Description:A PRE-LOADED GEAR SHIFT SYSTEM
[0001] The present subject matter, in general, relates to the field of a manual gear transmission, in particular, the present subject matter belongs to a pre-loaded gear shift system for providing a feeling of a gear shift to a driver.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Traditionally, gear shift feeling is one of the important criteria for vehicle overall performance. It depends on various parameters e.g., lever ratio, transmission components load, peripheral loads, and the like. It should be optimized by balancing the gear shift load and gear shift load accuracy. Too high and too Low loads, both are not good for gear shift feeling. Also, even if gear shift loads are too low but accuracy is not good, then also the gear shift feeling is not acceptable.
[0003] Fig. 1 illustrates an image 100 depicting a multiple spring ball mechanism 102, in accordance to an existing prior art. The multiple spring ball mechanism 102 includes three individual ball spring arrangements on each shifting shaft meant for each gear shifting plane (1st ?2nd, 3rd ?4th and 5th ? Rev.) thus making the multiple spring ball mechanism 102 bulky and costly.
[0004] With the movement of Gear shift lever (Not shown in the system) motion of yoke 104 takes place in shown direction which results in shifting shafts’ 106 movement, ultimately causing motion of fork 108 resulting in shifting of gears. Each shaft and motion of each shaft corresponds to the various gears’ engagement.
[0005] On shifting shafts, a detent ball-spring arrangement is present. The purpose of same is to provide a reasonable load and accuracy during the shifting and, providing shift feeling to the driver. For example, at neutral condition, the detent ball 112 which is loaded by Detent spring 110 and a detent bolt 116, rests inside a ramp profile 114 present on the shifting shafts 104. During shifting of gears, detent ball 112 moves on the ramp profile 114 and give gear shift accuracy to driver. However, the conventional solution includes a number of disadvantages such as
a) The system is bulky due to individual Ball/Spring arrangement for each gear shifting.
b) Due to multiple Detent/Spring system, it is difficult to maintain accuracy during shifting.
c) The current system is costly .
d) The system has lesser efficiency due to multiple parts involved.

[0006] The system is prone to wear and tear and is complicated.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for a cost effective and optimized solution to overcome one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed below.
[0009] It is a general or primary object of the present subject matter to provide a non-complicated pre-loaded gear shift system.
[0010] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a pre-loaded gear shift system that is not prone to wear and tear.
[0011] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a pre-loaded gear shift system that is cost effective.
[0012] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide a pre-loaded gear shift system that has lesser number of parts and is simple.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0014] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a pre-loaded gear shift system for providing a feeling of a gear shift to a driver; the concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0015] The present disclosure provides a pre-loaded gear shift system for providing a feeling of a gear shift to a driver. The pre-loaded gear shift system includes a gear shift lever with a shift lever sphere, a ball, characterized in that a metallic piece with a plurality of profiles having a plurality of grooves, fixed with the shift lever sphere on the gear shift lever, in a physical contact with the ball. The metallic piece moves with respect to the ball when the gear shift lever is moved.
[0016] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the feeling of gear shift is generated based on a movement of the plurality of profiles along with the metallic piece, while being in the physical contact with the ball.
[0017] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the plurality of profiles moves in an upward direction when the gear shift lever is moved in a backward direction and the plurality of profiles moves in a downward direction when the gear shift lever is moved in a forward direction.
[0018] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the metallic piece includes a first surface in the physical contact with the ball, having the plurality of profiles, wherein the plurality of profiles comprises a first profile, a second profile, and a third profile, and a second surface opposite to the first surface, fixed to the shift lever sphere.
[0019] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the first profile is located at a centre of the metallic piece, between a second profile below the first profile and the third profile above the first profile.
[0020] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the first profile is in physical contact with the ball when the gear shift lever is not moving and the gear shift lever is in a neutral gear position.
[0021] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the second profile comes in physical contact with the ball when the gear shift lever is moved in a backward direction and the third profile comes in physical contact with the ball when the gear shift lever is moved in a forward direction.
[0022] In an aspect of the present subject matter, the physical contact between the first profile and the ball indicates that the gear shift lever is in a neutral position, the physical contact between the second profile and the ball indicates that the gear shift lever is in one of a first gear position, third gear position and a fifth gear position, and the physical contact between the third profile and the ball indicates that the gear shift lever is in one of a second gear position, fourth gear position, and a reverse gear position.
[0023] In an aspect of the present subject matter, wherein the ball includes a first side attached to a shifter housing, and a second side opposite to the first side in the physical contact with the metallic piece.
[0024] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0026] Fig. 1 illustrates an image depicting a multiple spring ball mechanism, in accordance with an existing prior art;
[0027] Fig. 2a illustrates a diagram depicting a pre-loaded gear shift assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0028] Fig. 2b illustrates a diagram depicting the metallic piece, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0029] Fig. 3 illustrates an image depicting that the ball is in a physical contact with the second profile, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0030] Fig. 4 illustrates an image depicting that the ball is in a physical contact with the first profile, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0031] Fig. 5 illustrates an image depicting that the ball is in a physical contact with the third profile, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0033] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0034] Fig. 2a illustrates a diagram 200a depicting a pre-loaded gear shift assembly 202, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The pre-loaded gear shift assembly 202 may be a part of a manual transmission assembly in a vehicle. In an embodiment, the vehicle may be any vehicle that requires a gear assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle is a four-wheeler vehicle. The pre-loaded gear shift assembly 202 may be configured to provide a feeling of a gear shift to a driver. The feeling may be generated based on a frictional movement of components of the pre-loaded gear shift assembly 202. The feeling may be essential in increasing an accuracy of determination of the gear shift by the driver while the driver is driving the vehicle. The pre-loaded gear shift assembly 202 may need lesser number of components as compared to existing prior arts disclosed in fig. 1.
[0035] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter, the pre-loaded gear shift assembly 202 may include a gear shift lever 204 having a shift lever sphere 206, a ball 208, and a metallic piece 210. The gear shift lever 204 may be operated by the driver and the feeling may be generated upon a movement of the gear shift lever 204. The shift lever sphere 206 may be located in a second half of the gear shift lever 204 such that the shift lever sphere 206 may be in a physical contact with the ball 208 via the metallic piece 210. To that understanding, the ball may 208 may include a first side 208a, and a second side 208b opposite to the first side 208a. The first side 208a of the ball 208 may be fixed to a shifter housing 214 for keeping the ball 208 in the physical contact with the shift lever sphere 206 via the metallic piece 210. The second side 208b of the ball 208 may be in the physical contact with the metallic piece 210.
[0036] Subsequently, the metallic piece 210 may be in one of a square shape, a rectangular shape, a circular shape or the like. The metallic piece 210 may be permanently fixed to the shift lever sphere 206 on the gear shift lever 204 while being in the physical contact with the ball 208. The metallic piece may include a number of profiles 212 with each profile having a number of grooves. The number of grooves in each profile may be configured to provide the feeling of the gear shift to the driver. The feeling of gear shift may be generated based on a movement on the number of profiles 212 along with the metallic piece 210, while being in physical contact with the ball 208. In particular, the feeling of the gear shift may be generated when the metallic piece 210 is moved with respect to the ball 208. The metallic piece 210 may be configured to move with respect to the ball 208 when the gear shift lever 204 is moved by the driver. When the gear shift lever 204 is moved, the location of the physical contact between the ball 208 and the metallic piece 210 may change. The location may be amongst one of the numbers of profiles 212 and with the physical contact of the ball 208 with the number of grooves on any of the number of profiles, the feeling of the gear shift may be generated. The feeling may be felt by the driver while moving the gear shift lever 204 for changing a gear of the vehicle. The gear shift lever 204 may be moved in a forward direction and a backward direction.
[0037] Continuing with the above embodiment, the feeling of the gear shift may initiate when the driver starts to move the gear shift lever 204 and the feeling may stop when the driver stops moving the gear shift lever 204. In a preferred embodiment, the driver may stop moving the gear shift lever 204 when the gear shift lever reaches a desired location. The desired location may correspond to a number of gear positions. The number of gear positions may include a first gear position, a second gear position, a third gear position, a fourth gear position, a fifth gear position, and a reverse gear position.
[0038] Fig. 2b illustrates a diagram 200b depicting the metallic piece 210, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For a generation of the feeling of gear shift, a location of the number of profile may change with respect to the ball 208 when the gear shift lever 204, and in extension gear shift sphere 206 is moved. The gear shift sphere 206 may be moved in an upward direction with respect to the ball 208 when the gear shift lever 204 is moved in the backward direction. Furthermore, the gear shift sphere 206 may be moved in a downward direction with respect to the ball 208 when the gear shift lever 204 is moved in the forward direction.
[0039] Continuing with the above embodiment, the metallic piece 210 may include a first surface 210a, and a second surface 210b opposite to the first surface 210a. The first surface 210a may be in the physical contact with the ball 208. The first surface 210a may include the number of profiles 212. Furthermore, the number of profiles 212 may include a first profile 212a, a second profile 212b, and a third profile 212c. To that understanding, the second surface 210b may be fixed to the shift lever sphere 206.
[0040] Subsequently, the first profile 212a, the second profile 212b, and the third profile 212c may be located in a straight vertical line with respect to one another on the metallic piece 210. The first profile 212a may be located at a center of the metallic piece 210. The first profile 212a may be located between the second profile 212b, and the third profile 212c. The second profile 212b may be located below the first profile 212a. The third profile 212c may be located above the first profile 212a. Each of the first profile 212a, the second profile 212b, and the third profile 212c may be of a similar size and may include an equal number of grooves. Furthermore, each of the first profile 212a, the second profile 212b, and the third profile 212c may be less than one third in size with respect to the metallic piece 210. Furthermore, the number of grooves may be of a size optimal for the generation of the feeling of gear shift.
[0041] Continuing with the above embodiment, the first profile 212a may be in the physical contact with the ball 208 when the gear shift lever 204 is not moving and the gear shift lever 204 is in a neutral gear position. The second profile 212b may come in the physical contact with the ball 208 when the gear shift lever 204 is moved in the backward direction and the third profile 212c may come in the physical contact with the ball 208 when the gear shift lever 204 is moved in the forward direction.
[0042] To that understanding, the physical contact between the first profile 212a and the ball 208 may indicate that the gear shift lever 204 is in a neutral position. The physical contact between the second profile 212b and the ball 208 may indicate that the gear shift lever 204 is in one of the first gear position, the third gear position and the fifth gear position. The physical contact between the third profile 212c and the ball 208 may indicate that the gear shift lever 204 is in one of the second gear position, the fourth gear position, and the reverse gear position.
[0043] Fig. 3 illustrates an image 300 depicting that the ball 208 is in a physical contact with the third profile 212c, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The physical contact between the third profile 212c and the ball 208 may indicate that the gear shift lever 204 is in one of a first gear position, a third gear position and a fifth gear position. For the gear shift lever 204 to be in one of the first gear position, the third gear position and the fifth gear position, the gear shift lever 204 may be moved in a forward direction causing the metallic piece 210 to move in a downward direction.
[0044] Fig. 4 illustrates an image 400 depicting that the ball 208 is in a physical contact with the first profile 212a, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The physical contact between the first profile 212a and the ball 208 may indicate that the gear shift lever 204 is in a neutral position.
[0045] Fig. 5 illustrates an image 500 depicting that the ball 208 is in a physical contact with the second profile 212b, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The physical contact between the second profile 212b and the ball 208 may indicate that the gear shift lever 204 is in one of a second gear position, a fourth gear position and a reverse gear position. For the gear shift lever 204 to be in one of the second gear position, the fourth gear position and the reverse gear position, the gear shift lever 204 may be moved in a backward direction causing the metallic piece 210 to move in an upward direction.
[0046] The present subject matter includes a number of advantages such as:
a. The pre-loaded gear shift assembly 202 is not bulky due to a single ball (the ball 208) and a plate profile (the number of profiles 212) for each gear shifting.
b. Due to a single ball and profile plate system, desired accuracy may be maintained for each gear position.
c. The pre-loaded gear shift assembly 202 as disclosed in the present subject matter is cheaper in comparison to the existing prior art.
d. The pre-loaded gear shift assembly 202 as disclosed in the present subject matter may have a higher efficiency due to an involvement of a single system.
[0047] While the detailed description describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions, or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A pre-loaded gear shift system (202) for providing a feeling of a gear shift to a driver, comprising:
a gear shift lever (204) with a shift lever sphere (206);
a ball (208),
Characterized in that,
a metallic piece (210) with a plurality of profiles (212) having a plurality of grooves, fixed with the shift lever sphere (206) on the gear shift lever (204), in a physical contact with the ball (208), wherein the metallic piece (210) moves with respect to the ball (208) when the gear shift lever (204) is moved.

