WO2007073999A1

WO2007073999A1 - Transmitter

Info

Publication number: WO2007073999A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/068811
Authority: WO
Inventors: Klaus Krämer; Uwe Schwarz; Hans-Jürgen Neubauer
Original assignee: Schaeffler Kg
Priority date: 2005-12-23
Filing date: 2006-11-23
Publication date: 2007-07-05
Also published as: CN101346569B; CN101346569A; EP1966521A1; DE102005061794A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for exchanging signals, especially in motor vehicles, said device comprising a unit (3) for exchanging signals. The inventive device is provided with a single-component holding device (4) which can be used to arrange the device (1) on a mobile element (30) in a fixed and detachable manner.

Description

Name of the invention

signaler

description

Field of the invention

The present invention is directed to a device for exchanging signals. The invention will be described with reference to a signal generator which is arranged on a switching shaft of a transmission. In motor vehicles or their transmissions, there is a need to recognize the axial or radial position of shifting shafts, for example the position corresponding to the engaged reverse gear. Based on this recognition, switches for the reversing light can be actuated.

However, the present invention is not limited to signal transmitters to switching shafts, but also extends to other signal generator or signal receiver, which can be arranged on other particular movable parts of a motor vehicle.

DE 42 90 856 C2 describes a digital position sensor system for automatic transmissions. The position of a locking lever or a manual valve is determined in an automatic transmission. The sensor system described in DE 42 90 856 C2 has an encoder, which is permanently attached to a locking lever. The locking lever is disposed within a housing of the transmission and connected via a plurality of connections to the transmission. Therefore, replacement of the coding device is complicated and involves high costs.

The present invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device for exchanging signals that is easy to assemble and in case of repair also easy to dismantle. This is inventively achieved by a device according to claim 1 and an arrangement according to another independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The inventive device for exchanging signals, in particular in motor vehicles, has a device for exchanging signals. According to the invention, the device has an integrally designed holding device with which the device can be arranged fixedly and detachably on a movable element.

A device for exchanging signals is understood as any device which can transmit or receive signals, that is to say in particular but not exclusively signal transmitters and signal receivers. In this case, these signals can be sent or received in, for example, mechanical, optical, magnetic or acoustic mode or combinations thereof.

Under a one-piece holding device is understood that the holding device is composed of a one-piece body and in particular does not have a plurality of components such as screws and Schaubgewinde, to be fastened half-shells or the like.

A releasable connection means that the device can be released from the movable element without destroying either the device or the element.

In a preferred embodiment, the holding device has two arms which at least partially surround the movable element. In this case, the movable element is preferably clamped between the two arms and, by means of this clamping, a hold of the device with respect to the movable element is achieved. The holding device is preferably a clip element which is clipped onto the movable element.

Preferably, at least one of the arms is elastic. Through this elasticity can be achieved that the two arms with respect to each other when pushing the device on the movable member are briefly bent apart to then clamp the movable member. However, it is also possible that both arms are elastic.

The aforementioned clip connection is preferably carried out without great installation effort by hand or a simple assembly tool. If, for repair or assembly purposes, the device for exchanging signals has to be removed from the movable element, this is possible without high assembly costs and thus at low cost. Furthermore, such an attachable and detachable device can be integrated into various modular systems, so that devices of the same design can be used without changing the surrounding construction in different applications or different of these devices are interchangeable.

In a further preferred embodiment, the device is designed in one piece, d. H. the means for exchanging signals and the holding means are formed as a one-piece body. However, it is also possible to attach to the holding device other signal generator, such as magnets or the like. In this case, the attachment can take place in that such signal encoders are molded around with plastic, glued, riveted, pressed in or fastened in a similar manner.

Instead of a magnet and a mirror or reflector element could be arranged as a signal generator or devices for exchanging signals.

In a preferred embodiment, the means for exchanging signals is a signal generator. However, it is also possible to carry out the device for exchanging signals as a signal receiver.

Preferably, the signal generator outputs a signal in the form of at least one pulse, the pulse being selected from a group of pulses containing mechanical pulses, optical pulses, acoustic pulses, magnetic pulses, combinations thereof, or the like. By a mechanical impulse, for example, a shock or generally a force on a further component is understood, for example, leads to the switching of a contact. In a preferred embodiment, the device for exchanging signals has at least one receiving region for an element of a further device for exchanging signals, in particular for an element of a signal receiver. In this case, for example, in the receiving area to a trough - a so-called detent recess - act between two inclined surfaces, in which engages an element / detent element such as a ball or a hemisphere or a locking pin or an actuating pin of a switch / locks. It is also conceivable that on the holding device a ramp / detent contour with several depressions and elevations mountainous two- or three-dimensional, so that either several positions can be taken when pivoting about the pivot axis and / or longitudinal displacement of the shift shaft / shift rail.

Now, when the movable member and thus the device for exchanging signals is moved, one of the inclined surfaces along the ball or to the locking pin is movably guided in this way and this moves so that the ball or the locking pin rises on the inclined surface. The linear movement thus generated at the locking pin or switch element is used for example to close or open a circuit or this movement in turn can cause a switching of a switching device of the second device for exchanging signals len. It is possible that the receiving area is designed so that the second device for exchanging signals between two or more states can be switched. However, it is also possible that a plurality of different switching states can be switched or also the movement of the element of the second device for exchanging signals leads to a graded or steplessly changing signal.

