Transmission overdrive yoke position sensor for range trigger

• US 8,726,749 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2011
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Hirsch, Mark A., Mason, Paul J., Craft, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Ha D
• Application Number:
  US13/244,597
• Publication Number:
  US 20130075224A1
• Time in Patent Office: 968 Days
• Field of Search: 743/35, 744/733.6, 744/733.7
• US Class Current: 74/335
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2023/141 characterised by using a fork; Details of forks
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 23/14 Clutch-actuating sleeves or bearings; Actuating members directly connected to clutch-actuating sleeves or bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2300/18 Sensors; Details or arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/6823 Sensing neutral state of the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/70 dependent on the ratio established
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/70 specially adapted for change-speed gearing in group arrangement, i.e. with separate change-speed gear trains arranged in series, e.g. range or overdrive-type gearing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/30 Constructional features of the final output mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/3013 the final output mechanism being characterised by linkages converting movement, e.g. into opposite direction by a pivoting lever linking two shift rods
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/32 Gear shift yokes, e.g. shift forks
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 13/022 Power-transmitting couplings or clutches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19251 Control mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20177 Particular element [e.g., shift fork, template, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20183 Shift fork structure

Abstract

Disclosed is an exemplary transmission clutch fork position sensor including an elongated bar and a clutch fork slidably engaging the elongated bar. A yoke bar includes a first end coupled to the clutch fork for concurrent movement therewith. A position sensor operably engages the yoke bar, and is operable for detecting a position of the yoke bar.

Claims

1. A transmission clutch fork shift mechanism comprising:

a first shift rail;

a second shift rail;

a clutch fork slidably engaging the second shift rail;

a lever pivotably attached to a pivot pin, the lever including a first end attached to the first shift rail for concurrent movement therewith, and a second end attached to the clutch fork for concurrent movement therewith;

a yoke bar having a first end coupled to the clutch fork for concurrent movement therewith; and

a position sensor operably engaging the yoke bar, the position sensor operable for detecting a position of the yoke bar.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

an elongated bar;

a second shift fork fixedly attached to the elongated bar; and

a neutral sensor plunger operably engaging the yoke bar and the elongated bar, the neutral sensor plunger moveable between a first position and a second position in response to movement of the yoke bar and the elongated bar, the first position indicative that both the first and second clutch forks are arrange in a neutral position, and the second position indicative that at least one of the first and second clutch forks are arranged in a non-neutral position.

3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the yoke bar is arranged substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second shift rail.

4. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the shift fork is moveable in response to movement of the first shift rail.

5. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein movement of the first shift rail in a first direction causes the shift fork to move in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction.

6. The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a second shift fork attached to the second shift rail.

7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the yoke bar is pivotably connected to the shift fork.

8. The mechanism of claim 7, further comprising a pin attached to the yoke bar and slidably engaging at least one slot in the shift fork.

9. The mechanism of claim 7, further comprising a pin rotatably connected to the yoke bar and slidably engaging at least one slot in the shift fork.

10. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the yoke bar is fixedly attached to the shift fork for concurrent movement therewith in a first direction, and slidably engages the shift fork to permit relative motion between the yoke bar and the shift fork in a second direction.

11. The mechanism of claim 10, wherein the first direction is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second shift rail.

12. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

13. The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

a second clutch fork fixedly attached to the second shift rail; and

a neutral sensor plunger operably engaging the yoke bar and the second shift rail, the neutral sensor plunger moveable between a first position and a second position in response to movement of the yoke bar and the second shift rail, the first position indicative that both the first and second clutch forks are arrange in a neutral position, and the second position indicative that at least one of the first and second clutch forks are arrange in a non-neutral position.

14. The mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

a third shift rail;

a second shift fork fixedly attached to the third shift rail; and

a neutral sensor plunger operably engaging the yoke bar and the third shift rail, the neutral sensor plunger moveable between a first position and a second position in response to movement of the yoke bar and the third shift rail, the first position indicative that both the first and second clutch forks are arrange in a neutral position, and the second position indicative that at least one of the first and second clutch forks are arranged in a non-neutral position.

15. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the yoke bar is arranged substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second shift rail.

16. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein at least one end of the pin includes a generally rectangular shaped end engaging the at least one slot in the shift fork.

17. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein at least one end of the pin includes a generally rectangular shaped end engaging the at least one slot in the shift fork.