Gear shifting actuator and method of shifting gear ratios

A gear shifting device comprising:

• at least one guide rail each extending in a longitudinal axis thereof;
• a plurality of shift effecting members coupled to the guide rail and configured to move a plurality of corresponding sliding sleeves for shifting gears upon actuation of a shift actuator, the shift effecting members each having a terminal end portion with a finger receiving opening formed therein, the finger receiving opening extending in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide rail;
• and
• a shift shaft extending in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide rail, the shift shaft having a shift finger coupled thereto;
• wherein the shift shaft is rotatable to pivotally position the shift finger at locations aligned with the finger receiving openings of the shift effecting members, and is also displaceable in the longitudinal direction in the finger receiving openings to move the shift effecting members to effect a gear shifting operation,
• wherein the shift effecting members include four shift effecting members, each having the terminal end portion with the finger receiving opening, and wherein the terminal end portions of the four shift effecting members are arranged in a circular pattern with constant angular displacement between adjacent ones,
• wherein the finger receiving openings of two inner terminal end portions have an opening width which is larger than that of the finger receiving openings of two outer terminal end portions.