Patent ID: 7506739
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A strut-type synchronizer for rotatably coupling a gear to a shaft for rotation about a shaft axis in response to an applied axial shifting load, the synchronizer comprising: a hub rotatable with the shaft about the shaft axis, wherein the hub includes a first axial face, and a peripheral surface defining a set of first spline teeth and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced pockets; a clutch ring rotatable with the gear about the shaft axis, the clutch ring being axially spaced from the first axial face of the hub and including a peripheral surface defining a set of second spline teeth and a radially-outer friction surface projecting axially toward the first axial face of the hub; a friction ring encircling the shaft between the hub and the clutch ring, wherein the friction ring includes an axial face opposing the first axial face of the hub, a maximum radial dimension, and a radially-inner friction surface complementary to the friction surface of the clutch ring; a sleeve encircling the hub and axially movable relative to the hub in response to the applied axial shifting load, wherein the sleeve includes a set of third spline teeth adapted to matingly engage the first and second spline teeth of the hub and the clutch ring, respectively, and wherein the third spline teeth have a minimum crest radius greater than the maximum radial dimension of the friction ring, whereby the third spline teeth of the sleeve remain radially spaced from the friction ring when the sleeve encircles the friction ring; a strut supported within each pocket of the hub for rotation with the hub, each strut being axially movable relative to the hub and including a surface adapted to engage the axial face of the friction ring; and a detent coupling each strut to the sleeve for axial movement relative to the hub, the detent having a breakthrough load significantly greater than about 100 N.