Control device for a gearbox, in particular for a motor-vehicle gearbox, with a system for identifying the engaged gear

Control device for a gearbox, comprising an elongated mechanical transmission member (10;

• 110) interposed between the gearbox and a control member (100) for transmitting to the gearbox the commands imparted through the control member (100), in such a manner that the engaged gear is linked to the linear position of the transmission member (10;
• 110),
• wherein the transmission member (10;
• 110) includes a rigid end portion (14;
• 114),
• wherein the device is provided with a position sensor (26;
• 126) comprising a movable reference element (28;
• 128), the movement of which is univocally determined by the movement of the rigid end portion (14;
• 114), as well as a stationary detection element (30) arranged to detect the position of the reference element (28;
• 128),
• the device being characterized in that the reference element (28;
• 128) is mechanically connected to the rigid end portion (14;
• 114) and spaced apart from it,
• wherein the reference element (128) is a rotatable element, wherein the device further comprises a motion conversion mechanism (140, 142, 146) which connects the reference element (128) to the rigid end portion (114) in such a manner that the translational movement of the rigid end portion (114) is converted into a rotational movement of the reference element (128), and wherein the position sensor (126) is an angular position sensor arranged to detect the linear position of the rigid end portion (114) by detection of the angular position of the reference element (128), and
• wherein the motion conversion mechanism includes a shaft (140) connected at an end thereof to the rigid end portion(114) by means of a ball joint (142) and at the opposite end thereof to the reference element (128) by means of a gimbal joint (146).