Patent US4246990A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4246990A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Remote control system for an automotive transmission in an earth-moving vehicle
Assignee: Komatsu America International Co
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Filing: 1979-01-02
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Granted: 1981-01-27
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Expires: 1999-01-02
Abstract
Abstract A remote control system for an automotive transmission in an earth-moving vehicle which includes a fluidic variable frequency oscillator having a variable feedback loop controlled by a quadrant lever which acts as a gear shift control. When the lever is moved between spaced transmission control positions, the frequency of the signal at the output is swept through the frequencies corresponding to intermediate control positions. The waveform of the output signal is non-symmetrical having a fixed "off" time and an "on" time which varies in length as an inverse function of the frequency. The output signal is fed to a fluidic transmitter, then through a pair of conduits to a fluidic receiver. The "on" output port of the receiver feeds into a manifold developing pressure therein which varies with the degree of dissymmetry of the wave, that is, inversely with frequency. A plurality of Schmitt triggers have their control ports connected to the manifold and have reference ports progressively biased so that pressure is produced at their output ports in succession. A power actuator of the progressive indexing type is connected to the Schmitt trigger output ports and is mechanically coupled to the gear shift member of the transmission to provide smooth transition through the gears regardless of the magnitude of the change in gear ratio. The lowest gear is interlocked with engine speed to prevent going into this gear when the engine speed is too high. The reverse gear is effectively interlocked with a forward motion detector to insure that the vehicle is at standstill before the transmission may shift into reverse.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence D. Strantz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:24
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/02; F16H61/0262; F16H2708/00; F16H2708/16; F16H2708/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/212
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
484 words
In a remote control system for an automotive transmission in an earth-moving vehicle or the like having a plurality of forward gears as well as neutral and reverse and a progressively movable gear shift member for selecting the same, the combination comprising a fluidic variable frequency oscillator having a variable feedback loop and a fixed feedback loop as well as a pair of on and off output ports, the variable feedback loop having both resistance and capacitance and having associated means including a manual quadrant lever for progressively varying at least one of them and settable at a plurality of successive transmission control positions so that when the quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the frequency of the signal at the output ports is swept through the frequencies corresponding to intermediate control positions, the waveform of the output signal being non-symmetrical having an "off" time which is substantially constant and an "on" time which varies in length inversely in accordance with frequency, a transmitter in the form of a bistable fluidic amplifier having a pair of control ports and a pair of on and off output ports, the transmitter control ports being directly coupled to the respective oscillator output ports, a receiver in the form of a second bistable amplifier having a pair of control ports and a pair of on and off output ports, a pair of conduits for connecting the output ports of the transmitter to the control ports of the receiver for remote driving of the latter with substantial preservation of the oscillator waveform, a manifold, the off output port of the receiver being vented while the on output port of the receiver is connected to the manifold for developing a pressure therein which varies inversely with the frequency of the signal at the receiver output port, a plurality of Schmitt triggers corresponding to respective transmission settings, each of the Schmitt triggers having a control input port, a reference input port, a vent, and an output port, the control input ports of all of the Schmitt triggers being connected to the manifold, means for applying biasing pressure to each of the reference ports with the biasing pressures being progressively stepped so that pressure is produced at the output ports of the Schmitt triggers in succession in step with progressive movement of the manual quadrant lever into successive control positions, and a power actuator of the progressive indexing type having a series of ports and a plunger, the actuator ports being connected to the output ports of the respective Schmitt triggers, and the plunger of the actuator having a connection to the gear shift member of the transmission so that when the manual quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the transmission selectively goes through the gears corresponding to all of the intermediate positions thereby to provide smooth transition regardless of the magnitude of the change in gear ratio.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
484 words
