GB190726905A - An Improved Change-speed Gear more especially Designed for use on Self-propelled Vehicles. - Google Patents

Abstract

26,905. Viratelle, M. N. Dec. 7, 1906, [date applied for under Patents Act, 1901]. Variable-speed gearing. -Relates to a changespeed gear for motorvehicles &c. in which epicyclic trains are used to transmit the power to the back axle from a single driving-pinion. This is accomplished through the medium of internally-toothed rings, except for the top gear, externally of equal diameter, which may be separately b r a k e d by bands by a suitable mechanism. These rings are supported in both directions by ball races. Two forms of the gearing are described. Interlocking-mechanism for effecting the changes of the gearing is also described, and provision is made by w h i c h, on the vehicle brake being applied, whatever speed is in action is released. The direct drive is brought into action by means of friction plates by which the fly-wheel and planetcarrier are locked one to the other. Fig. 1 shows a transverse section. Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through B C D, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 a section through E E, Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 shows an alternative arrangement of the epicyclic trains, in which some of the wheels are co-axial to the driving- pinion. Motion is transmitted from the driving- shaft a through the single pinion b through one or other of the several trains of wheels carried by the planet-carrier u<1>, Fig. 2, according to which of the toothed rings g, g<1>, g<2> is held stationary. These rings are supported by ball bearings as shown. A toothed pinion g<3>, which can be held by the brake drum g<3>, is provided for giving a higher gear, in conjunction with the planet-wheel k. The brakes are operated by springs which are allowed to come into action one at a time by sliding the rod 3 so as to bring the notch 5 into the appropriate position. The direct drive is brought into action by means of the friction clutch p, r, by which the planet carrier can be locked to the fly-wheel t<1>. This clutch can be put in and out of engagement by linkage l, m, also operated by the rod 3. The main brake 14 is actuated by a pedal at 8, as shown in Fig. 1, which first releases whichever speed is in use through the medium of a bellcrank 11, in the form of an elongated lifting-piece, engaging all the brake rods. The casing z is bored and has limited clearance in order that the band brakes may be effectively cleared when released. The engine shaft 15, Fig. 3, drives through a skew or helical gearing, which presses into engagement a one-way ratchet-clutch 17.