TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure, in general, relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a multi-speed transmission of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a gear shifting mechanism for a multi-speed odd gated transmission which is converted from a multi-speed even gated transmission.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Generally, a multi-speed gearboxes are employed in vehicles for catering different torque requirement based on terrain. Usually in such gearboxes, gears are manually shifted by an occupant or an operator of the vehicle in a double-H shift pattern. Based on type of the vehicles, different capacity multi-speed gearboxes are used. Developing, different multi-speed gearboxes based on the type of vehicles would lead to increasing the cost of design, manufacturing and resulting in escalating the cost of vehicle, which is undesired.

Considering this, technique of converting a higher multi-speed gearbox into a lower multi-speed gearbox has been evolved. However, such conversion would lead to a different shifting pattern than a convenient double-H shift pattern, which caused inconvenience to the operator, as it perplexes the operator during quick shifting of the gears for applications including, but not limited to, down shift for braking applications, retardation of the vehicle, and the like, which may inadvertently cause loss of control over the vehicle.

Present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the known arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a mechanism and an assembly as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a gear shifting mechanism for a multispeed odd gated transmission converted from a multi-speed even gated transmission is disclosed. The mechanism includes a first shifter dog connected to a first shifter rail and adapted to displace the first shifter rail between a first position and a second position. Further, a second shifter dog connected to a second shifter rail and a third shifter rail and adapted to displace the second shifter rail between the intermediate position and the first position. Additionally, a third shifter dog is connected to a third shifter rail and adapted to displace the third shifter rail between the intermediate position and the first position. Further, the mechanism includes a plunger defined with a shaft and a body extending laterally from the shaft. The shaft is positioned integral to the second shifter dog and the body is positioned within a slot defined in the third shifter rail and second shifter dog. The plunger is operable between a depressed condition and a retracted condition relative to displacement of a shift finger. Furthermore, the plunger in the depressed condition, is configured to selectively contact the slot to displace the third shifter rail from the intermediate position to the second position, relative to the position or displacement of a shift finger. The mechanism enables shifting of the multi-speed odd gated transmission converted from the multi-speed even gated transmission in a conventional shift pattern.

In an embodiment, the first shifter rail in the first position corresponds to a first gear engagement and the first shifter rail in the second position corresponds to a second gear engagement.

In an embodiment, the second shifter rail in the first position corresponds to a third gear engagement.

In an embodiment, the third shifter rail in the first position corresponds to a fifth gear engagement and the third shifter rail in the second position corresponds to a fourth gear engagement.

In an embodiment, the second shifter dog is a combination dog defined with a first cavity to movably receive the second shifter rail and a second cavity to movably receive the third shifter rail.

In an embodiment, the mechanism includes a first clip positioned adjacent to the second shifter dog on the second shifter rail and is adapted to contact the second shifter dog to displace the second shifter rail from the intermediate position to the first position. The first clip enables displacement of the second shifter rail even when the second shifter dog is movably disposed over the second shifter rail.

In an embodiment, the first shifter dog, the second shifter dog, the third shifter dog and a fourth shifter dog are defined with at least one protrusion, the at least one protrusion is adapted to contact the shift finger for displacing the plurality shifter rails between the intermediate position and first position, and between the intermediate position and the second position.

In an embodiment, the mechanism includes at least one resilient member which is disposed in the second shifter dog. The at least one resilient member is structured to provide biasing force to operate the plunger between the depressed condition and the retracted condition corresponding to displacement of the shift finger.

In an embodiment, the body of the plunger is defined with a projection and a flat surface adapted to contact the shift finger. The shift finger is adapted to contact the projection and operate the plunger against a biasing force of the at least one resilient member to the depressed condition to position the body of the plunger within the slot.

In an embodiment, the plunger in the depressed condition abuts a face of the slot and displaces the third shifter rail to the second position from the intermediate position, corresponding to displacement of the second shifter dog.

