Patent GB-1220241-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to change-speed gears
Inventor: BECKER ERNST
IPC: H02P29/00
Filed: 1968-05-01
Abstract: 1,220,241. Variable-ratio and reversing gears. E. BECKER, and K. NOTZ. 1 May, 1968 [6 May, 1967], No. 20687/68. Heading F2D. A variable-ratio or reverse gear comprises at least two electromagnetic clutch units in series and in axial alignment with aligned input and output shafts, each clutch unit comprising first and second clutch members and a clutch plate selectively engageable with the first and second clutch members, the clutch plate of the last clutch unit being angularly secured to the output shaft and the clutch plate of the or each other clutch unit being secured to an intermediate shaft which carries the first clutch member of the next clutch unit, the first clutch member of the first clutch unit being secured to the input shaft, the second clutch member of the last clutch unit being stationary or stationable and the second clutch member of the or each other clutch unit being driven by speed changing or reversing gearing. A transmission providing three forward and three reverse ratios comprises a first clutch unit 3, a second clutch unit 45, an output clutch unit 10 and clutch/brake units 77, 78. The first clutch unit 3 has a first member 2 fast with an input shaft 1, a second member 15 geared to a lay shaft 19 which is driven in reverse from the input shaft by a belt drive 21, and output clutch friction discs 12, 13 splined to an intermediate shaft 6 fast with the first member 57 of the second clutch unit 45. The second clutch unit has a second member 58 driven at a step-down ratio by a lay shaft 70 which is connected by belt gearing to the first and second members 57, 58. Output friction discs 46, 47 are splined to an intermediate shaft 49 fast with the first member 52 of the output clutch unit 10. The second member of the output clutch unit is formed with a worm-wheel 74 meshing worms 76 on shafts associated with clutch/brake units 77, 78. The shafts carry friction discs which can be stationed by energization of brake coils 82, 91, and which can be driven from the input shaft through belt gearing 85, 93 on energization of clutch coils 83, 92. The belt gearings 85, 93 give the same step-down ratio but drive in opposite directions. The output clutch unit also has friction discs 34, 35 splined to the output shaft 31. The output shaft is stationed by engaging clutch 35, 74 and energizing the brake coils 82, 91. For forward drive, first gear is obtained with clutches 83 and 35, 74 engaged, second with clutches 2, 12 and 47, 58 engaged as well as clutch 52, 34; for third gear clutches 2, 12 and 52, 34 remain engaged and clutch 57, 46 is also engaged. For reverse drive the clutches are engaged as for forward drive except that for first gear clutch coil 92 is energized instead of coil 83, and for second and third gears clutch 13, 15 is engaged instead of clutch 2, 12. In a simplified arrangement providing a reversing gear with output shaft braking, the output shaft 6 of the first clutch unit drives the input member 52 of the output clutch unit, and the member 74 of the output clutch unit is permanently stationed to provide a brake member.