TRANSMISSION ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A transmission arrangement for a vehicle includes an input gearbox including a first input shaft, a base gearbox connected to an output side of the input gearbox in a direction of a power flow, and a drive unit for rotatably driving a drive shaft at a rotational speed. The drive shaft is drive-connected to a second input shaft of the input gearbox. The transmission arrangement also includes a locking device being transferable into a locking position for arresting a rotation of the second input shaft.

Claims

1. A transmission arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: an input gearbox including a first input shaft; a base gearbox connected to an output side of the input gearbox in a direction of a power flow; a drive unit for rotatably driving a drive shaft at a rotational speed, the drive shaft being drive-connected to a second input shaft of the input gearbox; and a locking device being transferable into a locking position for arresting a rotation of the second input shaft.

2. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the locking device is disposed in its locking position by a positively interlocking connection.

3. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the locking device is disposed in its locking position by a frictional connection.

4. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the locking device is manually transferable into its locking position.

5. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the locking device is controllably transferred into its locking position by a control unit.

6. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein, when the locking device is in its locking position, it acts on the drive shaft.

7. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein, when the locking device is in its locking position, it acts on the drive connection between the drive shaft and the second input shaft.

8. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the drive connection between the drive shaft and the second input shaft comprises a pair of mating gears.

9. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second input shaft is a hollow shaft.

10. The transmission arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the second input shaft is arranged coaxially with the first input shaft.

11. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit comprises a pair of electric machines and an inverter.

12. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the drive connection comprises a pair of mating gears disposed in meshing engagement with one another.

13. An agricultural vehicle, comprising: an engine; and a transmission arrangement, comprising: an input gearbox including a first input shaft; a base gearbox connected to an output side of the input gearbox in a direction of a power flow; a drive unit for rotatably driving a drive shaft at a rotational speed, the drive shaft being drive-connected to a second input shaft of the input gearbox; and a locking device being transferable into a locking position for arresting a rotation of the second input shaft.

14. The agricultural vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the locking device is disposed in its locking position by a positively interlocking connection.

15. The agricultural vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the locking device is disposed in its locking position by a frictional connection.

16. The agricultural vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the locking device is manually transferable into its locking position.

17. The agricultural vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the locking device is controllably transferred into its locking position by a control unit.

18. The agricultural vehicle according to claim 13, wherein, when the locking device is in its locking position, the locking device acts on the drive shaft or the drive connection between the drive shaft and the second input shaft.

19. A transmission arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: an input gearbox including a first input shaft; a base gearbox connected to an output side of the input gearbox in a direction of a power flow; a drive unit for rotatably driving a drive shaft at a rotational speed, the drive shaft being drive-connected to a second input shaft of the input gearbox; and a locking device being transferable into a locking position for arresting a rotation of the second input shaft; wherein, when the locking device is in its locking position, the locking device acts on the drive shaft or the drive connection between the drive shaft and the second input shaft.

20. The transmission arrangement of claim 19, wherein: the second input shaft comprises a hollow shaft; and the second input shaft is arranged coaxially with the first input shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the transmission arrangement according to the present disclosure,

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a locking device according to the detail II in FIG. 1 in a first embodiment, and

[0026] FIG. 3 shows the locking device according to detail II in FIG. 1 in a further embodiment.

[0027] Corresponding reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 1 schematically shows a transmission arrangement 10. It is fitted into a vehicle (not represented here), for example, in a tractor, the combustion engine 12 and associated crankshaft 14 of which are represented schematically.

[0030] The transmission arrangement 10 comprises an electrical transmission having an electrical drive unit 15, an input gearbox 18 and a base gearbox 22 connected to the output side of the input gearbox 18 in the direction of the power flow 20. The crankshaft 14 is coupled to a first input shaft 24 of the input gearbox 18, so that a speed of the combustion engine 12 is provided on the first input shaft 24. The base gearbox 22 comprises an output shaft 26, which transmits mechanical energy to other components of the vehicle. For example, the output shaft 26 takes the form of a differential drive shaft for driving a wheel axle of the vehicle.

[0031] The electrical drive unit 15 comprises, in particular, two electric machines 16, 36 and an inverter 17. The drive unit 15 is controlled by a control device 45 in that the latter controls the inverter 17. According to the control signals of the inverter 17, the machines 16, 36 can each be operated either as an electric motor or as a generator. The control device 45 is a micro-controller. It may be used in a suitable embodiment as a control for the entire transmission arrangement 10.

[0032] The drive unit 15 or its electric machine 16 drives a drive shaft 28, which is drive-connected to a second input shaft 30 of the input gearbox 18 in the form of a hollow shaft. This drive connection comprises a pair of mating gears having a first gear wheel 32 and second gear wheel 34 meshing with the former. The two input shafts 24, 30 are arranged coaxially with one another.

[0033] The two electric machines 16, 36 are electrically connected via the inverter 17. The machine 36 is drive-connected to the crankshaft 14. This drive connection comprises a pair of mating gears having a third gear wheel 38 and fourth gear wheel 40 meshing with the former. The third gear wheel 38 is arranged rotationally fixed relative to a drive shaft 42, while the fourth gear wheel 40 is arranged rotationally fixed relative to the crankshaft 14. The machine 36 is therefore drive-connected to the first input shaft 24 by a fixed transmission ratio.

[0034] In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, a control unit 44 detects whether there is a malfunction. This may be a defect within the drive unit 15, for example, a fault in one of the two electric machines 16, 36, a fault of the inverter 17 or a defect in a line connection between these components 16, 17, 36. It may also be a defect in the control device 45.

[0035] In the event of a malfunction, the drive unit 15 is no longer capable of impressing a defined speed on the drive shaft 28 or the second input shaft 30. In such a case the control unit 44 transfers a locking device 46 into a locking position. The function of the locking device 46 once a malfunction is detected is to arrest the rotation of the second input shaft 30 and thereby to hold it in an arrested position.

[0036] Locking devices of various designs are feasible for arresting the rotation of the second input shaft 30. In the embodiment according to FIG. 1 the locking device 46 acts on the drive shaft 28. For this purpose, the locking device 46 comprises a locking projection 50 movable approximately in a radial direction 48, which interacts with a locking groove 52 arranged on the drive shaft 28 (FIG. 2). The locking groove 52 is an integral part of a ratchet wheel 54, which is rotationally fixed to the drive shaft 28. The ratchet wheel 54 has a multiplicity of locking grooves 52, which are each formed by the tooth spaces of adjacent teeth 56 of an external toothing 58 on the ratchet wheel 54.

[0037] The locking projection 50 forms a free end of a pivoted locking lever 60. The latter is rotationally fixed, for example, to a control shaft 62 which is supported so that it can rotate about an axis of rotation 64. The control shaft 62 can then be correspondingly actuated for a rotational movement about the axis of rotation 64. Alternatively, the control shaft 62 may take the form of rotationally fixed axis, on which the locking lever 60 is rotatably supported. The rotational mobility of the control shaft 62 or the pivotal mobility of the locking lever 60 in the direction of a locking groove 52 is assisted by the spring force of one or more spring elements, not represented here. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, for example, a cylindrical helical coiled spring or torsion spring, fixed in relation to the axis of rotation 64 and pre-tensioned approximately in a radial direction 48, is suitable, the pre-tensioning acting on the locking lever 60 approximately in the radial direction 48 in the direction of the locking groove 52. The arrest position of the second input shaft 30 can be cancelled again through pivoting of the locking lever 46 against the spring force of the spring element used.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of the locking device 46. Here the locking projection 50 takes the form of a free end of a locking piston 66 movable in a radial direction 48. The locking piston 66 is enclosed, guided in its movement inside a guide cylinder 68. Supported between the guide cylinder 68 and a cross web 70 oriented transversely to the locking piston 66 is a spring element 72, which applies spring force to the locking projection 50 in the direction of an associated locking groove 52. For reversible engagement of the locking projection 50 in the locking groove 52, the locking piston 66 or the guide cylinder 68 is moved in the radial direction 48 in the direction of the locking groove 52. The movement of the locking piston 66 may be tripped, for example, by a bolt element 74 when the latter is moved, controlled by the control unit 44 in a transverse direction 76, and thereby removed from the cross web 70. This allows the locking projection 50, impelled by the spring force, to engage automatically in an associated locking groove 52.

[0039] It should be further mentioned that some of the details shown in the drawings are represented schematically and not to scale.

[0040] While embodiments incorporating the principles of the present disclosure have been disclosed hereinabove, the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.