Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Interchangeably locked
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-09
2001-04-24
Estremsky, Sherry (Department: 3681)
Machine element or mechanism
Gearing
Interchangeably locked
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220108
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to manually shifted range-type compound transmissions having enhanced automatic range shifting mechanisms and controls. In particular, the present invention relates to manually shifted range-type transmissions of the “H ½ ” or “double-H” type having an “autorange” type shift mechanism of the general kind disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,492,202; 4,275,612; 4,455,883; 5,000,060 and 5,193,410, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein the range shift controller will prevent range shifting at vehicle speeds at which such shifting is predetermined to be inappropriate.
2.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Change-gear transmissions of the range type and of the combined range-and-splitter type are well known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,455,883; 4,754,665; 5,193,410; 5,000,060 and 5,390,561, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Range-type transmissions having shift controls of the “multiple-H” type, as opposed to the “repeat-H” type, which utilize an automatic range shift mechanism responsive to movement of a shift lever from a first to a second area or portion of the shift pattern, are well known, as may be seen by reference to aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,455,883; 4,974,468; 5,000,060 and 5,193,410.
While the prior art manually shifted, range-type transmissions utilizing automatic range shifting controls are widely used and commercially successful, they are not totally satisfactory, as, due to error or inattention, an operator may select a range shift inappropriate under current vehicle speed conditions, which shift will be automatically completed by the range actuator and usual synchronized range clutch assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, the drawbacks of the prior art are minimized or overcome by the provision of an enhanced automatic range shifting mechanism and control for manually shifted, range-type transmissions which will prevent range shifts from being implemented at inappropriate vehicle speeds, regardless of shift lever movement from one range section to another range section of the manual shift pattern. The foregoing is accomplished in a manually shifted transmission with an automatic range shifting system by providing a controller for sensing the value of a parameter indicative to vehicle speed, as well as sensing shift lever positioning, and for permitting downshifts only if vehicle speed is less than a first reference value and/or permitting upshifts only if vehicle speed is greater than a second reference value.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved automatic range shifting mechanism and control for manually shifted, range-type transmissions.
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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Gualitieri Sharon L.
Huggins Michael J.
Reynolds Joseph D.
Wadas David L.
Eaton Corporation
Estremsky Sherry
Gordon Howard D.
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