TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a brake arrangement for a gearbox. The invention also relates to a gearbox comprising such a brake arrangement, a method for braking the rotational speed of a shaft in a gearbox and use of a brake arrangement in a gearbox. BACKGROUND

A gearbox comprises a large number of interacting components, which all affect the shape and weight of the gearbox. When the gearbox is arranged in a vehicle, the weight and size of the gearbox will have a great impact on, for example, the weight of the vehicle. The number of components may also affect the function of the gearbox. Manufacturers therefore often try to achieve as compact gearboxes as possible.

Synchronized gearboxes, which comprise a large number of gear steps, may comprise a plurality of synchronization rings for shifting between different gear steps. Automated Manual Transmissions (AMT), also called semi-automatic transmissions, are commonly known and are often unsynchronized in that they lack synchronization rings. In order to control the rotational speed of the shafts in such a gearbox, different kinds of brake arrangements are typically used. One known solution is to use brakes arranged at the end of the shafts to be braked. Installing brakes on such positions in a gearbox may be very complicated since gearboxes are compact and comprises a lot of components. It may thus be difficult to get access to such brakes which complicates installation, service and repair. SUMMARY

Despite known solutions in the field, it would be desirable to develop a brake arrangement which overcomes or alleviates at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

An object of the present invention is thus to achieve an advantageous brake arrangement, which facilitates assembly of a gearbox. Another object of the present invention is to achieve a brake arrangement, which facilitates repair and service of the brake arrangement.

The herein mentioned objects are achieved by a brake arrangement, a gearbox comprising such a brake arrangement, a vehicle, a method for decreasing the rotational speed of a shaft in a gearbox and use of such a brake arrangement according to the independent claims.

Hence, according to an aspect of the present invention, a brake arrangement for a gearbox is provided, the gearbox comprising a plurality of shafts with gear wheels, wherein the brake arrangement is configured for braking the rotational movement of at least one of the shafts of the gearbox, wherein the brake arrangement comprises: a brake shaft; a brake wheel fixedly arranged on the brake shaft; and a brake device arranged in connection with the brake shaft, wherein the brake device is configured to be connected to a gearbox housing, and wherein the brake arrangement is configured to be arranged, such that the brake wheel is in engagement with a gear wheel arranged in connection with the shaft to be braked, and wherein the brake device is controllable to brake the brake shaft and thus the brake wheel, whereby the gear wheel and the shaft in connection with the gear wheel is braked. According to another aspect of the invention, a gearbox comprising such a brake arrangement is provided. According to another aspect of the invention, a vehicle comprising such a gearbox is provided. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for decreasing the rotational speed of a shaft in a gearbox is provided. The gearbox comprises a brake arrangement, the brake arrangement comprising: a brake shaft; a brake wheel fixedly arranged on the brake shaft; and a brake device arranged in connection with the brake shaft, wherein the brake device is configured to be connected to a gearbox housing, and wherein the brake arrangement is arranged, such that the brake wheel is in engagement with a gear wheel arranged in connection with the shaft to be braked. The method comprises: controlling the brake device to brake the brake shaft and the brake wheel, such that the gear wheel and the shaft in connection with the gear wheel is braked.

By using a brake arrangement where a brake wheel is arranged in engagement with a gear wheel in connection with the shaft to be braked, the brake arrangement can be arranged essentially anywhere in the gearbox in relation to the shaft to be braked. The brake arrangement does thus not have to be arranged on the shaft. Since the brake arrangement only requires engagement with a gear wheel in connection with the shaft to be braked, the brake arrangement can be arranged to achieve easy access to it in the gearbox. The brake arrangement can thereby be arranged at the periphery of the gearbox, where easy access is obtained. This facilitates the mounting of the brake arrangement and also facilitates repair and service of the brake arrangement. In a gearbox with a plurality of gear wheels and thus a plurality of gear steps, braking a shaft may be achieved by means of the brake arrangement according to the invention, in several different ways. Since the brake device is configured to be connected the gearbox housing, the rotational speed of the shaft can be braked to zero rpm. Also, the brake arrangement can be used to brake the rotational speed of a shaft, independently of other shafts in the gearbox. The brake arrangement according to the invention thus entails great flexibility. Further objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following details, and also by putting the invention into practice. Whereas the invention is described below, it should be noted that it is not restricted to the specific details described. Specialists having access to the teachings herein will recognise further applications, modifications and incorporations within other fields, which are within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For fuller understanding of the present invention and further objects and advantages of it, the detailed description set out below should be read together with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference notations denote similar items in the various drawings, and in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle according to an

example;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a powertrain and a gearbox according to an example;

