Hydraulic cylinder

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hydraulic cylinder which permits in three stage or four stage positioning.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a vehicle transmission, hydraulic cylinders are used as shift actuators and as select actuators for driving a gear shift mechanism (e.g. Japanese Patent Application Hei 5-17243 published by the Japanese Patent Office in 1994).
In this disclosure, hydraulic cylinders for shift and select operation are controlled by fluid pressure supplied via a solenoid valve by a microcomputer, and when the vehicle issues a speed change request, the hydraulic cylinders drive a gear shift mechanism to a required position.
In this case, a three stage positioning function is required of the hydraulic cylinders. A conventional cylinder which permits three stage positioning is shown in FIG. 13.
Two free pistons 211, 212 are housed in the cylinder 206, and a piston 210 is accommodated between them. The piston 210 is fixed to a rod 201 passing through the cylinder 206. A pressure chamber 202 facing the free piston 211 and a pressure chamber 203 facing the free piston 211 are provided inside the cylinder 206, these pressure chambers 202, 203, being connected to a high pressure air supply via solenoid valves 204, 205.
In the state shown in the figure, when high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chamber 202 via the solenoid valve 204 and the pressure chamber 203 is opened to the atmosphere via the solenoid valve 205, the free piston 211 and piston 210 are displaced due to the pressure acting on its pressure-receiving surface.
The free piston 211 stops in an intermediate position shown in the figure corresponding to a midway stage, but the piston 210 displaces to the right of the figure until it comes in contact with the right-hand end of the cylinder 206.
When high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chamber 203 via the solenoid valve 205 from this state, and the pressure chamber 202 is opened to the atmosphere via the solenoid valve 204, the free piston 212 and piston 210 displace together to the left due to the pressure acting on the pressure-receiving surfaces of the free piston 212 and piston 210.
When the intermediate position (neutral position) shown in the figure is reached, the free piston 212 comes in contact with a step and stops in that position, but the piston 210 continues moving to the left together with the other free piston 211 until it comes in contact with the left-hand end of the cylinder 206.
On the other hand, when high pressure air is simultaneously supplied to the pressure chamber 202 and pressure chamber 203 via the solenoid valve 204 and solenoid valve 205, the piston 210 displaces to the neutral position together with the free pistons 211, 212, and stops in this position.
In this case, the rod 201 can be positioned in three stages by opening and closing the solenoid valves 204, 205, i.e. a maximum extension amount and minimum extension amount, and an intermediate position (neutral position) between these extremes.
However when the pressure chambers 202, 203 are opened to the atmnosphere after stopping the solenoid valves 204, 205 in the neutral position, and there is a difference in the response of the solenoid valves 204, 205 or pressure losses in the passages, or there is a difference in the capacities of the pressure chambers 202, 203, a pressure difference is easily established on either side of the piston 210 so that the working pressure acting on the piston 210 is unbalanced, and the piston 210 therefore moves or "drifts" towards the left or right.
To correct this drift, a high-speed response solenoid may be used, a throttle to adjust unbalance of pressure drop may be provided in a passage, or the resistance of a load connected to an output shaft may be added.
There is some scatter in the response speed of solenoid valves, and their response speed may vary according to the supply voltage and supply pressure. An attempt is often made to resolve this problem by providing a high pressure air discharge passage, increasing the sliding resistance of the piston, or using a control system which allows for drift.
However, some fluctuation of the vehicle battery voltage cannot be avoided. Decreasing the resistance of passages or reducing the left-right difference between pressure chambers requires the design layout to be symmetrical. This limits the degree of freedom of design, and necessarily makes the hydraulic cylinder larger and heavier.
In a control system wherein such drift is assumed to occur, during a select operation in the neutral position, it is first necessary to hold the neutral position by a shift hydraulic cylinder. This introduces a delay into the control, and also increases the consumption amount of compressed air.
Also, when a transmission had one reverse gear and seven forward gears, a hydraulic cylinder was required which could be positioned in three stages as a shift actuator, and a hydraulic cylinder was required which could be positioned in four stages as a select actuator.
If two types of hydraulic cylinder are provided, as they respectively have different components, manufacturing costs are increased compared to the case where only one hydraulic cylinder is manufactured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic cylinder which can be precisely positioned without drift in any stroke position.
It is a further object of this invention to manufacture a hydraulic cylinder which permits three stage positioning and a hydraulic cylinder which permits four stage positioning while suppressing production costs by using a large number of common parts.
In order to achieve these objectives, the present invention has a hydraulic cylinder operated by a fluid pressure. The hydraulic cylinder comprises a small diameter cylinder and a large diameter cylinder connected to it inside a housing, a stepped piston having a large diameter part free to slide in the large diameter cylinder and a small diameter part free to slide in the small diameter cylinder, a first pressure chamber formed on the side of the small diameter cylinder and a third pressure chamber formed on the side of the large diameter cylinder by the stepped piston, an annular second pressure chamber formed on the outer circumference of the small diameter part of the stepped piston, an intermediate cylinder formed inside the stepped piston and opening into the first pressure chamber, a piston inserted free to slide and forming a fourth pressure chamber in the intermediate cylinder, a passage permanently connecting the second pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber, a rod connected with the piston and passing through the stepped piston in an axial direction, an end stopper for limiting the maximum stroke of the piston to L1, means for limiting the maximum stroke of the stepped piston to L2, and a first valve for controlling the fluid pressure in the first pressure chamber, a second valve for controlling the fluid pressure in the second pressure chamber and the fourth pressure chamber and a third valve for controlling the fluid pressure in the third pressure chamber, wherein by selectively controlling fluid pressures via the first, second and third valves, the rod is made to stop in four stroke positions 0, L1, L2 and L1+L2.
It is preferable that the maximum stroke L1 of the piston and the maximum stroke L2 of the stepped piston are set such that L1=L2.
It is further preferable that a shift lever having a gear shift function is connected to the rod.
It is further preferable that a spacer which sets the maximum stroke L1 of the piston and the maximum stroke L2 of the stepped piston such that L1=L2/2.
It is further preferable that a shift lever having a gear shift function is connected to the rod.
According to the present invention, a rod stroke can be stopped in four positions 0, L1, L2, L1+L2 so as to perform four stage positioning by selectively opening and dosing first--third solenoid valves.
By setting L1=L2, the rod stroke may be stopped at three equidistant positions, i.e. 0, L1(L1=L2), L1+L2 by selectively opening and dosing the first-third solenoid valves. Three stage positioning may therefore be controlled.
Further, by setting L1=L2/2, the rod stroke may be stopped at four equidistant positions 0, L1, L2, L1+L2 by selectively opening and dosing the first-third solenoid valves. In this case, as the parts are the same as for a hydraulic cylinder which permits three stage positioning excepting for a spacer, the hydraulic cylinder may be adapted for three stage positioning or four stage positioning depending on whether or not the spacer is fitted. In other words, the productivity of these two types of cylinder may be increased by using the same parts for both types.
A more complete understanding of the invention can be had by reference to the following detailed description in view of accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example in which the hydraulic cylinder of this invention is applied to a speed change controller of a transmission.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of part of a hydraulic cylinder in which three stage positioning is possible.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the hydraulic cylinder in which three stage positioning is possible.
FIG. 4 is a descriptive diagram showing a three stage positioning operation.
FIG. 5 is a descriptive diagram showing a three stage positioning operation
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of part of a hydraulic cylinder in which four stage positioning is possible.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the hydraulic cylinder in which four stage positioning is possible.
FIG. 8 is a descriptive diagram showing a four stage positioning operation.
FIG. 9 is a descriptive diagram showing an operating pattern of solenoid valves for three stage positioning.
FIG. 10 is a descriptive diagram showing an operating pattern of the solenoid valves for four stage positioning.
FIG. 11(a), (b) are descriptive diagrams respectively showing the operating state of the hydraulic cylinder.
FIG. 12(a), (b) are descriptive diagrams respectively showing the operating state of the hydraulic cylinder.
FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a conventional hydraulic cylinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a speed change controller of a transmission which uses a hydraulic cylinder according to the present invention.
This transmission in which speed change control is performed automatically or manually, comprises one stage reverse gear and seven stage forward gears. 102 is a hydraulic cylinder which permits three stage positioning as a shift actuator, and 101 is a hydraulic cylinder which permits four stage positioning as a select actuator,
An output shaft 109 of the hydraulic cylinder 102 for shift operation is connected via a link rod 104 to one end of a reversing lever 105, and it is connected to an input shaft 107 of a power shifter 116 via a link rod 106 from the other end of the reversing lever 105.
An output shaft 108 of the hydraulic cylinder 101 for select operation is connected via a link rod 103 by a select lever 120 of the transmission.
An output shaft, not shown, of the power shifter 116 is connected to a shift lever of the transmission.
A mechanical, manual speed change mechanism which transmits a select operation and shift operation due to a manual speed change in the drver's compartment, to the select lever 120 and the shift lever of the transmission, comprises linkages 119, 123 in the driver's compartment and link rods 117, 121 on the transmission side for each transmission path, and lever devices 118, 122 are interposed between them.
The input shaft 107 of the power shifter 116 is connected via the link rod 117 to one end of the lever device 118, and the linkage 119 is connected to the other end of the lever device 118.
The select lever 120 of the transmission is connected via the link rod 121 to one end of the lever device 122, and the linkage 123 is connected to the other end of the lever device 122.
Sensors, not shown, for detecting the stroke positions of the output shafts 108, 109 are installed respectively in the hydraulic cylinders 101, 102, and corresponding detection signals 113, 111 are input to the controller 110.
When the controller 110 issues a speed change request based on the running state of the vehicle, or a speed change request based on an arbitrary operation, control signals 112, 114 are output to the hydraulic cylinders 101, 102 so that the gear position of the transmission is shifted to the required gear position.
When a means, not shown, is provided to issue a request to change over to a manual, mechanical speed change operation, and such a change-over request is received, the controller 110 stops gear shift control of the transmission, and releases the hydraulic cylinders 101, 102 so that they are free.
During generation of the change-over request to manual speed change operation, speed change operations are performed from the driver's compartment. This shift operation is transmitted to the link rod 117 via the lever device 118 from the linkage 119, and the shift lever of the transmission is driven by the output of the power shifter 116.
A select operation is transmitted to the link rod 121 via the lever device 122 from the linkage 123, and drives the select lever 120 of the transmission.
In other words when a manual speed change operation is required, as the hydraulic cylinders 101, 102 are free, speed change of the transmission (one stage reverse gear, seven stage forward gears) is performed by a mechanical speed change mechanism driven manually from the driver's compartment.
FIG. 2, FIG. 3 show the construction of the hydraulic cylinder 102 capable of three stage positioning for shift operation.
A large diameter cylinder 1b is formed in a housing 1, and a small diameter cylinder 1a is coaxially connected at the rear. A bearing 2a is provided coaxially with the cylinders 1a, 1b at the front of the small diameter cylinder 1a in the housing 1.
