Meshing Assisters Patents (Class 74/339)
  • Publication number: 20090107270
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, having a shifting claw transmission and an electric motor connected to a countershaft of the transmission to facilitate central synchronization for gear speed changes, a transmission controller is connected to the electric motor for sensing the electric motor speed and, together therewith the rotational speed of the countershaft based on the induction values present in at the electric motor and sensed by the transmission controller for use in adjusting the energization of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Karl-Ludwig Krieger, Frank Sager
  • Patent number: 7507182
    Abstract: A controller, control method, and control system for a motor vehicle gear-type transmission enable a friction transmission unit to be controlled to an optimum position according to a particular motor vehicle state or the like. A transmission control unit changes, via at least one parameter that indicates a state of the gear-type transmission or of the vehicle, a position or pressure load at which the pressure member is caused to stand by while the driving shaft of the vehicle is in a stopped state or during changeover of the mesh unit that connects to one of the gear pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Matsumura, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Kentaro Shishido, Tatsuya Ochi
  • Patent number: 7503233
    Abstract: In a torque assisted automated MT, an assist clutch is controlled to ensure that the transmission torque increase rate is reduced when disengaging a dog clutch while engaging the assist clutch. In a twin clutch type automated MT, in stepped speed change, one of the two clutches as the twin clutch is controlled in such a way that the transmission torque increase rate resulting from engagement is reduced with the passage of time, when disengaging the dog clutch prior to speed change while engaging the clutch corresponding to the input shaft in charge of offsetting the torque interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Shishido, Hiroshi Kuroiwa, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Tetsuo Matsumura, Kinya Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20090031836
    Abstract: A synchronizer actuating system with selectives for use in dual clutch transmission is provided. The synchronizer actuating system includes an apply finger and a fork mounted on a shift rail. The fork grips a synchronizer sleeve that supports a synchronizer. The synchronizer is moveable to a neutral position. A three area piston assembly is operable to engage and actuate the apply finger. The three area piston assembly includes a hydraulic neutral position. A selective element is coupled to the synchronizer actuating system to calibrate the hydraulic neutral position of the three area piston assembly to the neutral position of the synchronizer sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John A. Diemer, Brian Tooman, Fredrik Englund, Robert Roessner, Henryk Sowul
  • Publication number: 20090031837
    Abstract: In a synchronizing device of a transmission, in which when a coupling sleeve is slidingly moved on a synchronizer hub during gear shift operation, the coupling sleeve is engaged with a balk ring by a rotating synchronizing action, and then the coupling sleeve is further slidingly moved until the coupling sleeve is engaged with a clutch gear to complete the gear shift operation, the synchronizing device includes a guide rail mechanism, provided between the coupling sleeve and the synchronizer hub, to suppress a fall of the coupling sleeve during the sliding movement of the coupling sleeve. The guide rail mechanism is set in a sliding-movement range from a neutral position of the coupling sleeve to at least a position where a coupling-sleeve chamfer and a balk-ring chamfer abut with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Masashi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 7478716
    Abstract: A gearshift mechanism for a synchronized gear change transmission of a motor vehicle, having a gearshift sleeve which is displaceably supported on a synchronizer body and which can be brought into operative engagement with a gear wheel via at least one synchronizer ring. To support the synchronization process, first and second recesses are formed in the inner peripheral face of the gearshift sleeve, and locking blocks with a spring-loaded ball are provided on the synchronizer body, which engage in the recesses in certain shift positions. For preliminary and subsequent synchronization, the first and second recesses formed in the inner peripheral face of the gearshift sleeve be radially and axially offset and each cooperate with a spring-loaded ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Dr. Ing h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorsten Boeger
  • Patent number: 7472616
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automated step-by-step variable transmission which has a plurality of gear stages which set up a different transmission ratio in each case. The method comprises the steps: a) detecting whether a gear stage is to be engaged, b) detecting an input actual variable which is substantially proportional to an input rotational speed of the step-by-step variable transmission, and an output actual variable which is substantially proportional to an output rotational speed of the transmission, c) checking as to whether a difference between a ratio of the input and the output actual variables and the transmission ratio which would be set up by the gear stage is smaller for a predefined timespan than a predefined tolerance range, and d) determining a fault state if the difference does not lie within the tolerance range for the predefined timespan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Patrick Dreher, Martin Seufert, Frank Nageleisen