In an embodiment, the shift finger slides in a direction away from the projection for operating the plunger from the depressed condition to the retracted condition and enables displacement of the third shifter rail from the intermediate position to the first position corresponding to displacement of the third shifter dog.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a gear shifting assembly for a multispeed odd gated transmission converted from a multi-speed even gated transmission is disclosed. The assembly includes a gear shift lever which is disposed in a passenger cabin of the vehicle. The assembly also includes a shift finger which is operably coupled to an end of the gear shift lever. Further, the assembly includes a gear shifting mechanism. The gear shifting mechanism includes a first shifter dog connected to a first shifter rail and adapted to displace the first shifter rail between a first position and a second position. Further, the mechanism includes a second shifter dog connected to a second shifter rail and a third shifter rail and adapted to displace the second shifter rail between the intermediate position and the first position. Additionally, the mechanism includes a third shifter dog is connected to a third shifter rail and adapted to displace the third shifter rail between the intermediate position and the first position. Further, the mechanism includes a plunger defined with a shaft and a body extending laterally from the shaft. The shaft is positioned integral to the second shifter dog and the body is positioned within a slot defined in the third shifter rail. The plunger is operable between a depressed condition and a retracted condition relative to displacement of a shift finger. Furthermore, the plunger in the depressed condition, is configured to selectively contact the slot to displace the third shifter rail from the intermediate position to the second position, relative to the position of a shift finger. Furthermore, the assembly includes a plurality of shifter forks operably coupled to each of the shifter rails and are configured to engage a corresponding gear based on displacement of the shifter rails. The assembly and the mechanism enables shifting of the multi-speed odd gated transmission converted from the multi-speed even gated transmission in a conventional shift pattern.

In an embodiment, the transmission is an odd number geared gearbox, operable in a dog-leg gear shift layout.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a gear shifting mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a gear shifting layout/gate pattern facilitated by the gear shifting mechanism of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the gear shifting mechanism of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a second shifter dog of the gear shifting mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a plunger in the gear shifting mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 illustrates a sectional front view of the gear shifting mechanism of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a shift finger received in the gear shifting mechanism and a body of the plunger in a slot defined in a third shifter rail, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8a illustrates a perspective view of the gear shifting mechanism during gear shifting to a third gear, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8b illustrates a sectional front view of the gear shifting mechanism during gear shifting to the third gear, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9a illustrates a perspective view of the gear shifting mechanism during gear shifting to a fourth gear, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9b illustrates a sectional front view of the gear shifting mechanism during gear shifting to the fourth gear, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10a illustrates a perspective view of the gear shifting mechanism during gear shifting to a fifth gear, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 10b illustrates a sectional front view of the gear shifting mechanism during gear shifting to the fifth gear, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. Ila illustrates a sectional top view of a key and a groove arrangement in the plurality of shifter rails, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11b illustrates a sectional top view of the second shifter rail and the third shifter rail during third gear shifting, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11c illustrates a sectional top view of the second shifter rail and the third shifter rail during fourth gear shifting, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system and method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which forms the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other mechanisms, devices, systems and assemblies for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusions, such that a mechanism, assembly, system or a device that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such mechanism or assembly. In other words, one or more elements in a mechanism or assembly proceeded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the mechanism or assembly.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figs. 1- 11c.

Fig. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a gear shifting mechanism (100) which may be employed in a multi-speed odd gated transmission of a vehicle which may be converted from a multi-speed even gated transmission. It should be noted that the odd gates and the even gates of the transmission referred herein corresponds to gear gates associated with forward motion gears that are engaged by moving a gear lever in the forward/reverse motion to engage the gears of the transmission. For illustrative purpose, a 5 speed transmission with 5 gear gates has been depicted in the Figs, however, this should not be considered as a limitation as any other odd number of gear gates may be operated by the gear shifting mechanism (100). Further, the transmission being referred to in the Figs, may correspond to a 5 -speed transmission which may be converted from a 6-speed transmission which has an even gate configuration. The shift pattern or layout for shifting the gears in the 5 speed transmission has been illustrated in Fig. 2 which corresponds to a dog leg shift pattern or a double-H shifting pattern, defined with 5 (odd number) gates for operating the forward gears.

