Synchronizer for transmission

Abstract

A synchronizer apparatus for a transmission includes first and second shifting gears rotatable on output shaft, a hub spline-coupled with output shaft and having a slope portion having slanted surfaces, a sleeve spline-coupled with hub, a key coupled with the slope portion, first and second clutch gears disposed between hub and shifting gears, first and second outer rings and first and second inner rings disposed between hub and clutch gears, first and second synchronizer cones disposed between first inner and outer rings and second inner and outer rings and engaged with clutch gears, a poppet ball unit disposed at sleeve and contacting key through a poppet ball, first and second push blocks disposed at slanted surfaces, and first and second push springs inserted in spring holes formed at push blocks. In addition, the push springs is abutted by key such to force push blocks to tightly contact slanted surfaces.

Claims

1. A synchronizer apparatus for a transmission, comprising: first and second shifting gears rotatably disposed on an output shaft; a hub spline-coupled with the output shaft, the hub having a plurality of slope portions having slanted surfaces at both sides of the hub, the plurality of slope portions being symmetrically disposed along a circumferential direction; a sleeve spline-coupled with an external circumference of the hub; a plurality of keys that are respectively disposed to the plurality of slope portions and correspond to an interior side of the sleeve; first and second clutch gears disposed between the hub and the first and second shifting gears, respectively; first and second outer rings and first and second inner rings disposed between the hub and the first and second clutch gears, respectively; first and second synchronizer cones disposed between the first inner and outer rings and the second inner and outer rings, and engaged with the first and second clutch gears, respectively; a plurality of poppet ball units disposed at interior circumference of the sleeve at locations corresponding to the plurality of keys, the plurality of poppet ball units configured to respectively include a poppet ball contacting an exterior surface of a corresponding key of the plurality of keys; a plurality of first and second push blocks disposed at both slanted surfaces of the plurality of slope portions, respectively; and a plurality of first and second push springs inserted in spring holes formed at outer surfaces of the plurality of first and second push blocks, respectively, wherein: the first and second push springs are abutted by interior surfaces of both bent ends of the plurality of keys, and cam surfaces of the plurality of first and second push blocks tightly contact the slanted surfaces of the plurality of slope portions of the hub, respectively, such that the plurality of first and second push blocks are biased toward the slope portions of the hub, when the plurality of keys is depressed in a radially inward direction by the plurality of poppet ball units, the plurality of first and second push blocks move in the radially inward direction along the slanted surface of the plurality of slope portions of the hub while moving axially away from the hub, and the plurality of keys is configured to distribute a depressing force of the plurality of poppet ball units to the plurality of first and second push blocks such that a sum of distributed depressing forces to the plurality of first and second push blocks equals to the depressing force of the plurality of poppet ball units.

2. The synchronizer apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of keys comprises: a pressurizing surface formed as a central flat surface on the exterior surface to contact the poppet ball of the plurality of poppet ball units; and a pressure release surface formed as a curved surface extending from both sides of and downward from the pressurizing surface.

3. The synchronizer apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of keys is formed as a bent plate with a predetermined thickness.

4. The synchronizer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of poppet ball units each comprises: a ball housing inserted in an installation hole formed in interior circumference of the sleeve; and the poppet ball being inserted in the ball housing to form a rolling contact with the exterior surface of the corresponding key and pressurizing the corresponding key in the radially inward direction.

5. The synchronizer apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second push blocks comprises: an outer surface facing an interior surface of a corresponding outer ring; and a coupling recess to be coupled with the corresponding key among the plurality of keys, wherein the cam surfaces are formed as a slant surface to form a surface contact with the slanted surfaces of the plurality of slope portions of the hub.

6. The synchronizer apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second push blocks further comprises a protrusion end formed upward from a central upper surface forming the coupling recess, thereby forming a line contact with a bottom surface of the corresponding key of the plurality of keys.

7. The synchronizer apparatus of claim 6, wherein the protrusion end protrudes in a semicircular cross-section.

8. The synchronizer apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the first and second push springs are formed as coil springs.

Description

DRAWINGS

(1) In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a typical synchronizer apparatus for a transmission;

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hub applied to a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure;

(6) FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are respectively a perspective view and a cross-sectional perspective view of an assembly of a push block and a push spring applied to a key of a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure;

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a push block applied to a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure;

(8) FIG. 8 illustrates an operation of a push block applied to a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure;

(9) FIG. 9 illustrates forces applied to first and second push blocks of a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure depending on position of a poppet ball; and

(10) FIG. 10A to FIG. 10E illustrate a shifting process of a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure.

(11) The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

(13) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure.

(14) Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure is disposed between first and second shifting gears G1 and G2 mounted on an output shaft S of a transmission, and synchronously connect the first and second shifting gears G1 and G2 with the output shaft S, selectively.

