GB2311570A - Gear position sensor - Google Patents
Gear position sensor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2311570A GB2311570A GB9606424A GB9606424A GB2311570A GB 2311570 A GB2311570 A GB 2311570A GB 9606424 A GB9606424 A GB 9606424A GB 9606424 A GB9606424 A GB 9606424A GB 2311570 A GB2311570 A GB 2311570A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- cam
- arrangement according
- gear
- position sensor
- arrangement
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H59/00—Control inputs to control units of change-speed-, or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion
- F16H59/68—Inputs being a function of gearing status
- F16H59/70—Inputs being a function of gearing status dependent on the ratio established
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Control Of Transmission Device (AREA)
Description
GEAR POSITION SENSOR
This invention relates to a gear position sensor for providing an indication as to which gear ratio is currently engaged in a change speed mechanism of a motor vehicle.
Typically a motor vehicle change-speed mechanism has a plurality of gear ratios which are mutually exclusively engageable so that at any instant only one of the ratios can be engaged and these ratios are selected by a selection member which is moved both linearly and rotationally to engage each ratio.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gear position sensor which will enable the operative ratio of such a change speed mechanism to be readily sensed.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a gear position sensor arrangement to indicate which one of a plurality of gear ratios has been engaged in a change speed mechanism, the arrangement comprising an indicating formation which is operatively connected with a portion of a ratio selector mechanism of the change speed mechanism which moves in a first linear sense and in a second rotary sense during selection of each gear ratios, and a sensing formation in the form of a cam surface which is moved in a third linear sense as a result of the movement of the indicating formation in said first and second senses to provide an indication as to the currently engaged gear ratio of the change speed mechanism.
In a preferred construction the second sensing formation in the form of a cam moves a linear sensing probe of an associated electrical position sensor to provide the indication of the engaged gear ratio.
The cam may simply bear against the sensing probe or may be connected to the probe by a snap or other connection.
The cam may be linearly slideable in said third sense within a housing which extends through an aperture in the casing of the selector mechanism and which also supports the associated electrical position sensor.
Conveniently the cam and housing within which the cam linearly slides may have cooperating formations which prevent rotation of the cam within the housing.
Preferably the housing includes a mounting flange which is secured to the outside of the casing of the selector mechanism.
The cam and housing may conveniently be formed from plastics material.
In an alternative construction the electrical position sensor may have a portion which extends into said casing and from which the sensing probe projects, the cam having a hollow tubular portion which slides linearly in a telescoping manner in said third sense over the outside of part of said portion of the electrical position sensor which projects into the casing.
Preferably the portion of the electrical position sensor and the telescoping tubular portion have interengaging formations which prevent relative rotation. Again these telescoping components may be formed from plastics material.
Several gear position sensor arrangements in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of a gear position sensor and part of an associated gear selector mechanism;
Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line A-A of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows the gear selection gate used by the selector mechanism shown in Figure 1;
Figure 4 shows the shape of the sensing cam used in the gear position sensor of Figure 1 viewed in the direction of arrow
B;
Figure 5a to 5e diagrammatically show the cam lifts associated with each ratio and the neutral condition of the associated change speed mechanism;
Figure 6 shows in tabular form the ranges of cam displacement associated with each ratio;
Figure 7 shows a modified form of the sensor arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, and
Figures 8 and 9 show an alternative arrangement in which the sensing cam is not directly supported from the sensor mounting housing.
Referring to figures 1 and 2 these show part of a ratio selection mechanism 10 for an associated vehicle change speed mechanism (not shown). The selection mechanism includes a shaft 11 which carries a ratio selecting finger 12 which is engageable with cut-outs 13, 14 and 15 associated with ratio selector rods 16, 17 and 18 respectively. In the known manner shaft 11 is displaced in a first axial sense X and also rotateable in sense Y in order to selectively engage with the respective ratio selector rods 16 to 18 on movement of an associated gear selector lever (not shown) within the ratio selection gate shown in figure 3.
