GB367847A - Improvements in variable speed gearing - Google Patents

Abstract

367,847. Variable speed gearing. BALLENTIN, W., (known as MIELKE, W.), and UHLICH, E., 7, Berlinerstrasse, Hirschgarten, Berlin. Nov. 18, 1930, No. 34752. [Class 80 (ii).] A variable-speed gear for vehicles comprises in combination a single control lever for braking the vehicle and changing over from idle running into reverse or forward running, and a centrifugal slipping clutch for automatically regulating the speeds in driving connection with the driven shaft and with a planet wheel carrier loose with respect to the driving and driven shafts. The speed ratio varies between zero and a maximum, which is varied by the engine throttle. A reversing-gear shown on the right of Fig. 2 in idle position comprises a sleeve clutch s which is slid on an intermediate shaft a<1> to engage a clutch u<4> on the propeller shaft u<1> for,forward driving. An epicyclic train s<2>, w, u<5> then turns solid, and the automatic change gear A is operative. To brake the vehicle, a brake x is applied. To reverse, the clutch s is withdrawn and the brake x applied as before to the carrier w<2> of the planets w. The clutch s is operated by a lever s<3>, Fig. 4, pivoted at s<5> and having a forked end adjacent a gate t<3>, Fig. 5. The single control lever t moves in a slot t<5> to actuate the lever s<3> to two positions corresponding to the in and out positions of the clutch s. Springs s<9>, Fig. 4, hold the lever s<3> where it is left by the lever t when the latter is moved along another gate slot t4 to apply the brake x. The brake x is tightened with clutch s in to brake the vehicle, and with clutch s out to reverse the drive between the automatic change gear A and the shaft u<1>. The driving-shaft a, Fig. 2, of the automatic gear A carries a pinion b alongside a wheel b<1> fast on the shaft a<1>. These gears mesh with stepped planets c in a loose carrier f with internal teeth p. A second loose drum o supports planets g meshing with the annulus p and with a sun gear h on a sleeve k, which upon a disc l supports the weights n, Fig. 3, of the centrifugal coupling. The weights n are pivoted at n<3> to the disc l and biased inwards by springs o<1>. When the engine speed is high enough, the weights n are thrown outwards and wipe round with friction on the drum o the effect being to produce a torque on the shaft a<1>, which is driven at a speed to suit the load. Arrangements with bevel and with interengaging planet elements are described, in some of which the reversing-train is not separate, as in Fig. 2, but incorporated. Forms are described with clutch arrangements for cutting out the centrifugal coupling and obtaining independent drives. In a form shown in Fig. 12, the reversing-gear is incorporated and the centrifugal coupling comprises a friction disc n slid axially by centrifugal weights n'.