Lubrication system and method of lubricating an internal-combustion engine

US6910398B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc. · US

Inventor

• Stefan Fegg · Ditzingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 12, 2003
• Grant date: Jun 28, 2005
• Expiry date: Jul 15, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/2186
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method for lubricating an internal-combustion engine includes a shaft extending through a gearbox, a gear and a sliding sleeve coupled to rotate with the shaft and adapted to move axially along the shaft, a gearshift fork in mating engagement with the sliding sleeve and moveable parallel to the shaft, a rib in the gearbox adjacent the shaft, and a duct extending into the gearbox. The duct preferably directs a lubricant onto the gearshift fork and the sliding sleeve. Preferably, the rib directs the lubricant from the duct onto the gearshift fork and the sliding sleeve. In an alternative embodiment, at least some of the lubricant flung from the shaft, gear, and sliding sleeve contacts the rib and is directed onto the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork. Further preferably, a projection extends from the rib to direct the lubricant onto the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork.