Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 09:10:24 -0800
Reply-To: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject: Re: Solenoid-operated manual shifter?
In-Reply-To: <5.2.1.1.0.20031211074619.02408780@mail.gct21.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I have a disabled customer that REALLY wants a Syncro, but he can not drive
a manual transmission due to the amount of pressure needed to push the
clutch. I've been tossing around the idea of solenoids to control the
shifting, but like I said, tossing around the idea. Sort of a tiptronic
style of setup where there would be paddles on the steering wheel. One for
up and down in gears and one for the clutch.
Left paddle being more of a potentiometer than button so that you can
control how fast the clutch goes on. The right button being used to select
the gear - push in to go up push out to go down.
This is beyond my design capability but it would be neat to have a system
like this. The other issue that I can see with this is the ergonomics of it
all. Unlike and Audi TT, the Vanagon needs several revolutions of the
steering wheel to accomplish things. Making emergency situations quite
dangerous if you have to think "WHERE is the clutch" when you are trying to
avoid Mickey Moose that steering to avoid.
David Marshall
Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada V2J 6Z3
http://www.fastforward.ca mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775 FAX: (250) 992 1160
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-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Steve Delanty
Sent: December 11, 2003 7:47 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Solenoid-operated manual shifter?
I'd probably try and keep it simple and mechanical if at all
possible, but if not I might consider something hydraulic.
Small hydraulic cylinders are dirt cheap and routing of hydraulic
lines is easy, since they can be bent all over the place with out
causing any problems like cables would.
It also gives control over how much "throw" at the front it takes
to move the shift levers by sizing the area ratios of master and
slave cylinders.
Just somethin' for ya to chew on....
Steve
EJ22 -> '86 Westy "Escape Pod"
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At 01:23 AM 12/11/2003, you wrote:
>I was wondering what the best way to set-up my 84 Caravelle's shifter
>when installing the Porsche G50 trans.
>
>The trans has an inline axial shifter rod, just like older VWs.
>
>The usual way is to fit the entire Porsche shifter tower into the
>cockpit floor to replace the VW one.
>
>It occurred to me that I could use a Toyota floorshift and mount it
>on a modified console to place it where it would be in Hiace,
>thereby alleviating chopping the Porsche lever and ending up with a
>long throw and long flexy imprecise shifter. The Toyota uses cables,
>I think (must look at my Hiace!) and would be relatively easy to
>adapt. If it's NOT cable-operated, a Corolla/Corona cable unit would
>do, so long as the 2 forward-running cables can be curved around
>toward the back without impinging on the radiator or bending too
>tightly..
>
>Then I started to wonder about electric shifters. I guess this would
>necessitate using linear motors (solenoids). As there are 3 positions
>of the trans shifter rod in each direction, this would necessitate 2
>solenoids for each, or a pair of 3-position solenoids (and I don't
>know whether such solenoids are made).
>
>Transverse solenoid(s) to rotate the shaft to change lateral planes
>ie among the 1-2, 3-4, 5-R planes. Longitudinal (axial) solenoid(s)
>to move the rod fore-aft to select the 1-3-5, N and 2-4-R planes.
>This could be in addition to the manual shifter, and be operated via
>porsche Tiptronic levers on the steering column.
>
>I guess this would need some simple electronics to coordinate the
>solenoids, as some shifts would need one solenoid to move, others
>would need both solenoids.
>
>Thoughts, anyone? ... other than "why bother..."
>--
>Andrew Grebneff
>Dunedin, New Zealand
>64 (3) 473-8863
><andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
>Fossil preparator
>Seashell, Macintosh & VW/Toyota van nut