Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Interchangeably locked
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-12
2001-01-23
Marmor, Charles A. (Department: 3681)
Machine element or mechanism
Gearing
Interchangeably locked
C074S330000, C074S333000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176146
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved output shaft arrangement for deep reduction and splitter boxes in transmissions.
Prior art heavy duty manual transmission have at least one auxiliary box utilizing an input and output shaft with an intermediate shaft, or quill shaft, interposed between the shafts. Bearings are required to support the intermediate shaft. A synchronizer and a clutch collar are used as engagement mechanisms for engaging the gears within the auxiliary boxes. Both the synchronizer and clutch collar have opposing ends with teeth for engaging the gears and coupling them to the shafts. Typically, one engagement mechanism is supported on the output shaft while the other engagement mechanism is supported by the intermediate shaft. However, this arrangement adds cost and reduces reliability as a result incorporating the intermediate shaft and bearings.
These arrangements have been used for splitter boxes as well as deep reduction gear boxes. To better appreciate the present invention, a prior art auxiliary box
20
is shown in FIG.
1
. The auxiliary box
20
includes an input shaft
22
having an axis of rotation A and extends between a first end
24
extending into the auxiliary box
20
for transmitting power to the auxiliary box
20
for increasing or reducing the torque from the input shaft
22
. The auxiliary box
20
also includes an output shaft
26
coaxial with axis A for transmitting power out of the auxiliary box at either an increased or reduced torque. Interposed between the input
22
and output
26
shafts and coaxial with axis A is an intermediate shaft
28
, or quill shaft. A first gear
30
is supported by the input shaft
22
at the first end
24
which is adjacent the intermediate shaft
28
. A second gear
32
is supported by the intermediate shaft
28
and a third gear
34
supported by the output shaft
26
. The auxiliary box
20
further includes a pair of countershafts
36
on either side of the input
22
, intermediate
28
, and output
26
shafts, which allows more power to be transmitted through the auxiliary box
20
. Each countershaft
36
has fourth
40
, fifth
42
, and sixth
44
gears affixed to a shaft
46
for engaging the first
30
, second
32
, and third
34
gears, respectively. Additional countershafts
36
may also be used.
To selectively transmit power through a particular set of gears, the auxiliary box
20
includes a synchronizer
50
and a clutch collar
52
. The synchronizer
50
is supported by the intermediate shaft
28
for engaging one of the first
30
and second
32
gears. The clutch collar
52
is supported by the output shaft
26
for engaging one of the second
32
and third
34
gears. The synchronizer
50
and clutch collar
52
are splined to the shafts
28
,
26
in slip-fit relation, that is, they are free to move axially when actuated but are not permitted to rotate relative to the shafts
28
,
26
. The second
32
and third
34
gears are axially located on the intermediate
28
and output
26
shafts and free to rotate about the shafts when the synchronizer
50
and clutch collar
52
engages neither of the second
32
and third
34
gears. Mechanically actuated shift forks (not shown) engage and manipulate the synchronizer
50
and clutch collar
52
along axis A to effectuate an auxiliary box
20
gear shift.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
The present invention provides a manual transmission having a main gear box and an auxiliary box comprising an input shaft extending along an axis and having a first end extending into the auxiliary box for transmitting power to the auxiliary box. The auxiliary shaft further comprises an output shaft having a second end adjacent the input shaft and coaxial with the axis for transmitting power out of the auxiliary box. A first gear is supported by the input shaft at the first end, and a second and third gear are supported by the output shaft. At least one countershaft having fourth, fifth, and sixth gears affixed to a shaft engages the first, second, and third gears, respectively. A synchronizer and a clutch collar are supported by the output shaft for engaging one of the first, second, and third gears.
Accordingly, the arrangement of components within the auxiliary boxes of the present invention permits the elimination of the intermediate shaft and the associated bearings thereby reducing cost and increasing reliability of the auxiliary boxes.
The invention has benefits in splitter boxes, deep reduction boxes, and range boxes.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3673890 (1972-07-01), Crooks
patent: 4152949 (1979-05-01), Vandervoort et al.
patent: 4754665 (1988-07-01), Vandervoort
patent: 4831894 (1989-05-01), Braun
patent: 4876924 (1989-10-01), Fletcher et al.
patent: 5394772 (1995-03-01), Stine et al.
patent: 5398563 (1995-03-01), Stine
patent: 4205668 (1993-08-01), None
Carlson & Gaskey & Olds
Ho Ha
Marmor Charles A.
ZF Meritor LLC
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