Strut-type synchronizer
AssigneeNew Venture Gear, Inc.
InventorGeorge A. Parsons
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a strut-type synchronizer. The conventional multi-component strut assembly is replaced with a one-piece strut component having a base segment and a key segment interconnected by a cantilevered biasing segment. The base segment is adapted to be mounted for sliding movement in a guide slot formed in the clutch hub while the key segment is adapted to engage the internal splines of the axially movable clutch sleeve. The biasing segment is adapted to resiliently bias the key segment into engagement with internal splines of clutch sleeve. The one-piece strut component reduces the number of parts associated with the strut-type synchronizer and results in simple and more cost effectively assembling operations.
Claims12
A synchronizer mechanism for causing speed synchronization between a driven member and a non-driven member, comprising:
- a clutch hub fixed for common rotation with the driven member and having a guide slot formed thereon;
- a clutch sleeve mounted on said clutch hub for common rotation therewith and axial movement thereon between a first position whereat said clutch sleeve is uncoupled from the non-driven member and a second position whereat said clutch sleeve is coupled to the non-driven member;
- a blocker ring coupled for common rotation with said clutch hub and operable to inhibit movement of said clutch sleeve to said second position until speed synchronization is established between the driven member and the non-driven member;
- and
- an integral strut component having a base segment retained in said guide slot, a key segment engaging said clutch sleeve, and a biasing segment interconnecting said key segment to said base segment for exerting a radial biasing force on said key segment to maintain engagement thereof with said clutch sleeve during axial movement of said clutch sleeve.
A synchronizer mechanism for causing speed synchronization between a driven member and a non-driven member, comprising:
- a clutch hub fixed for common rotation with the driven member and having a guide slot formed thereon;
- a clutch sleeve mounted on said clutch hub for common rotation therewith and axial movement thereon between a first position whereat said clutch sleeve is uncoupled from the non-driven member and a second position whereat said clutch sleeve is coupled to the non-driven member;
- a blocker ting coupled for common rotation with said clutch hub and operable to inhibit movement of said clutch sleeve to said second position until speed synchronization is established between the driven member and the non-driven member;
- and
- an integral strut component having a generally rectangular base segment having a pair of side walls interconnecting an upper and a lower surface, said base segment retained in said guide slot, a key segment, and a biasing segment interconnecting said key segment to said base segment, said key segment and said biasing segment being formed from a cut-out portion of said upper surface of said base segment, wherein said key segment engages said clutch sleeve, and said biasing segment exerts a radial biasing force on said key segment to maintain engagement thereof with said clutch sleeve during axial movement of said clutch sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.