In a further preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a material selected from a group of materials including steel, aluminum, plastics, combinations thereof, or the like. Preferably, the device is made in one piece from this material. The device is preferably a cold-formed part of hard-hardened steel or spring steel.

Preferably, the holding device has a locking device, which extends in an assembled state in a substantially radial direction with respect to the movable element. In a preferred embodiment it is in the case of the movable element, around an elongated substantially cylindrical body and particularly preferably around a central selector shaft.

Although the arms of the holding device surround this cylindrical body, the holding device can still be moved in its longitudinal direction. The locking device engages in a recess or opening of the elongate body and in this way the device for exchanging signals in both the axial direction and in the direction of contact with respect to the movable member is fixed.

The present invention is further directed to an arrangement for exchanging signals with a device for exchanging signals of the type described above. Preferably, the arrangement comprises a second device for exchanging signals. Preferably, the device described above has a signal generator and the second device has a signal receiver which cooperates with this signal generator. Preferably, the second device for exchanging signals is at least temporarily in contact with the device for exchanging signals.

Instead of such a contact, however, it is also conceivable that the transmission of the signals is carried out via magnetic pulses, wherein in the device described above, for example, magnets are arranged, the sensitive magnetic sensors on or in the second device for the exchange of signals.

Preferably, the second device for exchanging signals has at least one switching device which can be switched between at least two states. This can be a mechanical contact that can be opened or closed, but electronic switching devices are also conceivable that respond to mechanical or magnetic signals.

The present invention is further directed to a shaft, and more particularly to a shift shaft having a device for exchanging signals of the type described above. Preferably, the shaft has at least one radial opening. In this radial opening, the locking device of the holding device engage and in this way an axial displacement of the device described above against the shaft can be prevented. Preferably, the holding means is such that the force for mounting the signal-exchanging device is lower than the force needed to remove the device from the outside. In this way, the risk of unwanted dropping of the device for exchanging signals from the shaft can be counteracted.

Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the accompanying drawings.

Show:

1 shows an inventive arrangement for exchanging signals.

2 shows a device according to the invention for exchanging signals;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 2; FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 2; FIG.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a front view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with a signal receiver; FIG.

8 shows a second device according to the invention for exchanging signals;

FIG. 9 shows the device from FIG. 8 in a further view; FIG.

FIG. 10 shows the device from FIG. 8 in a plan view; FIG.

Fig. 1 1, the movable element in a first view. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 refers to a device for exchanging signals, which is arranged on a movable member 30. In this embodiment, this movable element is a central selector shaft of a transmission. The device 1 has a holding device 4 and a device for exchanging signals. This holding device 4 is clipped with bias on the shaft 30. This clipping also defines the distance to the axis of the shaft. In addition, the device 1 has a locking device 18, which is inserted a bore of the shaft. In this way, an axial displacement of the device and a rotation relative to the shaft is prevented. The reference numeral 21 refers to a second device for exchanging signals, which interacts with the device 1. In this case, the device 1 is equipped as a signal generator, and the device 21 as a signal receiver.

The right part of Fig. 1 shows a plan view of the inventive arrangement. It can be seen that the device 1 has two arms 13 and 14 which rest against the outer circumference of the shaft 30. The second device 21 has a signal receiver 25 which is connected to the device 3 for exchanging signals, i. H. here the signal generator, in contact.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the inventive device for exchanging signals. It can be seen here in detail, the two arms 13 and 14 in the assembled state, the movable member 30 partially surrounded. Also shown is the locking device 18, which engages in an opening of the movable element.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the device shown in FIG. 2. It can be seen that the device 3 for exchanging signals has a receiving region 15 which serves to receive a (not shown) signal receiver.

The locking device 18 has a slotted tab with two projections 18a and 18b. The width b of this tab is slightly larger than the bore diameter of the openings provided in the shaft. At the same time, however, the two projections 18a and 18b are bendable towards each other. In this way, the locking device can be introduced under tension in the opening of the shaft and in this way bring about a secure stop. The reference numeral 18c refers to a curved portion of the locking device 18, which merges into the two projections 18a and 18b. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the locking device is offset laterally relative to the holding device 4. However, it would also be possible to provide the locking device on the other side of the holding device 4 or within the holding device 4th

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 2. It can be seen that the receiving region 15 has two inclined surfaces 16 or ramps which are arranged symmetrically with respect to a central region 17. This central region 17 is slightly curved in the embodiment shown in FIG. The movable element d. H. the central control shaft rotates during operation by an angular range of approximately 21 °. As a result of this rotation, no displacement of a signal receiver is effected in this embodiment. The inclined surfaces 16 are designed such that, regardless of the rotational position, the shaft of the signal receiver (not shown) does not touch any of the edges 16a, 16b. It can be seen that the device according to the invention is formed in this embodiment completely in one piece.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the device according to the invention for exchanging signals, with FIG. 5 showing the symmetrical structure of the device for exchanging signals 3.