One end of the large diameter cylinder 1b of the housing 1 is open, and an end cap 3 is fitted to seal this opening. A bearing 2b is formed coaxially with the cylinders 1a, 1b in the end cap 3, and a rod 4 penetrates these bearings 2a, 2b such that it is free to slide.
A piston 8 which is formed stepped shape in its middle part is housed in the cylinders 1a, 1b. This stepped piston 8 comprises a large diameter part 8b free to slide in the small diameter cylinder 1a and a small diameter part 8a free to slide in the large diameter cylinder 1b, and the aforementioned rod 4 penetrates its center through a bearing 2c such that the rod 4 is free to slide. An annular pressure chamber 14b (second pressure chamber) is formed between an outer circumference of the small diameter part 8a and inner circumference of the cylinders 1a, 1b. The small diameter part 8a is formed in a cylindrical shape, and an intermediate cylinder 10 is provided inside it.
A piston 5 free to slide is provided in the intermediate cylinder 10. The piston 5 is fixed in a predetermined position on the rod 4 via stoppers 6a, 6b. An end stopper 11 is fixed via stoppers 6c, 6d in a predetermined position on the opposite side enclosing the piston 5 and bearing 2c.
A pressure chamber 14d (fourth pressure chamber) is formed in the intermediate cylinder 10 by the piston 5, and a passage 16d which permanently connects this pressure chamber 14d to an outer pressure chamber 14b is formed in the intermediate cylinder 10.
A pressure chamber 14a (first pressure chamber) is formed in the small diameter cylinder and a pressure chamber 14c (third pressure chamber) is formed in the large diameter cylinder by the stepped piston 8 which houses the piston 5.
These pressure chambers 14a to 14c are connected to the solenoid valves 15a to 15c via passages 16a to 16c. The solenoid valves 15a to 15c supply compressed air to and discharge compressed air from the pressure chambers 14a to 14c, and are connected to a high pressure air supply 100. The high pressure air supply 100 comprises an air reservoir 51 which stores compressed air from an air compressor (not shown), and a pressure reducing valve 50 to regulate the supply pressure to the solenoid valves 15a, 15b to a predetermined value.
Dampers 12c, 12d are installed on both sides enclosing the bearing 2c of the stepped piston 8 in order to damp collisions between the. stepped piston 8, and the piston 5 and end stopper 11 on either side of the stepped piston 8.
Dampers 12a, 12b are installed at both ends of the large diameter cylinder 1b in order to damp collisions with the large diameter part 8b of the stepped piston 8.
In this case, the relation between the maximum stroke L1 of the piston 5 and the maximum stroke L2 of the stepped piston 8 is set to L1=L2 so that the hydraulic cylinder is capable of three stage positioning. 9a is a seal which seals a slide surface between the piston 5 and the intermediate cylinder 10. 7a is a seal which seals a slide surface between the small diameter part 8a of the stepped piston 8 and the small diameter cylinder 1a. 7b is a seal which seals a slide surface between the large diameter part 8b and the small diameter cylinder 1b. 9b is a seal which seals a slide surface between the bearing 2c and the rod 4. 13a, 13b are seals which seal a slide surface between the bearings 2a, 2b on both sides of the cylinders 1a, 2b and the rod.
When the solenoid valves 15a to 15c are OFF, the pressure chambers 14a to 14d are open to the atmosphere. In this state, when the rod 4 is operated by an outside force, the range of the sum of the maximum stroke L1 of the piston 5 and maximum stroke L2 of the stepped piston 8 (L1+L2) can be set arbitrarily.
When compressed air is sent selectively into the solenoid valves 15a to 15c, three stage positioning of the rod 4 is performed. This operation will now be described based on FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.
FIG. 9 represents the operating pattern of the solenoid valves 15a to 15c.
In FIG. 4, when the end of the rod 4 is displaced from a position F to a position N, the solenoid valve 15b switches ON and compressed air is supplied to the pressure chamber 14b. At the same time, the solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch OFF and the pressure chambers 14a, 14c open to the atmosphere. Due to the switching ON of the solenoid valve 15b, the pressure of the pressure chamber 14b rises, and the pressure of the pressure chamber 14d connected to the pressure chamber 14b via the passage 16d also rises.
Due to the pressure rise of the pressure chamber 14d, the piston 5 moves together with the rod 4 inside the intermediate cylinder 10, and stops when the end stopper 11 strikes the stepped piston 8.
Due to the pressure acting on the pressure chamber 14b, the stepped piston 8 displaces a distance L2 in a direction toward the right side of the figure, i.e. in a direction tending to compress the pressure chamber 14c, and comes in contact with the end of the large diameter cylinder 1b (damper 12b). The rod 4 therefore displaces together with the motion of the stepped piston 8, its end displaces a distance L2 from position F, and stops in position N as shown by 1-(1).
After stopping in the position N, the solenoid valve 15b switches OFF.
High pressure air in the pressure chambers 14b, 14d is discharged via the passages 16b, 16d. During discharge of high pressure air, the pressure chambers 14b, 14d are at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure.
On the other hand, as the pressure chambers 14a, 14c are at atmospheric pressure, the aforesaid relation between the pistons 5 and 8 is maintained, and they stop in this position. Displacement (drift) of the rod 4 therefore does not occur.
When the end of the rod 4 is displaced from position N to a position R, the solenoid valve 15a switches ON, and high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chamber 14a. At the same time, the solenoid valves 15b, 15c switch OFF and the pressure chambers 14b, 14c open to the atmosphere.