In a remote control system for an automotive transmission in an earth-moving vehicle or the like having a plurality of forward gears as well as neutral and reverse and a progressively movable gear shift member for selecting the same, the combination comprising a fluidic variable frequency oscillator having a variable feedback loop and a fixed feedback loop as well as a pair of on and off output ports, the variable feedback loop having both resistance and capacitance and having associated means including a manual quadrant lever for progressively varying at least one of them and settable at a plurality of successive transmission control positions so that when the quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the frequency of the signal at the output ports is swept through the frequencies corresponding to intermediate control positions, the waveform of the output signal being non-symmetrical having an "off" time which is substantially constant and an "on" time which varies in length inversely in accordance with frequency, a transmitter in the form of a bistable fluidic amplifier having a pair of control ports and a pair of on and off output ports, the transmitter control ports being directly coupled to the respective oscillator output ports, a receiver in the form of a second bistable amplifier having a pair of control ports and a pair of on and off output ports, a pair of conduits for connecting the output ports of the transmitter to the control ports of the receiver for remote driving of the latter with substantial preservation of the oscillator waveform, a manifold, the off output port of the receiver being vented while the on output port of the receiver is connected to the manifold for developing a pressure therein which varies inversely with the frequency of the signal at the receiver output port, a plurality of Schmitt triggers corresponding to respective transmission settings, each of the Schmitt triggers having a control input port, a reference input port, a vent, and an output port, the control input ports of all of the Schmitt triggers being connected to the manifold, means for applying biasing pressure to each of the reference ports with the biasing pressures being progressively stepped so that pressure is produced at the output ports of the Schmitt triggers in succession in step with progressive movement of the manual quadrant lever into successive control positions, and a power actuator of the progressive indexing type having a series of ports and a plunger, the actuator ports being connected to the output ports of the respective Schmitt triggers, and the plunger of the actuator having a connection to the gear shift member of the transmission so that when the manual quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the transmission selectively goes through the gears corresponding to all of the intermediate positions thereby to provide smooth transition regardless of the magnitude of the change in gear ratio.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
369 words
In a control system for an automotive transmission in an earth-moving vehicle or the like having a plurality of forward gears as well as neutral and reverse and a progressively movable gear shift member for selecting the same, the combination comprising a fluidic variable frequency oscillator means having a variable feedback loop and a fixed feedback loop as well as a pair of on and off output ports, the variable feedback loop having a variable impedance, means including a manual quadrant lever for progressively varying the impedance and settable at a plurality of successive transmission control positions so that when the quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the frequency of the signal at the output ports is swept through the frequencies corresponding to intermediate control positions, the waveform of the output signal being non-symmetrical having an "off" time which is substantially constant and an "on" time which varies in length inversely in accordance with frequency, a manifold, the on output port being coupled to the manifold for developing a pressure therein which varies depending upon the frequency of the signal, a plurality of Schmitt triggers corresponding to respective transmission settings, each of the Schmitt triggers having a control input port, a reference input port, a vent, and an output port, the control input ports of all of the Schmitt triggers being connected to the manifold, means for applying biasing pressure fluid to each of the reference ports with the biasing pressure being progressively stepped so that pressure fluid is produced at the output ports of the Schmitt triggers in cumulative succession in step with progressive movement of the manual quadrant lever into successive control positions, and a power actuator of the progressive indexing type having a series of ports and a plunger, the actuator ports being respectively connected to the output ports of the respective Schmitt trigger devices, and the plunger of the actuator having a connection to the gear shift member of the transmission so that when the manual quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the transmission selectively goes through the gears corresponding to all of the intermediate positions thereby to provide smooth transition regardless of the magnitude of the change in gear ratio.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
369 words
In a control system for an automotive transmission in an earth-moving vehicle or the like having a plurality of forward gears as well as neutral and reverse and a progressively movable gear shift member for selecting the same, the combination comprising a fluidic variable frequency oscillator means having a variable feedback loop and a fixed feedback loop as well as a pair of on and off output ports, the variable feedback loop having a variable impedance, means including a manual quadrant lever for progressively varying the impedance and settable at a plurality of successive transmission control positions so that when the quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the frequency of the signal at the output ports is swept through the frequencies corresponding to intermediate control positions, the waveform of the output signal being non-symmetrical having an "off" time which is substantially constant and an "on" time which varies in length inversely in accordance with frequency, a manifold, the on output port being coupled to the manifold for developing a pressure therein which varies depending upon the frequency of the signal, a plurality of Schmitt triggers corresponding to respective transmission settings, each of the Schmitt triggers having a control input port, a reference input port, a vent, and an output port, the control input ports of all of the Schmitt triggers being connected to the manifold, means for applying biasing pressure fluid to each of the reference ports with the biasing pressure being progressively stepped so that pressure fluid is produced at the output ports of the Schmitt triggers in cumulative succession in step with progressive movement of the manual quadrant lever into successive control positions, and a power actuator of the progressive indexing type having a series of ports and a plunger, the actuator ports being respectively connected to the output ports of the respective Schmitt trigger devices, and the plunger of the actuator having a connection to the gear shift member of the transmission so that when the manual quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the transmission selectively goes through the gears corresponding to all of the intermediate positions thereby to provide smooth transition regardless of the magnitude of the change in gear ratio.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
