gate is shaped to prevent movement of the control arm from at least one position thereof about one of its pivot axes.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a gear selector, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a multi-positional switch, Figure 2a shows diagrammatically, the various positions of the control arm of the switch, and Figures 3, 4 and 5 show suitable gate arrangements for use with the invention.

Refering to the Figures, the gear selector comprises a housing 1 which is adapted to be mounted on the steering column of a vehicle.

A bundle of wires 2 extends between an electrical junction 3 and a multi-positional switch 4 located within the housing. A control arm extends from the switch and passes out of the housing through a circular opening (not shown) in an end wall of the housing. A Ushaped bracket having limbs 7 and 9 joined by a web 8 is mounted on the end walls of the housing and the limb 7 has a circular opening therein which overlies the opening in the end wall. The control arm passes through the openings with substantial clearance, a rubber gaiter 10 being provided to prevent ingress of dirt into the housing. The bracket is held onto the end wall of the housing by means of a pair of screws 11 which also serve to locate the switch in the housing.

Referring to Fig. 2 and 2a, the operation of the switch is briefly described. The switch comprises an insulated block 12 which is mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis 13 between a plurality of discrete positions (in this example-two). The block 12 also supports the control arm 5 for pivotal movement relative thereto about an axis 14 between a plurality of discrete positions (in this example-three). The axes 13, 14 intersect at a point P. Whilst the axis 13 is fixed, the axis 14 pivots with the block 12.

Because of the two degrees of movement of the control arm 5, the end of the control arm inside the housing, is movable between a possible 6 discrete positions. In some or all of these positions the control arm makes electrical connection between contact points in the switch. Electrical connection is made between the gear selector and a number of relays which are operative to change the gears of the vehicle. In the example shown the bundle 2 comprises eight wires. One of these wires is the live supply (normally 1 2v or 24v DC) and each of the other seven wires represents a mode of the switch. As described, 6 of these modes correspond respectively to the 6 possible positions of the switch, the seventh corresponds to an additional button 15 located on the end of the control arm.The button 15 may be used as a control of the gearbox or may simply be used to operate another function such as a horn or other alarm.

Examples of gate shapes are shown in Figs.

3-5. Each of these relates to a switch having a possible 6 positions but switches having more possible positions could clearly be employed in like manner.

The gear selector is of particular relevance when employed on heavy vehicles such as load-handling vehicles. These vehicles com monly have as many forward gears as they have reverse gears. The gate 9 prevents a driver accidentally shifting directly from a forward to a reverse gear or vice versa.

The gate shown in Fig. 3 is for use with a gearbox which has two forward gears F1 and F2, two reverse gears R, and R2, and a neutral gear N. In Fig. 4 the gearbox has a forward gear F, a reverse gear R and a neutral gear N.

The gate shown in Fig. 5 provides for one reverse gear, one forward gear, a neutral gear (covering two positions of the arm 5) and a parking or stop gear P.

1. An electric gear selector for the selection of gears in the gearbox of a vehicle, comprising a multi-positional electric switch having a plurality of operational positions which are selected by a control arm which is pivotable mounted on the switch, about two perpendicular axes, between a plurality of discrete positions each corresponding to a respective operational position of the switch and to a re

