Apparatus and method for securing transmission gear synchronizers to shafts

Abstract

A device and method for preloading a transmission shaft assembly is disclosed. The transmission having the device of the present invention generally has a plurality of gears for providing a plurality of speed ratios. The shaft assembly has a first shaft, a first sleeve shaft, a second sleeve shaft and a first fastener. The first shaft has a flange end and an adjustment end. The first sleeve shaft is concentric with the first shaft and has a first end. The first end of the first sleeve shaft is in communication with the flange end of the first shaft. The second sleeve shaft is concentric with the first shaft and is axially aligned with the first sleeve shaft. The second sleeve shaft has a first end. The plurality of synchronizers for selectively connecting at least one of the plurality of gears to at least one of the first and second sleeve shafts. The first fastener is engagable with the adjustment end of the first shaft and is configured to move axially on the adjustment end. The first fastener has a fastener flange that contacts the first end of the second sleeve shaft. The engagement of the first fastener with the adjustment end generates a compressive force through the flange end of the first shaft to the first end of the first sleeve shaft and through the fastener flange to the first end of the second sleeve thereby forcing the first sleeve shaft to move closer to the second sleeve shaft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.