Patent ID: 6729457
Filing Date: 2004-05-04
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A synchronizer for first and second drives disposed for relative rotation about a common axis; the synchronizer comprising:a first element affixed against rotation and axial movement relative to the first drive; a second element including connecting means allowing sliding and non-rotational movement of the second element relative to the first element, and including first jaw means axially movable from a neutral position to an engaged position with second jaw means for positive connecting the drives in response to engaging movement of the second element by an axially directed first shift force; first friction means axially movable into engagement with second friction means for synchronizing the first and second jaw means in response to the engaging movement of the second element; first and second blocker means operative when engaged to prevent engagement of the first and second jaw means prior to the synchronizing; pre-energizing means for engaging the first and second friction means with an initial engaging force in response to initial engaging movement of the second element by the first shift force from the neutral position and for engaging the first and second blocker means in response to the initial engagement of the first and second friction means producing a synchronizing torque; first and second self-energizing means operative when engaged to react the synchronizing torque for producing a first additive axial force in the direction of the first shift force and for increasing the engagement force of the first and second friction means, one of the first and second self-energizing means including means for directing the first additive axial force to the first friction means via the first and second blocker means, the first self-energizing means mounted on one of the elements and the second self-energizing means mounted for non-radial movement and limited rotation relative to another; characterized by: the pre-energizing means including first ramp means biased by resilient means toward engagement with second ramp means affixed to the second self-energizing means for transmitting the first shift force to the first friction means via the second self-energizing means in response to the initial engaging movement of the second element.