(15) Such a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission includes, on the output shaft S, a hub 31, a sleeve 33, three keys 35, first and second clutch gears CG1 and CG2, first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2, first and second inner rings IR1 and IR2, first and second synchronizer cones SC1 and SC2, a poppet ball unit 40, first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2, and first and second push springs PS1 and PS2.

(16) The first and second shifting gears G1 and G2 are disposed on the output shaft S through a bearing B, to rotate relatively to the output shaft S.

(17) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hub applied to a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure.

(18) Referring to FIG. 4, the hub 31 is disposed between the first and second shifting gears G1 and G2 and spline coupled with the output shaft S. The hub 31 includes three slope portions 37 symmetrically disposed along a circumferential direction. Each of the slope portions 37 has a slanted surface CF1 protruding in an axial direction. Although FIG. 4 illustrates only a single side of the hub 31, it may be understood that an opposite side of the hub 31 may be identically formed.

(19) It may be understood that the number of the slope portions 37 may not be limited to three, and the number of the slope portions 37 may be decided in consideration of design factors.

(20) Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, a gear sleeve 51 is mounted on the output shaft S and fits with the second shifting gear G2. The gear sleeve 51 supports the hub 31 and limits an axial movement of the hub 31.

(21) The sleeve 33 is spline coupled with an external circumference of the hub 31, and is disposed movable in the axial direction.

(22) FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are respectively a perspective view and a cross-sectional perspective view of an assembly of a push block and a push spring applied to a key of a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure.

(23) According to an exemplary form, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, three keys 35 are respectively disposed to the three slope portions 37, and correspond to an interior side of the sleeve 33.

(24) It may be understood that the number of keys 35 is not limited to three, and may vary with the number of the slope portions 37.

(25) The key 35 is formed as a bent plate with a predetermined thickness, and includes a pressurizing surface T1 and pressure release surfaces T2 extending from the pressurizing surface T1. The pressurizing surface T1 is formed as a central flat surface on an exterior surface to contact a poppet ball 45 of the poppet ball unit 40. The pressure release surface T2 is formed as a curved surface extending from both sides of and downward from the pressurizing surface T1.

(26) Bent ends 35a are formed at ends of the pressure release surfaces T2 of the key 35, thereby forming receiving spaces to receive the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2, and first and second push springs PS1 and PS2 at both sides of the key 35.

(27) Referring back to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the first and second clutch gears CG1 and CG2 are disposed between the hub 31 and the first and second shifting gears G1 and G2, respectively. The first and second clutch gears CG1 and CG2 integrally rotate with the first and second shifting gears G1 and G2, to mediate power delivery to the first and second shifting gears G1 and G2.

(28) The first and second clutch gears CG1 and CG2 are selectively engaged with the sleeve 33 through spline coupling, by a movement of the sleeve 33.

(29) The first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2 are disposed between the hub 31 and the first and second clutch gears CG1 and CG2, respectively. The first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2 are selectively engaged with the sleeve 33 through spline coupling, by a movement of the sleeve 33.

(30) The first and second inner rings IR1 and IR2 are disposed between the hub 31 and the first and second clutch gears CG1 and CG2, respectively, being radially interior to the first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2. The first and second inner rings IR1 and IR2 may be engaged with the first and second clutch gears CG1 and CG2 respectively, by conical clutch operation.

(31) The first and second synchronizer cones SC1 and SC2 are disposed between the first inner and outer rings IR1 and OR1 and the second inner and outer rings IR2 and OR2, respectively. The first and second synchronizer cones SC1 and SC2 are engaged with the first and second clutch gears CG1 and CG2.

(32) The first and second synchronizer cones SC1 and SC2 may limit relative rotation of the first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2 and the first and second inner rings IR1 and IR2 with respect to the hub 31.

(33) The first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2 and first and second inner rings IR1 and IR2 may function as conventional synchronizer rings. When the sleeve 33 moves in an axial direction during the shifting process, the first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2 receive an axial directional force from the key 35, and thereby engaged with the corresponding clutch gears CG1 and CG2 through the first and second inner rings IR1 and IR2 by the conical clutch operation.

(34) Referring to FIG. 6, the poppet ball unit 40 is disposed at in interior circumference of the sleeve 33 at locations corresponding to the three keys 35. The poppet ball unit 40 contacts an exterior surface of the key 35 through the poppet ball 45.

(35) According to the poppet ball unit 40, a ball housing 41 is disposed in an installation hole H formed in an interior circumference of the sleeve 33, and a poppet ball 45 is rotatably inserted in the ball housing 41.

(36) While the poppet ball 45 inserted in the ball housing 41 forms a rolling contact with the exterior surface of the key 35, and the poppet ball 45 pressurizes the key 35 in a radially inward direction.

(37) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a push block applied to a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure.

