Patent GB-1127494-A (GB)
Title: Automatic change-speed gear control mechanism for automobile gearboxes
IPC: F16H61/02
Filed: 1965-11-16
Abstract: 1,127,494. Change speed control. REGIE NATIONALE DES USINES RENAULT. 16 Nov., 1965 [17 Nov., 1964], No. 48709/65. Heading F2D. A speed sensitive electrical control system for a vehicle change-speed gear-box comprises an eddy current governor coupled to the gearbox output shaft for switching-in alternative  PNP transistors 2, 3 controlling the energization of electromagnetic hydraulic distributer valves 6, 7 feeding pumped oil to ratio selecting jacks 9, 10 on the gear-box 8. The transistors have negative earthed collectors, emitters connected through the electromagnetic valve windings 36, 37 to the positive terminal of a battery 33 and bases also connected to the positive battery terminal through damping resistors 34, 35 adapted to quench sparks caused by the switchparts of the governor. In a similar embodiment, Fig. 2 (not shown), three transistors are provided and push-buttons (1i) (2i), (AV), (N) and (AR) establish a ratio with subsequent upshifts by the governor (101). Depression of one push-button raises all the others. Depression of button (li) selects and holds 1st ratio with governor upshifts blocked and depression of button (2i) selects 1st ratio allowing a normal governor upshift to 2nd ratio which is then held blocking governor upshift to 3rd ratio. Governor.-The governor is as in Specification 1,105,782 and the switches 16, 17 thereof comprise earthed S-shaped springs normally biased by coil-springs 27, 28 against contacts 18, 20 to earth and thus energize both transistors 2, 3. The springs 16, 17 (as in Specification 1,108,364) are pulled off the contacts 18, 20 to de-energize a transistor by a lever 26 fast with a spring 29 on a cup 15 rotated by torque produced by eddy currents generated therein by a magnet 13 rotated by the gear-box output shaft 12 and moved axially of the cup 15 for varying torque transmission by a lever 32 actuated by the vehicle throttle control pedal 31. Electromagnetic valves.-The electromagnetic valves in both embodiments consist of an on-off electromagnetic valve feeding oil to one end of a spool which pressurizes its associated hydraulic jack from a supply pump to establish a gear ratio when the electromagnetic on-off valve is energized to close oil delivery to the spool. The valves are as described in Specification 1,095,344. The valves may be modified by having the onoff valve constructed as in Fig. 3 (not shown), wherein a ball (205) is seated on an opening (206) by a separate or integral moving coil (203) moved by energization of the oil-immersed winding (200) to prevent oil flow from the inlet (208) to outlet (209) leading to the distributer spool. When the winding (200) is de-energized the ball (205) is forced off the seat (206) by oil pressure. Operation (Fig. 1).-When a master switch 39 is closed, both transistors 2, 3 are earthed and thus conduct to energize the hydraulic distributer valves 6, 7, pressurizing jacks 9, 10 for first ratio. With increased road speed the torque on governor cup 15 increases and pulls the weakly biased spring 16 off contact 18 to de-earth transistor 2 which de-energizes valve 6 and discharges jack 10 for 2nd ratio. On further road-speed increase the governor spring 17 opens contact 20 to de-earth transistor 3, valve 7 and discharge jack 9 for 3rd ratio. Neutral and reverse are engaged by a separate hydraulic valve not described. In Fig. 2 (not shown), after closing of a master switch (139) depression of button (N) starts the vehicle engine and earths all the transistors (102), (103), (104) establishing neutral. Depression of another button then de-energizes the engine starter but for normal starts button (AV) is depressed which de-energizes the engine starter and de-earths transistor (103) leaving transistors (102), (104) earthed establishing 1st ratio. Increase in road speed causes governor (101) to initiate upshifts as in Fig. 1 by initially deearthing transistor (104) leaving transistor (102) energized for 2nd ratio and on further speed increase de-earthing all transistors for 3rd ratio. Downshifts are carried out by the governor. Depression of button (2i) establishes 1st ratio and holds 2nd ratio by preventing de-energization of transistor (102) and depression of button (li) earths transistors (102) and (104) for establishment or holding in 1st ratio. Depression of button (AR) earths transistors (103), (104) for reverse ratio. The cup of the governor is prevented from reverse rotation by a peg to prevent automatic engagement of forward ratios in reverse ratio.