WO2005007442A1

WO2005007442A1 - Linkage clamp

Info

Publication number: WO2005007442A1
Application number: PCT/SE2004/001097
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ingemar Melander
Original assignee: Kongsberg Automotive Ab
Priority date: 2003-07-15
Filing date: 2004-07-06
Publication date: 2005-01-27
Also published as: SE0302072D0; SE525531C2; SE0302072L

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clampable, lockable adjusting element for a gear shift mechanism of a motor vehicle (1). The gear shift mechanism comprises a tubular part (17), a flat part (18) and a gear shift lever (2) which is pivotally connected to a gear shift rod (6). The gear shift rod (6) is furthermore slid into the tubular part (17), the flat part (18) being pivotally connected to an operating element (7) of the gearbox (5). The tubular part (17) of the adjusting element is tubular with at least two longitudinal openings (19, 20) and is enclosed by a clamping element (10) designed for constrictive clamped locking between the tubular part (17) and the gear shift rod (6) when the gear shift lever (2) and the gearbox (5) are in corresponding positions. The adjusting element (9) comprises two largely identical components (13) fixed together, each having a flat section (13a) and a not completely semi-tubular section (13b). The invention also relates to a clamping element (10) according to the above, which comprises said torque arm (33), which is fixed to a leg (23) of the tubular part (17), and a gripper hook (32) interacting therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of manufacturing the aforementioned adjusting element (9) and clamping element (10) respectively.

Description

Linkage clamp

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a clampable, lockable adjusting element for a gear shift mechanism of a motor vehicle, which gear shift mechanism comprises a tubular part, a flat part and a gear shift lever which is pivotally connected to a gear shift rod, the gear shift rod furthermore being slid into the tubular part of the adjusting element and the flat part of the adjusting element being pivotally connected to an operating element of the gearbox, and the tubular part of the adjusting element being tubular with at least two longitudinal openings between at least two legs and the tubular part furthermore being at least partially enclosed by a clamping element designed for constrictive clamped locking between the tubular part and the gear shift rod inserted into the tubular part when the gear shift lever and the gearbox are in corresponding positions, the gear shift mechanism further comprising a torque arm coupled to a torque strut.

The present invention also relates to a clamping element for constrictive clamped locking of an adjusting element for a gear shift mechanism of a motor vehicle, which gear shift mechanism comprises a tubular part, a flat part and a gear shift lever, which is pivotally connected to a gear shift rod, the gear shift rod furthermore being slid into the tubular part of the adjusting element and the flat part of the adjusting element being pivotally connected to an operating element of the gearbox, and the tubular part of the adjusting element being tubular with at least one longitudinal opening between at least two legs, the clamping element at least partially enclosing the tubular part and being designed for constrictive clamped locking between the tubular part and the gear shift rod inserted into the tubular part when the gear shift lever and the gearbox are in corresponding positions, the gear shift mechanism further comprising a torque arm coupled to a torque strut. The present invention also relates to methods of manufacturing the aforementioned adjusting element and clamping element respectively.

PRIOR ART

In conventional operating elements such as gear shift mechanisms in motor vehicles a gear shift lever is very often mechanically connected to a gearbox. This mechanical connection usually comprises a gear shift rod which transmits both longitudinal movements and rotational movements. The gear shift lever is normally fixed to a lower part of a passenger compartment or cab by way of a ball joint or other type of universal joint which will permit gear shift movements. The gear shift lever extends further down to the gear shift rod, by means of which the gear shift lever is joined to an arrangement which allows a reciprocating gear shift movement of the gear shift lever to be translated into a largely longitudinal reciprocating movement of the gear shift rod, and a lateral movement of the gear shift lever to be translated into a rotational movement of the gear shift rod.

The movements via the gear shift rod serve for switching the gearbox between the various gear shift positions by way of one or more operating shafts belonging to the gearbox. The choice of gear shift position is therefore a combination of rotational position and axial displacement position of the gear shift rod and the operating shaft of the gearbox. When assembling the gear shift mechanism a problem of adjustment normally arises since the position of the gear shift lever must correspond to the current gear shift position of the gearbox. The normal practice is to select a known gear on the gearbox with the operating shaft connected to the gear shift rod via an adjustable coupling. The gear shift lever, which is coupled to the gear shift rod, is then set to the position corresponding to the gear shift position on the gear box. The coupling of the operating shaft to the gear shift rod must be fixed in this position. A tube which is slipped on to the end and which runs backwards and forwards over and rotates around the end of the gear shift rod usually forms part of the operating shaft coupling to the end of the gear shift rod. The tube is slotted, and by means of an adjustable clamping element a clamped locking to the gear shift rod can be achieved when the coupling of the operating shaft to the gear shift lever is to be fixed. The aim of this arrangement is to be able to adjust the position of the gear shift lever relative to a certain position of the operating shaft and then lock it so that movement patterns of the gear shift lever are correctly transmitted to the gearbox.

However, previously known solutions to the aforementioned problem (see the first part of the description) entail a relatively expensive and complicated manufacturing effort in which a tube has to be sawn off and deformed at one end. In addition, at least two slots have to be milled up from the other end. Furthermore, the prior art, as stated, has a cast clamping device, which is relatively expensive to manufacture. It is also necessary to cut a thread for the tightening screw.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive solution. Another object of the invention is to achieve a solution which does not include cast or forged components.

The invention thereby provides an adjusting element of the type specified above, the adjusting element comprising two largely identical components joined together, each having a flat section and a not completely semi-tubular section.

The invention thereby provides a clamping element of the type specified above, the clamping element comprising a torque arm, largely extending in one plane, which is fixed to a leg of the tubular part, and a gripper hook interacting therewith.

The invention thereby also provides method of manufacturing the aforementioned adjusting element and clamping element respectively, the characteristics of said methods being set out in the characterizing parts of claims 6 and 7.

Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

The present invention affords a number of advantages over the locking devices used hitherto.

- Components punched and formed from sheet metal are preferably used, that is to say two joined largely identical components of the adjusting element and the torque arm and gripper hook components forming part of the clamping element are all components that are punched out from sheet metal. - The punched components to be formed are preferably formed by bending.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail below on the basis of an example of an embodiment and with reference to drawings attached in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a clamping device according to the prior art; Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle for which the invention is intended; Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of an adjusting mechanism according to the invention; Fig. 4a shows a punched-out largely rectangular flat steel before bending to shape; Fig. 4b-d show an adjusting element according to the invention in the following schematic views: from a concave side, from a formed end and from the side; Fig. 5a shows a schematic side view of an adjusting element according to the invention; Fig. 5b shows a section A-A of the adjusting element according to Fig. 5a; Fig. 6 shows a stage in the manufacture of a gripper hook according to the invention; Fig. 7a shows a schematic view from one end of a gripper hook according to the invention; Fig. 7b shows a schematic side view of a gripper hook according to the invention; Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of a torque strut according to the invention; Fig. 9a shows a schematic view from one end of a gripper hook and a torque strut according to the invention in interacting engagement with one another, and Fig. 9b shows a schematic side view of a gripper hook and a torque strut according to the invention in interacting engagement with one another.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In hitherto known solutions to the aforementioned problem in gear shift mechanisms between a gear shift lever and a gearbox, a slotted tube was used, which was slipped on to the end of a gear shift rod facing the gearbox, in combination with a cast clamping device of a type shown in schematic form in Fig. 1 , which is slipped over the tube. The clamping device 100 is provided with a tightening screw 101 for clamped locking. The clamping device is furthermore provided in a known manner with a projection or lug 102, having a hole 103 to which a torque strut (not shown) is articulated. The end of the tube facing the gearbox is usually deformed, for example flattened, by forging, for securing the operating shaft. Securing usually takes the form of a moveable joint, such as a ball joint.

