Device and method for locking together the shafts of an automatic transmission during installation of shaft retaining nuts

• US 7,849,574 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2005
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Dickinson, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson; Lee D
• Application Number:
  US11/295,990
• Publication Number:
  US 20070125194A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,833 Days
• Field of Search: 292/52, 292/51, 29253-265, 29270-278
• US Class Current: 29/252
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2057/0062 Tools specially adapted for assembly of transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2057/02043 for vehicle transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2057/02047 Automatic transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/023 Mounting or installation of gears or shafts in the gearboxes, e.g. methods or means for assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5383 having fluid operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53843 Tube, sleeve, or ferrule inserting or removing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53943 Hand gripper for direct push or pull
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20043 Transmission controlled by flexible cable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2188 Axle and torque tubes

Abstract

A device and method used for locking three shafts of an automatic transmission during tightening of a shaft-retaining nut. The device has a housing with a sidewall defining a fluid chamber and a tip at the first end of the housing. A fluid passage extends through the tip from the fluid chamber at one end of the tip and a clutch apply port at a second, opposite end of the tip. A tube, such as a coupling, is mounted to the housing sidewall through which a fluid passage extends in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. A compressed gas conduit is mounted to the coupling and is in fluid communication with the coupling fluid passage. As a park mechanism on the transmission is applied, a predetermined amount of air pressure from the compressed gas conduit is applied through the coupling, housing and tip to the clutch apply port, thereby locking the three shafts of the automatic transmission together. The shaft retaining nuts are tightened and the device can be released, thereby releasing the shaft.

Claims

1. A combination of an automatic transmission and a device for aiding in the tightening of a shaft retaining nut of the automatic transmission, the combination comprising:

(a) a housing having first and second opposing ends with a sidewall defining a fluid chamber;

(b) a tip body at the first end of the housing with a fluid passage extending through the tip body from fluid communication with the fluid chamber at one end of the tip body wherein said tip is conical and in fluid communication with a clutch apply port of the transmission at a second, opposite end of the tip body;

(c) a coupling mounted to the housing sidewall and through which a fluid passage extends in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; and

(d) a compressed gas conduit mounted to the coupling in fluid communication with the coupling fluid passage

wherein a second opposite end of the housing is rotatably mounted to an end of a threaded shaft that extends through a connector plate having at least two arms mounted to the connector plate, said arms being removably attached to a clutch housing of the transmission.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second end of the housing is a male connection end that extends into the threaded shaft.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sidewall is circular cylindrical.

4. A method for locking three shafts of an automatic transmission during tightening of a shaft retaining nut, the method comprising:

(a) mounting a tip body to a first end of a housing having a sidewall defining a fluid chamber, the tip body having a fluid passage extending therethrough in fluid communication with the fluid chamber;

(b) rotatably mounting a second, opposite end of the housing to an end of a threaded shaft that extends through a connector plate having at least two arms mounted to the connector plate;

(c) connecting a compressed gas conduit to a coupling in the housing sidewall through which a fluid passage extends in fluid communication with the fluid chamber;

(d) mounting said at least two arms to a clutch housing of the automatic transmission;

(e) seating the tip body against a clutch apply port;

(f) applying a predetermined amount of air pressure from the compressed gas conduit to the clutch apply port;

(g) applying a park mechanism on the transmission; and

(h) manually tightening at least one shaft-retaining nut.

5. A combination of an automatic transmission and a device for aiding in the tightening of a shaft retaining nut of the automatic transmission, the combination comprising:

(a) a housing having first and second opposing ends with a sidewall defining a fluid chamber;

(b) a tip body at the first end of the housing with a fluid passage extending through the tip body from fluid communication with the fluid chamber at one end of the tip body and in fluid communication with a clutch apply port of the transmission at a second, opposite end of the tip body wherein said fluid passage has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the fluid chamber;

(c) a coupling mounted to the housing sidewall and through which a fluid passage extends in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; and

(d) a compressed gas conduit mounted to the coupling in fluid communication with the coupling fluid passage

wherein a second, opposite end of the housing is rotatably and removably mounted to an open end of a threaded shaft that extends through a connector plate having at least two arms mounted to the connector plate, said arms being removably attached to a clutch housing of the transmission.