US 5,272,931 AGranted

Transmission shift control mechanism

AssigneeEaton Corporation

InventorTimothy Daniel

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Abstract

A shift control mechanism (41) is provided for use in cooperation with a transmission shift bar housing assembly (11) to be mounted on a transmission having a plurality of shift rails (17,19,21,23) of the type wherein movement of the shift lever in the Y--Y direction results in axial movement of one of the shift rails, and engagement of a particular transmission gear ratio. The shift control mechanism includes a support member (43) and a slide member (45) restrained from movement only in the X--X direction relative to the support member, and in engagement with a shift finger (33). The support member and slide member define spring openings (53,55,73,75), which receive compression springs. When the slide member (45) is in a neutral position (FIG. 1) in the X--X direction, the compression springs are at minimum load; movement of the slide member toward a first displaced position (FIG. 4) further loads a first spring (57); and further movement of the slide member toward a second position (FIG. 6) further loads the second spring ( 59).

Claims12

Dependent claims

A shift control mechanism for use in cooperation with a transmission shift bar housing assembly comprising a shift bar housing mountable to a transmission housing, and a plurality of substantially parallel, generally equal transverse width shift rails mounted for selective axial movement within said shift bar housing, each of said shift rails being operatively connected to shift elements for engaging and disengaging selected transmission gears, each of said shift rails having an axially non-displaced neutral position and an axially displaced in-gear position, each of said shift rails including means adapted for operative engagement with a shift finger associated with a shift lever, whereby movement of said shift lever in the Y--Y direction results in axial movement of one of said shift rails;

said shift control mechanism being characterized by:
(a) a support member fixed relative to said shift bar housing and defining first and second spring seats;
(b) a slide member operatively associated with said support member, movable relative thereto, and restrained for movement substantially only in the X--X direction, said slide member defining first and second spring seats;
(c) a first compression spring having its opposite ends seated relative to said first spring seats of said support member and said slide member, respectively;
(d) a second compression spring having its opposite ends seated relative to said second spring seats of said support member and said slide member, respectively;
(e) said first spring seats and said second spring seats being located relative to each other such that:
(i) when said slide member is in a neutral position, in the X--X direction, said first and second compression springs are at a minimum load;
(ii) when said slide member is displaced from said neutral position toward a first displaced position, said first compression spring is further loaded;
and
(iii) as said slide member is displaced from said first position toward a second displaced position, said second compression spring is further loaded.

7 more elements

said shift control mechanism being characterized by:
(a) a support member comprising a generally flat member fixed relative to said shift bar housing and defining a first spring opening including first and second spring seats;
(b) a slide member comprising a generally flat member disposed in generally face-to-face relationship with said support member, movable relative thereto, and restrained for movement substantially only in the X--X direction, and defining a first spring opening including first and second spring seats;
(c) said first spring seat defined by said support member and said second spring seat defined by said slide member being generally coincidental when said slide member is in a neutral position in the X--X direction;
(d) said second spring seat defined by said support member and said first spring seat defined by said slide member being generally coincidental when said slide member is in said neutral position in the X--X direction;
(e) first compression spring means disposed in said first spring openings defined by said support member and said slide member;
whereby:
(i) movement of said slide member in a first direction from said neutral position, to a first position, results in said first spring means being compressed between said first spring seats of said support member and said slide member;
and
(ii) movement of said slide member in a second direction, opposite said first position results in said first spring means being compressed between said second spring seats of said support member and said slide member.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.