Self-energizing synchronizer

Abstract

A pin-type, double-acting synchronizer mechanism (22) with friction clutches (24,36 and 26,38), jaw clutches (28,14b and 30,16b), and self-energizing ramps. The ramps act between a shaft (12) and a shift flange (32). The shift flange is rotatable relative to the shaft and jaw clutch members (28,30), and defines three reaction portions (32b) which act against three sets of ramps (52a,52b,52c,52d) defined by an annular sleeve assembly (30). The assembly (30) is fixed against rotational and axial movement relative to the shaft. The angles of the self-energizing ramps may be varied to provide substantially the same synchronizing time for several or all of the ratio gears in a multi-ratio transmission. Three circumferentially spaced pins (40) include blocker shoulders (40c,40d) for preventing asynchronous engagement of the jaw clutches. Three pre-energizer assemblies (42) effect initial engagement of the friction clutches to ensure engagement of the blocker shoulders.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pin-type synchronizer mechanism for a first gear secured against axial movement on a shaft having an axis about which the gear and shaft rotate relative to each other, the mechanism comprising: first friction and jaw means respectively engagable with friction and jaw means affixed to the first gear for respectively synchronizing and positive connecting the first gear to the shaft in response to a shift force (F o ) axially directed toward the first gear moving a radially extending flange toward the first gear, means connecting the flange for axial movement with the first jaw means, and means connecting the first jaw means for rotation with the shaft; first and second blocker means operative when engaged for preventing engagement of the jaw means prior to the synchronizing, the first blocker means defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced pin-like means rigidly extending axially from the first friction means and into openings in the flange, the second blocker means defined about the openings;   pre-energizer means for effecting an engaging force of the firction means in response to initial axial movement of the flange by the shift force (F o ) from a neutral position toward the first gear for engaging the first and second blocker means in response to engagement of the friction means producing an initial synchronizing torque transmitted to the flange via the pin-like means and for transmitting the shift force (F o ) to the first friction means via the first and second blocker means to increase the engaging force of the friction means; characterized by:   means for allowing limited circumferential movement of the flange relative to the shaft and reacting the synchronizing torque to the shaft; and   the means for allowing limited circumferential movement includes first ramp means engagable with reaction means affixed with the flange in response to synchronizing torque in one direction for producing an axial additive force (F a ) on the flange in the direction of the shift force (F o ) for further increasing the force engaging the friction means.   
     
     
       2. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 1, wherein the means . .limiting.!. .Iadd.for allowing limited circumferential movement .Iaddend.includes second ramp means engagable with the reaction means in response to synchronizing torque opposite the one direction for producing another additive force (F a ) on the flange in the direction of the shift force (F o ) for increasing the total force engaging the friction means. 
     
     
       3. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 1, further including a second gear axially spaced from the first gear and secured against axial movement on the shaft for rotation about the shaft axis relative to the shaft and first gear; second friction and jaw means respectively engagable with friction and jaw means affixed to the second gear for respectively synchronizing and positive connecting the second gear to the shaft in response to a shift force (F o ) axially directed toward the second gear for moving the flange toward the second gear, means connecting the second jaw means for axial movement . .relative to.!. .Iadd.with .Iaddend.the flange, and means connecting the second jaw means for rotation with the shaft;   third and fourth blocker means operative when engaged for preventing engagement of the second jaw means prior to the synchronizing, the third blocker means defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced pin-like means rigidly extending axially from the second friction means and into openings in the flange, the fourth blocker means defined about the openings they extend through;   pre-energizer means for engaging the second friction means in response to initial axial movement of the flange by the shift force (F o ) from the neutral position toward the second gear, for engaging the third and fourth blocker means in response to engagement of the second friction means producing an initial synchronizing torque transmitted to the flange via the pin-like means extending from the second friction means and for transmitting the shift force (F o ) to the second friction means via the third and fourth blocker means to increase the engaging force of the second friction means; and   the means . .limiting.!. .Iadd.for allowing limited circumferential movement .Iaddend.including third ramp means engagable with the reaction means in response to synchronizing torque in the one direction for producing an axial additive force (F a ) on the flange in the direction shift force (F o ) toward the second gear for further increasing the force engaging the second friction means.   
     
     
       4. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 3, including a second ramp means engagable with the reaction means in response to synchronizing torque in a direction opposite the one direction for further increasing the force engaging the first friction means. 
     
     
       5. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 3, including means securing the . .circumferential retaining.!. means .Iadd.for allowing circumferential movement .Iaddend.against axial movement relative to the shaft. 
     
     
       6. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 5, including means slidably interconnecting the first and second jaw means with the means . .limiting and preventing relative rotation therebetween.!. .Iadd.for allowing limited circumferential movement.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       7. The synchronizer mechanisms of claim 5, wherein the means . .limiting.!. .Iadd.for allowing circumferential movement .Iaddend.includes an annular sleeve assembly circumscribing the first and second jaw means. 
     
     
       8. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 3, wherein the pre-energizer means includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced opening.Iadd.s .Iaddend.in the flange and interspaced between the openings receiving the pin-like means, each pre-energizer opening slidably receiving a detent groove of a spring means when the flange is axially positioned in the neutral position, the spring means having opposite ends rigidly reacting between the first and second friction means, and the spring means being operative in response to axial movement of the flange toward either of the gears to resiliently move the friction means of the associated gear into engagement. 
     
     
       9. A pin-type synchronizer mechanism for first and second gears mounted for rotation and secured against axial movement on a shaft having an axis about which the gears and the shaft rotate, the mechanism comprising: gear friction and gear jaw means affixed to each gear, the gear friction means engagable with first and second axially spaced apart and axially movable friction means for respectively synchronizing the first and second gears with the shaft, and the gear jaw means engagable with axially movable jaw means connected for rotation with the shaft;   a flange extending radially between the first and second friction means for axially moving the axially movable friction and jaw means into said engagement in response to an axially bi-directional shift force (F o ) applied to the flange, means connecting the axially movable jaw means for axial movement with the flange;   blocker means operative when engaged for preventing engagement of the jaw means prior to the synchronizing, the blocker means including a plurality of circumferentially spaced pins rigidly extending axially between the first and second friction means and into openings in the flange, each of the pins having a blocker shoulder engagable with a blocker shoulder defined about the associated opening;   pre-energizer means for effecting an engaging force for either one of the first and second friction means in response to initial axial movement of the flange by the shift force (F o ) from a neutral position toward one of the gears, for engaging the blocker means in response to engagement of the friction means producing an initial synchronizing torque transmitted to the flange via the pins, and for transmitting the shift force (F o ) to the engaged friction means via the engaged blocker means to increase the engaging force of the engaged friction means; characterized by:   means for allowing limited circumferential movement of the flange relative to the axially movable jaw means and shaft and for reacting the synchronizing torque to the shaft; and   the means . .limiting.!. .Iadd.for allowing limited circumferential movement .Iaddend.including first ramp means engagable with reaction means affixed with the flange in response to synchronizing torque of at least the first gear and in at least one direction for producing an axial additive force (F a ) on the flange in the direction of the shift force (F o ) for increasing the force engaging the friction means associated with the first gear.   
     
     
       10. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 9, wherein the means . .limiting.!. .Iadd.for allowing limited circumferential movement .Iaddend.includes a third ramp means engagable with the reaction means in response to synchronizing torque of the second gear in the one direction for producing another additive force (F a ) on the flange in the direction of the shift force (F o ) for increasing the force engaging the friction means associated with the second gear. 
     
     
       11. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 10, wherein the means . .limiting.!. .Iadd.for allowing limited circumferential movement .Iaddend.includes a second ramp means engagable with the reaction means in response to synchronizing torque of the first gear in a direction opposite the one direction for producing another additive force (F a ) on the flange in the direction of the shift force (F o ) for increasing the force engaging the friction means associated with the first gear. .Iadd.12. A clutch for frictionally synchronizing and positive connecting first and second drives disposed for relative rotation about a common axis; the clutch comprising: first jaw means axially movable into engagement with second jaw means for positive connecting the drives in response to engaging movement of first jaw means by an axially directed shift force (Fo);   first friction means axially movable into engagement with second friction means in response to the engaging movement of the first jaw means for producing a synchronizing torque;   first and second blocker means movable into engagement in response to the engaging movement of the first jaw means for preventing asynchronous engagement of the jaw means, for transmitting the shift force (Fo) to the first friction means to effect an engagement force of the friction means, and for producing a torque counter to the synchronizing torque for moving the first and second blocker means out of engagement as synchronization is reached;   first and second self-energizing means operative when engaged to react the synchronizing torque for producing an additive axial force (Fa) in the direction of the shift force (Fo) for increasing the engagement force of the friction means; characterized by:   the first jaw means including a central opening having internal splines with axially extending flank surfaces slidably mating continuously with axially extending flank surfaces of external splines affixed against rotation and axial movement relative to the first drive;   the first and second self-energizing means including means for directing the additive axial force (Fa) to the first friction means via the blocker   
     
     
        means..Iaddend..Iadd.13.  The clutch of claim 12, further including: the first blocker means being affixed to the first friction means;   means for allowing limited rotation of the first friction means between first and second positions relative to the first drive; and   pre-energizer means for moving the first friction means into an initial frictional engagement with the second friction means in response to initial engaging movement of the first jaw means by the shift force (Fo) from a neutral position for effecting rotation of the first friction means to one of said positions and aligning the second blocker means for engagement with the first blocker means..Iaddend..Iadd.14. The clutch of claim 12, wherein:   the self-energizing means includes first angled surface means affixed against rotation and axial movement relative to one of the drives, second angled surface means engageable with the first angled surface means for producing the additive axial force (Fa), means mounting the second angled surface means for limited rotation relative to first jaw means..Iaddend..Iadd.15. The clutch of claim 12, including:   a radially extending flange acted on by the shift force (Fo) for effecting the engaging movement of the first jaw means;   the first blocker means defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced pin-like means rigidly extending axially from the first friction means and into openings in the flange, the second blocker means defined about the openings;   the self-energizing means including means for allowing limited circumferential movement of the flange relative to the first drive and for reacting the synchronizing torque to the first drive; and   the means allowing limited circumferential movement includes first ramp means engageable with reaction means affixed with the flange in response to the synchronizing torque for producing the axial additive force   
     
     
        (Fa)..Iaddend..Iadd.16.  The clutch of claim 12, wherein the means for directing the additive axial force (F a ) is interposed between the first jaw means and the second blocker means and is movable axially relative to the first drive and circumferentially relative to the first 
     
     
        jaw means..Iaddend..Iadd.17.  The clutch of claim 16, wherein: the means for directing the additive axial force (F a ) is secured against radial movement relative to the second blocker means..Iaddend..Iadd.18. A clutch for frictionally synchronizing and positive connecting first and second drives disposed for relative rotation about a common axis and secured against relative axial movement; the clutch comprising:   first jaw means axially movable into engagement with second jaw means for positive connecting the drives in response to engaging movement of first jaw means by an axially directed shift force (F o );   first friction means axially movable into engagement with second friction means in response to the engaging movement of the first jaw means for producing a synchronizing torque;   first and second blocker means movable into engagement in response to the engaging movement of the first jaw means for preventing asynchronous engagement of the jaw means, for transmitting the shift force (F o ) to the first friction means to effect an engagement force of the friction means, and for producing a torque counter to the synchronizing torque for moving the first and second blocker means out of engagement as synchronization is reached;   self-energizing means including first ramp means and reaction means operative when engaged to react the synchronizing torque in one direction and axially between the drives for producing an additive axial force (F a ) in the direction of the shift force (F o ) for increasing the engagement force of the friction means; characterized by:   the first jaw means including a central opening having internal splines with axially extending flank surfaces slidably mating continuously with axially extending flank surfaces of external splines affixed against rotation and axial movement relative to the first drive; and   the self-energizing means including means for directing the additive axial force (F a ) to the first friction means via the blocker means..Iaddend..Iadd.19. The clutch of claim 18, wherein:   the means for directing the additive axial force (F a ) is interposed between the first jaw means and the second blocker means and is movable axially relative to the first drive and circumferentially relative to the   
     
     
        first jaw means..Iaddend..Iadd.20.  The clutch of claim 18, further including: the first blocker means being affixed to the first friction means; means for allowing limited rotation of the first friction means between first and second positions relative to the first drive; and   pre-energizer means for moving the first friction means into an initial frictional engagement with the second friction means in response to initial engaging movement of the first jaw means by the shift force (F o ) from a neutral position for effecting rotation of the first friction means to one of said positions and aligning the second blocker means for engagement with the first blocker means..Iaddend..Iadd.21. The clutch of claim 18, including:   a radially extending flange acted on by the shift force (F o ) for effecting the engaging movement of the first jaw means;   the first blocker means defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced pin-like means rigidly extending axially from the first friction means and into openings in the flange, the second blocker means defined about the openings;   the self-energizing means including means for allowing limited circumferential movement of the flange relative to the first drive and for reacting the synchronizing torque to the first drive; and   the means allowing limited circumferential movement includes the first ramp   
     