Due to the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a, the piston 5 displaces a distance L1 toward the rear of the intermediate cylinder 10, and comes in contact with the end of the intermediate cylinder 10 (damper 12c). Also, the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a pushes the stepped piston 8 in such a direction as to compress the pressure chamber 14c.
As the stepped piston 8 is in contact with the base end of the large diameter cylinder 1b, it cannot move in this direction. The end of the rod 4 therefore retreats a distance L1 from the position N and stops in the position R as shown by 1-(2). After stopping in the position R, the solenoid valve 15a switches OFF, and high pressure air in the pressure chamber 14a is discharged via the passage 16a.
During discharge of high pressure air, the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a falls to atmospheric pressure while the piston 5 and stepped piston 8 are held such that they cannot move. The rod 4 therefore does not displace in the axial direction.
When the end of the rod 4 is displaced from position R to position N, the solenoid valve 15b switches ON and high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chambers 14b, 14d. At the same time, the solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch OFF and the pressure chambers 14a, 14c open to the atmosphere.
Pressure acts on the pressure-receiving surface of the stepped piston 8 facing the pressure chamber 14b and the stepped piston 8 is pushed in a direction tending to compress the pressure chamber 14c, but as it is in contact with the base end of the large diameter cylinder 1b, it cannot move further.
Due to the pressure of the pressure chamber 14d, the piston 5 displaces a distance L1 from the base of the intermediate cylinder 10 in such a direction as to enlarge the pressure chamber 14d, and it stops when the end stopper 11 comes in contact with the pressure-receiving surface of the stepped piston 8.
The end of the rod 4 therefore advances by a distance L1 from the position R and stops in the position N as shown by 1-(3).
When it stops in the position N, the solenoid valve 15b switches OFF. High pressure air in the pressure chambers 14b, 14d is discharged via the passages 16b, 16d. During discharge of high pressure air, as the pressure in the pressure chambers 14b, 14d falls below atmospheric pressure while the stepped piston 8 and piston 5 are held stationary, there is no drift of the rod 4.
When the end of the rod 4 is displaced from position N to a position F, the solenoid valves 15b, 15c switch ON, and high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chambers 14b, 14c, while on the other hand the solenoid valve 15a switches OFF and the pressure chamber 14a opens to the atmosphere.
There are three possible operating sequences for the solenoid valve 15b and solenoid valve 15c, i.e.:
(1) The solenoid valve 15c switches ON after the solenoid valve 15b switches ON,
(2) The solenoid valve 15b switches ON after the solenoid valve 15c switches ON,
(3) The solenoid valve 15b and solenoid valve 15c are switched ON simultaneously.
Any of the situations (1)-(3) is feasible.
Describing first the case (1), high pressure air is supplied via the passage 16b due to switching on of the solenoid valve 15b, and the pressure of the pressure chambers 14b and 14d rises. This pressure acts in such a direction as to enlarge the pressure chambers 14b, 14d. It pushes the stepped piston 8 in a direction where it is pressed against the end of the large diameter cylinder 1b, and simultaneously pushes the piston 5 in a direction away from the stepped piston 8.
When the solenoid valve 15c switches on after the solenoid valve 15b, high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chamber 14c via the passage 16c. The pressure of the pressure chamber 14c rises, and acts to displace the stepped piston 8 in a such a direction as to enlarge the pressure chamber 14c. In the early stage of the pressure rise, working pressure based on the pressure of the pressure chamber 14b is predominant, so the stepped piston 8 does not displace. However, when the pressure of the pressure chamber 14c rises further and the condition of the following expression is satisfied, the stepped piston 8 begins to displace.
�Pressure of pressure chamber 14c!>�Pressure of pressure chamber 14b!.times.�pressure-receiving surface area of stepped piston 8 facing pressure chamber 14b!/�pressure-receiving surface area of stepped piston 8 facing pressure chamber 14c! {1}
In other words, when the condition of equation {1}is met, the stepped piston 8 starts to move in such a direction as to enlarge the volume of pressure chamber 14c, and it is displaced by a distance L2 limited by a step (damper 12a) of the large diameter cylinder 1b.
Meanwhile, the piston 5 is pushed by the pressure of the pressure chamber 14d in such a direction as to enlarge the volume of the chamber while being limited by the end stopper 11, so the end of the rod 4 advances by a distance L2 from position N and stops in the position F as shown by 1-(4).
After stopping in position F, the solenoid valves 15b, 15c are switched to the OFF position. The operating sequence of the solenoid valves 15b, 15c may be:
(1) The solenoid valve 15c switches OFF after the solenoid valve 15b switches OFF,
(2) The solenoid valve 15b switches OFF after the solenoid valve 15c switches OFF,
(3) The solenoid valves 15b, 15c switch OFF simultaneously.
When the relation between the pressure of the pressure chamber 14c and the pressure of the pressure chamber 14b does not satisfy the condition of the above equation {1}, the stepped piston 8 moves.
In case (1), the condition of equation {1}will definitely be met.
In case (2), it may easily occur that the condition of equation {1}is not met.
In case (3), the pressure of the pressure chamber 14c decreases as the pressure of the pressure chamber 14b decreases, but as pressure decreases faster in the pressure chamber 14b, the condition of inequality {1}is satisfied.
FIG. 5 illustrates another operating mode for three stage positioning of the rod 4. When the end of the rod 4 is displaced from position F to position N, the solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch ON, and high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chambers 14a, 14c. At the same time, the solenoid valve 15b switches OFF, and the pressure chamber 14b opens to the atmosphere.
