Patent ID: 8616082

Claim:
Control device for a gearbox, comprising an elongated mechanical transmission member ( 10 ; 110 ) interposed between the gearbox and a control member ( 100 ) for transmitting to the gearbox the commands imparted through the control member ( 100 ), in such a manner that the engaged gear is linked to the linear position of the transmission member ( 10 ; 110 ), wherein the transmission member ( 10 ; 110 ) includes a rigid end portion ( 14 ; 114 ), wherein the device is provided with a position sensor ( 26 ; 126 ) comprising a movable reference element ( 28 ; 128 ), the movement of which is univocally determined by the movement of the rigid end portion ( 14 ; 114 ), as well as a stationary detection element ( 30 ) arranged to detect the position of the reference element ( 28 ; 128 ), the device being characterized in that the reference element ( 28 ; 128 ) is mechanically connected to the rigid end portion ( 14 ; 114 ) and spaced apart from it, wherein the reference element ( 128 ) is a rotatable element, wherein the device further comprises a motion conversion mechanism ( 140 , 142 , 146 ) which connects the reference element ( 128 ) to the rigid end portion ( 114 ) in such a manner that the translational movement of the rigid end portion ( 114 ) is converted into a rotational movement of the reference element ( 128 ), and wherein the position sensor ( 126 ) is an angular position sensor arranged to detect the linear position of the rigid end portion ( 114 ) by detection of the angular position of the reference element ( 128 ), and wherein the motion conversion mechanism includes a shaft ( 140 ) connected at an end thereof to the rigid end portion( 114 ) by means of a ball joint ( 142 ) and at the opposite end thereof to the reference element ( 128 ) by means of a gimbal joint ( 146 ).