Patent ID: 7216560

Claim:
A gear shifting system for idler wheels ( 3 ), comprising: a plurality of sliding sleeves ( 2 ) torsionally fixed to a main shaft ( 1 ) and engaging with the idler wheels ( 3 ) to be shifted by axial displacement of the sliding sleeves ( 2 ), each sliding sleeve including first and second opposing circumferential faces ( 9 , 10 ) parallel to and spaced apart along an axis of rotation of the sliding sleeve; and a plurality of adjusting units ( 4 ) engaging with corresponding sliding sleeves ( 2 ), each adjusting unit ( 4 ) including a servo-motor having a pin ( 5 ) mounted eccentrically on motor shaft ( 6 ) and engaging with the first and second circumferential faces ( 9 , 10 ) of the sliding sleeve ( 2 ) whereby eccentric rotation of the pin ( 5 ) with rotation of the motor shaft ( 6 ) causes selectable axial movement of the corresponding sliding sleeve ( 2 ) and two of the plurality of adjusting units ( 4 ) engage with each sliding sleeve ( 2 ) to facilitate movement thereof.