The operating sequence of the solenoid valve 15a and solenoid valve 15c may be:
(1) The solenoid valve 15c switches ON after the solenoid valve 15a switches ON,
(2) The solenoid valve 15a switches ON after the solenoid valve 15c switches ON,
(3) The solenoid valve 15a and solenoid valve 15c switch ON simultaneously.
If only the final position is important, the same result is obtained in all the above cases (1)-(3), but with the aim of preventing excess movement during the operating process, the condition of the following equation must be met.
�Pressure of pressure chamber 14c!>�Pressure of pressure chamber 14a!.times.�pressure-receiving surface area of stepped piston 8 facing pressure chamber 14a+pressure-receiving surface area of piston 5 facing pressure chamber 14a!/�pressure-receiving surface area of stepped piston 8 facing pressure chamber 14c! {2}
Cases (2) and (3) meet this condition (2) well, but case (2) is to be preferred. Describing now case (2), when the solenoid valve 15c switches ON, high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chamber 14c via the passage 16c, and the pressure of the pressure chamber 14c rises. This pressure acts on the pressure-receiving surface of the stepped piston 8 facing the pressure chamber 14c, and the stepped piston 8 displaces in a direction tending to enlarge the volume of the pressure chamber 14c, but the movement is limited by a step of the large diameter cylinder 1b.
When the solenoid valve 15a switches ON after the solenoid valve 15c switches ON, high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chamber 14a via the passage 16a. The pressure of the pressure chamber 14a rises, and tends to cause the stepped piston 8 and piston 5 to displace in a direction enlarging the volume of pressure chamber 14a, but as the working pressure on the side of the pressure chamber 14c is predominant for the stepped piston 8, it remains stationary. The piston 5 displaces a distance L1 towards the rear of the intermediate cylinder 10, and comes in contact with the base of the intermediate cylinder 10.
Subsequently, as the relation between the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a and the pressure of the pressure chamber 14c satisfies the condition of the above inequality {2}, the stepped piston 8 and piston 5 do not displace. The end of the rod 4 therefore retreats a distance L1 from the position F and stops in position N as shown by 2-(1). After stopping in position N, the solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch OFF.
Here, the following operating sequences are possible, i.e.:
(1) The solenoid valve 15c switches OFF after the solenoid valve 15a switches OFF,
(2) The solenoid valve 15a switches OFF after the solenoid valve 15c switches OFF,
(3) The solenoid valve 15a and the solenoid valve 15c switch OFF simultaneously.
The condition of the following equation must be satisfied to prevent drift of the rod 4 when the solenoids 15a, 15c switch OFF.
�Pressure of pressure chamber 14c!>�Pressure of pressure chamber 14a!.times.�pressure-receiving surface area of stepped piston 8 facing pressure chamber 14a+pressure-receiving surface area of piston 5 facing pressure chamber 14a!/�pressure-receiving surface area of stepped piston 8 facing pressure chamber 14c! {3}
Cases (1) and (3) satisfy the condition of this equation {3}, but case (1) is to be preferred.
Describing case (1), when the solenoid valve 15a switches OFF, the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a decreases. If the solenoid 15c switches OFF after the pressure in the pressure chamber 14a has sufficiently decreased, the pressure in the pressure chambers 14a, 14c can be decreased to atmospheric pressure while continuing to fully satisfy equation {3}. When the end of the rod 4 displaces from position N to position R, the solenoid valve 15a switches ON and high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chamber 14a. At the same time, the solenoid valves 15b, 15c switch OFF, and the pressure chambers 14b, 14c open to the atmosphere. High pressure air is supplied via the passage 16a to the pressure chamber 14a, and the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a rises.
Pressure acts on the pressure-receiving surface of the stepped piston 8 facing the pressure chamber 14a and the pressure-receiving surface of the piston 5. The stepped piston 8 therefore displaces together with the piston 5 by a distance L2 in a direction tending to enlarge the volume of the pressure chamber 14a, and comes in contact with the end of the large diameter cylinder 1b. The end of the rod 4 therefore retreats a distance L2 from position N and stops in position R as shown by 2-(2). After stopping in the position R, the solenoid valve 15a switches OFF. High pressure air in the pressure chamber 14a is discharged via the passage 16a. During discharge of high pressure air, as the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a is higher than that of the pressure chambers 14b-14d, the piston 5 and the stepped piston 8 are pushed in a direction tending to enlarge the pressure chamber 14a.
In other words, the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a decreases to atmospheric pressure while the motion of the stepped piston 8 and piston 5 is restricted. Drift of the rod 4 therefore does not occur.
When the end of the rod 4 displaces from position R to position N, the solenoids- 15a, 15c switch ON and high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chambers 14a, 14c. At the same time, the solenoid 15b switches OFF, and the pressure chamber 14b opens to the atmosphere.
Here, the following operating sequences of the solenoids 15a, 15b are possible, i.e.:
(1) The solenoid valve 15c switches ON after the solenoid valve 15a switches ON,
(2) The solenoid valve 15a switches ON after the solenoid valve 15c switches ON,
(3) The solenoid valve 15a and the solenoid valve 15c switch ON simultaneously.
Even when the solenoid 15a is OFF, the stepped piston 8 and the piston 5 can be moved a distance L2 together towards the small diameter cylinder 1a due to the solenoid 15c switching ON. However when the rod 4 reaches the position N, the stepped piston 8 comes in contact with a step of the large diameter cylinder 1b and stops quickly, whereas the piston 5 maintains its displacement speed and may overshoot due to inertia.
To prevent overshooting, the stepped piston 8 must be displaced while the piston 5 is pushed against the base of the intermediate cylinder 10 by the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a.
