IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,726,749
Granted Patent B2
US 8,726,749 · App. 13/244,597 · Granted May 20, 2014

Transmission overdrive yoke position sensor for range trigger

Inventors: Mark A. Hirsch (Vicksburg, MI); Paul J. Mason (Battle Creek, MI); Robert B. Craft (Ceresco, MI)
Assignee: Eaton Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,726,749
App. No.
13/244,597
Granted
May 20, 2014
Kind
B2
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 (31)

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.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2011
From: HIRSCH, MARK A.; MASON, PAUL J.; CRAFT, ROBERT B.
To: EATON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027140/0643 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130075224A1 · Mar 28, 2013