  • Patent number: 7469613
    Abstract: A twin-clutch transmission, in particular for a motor vehicle, with a twin-clutch arrangement comprising a first and a second clutch, and a first and a second drive unit designed as an electric machine with a stator and a rotor. The rotor of the first drive unit is fixed to an input side of the transmission that is connected to an engine so that it rotates always at the rotational speed of the engine. The twin-clutch transmission can be switched back and forth between a serial and a parallel hybrid mode, these modes being established by means of the first and second drive units. The drive shaft of the second drive unit and the clutches have different rotational axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Krauss, Ulrich Eggert, Martin Leibbrandt
  • Publication number: 20080314176
    Abstract: In a shifting claw transmission for a motor vehicle including a main shaft and a countershaft and an electric motor for rotating the countershaft or being rotated thereby with freely rotatable gear wheels supported on the counter shaft and engageable with the countershaft by claw engagement structures, the speed of the countershaft is adjustable by the electric motor to be close to, but somewhat different from, the speed of the freely rotatable gear wheels to be engaged in order to facilitate shifting but avoid a tooth-on-tooth problem which would inhibit shifting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Karl-Ludwig Krieger, Frank Sager
  • Patent number: 7467562
    Abstract: A vehicular transmission has a structure which enables a reverse idle gear to absorb and reduce excessive back torque inputted from drive wheels. At the time of reverse traveling motion, a counter shaft and a reverse gear are connected to each other through the intermediation of a clutch mechanism, whereby the power of the counter shaft is transmitted from the reverse gear, a driven gear, a hollow shaft, and a drive gear to the drive shaft by way of a final gear. When a large back torque is inputted to the final gear from the drive shaft, the inputted back torque is transmitted to the drive gear, and is then further transmitted to the driven gear by way of the hollow shaft. Since the hollow shaft is thin-walled and has reduced rigidity, it undergoes circumferential twisting due to the back torque inputted, whereby the back torque is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nomura, Yoshiaki Hori, Seiji Hamaoka
  • Publication number: 20080264193
    Abstract: A shift device for a transmission of a motor vehicle has a shift lever that can be moved into different shift positions, an actuating unit that, as a function of the shift position of the shift lever, generates a shift signal for transmitting to an electric transmission control unit, and an electric transmission control unit that, as a function of the shift signal of the actuating unit, sends an electric activation signal to a shift element of the transmission in order to set the desired shift stage. The actuating unit includes a restoring element or restoring elements operating in such a way that the shift lever, after reaching the selected shift position, is always moved automatically into a predefined starting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Manfred Dorn, Ulrich Lasi, Joern Petersen, Gerhard Seidel, Stefan Sielaff, Josef Stuempel
  • Patent number: 7434488
    Abstract: A transmission for a tractor comprises a transmission case having an opening that opens to exterior of the transmission case and a speed change device that is housed in the transmission case. The transmission also includes a cover removably attached to the transmission case for closing the opening of the transmission, a main speed change shift fork supported by the cover and capable of engaging with and moving a main speed change shifter, and a sub speed change shift fork supported by the cover and capable of engaging with and moving a sub speed change shifter. The cover is capable of mounting a creep speed change device having a creep speed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Tsuji, Toshimitsu Yazaki, Toshinobu Owada
  • Publication number: 20080245169
    Abstract: To provide a transmission synchronizer that effectively lower the peak value of the operation load during synchronisation. A transmission synchronizer equipped with a coupling sleeve 1, synchro hub 5, balk ring 4, and clutch gear 3, comprising: a synchronizing support force generating mechanism that during a shift when relative rotation is generated between said synchro hub 5 and said balk ring 4 by a minute synchronizing torque generated between balk ring cone surface 4a and clutch gear cone surface 3a, converts a circumferential force induced by said relative rotation to an axially applied synchronizing support force, with which said balk ring 4 is pressed against said clutch gear 3; and a relative rotation regulating structure that is located between said balk ring 4 and said synchro hub 5, and when in neutral, regulates the amount of relative rotation between said balk ring 4 and said synchro hub 5 so that said synchronizing support force is not generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Akihiro Miyamoto, Masashi Yoshino
  • Publication number: 20080245166
