US1130134A - Electrically-controlled change-speed mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

I H. G. BALDWIN. ELEGTRIGALLY UONTROLLED CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 1913.

Patented. Mar. 2, 1915,

3 SHEETBSHEBT 1.

IN ENTbR- WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY H. G. BALDWIN.

ELEGTRICALLY CONTROLLED CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 1913.

L1 mwflh Patented M21112, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- WITNESSES:

IN ENTOR O 1:? wa w H. G. BALDWIN.

ELECTR IGALLY CONTROLLED CHANGE SPEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 1913.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

4- CZzdfifiwilcke 62 WITNESSES: 'INVENTOR srarns ran HENRY G. BALDWIN, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRIGALLY-CONTROLLED CHANGE-SPEED MECHANISM.

Application filed July 15, 1913. v Serial No. 779,106.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY Gr. BALDWIN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in ElectricallysControlled Change-Speed Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to powertransmitting mechanism, and particularly to an electrically-controlled and operated selecting mechanism for change speed and reversing gear.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide, in combination with a driving shaft and a driven part, a variable speed and reversing. gear with means for electrically selecting one of the change speed or reverse gears, as may be desired.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in combination with a change speed and reversing-gear consisting of a plurality of individual gears, a driver for the gears and part to be driven, and a mechanism selectable and operable electrically, for the coupling of one of the gears to the driven part or an intermediate connection therewith.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in combination with a variable speed and reversing mechanism, means for electrically selecting and coupling elements of the mechanism, for the transmission of power, and means for manually selecting and operating elements of said mechanism independently of the electrical means' Other objects and functions of the invention in its entirety and details will be made manifest hereinafter.

he invention consists in the parts and the construction and combination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device partly in section and with the under cover removed. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the op posite side of the device. Fig. 3 is a horizontal central section through the mechan-ism and casing. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical circuit and switch panel with the switches in elevation. Fig. 5 is adetail' section in elevation of the man a y-op able transm ssion cnnt el ed lever. 'Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view longitudinally through the lever operated mechanism.

In its illustrated form the invention involves a driving shaft or part 2, entering and suitably journaled in a casing 3, having on one side a removable cover 4 and on the opposite side a removable bearing and panel member 5, the casing with its cap and panel being substantially liquid-tight for containing a lubricant in which may run the transmission gearing. On the inner end of the shaft 2 there is keyed a plurality of pinions 6 7 and 8, of suitable proportions, each respectively engaging change speed gears 91 0 and 11 of successive decreasing diameter; the gear 9 being the low speed gear, gear 10 being the intermediate, and gear 11 the high speed. Each of these gears is provided with elongated hubs 12, concentrically telescoped and bearing upon each other, the innermost hub 12 running upon anti-friction bearings 13 interposed between the inner hub and a tubular shaft 14 carrying on one end the reverse gear 15 which meshes constantly with the pinion 6 on the shaft 2 and runs constantly in an opposite direction to the gears 910 and 11, which also are constantly in mesh with their respective pinions. The gear 15 runs upon sets of anti-friction bearings 1617, the former embracing a transversely arranged shaft 18 passing through the tubular shaft 14 of the gear 15 and carrying on one end, adjacent v to the hubs 12, a series of telescoped, relatively longitudinally-slidable, automatically-retracting clutchrings 192021 and 22, the latter being splined upon the shaft end 18, and being capable of moving to bring its clutch face into intermesh with the complementary end of the tubular sleeve 14; the clutch ring 21 is movable into driving engagement with the lowermost change high-speed gear 11; the intermediate clutch ring 20 is interchangeable with its companion intermediate gear 10 and the outermost clutch ring 19 is interchangeable with the low-speed gear 9. The several clutch rings 192021 and 22 are keyed together for thetransmission of rotation from one to the other, and each is capable of independent slidingmotion with relation to the other, so that any one of the series may be shifted to bri g ltnt d ivi g engagement shaft 2- and through the gears 6-7 .and- 8,

and these each transmitting it through the change speed or 'reverse gears, will impart its rotary motion. to thc, qmplementary coupled clutch ring, and this "latter will vide ,for the event that. upon. theiengagement of the cam 32 with any ofthe pushrods, 30,.the associated clutch ring of which may be momentarily-so disposed that its I clutch-face was not in proper registration with the clutch face of t s respective. gear, J

that injurylto the parts would be prevented transmit its motion through the seriesfof'ffby the yielding movement of the cam 32 relative keyed', concentrically arranged clutch members to thetransverseshaft 1 8,. which may be utilized directlyas the dr ven; member: for;; the. application of *power, or may. 'belan intermediate member and transmit its power to another part, asifor 1nstance :by a fsprlocket eh'ain ;;and wheel construction 23,- for impartingr-power to a more :distan'tishaft,.gasthedriving, shaft24 of a It "is .an important feature of? my present invention toprovide means whereby any one. of the clutch rings '19,- 20, 21 or 22 may be electricallyselected; and Y operated to, carrywitdnto driving engagement with -'its fcompan iona.driving' gear or part, and alsojto provide: manually-operable means for shifting any 0f;-tl-1e-,-clutch rings independently of. the electricallyoperatedi means.

.The primary function of-the present inventionbeing [the provision of an electricallyoperated iclutchfmechams'mgl have shown a; form-ofclfitch mechanism which consists "ma-plurality of-shifters 25, one-forieach of thenslidable'; clutch r ngs,- the ShlftBIS.

the resulti '-nglongitudinal shiftingpf the having -yoke-por,tions; embracing or partly embracing their .-respecti-ve-clutch r ngs for circumferential movement, and each sh fter having a suitable bearing in" which itmay be reciprocated, so as toshift its so-called clutch ring.' T-heshifters 25-are here shown as each respectively connected to; a lever 26 by a link 27,-,the severalilevers 26 being freely tiltable about a fixedsupport or' rod 28,;"appropriatel-y disposed 'in' the casing 3, each lever .26 'ha'vi-ngfa 'linkconne'ction 29-with ajpush-rod30 slidably mounted in abearing,formed in thecasing 3, and carrying atits-outer'end' a cam roller 31, ar-

ranged in therpath'of- 1a rotaryjslidable cam 32, suitablywsupported andthrust forward by a spring The cam 32 ismounted upon a,gear;34j, journaled upon'a stud-spindle 35 ofthe easing; :Therejs a"push-rod 30, having? itsaroller 31-arran ed .in the path of the revolving cam 32, or each of the shifter-leve rs'26,-fand during the rota- .tion of the gear wheel- 34 I thecam; 32 -.will be carried toward and depress a; push-rod 30, thus resulting in" the rockingmovement of the lever; 26- which is translated into a sliding movement by fthe shifter 25, with respective clutch ringftojcaa'ry it into mesh withits coordinate gear. qThe purpose .of the 'yielda-ble supportyor spring- 33 for thrq mg-;;the forvnard y.- ;1s; .t0 pro:

"algainst thespring 33 until suchtime that -due to therotation relatively of the change gear and its-coordinate clutch ring the which is here shown-.assecured. upon the shaft. 37 of electrically-driven, reversely rotating motors .38 and 39, which when energized drive the shaft 37- in the pinion 36, and therefore in turn operate the gear 34.

as A For controllingthe direction ofrotation 5.;

of the motor shaft .37 by the'selection-and energization of one or the other of the motors T38 and 39,"there is provided apsuitable electrically-controlled system with" such circuits and, switches as will control the energization of either of the motors.- One form of the electrical system is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4, as involving. a

switchrboard .or panel 40, preferably. disposed within the casing under the cover'5,

and upon which are suitably mounted a plurality of switches .as,, 4lj.theneutral switch,- 42 the reverseespeed sWitch,'43;the low speed switch, 44: the intermediate speed switch, and 45 the high speed switch. Theseswitches are turnablyjsupporgsed upon suitable posts 46 and are substantially V-shaped, as shown'in Fig. 4, with thecrotch disposed V toward the center of the'panel 40, so as to be engaged by a controller 47, comprising an arm or pin projecting from the gear wheel 34,- and which arm is thereby carried around as the gear is revolved. Upon the ends of the V-shaped switches, and insulated therefrom, are secured circuit-closing plates 4849, which are adapted to.be thrown into electrical contact with respective. .'e1ectric terminal clips 50 and 51, disposed on opposite sides of the posts 46,

