GB2624209A - A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox - Google Patents

A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2624209A
GB2624209A GB2216764.7A GB202216764A GB2624209A GB 2624209 A GB2624209 A GB 2624209A GB 202216764 A GB202216764 A GB 202216764A GB 2624209 A GB2624209 A GB 2624209A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
actuator
gear shift
sensor
vehicle gearbox
shift device
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.)
Pending
Application number
GB2216764.7A
Other versions
GB202216764D0 (en
Inventor
Alistair Irvin-Wright Cory
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB2216764.7A priority Critical patent/GB2624209A/en
Publication of GB202216764D0 publication Critical patent/GB202216764D0/en
Publication of GB2624209A publication Critical patent/GB2624209A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F16H61/00—Control functions within control units of change-speed- or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion ; Control of exclusively fluid gearing, friction gearing, gearings with endless flexible members or other particular types of gearing
    • F16H61/02—Control functions within control units of change-speed- or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion ; Control of exclusively fluid gearing, friction gearing, gearings with endless flexible members or other particular types of gearing characterised by the signals used
    • 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
    • F16H59/02—Selector apparatus
    • F16H59/04—Ratio selector apparatus
    • 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
    • F16H59/50—Inputs being a function of the status of the machine, e.g. position of doors or safety belts
    • 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
    • F16H2306/00—Shifting
    • F16H2306/20—Timing of gear shifts

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Transmission Device (AREA)

Abstract

A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox comprising: a housing (21 fig. 6); at least one shifting actuator 1; and a datum (33 fig. 8). The shifting actuator displaces from a first position in relation to the datum to a second position in relation to the datum. The shifting actuator controls a gear shift in a vehicle gearbox by displacement between the positions with at least one sensor (35 fig. 7) sensing the speed of displacement of the shifting actuator from the first to second position. The speed of displacement of the shifting actuator is processed by a processing means in order to control the speed of displacement of gears in the vehicle gearbox. The shifting actuator may be a paddle shift or a stick shift (e.g. fig. 9) actuator and the sensor may be an optical sensor.

