Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Interchangeably locked
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-13
2001-07-10
Marmor, Charles A. (Department: 3681)
Machine element or mechanism
Gearing
Interchangeably locked
C477S079000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257082
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a range and/or range-and-splitter shift control for a manually shifted, range-type compound transmission. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic override for a manually shifted, range-type transmission which, at certain vehicle speeds, will prevent inadvertent shifts into prohibited ratios.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Vehicular compound transmissions of the range type, including the combined splitter-and-range type, are well known in the prior art and may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,754,665; 5,370,013; 5,737,969 and 5,950,491, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Manually shifted, range-type transmissions typically used either a “double-H” type shift pattern wherein range shifting was automatic, or a “repeat-H” type shift pattern wherein the driver is required to manually operate a range selector, usually a button or switch located on the shift knob assembly. Typical “double-H” shift range shift mechanisms may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,661,998 and 5,911,787, while typical “repeat-H” shift mechanisms may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,121, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Transmissions with manually or automatically controlled splitter shifting are also known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,435,212 and 6,015,366, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Synchronized transmissions and transmissions utilizing enhanced synchronizers, such as boosted synchronizers, self-engaging synchronizers, double- or triple-cone synchronizers and/or synchronizers activated through various assist mechanisms, are known in the prior art and may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,588,516; 5,713,447; 5,738,194 and 5,738,196, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Shift assist systems which include a splitter clutch retained in neutral while the main section is shifted to reduce inertia on the main section synchronizers and/or jaw clutches are also known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,974,906; 5,904,068; 5,661,998; 5,651,292 and allowed Ser. No. 09/346,381, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference
While transmission systems utilizing such enhanced synchronizers and/or shift assist systems are effective to reduce the force required to shift a heavy-duty transmission, they also may permit engagement of ratios which are inappropriate for existing vehicle operating conditions.
The prior art also includes devices which will block inappropriate shifts (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,893 and WO 99/31409) and which will cause automatic range shifting as a function of vehicle speed (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,263,379 and 5,673,592).
These prior art devices were not totally satisfactory, as they were complicated and/or expensive and/or unduly restricted operator selection of ratios and/or could result in an undesirable transmission-neutral condition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, the drawbacks of the prior art are minimized or overcome by provision of a range or combined range and-splitter shift control for a range-type, manually shifted transmission, which requires a minimal amount of added components and which, for particular main section ratios, will prevent inadvertent selection and engagement of overall transmission ratios, which could result in unacceptable vehicle operating conditions and/or catastrophic damage to the transmission, and will cause an acceptable, or at least a more acceptable, overall transmission ratio to be engaged.
The foregoing is accomplished by sensing the position of the shift lever in the shift pattern and the engaged or selected auxiliary section ratios and, if the operator attempts a shift to an overall transmission ratio which is unacceptable, automatically causing a shift to the range, splitter and/or range-and-splitter ratio which will result in an acceptable overall transmission ratio for the selected main section ratio position, regardless of the positions of the manually operated range and/or splitter selector devices.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a range or a combined range-and-splitter shift control for a manually shifted, range-type transmission, which will prevent engagement of a potentially undesirable and/or catastrophic transmission ratio.
This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in connection with the attached drawings.
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Eaton Corporation
Gordon Howard D.
Marmor Charles A.
Pang Roger
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