Caterpillar Inc.

Daniel R Ekstrand

Weldon L Phelps

Val G Boucher

An electrical transmission control mechanism includes first and second control members which are individually limitedly rotatable to respectively select the directional and neutral modes or the speed ratio modes of a transmission. First and second electrical rotary type switching devices which are respectively responsive to the movement of the control members are disposed within the mechanism for controllably disconnecting the supply and ground side leads of one of a plurality of transmission clutch actuating solenoids and connecting the supply and ground side leads of another one to minimize the possibility of any inadvertent electrical short in causing unexpected operation of the transmission. Each of the compact and reliable rotary switching devices has a plurality of upstanding contact members arranged at preselected radii and a plurality of radially oriented wiper members that make selected contact with pairs of the contact members to provide a multitude of desirable operating functions. The mechanism features a simple and yet rugged arrangement of the control members and the switching devices that is easy to operate.

Growing community of inventors

Pekin, IL, United States of America

Daniel R Ekstrand