The connection (not shown) between the gear selector lever and shaft 11 can be mechanical, electrical or hydraulic. For example, the gear lever may be connected with shaft 11 via a cable and a lever system.
Attached to shaft 11 is an indicating formation in the form of projection 19 which engages a sensing formation in the form of a cam 20 which is slideable in a plastics housing 21 which projects into a casing 22 which surrounds the selection mechanism via an aperture 22a. Housing 21 also includes an attachment flange 23 which extends outside the casing 22 and into which an electrical position sensor 24 is screwed at 25. Sensor 24 has a probe 26 which bears against the rear face 27 of cam 20 and follows the linear movement of cam 20 in sense Z in response to the linear and rotational movement of shaft 11 in senses X and Y respectively. The sensor 24 produces an electrical signal which varies with the axial position of probe 26 thus providing to an electrical control system an indication as to which gear ratio is currently engaged in the associated change speed mechanism. This electrical signal may then be used, for example, as part of a semi-automatic transmission of the kind disclosed in European Patents Nos 0038113, 0043660, 0059035 and 0101220 or as part of a fully automated transmission disclosed in, for example, UK patent application No. 95 02140.8.
Referring to figure 4, this shows in detail the shape of the front face 28 of cam 20 which is contacted by projection 19.
Cam surface 28 has a central track 30 along which projection 19 moves when the associated change speed mechanism is in its neutral condition. At one end and to one side of track 30 is provided a raised cam contact surface 31 which is engaged by the projection 19 when shaft 11 is moved to engage the reverse ratio of the associated change speed mechanism. To the other side of neutral track 30 is a lower cam contact surface 32 which is engaged when shaft 11 is moved to select the fifth ratio of the change speed mechanism. Moving axially towards the centre of track 30 cam contact areas 33 and 34 are provided either side of the neutral track which are engaged by projection 19 when shaft 11 is moved to engage the third and fourth ratios respectively of the change speed mechanism. These contact areas 33 and 34 are slightly below the general level of neutral track 30 of the cam surface 28.
Moving now to the other end of neutral track 30 two raised cam contact areas 35 and 36 are provided either side of the neutral track which are engaged by projection 19 when the first and second ratios of the change speed mechanism are engaged by movements of shaft 11.
Figure 5a shows the nominal displacement of the rear face 27 of cam 20 from the longitudinal axis X-X of shaft 11 when the probe 19 is engagement with the neutral track 30.
Nominally this displacement is 37mm ( t 0.3mm). Similarly figures 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e show the nominal displacement of the rear face 27 when the first/second, third/fourth, fifth and reverse ratios respectively are selected by the associated change speed mechanism. Figure 6 shows in tabular form the nominal, maximum and minimum displacements associated with each ratio of the transmission. This defines the range of cam positions and thus electrical signals from the associated sensor 24 associated with each ratio.
As will be appreciated from the above the output signal from sensor 24 when projection 19 engages cam contact surface 35 or 36 to select either the first or second operative ratio will be the same. Similarly when projection 19 engages cam contact surface 33 or 34 to select third or fourth ratio the output from sensor 24 will be the same for both third and fourth ratios. In order for the associated electrical control system to be able to differentiate between first and second and third and fourth ratios the associated gear selector lever is provided with a movement sensor which indicates whether the vehicle operator is pulling or pushing on the gear lever and thus enables the overall system to differentiate between first and second gear selection and between third and fourth gear selection.
Alternatively, if the travel of probe 26 is sufficiently long, it may be possible, with a suitably amended cam surface 28, to have a unique axial position of probe 26 (which corresponds to a unique position of cam 20) for each gear ratio of the transmission thus making it unnecessary to also use a gear lever push/pull sensor to differentiate between first and second and between third and fourth gear as described above.
Figure 7 shows a sensing arrangement similar to that shown in figure 2 with the exception that the sensor 24 has a splined portion 24a which is either cast into or permanently pressed into plastics housing 23.