2. The pre-loaded gear shift system (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feeling of gear shift is generated based on a movement of the plurality of profiles (212) along with the metallic piece (208), while being in the physical contact with the ball (208).

3. The pre-loaded gear shift system (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of profiles (212) moves in an upward direction when the gear shift lever (204) is moved in a backward direction and the plurality of profiles (212) moves in a downward direction when the gear shift lever (204) is moved in a forward direction.

4. The pre-loaded gear shift system (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metallic piece (210) comprises:
a first surface (210a) in the physical contact with the ball (208), having the plurality of profiles (212), wherein the plurality of profiles (212) comprises a first profile (212a), a second profile (212b), and a third profile (212c);
and a second surface (210b) opposite to the first surface, fixed to the shift lever sphere (206).

5. The pre-loaded gear shift system (202) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first profile (212a) is located at a center of the metallic piece (210), between a second profile (212b) below the first profile (212a) and the third profile (212c) above the first profile (212a).

6. The pre-loaded gear shift system (202) as claimed in claim 1 or 5, wherein the first profile (212a) is in physical contact with the ball (208) when the gear shift lever (204) is not moving, and the gear shift lever (204) is in a neutral gear position.

7. The pre-loaded gear shift system (202) as claimed in claim 1 or 5, wherein the second profile (212b) comes in physical contact with the ball (208) when the gear shift lever (204) is moved in a backward direction and the third profile (212c) comes in physical contact with the ball (208) when the gear shift lever (204) is moved in a forward direction.

8. The pre-loaded gear shift system (202) as claimed in claim 1 or 5, wherein the physical contact between the first profile (212a) and the ball (208) indicates that the gear shift lever (204) is in a neutral position, the physical contact between the second profile (212b) and the ball (208) indicates that the gear shift lever (204) is in one of a first gear position, third gear position and a fifth gear position, and the physical contact between the third profile (212c) and the ball (208) indicates that the gear shift lever (204) is in one of a second gear position, fourth gear position, and a reverse gear position.

9. The pre-loaded gear shift system (202) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ball (208) comprises:
a first side (208a) attached to a shifter housing (214); and
a second side (208b) opposite to the first side in the physical contact with the metallic piece (210).