Figure 3a-b schematically illustrates brake arrangements

according to two examples;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a brake arrangement

according to an example; and

Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart for a method according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a brake arrangement for a gearbox is provided. The gearbox comprises a plurality of shafts with gear wheels, wherein the brake arrangement is configured for braking the rotational movement of at least one of the shafts of the gearbox, wherein the brake arrangement comprises: a brake shaft; a brake wheel fixedly arranged on the brake shaft; and a brake device arranged in connection with the brake shaft, wherein the brake device is configured to be connected to a gearbox housing, and wherein the brake arrangement is configured to be arranged, such that the brake wheel is in engagement with a gear wheel arranged in connection with the shaft to be braked, and wherein the brake device is controllable to brake the brake shaft and thus the brake wheel, whereby the gear wheel and the shaft in connection with the gear wheel is braked.

The brake arrangement may be configured for an Automated Manual Transmission. The brake arrangement may thus be referred to as an AMT brake arrangement or a brake arrangement for an AMT gearbox. AMT gearboxes may be configured in many different ways. It is to be understood that the brake arrangement according to the disclosure, may be configured for any AMT gearbox.

When it herein is described that a component is braked, it means that the rotational movement of the component is decelerated. Thus, a gear wheel or shaft being braked means that the rotational speed of the gear wheel/shaft is decreased. How much the shaft is braked may depend on how the brake device is controlled. The shaft may be braked to standstill. Alternatively, the shaft may be braked to synchronize with the rotational speed of another shaft.

According to an example, the brake device comprises friction discs. At least one friction disc may be rotary arranged on the brake shaft. At least one friction disc may be connected to the gearbox housing, such that it cannot rotate. The brake device may thus be referred to as a frictional brake or disc brake. The brake device may alternatively be an electromagnetic brake. The brake device may be arranged in connection with a control device. The control device may be configured to control the brake device. Thus, the control device may be configured to activate the brake device and thus the brake arrangement when a need for reducing the rotational speed of a shaft has been identified. As an example, the brake arrangement may be used for synchronizing rotational speeds of shafts in the gearbox when shifting gear.

The gearbox typically comprises a plurality of gear pairs corresponding to a number of fixed gear steps. Each gear pair may comprise a first gear wheel, which is fixedly arranged on a shaft and a second gear wheel, which is arranged in engagement with the first gear wheel and which is selectively lockable to another shaft. The first and second gear wheel of a gear pair may thus be arranged on parallel shafts. A gear wheel fixedly arranged on the shaft will always rotate together with the shaft and with the same rotational speed as the shaft. Thus, a gear wheel fixedly arranged on the shaft cannot rotate in relation to the shaft. A gear wheel that is selectively lockable to a shaft will in a released or disconnected state be able to rotate in relation to the shaft. Thus, in the released/disconnected state, the gear wheel will rotate independently of the shaft. In a locked state, the gear wheel will rotate together with the shaft and cannot rotate in relation to the shaft. The gear wheel may be mechanically locked to/disconnected from the shaft by means of displaceable coupling units. Such coupling units may comprise coupling sleeves configured to interact with splines on the gear wheels. The same coupling unit may be used for locking/disconnecting two different gear wheels to a shaft.

The brake wheel of the brake arrangement may comprise circumferential teeth for engagement with teeth provided on the gear wheel arranged in connection with the shaft to be braked.

The gearbox may comprise an input shaft. The input shaft may be configured to be connected to a propulsion unit. The input shaft may be configured to be connected to a propulsion unit via a clutch device. The gearbox may further comprise a main shaft connected to the input shaft. The gearbox may also comprise an output shaft connected to the main shaft. The output shaft may further be configured to be connected to drive wheels when the gearbox is arranged in a vehicle. The output shaft may be configured to be connected to a range gearbox. The gearbox may also comprise a lay shaft arranged in connection with the input shaft, the main shaft and/or the output shaft. The lay shaft may be arranged in parallel with the input shaft and/or the main shaft.

According to an example, the brake arrangement is configured to be arranged, such that the brake wheel is in engagement with a gear wheel fixedly arranged on the shaft to be braked. This way, the brake arrangement is connected to the shaft to be braked via a gear wheel fixedly arranged on the shaft. The brake wheel may thus be arranged in engagement with a gear wheel in direct connection with the shaft to be braked. Since the brake arrangement is arranged in engagement with a gear wheel fixedly arranged on the shaft to be braked, the brake arrangement will brake the gear wheel and thereby the shaft on which the gear wheel is arranged.