In all the arrangements described above the probe 26 of sensor 24 simply bears against the rear face 27 of cam 20 and remains in contact with this surface as the cam moves in direction Z. In the arrangement shown in figure 8 the probe 26 has a terminal ball-shaped portion 26a which snaps into a corresponding ball shaped recess 20c in cam member 20 to ensure that the cam member and probe 26 move as a single unit. In the arrangement shown in figures 8 and 9 the cam member 20 has a tubular portion 20a which is guided on nose portion 24b of sensor 24 and which takes no direct support whatsoever from the housing 23 which mounts sensor 24 on the selection mechanism casing. As can be seen from figure 9, the cross-section of nose portion 24b of sensor 24 and the surrounding tubular portion 20a of cam 20 co-operate to prevent rotation of cam member 20 about nose portion 24b when projection 19 moves during selection of the various ratios of the associated change speed mechanism.
The present invention thus provides a simple but efficient arrangement which not only mounts an electrical position sensor on a selection mechanism casing but also translates the linear and rotational movements of an associated ratio selection member into purely linear movements of a sensing probe of the position sensor.
Claims (16)
1.A gear position sensor arrangement to indicate which one of a plurality of
gear ratios has been engaged in a change speed mechanism, the
arrangement being characterised by comprising an indicating formation
which is operatively connected with a portion of a ratio selector mechanism
of the change speed mechanism which moves in a first linear sense and in
a second rotary sense during selection of each gear ratio, and a sensing
formation in the form of a cam surface which is moved in a third linear
sense as a result of the movement of the indicating formation in said first
and second senses to provide an indication as to the currently engaged
gear ratio of the change speed mechanism.
2. An arrangement according to Claim I characterised in that the sensing
formation is in the form of a cam and moves a linear sensing probe of an
associated electrical position sensor to provide the indication of the
engaged gear ratio.
3. An arrangement according to Claim 2 characterised in that the cam simply
bears against the sensing probe or is connected to the probe by a snap or
other connection.
4. An arrangement according to Claim 2 or 3 characterised in that the cam is
linearly slideable in said third sense within a housing which extends through
an aperture in the casing of the selector mechanism and which also
supports the associated electrical position sensor.
5. An arrangement according to Claim 4 characterised in that the cam and the
housing within which the cam linearly slides have co-operating formations
which prevent rotation of the cam within the housing.
6. An arrangement according to Claim 4 or 5 characterised in that the housing
includes a mounting flange which is secured to the outside of the casing of
the selector mechanism.
7. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 4 to 6 characterised in that
the cam and housing are formed from plastics material.
8. An arrangement according to Claim 7 characterised in that the sensor is
cast, pressed or screwed into the plastics mounting flange.
9 An arrangement according to Claim 2 or 3 characterised in that the
electrical position sensor has a portion which extends into said casing and
from which the sensing probe projects, the cam having a hollow tubular
portion which slides linearly in a telescoping manner in said third sense over
the outside of part of said portion of the electrical position sensor which
projects into the casing.
10. An arrangement according to Claim 9 characterised in that the portion of
the electrical position sensor and the telescoping tubular portion have
interengaging formations which prevent relative rotation.
11. An arrangement according to Claim 10 characterised in that the telescoping
components are formed from plastics material.
12. An arrangement according to Claim 11 characterised in that the position
sensor is cast, pressed or screwed into a mounting flange which is secured
to the outside of the casing of the selector mechanism.
13. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 characterised in
that the cam surface comprises a central track engaged by the indicating
formation when the change speed mechanism is in neutral, and contact
surfaces on either side of the central track which are respectively engaged
by the indicating formation when in each respective ratio.
14. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 13 characterised in
that the cam surface generates a unique movement of the sensing
formation for each respective gear ratio.
15. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 13 characterised in
that the gear ratios are selected by the movement of a gear selector in a
selection gate having a plurality of selection planes and the cam surface
generates the same movement of the sensing formation when gear ratios in
the same plane of movement are selected, the arrangement differentiating
between ratios in the same plane of selection by the provision of a gear
selector sensor which senses in which direction the selector is moved.
16. A gear position sensing arrangement to indicate which one of a plurality of
gear ratios has been engaged in a change speed mechanism, the
arrangement being constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 6, or 7 or 8 and 9
of the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9606424A GB2311570B (en) | 1996-03-27 | 1996-03-27 | Gear position sensor |
PCT/GB1997/000969 WO1998045625A1 (en) | 1996-03-27 | 1997-04-07 | Gear position sensor |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9606424A GB2311570B (en) | 1996-03-27 | 1996-03-27 | Gear position sensor |
PCT/GB1997/000969 WO1998045625A1 (en) | 1996-03-27 | 1997-04-07 | Gear position sensor |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB9606424D0 GB9606424D0 (en) | 1996-06-05 |
GB2311570A true GB2311570A (en) | 1997-10-01 |
GB2311570B GB2311570B (en) | 1998-05-13 |
Family
ID=26308997
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB9606424A Expired - Fee Related GB2311570B (en) | 1996-03-27 | 1996-03-27 | Gear position sensor |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2311570B (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998045625A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998045625A1 (en) * | 1996-03-27 | 1998-10-15 | Kongsberg Techmatic Uk Limited | Gear position sensor |
EP1063450A1 (en) * | 1999-06-25 | 2000-12-27 | Hydraulik-Ring GmbH | Position measuring and control device for vehicle gearbox |
US6311552B1 (en) | 1997-04-07 | 2001-11-06 | Luk Leamington Limited | Gear position sensor |
EP2053275A1 (en) * | 2007-10-25 | 2009-04-29 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA | Neutral detection device for internal gearbox control |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2240372A (en) * | 1990-01-25 | 1991-07-31 | Automotive Products Plc | A gear position sensor |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU548876B2 (en) | 1980-02-18 | 1986-01-09 | Automotive Products Ltd. | Standing-start clutch control |
DE3174453D1 (en) | 1980-07-08 | 1986-05-28 | Automotive Prod Plc | Clutch control system |
AU552105B2 (en) | 1981-02-24 | 1986-05-22 | Automotive Products Ltd. | Clutch control system |
AU1725283A (en) | 1982-08-11 | 1984-02-16 | Automotive Products Plc | Clutch control system |
FR2707360B1 (en) * | 1993-07-08 | 1995-08-11 | Renault | Gear detection device engaged on a mechanical gearbox. |
GB2311570B (en) * | 1996-03-27 | 1998-05-13 | Ap Kongsberg Holdings Ltd | Gear position sensor |
-
1996
- 1996-03-27 GB GB9606424A patent/GB2311570B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-04-07 WO PCT/GB1997/000969 patent/WO1998045625A1/en active IP Right Grant
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2240372A (en) * | 1990-01-25 | 1991-07-31 | Automotive Products Plc | A gear position sensor |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998045625A1 (en) * | 1996-03-27 | 1998-10-15 | Kongsberg Techmatic Uk Limited | Gear position sensor |
US6311552B1 (en) | 1997-04-07 | 2001-11-06 | Luk Leamington Limited | Gear position sensor |
EP1063450A1 (en) * | 1999-06-25 | 2000-12-27 | Hydraulik-Ring GmbH | Position measuring and control device for vehicle gearbox |
EP2053275A1 (en) * | 2007-10-25 | 2009-04-29 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA | Neutral detection device for internal gearbox control |
FR2922983A1 (en) * | 2007-10-25 | 2009-05-01 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | DETECTION DEVICE FOR DETENT DETECTION FOR INTERNAL CONTROL OF GEARBOX. |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2311570B (en) | 1998-05-13 |
GB9606424D0 (en) | 1996-06-05 |
WO1998045625A1 (en) | 1998-10-15 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20040327 |
|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20040327 |