Description

A GEAR SHIFT DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE GEARBOX
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox, associated assemblies, and vehicles.
Background
Many people in many societies enjoy automatic gearboxes. Increasingly also there are semi-automatic gearboxes available in the consumer market.
Such gearboxes however do not provide the same amount of control or sensation as a standard manual gearbox, where gear changes can be deliberately prolonged or 15 hurried, so as to provide greater feedback and feeling of control, simply by moving the clutch and gear lever according to preference.
There is a need for a gear shifting means that combines the ease of semi-automatic and automatic gear shifting with the control and feedback of a manual shifting gearbox.
Prior Art
JP 2019 210 967 (TANAKA) discloses a vehicle shift control device includes: a detection unit for detecting an operation state including at least operation pressure or operation speed at a paddle shift operation; and an output unit for determining shift timing for a vehicle in accordance with the operation state, wherein the output unit determines the shift timing based on a comparison between the operating pressure or the operating speed and a predetermined threshold.
EP 3 270 265 (GRANT et al) discloses a haptically-enabled controller device comprising a controller body, a user input element, a haptic actuator, and a transmission component wherein the user input element has a range of motion that extends from a first position to an end stop position and the haptic actuator is configured to output a force or torque. The transmission component comprises an arm connected to the haptic actuator and to the user input element, configured to transfer the force or torque from the haptic actuator to the user input element with a multiplication factor.
EP 2 825 792 (BAUER et al) discloses an automatic gearbox with a control element 5 having at least one manually operated shift paddle arranged on a steering wheel that includes a sensor for detecting the operation and is connected via a first signal path with a gearbox control unit of the automatic gearbox, characterised in that the shift paddle (5, 6) and the gearbox control unit (2) are additionally connected via a second signal path, independent of the first signal path, in which one signal path takes the form 10 of a wiring harness and the other signal path takes the form of a data bus.
The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided a gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox comprising: a housing; at least one shifting actuator; and a datum; wherein the shifting actuator is arranged to displace from a first position in relation to the datum to a second position in relation to the datum; the shifting actuator arranged to control a gear shift in a vehicle gearbox by displacement between the positions; wherein at least one sensor is arranged to sense the speed of displacement of the shifting actuator from one position to another position, wherein the speed of displacement of the shifting actuator is processed by a processing means in order to control the speed of displacement of gears in the vehicle gearbox..
In this way the device is thereby enabled to reflect movement at the shifting actuator at the gearbox. This may in turn provide for a greater feeling of engagement with the vehicle ad its gearbox for a user.
It may be envisaged that the movement of the shifting actuator may be monitored by the sensor, and/or converted from analogue to digital or vice versa by the sensor or processing means. For example one or more input button in relation to the shifting actuator may be adapted to receive an input pressure and one or more digital or analogue sensor is positioned below the input button may generate a signal when a received pressure on the input button is greater than or equal to a specified pressure threshold. A plurality of such sensors may provide a sequence of signals.
It may be further envisaged that one or more sensors may be arranged to monitor 5 pressure, for example so as to monitor pressure on the shifting actuator, for example such as when pressure on the shifting actuator, monitored by a sensor in a first position, exceeds a predetermined threshold until such time as pressure against a sensor in a second position. In this way it may be envisaged that the processing means may monitor the initiation of pressure, pressure reaching the predetermined threshold 10 and the timing between the two, at each of the sensors.
In some embodiments of the device the device comprises one or more optical, light or photoelectric sensor. Such sensor may thereby sense the displacement and/or is arranged to sense the placement and displacement of the shifting actuator and provide 15 information about this to the processing means.
For example it may be envisaged that the optical sensor may be operable in relation to a light source, such as a laser, which is adapted to transmit within the shifting actuator, wherein for example one or more light source blocking or reflective surface is included to form optical locations to provide a means of assessing or delineating movement of the shifting actuator.
In some embodiments of the device a first sensor is associated with the first position and a second sensor is associated with the second position and wherein a timer 25 measures a time interval between signals received from the first sensor and from the second sensor.
In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a paddle shift actuator, so as to allow for movement of the shifting actuator at a steering wheel for example, and 30 enabling small, incremental and controlled movement and displacement.
In some embodiments of the device the housing comprises a steering wheel assembly with a plurality of paddle shift actuators wherein a first actuator is adapted to move between a first position and a second position in a forward direction with respect to the datum, and a second actuator is adapted to move between a first position and a second position in a reverse direction with respect to the datum. For example according to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising a device substantially as described herein within a steering wheel assembly.
In some embodiments of the device the device comprises haptic feedback, for example at the shifting actuators. For example it may be envisaged that the level of feedback experienced may be proportionate to the velocity of the vehicle, wherein the processing means may control haptic feedback responses in line with one or more from the following: vehicle velocity, gearing at the gearbox, shifting actuator speed and smoothness.
In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a light source for provision of visual indications relating to shifted gear selection(s), such that advantageously the device may provide readily available and local indications of gear selection, and/or other indications in relation to gearing.
In some embodiments of the device the housing comprises a stick shift actuator with a plurality of linearly sequential positions, for example for placement in a location common in the art to gear stick shifting in a vehicle. For example according to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising a device substantially as described herein within a stick or lever sifting assembly.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle with a device substantially as described herein.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:
Brief Description of Figures
Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention, incorporated in a steering wheel assembly; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in 35 Figure 1 Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device as 5 shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 shows a reverse isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention, incorporated in a shift lever assembly; Figure 10 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown 25 in Figure 9; and Figure 12 shows a reverse isometric exploded view of the embodiment of the device 30 as shown in Figure 9.
Detailed Description of Figures
With reference to the embodiments shown in Figure 1 there is shown a gear shift 35 device 99 for a vehicle gearbox generally comprising: a housing 21 to be assembled into the form of a steering wheel assembly 100 to form apparatus 199, with two shifting actuators 1; and data 33; wherein the shifting actuator is arranged to displace within the housing 21 from a first position in relation to the datum 33 to a second position in relation to the datum; the shifting actuator arranged to actuate a gear shift by displacement between the positions; wherein sensors 35 are arranged to sense the speed of displacement of the shifting actuator from one position to another position, wherein the speed of displacement of the shifting actuator is processed by a processing means in order to control the speed of displacement of gears in the vehicle gearbox.
In particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the embodiment of the device 99 is shown comprising a housing 21 for attachment with a steering wheel assembly 100 The front face of the steering wheel assembly 100 comprises a control means, namely 15 a dial 3 that may be turned to activate different gearing modes, for example dynamic incorporating the invention, or standard, as per a standard gear shifting control means.
The assembly further includes audio output controls 4 for example, or other control means for the vehicle functions.
In addition the assembly comprises a central airbag and horn module 2, as is known in the art.
In this way the embodiment incorporates the steering wheel function in addition to the 25 gear shifting function. The steering wheel comprises the wheel 6, covered in silicone over moulding 6 and a column attachment means 5.
The embodiment comprises two shifting actuators 1, to either side of the wheel, extending laterally on the assembly, and comprising two displaceable paddles as is 30 common in the art.
As is shown in Figure 7 two sensors 35 are located on a printed circuit board PCB 46 and comprise a laser directed at two reflective panels held on a plate 22, which bounce back into the sensor.
The plates are held on a T bar holder 32 which in turn fits into a slot in a carrier 25 at the base of the actuator 1.
The plate travels in a slot datum 33 in the housing 21, and the T-bar holder provides a 5 pivoted connection with the actuator as it pivots, translating the pivoting to linear movement in the slot 33, and moving the panels away from the laser, so as to prevent return of the laser to the sensor.
The carrier provides limits to movement of the plate 22. The processing means for device is arranged to record and monitor the time taken for the plate to move in the slot and establish time taken in the paddle movement. The actuator 1 is spring biased by two springs 23 to return, allowing calculation of the movement to be in line with a known the spring return speed.
Additionally the device comprises two sensors and two panels, meaning that calculation may be made of the initial movement of the actuator, where a first sensor is aligned with a first panel, a second sensor is aligned with the first panel, and neither panel is aligned with either sensor, and vice versa. In further embodiments more panels and more sensors may be envisaged to provide further calculations in relation to progressive speeds.
Internally the device comprises an optical switch printed circuit board (PCB) which is adapted to calculate the speed at which the paddle shifters are being pulled.
It may be envisaged that the PCB or processing means also communicates with vehicle's onboard computer. The device comprises connectors 64 for connection to electronic equipment.
The embodiment of the apparatus 199 further comprises a light source 8 for provision 30 of visual indications relating to shifted gear selection(s). The light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which visualise the speed at which a user is shifting gear.
The embodiment further comprises a haptic feedback motor 68, which gives a more 35 positive feel to the user interaction when shifting gears.
With reference to the embodiment of apparatus shown in Figure 9 299 the embodiment of the device is incorporated into a gear lever assembly, wherein the shifting actuator 39 comprises a gear lever 41. The lever 41 is clad in plastic casing 42 and has a knob 39 as known in the art. The lever 41 pivots on a pivot point 45 in a rectangular casing 43 with a resiliently upper and a metallic perimetric bead 40. A haptic feedback motor 69 is located on the lever 41. The knob has an indicator 38 to show what linear movement achieves.
In this way the shifting actuator is envisaged to move primarily linearly in relation to the datum 45, which is provided at the base of the lever. The lever 41 has linkages 44 to either side of the datum, which linkages connect with small plates 36. The small plates have reflective panels on their undersides, and are arranged to travel in a linear fashion in a slot 34 in the casing 43, which slot may provide a datum.
The embodiment includes two laser sensors 35 and a reflective slider 36 in each linear direction of the shifting actuator 41, which allows the laser from the optical sensor to bounce back when the lever is moved and a gear shift is disengaged and stops the laser bouncing back when engaged.
It may be envisaged that a vehicle may have both or either of the embodiments installed. For example in some embodiments of the vehicle, the light source on the steering wheel assembly may be envisaged to provide visual feedback for gear shifting at the gear lever assembly.
The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims (9)