The gear shifting mechanism (100) may be an integral part of a gear shifting assembly of the vehicle. The gear shifting assembly [hereafter referred to as assembly] may include a gear shift lever [not shown in Figs]. The gear shift lever may be disposed in a cabin of the vehicle, which may be actuated by the operator for changing gears in the multi-speed transmission. The present disclosure has been described with respect to a 5 -speed transmission which has been converted from a 6-speed transmission. However, the same cannot be construed as a limitation, since the gear shifting mechanism (100) of the present disclosure may be adapted in any multi-speed transmission, which is converted from a subsequent multi-speed transmission.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 6, the multi-speed transmission having the assembly may include a shift finger (5) which may be operably coupled to an end of the gear shift lever. The shift finger (5) may be adapted to displace relative to actuation of the gear shift lever by the operator. The shift finger (5) may be configured to operate the gear shifting mechanism (100) [hereafter referred to as mechanism (100)] to change (thus, upshifting or downshifting) of the gears in the multi-speed transmission.

Referring back to Figs. 1 and 3, the mechanism in the multi-speed transmission may include a plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14). The plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14) may be coupled to a plurality of shifter forks (6). The plurality of shifter forks (6) may be configured to engage a corresponding gear in the multi-speed transmission, based on displacement of the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14). In an embodiment, the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14) may be adapted to be displaced between an intermediate position (IP) and a first position (FP), and between the intermediate position (IP) and a second position (SP). In an embodiment, the intermediate position (IP) may correspond to a neutral condition of the multi-speed transmission and the first position (FP) or the second position (SP) may correspond to in-gear condition of the multi-speed transmission. In an illustrative embodiment, the mechanism (100) includes four shifter dogs that may be connected to four shifter rails. The plurality of shifter dogs (1, 2, 3, 4) may be defined with at least one protrusion (23) [as seen in Fig. 4] at each lateral end of the plurality of shifter dogs (1, 2, 3, 4). The at least one protrusion (23) may extend away from a surface of the plurality of shifter dogs (1, 2, 3, 4) relative to each of the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14), and may define a space or a void space between the at least one protrusion (23) of the plurality of shifter dogs (1, 2, 3, 4) which may be adapted to receive the shift finger (5). The shift finger (5) may be adapted to contact or abut the at least one protrusions (23) defined on each of the plurality of shifter dogs (1, 2, 3, 4) to displace the plurality of shifter dogs (1, 2, 3, 4) between the intermediate position (IP), the first position (FP) and the second position (SP), relative to displacement of the gear shift lever. In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) may include a pair of interlock fingers (32) [as seen in Fig. 6] which may extend adjacent to the shift finger (5). In an embodiment, each of the pair of interlock fingers (32) may extend on each side of the shift finger (5). The pair of interlock fingers (32) may rigidly reside in the void space between the at least one protrusion (23) of the plurality of shifter dogs (1, 2, 3, 4) which may be adapted to receive the shift finger (5). The pair of interlock fingers (32) may be configured to arrest displacement of the other shifter dogs which may not be operated by the shift finger (5) upon contact of the shift finger (5) with the at least one protrusions (23) defined on each of the plurality of shifter dogs (1, 2, 3, 4).