about\which the several switches are adapt- I the further movement of'the controller 47 carries it into engagement with the V-shaped switch 41, which is thencarriedto an intermediate'position as between its res ective dontact clips, 50 '51. The circuit 0 'ps 50-51 are branches of a line joining ati52,

for instance, which runs tof-onejof the "pests,

as 53,; eta switchboard, newbie whereas provided a post for-each of .the'switches 41-42T43'44- and 45, a circuit-closing lever 54. is movable over any one of. the circuit posts. 53 to. close the circuit, the

switch being directly connected by. a lead" 55 to. a source of electrical energy, as a battery or. generator, indicated. at 56, the returnlead 57 of which is provided with a switch 58 which is controlled by and o erates simultaneouslywith a part 59 of the clutch lever of the power-transmitting mechanism to which the driving shaft 2 may be applicable; and so long as the clutch carrying the member 5.9 is closed so that poweris transmitted. to and by the shaft 2, the automatic switch 58 is open and breaks the electric circuit of the clutch-controlling mechanism herein involved. When the clutch carrying the member 59 is released to disconnect the shaft 2,.the switch 58 then closes the circuit in the line 57, which line is connected to a distributer post 60, from which there are run two branches 61 and 62, each of which is provided for energizing respective brake ,coils 63 and '64, which are respectively. connected in parallel, as at 6565', to their coiirdinate motor circuits in which are mounted one or the other of the motors 3839.

The operation of the circuit of the mechanism in diagram in Fig. 4 isas follows: Assuming that the controller 47 has been stopped so that the switch 41 is in a neutral position as between its respective terminals 50 and 51, then, if itis desired to throw in the low speed gear asbycoupling the gear 9 by means of its, clutch 19, the op.-

17 1, from which runs a motor circuit. line 72,

joined to the motor 38, and=from which line 72 there is branched the coil line 65'- energizing, the electric brake-coil 64 to release a brake 73 on the shaft 37, the current from the coil 64 passing along the line 62,-to the distributer icon-1. 65011 60, thence. through the switch 58, which wouldbe closed by. reason of the normal Operation of releasing the clutch member 59 to which the switch v58 is secured, thence passing throughthe switch 58 alongtheline 57 to the source 56. From this it will be :seen that as soon as the switch lever 54-is moved on to the button 53 of the'lowr-speed gear, a circuit-will be completed. through the-motor 38 andjshunted thmrgh the magueuecal brake 73, whereupon the motor. would drive the shaft 37, and this, in turn, carrying the pinion .38, wouldrevolve the-gear 34, which would turn: the controller 4 toward the switch 43,.and by doing so the switch 41 would be swung down to close the circuit at itsclin 50; the continued movement of the controller. 47 swinging the switch 43 out of switch of the-system may be considered the switch 58, which is controlled by the movement .of the clutch connection 59, so that unless the clutch member 59 is moved to such positionas will disconnect the shaft 2,

the switch 58 will be in open position; but as the clutch member 59 is moved with the releaseofthe clutch, the switch 58 will be closed, whereupon in conjunction with the proper movement of the manually-operated switch lever 54 a desired circuit may'loe closed,- and one after the other of the clutches 19-20.-21.22 be mechanically shifted by the power derived from the motor 38 or 39, as may be the case. y

in order that" the change speedmechanism m-ay be controlled entirely independent of theelectrie-selecting and controlling sysham, 1. have provided a manually-controlled and independently-operable mechanism whereby the several shifter levers 2.6 may be individuallyactuated, and this means is shown as comprisinglink connections 80 for each lever 26, the links being respectively connected to. couplers 81, shown as socket members, Fig. 5, in which are reciprocable plungers oractuators 82. The link members 80 projectv through suitable bearings in the case 3 and are normally, automatically projected by springs 83, the tension of which may be adjusted'by adjustable collars 84; the functions of the springs '83- being to-normally hold theseveral clutch rings 1920.-21+-22 disengaged from their respective companion gears 'by rocking the levers 26 to shift the shifters 2.5 outwardly. Thelinks 80 are pivotally or otherwise suitably connected ito the-couplers 81, which have a free movement in one direction with respect to their actuators 82 when the levers 26 are operated by the electriccontrol, including the gear 34 and the push-rods 30, whichwould cause the' links 80to be drawn inwardly, whereupon the couplers 81 would slide along the actuators 82, this movement teamma e by theelottl' in the con-- pler. Should it for .any'reason"become necessa'ry or desirable to'shiftthacllitch rings their respective links' 80 and rock the levers 1o -may-be moved toward a'dog keyed onthe 26, Any suitablemean's may beemployed for operating the actuators 82, and in' the present instance I have shown a rocker shaft.