Fig. 6 shows a further view of the device according to the invention for exchanging signals. It can be seen that on the arms 13 and 14 respectively outwardly curved ends 13a and 14a are provided which serve to push the device 1 onto the shaft. Besides, the arms have curved portions 13b and 14b abutting against the outer circumference of the shaft.

Fig. 7 shows a side view similar to that of Fig. 3, but here a signal receiver 25 of the second device for exchanging signals is shown. In the case of a movement of the device 1 along the double arrow P1, the here equipped with a spherical segment-shaped surface signal receiver 25 moves due to the inclined surfaces 16 in the direction of the arrow P2 upwards. By this movement, in turn, a switching contact can be opened or closed. at the concrete application is, as soon as the signal receiver 25 at the position shown in Fig. 7, a reversing light is activated. The signal receiver could also have a hemispherical shape or other curved shapes.

As soon as the signal receiver 25 moves upwards along the arrow P2, the reversing spotlight switches off.

In the case of a rotation of the shaft, however, no displacement of the signal receiver 25 is effected.

However, it would also be possible to provide for other embodiments in addition to the inclined surfaces 16 also further inclined surfaces, which cause a movement of the signal receiver 25 even with a rotation of the shaft. The left- and right-sided oblique surfaces could also be designed differently and thus cause a different movement of the signal receiver 25 during a longitudinal movement to the left than during a longitudinal movement to the right. In a further embodiment, it would also be conceivable that the signal receiver 25 not only causes an on or off, but a stepped or continuous control of a signal.

FIG. 8 shows a second device 21 for exchanging signals which interact with the first device 1 described above. The second device 21 has a head 28 in which the signal receiver 25 is arranged.

FIG. 9 shows the device shown in FIG. 8 in a further illustration. In this case, reference numeral 26 refers to a line connection. With the holding element 27, the device 21 is attached to a transmission housing. A displacement of the signal receiver 25 in the longitudinal direction L of the device 21 causes inside a switching contact is opened or closed.

Instead of the mechanical variant shown here, in which a signal receiver 25 is displaced by the device 1, and thus a circuit is effected, however, other possibilities of signal transmission would also be conceivable. Thus, in the device 3 for exchanging signals, a magnetic transmitter could be arranged, which triggers at an axial displacement of the movable member 30 at a control pulse to a receiver. Also, the device 3 could exchange signals Have mirrors or other reflective elements that trigger a signal at the receiver at a certain axial position.

10 shows a plan view of the second device for exchanging signals. Here, too, the holding element 27 can be seen and a connection 29 to the line connection 26 of the device 21st

Fig. 1 1 shows a shaft 30. This has a plurality of openings 32, wherein the opening 32a for connection of the device according to the invention by means of the locking device 18 is used.

All disclosed in the application documents features are claimed as essential to the invention, provided they are new individually or in combination over the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Device for exchanging signals 3 Device for exchanging signals

4 holding device

13, 14 arms of the holding device 4

13a, 14a curved ends

13b, 14b curved portions 15 receiving area

16 inclined surfaces 16a, 16b edges

17 central area

18 locking means 18 a, 18 b projections of the locking device 18th

18c curved portion of the Aretiereinrichtung 18th

21 second device for exchanging signals

25 signal receivers

26 line connection 27 retaining element

30 movable element b width of the tab

L longitudinal direction

Claims

claims

1 . Device (1) for exchanging signals, in particular in motor vehicles, with a device (3) for exchanging signals, characterized in that the device has a one-piece holding device (4) with which the device (1) is fixed and detachable a movable element (30) can be arranged.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding device comprises two arms (13, 14) which surround the movable member (30) at least partially.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one arm (13, 14) is designed to be elastic.

4. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, character- ized in that the device (1) is made in one piece.

5. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (3) for exchanging signals is a signal generator (3).

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the signal generator (3) outputs a signal in the form of at least one pulse, wherein the pulse is selected from a group of pulses, which mechanical impulses, optical pulses, acoustic pulses, magnetic pulses, combinations from this or the like.

7. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims 5-6, characterized in that the signal generator (3) has at least one receiving area (15) for a signal receiver (25).

8. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a material which is selected from a group of materials containing steel, aluminum, plastics, combinations thereof or the like.

9. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device (4) has a locking device (18) which extends in an assembled state in a substantially radial direction with respect to the movable element (30).

10. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable element (30) is an elongate substantially cylindrical body.

1 1. An arrangement for exchanging signals with a device (1) for exchanging signals according to at least one of the preceding claims.

12. Arrangement according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a second device (21) for exchanging signals.

13. Arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the device (1) for exchanging signals, a signal generator (3) and the second device (21) for exchanging signals, a signal receiver (25) has up.

14. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 1 - 13, characterized in that the signal receiver (25) is at least temporarily in contact with the device (1) for the exchange of signals.

15. Arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 1 - 14, characterized in that the second device (21) has at least one switching device which is switchable between at least two states.

16. shaft (30) with a device (1) for exchanging signals according to at least one of the preceding claims 1-10.

17 shaft (30) according to claim 16, characterized in that said shaft has at least one radial opening (32).