The construction of a gear shift mechanism of a vehicle 1 to which the invention is intended to be applied, in this case a truck, will be described schematically with reference first to Fig. 2. A gear shift lever 2 is pivotally fitted in a lever control console 3. The gear shift lever 2 is conventionally provided with an ergonomically designed lever knob 4 or lever head, designed to be manually gripped by a driver of the truck for operating a gearbox 5. In its interaction with the gearbox 5 the lever 2 is moveable, according to a specific pattern of movement, between various shift positions, partly through forwards/backwards movements and partly through lateral movements. By means of such movements the gearbox 5, by way of a gear shift rod 6, is shifted between the various gear shift positions via an operating shaft 7 belonging to the gearbox 4 and shown schematically in Fig. 3. The gear shift lever 2 is here pivotally connected in a known manner to the gear shift rod 6. The choice of gear shift position is therefore a combination of rotational position and axial displacement position of the gear shift rod 5 and the operating shaft 6. The gear shift rod 5 is coupled to the operating shaft 7 via a ball joint coupling 8. The ball joint coupling 8 is fixed to a tubular adjusting element 9 which is displaceable over the end of the gear shift rod and which will be described in more detail below, the adjusting element 9 being flattened at the end where the ball joint coupling 8 is fixed. The adjusting element 9 is provided with openings 19, 20 and is clamped by means of an adjustable clamping element 10, which will be described in more detail below, to the gear shift rod 6, so that it cannot perform any movements in relation to the gear shift rod 6. The aim of this arrangement is to allow the position of the gear shift lever 2 to be adjusted relative to a certain position of the operating shaft 7, so that the pattern of movements of the gear shift lever is correctly transmitted to the gearbox 5. When the gear shift mechanism is to be assembled, a problem of adjustment normally arises since the position of the gear shift lever must correspond to the position that the gearbox 5 happens to be in at the moment of actuation by the operating shaft 7. A gear on the gearbox 5 is normally adjusted by the operating shaft 7 of the gearbox 5. Following this the gear shift lever 2, which is coupled to the gear shift rod 6 is set to the position which corresponds to the gear shift position on the gearbox 5. In this position the operating shaft 7 must be coupled to the gear shift rod 6 and fixed, which is done by means of the adjusting element 9 and the clamping element 10. Note that the clamping element 10 is pivotally connected to a torque strut 11 via an articulated coupling 12.

An embodiment of an adjusting element 9 and a clamping element 10 according to the invention will be further described in more detail with reference to Fig. 4-8.

The tubular adjustable section 9 comprises two largely identical flat steels welded together, which prior to welding are punched out and formed so that they take on the correct shape. The appearance of such a punched, largely rectangular flat steel 13 before being bent to shape is shown in Fig. 4a and the appearance of such a punched flat steel 13 after forming is shown in three views, that is from a concave side, from a formed end and from the side in Fig. 4b-d.

The punched metal blank according to Fig. 4a has two sections, a first section 13a, which is not to be deformed but will continue to form a flat section, and a second section 13b which is to be bent to shape so that it will take on a cross-sectional shape of an incomplete half tube as shown in Fig. 4b-d. The term incomplete signifies that if two such halves are placed against one another in order to form a full, essentially circular tube, the halves must be placed with a gap if a circular cross-section is to be obtained, as indicated by centre lines in Fig. 4c. The flat first section 13a is angled by bending to shape as shown in Fig. 4b-d so that its contact surface 14 remote from the rest of the metal blank forms a part of a first plane which is parallel to a second plane, which is tangent to the boundary edges 15, 16 of the incomplete half tube and so that the first plane is situated somewhat outside the opening of the incomplete half tube.