Further referring to Fig. 1, the mechanism (100) may include a first shifter dog (1) which may be coupled rigidly to a first shifter rail (11). The first shifter dog (1) may be adapted to displace the first shifter rail (11) between the intermediate position (IP) and the first position (FP), between the intermediate position (IP) and the second position (SP) relative to displacement of the shift finger (5). In an embodiment, the first shifter rail (11) in the first position (FP) may correspond to engagement of first gear and the first shifter rail (11) in the second position (SP) may correspond to an engagement of second gear. Further, the mechanism (100) may include a second shifter dog (2) which may be movably coupled with the second shifter rail (12) and a third shifter rail (13). In an embodiment, the second shifter dog (2) may be a combination dog [as seen in Fig. 4] which may be defined with a first cavity (24) to movably receive the second shifter rail (12) and a second cavity (25) to movably receive the third shifter rail (13). The second shifter dog (2) may be adapted to displace the second shifter rail (12) between the intermediate position (IP) and the first position (FP) relative to operation of the shift finger (5). In an embodiment, the second shifter rail (12) in the first position (FP) may correspond to engagement of the third gear. In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) may include a first clip (9) which may be radially disposed on the second shifter rail (12), adjacent to the second shifter dog (2). The second shifter dog (2) is configured to contact the first clip (9), which may facilitate in displacing the second shifter rail (12) from the intermediate position (IP) to the first position (FP).

Referring now to Figs. 3-6, the mechanism (100) may include a plunger (15), which may be operable between a depressed condition and retracted condition corresponding to displacement of the shift finger (5). The plunger (15) may be defined with a shaft (16) and a body (17) which may extend laterally from the shaft (16). The shaft (16) of the plunger (15) may be positioned on the second shifter dog (2) or may be positioned within the second shifter dog (2). In an embodiment, the second shifter dog (2) may be defined with a hole to receive and accommodate the shaft (16) of the plunger (15). Further, the body (17) of the plunger (15) may be adapted to be movably positioned within a slot (21), defined in a portion the third shifter rail (13). Additionally, the mechanism (100) may include at least one resilient member (20), which may be disposed in the second shifter dog (2). The at least one resilient member (20) may contact the plunger (15) and exert a biasing force on the plunger (15). The at least one resilient member (20) may facilitate in operation of the plunger (15) between the depressed condition and the retracted condition, relative to displacement of the shift finger (5). In an embodiment, in the depressed condition, the body (17) of the plunger (15) may be accommodated within the slot (21) defined in the third shifter rail (13). Further, in the retracted condition the body (17) of the plunger (15) may be positioned away from the slot (21) defined in the third shifter rail (13). Additionally, as seen in Figs. 5 and 6, the body (17) of the plunger (15) may be defined with a projection (18) and a flat surface (19) which may extend from the projection (18) and may be defined on a top surface of the body (17).The shift finger (5) may contact the projection (18) on the body (17) when positioned in the space defined between the at least one protrusion (23) of the second shifter dog (2), and may be disposed over or positioned over the flat surface (19) on the body (17) when displaced away from the space defined between the at least one protrusion (23) in the second shifter dog (2). Upon contact between the shift finger (5) and the projection (18) on the body (17), the plunger (15) may displace from the retracted condition to the depressed condition against the biasing force of the at least one resilient member (20) and reside in the slot (21) defined in the third shifter rail (13). The body (17) of the plunger (15) in the slot (21) may facilitate displacement of the third shifter rail (13) between the intermediate position (IP) and the second position (SP) corresponding to displacement of the second shifter dog (2), relative to displacement of the shift finger (5). In an embodiment, the third shifter rail (13) in the second position (SP) may correspond to engaging of the fourth gear. This configuration and operation of the second shifter dog (2) and the plunger (15) aids in adapting a double H shift pattern or a dog leg shift pattern in the converted gearbox. That is movement of the shift finger (5) in the second shifter dog (2) causes the fourth gear engagement which is coupled to the third shifter rail (13) and hence aids in replicating widely accepted double H pattern or the dog leg shift pattern, which is convenient in changing gears thereby enhancing user or operator convenience. Furthermore, as seen in Fig. 6, in an embodiment, the mechanism (100) may include a plunger clip (26) which may be provisioned proximal to an end of the shaft ( 16) of the plunger (15). The plunger clip (26) may be adapted to restrict displacement of the plunger (15) beyond the retracted condition due to the biasing force exerted by the at least one resilient member (20).