449 words
In a control system for an automotive transmission in an earth-moving vehicle or the like having a plurality of forward gears as well as neutral and reverse and a progressively movable gear shift member for selecting the same, the combination comprising a fluidic oscillator having first and second feedback loops as well as a pair of on and off output ports alternately pressurized at the operating frequency, means including a manual quadrant lever for progressively varying the impedance of at least one of the loops and settable at a plurality of successive transmission control positions so that when the quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the dissymmetry of the waveform of the output signal is progressively varied thereby to vary the ratio of on time with respect to off time, a transmitter in the form of a bistable fluidic amplifier having a pair of control ports and a pair of on and off output ports, the transmitter having at least one of its control ports coupled to the respective oscillator output port, a receiver in the form of a second bistable amplifier having a pair of control ports and a pair of on and off output ports, a pair of conduits for connecting the output ports of the transmitter to the inlet ports of the receiver for control of the latter with substantial preservation of the oscillator waveform, a manifold, the on output port of the receiver being connected to the manifold for developing a pressure therein which varies with the dissymmetry of the signal at the receiver on output port, a plurality of Schmitt triggers corresponding to respective transmission setting, each of the Schmitt triggers having a control input port, a reference input port, a vent, and an output port, the control input ports of all of the Schmitt triggers being connected to the manifold, means for applying biasing pressure fluid to each of the reference ports with the biasing pressures being progressively stepped so that pressure fluid is produced at the output ports of the Schmitt triggers in cumulative succession in step with progressive movement of the manual quadrant lever into successive control positions, and a power actuator of the progressive indexing type having a series of ports and a plunger, the actuator ports being respectively connected to the output ports of the respective Schmitt triggers, and the plunger of the actuator having a connection to the gear shift member of the transmission so that when the manual quadrant lever is moved betweeh spaced control positions the transmission selectively goes through the gears corresponding to all of the intermediate positions thereby to provide smooth transition regardless of the magnitude of the change in gear ratio.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
449 words
In a control system for an automotive transmission in an earth-moving vehicle or the like having a plurality of forward gears as well as neutral and reverse and a progressively movable gear shift member for selecting the same, the combination comprising a fluidic oscillator having first and second feedback loops as well as a pair of on and off output ports alternately pressurized at the operating frequency, means including a manual quadrant lever for progressively varying the impedance of at least one of the loops and settable at a plurality of successive transmission control positions so that when the quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the dissymmetry of the waveform of the output signal is progressively varied thereby to vary the ratio of on time with respect to off time, a transmitter in the form of a bistable fluidic amplifier having a pair of control ports and a pair of on and off output ports, the transmitter having at least one of its control ports coupled to the respective oscillator output port, a receiver in the form of a second bistable amplifier having a pair of control ports and a pair of on and off output ports, a pair of conduits for connecting the output ports of the transmitter to the inlet ports of the receiver for control of the latter with substantial preservation of the oscillator waveform, a manifold, the on output port of the receiver being connected to the manifold for developing a pressure therein which varies with the dissymmetry of the signal at the receiver on output port, a plurality of Schmitt triggers corresponding to respective transmission setting, each of the Schmitt triggers having a control input port, a reference input port, a vent, and an output port, the control input ports of all of the Schmitt triggers being connected to the manifold, means for applying biasing pressure fluid to each of the reference ports with the biasing pressures being progressively stepped so that pressure fluid is produced at the output ports of the Schmitt triggers in cumulative succession in step with progressive movement of the manual quadrant lever into successive control positions, and a power actuator of the progressive indexing type having a series of ports and a plunger, the actuator ports being respectively connected to the output ports of the respective Schmitt triggers, and the plunger of the actuator having a connection to the gear shift member of the transmission so that when the manual quadrant lever is moved betweeh spaced control positions the transmission selectively goes through the gears corresponding to all of the intermediate positions thereby to provide smooth transition regardless of the magnitude of the change in gear ratio.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
311 words
In a control system for an automotive transmission in an earth-moving vehicle or the like having a plurality of forward gears as well as neutral and reverse and a progressively movable gear shift member for selecting the same, the combination comprising a fluidic oscillator having an on output port which is periodically pressurized at the frequency of the oscillator, the oscillator having adjusting means for varying the proportion of the time that the port is turned on during each period, means including a manual quadrant lever coupled to the adjusting means and settable at a plurality of successive transmission control positions, a manifold, the output port being coupled to the manifold for developing a pressure therein which varies in accordance with the proportion of on time, a plurality of Schmitt triggers corresponding to respective transmission settings, each of the Schmitt triggers having a control input port, a reference input port, an output port, and a vent, the control input ports of all of the triggers being connected to the manifold, means for applying biasing pressure fluid to each of the reference ports with the biasing pressure being progressively stepped so that pressure fluid is produced at the output ports of the Schmitt triggers in cumulative succession in step with progressive movement of the manual quadrant lever into successive control positions, and a power actuator of the progressive indexing type having a series of ports and a plunger, the actuator ports being respectively connected to the output ports of the respective Schmitt triggers, and the plunger of the actuator having a connection to the gear shift member of the transmission so that when the manual quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the transmission selectively goes through the gears corresponding to all of the intermediate positions thereby to provide smooth transition regardless of the magnitude of the change in gear ratio.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
311 words
In a control system for an automotive transmission in an earth-moving vehicle or the like having a plurality of forward gears as well as neutral and reverse and a progressively movable gear shift member for selecting the same, the combination comprising a fluidic oscillator having an on output port which is periodically pressurized at the frequency of the oscillator, the oscillator having adjusting means for varying the proportion of the time that the port is turned on during each period, means including a manual quadrant lever coupled to the adjusting means and settable at a plurality of successive transmission control positions, a manifold, the output port being coupled to the manifold for developing a pressure therein which varies in accordance with the proportion of on time, a plurality of Schmitt triggers corresponding to respective transmission settings, each of the Schmitt triggers having a control input port, a reference input port, an output port, and a vent, the control input ports of all of the triggers being connected to the manifold, means for applying biasing pressure fluid to each of the reference ports with the biasing pressure being progressively stepped so that pressure fluid is produced at the output ports of the Schmitt triggers in cumulative succession in step with progressive movement of the manual quadrant lever into successive control positions, and a power actuator of the progressive indexing type having a series of ports and a plunger, the actuator ports being respectively connected to the output ports of the respective Schmitt triggers, and the plunger of the actuator having a connection to the gear shift member of the transmission so that when the manual quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the transmission selectively goes through the gears corresponding to all of the intermediate positions thereby to provide smooth transition regardless of the magnitude of the change in gear ratio.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
346 words
In a control system for an automotive transmission in an earth-moving vehicle or the like having a plurality of forward gears as well as neutral and reverse and a progressively movable gear shift member for selecting the same, the combination comprising a fluidic oscillator having an output port and first and second feedback loops, each loop having impedance means for determining the length of one-half of a complete oscillatory wave, means for adjusting the impedance means in at least one of the loops to produce a non-symmetric waveform, the adjusting means including a manual quadrant lever settable at a plurality of successive transmission control positions so that when the quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the dissymmetry of the signal at the output port is swept through conditions corresponding to intermediate control positions, a manifold, the output port being coupled to the manifold for developing of pressure therein which depends upon the degree of dissymmetry of the waveform, a plurality of Schmitt triggers corresponding to respective transmission settings, each of the Schmitt triggers having a control input port, a reference port, a vent, and an output port, the control input ports of all of the Schmitt triggers being connected to the manifold, means for applying biasing pressure fluid to each of the reference ports with the biasing pressure being progressively stepped so that a pressure fluid condition is produced at the output ports of the Schmitt triggers in cumulative succession in accordance with progressive movement of the manual quadrant lever into successive control positions, and a power actuator of the progressive indexing type having a series of ports and a plunger, the actuator ports being connected to the output ports of the respective Schmitt triggers and the plunger of the actuator having a connection to the gear shift member of the transmission so that when the manual quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the transmission is shifted through the gears corresponding to all of the intermediate control positions thereby to provide smooth transition regardless of the magnitude of change of gear ratio.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
346 words