85, upon which is slidablea"lever 86, which outer end of the 'shaft 85, andpby which tiltedforwardly or rearwardly, as the case may require, coincidently forcing one or the other of the rods '82intoopcrativeen- I gagement with its coupler 81, and thereby .the proper link 80 would be depressed to rock its coiirdinate lever 26'. Suitable conmotion is had as between the rocker shaft 85 and the actuators 82 by means of a lever 88 ext nding diametrically acrox the shaft 85- and engageable with the adjacent ends of the actuators 82." When the hand-lever 86 is shifted on the shaft 85 into mesh with the dog 87 and then thrown in the direction indicated by the arrow n, Fig. 5, ,the upper actuator 82 will engage and shift the coupler "81 with its connected link 80, to'rock its lever 26 and throw the clutch ring 19 into mcsh with the low-speed gear 9;.and as the upper end of th'e'lever88 forces the upper 'actuator 82 inwardly, the lower actuator'82 is retracted from its respective coupler 81, ,each of the couplers 81 being shown as slottedat 81" to allowthe necessaryforward play of-its actuator 82'independentlys So long as the lever 86 is -shift'ed'laterally' into I "engagement with the. dog 87 a1idf'tl'1e lever 86 lrocked rearwardly, as at -a,-'or forward, as atb, then the rocker shaft 86 is actuated,

andwhen it is desired to disconnect the ,dog

87, the operator shiftsthe lever 86"laterally,

bringing it into mesh with'another dog 87 which is secured upon a tubular shaft 89, Fig. 6, which carries a diametrically extend ing lever 9Qr'engaging'respective actuators .91, and which,;controlsthe rocking of the respective 3 levers 26 and the movement .of the'intermediate speedclutch and the high speed clutch. 4- 1', "1- Having thus described my tinventiomiwhat 'I"c1aim and desire to secure by Letters Pat- 'ent,=1s: V 1, i The combination inpower-transmitting apparatus, ofdrivingand driven elements, gearing forlvaryin'g the speed-of or for re.- ve'rs'ing'the'driven element, and electricallyoperated clutch"mechanism comprising a 'cami'forjc'oupling' said gearing to's'aid ele- 'ments.

2. a heat e and -=revesing 'gearing comprising 'clut'chesfor interlocking engage me'nt with respective-membersiof said gear- 'ing", electrically-operated mm for a manually-controlled electrical trolling the'operatio'n of said cam. a

3. Alchange speed and reversing gearing comprising, a' seriesof clutches engageable "with respective elements of said gearing,

means for-shiftingsaid clutches positively '-in"one' direction to engage said gearing,

means for automatically retracting the clutches, and electrically operated instru mentalities for actuating the clutch-shifting 7 means.

when engaged with the lever ,86, would be ii-A change speed and reversing gearing comprising a; series of clutches 'engageable with respective elements of said mechanism,

means for shifting said clutches positively shifting means,"said electric instrumentalities comprising a motor-driven shaft with a'gear-and a cam member driven by said "gear' for actuating progressively parts jof said shifting. means, and a switch-board 'with respective circuits for controlling the direction and degree of rotation of said cam.

