Patent ID: 6419063
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
A self-energizing synchronizer for frictional and positive connection of first and second drives disposed for relative rotation about a common axis; the synchronizer comprising:an annular member including a first jaw clutch non-rotatable relative to the first drive and axially movable relative to the drives from a neutral position to an engaged position with a second jaw clutch for positive connecting the drives in response to engaging movement of the first jaw clutch by an axially directed shift force (Fo) moving a radially extending flange toward the second jaw clutch, the flange having axially oppositely facing sides and a radially inner portion receiving an annular outwardly facing surface of the annular member; retainer means connecting the flange for axial movement with the first jaw clutch; a first friction member axially movable into engagement with a second friction member in response to an initial portion of the engaging movement of the first jaw clutch for producing an initial synchronizing torque; first and second blocker surfaces movable into engagement in response to the initial synchronizing torque for preventing asynchronous engagement of the jaw clutches and for transmitting the shift force (Fo) to effect an engagement force of the friction members and for producing a torque counter to the synchronizing torque for moving the blocker surfaces out of engagement as synchronization is reached, the first blocker surfaces defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pins rigidly extending axially from the first friction member and into openings in the flange, the second blocker surfaces defined about the openings, and the pins operative to transmit the synchronizing torque to the flange; self-energizing means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced first cam means affixed to the flange, an equal plurality of circumferentially spaced apart second cam means affixed to the first drive, an equal plurality of circumferentially spaced apart and radially extending openings in the annular member, a radially movable link deposed in each opening and having radially outer and inner ends respectively disposed for engagement with the first and second cam means and operative when engaged to react the synchronizing torque therebetween for producing an additive axial force in the direction of the shift force for increasing the engagement force of the friction members; characterized by: the retainer means including axially spaced apart first and second abutments extending radially outward from opposite axial ends of the annular member outwardly facing surface for axially embracing the flange sides, the first abutment being a plurality of circumferentially spaced about tabs circumferentially offset from the openings and receiving slots in the radially inner portion of the flange for allowing positioning of the flange sides between the abutments during assembly of the synchronizer.