In a control system for an automotive transmission in an earth-moving vehicle or the like having a plurality of forward gears as well as neutral and reverse and a progressively movable gear shift member for selecting the same, the combination comprising a fluidic oscillator having an output port and first and second feedback loops, each loop having impedance means for determining the length of one-half of a complete oscillatory wave, means for adjusting the impedance means in at least one of the loops to produce a non-symmetric waveform, the adjusting means including a manual quadrant lever settable at a plurality of successive transmission control positions so that when the quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the dissymmetry of the signal at the output port is swept through conditions corresponding to intermediate control positions, a manifold, the output port being coupled to the manifold for developing of pressure therein which depends upon the degree of dissymmetry of the waveform, a plurality of Schmitt triggers corresponding to respective transmission settings, each of the Schmitt triggers having a control input port, a reference port, a vent, and an output port, the control input ports of all of the Schmitt triggers being connected to the manifold, means for applying biasing pressure fluid to each of the reference ports with the biasing pressure being progressively stepped so that a pressure fluid condition is produced at the output ports of the Schmitt triggers in cumulative succession in accordance with progressive movement of the manual quadrant lever into successive control positions, and a power actuator of the progressive indexing type having a series of ports and a plunger, the actuator ports being connected to the output ports of the respective Schmitt triggers and the plunger of the actuator having a connection to the gear shift member of the transmission so that when the manual quadrant lever is moved between spaced control positions the transmission is shifted through the gears corresponding to all of the intermediate control positions thereby to provide smooth transition regardless of the magnitude of change of gear ratio.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 including an engine speed responsive interlock device, the interlock device being connected to the Schmitt trigger associated with the first gear setting of the gear shift member for inhibiting movement of the gear shift member out of the neutral setting into the first gear setting as long as the engine is running at an excessive speed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
163 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 including an engine speed responsive interlock device, a speed transducer coupled to the engine for producing a reference speed signal in the form of a fluid pressure which varies in accordance with the speed of the engine, the interlock device being in the form of a bistable element having a control input port, a reference input port, on and off output ports, and a supply port, the supply port and the control input port being coupled to the output port of the Schmitt trigger corresponding to first gear, the on output port being connected to the corresponding actuator port, and the reference input port being coupled to the transducer so that the quadrant lever, upon being moved into or through its first gear position is capable of shifting the transmission into first gear only when the engine speed is at a suitably low level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 including a vehicle forward motion interlock device, the interlock device being connected to the Schmitt trigger associated with the neutral setting of the gear shift member for inhibiting movement of the gear shift member out of the neutral setting into the reverse gear setting as long as the vehicle is in forward motion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
135 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 including a vehicle motion interlock device, the interlock device including a forward motion detector and a bistable fluidic element having a control input port, a reference input port, on and off output ports, and a supply port, the supply port and the control input port being connected to the output port of the Schmitt trigger corresponding to the reverse gear, the on output port being connected to the neutral actuator port, and the reference input port being coupled to the detector so that the quadrant lever upon being moved into reverse gear is enabled to shift the transmission into reverse gear only when the motion detector indicates that the vehicle has come to a substantial standstill.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
157 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5 including a vehicle motion interlock device, the interlock device including a bistable fluidic element having a control input port, a reference input port, on and off input ports and a supply port, the control input port being connected to the output port of a Schmitt trigger corresponding to the reverse gear, the on output port being connected to the neutral actuator port, a forward motion detector in the form of a brake sensor arranged to produce an output signal when the brake is fully applied, the reference input port being connected to respond to the brake sensor so that the quadrant lever upon being moved into reverse gear is enabled to shift the transmission into reverse gear only when the brake sensor has produced an output signal thereby indicating that the vehicle has come to a substantial standstill.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
The combination as claimed in claim 5 in which the manual quadrant lever is coupled to the impedance means in both of the feedback loops for simultaneous variation thereof in opposite directions but to equal degree so as to provide a wide variation in the dissymmetry of the oscillatory wave while preserving the frequency of the wave substantially constant.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-01-27 | 1984-07-28 | 1985-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-27 | 1988-07-28 | 1989-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-27 | 1992-07-28 | 1993-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |