Patent ID: 7824292

Claim:
A rear wheel drive (RWD) 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: an engine braking first gear speed, a manual low speed, a first gear speed, and five forward high speeds; 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 integrated control mechanism including: a first bore and a second bore, wherein the first bore is in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid and has a centerline that is positioned below an axis of rotation of the SOWC; 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 pressurized fluid moves the apply piston and actuator linkage in one direction to thereby lock the driving member to the stationary member, and to thereby select one of the engine braking first gear speed, the reverse speed, and the manual low speed; and wherein the return spring moves the apply piston and the actuator linkage in another direction to unlock the driving member from the stationary member during one of the first gear speed and the five forward high speeds.