If two metal blanks formed according to the above are placed together as shown in Fig. 5a, so that their flat contact surfaces 14 remote from the rest of the metal blank are brought together, the adjusting element 9 as described above, with a tubular part 17 and a flat part 18, is obtained. The half tubes of incomplete cross-section, which form incomplete semi-circles, will thereby describe an incomplete circular shape in that opposing openings 19, 20 are formed where two complete half circles should meet to form a complete circle, which is shown in the section in Fig. 5b. For the tubular part these openings will constitute openings 19, 20 running along the tubular part, each of the openings 19, 20 converging to just a seam between the united flat surfaces of the flat part 18 where the tubular part 17 merges into the flat part 18. The united flat surfaces are suitably fixed to one another, for example by welding. The flat section has here been provided with a through-hole 21 , which is intended for the aforementioned ball joint coupling 8 for further coupling to the gearbox 5 via the operating shaft 7.

The longitudinal openings 19, 20 in the tubular part 17 mean that the two incomplete half-tubular parts of the tubular part 17, which constitute legs 22, 23 of the tubular part, will permit a certain springing, which means that the two legs 22, 23 of the tubular part can be pressed together somewhat.

The tubular part 17 can now be slipped on to the gear shift rod 6 shown in Fig. 5, the tubular part 17 having a diameter such that the gear shift rod 6 can be made to move forwards and backwards unimpeded and turned axially in the tubular part 17. If the two legs 22, 23 of the tubular part are pressed together on the other hand, the tubular part 17 and therefore the entire adjusting element 9 are locked in relation to the gear shift rod 6 by the clamping action, so that no movements are permitted relative to the gear shift rod 6. In order to achieve such locking, a clamping device 10 according to the invention is used, which will be described in more detail below.

Fig. 6 shows an O-shaped washer component 24 punched out from a metal sheet, a further through-hole 25 also being punched out at one end. The washer component 24 is then meant to be deformed by bending two identical legs 26, 27 up around the dot-and-dash lines 28, 29 shown in the figure, that is to say symmetrically around the hole 25, so that the legs 26, 27 will come to extend largely at right angles in relation to a first section 30 and a second section 31 which connect the legs, the first section 30 carrying the hole 25. The washer component 24 is further deformed so that a gripper hook 32, as shown in the views in Fig. 7a and b, is obtained, in which the previously bent legs 26, 27 constitute gripper legs 26, 27 each with curvatures which have inner surfaces 40, 41 that are suited to gripping around the aforementioned tubular part 17. Following the final deformation, the two sections 30, 31 that connect the gripper legs have been positioned so that the hole-carrying first section 30 is situated closer to the bend of the gripper legs than the second section 31.

Fig. 8 shows a torque arm 33 punched out from a metal sheet, at one end of which a lug 34 is formed, through which a through-hole 35 has been punched out. A small tubular piece 36 is fixed to the other end, for example by welding, this being intended to function as holding screw bushing. Between the ends one side of the torque arm 33 is provided with a rounded indentation which forms a rounded surface 37 with a curvature that is suited to gripping around the aforementioned tubular part 17. The torque arm is not formed further, so that it constitutes a component extending largely in one plane. The torque arm 33 and the gripper hook 32 are furthermore designed to be coupled together in interacting engagement so that together they form the aforementioned clamping element 10, as shown in the views in Fig. 9a and b. The surfaces 37, 40, 41 of the torque arm 33 and the gripper hook 32 designed to conform to the tubular part will thereby come to lie directly opposite one another, so that they can provide an interacting fit against the tubular part 17. In Fig. 9, a nut 38 is fixed, for example by welding, directly adjoining to the punched through-hole 25 in the gripper hook 32. A fixing screw 39 or the like is further introduced through the screw bushing 36 of the torque arm 33, the fixing screw 39 also being inserted through the punched through-hole in the gripper hook 25 and on into threaded engagement with the fixed nut 38. By tightening the fixing screw 39 the torque arm 33 and the gripper hook 32 are brought towards one another, so that the surfaces 37, 40, 41 of the torque arm 33 and the gripper hook which are designed to conform to the tubular part 17 are therefore also brought towards one another.

