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. 19, 2010
Filed:
Mar. 14, 2007
James H. Devore, Metamora, IL (US);
Rudolf Kalthoff, Weingarten, DE;
Rupert Kramer, Friedrichshafen, DE;
Ronald Muetzel, Lake Zurich, IL (US);
Robert Sayman, Meckenbeuren, DE;
Mario Steinborn, Friedrichschafen, DE;
James H. DeVore, Metamora, IL (US);
Rudolf Kalthoff, Weingarten, DE;
Rupert Kramer, Friedrichshafen, DE;
Ronald Muetzel, Lake Zurich, IL (US);
Robert Sayman, Meckenbeuren, DE;
Mario Steinborn, Friedrichschafen, DE;
ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Friedrichshafen, DE;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for cycling a neutral switch of an automated mechanical transmission includes software which, either independently or by operator command through a shift actuator having side-to-side motion capability and sensors, controls a select piston and cylinder assembly to provide shift rail motion along a transverse axis of the transmission which simulates operator commanded motion of a shift rail of a conventional (manual) transmission as the operator checks for neutral. Such activity may release a malfunctioning neutral switch thereby providing a proper neutral indication to associated transmission and engine components to, for example, permit starting of the engine.