Referring now to Fig. 7, the mechanism (100) may include a third shifter dog (3) which may be connected rigidly to the third shifter rail (13). In an embodiment, the third shifter dog (3) may be made of two separate portions, that is, the third shifter dog (3) may be defined with a fork member (7) positioned on the third shifter rail (13) and a pin member (8) positioned opposite to the fork member (7) on the third shifter rail (13). The third shifter dog (3) may also be defined with the space between the fork member (7) and the pin member (8) to receive the shift finger (5). As an example, the fork member (7) may be defined with a U-profile, a C-profile, an Lprofile or any geometrical profile and the like based as per requirement relative to the construction of the multispeed transmission. Further, the third shifter dog (3) may be adapted to displace the third shifter rail (13) between the intermediate position (IP) and the first position (FP) relative to displacement of the shift finger (5). In an embodiment, the third shifter rail (13) in the first position (FP) may correspond to engaging of the fifth gear. Referring back to Fig. 1, the mechanism (100) may include a fourth shifter dog (4) which may be rigidly connected to a fourth shifter rail (14). The fourth shifter dog (4) may be adapted to displace the fourth shifter rail (14) between the intermediate position (IP) and the first position (FP) or the second position (SP) relative to displacement of the shift finger (5). In an embodiment, the fourth shifter rail (14) in the first position (FP) or the second position (SP) may correspond to a reverse gear engagement in the multi-speed transmission based on transmission layout or gear positioning in the multi-speed transmission.

It should be noted that in an illustrated embodiment as seen in Figs, the mechanism (100) includes four shifter dogs, and the same cannot be construed as a limitation since the number of shifter dogs may depend on the type multi-speed transmission.

In an operational embodiment, upon operating the gear shift lever by the operator into a first gear gate, the shift finger (5) may abut one of the at least one protrusion (23) which may be defined on the first shifter dog (1) and may displace the first shifter dog (1) and the first shifter rail (11) from the intermediate position (IP) (which corresponds to neutral condition of the transmission) to the first position (FP). The first shifter rail (11) in the first position (FP) may engage the corresponding shifter fork (6) of the plurality of shifter forks (6) with the first gear of the multi-speed transmission. Further, upon operating the gear shift lever by the vehicle operator into a second gear gate, the shift finger (5) may abut the other at least one protrusion (23) defined on the first shifter dog (1) and may displace the first shifter dog (1) and the first shifter rail (11) from the intermediate position (IP) to the second position (SP). The first shifter rail (11) in the second position (SP) may engage the corresponding shifter fork (6) of the plurality of shifter forks (6) with the second gear. Referring now to Figs. 8a and 8b, upon operating the gear shift lever by the vehicle operator into the second gear gate for engaging with the third gear, the shift finger (5) may initially, contacts the projection (18) which may be defined on the plunger (15) and may displace the plunger (15) from the retracted condition into the depressed condition. Upon displacing the plunger (15) into the depressed condition, the shift finger (5) may abut one of the at least one protrusion (23) of the second shifter dog (2) and may displace the second shifter dog (2) from the intermediate position (IP) to the first position (FP). The displacement of the second shifter dog (2) in towards the first position (FP) may facilitate contact between the second shifter dog (2) and the first clip (9), disposed radially on the second shifter rail (12). The contact between the second shifter dog (2) and the first clip (9) may displace the second shifter rail (12) to the first position (FP). The second shifter rail (12) in the first position (FP) may engage the corresponding shifter fork of the plurality of shifter forks (6) with the third gear. In an embodiment, the body (17) of the plunger (15) may be adapted to slide within the slot (21) defined on the third shifter rail (13) corresponding to displacement of the second shifter dog (2) from the intermediate position (IP) to the first position (FP).