In case (1), the piston 5 (i.e. rod 4) may definitively be prevented from overshooting, but the conditions under which the stepped piston 8 begins to move (i.e. equation {2}above) are not immediately satisfied.
In case (2), on the other hand, the stepped piston 8 begins to move at an early point in time, but the piston 5 tends to overshoot.
In case (3), high pressure air is supplied simultaneously to the pressure chambers 14a, 14c, but in view of the volume of these pressure chambers 14a, 14c, pressure rises faster in the pressure chamber 14a. As a result, displacement to the position N begins fairly early while overshoot of the piston 5 is definitively prevented.
After stopping in position N, the solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch OFF. At that time, in order to prevent drift of the rod 4, the solenoid valve 15c switches OFF after the solenoid valve 15a switches OFF.
When the end of the rod 4 is displaced from position N to position F, the solenoid valves 15b, 15c switch ON, and high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chambers 14b, 14c, while on the other hand, the solenoid valve 15a switches OFF and the pressure chamber 14a opens to the atmosphere.
There are three possible operating sequences for the solenoid valve 15b and solenoid valve 15c, i.e.:
(1) The solenoid valve 15c switches ON after the solenoid valve 15b switches ON,
(2) The solenoid valve 15b switches ON after the solenoid valve 15c switches ON,
(3) The solenoid valve 15b and solenoid valve 15c are switched ON simultaneously.
Case (2) is the most desirable from the viewpoint of preventing irregular motion during the operation, and this case will therefore be described here.
When the solenoid valve 15c switches ON, the pressure of the pressure chamber 14c rises. Pressure acts on the pressure-receiving surface of the stepped piston 8 facing the pressure chamber 14c and the stepped piston 8 displaces in a direction tending to enlarge the pressure chamber 14c, but the motion is limited by a step of the large diameter cylinder 1b and the stepped piston 8 is maintained in the stationary state.
When the solenoid valve 15b switches ON after the solenoid valve 15c switches ON, the pressure in the pressure chamber 14b and pressure chamber 14d rises.
Pressure acts on the pressure-receiving surface of the stepped piston 8 facing the pressure chamber 14b, but as the working pressure acting on the pressure-receiving surface facing the pressure chamber 14c is predominant, the stepped piston 8 is held stationary.
Pressure acts on the pressure-receiving surface of the piston 5 facing the pressure chamber 14d, and the piston 5 is displaced in such a direction as to enlarge the pressure chamber 14d.
When the piston 5 moves a distance L1 and the end stopper 11 comes in contact with the stepped piston 8, further displacement is prevented.
The end of the rod 4 therefore advances a distance L1 from position N and stops in position F as shown by 2-(4). After stopping in position F, the solenoid valves 15b, 15c switch OFF.
The operating sequence may be:
(1) The solenoid valve 15c switches OFF after the solenoid valve 15b switches OFF,
(2) The solenoid valve 15b switches OFF after the solenoid valve 15c switches OFF,
(3) The solenoid valves 15b, 15c switch OFF simultaneously.
In order to prevent drift of the rod 4, high pressure air in the pressure chambers 14b, 14c must be discharged while satisfying the condition of equation {1}.
In case (1), the condition of equation {1}is satisfied best.
In case (2), it may easily occur that the condition of equation {1}is not satisfied.
In case (3), the pressure in the pressure chambers 14b, 14c decreases simultaneously, however it decreases faster in the pressure chamber 14b and the condition of inequality {1}is satisfied.
FIG. 6, FIG. 7 show another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the hydraulic cylinder 101 can be positioned in four stages (FIG. 1).
A damper 12e (spacer) is attached to the base of the intermediate cylinder 10 instead of the damper 12c in the hydraulic cylinder 102 of FIG. 2 so as to modify the relation between the maximum stroke L1 of the piston 5 and the maximum stroke L2 of the stepped piston 8.
The same manual are assigned to the same parts as in FIG. 2, a description of which is not repeated here.
Apart from the damper 12e, the same parts are used as in the hydraulic cylinder 101 which has three stage positioning. In other words, depending on whether the damper 12c or 12e is installed, the arrangement can function either as the shift hydraulic cylinder 102 or as the select hydraulic cylinder 101.
Every effort is made to use the same parts so that productivity in manufacturing these two types of hydraulic cylinders 101, 102 is greatly improved.
FIG. 8 describes the operation of the four stage positioning hydraulic cylinder 101.
FIG. 10 shows the operating pattern of the solenoid valves 15a-15c.
When the end of the rod 4 displaces from a position 1 to a position 2, the solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch ON and high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chambers 14a, 14c. At the same time, the solenoid valve 15b switches OFF and the pressure chamber 14b opens to the atmosphere.
The operating sequence of the solenoid valves 15a, 15b may be:
(1) The solenoid valve 15c switches ON after the solenoid valve 15a switches ON,
(2) The solenoid valve 15a switches ON after the solenoid valve 15c switches ON,
(3) The solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch ON simultaneously.
For the purpose of final positioning, the same result is obtained in all of the above cases (1)-(3), but for the purpose of preventing overshoot in the operating process, the condition of the aforesaid equation {2}must be satisfied.
From this viewpoint, case (2) or (3) is satisfactory but case (2) is to be preferred. Describing case (2), when the solenoid valve 15c switches ON, the-pressure in the pressure chamber 14c rises. This pressure acts on the pressure-receiving surface of the stepped piston 8 facing the pressure chamber 14c, and the stepped piston 8 displaces in a direction tending to enlarge the volume of the pressure chamber 14c, but the movement is limited by a step of the large diameter cylinder 1b (damper 12a).
