Patent ID: 6026702
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
An operating device for actuating a shift mechanism of a multi-ratio gear transmission for a motor vehicle, the operating device comprising:a transmission housing supporting a plurality of shiftable gears;an elongate shift rail (2) being supported by the transmission housing (30), the shift rail (2) defining a longitudinal axis and being moveable along the longitudinal axis, and the shift rail (2) also being rotatable about the longitudinal axis to facilitate engagement of only a desired one of the plurality of shiftable gears;a shift lever being coupled to the shift rail (2) for facilitating both longitudinal and rotational movement of the shift rail (2) for selection of a desired gear to be engaged;a plurality of shift forks (4, 6, 8) being supported by the shift rail (2), and each one of the plurality of shift forks (4, 6, 8) being engageable with a desired shiftable gear to be engaged;the shift rail (2) having a plurality of coupling mechanisms (16, 18, 20, 22, 32, 42, 46, 50) for forming a gear shifting connection between the shift rail (2) and a desired one of the plurality of shift forks (4, 6, 8) to be engaged while the plurality of coupling mechanisms (16, 18, 20, 22, 32, 42, 46, 50) also forming a locking connection between each non-engaged shift fork (4, 6, 8) and the transmission housing to prevent each non-engaged shift fork (4, 6, 8) from engaging a gear, the coupling mechanisms (16, 18, 20, 22, 32, 42, 46, 50, 76) comprise a plurality of crank rods (46, 50, 76) supported within a bore formed in the shift rail (2), and each crank rod (46, 50, 76) extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shift rail (2) for facilitating the shift connection between the shift rail (2) and the desired one of the plurality of shift forks (4, 6, 8);the coupling mechanisms (16, 18, 20, 22, 32, 42, 46, 50, 76) having a plurality of detents facilitating the shift connection between the shift rail (2) and the desired one of the plurality of shift forks (4, 6, 8) to be engaged and the locking connection between each non-engaged shift fork (4, 6, 8) and the transmission housing; andwherein each said detent is supported within a cavity formed in the transmission housing (30) and each said detent is biased by a spring in a direction toward the shift rail.