Modular control device for a transmission of a commercial vehicle

Abstract

A control device is provided for a transmission having at least three shift actuators for the gear selection, a plurality of valves for actuating the shift actuators and a further plurality of valves for actuating the clutch. The shift actuators, the valves for actuating the shift actuators and the valves for actuating the clutch are combined in a common housing and that, within this housing, the shift actuators are grouped into a spatially connected shift group, the shift actuator valves are grouped into a spatially connected valve group and the clutch actuator valves are grouped into a further spatially connected valve group, wherein the shift group and the two valve groups and do not spatially overlap.

Claims

1. A control device for a transmission, comprising: at least three shift actuators for gear selection; a first plurality of valves for actuating the shift actuators; a second plurality of valves for actuating a clutch of the transmission; and a common housing in which the at least three shift actuators, the first plurality of valves for actuating the shift actuators and the second plurality of valves for actuating the clutch are combined, wherein within the common housing, the shift actuators are grouped into a spatially connected shift group, the first plurality of valves are grouped into a first spatially connected valve group, the second plurality of valves are grouped into a second spatially connected valve group, the shift group and the first and second spatially connected valve groups do not spatially overlap, and the at least three shift actuators are arranged axially parallel to one another.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the shift group comprises identically constructed shift actuators.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the first valve group for actuating the shift actuators comprises identically constructed valves.

4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the second valve group for actuating the clutch comprises identically constructed valves.

5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein installation space within the housing provided for the shift group comprises an expansion space configured to receive at least one additional shift actuator.

6. The control device according to claim 1, wherein an installation space within the housing provided for the first valve group comprises an expansion space configured to receive at least one additional valve for the first valve group.

7. The control device according to claim 1, wherein an installation space within the housing provided for the second valve group comprises an expansion space configured to receive at least one additional valve for the second valve group.

8. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission shaft brake actuating valve device for actuating a transmission shaft brake, the transmission shaft brake valve device being integrated into the control device.

9. The control device according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least three shift actuators have a respective linear position transducer.

10. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one speed sensor integrated in an assembly of the control device.

11. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one current amplifying electronic power output stage, the electronic power outlet stage being provided in a power supply for the shift group, the first valve group, and/or the second valve group.

12. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the second valve group for actuating the clutch is configured to actuate one or more external clutch actuators, said actuators having an axis offset to a gear shaft.

13. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the second valve group for actuating the clutch is configured to actuate a single or dual central release bearing.

14. The control device according to claim 1, wherein at least one shift fork of each of the three actuators is arranged within the shift group.

15. The control device according to claim 14, wherein the shift fork within the shift group is axially fixed to a respective piston rod of a respective shift actuator, the piston rod being mounted axially movable on both sides of the shift fork relative to the housing.

16. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one further shift actuator for selecting a range group of a multi-range transmission, the at least one further actuator being arranged within the common housing.

17. The control device according to claim 16, wherein the at least one further shift actuator is connected via a mechanical coupling point to a shift rod in the transmission.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a standard version of control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an expanded version of control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(3) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment for a standard version of control device 1 according to the present invention for a shiftable transmission, preferably for a commercial vehicle. In this instance, such a control device 1 includes at least three shift actuators 3, 4, 5 for selecting the gear, a plurality of valves (here, six valves 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f) for actuating the shift actuators and a further plurality of valves (here, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) for actuating the clutch.

(4) Shift actuators 3, 4, 5 are identically constructed and each include respectively one cylinder housing 31, 41, 51. One piston rod 32, 42, 52 is movably mounted between the cylinder housing 31, 41, 51 and a corresponding outer bearing point 33, 43, 53 so that it may be moved along its longitudinal axis when actuating the shift actuator. In the event of such a displacement, piston rods 32, 42, 52 operate a corresponding shift fork 34, 44, 54 for selecting the gear, which here is integrated in the control device (1). The displacement of piston rods 32, 42, 52 may be monitored by a corresponding linear position transducer 35, 45, 55.

(5) Shift actuators 3, 4, 5, valves 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f and valves 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d are combined in a common housing 2. Within this housing, the shift actuators are grouped into a spatially connected shift group 10. Valves 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f are grouped into a first spatially connected valve group 8 and valves 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d are grouped into a second spatially connected valve group 9. Shift group 10 and valve groups 8 and 9 do not overlap spatially, that is, one and the same space within housing 2 always belongs to one of these three functional groups.

(6) In addition to shift actuators 3, 4, 5, shift group 10 includes an expansion space 10a, which is unoccupied in this standard version, and which is able to receive a further shift actuator (see FIG. 2). In addition to valves 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, valve group 8 includes an expansion space 81, which is unoccupied in this standard version, and which is able to receive further valves. Similarly, valve group 9 in addition to valves 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, also includes an expansion space 91, which is able to receive further valves.

(7) A further shift actuator 7 is integrated into housing 2. It operates the range group of the multi-range transmission present here and, for this reason, is of a different type than shift actuators 3, 4, 5, of shift group 10. It includes a cylinder housing 71 in which a piston rod 72 is movably mounted along its axis (thus, also along the axis of cylinder 71). This displacement is outcoupled via a mechanical coupling point 76 and causes the range selection.

(8) Finally, housing 2 also includes an electronic power output stage 100 for supplying power to control device 1.

(9) This described minimum configuration may be used as control device 1 for an automated transmission having a starting clutch.

(10) In contrast to the standard version illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows an expanded version of control device 1. Expansion space 10a provided in the standard version in shift group 10 is filled with a further shift actuator 6. Expansion space 81 provided in the standard version in valve group 8 for actuating the shift actuators is filled with further valves 8g, 8h. Similarly, expansion space 91 provided in the standard version in valve group 9 for controlling the clutch is filled with further valves 9e, 9f, 9g, 9h. This expanded version of control device 1 is accommodated in the same housing 2 as in the standard version. Correspondingly, this housing 2 is considered to be substantially identical during manufacturing. It is only to be assembled differently and provided with a modified number of implementations.

(11) Additionally a valve device 200 for actuating a transmission shaft brake and a speed sensor 300 are integrated in the expanded version of control device 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(12) 1 Control device 2 Housing 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 Shift actuators 8a-h Valves for actuating shift actuators 8 Group of valves for actuating shift actuators 8l Expansion space in group 8 9a-h Valves for actuating the clutch 9 Group of valves for actuating the clutch 9l Expansion space in group 9 10 Shift group 10a Expansion space in the shift group 31, 41, 51, 61, 71 Cylinder housing 32, 42, 52, 62, 72 Piston rods 33, 43, 53, 63, 73 Outer bearing points of the piston rod 34, 44, 54, 64 Shift forks 35, 45, 55, 65 Linear position transducers 76 Mechanical coupling point 100 Electronic power output stage 200 Valve device 300 Speed sensor for determining the shaft speed

(13) The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.