When the solenoid valve 15a switches ON after the solenoid valve 15c switches ON, high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chamber 14a via the passage 16a.
The pressure of the pressure chamber 14a rises, and tends to cause the stepped piston 8 and piston 5 to displace in a direction enlarging the volume of pressure chamber 14a, but, as the working pressure on the side of the pressure chamber 14c is predominant for the stepped piston 8, it remains stationary.
The piston 5 displaces a distance L1 toward the rear of the intermediate cylinder 10, and comes in contact with the base (damper 12e) of the intermediate cylinder 10.
Subsequently, as the relation between the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a and the pressure of the pressure chamber 14c satisfies the condition of the above inequality {2}, the stepped piston 8 and piston 5 do not displace.
The end of the rod 4 therefore retreats a distance L1 from position 1 and stops in position 2 as shown by 3-(1). After stopping in position 2, the solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch OFF.
Here, the following operating sequences are possible, i.e.:
(1) The solenoid valve 15c switches OFF after the solenoid valve 15a switches OFF,
(2) The solenoid valve 15a switches OFF after the solenoid valve 15c switches OFF,
(3) The solenoid valve 15a and the solenoid valve 15c switch OFF simultaneously.
As described above, the condition of inequality {2}must be satisfied to prevent drift of the rod 4. From this viewpoint, case (1) or case (3) is satisfactory, but case (1) is to be preferred.
Describing case (1), when the solenoid valve 15a switches OFF, the pressure in the pressure chamber 14a decreases. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 14a has sufficiently decreased and the solenoid valve 15c switches OFF, the pressure in the pressure chambers 14a, 14c can be decreased to atmospheric pressure while fully satisfying the condition of inequality {2}.
When the end of the rod 4 displaces from position 2 to position 3, the solenoid valve 15b switches ON and compressed air is supplied to the pressure chamber 14b. At the same time, the solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch OFF and the pressure chambers 14a, 14c open to the atmosphere.
Due to the pressure of the pressure chamber 14d, the piston 5 displaces a distance L1 in such a direction as to enlarge the pressure chamber 14d, but its further displacement is limited by the end stopper 11. Due to the pressure in the pressure chamber 14b, the stepped piston 8 displaces in a direction tending to compress the pressure chamber 14c, and comes in contact with the base of the large diameter cylinder (damper 12b).
The end of the rod 4 therefore retreats a distance L2-L1 and stops in position 3 as shown by 3-(2). After stopping in position 3, the solenoid valve 15b switches OFF. High pressure air in the pressure chambers 14b, 14d is discharged via the passages 16b, 16d. During discharge of high pressure air, the piston 5 is pushed in a direction tending to enlarge the pressure chamber 14d and the stepped piston 8 is pushed in a direction tending to enlarge the pressure chamber 14b.
In other words, as the pressure in the pressure chambers 14b, 14d decreases to atmospheric pressure while the motion of the piston 5 is limited by the end stopper 11 and the stepped piston 8 is pressed against the base of the large diameter cylinder 1b, drift of the rod 4 does not occur. When the end of the rod 4 is displaced from position 3 to position 4, the solenoid valve 15a switches ON, and compressed air is supplied to the pressure chamber 14a. At the same time, the solenoid valves 15b, 15c switch OFF and the pressure chambers 14b, 14c open to the atmosphere.
Due to the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a, the piston 5 displaces a distance L1 in a direction tending to compress the pressure chamber 14d, and comes in contact with the base of the intermediate cylinder 10.
The pressure of the pressure chamber 14a acts also on the stepped piston 8 in such a direction as to compress the pressure chamber 14c, but as the stepped piston 8 is in contact with the base end of the large diameter cylinder 1b, it remains stationary.
The end of the rod 4 therefore displaces a distance L1 from the position 3 and stops in position 4 as shown by 3-(3). After stopping in position 4, the solenoid valve 15a switches OFF.
As the pressure chambers 14b, 14d and 14c are at atmospheric pressure, the pressure in the pressure chamber 14a falls to atmospheric pressure while the piston 5 and intermediate cylinder 10 are held so that they cannot move (when the pressure chamber 14a is enlarged to the maximum). The position of the rod 4 therefore does not change.
When the end of the rod 4 is displaced from position 4 to position 3, the solenoid valve 15b switches ON and high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chamber 14b. At the same time, the solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch OFF and the pressure chambers 14a, 14c open to the atmosphere.
Due to the pressure of the pressure chamber 15b, the stepped piston 8 is pressed against the base of the large diameter cylinder 1b. Due to the pressure of the pressure chamber 14d, the piston 5 displaces a distance L1 in a direction tending to enlarge the pressure chamber 14d, and when the end stopper 11 comes in contact with the stepped piston 8, further displacement is prevented.
The end of the rod 4 therefore displaces a distance L1 and stops in position 3 as shown by 3-(4). After stopping in position 3, the solenoid valve 5b switches OFF. High pressure air in the pressure chambers 14b, 14d is discharged via the passages 16b, 16d. The pressure in the pressure chambers 14b, 14d decreases to atmospheric pressure while the piston 5 and stepped piston 8 are pushed in such a direction as to enlarge the volumes of these chambers. Drift of the rod 4 therefore does not occur.
When the rod 4 moves from position 3 to position 2, the solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch ON and high pressure is supplied to the pressure chambers 14a, 14c. At the same time, the solenoid valve 15b switches OFF, and the pressure chamber 14b opens to the atmosphere.
Due to the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a, the piston 5 displaces a distance L1 in a direction tending to compress the pressure chamber 14d, and comes in contact with the base of the intermediate cylinder 10.
