Method of and device for controlling a multi-stage change gear transmission

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1, in which when shifting from one control stage to an adjacent control stage of the main control group there is moving of the actuating member of the control group shiftable under load automatically into control position for sUbdividing the step of progression of the main control step, and when shifting further from the intermediate interposed control stage to the adjacent control stage of the main control group, automatically making ineffective the interposed control stage.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 2, in which when shifting from one control stage to an adjacent control stage of the main control group there is moving of the actuating member of the control group shiftable under load automatically by the actuating member of the main control group into control position for subdividing the step of progression of the main control group, and when shifting from said intermediate interposed control stage to the adjacent control stage of the main control group there is moving of the actuating member of the control group shiftable under load by means of the actuating member of the main control group automatically into the position occupied thereby at the start of the control operation.

Claim 5

A multiple speed range transmission for multi-stage-change-gear-shift operation with a main control group and a control group which is shiftable under load and adapted to precede as well as to follow the main control group and which has two forward stages with a step of progression which is considerably less, for instance half, than the step of progression in the main control group while having an input shaft and an output shaft, a plurality of gear sets interposed between said input shaft and output shaft, means for making said gear sets selectively effective for coupling said shafts together at respective drive ratios, a pair of power flow pressure means in parallel with each other and in serial arrangement with said gear sets and having respective drive ratios, a friction clutch operative in conjunction with each power flow pressure means, means for making said friction clutches selectively effective and ineffective, and an actuating member of the main control group shiftable so that when initiating a shifting operation from one control stage to an adjacent control stage of the main control group, said actuating member of the main control group automatically subdivides the step of progression of the main control group by a control step of the control group shiftable under load, and when shifting further to the next control stage of the main control group the interposed control stage is made ineffective.

Claim 6

A multiple speed range transmission for multi-stage-change-gear-shift operation with a main control group and a control group which is shiftable under load and adapted to precede as well as to follow the main control group and which has two forward stages with a step of progression which is considerably less, for instance half, than the step of progression in the main control group while having an input shaft and an output shaft, a plurality of gear sets interposed between said input shaft and output shaft, means for making said gear sets selectively effective for coupling said shafts together at respective drive ratios, a pair of power flow pressure means in parallel with each other and in serial arrangement with said gear sets and having respective drive ratios, a friction clutch operative in conjunction with each power flow pressure means, means for making said friction clutches selectively effective and ineffective, and an actuating member of the main control group shiftable so that when initiating a shifting operation from one control stage to an adjacent control stage of the main control group, said actuating member of the main control group automatically subdivides the step of progression of the main control group by a control step of the control group shiftable under load, and when shifting further to the next control stage of the main control group the interposed control stage is made ineffective.

Claim 7

A multiple speed range transmission according to claim 4, in which each friction clutch includes fluid operable actuating means, a source of fluid pressure, a shiftable multi-way control valve connected between said source of pressure and said fluid operable actuating means, the control group shiftable under load including a mechanically engageable additional reversing group while the control of a change in the driving direction is effected by said multi-way control valve.

Claim 8

A multiple speed range transmission according to claim 5, which includes a main control lever connected in controlling relation to said gear sets and shiftable for making said gear sets selectively effective, solenoid means associated with said control valve to effect the shifting thereof, a source of voltage, and circuit means connecting said source of voltage to said solenoids including switch means operated by shifting of said main control lever.

Claim 9

A multiple speed range transmission according to claim 6, in which said switch means includes a rotatably mounted plate having circumferentially spaced contact elements thereon and a contact arm tiltable on the axis of said plate having contact means to engage said contact elements and connected to said main control lever to be tilted thereby when said main control lever is shifted.

Claim 10

A multiple speed range transmission according to claim 7, which includes a control rod connected to said main control lever so as to be moveable therewith, said control rod being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the axis about which said main control lever is shiftable, and means coupling saId contact plate to said control rod.

Claim 11

A multiple speed range transmission according to claim 8, in which said contact plate has abutment elements engageable by said contact arm to limit the relative movement of said contact arm relative to said contact plate, and detent means for releasably retaining said contact plate in each of two extreme tilted positions thereof.

Claim 12

A multiple speed range transmission according to claim 6, in which one of said power flow paths includes reversing means, a shift lever operatively connected to said reversing means, and a reversing switch in said circuit means and operated by said shift lever.

Claim 13

A multiple speed range transmission according to claim 10, in which said reversing switch connects said source of voltage to said switch means when said shift lever is in forward position, a manual switch connected to said solenoids, and said reversing switch connecting said source of voltage to said manual switch when said shift lever is in reverse position.

Claim 14

A multiple speed range transmission according to claim 6, which includes a relay controlling the energization of each said solenoid, and said switch means includes a pair of control switches connected in controlling relation to each said relay.

Claim 15

A multiple speed range transmission according to claim 12, in which each control switch pertaining to one relay is grouped with a control switch pertaining to the other relay, the control switches of each group alternately opening and closing as said main control lever is shifted.

Claim 16

A multiple speed range transmission according to claim 13, which includes a reversing switch connected to said relays for the selective energization thereof, a further relay for making said reversing switch selectively effective and ineffective, and a manual switch controlling said further relay.

Claim 17

A multiple speed range transmission according to claim 14, in which said manual switch is connected to make said control switches ineffective simultaneously with making said reversing switch effective via said further relay and vice versa.

Claim 18

A multiple speed range transmission according to claim 15, in which said manual switch is mounted on said main control lever.