The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 01, 1996
Filed:
Jun. 05, 1995
George A Willford, Waterville, OH (US);
Kurt R Baer, Toledo, OH (US);
John M Loeffler, Toledo, OH (US);
Dennis D Schwaiger, Whitmore Lake, MI (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A transmission includes a plurality of shift rails, each of which is axially movable forwardly and rearwardly from a center neutral position to respective gear engaging positions. The lower shift rails are provided for manual shifting among the lower gear ratios of the transmission. The highest shift rail is provided for selective manual or automatic shifting among the highest two gear ratios of the transmission. An electronic controller is provided for controlling the automatic shifting of the transmission in response to sensed operating conditions of the vehicle. A circuit is provided for sensing the rotational position of the automatic shift shaft and for generating an electrical signal which is representative of the actual position thereof, which is also representative of the actual position of the highest shift rail, to the electronic controller. The transmission also includes a shift lever having an end which extends through an opening formed in a case. The end of the shift lever is movable in a first direction which is generally perpendicular to the shift rail so as to selectively cooperate with the shift rail. The shift lever is also movable in a second direction which is generally parallel to the shift rail so as to cause movement of the shift rail between first and second shift rail positions. A restraining plate is mounted on the case adjacent to the opening. The restraining plate has a portion formed thereon which limits movement of the end of the shift lever in the first direction. An interlock bracket is connected to the shift lever for movement therewith in the first direction. The interlock bracket engages the portion of the restraining plate to limit movement of the shift lever in the first direction.