Due to the pressure of the pressure chamber 14c, the stepped piston 8 displaces a distance L2 in a direction tending to compress the pressure chamber 14b, and comes in contact with the base of the large diameter cylinder 1b The end of the rod 4 therefore displaces a distance L2-L1 from position 2 and stops in position 2 as shown by 3-(5).
The operating sequence of the solenoid valves 15a, 15b may be:
(1) The solenoid valve 15c switches ON after the solenoid valve 15a switches ON,
(2) The solenoid valve 15a switches ON after the solenoid valve 15c switches ON,
(3) The solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch ON simultaneously.
Due to inertia when the stepped piston 8 comes in contact with a step on the large cylinder 1b, the motion of the piston 5 must be suppressed by the pressure of the pressure chamber 14a so that the piston 5 does not overshoot.
Case (1) is most effective in preventing overshoot of the piston 5, but the rod 4 then takes more time to displace. In cases (2) and (3), overshoot of the piston 5 is still suppressed, but from the viewpoint of reducing displacement time of the rod 4, the operating sequence (3) is to be preferred.
After the rod has stopped in position 2, the solenoid valves 15a, 15c switch OFF.
To prevent drift of the rod 4, the operating sequence must be such that the pressure in the pressure chambers 14a, 14c is reduced to atmospheric pressure while satisfying the condition of the aforesaid inequality {2}, so it is desirable to switch the solenoid valve 15c OFF after the solenoid valve 15a switches OFF.
When the rod displaces from position 2 to position 1, the solenoid valves 15b, 15c switch ON and high pressure air is supplied to the pressure chambers 14b, 14c. At the same time, the solenoid valve 15a switches OFF and the pressure chamber 14a opens to the atmosphere.
Regarding the operating sequence of the solenoid valves 15b, 15c, from the viewpoint of preventing drift of the rod 4, it is preferred that the solenoid valve 15b switches ON after the solenoid valve 15c.
Describing this case, when the solenoid valve 15c switches ON, the pressure in the pressure chamber 14c rises. Due to this pressure, the stepped piston 8 is pushed in a direction tending to compress the pressure chamber 14b, but its displacement in this direction is limited by a step on the large diameter cylinder 1b.
When the solenoid valve 15b switches ON after the solenoid valve 15c, due to the pressure in the pressure chamber 14d, the piston 5 displaces a distance L1 in a direction tending to enlarge the pressure chamber 14d, but its other displacement is prevented by the end stopper 11.
This pressure acts also on the pressure-receiving surface of the stepped piston 8 facing the pressure chamber 14b, but as the applied force based on the pressure of the pressure chamber 14c is predominant, the stepped piston 8 is held in a stationary state.
The end of the rod 4 therefore displaces a distance L1 from position 2 and stops in position 1 as shown by 3-(6). After stopping in position 1, the solenoid valves 15b, 15c switch OFF.
The operating sequence may be:
(1) The solenoid valve 15c switches OFF after the solenoid valve 15b switches OFF,
(2) The solenoid valve 15b switches OFF after the solenoid valve 15c switches OFF,
(3) The solenoid valves 15b, 15c switch OFF simultaneously.
From the viewpoint of preventing drift of the rod 4, cases (1) and (3) are preferred but case (1) is most preferable.
In case (2) it may easily occur that the condition of inequality {1}is not satisfied, so this operating sequence is not desirable.
Describing case (1), when the solenoid valve 15b switches OFF, high pressure air in the pressure chambers 14b, 14c is discharged via the passage 16b. During this discharge, as the pressure on the pressure chamber 14d is higher than that in the pressure chamber 14a, the end stopper 11 of the piston 5 is pressed by the pressure in the pressure chamber 14d against the pressure-receiving surface of the stepped piston 8.
When the solenoid valve 15c switches OFF after the solenoid valve 15b switches OFF, the pressure in the pressure chamber 14c decreases. As the relation between the pressures in the pressure chamber 14b, 14c satisfies the condition of inequality {1}, the stepped piston 8 does not move in a direction tending to compress the pressure chamber 14c.
FIG. 11, FIG. 12 show different embodiments of this invention. In these figures, (a) shows the hydraulic cylinder 102 capable of three stage positioning, and (b) shows the hydraulic cylinder 101 capable of four stage positioning.
FIG. 11 is different from the preceding embodiments in that the bearing (2b in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6) of the large cylinder 1b is not used for the shift hydraulic cylinder 102 of FIG. 2 and the select hydraulic cylinder 101 of FIG. 6.
Also, the rod 4 terminates at the end stopper 11 on one side, so that it extends outside only from the bearing 2a of the small diameter cylinder 1a on the other side.
In FIG. 12, in the hydraulic cylinders 102, 101 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, the rod 4 terminates at the piston 5 on one side. The bearing of the large diameter cylinder 1b (2b in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6) and the bearing of the stepped piston 8 (2c in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6) are omitted.
The end stopper 11 which limits the maximum stroke of the piston 5 is attached to the opening of the intermediate cylinder 10.
In FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, parts with the same functions as those of FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 are assigned the same symbols.
As the operation of the cylinders having these alternative constructions is identical to that shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, its description is omitted here.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the drawings and described in the detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is intended to embrace any alternatives, modifications, equivalents and/or substitutions of elements as fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Number	Name	Date
3094900	Wandel et al.	Jun 1963
4388986	Umezawa	Jun 1983
5020419	Amedei et al.	Jun 1991
5706712	Tischer et al.	Jan 1998

Hydraulic cylinder

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CPC

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