GB1446337A - Gear selection mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

1446337 Change-speed control CHRYSLER UNITED KINGDOM Ltd 2 July 1974 [4 July 1973] 31933/73 Heading F2D A gear selector lever movable in a neutral plane and in a plurality of planes transverse to the neutral plane to gear selection positions at either side of the neutral plane is prevented by blocking means from being moved directly from one forward gear position on one side of the neutral plane to a reverse gear position on the other side of the neutral plane, the blocking means being released by movement of the lever along the neutral plane. As shown, a rotatably and axially movable shaft 16 carries a plate 16a which, depending on the rotational position of the shaft, engages a slot 49 in a first and second speed selector shaft 46, a slot in an arm 51 fixed to a third and fourth speed selector shaft 47, or a slot 50 in a fifth speed and reverse selector shaft 48. Movements are imparted to the shaft 16 by a ball-and-socket mounted gear lever (not shown) of which the lower end 25 engages a hole in a member 24 fixed to the shaft 16. To select fifth speed the lever is moved in the neutral plane to cause a projection 41 on a member 27 surrounding the member 24 to deflect a spring- loaded abutment 29, and is thereafter operated so that the shafts 16 and 48 are moved to the right, causing the abutment 29 to prevent return movement of the member 27. A spring- loaded sliding connection between the member 27 and the shaft 16, however, allows the gear lever to be returned as far as the neutral plane, whereafter, before reverse gear can be engaged it is necessary for the gear lever to be moved across the gate to disengage the projection 41 from the abutment 29. Reverse can then be engaged by moving the gear lever to deflect the abutment 29 against its spring 36 and also against a stronger spring 39 so that the plate 16a clears an abutment (not shown) constituted by part of the arm 51, and thereafter in a direction to move the shafts 16, 48 to the left to actuate a reverse selector 64. The reverse selector has an interlock 77 with the shaft 47 and a lost-motion connection 69, 70 with the shaft 48 so that the selector 64 is operated by the shaft 48 only when the latter is moved to the left from the neutral position. In a modification, further cooperating abutments on the member 27 and in the housing prevent inadvertent engagement of an unwanted ratio during hurried movement of the gear lever from fifth to fourth speed positions.