Patent ID: 8202198

Claim:
A front wheel drive (FWD) vehicle comprising: a six-speed transmission having three gear sets and five clutches, the five clutches including a two-mode selectable one-way clutch (SOWC) having a driving member and a stationary member, wherein the five clutches can be selectively engaged to connect members of the three gear sets to the stationary member to thereby enable a reverse speed and the six speeds of the transmission, the six speeds including: a first forward speed having an engine braking first gear speed, a manual low speed, a first gear speed other than the engine braking first gear speed and the manual low speed; and five forward high speeds; a source of pressurized fluid; and a valve body assembly (VBA) having an integrated control mechanism operable for controlling the SOWC to thereby select between the two modes of the SOWC, the control mechanism including: a first bore and a second bore, wherein the first bore is in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid; an apply piston positioned within the first bore and moveable therein; a return spring positioned within the second bore and compressible therein; an actuator linkage in continuous contact with the apply piston and the return spring; and a shift lever operatively connected to each of the SOWC and the actuator linkage, the shift lever being operable for selecting between the two modes of the SOWC in response to a direction of motion of the apply piston; wherein the source of pressurized fluid moves the apply piston and actuator linkage in one direction to thereby lock the driving member to the stationary member only during the engine braking first gear speed, the reverse, and the manual low speed; wherein the return spring moves the apply piston and the actuator linkage in another direction to unlock the driving member from the stationary member only during the first gear speed other than the engine braking first gear and manual low speeds, and the five forward high speeds.