Patent ID: 6067871
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A transmission system (10) comprising a master friction clutch (14) for drivingly coupling an engine (12) to a compound mechanical transmission (16) including a main section and an auxiliary section, a shift member (150, 176) for moving a selected positive clutch member (151A) in said main section to a selected one of an engaged or a disengaged position and means (120, 146) independent of operation of said shift member and said master friction clutch for sensing a requirement to move said selected positive clutch member from said engaged position to said disengaged position and for providing an intent-to-shift signal indicative thereof, said system characterized by:a detent mechanism (156/172, 186/196) for providing a selectively variable resistance to movement of said clutch member from said engaged to said disengaged position, said detent mechanism having a first condition for providing a greater resistance to movement of said clutch member from said engaged to said disengaged position and a second condition for applying a lesser resistance to movement of said clutch member from said engaged to said disengaged position, said detent mechanism assuming said second condition upon sensing said intent-to-shift signal.