  1. Claims 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox comprising: a housing; at least one shifting actuator; and a datum; wherein the shifting actuator is arranged to displace from a first position in relation to the datum to a second position in relation to the datum; the shifting actuator is operable to control a gear shift in a vehicle gearbox by displacement between the first and second positions; wherein at least one sensor is arranged to sense the speed of displacement of the shifting actuator between the first and second position, wherein the speed of displacement of the shifting actuator is processed by a processing means in order to control the speed of displacement of gears in the vehicle gearbox.
  2. A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox according to claim 1 wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.
  3. A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a first sensor is associated with the first position and a second sensor is associated with the second position and wherein a timer measures a time interval between signals received from the first sensor and from the second sensor.
  4. A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox according to any preceding claim wherein the shifting actuator is a paddle shift actuator.
  5. A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox according to any preceding claim wherein the housing comprises a steering wheel assembly with a plurality of paddle shift actuators mounted thereon and a first actuator is adapted to move between a first position and a second position in a forward direction with respect to the datum, and a second actuator is adapted to move between a first position and a second position in a reverse direction with respect to the datum.
  6. A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox according to any preceding claim wherein a haptic feedback means provides haptic feedback when a shifting actuator (paddle) is displaced.
  7. A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox according to any preceding claim comprising a light source for provision of visual indications relating to shifted gear selection(s).
  8. 8. A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox according to any preceding claim wherein the housing comprises a stick shift actuator with a plurality of linearly sequential positions.
  9. 9. A vehicle includes the gear shift device according to any preceding claim.
GB2216764.7A 2022-11-10 2022-11-10 A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox Pending GB2624209A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2216764.7A GB2624209A (en) 2022-11-10 2022-11-10 A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2216764.7A GB2624209A (en) 2022-11-10 2022-11-10 A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox

Publications (2)

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GB202216764D0 GB202216764D0 (en) 2022-12-28
GB2624209A true GB2624209A (en) 2024-05-15

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GB2216764.7A Pending GB2624209A (en) 2022-11-10 2022-11-10 A gear shift device for a vehicle gearbox

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6209408B1 (en) * 1997-07-16 2001-04-03 Grand Haven Stamped Products Electrical sensing system for a vehicle shifter
DE102008039605A1 (en) * 2008-08-25 2010-03-04 GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit Shift-by-wire gearshift assembly for motor vehicle, has control device to estimate speed of movement of lever, and select speed of actuator during part of gearshift movement corresponding to estimated speed
DE102013021235A1 (en) * 2013-12-13 2014-07-31 Daimler Ag Method for controlling automated vehicle transmission, involves adjusting switching behavior of vehicle transmission in response to operation velocity intended for manual switching operation of electric operating elements

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6209408B1 (en) * 1997-07-16 2001-04-03 Grand Haven Stamped Products Electrical sensing system for a vehicle shifter
DE102008039605A1 (en) * 2008-08-25 2010-03-04 GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit Shift-by-wire gearshift assembly for motor vehicle, has control device to estimate speed of movement of lever, and select speed of actuator during part of gearshift movement corresponding to estimated speed
DE102013021235A1 (en) * 2013-12-13 2014-07-31 Daimler Ag Method for controlling automated vehicle transmission, involves adjusting switching behavior of vehicle transmission in response to operation velocity intended for manual switching operation of electric operating elements

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Publication number Publication date
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