Patent · US Expired

Combined detent and neutral switch mechanism

US6526843B1 · kind B1 · utility

1Cited by
6References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 8, 2000
Grant dateMar 4, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 8, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/20128
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The detent and neutral switch mechanism includes a roller detent pin attached to a roller spring. The detent pin engages contoured shift fork extensions and resists movement of the shift fork extensions when gears are shifted and creates a “shift feel.” A neutral switch positioned above the roller spring indicates when the transmission is in neutral. When the transmission is in neutral, the deep neutral detent notches on the shift fork extensions are aligned, lowering the detent pin and disengaging the roller spring from the position switch, indicating the transmission is in neutral and that it is safe to make a shift. When the transmission is in gear or in the process of making a shift, the detent pin engages raised in-gear notches or detent peaks, respectively, engaging the roller spring with the position switch indicating that the transmission is not in neutral.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.