    Abstract: A multiple speed power transmission comprises: an input; an output; first and second input shafts releasably coupled to the input by first and second friction clutches, respectively; a countershaft disposed parallel to the first and second input shafts; an output pinion fixed to the countershaft; an output ring gear fixed to the output and meshing with the output pinion; an intermediate shaft disposed coaxially with the countershaft; a first input pinion fixed to the first input shaft and meshing with a first gear fixed to the intermediate shaft; a second input pinion fixed to the second input shaft; a second gear disposed coaxially with the intermediate shaft; an idler gear meshing with the second input pinion and the second gear; a first coupler for releasably coupling the first countershaft to the intermediate shaft; and a second coupler for releasably coupling the intermediate shaft to the second gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Reid Alan Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7431137
    Abstract: A synchronizer for a manual transmission with a first and second idler gears rotatably mounted on a transmission shaft with a synchronizer sleeve non-rotatably mounted on the transmission shaft such that it can shift axially. The sleeve can be coupled to the first or second idler gear and comprises a shifting flange with through openings arranged around its periphery. A first and second synchronizer ring are separated by way of locking pins around the periphery, which can be inserted through the openings. At least one of the two synchronizer rings has an outer cone and an inner cone (double cone), that the double cone can be placed in non-positive contact simultaneously with an outer coupling ring that has an inner cone and an inner coupling ring that has an outer cone, and that the two coupling rings can be positively connected to the adjacent idler gear and axially supported against it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Josef Bader
  • Patent number: 7430936
    Abstract: A method for controlling operational sequencing of gears in an automatic transmission (102) which has been built in an auxiliary mode. In the case of such a shifting transmission it is possible that during the engagement of its transmission gear stage, impact noises or contact noises are present in the shifting procedure. This can occur by the generation of a tooth-on-tooth positioning between the toothing of a sliding collar (126) and the come-along toothing of an idler gear (130, 132). Provision is made for the control of the activation movement of the sliding collar (126) carried out in such a manner that an activation condition impact of the transmission parts, which are partakers in the shifting associated transmission part onto other transmission parts with the least possible impact force and/or with a least possible impact noise level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Petzold, Mario Steinborn, Stefan Veittinger
  • Patent number: 7428853
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission apparatus includes an engine generating a driving force; a transmission having, therein, at least one input shaft being connectable to the engine and an output shaft connected to a drive wheel, the transmission being capable of establishing, therein, one of plural shift stages in response to a vehicle driving condition; at least one clutch mechanism for establishing and interrupting transmission of a driving force of the engine to the transmission, the at least one clutch mechanism being capable of being connected to the at least one input shaft; and a braking means for applying a braking force to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin AI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Tanba, Shiro Ogami, Yuichi Fukuhara, Tomohiro Saeki, Takahiro Misu, Masaru Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7428854
    Abstract: A mainshaft assembly for a gearbox and a gearbox embodying such a mainshaft assembly are disclosed. The mainshaft assembly comprises a mainshaft, and several drive gears, each carried for rotation about the mainshaft, each drive gear having a different number of teeth. The assembly includes first and a second hub, each being associated with a respective drive gear, each hub having a dog ring operable to selectively couple with the drive gear causing it to rotate with the hub or uncouple from the drive gear to allow the drive gear to rotate with respect to the hub. A respective drive connection means comprising a cage and rollers is associated with each hub and is operative to connect or disconnect the hub to the mainshaft for rotation with it or to allow rotation with respect to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Xtrac Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Moore, Paul Pomfret, Andrew Heard, Andrew McDougall, Christopher Cholmeley
  • Publication number: 20080229855
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet metal cylinder (1) with an axis of rotation (a) and a synchronization profile extending in the axial direction (a), which can be manufactured by sheet metal shaping. According to the present invention, it is provided that the synchronization profile (4, 5) is discontinued in the axial direction (a) and replaced with a circumferential supporting element (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gabor DIOSI, Josef Haupt, Martin Brehmer
  • Patent number: 7424834
    Abstract: A gear, a method and a device having a transmission gear part and a hub synchro having a spline teeth formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and plurality of key holes formed in the opposite side of the transmission gear part, in which the hub synchro is coaxially provided with said transmission gear part, the diameter of the hub synchro is smaller than that of the transmission gear part, and the spline teeth and the plurality of key holes on the hub synchro are formed by forging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: O-OKA Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7415905
    Abstract: Provided are various vehicular transmission combinations utilizing selectively engageable spiral-type couplings or slipper ring clutches, operable to provide smooth shifting between gear sets, in place of traditional shifting mechanisms, such as hydraulic plate-type clutches, or synchronizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel M. Maguire, Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Publication number: 20080178696