How the clamping element 10 is intended to interact with the tubular part 17 is described below with reference to Fig. 3 (and 9). Here the torque arm 33 also constitutes a holder for fixing to the torque strut 11. The torque arm 33 is first welded fast to a leg 23 of the tubular part 17, so that the torque arm 33 is permanently fixed to this. The torque arm 33 is suitably located at the outer end of the tubular part 17, so that a good clamping action is obtained when the torque arm 33 interacts with the gripper hook 32 as they are brought into engagement with one another. When the gripper hook 32 is brought into engagement with the torque arm 33 they assume an interacting position as shown in Fig. 3 (see also Fig. 9). In this position the tubular part

17 of the adjusting element 9 is brought on to the gear shift rod 6, and the operating shaft 7 of the gearbox is fixed in the hole 21 in the flat part 18 of the adjusting element 9 by way of the ball joint coupling 8. The hole 35 punched out of the lug 34 of the torque arm (shown in Fig. 8 and 9) is intended to form an articulated fixing for the torque strut 11 , the torque strut 11 being intended to form a bearing point for movements of the gear shift rod when shifting gear. The torque strut 11 is fixed in the hole 35 by way of the articulated fixing 12.

The operating shaft 7 can now be operated so that a specific gear shift position of the gearbox 5 is obtained, following which the gear shift lever 1 is operated in order to assume a corresponding position. The gear shift rod 6 will thereby slide into the tubular part 17 of the adjusting element 9. When the positions precisely coincide, the fixing screw 39 is tightened so that the gripper hook 32 will be clamped against the tubular part 17 and the welded torque arm 33. The two legs 22 and 23 of the tubular part are then pressed together so that a constrictive clamped locking can be achieved between the tubular part 17 and the gear shift rod 6 inserted into the tubular part.

The invention is not limited to the example of embodiment described above and shown in the drawings but may be modified within the scope of the following patent claims. The core of the invention therefore resides in the fact that the adjusting element 9 is made by forming two largely identical punched metal components which are formed and then fixed together. The invention furthermore comprises a clamping element 10 which is made in two parts, a torque arm 33 and a gripper hook 32, these parts being designed to interact. The torque arm and the interacting gripper hook may be formed in many ways without detriment to the function described. The underlying principle is that both of the components can be made from punched-out metal components, the gripper hook 32 being formed by bending. Their precise shape is therefore not crucial, provided that they interact as in the example shown above. For example, a nut 38 need not be welded fast directing adjoining the hole 25 in the gripper hook 32, it being possible instead to make a thread if a sufficient thickness of material is available. With regard to the gripper hook 32, it may also be feasible, however, for this to be made from a metal rod bent to the correct shape. It is also feasible for the torque arm 33 to merely bear against the leg 23 and to be clamped to this by means of the gripper hook 32, instead of being welded fast to the leg 23 of the tubular part 17.

The position and design of constituent parts, such as the gear shift rod 6 and the gearbox 5, are only schematic and are indicated only in order to explain the invention, and must not be regarded as limiting the invention.

The invention is not limited to trucks but may also be applied to other types of vehicle.

Claims

1. Clampable, lockable adjusting element for a gear shift mechanism of a motor vehicle (1), which gear shift mechanism comprises a tubular part (17), a flat part (18) and a gear shift lever (2) which is pivotally connected to a gear shift rod (6), the gear shift rod (6) furthermore being slid into the tubular part (17) of the adjusting element and the flat part (18) of the adjusting element being pivotally connected to an operating element (7) of the gearbox (5), and the tubular part (17) of the adjusting element being tubular with at least two longitudinal openings (19, 20) and the tubular part (17) being furthermore at least partially enclosed by a clamping element (10) designed for constrictive clamped locking between the tubular part (17) and the gear shift rod (6) inserted into the tubular part when the gear shift lever (2) and the gearbox (5) are in corresponding positions, the gear shift mechanism further comprising a torque arm (33) coupled to a torque strut (11), characterized in that the adjusting element (9) comprises two largely identical components (13) joined together, each having a flat section (13a) and a not completely semi-tubular section (13b).

2. Adjusting element according to claim 1 , characterized in that the clamping element (10) comprises said torque arm (33) which extends largely in one plane, said torque arm (33) being furthermore fixed to a leg (23) of the tubular part (17), and a gripper hook (32) interacting therewith.

3. Clamping element for constrictive clamped locking of an adjusting element for a gear shift mechanism of a motor vehicle (1), which gear shift mechanism comprises a tubular part (17), a flat part (18) and a gear shift lever (2), which is pivotally connected to a gear shift rod (6), the gear shift rod (6) furthermore being slid into the tubular part (17) of the adjusting element and the flat part (18) of the adjusting element being pivotally connected to an operating element (7) of the gearbox (5), and the tubular part (17) of the adjusting element being tubular with at least one longitudinal opening (19, 20), the clamping element (10) at least partially enclosing the tubular part (17) and being designed for constrictive clamped locking between the tubular part (17) and the gear shift rod (6) inserted into the tubular part when the gear shift lever (2) and the gearbox (5) are in corresponding positions, the gear shift mechanism further comprising a torque arm (33) coupled to a torque strut (11 ), characterized in that the clamping element (10) comprises said torque arm (33) which extends largely in one plane, said torque arm (33) being furthermore fixed to a leg (23) of the tubular part (17), and a gripper hook (32) interacting therewith.

4. Clamping element according to Claim 3, characterized in that the adjusting element (9) comprises two largely identical components (13) joined together, each having a flat section (13a) and a not completely semi- tubular section (13b).

5. Clamping element according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the torque arm (33) fixed to the tubular part (17) of the adjusting element is pivotally fixed to the torque strut (11).

6. Method of manufacturing a clampable, lockable adjusting element according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: punching out of two largely rectangular metal blanks (13) from a metal sheet; forming of a second section (13b) forming part of each metal blank (13) which is bent to shape so that it takes on the cross-sectional shape of an incomplete half tube; angling of a first section (13a) forming part of each metal blank which is angled so that a contact surface (14) remote from the rest of the metal blank forms a part of a first plane which is parallel to a second plane, which is tangent to the boundary edges (15, 18) of the incomplete half tube and so that the first plane is situated somewhat outside the opening of the incomplete half tube; combining of the two metal blanks (13) formed as described above by uniting and joining together the contact surface (14) of each metal blank remote from the rest of the metal blank, and making of a hole (21) for an operating shaft (7).

7. Method of manufacturing a clamping element according to Claim

3, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: punching out of an O-shaped washer component (24) from a metal sheet, a further through-hole (25) also being punched out; deforming of the washer component (24) by bending two identical legs (26, 27) up symmetrically around the hole (25), so that the legs

(26, 27) will come to extend largely at right angles in relation to a first section (30) and a second section (31) which connect the legs (26, 27), the first section (30) carrying the hole (25); further deforming the washer component (24) so that a gripper hook (32), is obtained, in which the previously bent legs (26, 27) constitute gripper legs (26, 27) each with curvatures having inner surfaces (40, 41) that are suited to gripping around the tubular part (17) of the adjusting element; introducing of threads immediately adjoining the hole (25); final deforming of the washer component (24) so that the two sections (30, 31 ) connecting the gripper legs have been positioned so that the hole-carrying first section (30) is situated closer to the bend of the gripper legs than the second section (31 ); and further punching out from sheet metal of an arm part (33) having a through-hole (35) through a lug (34) at one end of the arm part; and fixing a tubular piece (36) to the other end of the arm part; one side of the torque arm between the ends being provided (33) by the punching process with a rounded indentation which forms a rounded surface (37) having a curvature which is designed to grip around the tubular part (17) of the adjusting element, and the method further comprising the following steps bringing the torque arm (33) and the gripper hook (32) together in interacting engagement so that together they constitute the clamping element (10); and introducing a fixing screw (39) through the tubular piece (36) of the torque arm (33), the fixing screw (39) being further inserted through the punched through-hole (25) in the gripper hook (32) and on into threaded engagement with the threads made immediately adjoining the hole (25).