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Gear selector The invention relates to an electric gear selector for the selection of gears in the gearbox of a vehicle. The invention is particularly useful in relation to vehicles having more than one reverse gear, such as fork-lift trucks or other loadhandling vehicles. In one particular embodiment the invention relates to an electric gear selector which is adapted to be mounted on the steering column of a vehicle. According the present invention there is provided an electric gear selector for the selection of gears in the gearbox of a vehicle, comprising a multi-positional electric switch having a plurality of operational positions which are selected by a control arm which is pivotably mounted on the switch, about two perpendicular axes, between a plurality of discrete positions each corresponding to a respective operational position of the switch and to a respective operational position of the gearbox; wherein said control arm passes through a gate disposed in a plane spaced from the switch, and wherein the gate is shaped to prevent movement of the control arm from at least one position thereof about one of its pivot axes. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a gear selector, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a multi-positional switch, Figure 2a shows diagrammatically, the various positions of the control arm of the switch, and Figures 3, 4 and 5 show suitable gate arrangements for use with the invention. Refering to the Figures, the gear selector comprises a housing 1 which is adapted to be mounted on the steering column of a vehicle. A bundle of wires 2 extends between an electrical junction 3 and a multi-positional switch 4 located within the housing. A control arm extends from the switch and passes out of the housing through a circular opening (not shown) in an end wall of the housing. A Ushaped bracket having limbs 7 and 9 joined by a web 8 is mounted on the end walls of the housing and the limb 7 has a circular opening therein which overlies the opening in the end wall. The control arm passes through the openings with substantial clearance, a rubber gaiter 10 being provided to prevent ingress of dirt into the housing. The bracket is held onto the end wall of the housing by means of a pair of screws 11 which also serve to locate the switch in the housing. Referring to Fig. 2 and 2a, the operation of the switch is briefly described. The switch comprises an insulated block 12 which is mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis 13 between a plurality of discrete positions (in this example-two). The block 12 also supports the control arm 5 for pivotal movement relative thereto about an axis 14 between a plurality of discrete positions (in this example-three). The axes 13, 14 intersect at a point P. Whilst the axis 13 is fixed, the axis 14 pivots with the block 12. Because of the two degrees of movement of the control arm 5, the end of the control arm inside the housing, is movable between a possible 6 discrete positions. In some or all of these positions the control arm makes electrical connection between contact points in the switch. Electrical connection is made between the gear selector and a number of relays which are operative to change the gears of the vehicle. In the example shown the bundle 2 comprises eight wires. One of these wires is the live supply (normally 1 2v or 24v DC) and each of the other seven wires represents a mode of the switch. As described, 6 of these modes correspond respectively to the 6 possible positions of the switch, the seventh corresponds to an additional button 15 located on the end of the control arm.The button 15 may be used as a control of the gearbox or may simply be used to operate another function such as a horn or other alarm. Examples of gate shapes are shown in Figs. 3-5. Each of these relates to a switch having a possible 6 positions but switches having more possible positions could clearly be employed in like manner. The gear selector is of particular relevance when employed on heavy vehicles such as load-handling vehicles. These vehicles com monly have as many forward gears as they have reverse gears. The gate 9 prevents a driver accidentally shifting directly from a forward to a reverse gear or vice versa. The gate shown in Fig. 3 is for use with a gearbox which has two forward gears F1 and F2, two reverse gears R, and R2, and a neutral gear N. In Fig. 4 the gearbox has a forward gear F, a reverse gear R and a neutral gear N. The gate shown in Fig. 5 provides for one reverse gear, one forward gear, a neutral gear (covering two positions of the arm 5) and a parking or stop gear P. CLAIMS

1. An electric gear selector for the selection of gears in the gearbox of a vehicle, comprising a multi-positional electric switch having a plurality of operational positions which are selected by a control arm which is pivotable mounted on the switch, about two perpendicular axes, between a plurality of discrete positions each corresponding to a respective operational position of the switch and to a re spective operational position of the gearbox, wherein said control arm passes through a gate disposed in a plane spaced from the switch, and wherein the gate is shaped to prevent movement of the control arm from at least one position thereof about one of its pivot axes.

2. A gear selector as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the discrete positions of the control arm and respective operational positions of the switch correspond to at least two forward operational positions, at least two reverse operational positions, and one neutral or stop operational position of the gearbox.

3. A gear selector as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the switch is supported in a housing adapted to be mounted on the steering column of vehicle.

4. A gear selector as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the gate is provided in the first limb of a substantially U-shaped bracket the second limb of which is mounted on the housing.

5. A gear selector as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the bracket is mounted on a wall or the housing by means of at least two screws which pass thrugh the wall and into the switch and thereby support the switch in the housing.

6. A gear selector having a gate substantially as shown in Fig. 1.

7. A gear selector having a gate substantially as shown in Fig. 2.

8. A gear selector for the selection of gears in the gear box of a vehicle, comprising a housing adapted to be mounted on the steering column of a vehicle, a multi-positional switch located within the housing, a control arm for the switch extending out of the housing, and a gate through which the control arm passes mounted on the housing so as to be spaced therefrom.

9. A gear selector substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.