Apower-tran'smission mechanism comprising a driving shaft and adriven part,

a plurality of gears substantially constantly -intermeslied, deriving power from said shaft, a series of clutches adapted to be shifted into operative engagement with re spe'ct to said gears, and having'driving'connection'with the driven part, shifting levers "for said-clutches, a cam for, progressively Ioperating said shifting levers, electricallyoperated meansyfor actuating said cam, and

the cam actuating;means.--

' 6; Agpower trans on fmechanism compr n 'a r i ghaf n a dr v P rt, a plurality of gears substantially constantly "-int ermeshed', ieriving power-from said driving shaft a seriesof clutches havingfiriving connectionwith the driven part, mechanism for 'shi -fting- -=saidj clutches into- 'oper; ative' engagement with respect to'said gears,

a neclna -I ism comprising-a cam for-progress sively operating:- elements ofsaid shifting mechanism toth row in the clutches, means for automatically retracting the clutches,

electrically operated means for actuating the cam, a" series of circuits 1 with switches ioo y t m automatically actuated by the. electrically operated mechanism, and a manuallyoperab-le 'switch-lever movable to engage contacts. in the several circuits of; which said switches form parts. Y A -"-'-7.;' A change speed and rcversing gearing c mp ngdrivengan clutches for 'operativ y connecting-saidf parts an electric control and clutch operating system comprising rotatable mechanism for shifting-the clutches, electricallywperated driver for rotating a' driving part, a p 1; fiolbe 8. In combination with a change speed and reversing power-transmitting mechanism, comprising a driving part, a part to be driven and clutches for connecting said parts, an electric control and clutch-operating system comprising mechanism for shifting the clutches, an electrically-operated driver for actuating said mechanism, electric circuits for controlling the movement of the driver-step by step and for reversing the same, each of said circuits including a switch member automatically operated by said driver, so as to break certain of said circuits and close others, and a manuallyoperated switch lever movable to engage terminals of the circuits so that the circuits closed by the automatically-operated switches can be completed to cause the movement of the electrically-operated driver.

9. A change speed and reversing gearing comprising adriving part, a part to be driven and clutches for operatively connecting said parts, an electric control and clutch-operating system comprising mechanism forshifting the clutches, an electrically-operated driver for actuating said mechanism, electric circuits for controlling the movement of the driver step by step and for reversing the same, each of saidcircuits including a switch member automatically operated by said driver, so as to break certain of said circuits and. close others, a manually-operable switch lever movable to engage terminals of the circuits so that the circuits closed by the automatically-operated switches can be completed to cause the movement of ,.the electrically-operated driver, and a primary switch controlling the closing of said circuits.

10. A change speed and reversing gearing comprising a driving part, a part to be driven and clutches for operatively connecting said parts, an electric control and clutch-operating system comprising mechanism for shifting the clutches, an electrically-operated driver for actuating said mechanism, electric clrcuits for controlling the movement of the driver. step by step and V for re'versingthe same, each of said circuits including a switch member automatically,

operated by said driver, so as to break certain of said circults and close others, a

manually-operated switch lever movable to enga e terminals of the circuits so that the circuits closed by the automatically-oper-v ated switches can be completed to cause the driver, and a primary switch contro driven, a plurality 0 change speed and reverse gears constantly rotated by the driver for the transmission of power therefrom, and a series of electrically shiftable and independently movable concentric clutches severally engageable with respective of said gears, said clutches being operably connected to the parts to be driven. I

12. In a power-transmitting change speed and reversing gearing, a driver, a part to be driven, a pluralityof change speed and reverse gears constantly driven by the driver for the transmission of power therefrom, a series of substantially concentric interconnected and relatively slidable clutches having their operating faces in a common plane severally engageable with respective of said gears, said clutches being operably connected to the part to be driven, and electrically controlled mechanism for shifting said clutches 13. In a power-transmltting change speed and reversing gearing, a driver, a part to be driven, a plurality of change speed and reverse gears constantly driven by the driver for the transmission of power therefrom, a series of substantially concentric interconnected and relatively slidable clutches having their operating faces in a common plane severally engageable with respective of said gears, said clutches being operably connected to'the part a es driven, and an electric shifting mechanism for operating said clutches.

14; In a power-transmitting change speed and reversing gearing, a driver, a part 'to be driven, a plurality of change speed and reverse gears constantly driven by the driver for the transmission of power' therefrom, a series of substantially concentric interconnected and relatively slidable clutches having their operating faces in a

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