Referring now to Figs. 9a and 9b, upon operating the gear shift lever for fourth gear engagement by the operator, the shift finger (5) may abut the other at least one protrusion (23) defined on the second shifter dog (2) and may displace the second shifter dog (2) from the intermediate position (IP) to the second position (SP). The second shifter dog (2) may be adapted to slide over the second shifter rail (12) without displacing the second shifter rail (12) from the intermediate position (IP). Further, displacement of the second shifter dog (2) from the intermediate position (IP) to the second position (SP) may displace the body (17) of the plunger (15) within the slot (21) of the third shifter rail (13) to contact a face (22) of the slot (21) and displace the third shifter rail (13) from the intermediate position (IP) to the second position (SP). The third shifter rail (13) in the second position (SP) may engage the corresponding shifter fork (6) of the plurality of shifter forks (6) with the fourth gear. This way, the fourth gear may be engaged by merely shifting the gear shift lever in a straight line without having to shift between gates associated with the different shifter rails of the multi-speed transmission. Further, referring now to Figs. 10a and 10b, upon operating the gear shift lever from the fourth gear gate to the fifth gear gate, the shift finger (5) may slide in a direction away from the projection (18) that may be defined on the body (17) of the plunger (15), for operating the plunger (15) from the depressed condition to the retracted condition. Upon sliding of the shift finger (5) away from the projection (18), the shift finger (5) may be positioned in the space between the fork member (7) and the pin member (8) of the third shifter dog (3) and may abut the fork member (7) to displace the third shifter dog (3) and the third shifter rail (13) from the intermediate position (IP) to the first position (FP). The third shifter rail (13) in the first position (FP) may engage the corresponding shifter fork (6) of the plurality of shifter forks (6) with the fifth gear. This way, fifth gear may be engaged by shifting the gear shift lever in a dog leg pattern as in a conventional 5 -speed transmission.

It should be noted that in an exemplary embodiment, as seen in the Figs. 9a-10b the shifting pattern may vary according to driving conditions of the vehicles and the gear gate may be selected at random and the mechanism (100) may operate according to the gear shifts initiated by the operator of the vehicle and is not limited to any fixed shifting sequence. For example, the gear shifting may be between the first gear gate and the third gear gate or between the second gear gate and the fourth gear gate and the like.

In an embodiment, upon operating the gear shift lever by the vehicle operator into a reverse gear gate, the shift finger (5) may abut one of the at least one protrusion (23) which may be defined on the fourth shifter dog (4) and may displace the fourth shifter dog (4) and the fourth shifter rail (14) from the intermediate position (IP) to first position (FP) or the second position (SP) (based on transmission layout or gear positioning). The fourth shifter rail ( 14) in the first position (FP) or the second position (SP) based on transmission layout or gear positioning in the multi-speed transmission may engage the corresponding shifter fork (6) of the plurality of shifter forks (6) with the reverse gear of the multi-speed transmission.

Further, Figs, lla-llc, illustrates a key (27) positioned between at least two shifter rails of the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14). In the illustrated embodiment, the key (27) may be positioned between the second shifter rail (12) and the third shifter rail (13) and may be positioned between grooves (28) which may be defined on the second shifter rail (12) and the third shifter rail (13). In an embodiment, the key (27) may be located within the second shifter dog (2). Fig. Ila illustrates the intermediate position (IP) of the second shifter rail (12) and the third shifter rail (13), where the key (27) may be positioned between the grooves (28). Further, as seen in Fig. 11b, the key (27) may slide over the groove (28) which may be defined on the third shifter rail (13) and remain within the groove (28), defined in the second shifter rail (12) upon displacement of the second shifter rail (12) from the intermediate position (IP) to the first position (FP). Furthermore, as seen in Fig. 11c, the key (27) may slide over the groove (28) which may be defined on the second shifter rail (12) and remain within the groove (28) which may be defined in the third shifter rail (13) upon displacement of the second shifter rail (12) from the intermediate position (IP) to the second position (SP). The arrangement of the key (27) and the grooves (28) on the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14) may aid in assisting the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14) to displace back into the intermediate position (IP) from the first position (FP) or the second position (SP) (thus attain a neutral position in the multi-speed transmission). For example, during displacement of the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14) from the first position (FP) or the second position (SP) towards the intermediate position (IP), the key (27) may slot within the groove (28) thereby biasing the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14) towards the intermediate position (IP). Further, the configuration of the key (27) and the groove (28) facilitates retention of the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14) in the intermediate position (IP) when there is no displacement of the shifter finger (5), thereby the key (27) and the groove (28) may provide a locking arrangement which may retain the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14) in the intermediate position (IP).