(38) Referring back to FIG. 3, the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 are disposed at both slanted surfaces CF1 of the slope portion 37 of the hub 31.

(39) Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, each of the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 includes an outer surface OF facing an interior surface of corresponding outer rings OR1 and OR2, a coupling recess 53 to be coupled with the key 35, and a cam surface CF2 formed at an interior surface of the push blocks PB1 and PB2 and formed as a slant surface to form a surface contact with a corresponding slanted surface CF1 of the slope portion 37 of the hub 31.

(40) As shown in FIG. 7, the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 further include a protrusion end 57 formed upward from a central upper surface 55 forming the coupling recess 53. The first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 may form a line contact with a bottom surface of the key 35 through the protrusion end 57.

(41) The protrusion end 57 may protrude in a semicircular cross-section, i.e., in a half-cylindrical shape.

(42) Referring back to FIG. 6, the first and second push springs PS1 and PS2 are inserted in spring holes SH formed at outer surfaces of the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2, respectively. The first and second push springs PS1 and PS2 are abutted by interior surfaces of both bent ends 35a of the key 35 such that the cam surfaces CF2 of the push blocks PB1 and PB2 may tightly contact the slanted surfaces CF1 of the slope portion 37 of the hub 31.

(43) The first and second push springs PS1 and PS2 may be formed as coil springs, and each of the spring hole SH is formed at a central portion between the outer surfaces OF forming the coupling recess 53.

(44) In such a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission, the key 35 itself is elastic, and may rotated with the hub 31 while allowing a motion in the radial direction.

(45) A radial directional position of the key 35 is determined by a width-wise location of the poppet ball 45 contacting the exterior surface of the key 35. The force of the key 35 pressing the poppet ball 45 acts as a force on the synchronizer ring of the outer and inner rings OR1 and IR1 (or OR2 and IR2).

(46) FIG. 8 illustrates an operation of a push block applied to a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 illustrates forces applied to first and second push blocks of a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure depending on position of a poppet ball.

(47) Referring to FIG. 8, the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 are coupled with the key through the coupling recess 53, thereby limiting the rotational movement of the key 35.

(48) In addition, the cam surfaces CF2 of the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 tightly contacts the slanted surface CF1 of the slope portion 37 of the hub 31.

(49) The first and second push springs PS1 and PS2 is inserted in the spring holes SH formed at the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2, and abutted by the both bent ends 35a of the key 35, thereby forming an elastic force pushing the push blocks PB1 and PB2 toward the hub 31.

(50) By being in a tight contact with the slanted surfaces CF1 of the hub 31 through the cam surfaces CF2, the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 are applied with a biasing force in a radial direction by the elastic force of the first and second push springs PS1 and PS2. Such a radially biasing force on the push blocks PB1 and PB2 may inhibit or prevent a gap between the key 35 and the poppet ball 45 while the sleeve 33 moves.

(51) When the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 move radially outward, a distance between the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 are decreased, i.e., the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 become closer. When the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 move radially inward, a distance between the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 are increased, i.e., the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 become farther.

(52) As shown FIG. 8, in a state ST1, when the poppet ball 45 is located on the pressure release surface T2 of the key 35 according to a movement of the sleeve 33, the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 move radially outward along the slanted surface CF1 of the hub 31. Then, the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 become closer in the axial direction, and therefore become apart from the first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2, such that the force of the poppet ball 45 is not transmitted to the outer rings OR1 and OR2.

(53) As shown FIG. 8, in a state ST2, when the poppet ball 45 is located on the pressurizing surface T1 of the key 35 according to a movement of the sleeve 33, the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 move radially inward along the slanted surface CF1 of the hub 31, together with the key 35, by the force of the poppet ball 45 pressing the key 35. Then, the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 become farther from each other in the axial direction, and therefore contacts the first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2, such that the force of the poppet ball 45 is transmitted to the outer rings OR1 and OR2.

(54) Referring to FIG. 9, between the contact points P1 and P3 of the protrusion ends 57 with the key 35, the force on the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 are inversely proportional to a distance from a contact point between the poppet ball 45 and the key 35 to a contact point between the key 35 and the protrusion ends 57 of the push blocks PB1 and PB2, respectively. A sum of the forces on the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 equals to the force of the poppet ball 45 on the key 35.

(55) FIG. 9 illustrates forces applied to first and second push blocks of a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure depending on position of a poppet ball 45.

(56) FIG. 10A to FIG. 10E illustrate a shifting process of a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure.

(57) Referring to FIG. 10A to FIG. 10E, shifting operations of a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure are described in detail.

(58) In FIG. 10A, the sleeve 33 is disposed to the right in the drawing, and the hub 31 is spline-coupled with the second outer ring OR2 and the second clutch gear CG2 through the sleeve 33. Therefore, the sleeve 33 synchronously interconnects the second shifting gear G2 with the output shaft S.

