Abstract:
An actuation device especially for actuating a transmission for selecting a gear step and engaging and disengaging the selected gear step and/or for actuating at least one clutch. The actuation device includes at least one rotatable roll element that has guide tracks, into each of which a contact element of a selector fork engages to move the selector fork in order to select and engage or disengage a gear step of a transmission, and an actuation region for a clutch actuation means for actuating the at least one clutch.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is the U.S. National Stage Application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/DE2013/200231, filed on Oct. 17, 2013, which application claims priority from German Patent Application No. DE 10 2012 219 372.3 filed on Oct. 24, 2012, which applications are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to an actuating device, in particular, for actuating a transmission, to select a transmission ratio and to engage or disengage the selected transmission ratio and/or to actuate a clutch. The invention further relates to a transmission that includes at least one such actuating device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Various actuating devices for transmissions or clutches are known in the art. 
         [0004]    For example, German Patent No. DE 196 55 083 B4 (Reik et al.) discloses an actuating device for a transmission including a control cylinder integrated into the clutch cover. The clutch operation actuator is a separate element. 
         [0005]    PCT International Patent Application Publication No. WO 97/02963 (Reik et al.) discloses an actuating device for a transmission and clutch wherein the transmission and the clutch are actuated by means of actuators that are separate from each other. PCT International Patent Application Publication No. WO 02/066870 A1 (Norum et al.) discloses a transmission actuator wherein a transmission ratio is disengaged in an automated way when a different transmission ratio is engaged. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided an actuating device for actuating a transmission to select a transmission ratio and to engage or disengage the selected transmission ratio and to actuate at least one clutch, including at least one rotary cylinder element, guide tracks formed in the at least one rotary cylinder element, a shift fork with contact elements engaging in the respective guide tracks to displace the shift fork in order to select and engage or disengage the transmission ratio of the transmission and an actuating region for a clutch actuating means for actuating the at least one clutch. 
         [0007]    In an example embodiment of the invention, an actuating device, in particular, for actuating a transmission, to select a transmission ratio and to engage or disengage the selected transmission ratio and/or to actuate at least one clutch comprises at least one rotatable cylinder element with guide tracks in which a respective contact element of a shift fork engages to displace the shift fork in order to select and engage or disengage a transmission ratio of a transmission and an actuating region for a clutch actuating means for actuating the at least one clutch. Thus, actuation of the transmission and of the clutch is advantageously integrated into the actuating device. 
         [0008]    In an example embodiment, the at least one cylinder element may be rotatable in a first direction of rotation and in a second direction of rotation running counter to the first direction of rotation. Thus, the direction of rotation of the cylinder element may be specifically selected to actuate the transmission and/or clutch as a function of the direction of rotation. 
         [0009]    In an example embodiment, the guide tracks may be disposed on the outer circumference of the at least one cylinder element. 
         [0010]    In an example embodiment, the at least one cylinder element may be hollow and may have an actuating region provided on its inner circumference. This allows not only the outer contour to be used but also in a space-saving way the inner contour. 
         [0011]    In an example embodiment, the guide tracks may have junctions and the respective branches may be passed through as a function of the direction of rotation. Accordingly, when a junction is being passed, the direction after the junction is dependent on the direction of rotation, providing a simple way of subdivision and deflection. 
         [0012]    In an example embodiment, when a junction is being passed in a first direction of rotation, a change from one guide track to another guide track may occur. This may advantageously occur as a result of a deflection in the region of the junction. 
         [0013]    In an example embodiment, when a junction is being passed in a second direction, there will advantageously be no change from one guide track to another guide track. 
         [0014]    In an example embodiment, the actuating region may include ramp regions which cause the clutch actuating means to be blocked against the ramp region and entrained in the rotation upon a rotation of the actuating region in a first direction of rotation and to be rotated relative to the ramp region and not entrained in the rotation upon a rotation of the actuating region in a second direction of rotation. 
         [0015]    In an example embodiment, a transmission including a plurality of transmission ratios and at least one clutch comprises at least one actuating device as described above. 
         [0016]    In an example embodiment, two actuating devices may be provided to select a transmission ratio and to engage or disengage the selected transmission ratio and/or to actuate two clutches. 
         [0017]    In an example embodiment, the transmission may be a double clutch transmission. 
         [0018]    An object of the invention is to provide an actuating device and a transmission that are of simple construction and cost-efficient to manufacture. 
         [0019]    These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be better appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detailed description of the invention in view of the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The present invention will be explained below based on preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the associated figures, in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of an example embodiment of an actuating device in a selected operating position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of an example embodiment of an actuating device in a further selected operating position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic representation of an example embodiment of an actuating device in a further selected operating position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic representation of an example embodiment of an actuating device in a further selected operating position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic representation of an example embodiment of an actuating device in a further selected operating position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic representation of an example embodiment of an actuating device in a further selected operating position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic representation of an example embodiment of an actuating device in a further selected operating position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic representation of an example embodiment of an actuating device in a further selected operating position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic representation of an example embodiment of an actuating device in a further selected operating position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic representation of an example embodiment of an actuating device in a further selected operating position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic representation of an example embodiment of an actuating device in a further selected operating position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic representation of an example embodiment of an actuating device in a further selected operating position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a view of a section of a transmission of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a view of a section of a transmission of the invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a view of a section of a transmission of the invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a view of a section of a transmission of the invention; and, 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is a view of a section of a transmission of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
         [0039]    Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0040]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of actuating device  1 , in particular, for actuating a transmission, in particular in a motor vehicle, for selecting and engaging/disengaging a transmission ratio and/or to actuate a clutch of the transmission. Actuating device  1  comprises rotatable cylinder element  2 , which is diagrammatically represented as a rectangle in  FIGS. 1 to 12 . The rectangle diagrammatically indicates the unwound surface of cylinder element  2 . 
         [0042]    On its surface, rotatable cylinder element  2  has guide tracks  3 ,  4  extending in the circumferential direction of cylinder element  2  and having junctions  5 . Thus, guide tracks  3 ,  4  include junctions  5  that divide guide tracks  3 ,  4  into guide tracks  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 . Guide tracks  6 ,  7  are disposed to be parallel with but axially offset from guide track  3  and guide tracks  8 ,  9  are disposed to be parallel with but axially offset from guide track  4 . Guide tracks  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  extend over only part of the length of guide tracks  3 ,  4  in the circumferential direction. 
         [0043]    Contact elements  10 ,  11  of shift forks  12 ,  13  of the transmission engage in guide tracks  3 ,  4  to select and to engage or disengage a transmission ratio of the transmission by displacing shift forks  12 ,  13  in the axial direction of cylinder element  2 . This allows transmission ratios A, B, C, D to be selected and engaged starting from neutral position N. 
         [0044]    Actuation of contact elements  10 ,  11  and consequently of shift forks  12 ,  13  is achieved by rotating cylinder element  2  and shifting contact element  10 ,  11  engaged in guide tracks  3 ,  4  towards guide tacks  6 ,  7  and  8 ,  9 , respectively, by axially displacing contact elements  10 ,  11  and thus, shift forks  12 ,  13 . Actuation is attained by moving contact elements  10 ,  11  from guide tracks  3 ,  4  to guide tracks  6 ,  7  or  8 ,  9  by passing contact elements  10 ,  11  over junctions  5  towards guide tracks  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 . The transitions from guide tracks  3 ,  4  to guide tracks  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  are dependent on the direction of rotation. Rotary cylinder element  2  is rotatable in a first direction of rotation and in a second direction of rotation counter to the first direction of rotation. 
         [0045]    Transition of shift element  11  from guide track  4  to guide track  8  may be achieved by rotation in one direction of rotation whereas transition from guide track  8  to guide track  4  will then occur in the opposite direction of rotation. Transition from guide track  4  to guide track  9  occurs by rotating contact element  11  to the left into guide track  14  and subsequently by rotation in the opposite direction into guide track  9 . 
         [0046]    In the diagrammatic representation of  FIG. 1 , rotation to the left and to the right, respectively, means that the cylinder element as a rectangular surface is moved to the right or to the left. Transition from guide track  4 , the right-hand portion, to region  14  through the one-way transition area occurs by displacing rotary cylinder element  2  to the right and subsequently, once contact element  11  has reached the region of guide track  14 , displacing cylinder element  2  to the left. The same occurs when contact element  10  transitions from guide track  3  to guide track  6  or  7 . 
         [0047]    Junctions  5  indicated by a dashed line are passable in both direction, junctions  5  indicated by solid and dashed lines are one-way passages. An arrow indicates the passing direction from the passable side to the impassable side and a solid line, on its own, represents an impassable transition. A transition from one guide track to another guide track or guide track sections may occur in a corresponding way; if the transition is in the region of a passable junction, the transition may occur in both directions of rotation and if the transition is in the region of a one-way junction, the transition may only occur in one direction of rotation. The passing of a one-way junction in a direction against the passing direction is impossible. 
         [0048]    Rotary cylinder element  2  further comprises ramp regions  15  that act as actuating regions for clutch actuating means  16  that actuate clutch  17 . Axially displaceable pin  18  is provided for displacement relative to energy storage element  19  that is supported in an axial direction on an oblique ramp surface of ramp region  15 . In an alternative embodiment, energy storage element  19  may be supported in the radial or circumferential directions instead of in the axial direction. 
         [0049]    Rotation of cylinder element  2  allows pin  18  to come to rest against flank  20  of ramp region  15 , causing flank  20  upon a continued rotation to rotate pin  18  in the circumferential direction and thus causing clutch actuating means  16  to be displaced. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 12 , clutch actuating means  16  is embodied as a piston rod of a master cylinder piston so that clutch  17  is actuated hydraulically by a displacement of clutch actuating means  16 . 
         [0050]    When cylinder element  2  is actuated from the right side towards the left, a selection is made in that contact element  10  or  11  is moved from guide track  3  or  4  to one of guide tracks  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 . When cylinder element  2  is rotated in the opposite direction, a shifting process or a clutch actuation process may be carried out. 
         [0051]    In  FIGS. 1 to 12 , dashed lines to the right and to the left of the rectangular region diagrammatically indicating cylinder element  2  indicate guide tracks. These dashed lines represent a continuation of the tracks in the direction of rotation for a better understanding of how the cylinder element works. 
         [0052]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of the arrangement of  FIG. 1  with transitions of guide tracks  3 ,  4 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  in the passable direction indicated by arrows  21 . Circles  22  indicate the shifting points that mark the position at which transmission ratios A, B, C, D are to be considered as engaged when a transition is made from guide track  3 ,  4  to one of guide tracks  8 ,  9 ,  6 ,  7 . 
         [0053]    The arrows indicate the transitions from one guide track to another guide track in the passing direction especially for the one-way transitions. 
         [0054]      FIG. 3  illustrates the position of cylinder element  2  of actuating device  1  of the transmission in the neutral setting N prior to an engagement of the shifting position of transmission ratio A. Shifting element  11  is disposed in guide track  14  between guide tracks  8  and  9  as viewed in the axial direction and shifting element  10  is disposed in guide track  3 . 
         [0055]    Clutch actuating means  18  are set by pin  18  to be in a position in which clutch  17  is not actuated, i.e. in the disengaged position of the clutch. Energy storage element  19  acts on pin  18  to cause pin  18  to rest on a ramp surface of ramp region  15 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 4  illustrates a position of cylinder element  2  of actuating device  4  in a position offset to the left relative to the position shown in  FIG. 3 . Here, contact element  11  has moved from guide track  14  to junction  5  and, upon continued displacement of the cylinder element to the left, would be moved in an axial direction towards shifting point  22 . In  FIG. 4 , transmission ratio A has been selected and the clutch is disengaged, i.e. open, as pin  18  continues to be supported on a ramp surface of ramp region  15 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 5  illustrates an actuating position of cylinder element  2  in which cylinder element  2  has been moved even further to the left relative to the actuating position of cylinder element  2  in  FIG. 4 , with contact element  11  located in shifting point  22  and transmission ratio A engaged. The clutch remains unactuated, i.e. disengaged, as pin  18  continues to rest against a ramp surface of ramp region  15  and clutch actuating means  16  continues to be unactuated. 
         [0058]    Compared to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6  illustrates a further actuating position in which cylinder element  2  has been moved even further to the left, causing contact element  11  to have moved further along guide track  9  past shifting point  22 , causing the vertical flank of ramp region  15  to act on pin  18  in the circumferential direction to displace clutch actuating means  16  and in turn to engage clutch  17  as a result of a hydraulic action, for instance. Consequently,  FIG. 6  illustrates a condition in which transmission ratio A is engaged and the clutch is closed, i.e. engaged. 
         [0059]    Compared to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7  illustrates an operating position of cylinder element  2  in which cylinder element  2  has been moved to the right relative to the position shown in  FIG. 6 , causing contact element  11  to have moved from the end of guide track  9  to shifting point  22 . Clutch actuating means  16  is unactuated again and clutch  17  is disengaged, i.e. open. In the operating condition shown in  FIG. 7 , transmission ratio A is engaged while the clutch is disengaged. 
         [0060]      FIG. 8  illustrates an operating position in which cylinder element  2  has been moved further to the right compared to the position shown in  FIG. 7 . Thus, contact element  11  has been moved to junction  5  and from the level of guide track  9  to the level of guide track  4  in the axial direction, transmission ratio A is disengaged and neutral position N is engaged while the clutch is disengaged. At the same time, pin  18  moves along the ramp surface of ramp region  15  against the force of energy storage element  19 , clutch actuating means  16  is unactuated and clutch  17  is disengaged. 
         [0061]      FIG. 9  illustrates an operating position of cylinder element  2  in which cylinder element  2  has been moved further to the right compared to the operating position shown in  FIG. 8 . Thus, contact element  11  transitions from guide track  14  to guide track  4 , passing through a one-way junction region  23  from the right to the left. 
         [0062]      FIG. 10  illustrates an operating position of cylinder element  2  in which cylinder element  2  has been moved further to the left compared to the operating position of  FIG. 9 , causing contact element  11  to have moved to the right in guide track  4  towards junction  5  towards shifting point  22 . In the operating position of  FIG. 10 , transmission ratio B has been selected and clutch  17  is disengaged. 
         [0063]      FIG. 11  illustrates an operating position of cylinder element  2  in which cylinder element  2  has been moved further to the left compared to the position of cylinder element  2  in  FIG. 10 , causing contact element  11  to have moved from guide track  4  to shifting point  22  of guide track  8 . In this operating position, transmission ratio B is engaged and the clutch is disengaged. 
         [0064]      FIG. 12  illustrates an operating position of cylinder element  2  in which cylinder element  2  has been moved further to the left compared to the operating position shown in  FIG. 11 , causing contact element  11  to have moved further to the right in guide track  8 . At the same time, clutch  17  has been engaged because clutch actuating element  16  has been actuated by pin  18  and flank  20  of ramp region  15 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 12 , transmission ratio B is active and the clutch is engaged. 
         [0065]    The same operations that have been described above to actuate contact element  11  may be carried out for contact element  10  to select transmission ratios C and D by moving contact element  10  to guide tracks  6  and  7 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the arrangement of two cylinder elements  2  and gearwheel  24  to be driven by driving stage  25 . Contact elements  10 ,  11  of shift forks  12 ,  13  engage in guide tracks  3 ,  4  and are displaceable into guide tracks  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  14  by a rotation of cylinder elements  2 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 14  illustrates two cylinder elements  2  with respective guide track  3 ,  4  in which contact elements  10 ,  11  connected to shift forks  12 ,  13  are engaged. Spring-loaded pin  26  is provided to be actable upon against the guide track counter to the pre-loading action of an energy storage element  27 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 15  illustrates cylinder element  2  with guide track  4  embodied as a groove. In the transitional region of junction  5 , a ramp-shaped protrusion is provided as a deflection to guide track  8 , which is embodied as a groove that is axially spaced apart. In the same way, a ramp-shaped transitional region  5  is provided as a deflection in the axial direction from guide track  14  to guide track  9 , which is axially spaced apart. Transition from guide track  4  to guide track  8  may thus only occur along junction region  5  by deflection on ramp  28 . Transition from guide track  4 ′ to guide track  14  along arrow  29  is possible. Transition from guide track  14  to guide track  9  in turn only occurs along ramp  30 . 
         [0069]      FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate cylinder element  2  embodied as a hollow element with ramp regions  15  formed on a radially inner surface. Ramp regions  15  have ramp surface  31  and flank  20 . Clutch actuating means  16  has engagement region  32  that is likewise of ramp-shaped design. Thus, clutch actuating means  16  may be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction relative to cylinder element  2  because, in this case, engagement region  32  may be rotated along ramp surface  31 . In the case of a rotation in a clockwise direction, engagement region  32  hits flank  20  and any further relative rotation between clutch actuating means  16  and cylinder element  2  is blocked. In this operating condition, rotation of clutch actuating means  16  is only possible together with cylinder element  2 . 
         [0070]    It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0071]      1  Actuating device 
         [0072]      2  Cylinder element 
         [0073]      3  Guide track 
         [0074]      4 ,  4 ′ Guide track 
         [0075]      5  Junction 
         [0076]      6  Guide track 
         [0077]      7  Guide track 
         [0078]      8  Guide track 
         [0079]      9  Guide track 
         [0080]      10  Contact element 
         [0081]      11  Contact element 
         [0082]      12  Shift fork 
         [0083]      13  Shift fork 
         [0084]      14  Guide track 
         [0085]      15  Ramp region 
         [0086]      16  Clutch actuating means 
         [0087]      17  Clutch 
         [0088]      18  Pin 
         [0089]      19  Energy storage device 
         [0090]      20  Flank 
         [0091]      21  Arrow 
         [0092]      22  Shifting points 
         [0093]      23  Junction region 
         [0094]      24  Gearwheel 
         [0095]      25  Driving stage 
         [0096]      26  Pin 
         [0097]      27  Spring 
         [0098]      28  Ramp 
         [0099]      29  Arrow 
         [0100]      30  Ramp 
         [0101]      31  Ramp surface 
         [0102]      32  Engagement region