According to another example, the brake arrangement is configured to be arranged, such that the brake wheel is in engagement with a first gear wheel, which is arranged in engagement with a second gear wheel fixedly arranged on the shaft to be braked. This way, the brake arrangement is connected to the shaft to be braked via a gear wheel fixedly arranged on the shaft and another gear wheel. The brake wheel may thus be configured to be arranged in engagement with a gear wheel arranged on another shaft than the shaft to be braked. The brake arrangement may thus be configured to be arranged with the brake wheel in engagement with a gear wheel arranged on a shaft parallel with the shaft to be braked. The brake arrangement may be configured to be arranged with the brake wheel in engagement with a gear wheel selectively lockable on another shaft than the shaft to be braked. The gear wheel is suitably in a disconnected/unlocked state when the brake arrangement is activated. This way, the brake arrangement will brake the disconnected gear wheel and not the shaft on which it is arranged, whereby the disconnected gear wheel will brake the gear wheel fixedly arranged on the shaft to be braked. The brake arrangement according to the disclosure may thus be configured to be arranged at a larger distance from the shaft to be braked. This way, one may choose to arrange the brake arrangement on a position within the gearbox, which renders easy access to the brake arrangement.

According to an example, the brake arrangement is configured to be arranged at a top end of the gearbox. Since the brake arrangement is configured to be arranged in engagement with a gear wheel in connection with the shaft to be braked, and not the shaft itself, the brake arrangement may be arranged on a position at a top end of the gearbox. The top end of the gearbox may be defined as the end of the gearbox being furthest away from the ground. By arranging the brake arrangement at the top end of the gearbox, mounting, repair and replacement of the brake arrangement is facilitated. Alternatively, the brake arrangement is arranged at a bottom end of the gearbox. The bottom end of the gearbox may be defined as the end of the gearbox being closest to the ground. In the event that the gearbox is arranged, such that access to the gearbox is achieved from below, arranging the brake arrangement at the bottom end of the gearbox will facilitate mounting, repair and replacement of the brake arrangement.

The brake arrangement may be configured for braking an input shaft of the gearbox. The brake arrangement may then be configured to be arranged with the brake wheel in engagement with a gear wheel fixedly arranged on the input shaft. Alternatively, the brake arrangement may be configured to be arranged with the brake wheel in engagement with a gear wheel selectively lockable on the lay shaft, wherein the gear wheel on the lay shaft is arranged in engagement with a gear wheel fixedly arranged on the input shaft.

The brake arrangement may be configured for braking a lay shaft of the gearbox. The brake arrangement may then be configured to be arranged with the brake wheel in engagement with a gear wheel fixedly arranged on the lay shaft. Alternatively, the brake arrangement may be configured to be arranged with the brake wheel in engagement with a gear wheel selectively lockable on a main shaft of the gearbox, wherein the gear wheel on the main shaft is arranged in engagement with a gear wheel fixedly arranged on the lay shaft. According to an example, the brake arrangement comprises a first brake unit for braking an input shaft of the gearbox, and a second brake unit for braking a lay shaft of the gearbox. The first brake unit may comprise a first brake shaft; a first brake wheel fixedly arranged on the first brake shaft; and a first brake device arranged in connection with the first brake shaft. The first brake wheel may be configured to be arranged in engagement with a gear wheel on the input shaft of the gearbox. The second brake unit may comprise a second brake shaft; a second brake wheel fixedly arranged on the second brake shaft; and a second brake device arranged in connection with the second brake shaft. The second brake wheel may be configured to be arranged in engagement with a gear wheel in connection with a lay shaft of the gearbox.

The brake arrangement may further comprise a housing. In the event that the brake arrangement comprises a first brake unit and a second brake unit, the housing may accommodate both brake units. Thus, the first brake shaft, the first brake wheel; the first brake device, the second brake shaft; the second brake wheel and the second brake device may all be arranged within the housing. This way, one single unit may be arranged inside the gearbox, for braking two different shafts. Mounting, repair and replacement of the brake arrangement is thereby facilitated.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a gearbox is provided. The gearbox comprises a plurality of shafts with gear wheels. The gearbox further comprises at least one brake arrangement as disclosed herein. It is to be understood that all the various examples of the brake arrangement also applies for the gearbox as well as for the use of such a brake arrangement for decreasing the rotational speed of a shaft in a gearbox. The brake arrangement may thus be arranged to brake an input shaft and/or a lay shaft of the gearbox. According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for decreasing the rotational speed of a shaft in a gearbox is provided. The gearbox comprises a brake arrangement and the brake arrangement comprises: a brake shaft; a brake wheel fixedly arranged on the brake shaft; and a brake device arranged in connection with the brake shaft, wherein the brake device is configured to be connected to a gearbox housing, and wherein the brake arrangement is arranged, such that the brake wheel is in engagement with a gear wheel arranged in connection with the shaft of the gearbox. The method comprises: controlling the brake device to brake the brake shaft and the brake wheel, such that the gear wheel and the shaft in connection with to the gear wheel is braked. The brake arrangement may comprise a control device, wherein the method is performed by the control device. The control device may thus control the brake device to brake the brake shaft and the brake wheel, such that the gear wheel and the shaft connected to the gear wheel is braked. It is to be understood that the control device performing the disclosed method may be implemented as a separate entity or distributed in two or more physical entities. The control device may comprise one or more control units and/or computers. The control device may thus be implemented or realised by the control device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory comprising instructions, which when executed by the processor causes the control device to perform the herein disclosed method steps.

The present disclosure will now be further illustrated with reference to the appended figures.

Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a vehicle 1 according to an example. The vehicle 1 comprises a powertrain 3 with a propulsion unit 2 connected to a gearbox 4. The propulsion unit 2 may be an internal combustion engine, an electrical machine or similar. The gearbox 4 is also connected to the driving wheels 8 of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 may further comprise a brake arrangement 10 for the gearbox 4. The vehicle 1 may be a heavy vehicle, e.g. a truck or a bus. The vehicle 1 may alternatively be a passenger car.

Figure 2 schematically shows a powertrain 3 of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle may be the vehicle 1 as disclosed in Figure 1. The powertrain 3 may comprise a propulsion unit 2, a gearbox 4 and a clutch 8 arranged to selectively transfer torque between the propulsion unit 2 and the gearbox 4. The clutch 8 may comprise a flywheel 12 and a clutch disc 14. The flywheel 12 may be connected to a crankshaft 13 of the propulsion unit 2 and the clutch disc 14 may be connected to an input shaft 15 of the gearbox

4. When the clutch 8 is engaged the clutch 8 is in a position where the flywheel 12 and the clutch disc 14 are engaged and the propulsion unit 2 and the gearbox 4 are thus connected. When the clutch 8 is disengaged the clutch 8 is in a position where the flywheel 12 and the clutch disc 14 are separated, and the propulsion unit 2 is disconnected from the gearbox 4. The gearbox 4 may further comprise a main shaft 16 and an output shaft 18, wherein the main shaft 16 is connectable to the output shaft 18. The output shaft 18 may be connected to the driving wheels 6 of the vehicle 1. The gearbox 4 may further comprise a lay shaft 20 arranged in connection with the input shaft 15, the main shaft 16 and/or the output shaft 18. Only two driving wheels 6 are illustrated in Figure 2, however, any number of driving wheels 6 may be driven by the powertrain 3 within the scope of the invention. The gearbox 4 also comprises a brake arrangement 10 for braking, for example, the input shaft 15 and/or the lay shaft 20. The brake arrangement 10 will be further described with regard to Figure 3a-b and Figure 4 below.

The powertrain 3 may comprise a control device 22. The control device 22 may be configured to control the propulsion unit 2, the clutch 8, the gearbox 4 and/or the brake arrangement 10. In one example, the control device 22 is part of the brake arrangement 10. The powertrain 3 may further comprise a computer 24 connected to the control device 22. The control device 22 may be implemented as a separate entity or distributed in two or more physical entities. The control device 22 may comprise one or more control units and/or computers.

Figures 3a-b schematically illustrate a brake arrangement 10 for a gearbox 4 according to two examples. The brake arrangement 10 may be associated with a gearbox 4 and thus a powertrain 3 as disclosed in Figure 2 and a vehicle 1 as disclosed in Figure 1. The figures show an example of a gearbox 4 but it is to be understood that the configuration of the gearbox 4 is not part of the invention per se. The gearbox 4 is only shown in order to illustrate the application of the brake arrangement 10 according to the disclosure. In these examples, the brake arrangement 10 is arranged at a top end 4’ of the gearbox 4. The brake arrangement 10 is thus arranged above the shaft to be braked, and is not clamped between lots of different components of the gearbox 4. This way, easier access to the brake arrangement 10 is achieved.

The gearbox 4 comprises a housing 5 accommodating plurality of shafts 15, 16, 18, 20 with gear wheels 32, 34. The gearbox 4 may comprise an input shaft 15, a main shaft 16, an output shaft 18 and a lay shaft 20. The lay shaft 20 may be arranged in parallel with the input shaft 15 and the main shaft 16. The gearbox 4 may comprise a plurality of gear pairs 30 corresponding to a number of fixed gear steps. Each gear pair 30 may comprise a first gear wheel 32, which is fixedly arranged on a shaft 15, 16, 18, 20 and a second gear wheel 34, which is arranged in engagement with the first gear wheel 32 and is selectively lockable to another shaft 15, 16, 18, 20. The second gear wheels 34 may be mechanically locked to/disconnected from the shafts 15, 16, 18, 20 by means of displaceable coupling units 40. Such coupling units 40 may comprise coupling sleeves (not shown) configured to interact with splines (not shown) on the gear wheels 34.

In figure 3a, the brake arrangement 10 comprises a brake shaft 50; a brake wheel 52 fixedly arranged on the brake shaft 50; and a brake device 54 arranged in connection with the brake shaft 50. The brake device 54 is connected to the gearbox housing 5 even though this is not illustrated in the figure. The brake arrangement 10 is arranged, such that the brake wheel 52 is in engagement with a gear wheel 32, 34 arranged in connection with the shaft 15, 16, 18, 20 to be braked. The brake device 54 is controllable to brake the brake shaft 50 and thus the brake wheel 52, whereby the gear wheel 32, 34 and the shaft 15, 16, 18, 20 in connection with the gear wheel 32, 34 is braked.

The brake device 54 may comprise friction discs 56. At least one friction disc 56 may be rotary arranged on the brake shaft 50. At least one friction disc 56 may be connected to the gearbox housing 5. The brake device 54 may be arranged in connection with a control device 22 as disclosed in Figure 2. The control device 22 may be configured to control the brake device 54.

In this example, the brake arrangement 10 is arranged, such that the brake wheel 52 is in engagement with a gear wheel 32 fixedly arranged on the input shaft 15. The brake wheel 52 may comprise circumferential teeth 53, which are in engagement with teeth 33 provided on the gear wheel 32. When the brake arrangement 10 is activated, the brake device 54 will brake the brake shaft 50 and the brake wheel 52, which will brake the gear wheel 32 and thus the input shaft 15.

Figure 3b schematically illustrates a brake arrangement 10 according to an example. The brake arrangement 10 comprises a first brake unit 10’ and a second brake unit 10”. The first brake unit 10’ may be arranged for braking the input shaft 15 of the gearbox 4 and the second brake unit 10” may be arranged for braking the lay shaft 20 of the gearbox 4. The first brake unit 10’ comprises a first brake shaft 50’; a first brake wheel 52’ fixedly arranged on the first brake shaft 50’; and a first brake device 54’ arranged in connection with the first brake shaft 50’ just as the brake arrangement 10 disclosed in Figure 3a. The first brake wheel 52’ is thus arranged in engagement with a gear wheel 32 fixedly arranged on the input shaft 15. The second brake unit 10” comprises a second brake shaft 50”; a second brake wheel 52” fixedly arranged on the second brake shaft 50”; and a second brake device 54” arranged in connection with the second brake shaft 50”. The second brake wheel 52” is in this example arranged in engagement with a gear wheel 34 in connection with the lay shaft 20 of the gearbox 4. The second brake wheel

52” may comprise circumferential teeth 53, which are in engagement with teeth

33 provided on the gear wheel 34. The second brake wheel 52” may be arranged in engagement with a gear wheel 34 being selectively lockable on the main shaft 16 of the gearbox 4. The gear wheel 34 on the main shaft 16 is further arranged in engagement with a gear wheel 32 fixedly arranged on the lay shaft 20. When the second brake device 54” is activated, the second brake shaft 50” and the second brake wheel 52” will be braked, whereby the gear wheel 34 on the main shaft 16 will be braked and thereby brake the gear wheel 32 on the lay shaft 20. If the gear wheel 34 is disconnected from the main shaft 16, only the gear wheel 34 will be braked, not the main shaft 16. However, if the gear wheel

34 is locked to the main shaft 16, the main shaft 16 will also be braked when the second brake unit 10” is activated. The brake arrangement 10 may thus be arranged with the second brake wheel 52” in engagement with a gear wheel 34 not arranged on the shaft 20 to be braked but in connection with the shaft 20 to be braked via another gear wheel 32.

The second brake device 54” is connected to the gearbox housing 5. The second brake device 54” may comprise friction discs 56”. At least one friction disc 56” may be rotary arranged on the second brake shaft 50”. At least one friction disc 56” may be connected to the gearbox housing 5. The second brake device 54” may be arranged in connection with a control device 22 as disclosed in Figure 2. The control device 22 may be configured to control the second brake device 54”. The brake arrangement 10 may comprise a housing 60, wherein the first brake unit 10’ and the second brake unit 10” are arranged within the housing 60. This way, one single unit may be arranged inside the gearbox 4, for braking two different shafts 15, 20.

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a brake arrangement 10 according to an example. The brake arrangement 10 comprises a first brake unit 10’ and a second brake unit 10”. The first brake unit 10’ may be arranged for braking the input shaft 15 of the gearbox 4 and the second brake unit 10” may be arranged for braking the lay shaft 20 of the gearbox 4. The first brake unit 10’ comprises a first brake shaft 50’; a first brake wheel 52’ fixedly arranged on the first brake shaft 50’; and a first brake device 54’ arranged in connection with the first brake shaft 50’ just as the brake arrangement 10 disclosed in Figure 3a. The first brake wheel 52’ is thus arranged in engagement with a gear wheel 32 fixedly arranged on the input shaft 15. The second brake unit 10” comprises a second brake shaft 50”; a second brake wheel 52” fixedly arranged on the second brake shaft 50”; and a second brake device 54” arranged in connection with the second brake shaft 50”. The second brake wheel 52” is in this example arranged in engagement with a gear wheel 32 fixedly arranged on the lay shaft 20 of the gearbox 4. When the second brake device 54” is activated, the second brake shaft 50” and the second brake wheel 52” will be braked, whereby the gear wheel 32 on the lay shaft 20 and thus the lay shaft will be braked. The second brake device 54” is connected to the gearbox housing 5. The second brake device 54” may comprise friction discs 56”. At least one friction disc 56” may be rotary arranged on the second brake shaft 50”. At least one friction disc 56” may be connected to the gearbox housing 5. The second brake device 54” may be arranged in connection with a control device 22 as disclosed in Figure 2. The control device 22 may be configured to control the second brake device 54”. Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart for a method for decreasing the rotational speed of a shaft 15, 16, 18, 20 in a gearbox 4 according to an example. The gearbox 4 may be configured as disclosed in Figure 3a-b or Figure 4. The gearbox 4 may thus comprise a brake arrangement 10 as disclosed in Figure 3a-b or Figure 4. The brake arrangement 10 comprises a brake shaft 50, 50’, 50”; a brake wheel 52, 52’, 52” fixedly arranged on the brake shaft 50, 50’, 50”; and a brake device 54, 54’, 54” arranged in connection with the brake shaft 50, 50’, 50”. The brake device 54, 54’, 54” is configured to be connected to a gearbox housing 5, and the brake arrangement 10 is arranged, such that the brake wheel 52, 52’, 52” is in engagement with a gear wheel 32, 34 arranged in connection with the shaft 15, 16, 18, 20 of the gearbox 4. The method comprises: controlling s101 the brake device 54, 54’, 54” to brake the brake shaft 50, 50’, 50” and the brake wheel 52, 52’, 52”, such that the gear wheel 32, 34 and the shaft 15, 16, 18, 20 in connection with the gear wheel 32, 34 is braked.

The method may be performed by the control device 22 as disclosed in Figure 2. The step of controlling s101 the brake device 54, 54’, 54” to brake the brake shaft 50, 50’, 50” and the brake wheel 52, 52’, 52” may comprise activating the brake device 54, 54’, 54”. The control device 22 may be configured to activate the brake device 54, 54’, 54” when it has been identified that a rotational speed of a shaft 15, 16, 18, 20 needs to be decreased. As an example, the rotational speed of a shaft 15, 16, 18, 20 may need to be decreased for synchronizing rotational speeds during gear shifting. Thus, the brake arrangement 10 may be controlled/used as part of a gearbox system, gear-shifting system, gear-shifting process etc.

The foregoing description of the examples is provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to restrict the invention to the variants described. Many modifications and variations will obviously be apparent to one skilled in the art. The examples have been chosen and described in order best to explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications and hence make it possible for specialists to understand the invention for various examples and with the various modifications appropriate to the intended use.