In an embodiment, as seen in Figs. 1, 3, 8a and 9a, the mechanism (100) may include a spherical member (29) which may be provisioned at ends of the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14). For illustrative purpose, the spherical member (29) may be depicted between the second shifter rail (12) and the third shifter rail (13), however, the spherical member (29) may be provisioned between any or all of the plurality shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14) based on requirement. The spherical member (29) may be positioned between indents (30) which may be defined on the second shifter rail (12) and the third shifter rail (13). The spherical member (29) in the intermediate position (IP) of the second shifter rail (12) and the third shifter rail (13) may be positioned between the indents (30) of both the second shifter rail (12) and the third shifter rail (13). Further, the spherical member (29) may ride over one of the indent (30) which may be defined on the second shifter rail (12) or the third shifter rail (13) upon displacement of the second shifter rail (12) or the third shifter rail

(13) from the intermediate position (IP) to the first position (FP) or the intermediate position (IP) to the second position (SP). The arrangement of the spherical member (29) and the indents (30) may also provide the interlocking arrangement which may retain the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14) in the required positions and prevent displacement of the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14).

In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) may include a second clip (10) [as seen in Fig. 7] which may be positioned on the second shifter rail (12) away from the first clip (9). The second clip (10) may prevent excess displacement of the second shift rail (12) in the direction of the second position (SP) upon actuation of the second shifter dog (2) by the shift finger (5).

In an embodiment, as seen in Fig. 3, the plurality of shifter dogs (1, 2, 3, 4) may include a spring and ball arrangement (31). The ball of the spring and ball arrangement (31) may be adapted to reside within a groove/slot [not shown in Figs] in the intermediate position (IP) which may be adapted to restrict displacement of the plurality of shifter dogs (1, 2, 3, 4) over the plurality of shifter rails (11, 12, 13, 14). Further, upon actuation of the shift finger (5), the ball may displace against the biasing force of the spring to ride over the groove/slot to enable movement of the plurality of shifter digs (1, 2, 3, 4). In an illustrative embodiment, as seen in Fig. 3, the second shifter dog (2) may include a pair of spring and ball arrangements (31), where one may be configured to contact the second shifter rail (12) and the other is configured to contact the third shifter rail (13) such that the second shifter dog (2) may be restricted to displace over the first shifter rail (11) and the second shifter rail (12) in the intermediate position (IP). It should be noted that in an exemplary embodiment, as seen in the Figs. 1-llc the construction, profile, arrangement, layout and connections of the mechanism (100) should not be construed as a limitation as the mechanism (100) may include any other type of construction, profile, arrangement, layout and connection or any other combinations for providing selective gear shifting in the multi-speed odd gated transmission which may be converted from the multi-speed even gated transmission.

In an embodiment, the mechanism (100) and the assembly is simple in construction and has less number of components which results in low-cost manufacturing and easy maintenance. The mechanism aids in replicating the double H shift pattern or a dog leg shift pattern, thereby aiding in easy changing of gears in the multi-speed odd gated transmission of the vehicle which may be converted from the multi-speed even gated transmission.

It should be imperative that the construction and configuration of the mechanism and any other elements or components described in the above detailed description should not be considered as a limitation with respect to the figures. Rather, variation to such structural configuration of the elements or components should be considered within the scope of the detailed description.

Equivalents:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.

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