Patent GB-1159041-A (GB)
Title: Remotely Controllable Variable Speed Transmission.
IPC: F16H63/30
Filed: 1966-08-25
Abstract: 1,159,041. Change speed gear and control. ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT ECKERFELD K.G. 25 Aug., 1966 [3 Sept., 1965; 12 Jan., 1966], No. 38226/66. Heading F2D. A change speed gear, for washing machines, motor vehicles &c., comprises a multi-stage reducing gear train the outputs of individual stages of which are selectively singly connectible to the final output shaft by fluid-pressure engaged friction clutches the inputs of which are coupled in series by gears forming stages of the input-driven multi-stage gear. The clutches are actuated by manually or electromagnetically controlled hydraulic fluid pressure. The clutches may comprise identical parts of finished castings or synthetic plastics. In the gear of Fig. 1, providing direct drive and four reduced ratios, coaxial cylinders 6, forming the clutch driving halves, are reduction geared together by gears 12 each of which is eccentrically journalled in the gear casing 4 and meshes, respectively with internal and external teeth thereof, external teeth of a preceding cylinder and internal teeth of a following cylinder. The first cylinder is fast with an input shaft 1 connected to a reversible electric motor. The clutch driven halves comprise clutch plate/pistons 9 slidably keyed on a final output shaft 3 coaxial with, and mounted in one end of, the input shaft 1. Clutch actuating chambers 10 are selectively pressurized through passages 20 in the casing 4 and annular grooves and passages 19, 18 in the output shaft 3. The casing 4 is made up of individual pot-shaped portions 4<SP>1</SP>. The fluid pressure supply for the clutches is provided by an input driven gear pump 21/22 (see Figs. 3, 4, not shown) which, for bi-directional operation, is connected to suction and delivery lines through pairs of check valves. A change speed control distributer valve (Figs. 5-9, not shown) comprises a member (34) which is rotatable to selectively connect fluid in a chamber (38) connected to the pump delivery line to one of circularly arranged ports (33) connected to the passages 20, the unconnected ports being vented. The valve member (34) is urged against a wall (32) containing the ports (33) by a spring (37) and by the pressure in the chamber (38). The valve member (34) is located by a spring-pressed detent (35<SP>1</SP>) and is rotated manually. Alternatively, the valve member (34) may be rotated by an electrical impulse controlled stepping mechanism. The gear of Fig. 10, also providing direct drive and four reduced ratios, comprises an input shaft 52 driven by a reversible electric motor and coaxial with, and mounted at one end in, an output shaft 53, and auxiliary shafts 54, 55<SP>1</SP>, 55, 55<SP>11</SP> parallel to, and disposed on a common circle about, the shafts 52, 53, the shafts 55<SP>1</SP>, 55, 55<SP>11</SP> being spaced 60 degrees apart. The multi-stage reducing train comprises, serially meshed, a gear 56 fast on the input shaft, identical stepped gears 57, 58, 59, 60, and a gear 61, the gear 58 being loose on the input shaft 52 and the gears 57, 59, 60, 61 being fast on the auxiliary shafts 54, 55<SP>1</SP>, 55, 55<SP>11</SP> respectively. A direct drive clutch comprises a driving clutch plate/piston 83 slidably keyed on the input shaft 52 and co-operating through a friction lining 85 with a cover part 86 fast with a driven cylinder 82, the latter being free on the input shaft and tooth-coupled at 87, 88 to the output shaft 53. Reduced drive clutches comprise driving clutch plate/pistons 65 and driven cylinders 64 respectively slidably keyed and free on the auxiliary shafts 55<SP>1</SP>, 55, 55<SP>11</SP>, and a driving clutch plate/piston 73 and a driven cylinder 72 respectively connected to the auxiliary shaft 54 via a freewheel 76 and free on said shaft. The cylinders 64 and the cylinder 72 are geared at 63, 71, 81 to the cylinder 82 connected to the output shaft 53. Due to the freewheel 76, reversal of rotation is not possible in 4th gear, but engagement of the clutch 82/83 for direct drive may be effected prior to release of the clutch 72/73, thereby permitting 4-5 shift without driving torque interruption. Clutch actuating chambers, such as 89, are selectively pressurized through ports in the casing and shaft passages, such as 91, 90. An input shaft driven gear pump is provided. In a washing machine, the auxiliary shafts 55<SP>11</SP>, 55, 55<SP>1</SP> determine washing process speeds when the drum must be rotated back and forth; the auxiliary shaft 54 determines pre-centrifuging speed when reversal is not required, and direct drive provides for full centrifuging. By omission of the auxiliary shafts 55<SP>1</SP>, 55<SP>11</SP>, a three-speed gear is provided. In such a gear (Figs. 13-15, not shown), pressure fluid is supplied by a built-in gear pump (101) and directed through a passage (102) in a casing wall or rib to a distributer (103) mounted on a casing cover from whence it is selectively directed through passages in the cover and casing to the shaft passages such as 90. The distributer comprises spool valves selectively individually solenoid-actuated against springs.