     
        means and the reaction means affixed with the flange..Iaddend..Iadd.22. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 21, wherein: the self-energizing means includes second ramp means engagable with the reaction means in response to synchronizing torque opposite the one direction for producing another additive force (F a ) on the flange in the direction of the shift force (F o ) for increasing the total force engaging the friction means..Iaddend..Iadd.23. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 21, further including: a third drive axially spaced from the second drive and secured against axial movement and for rotation about the common axis relative to the first and second drives;   third friction and jaw means respectively engagable with fourth friction and jaw means affixed to the third drive for respectively synchronizing and positive connecting the third drive to the first drive in response to the shift force (F o ) axially directed toward the third drive moving the flange toward the third drive, means connecting the third jaw means for axial movement with the flange, and means connecting the third jaw means for rotation with the first drive;   third and fourth blocker means operative when engaged for preventing engagement of the third jaw means prior to the synchronizing, the third blocker means defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced pin-like means rigidly extending axially from the third friction means and into openings in the flange, the fourth blocker means defined about the openings they extend through;   pre-energizer means for engaging the third friction means in response to initial axial movement of the flange by the shift force (F o ) from the neutral position toward the third drive, for engaging the third and fourth blocker means in response to engagement of the third friction means producing an initial synchronizing torque transmitted to the flange via the pin-like means extending from the third friction means and for transmitting the shift force (F o ) to the third friction means via the third and fourth blocker means to increase the engaging force of the third friction means; and   the self-energizing means including third ramp means engagable with the reaction means in response to synchronizing torque in the one direction for producing an axial additive force (F a ) on the flange in the direction of the shift force (F o ) toward the third drive for further increasing the force engaging the third friction means..Iaddend..Iadd.24. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 23, wherein the self-energizing means includes a fourth ramp means engagable with the reaction means in response to synchronizing torque in the direction opposite the one direction for further increasing the force engaging the third friction means..Iaddend..Iadd.25. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 24 wherein:   the second and third drives prevent axial movement of the ramps..Iaddend..Iadd.26. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 22, further including: a third drive axially spaced from the second drive and secured against axial movement and for rotation about the common axis relative to the first and second drives;   third friction and jaw means respectively engagable with fourth friction and jaw means affixed to the third drive for respectively synchronizing and positive connecting the third drive to the first drive in response to the shift force (F o ) axially directed toward the third drive moving the flange toward the third drive, means connecting the third jaw means for axial movement with the flange, and means connecting the third jaw means for rotation with the first drive;   third and fourth blocker means operative when engaged for preventing engagement of the third jaw means prior to the synchronizing, the third blocker means defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced pin-like means rigidly extending axially from the third friction means and into openings in the flange, the fourth blocker means defined about the openings they extend through;   pre-energizer means for engaging the third friction means in response to initial axial movement of the flange by the shift force (F o ) from the neutral position toward the third drive, for engaging the third and fourth blocker means in response to engagement of the third friction means producing an initial synchronizing torque transmitted to the flange via the pin-like means extending from the third friction means and for transmitting the shift force (F o ) to the third friction means via the third and fourth blocker means to increase the engaging force of the third friction means; and   the self-energizing means including third ramp means engagable with the reaction means in response to synchronizing torque in the one direction for producing an axial additive force (F a ) on the flange in the direction of the shift force (F o ) toward the third drive for further increasing the force engaging the third friction means..Iaddend..Iadd.27. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 26, wherein the self-energizing means includes a fourth ramp means engagable with the reaction means in response to synchronizing torque in the direction opposite the one direction for further increasing the force engaging the third friction means..Iaddend..Iadd.28. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 27 wherein:   the second and third drives prevent axial movement of the ramps..Iaddend..Iadd.29. The synchronizer mechanism of claim 26 wherein:   the second and third drives prevent axial movement of the   
     
     
        ramps..Iaddend..Iadd.30.  The clutch of claim 12, wherein: the means for directing the additive axial force (F a ) directs the additive axial force (F a ) in a direction not opposing the shift force (F o )..Iaddend..Iadd.31. The clutch of claim 12, wherein:   the means for directing the additive axial force (F a ) is secured against radial movement relative to the second blocker means..Iaddend..Iadd.32. The clutch of claim 12, wherein the first and second self-energizing means include first ramp means and a reaction means which react the synchronizing torque between means fixed axially relative to each other..Iaddend..Iadd.33. The clutch of claim 12, including:   pre-energizer means including resilient means operative in response to initial engaging movement of the first jaw means by the shift force (F o ) to resiliently transmit an initial engaging force to the first friction means via a path independent of the blocker means, the initial engaging force for effecting rotation of the first friction means to one of said positions and aligning the second blocker means for engagement   
     
     
        with the first blocker means..Iaddend..Iadd.34.  The clutch of claim 18, wherein: the means for directing the additive axial force (F a ) directs the additive axial force (F a ) in a direction not opposing the shift force (F o )..Iaddend..Iadd.35. The clutch of claim 18, wherein:   the means for directing the additive axial force (F a ) is secured against radial movement relative to the second blocker means..Iaddend..Iadd.36. The clutch of claim 19, wherein:   the means for directing the additive axial force (F a ) is secured against radial movement relative to the second blocker means..Iaddend..Iadd.37. The clutch of claim 18 including:   pre-energizer means including resilient means operative in response to initial engaging movement of the first jaw means by the shift force (F o ) to resiliently transmit an initial engaging force to the first friction means via a path independent of the blocker means, the initial engaging force for effecting rotation of the first friction means to one of said positions and aligning the second blocker means for engagement with the first blocker means..Iaddend.