Method and apparatus for actuating a transmission

A power train for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

• a transmission shiftable into and from a plurality of different gears;
• a torque transmitting system;
• means for automatically operating said torque transmitting system at least during shifting of said transmission;
• at least one mobile element actuatable to shift said transmission into and from selected ones of said plurality of different gears;
• and
• at least one actuator for said mobile element, comprising at least one drive unit and means for transmitting motion between said at least one drive unit and said at least one mobile element, said motion transmitting means including at least one elastic portion and at least two parts which are movable relative to each other against the resistance of said at least one elastic portion, said at least one elastic portion having a characteristic curve including an essentially increasing branch during movement of said at least two parts relative to each other.

A power train for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

• a transmission shiftable into and from a plurality of different gears;
• a torque transmitting system;
• means for automatically operating said torque transmitting system at least during shifting of said transmission;
• at least one mobile element actuatable to shift said transmission into and from selected ones of said plurality of different gears;
• and
• at least one actuator for said mobile element, comprising at least one drive unit and means for transmitting motion between said at least one drive unit and said at least one mobile element, said motion transmitting means including at least one elastic portion and at least two parts which are movable relative to each other against the resistance of said at least one elastic portion, said at least one elastic portion having a characteristic curve including an essentially constant branch during movement of said at least two parts relative to each other.

A power train for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

• a transmission shiftable into and from a plurality of different gears;
• a torque transmitting system;
• means for automatically operating said torque transmitting system at least during shifting of said transmission;
• at least one mobile element actuatable to shift said transmission into and from selected ones of said plurality of different gears;
• and
• at least one actuator for said mobile element, comprising at least one drive unit and means for transmitting motion between said at least one drive unit and said at least one mobile element, said motion transmitting means including at least one elastic portion and a plurality of parts, said at least one elastic portion being installed in said motion transmitting means with a predetermined play relative to said parts and having a characteristic curve including at least one portion indicative of the absence of force transmission by said at least one elastic portion due to said play.

A power train for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

• a transmission shiftable into and from a plurality of different gears;
• a torque transmitting system;
• means for automatically operating said torque transmitting system at least during shifting of said transmission;
• at least one mobile element actuatable to shift said transmission into and from selected ones of said plurality of different gears;
• at least one actuator for said mobile element, comprising at least one drive unit and means for transmitting motion between said at least one drive unit and said at least one mobile element, said motion transmitting means including at least one elastic portion arranged to transmit a variable force between said at least one drive unit and said at least one mobile element during shifting of said transmission;
• and
• signal generating means for monitoring said force.

A power train for use in a motor vehicle, comprising:

• a transmission shiftable into and from a plurality of different gears;
• a torque transmitting system;
• means for automatically operating said torque transmitting system at least during shifting of said transmission;
• at least one mobile element actuatable to shift said transmission into and from selected ones of said plurality of different gears;
• at least one actuator for said mobile element, comprising at least one drive unit and means for transmitting motion between said at least one drive unit and said at least one mobile element, said motion transmitting means including at least one elastic portion arranged to cover a variable distance between said at least one drive unit and said at least one mobile element during shifting of said transmission;
• and
• signal generating means for monitoring said variable distance.