    Abstract: A transmission is provided having a dual clutch to achieve torque flow through a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets having gears that are selectively connectable to a countershaft. A transfer gear set transfers torque from the countershaft to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to a final drive unit that has a final drive unit output shaft that is transverse to an input member connected at one end to a torque converter and at the other end to the dual clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: JOHN A. DIEMER, JAMES D. HENDRICKSON, PATRICK S. PORTELL, HENRYK SOWUL
  • Publication number: 20080141808
    Abstract: A transmission structure for a transmission (1, 48) having at least one starting element (2, 49), at least one transmission input shaft (4, 5, 50), one countershaft (22), at least one output shaft (41), fixed and idler gear wheels fastened or rotatably supported on the shaft, shifting sets (20, 21, 37, 39) coordinated with the idler gears, the same as roller bearings for support of the shafts, roller bearings (18, 24) being situated in a central bearing plane (D) which divides the fixed and idler gears coordinated with them in two gear groups. For further development of such a transmission, it is proposed that directly close to the roller bearings (18, 24) of the central bearing plane (D), upon at least one transmission input shaft (4, 5, 50) and the countershaft (22), the gear wheels (13, 33) of the first gear (G1) or the gear wheels (13, 30, 32) of the reverse gear (RG) are disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Gerhard Gumpoltsberger
  • Patent number: 7387043
    Abstract: To enable compactness by lowering the connecting force of dog clutch so as to decrease the energy consumption and reduce the size of a system. A method of changing gears of automobile which moves the dog clutch in the axial direction at the time of gear change, while applying weak periodic torque vibration between the gear of the dog clutch and change gear of the gear shifter, and disconnects the two gears and, after the gear of the dog clutch and change gear of the gear shifter have been disconnected, also moves the dog clutch in the axial direction, while applying weak periodic rotating speed vibration between the gear of the dog clutch and another change gear of the gear shifter, and connects the two gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Masahiko Ibamoto
  • Patent number: 7370548
    Abstract: A method for the control and regulation of a transmission brake in an automatic transmission with a countershaft. The transmission brake arrests a transmission input shaft or a countershaft during an upshifting procedure. The speed of rotation (1) of these shafts at the engagement point in time corresponds to the synchronous speed of rotation already established by the transmission output speed of rotation and the ratio of the selected gear stage or approaches this value up to a predetermined tolerance of deviation. The disengagement point in time for the transmission brake is calculated with the aid of the brake rate of change of the countershaft, i.e., the transmission input speed of rotation as well as with the rate of change of the transmission output shaft speed of rotation. The transmission brake is further provided with disengagement, given consideration of lead time, before the calculated disengagement point in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Volker Bachmann, Mario Steinborn, Rudolf Kalthoff, Anthony Robert Sayman
  • Patent number: 7353726
    Abstract: A shifting device for a transmission, in which at least one gearshift package is allocated to two non-successive gears and each of these gearshift packages is coupled with a gearshift lever. An H- or a multiple H-shifting diagram is allocated to the gearshift lever, in which the gears that can be selected within a gearshift path are allocated to different gearshift packages. The gearshift lever and the gearshift packages are connected to a conversion device with which a gearshift lever movement to take out a previous gear in a gearshift path causes this gear to be taken out in a first gearshift package. A gearshift lever movement for putting in the new gear in the same gearshift path, a second gearshift package puts in this new gear. The conversion device functions in such a way that the gearshift lever is coupled with an axially displaceable and radially pivotable shift finger shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Uwe Beer, Michael Drabek
  • Patent number: 7350433
    Abstract: A transmission control system for maintaining good positioning performance even if a dynamic characteristic of a transmission is out of a predicted range. A sliding mode controller provided in a shift controller has two degrees of freedom and can independently specify a follow-up characteristic of an actual shift arm position to follow a target position in a shifting direction and a disturbance suppressing characteristic respectively. The sliding mode controller determines a control input to be supplied to a shift motor of a shifting device. A sliding mode controller provided in a selection controller has two degrees of freedom and can independently specify a follow-up characteristic of an actual shift arm position to follow a target position in a selecting direction and a disturbance suppressing characteristic, respectively. This sliding mode controller determines a control input to be supplied to a selection motor of a selecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Kanako Shimojo
  • Publication number: 20080066568
    Abstract: The invention relates to a synchronization piece which, as part of a servo synchronization system comprising a sliding sleeve, a clutch body, a synchronizer ring and an idler gear, can synchronize a transmission having toothed wheel gears. The invention furthermore relates to an entire synchronizing system having a synchronization piece according to the invention. A full-servo synchronization system is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: HOFER PDC GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Hackl, Martin Berger, Klaus Kalmbach, Janina Steinz
  • Patent number: 7334493
    Abstract: A device for the reduction of axial movement of the main shaft gears (2) in a transmission containing at least two countershafts. The main shaft gears (2) are held axially by two washer discs (3, 4) which is designed to be a pressing device (5, 6) on the main shaft (1) for at least one of the main shaft gears (2) against the washer disc (3) holding the main shaft gear (2) axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 7331897
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a less expensive active transmission control system for an automobile, capable of disconnecting an engine, without increasing the number of dog clutches. In an active shift transmission, a second intermediate shaft is provided between a transmission input shaft connected with an engine and a transmission output shaft, and the transmission ratio is determined by the product of gear ratios of two sets of transmission gears. Further, a differential gear box is connected between both intermediate shafts and a motor is connected to the third shat of this differential gear box, so that the engine torque is borne by the motor on a temporary basis, whereby active transmission is performed. When the transmission gear of the input shaft is released, the engine rotation loss at the time of regenerative braking can be eliminated by disconnecting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Ibamoto, Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Hiroshi Kuroiwa
  • Publication number: 20070215429
    Abstract: A synchronizing device in gear shift transmissions has a gear (28), a shift sleeve (30) which is displaceably engaged with the gear (28) by internal teeth (32), and thrust members (10) disposed between the gear (28) and the shift sleeve (30), each of the thrust members having a casing (12) accommodated in an axial groove (40) of the gear (28), and a spring (18) biasing a pressure member (14) against the internal teeth (32) of the shift sleeve (30). The thrust member (10) is shaped as a flat parallelepiped, and the spring (18) extends transversely of the biasing direction and is supported on the casing (12) or the gear (28) with its peripheral portion and supports the pressure member (14) with is central portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventor: Jorg Schwarzbich
  • Patent number: 7243575
    Abstract: An indexing and braking mechanism for a manual transmission having a shifting mechanism and at least one rotatable drive shaft is disclosed. The mechanism includes an indexing mechanism for controlling movement of the shifting mechanism between at least a first position and a neutral position. The indexing mechanism has a plate having a plurality of notches formed thereon, wherein one notch corresponds to the first position and another notch corresponds to the neutral position. A locking mechanism is provided for selectively limiting movement of one of the at least one rotatable drive shaft. The locking mechanism is adapted to selectively engage the plurality of notches to selectively maintain the indexing mechanism in one of the first position and the neutral position. The locking mechanism includes an indexing lever having a contact surface for contacting the rotatable drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerhard Niederwimmer
  • Publication number: 20070144289
    Abstract: A gear in which forged chamfered portions are formed on the respective ridge line portions at intersections between tooth bottom lands, tooth flanks, and a tooth tip land of the gear and end faces in the axial direction of the gear, and which does not need machining such as cutting to remove burrs caused by hobbing in the conventional techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: O-OKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsushige O-Oka, Yoshiki Kawasaki, Tetsuya Hoguchi, Hiroshi Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 7225696
    Abstract: In a double clutch transmission in which an input shaft can be coupled by two load clutches selectively with a central intermediate shaft and a concentric intermediate shaft and each of the intermediate shafts can be operatively connected by gear stages selectively to a first or a second jackshaft arranged in the power output path to a driven vehicle axle, wherein the jackshafts are arranged parallel to the transmission input and intermediate shafts, the intermediate shafts each have at least one gear firmly mounted thereon which forms the input gear for more than one of the gear stages provided for different transmission gear ratios so as to form a compact transmission arrangement, particularly for transverse engine applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Carsten Gitt
  • Patent number: 7226379
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a less expensive active transmission control system for an automobile, capable of disconnecting an engine, without increasing the number of dog clutches. In an active shift transmission, a second intermediate shaft is provided between a transmission input shaft connected with an engine and a transmission output shaft, and the transmission ratio is determined by the product of gear ratios of two sets of transmission gears. Further, a differential gear box is connected between both intermediate shafts and a motor is connected to the third shaft of this differential gear box, so that the engine torque is borne by the motor on a temporary basis, whereby active transmission is performed. When the transmission gear of the input shaft is released, the engine rotation loss at the time of regenerative braking can be eliminated by disconnecting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Ibamoto, Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Hiroshi Kuroiwa
  • Patent number: 7222551
    Abstract: A mesh-type automatic transmission includes a power input shaft for introducing power of an engine, a plurality of transmission gears, a plurality of cogged clutches, a power output shaft for outputting driving force, a counter shaft, and a plurality of counter gears, for transmitting power of the engine to the power output shaft by rotating the power input shaft with the power of the engine, rotating the counter shaft, and transmitting rotation of the counter shaft to the power output shaft with automatic gear change by engaging and disengaging the cogged clutches to one of the transmission gears corresponding to the speed. The counter shaft is provided with an assist mechanism for transmitting rotational force of the power input shaft to the power output shaft by transmitting rotation of the counter shaft via the assist gear, during the period of disengagement of a gear to the engagement of a new gear during gear change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kayano, Toshimichi Minowa, Takashi Okada, Tatsuya Ochi, Hiroshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7216560
    Abstract: A gear shifting system for idler wheels (3) comprising sliding sleeves (2), which are connected torsion-resistant with a main shaft (1) and can be connected form-locking with an idler wheel (3) to be shifted via axial displacement. Actuation of the respective sliding sleeve (2) is provided through at least one adjusting unit (4), which selects an actuator such that a shifting actuation of the respective sliding sleeve (2) is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Gerhard FĂĽhrer
  • Patent number: 7201074
    Abstract: A gear shifting mechanism of an axle drive system comprises: a shaft drivingly connected to an axle; a first clutch gear relatively rotatably provided on the shaft, the first clutch gear having first clutch teeth; a second clutch gear relatively rotatably provided on the shaft, the second clutch gear having second clutch teeth; a spline hub fixed on the shaft between the first and second clutch gears; a gear shifting slider axially slidably and not relatively rotatably fitted on the spline hub; slider-shift means integrally movably interlocking with the gear shifting slider; operation means operatively interposed between the slider-shift means and a gear shifting manipulator; and elastic means interposed between the slider-shift means and the operation means. End surfaces of the first, second and third clutch teeth facing one another are flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Akihiro Ima
  • Patent number: 7185722
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power transmission apparatus of motor vehicles which has an engine, a gear change apparatus, an electric rotary machine to which a power is transmitted via the gear change apparatus, and a clutch provided between an input shaft and an output shaft of the gear change apparatus and adjusting a transmission torque between the input shaft and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Toshimichi Minowa, Mitsuo Kayano
  • Patent number: 7165470
    Abstract: In a shift system wherein the transfer of power is performed using a motor, the smaller the gear ratio difference is, the smaller can be made the motor output. However, the number of gears must be increased in order to reduce the gear ratio. As the number of gears increases, the problem of gear noise becomes more serious. It is necessary to prevent both an increase in the number of gears and an increase of the motor output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Masahiko Iabamoto, Hiroshi Kuroiwa
  • Patent number: 7134537
    Abstract: A multi-part synchronizing ring (1) of a synchronization device with an annular base body (2) and with at least one friction surface (19) on the base body (2), as well as with teeth (3) pointing outwards, has at least one driver element (4, 5), wherein the driver element (4, 5) is formed on an annular disk (6) separate from the base body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Josef Schwuger, Ralf Bössner
  • Patent number: 7114409
    Abstract: The invention provides a change gear, in particular in motor vehicles. This transmission comprises input and output shafts, a drive shaft that is in torque transmitting connection with the first and second output shafts; a first group of gear sets comprising at least one first gear set; a second group of gear sets comprising at least one second gear set; an itermediate shaft; and a first gear section. The input shaft is connectable with the first output shaft by the first group of gear sets. A second gear section is providcd in which the intermediate shaft is connectable to the second output shaft by the second group of gear sets. The intermediate shaft is in gearing connection with the first input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Eggert, Andreas Hegerath
  • Patent number: 7104922
    Abstract: The control of a shifting component (1) of a stepped automatic transmission is designed with one frictionally engaged element (2) and one form-locking element (3). When this shifting component (1) is engaged, a transmitting capacity of the frictionally engaged element (2) is first adjusted and when a synchronous state of the form-locking element (3) exists, the form-locking element (3) is closed. When the form-locking element (3) is closed, a transmitting capacity of the frictionally engaged element (3) is reduced. In case of a demand for disengaging the shifting component (1) before opening under load, the form-locking element (3) and the transmitting capacity of the frictionally engaged element (2) is increased so that a power flow, which is conveyed via the closed form-locking element (3) of the shifting component (1), can be conveyed via the frictionally engaged element when the form-locking element (3) is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ralf Dreibholz, Michael Ebenhoch
  • Patent number: 7093512
    Abstract: An electric motor is inserted between clutch shafts of a twin-clutch type automatic transmission are controlled for the torque and speed of the electric motor, establishing a smooth and efficient gear shifting control as well for a creep control, idling stop starting control, and R-to-D, D-to-R selecting control being controlled. The pre-stage gear is released after the torque transfer is completed with the electric motor, and the clutch is exchanged after synchronizing the motor speed with the electric motor. As a single transmission can realize multiple functions, there is such an effect that the overall cost can be reduced relatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Ibamoto, Hiroshi Kuroiwa
  • Patent number: 7089822
    Abstract: A power train for an amphibious vehicle includes an engine and transaxle arranged North-South, driving front, rear, or all four road wheels. A power take off with optional decoupler and constant velocity joint drives marine drive. The power take off may be taken from the input shaft of the transmission, and may use a synchronizer. The transaxle includes a differential. The rear wheels may be set back from the differential outputs, with intermediate drives by chains or belts. A sandwich type power take off may also be used. In the four wheel drive embodiment, a power take off is required from the rear differential. Decouplers may be provided in at least one wheel drive shaft on each driven axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Gibbs Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Alan Timothy Gibbs, Terence James Roycroft
  • Patent number: 7083545
    Abstract: In a counter shaft type transmission equipped with a pair of transmission gear trains, the input shaft of the first gear train is connected with the engine and the second gear train is connected with the engine via a motor. The torque of the first gear train is briefly shifted onto the second gear train while a gear change in the first gear train is accomplished. By setting the gear ratio of the second gear train to a half-position of gear ratio of the first gear train, motor capacity and battery capacity can be reduced, reducing transmission cost. Further, with the motor, torque transfer becomes possible for both up-shift and down-shift and, since continuous ratios can be achieved, drivability of an automobile improves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Ibamoto, Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Hiroshi Kuroiwa
  • Patent number: 7077025
    Abstract: A multiple speed transaxle includes first and second input shafts, first and second output shafts, a layshaft, an idler shaft, a first set of selectable torque paths between the first input shaft and first output shaft, a second set of selectable torque paths between the second input shaft and the second output shaft, the second set including the layshaft and idler shaft, and a selectable torque path between the first input shaft and second output shaft including the layshaft and idler shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Janson, Reid Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7044014
    Abstract: A multiple speed transaxle includes first and second input shafts, first and second output shafts, a layshaft, an idler shaft, a first set of selectable torque paths between the first input shaft and first output shaft, a second set of selectable torque paths between the second input shaft and the second output shaft, the second set including the layshaft and idler shaft, and a selectable torque path between the first input shaft and second output shaft including the layshaft and idler shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Janson, Reid Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7004871
    Abstract: An automatic transmission apparatus comprising, a first member rotating integrally with an input shaft and including a first cylindrical portion having an inner spline at an inner peripheral surface, a second member including a second cylindrical portion having an outer spline for engaging with the inner spline of the first member and a depressed portion formed on the second member and a clearance, which establishes a communication between an inner portion surrounded by the first and the second members and an outer portion of the first and the second members, is formed between the depressed portion of the second member and the inner surface of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoya Tanikawa
  • Patent number: 7004044
    Abstract: A transmission, having a first input shaft X1, a second input shaft X2, an output shaft Xs and an idle shaft XR, wherein two gears G1, G2 are carried on a sleeve SG fitted rotatably on said first input shaft X1, and one (G1) of said gears of said sleeve SG engages with a gear G16 being fixedly carried on said counter shaft Xs, while the other gear G2 engages with a gear G7 being fixedly carried on said output shaft Xo, and further, a coupling C1 is attached between said one (G1) of said gears and the other gear G2, to fix selectively said gear G1 or G2 to said input shaft X1, is provided in the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyohito Hosono