(59) In this state, the poppet ball 45 is located on the right pressure release surface T2 of the key 35, and the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 are positioned radially outward by moving along the slanted surface CF1 of the hub 31 together with the key 35. The first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 become closer in the axial direction, and therefore become apart from the first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2, such that the force of the poppet ball 45 is not transmitted to the outer rings OR1 and OR2.

(60) As shown in FIG. 10B, when the sleeve 33 moves to the left in the drawing in the axial direction such that the poppet ball 45 is located at a rightmost end of the pressurizing surface T1 of the key 35, the sleeve 33 is now spline-coupled with the hub 31 and the second outer ring OR2, releasing the coupling with the second clutch gear CG2. Therefore, the synchronous coupling between the second shifting gear G2 and the output shaft S is released.

(61) Then, the poppet ball 45 presses the key 35, and accordingly, the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 moves radially inward along the slanted surface CF1 of the hub 31 together with the key 35. The first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 become farther from each other in the axial direction, and therefore contacts the first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2, such that the force of the poppet ball 45 is transmitted to the outer rings OR1 and OR2.

(62) In this state, the force of the poppet ball 45 is mostly transmitted to the second push block PB2, and accordingly the synchronizer ring of the second outer and inner rings OR2 and IR2 maintains the function. Therefore, the torque of the output shaft S is still transmitted to the second shifting gear G2 which is to be released.

(63) Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, the sleeve 33 moves to a neutral position and the poppet ball 45 is located at a center of the pressurizing surface T1 of the key 35. In this case, the sleeve 33 is spline-coupled with the hub 31 only.

(64) Then, the force of the poppet ball 45 on the key 35 equally acts on the first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2 through the outer surfaces of the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2.

(65) In this state, the force of the poppet ball 45 is equally transmitted to the first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2 and the first and second inner rings IR1 and IR2 through the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2. Therefore, a torque phase process is realized, which is an interim phase where the torque transmission from the hub 31 is being changed from the second outer ring OR2 to the first outer ring OR1.

(66) Subsequently in FIG. 10D, the sleeve 33 moves to the left in the drawing in the axial direction and the poppet ball 45 is located to the left portion of the pressurizing surface T1 of the key 35. In this case, the sleeve 33 is spline-coupled with the hub 31 and the first outer ring OR1, and the first shifting gear G1 and the output shaft S are synchronously interconnected.

(67) Then, by the force of the poppet ball 45 on the key 35, outer surfaces of the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 respectively contact the first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2.

(68) In this state, the force of the poppet ball 45 is mostly transmitted to the first push block PB1, and accordingly the synchronizer ring of the first outer and inner rings OR1 and IR1 maintains the function. Therefore, the torque of the output shaft S is still transmitted to the first shifting gear G1 which is to be engaged.

(69) Subsequently in FIG. 10E, the sleeve 33 is disposed to the left in the drawing, and the hub 31 is spline-coupled with the first outer ring OR1 and the first clutch gear CG1 through the sleeve 33. Therefore, the sleeve 33 synchronously interconnects the first shifting gear G1 with the output shaft S.

(70) In this state, the poppet ball 45 is located on the left pressure release surface T2 of the key 35, and the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 are positioned radially outward by moving along the slanted surface CF1 of the hub 31 together with the key 35.

(71) In addition, the first and second push blocks PB1 and PB2 become closer in the axial direction, and therefore become apart from the first and second outer rings OR1 and OR2, such that the force of the poppet ball 45 is not transmitted to the outer rings OR1 and OR2.

(72) According to a synchronizer apparatus for a transmission according to an exemplary form of the present disclosure, push blocks PB1 and PB2 and push springs PS1 and PS2 are employed to both sides of the key 35 and the hub 31. During a shifting operation from a to-be-released shifting gear to a to-be-engaged shifting gear, torque transmission to the to-be-released shifting gear is maintained until the to-be-engaged shifting gear is actually initiated to be engaged. Therefore, interruption of torque transmission during the shifting operation is reduced or minimized.

(73) In addition, forces on synchronizer rings at opposite sides of the hub are inversely proportional to each other according to movement of the sleeve, and accordingly, a shift shock and/or an impact noise possibly caused by a stopper and a sleeve may be reduced.

(74) While this disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary forms, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed forms. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

(75) S: output shaft G1, G2: first and second shifting gears CG1, CG2: first and second clutch gears OR1, OR2: first and second outer rings IR1, IR2: first and second inner rings SC1, SC2; first and second synchronizer cones 31: hub 33: sleeve 35: key 35a: bent end 37: slope portion CF1: slanted surface CF2: cam surface 40; poppet ball unit 41: ball housing 45: poppet ball 51: gear sleeve 57: protrusion end PB1, PB2: push block PS1, PS2: push spring T1: pressurizing surface T2: pressure release surface B: bearing