Claims:We Claim:
1. A gear shift inhibitor assembly (200) for a transmission (100) of a vehicle, the shift inhibitor assembly (200) comprising:
an inhibitor block (201) defined with a plurality of protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304), movably disposed in a transmission (100) housing of the vehicle, wherein the inhibitor block (201) is positioned proximal to a guide plate (101) of the transmission (100);
an actuator (202), coupled to the inhibitor block (201); and
a control unit (203), communicatively coupled to the actuator (202), wherein the control unit (203) is configured to selectively operate the actuator (202) to displace the inhibitor block (201) to a desired gate position, to engage at least one protrusion of the plurality of protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304) with at least one gate defined in the guide plate (101), for arresting movement of a gear engagement member (103) to the at least one gate of the guide plate (101).

2. The shift inhibitor assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304) includes a first protrusion (301), a second protrusion (302), a third protrusion (303) and a fourth protrusion (304).

3. The shift inhibitor assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide plate (101) includes a first gate, a second gate, a third gate and a fourth gate, wherein each gate corresponds to at least one gear of the transmission (100).

4. The shift inhibitor assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein height of the plurality of protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304) is in a descending order from the first protrusion (301) to the fourth protrusion (304).

5. The shift inhibitor assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (203) is configured to determine current gear position of the transmission (100), based on signals corresponding to at least one of vehicle speed, engine speed, inclination of road, position of accelerator pedal, position of clutch pedal and position of brake pedal.

6. The shift inhibitor assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (203) is configured to receive signal corresponding to the engine speed from an engine management system, and generate an input signal for the actuator (202) to displace the inhibitor block (201) between the first position and the second position.

7. The shift inhibitor assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator (202) is an electro-mechanical actuator (202).

8. The shift inhibitor assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator (202) and the inhibitor block (201) are housed within a transmission housing.

9. A transmission of a vehicle, comprising a gear shift inhibitor assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure in general relates to a field of automobile engineering. Particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a transmission of a vehicle. Further embodiments of the disclosure disclose a gear shift inhibitor for the transmission of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Generally, automobiles are equipped with powertrain assembly for transmitting power generated by a prime mover i.e. engine or an electric motor to the wheels of the vehicle. The powertrain assembly, may comprise a clutch system to facilitate engagement and disengagement of gears to control the power or torque transferred to the wheels, and a transmission or gear box comprising a plurality of gears of different gear ratios, in order serve the needs of power requirement at various power bands of the vehicle. Further, the powertrain assembly includes propeller shafts, differential assembly, axle assembly and wheels. Among the components in the powertrain assembly, the transmission or gearbox plays a vital role in catering required torque during various operating conditions of the vehicle. Generally, vehicles may be equipped with different types of transmission including, but not limiting to manual transmission, automatic transmission and semi-automatic transmission to deliver wide range of torque values, based on the requirement. In manual transmission, based on the requirement, operators may shift the gears (sequentially or skip shift), to obtain required power band for the vehicle.

Generally, the operator tends to shift wrong gears, due to inadequate experience in operating manual transmissions, which may damage the transmission. Conventional manual transmissions permit the operator of the vehicle to downshift from a highest gear to lowest possible gear (as an example from fifth gear to first gear), even though it is inappropriate to perform such downshift (skip shift) from fifth gear to first gear, with respect to the speed of the vehicle or inclination of the path on which the vehicle is travelling. This, inadvertent downshift of the gears may lead to multiplication of clutch disc speed, increasing the chances of clutch bursting. Further, in some situations the clutch may fail due to excessive forces generated, due to inadvertent shifts. In addition, durability of the engine may be deteriorated due to the sudden increase and decrease in the speed of the vehicle, which is undesired.

Considering the above, several attempts have been made in the art to include shift inhibitor assemblies within the transmission, to prevent inadvertent downshifting of gears. Conventionally, these shift inhibitor assemblies are difficult to package within or onto the transmission housing, due to packaging constraints associated with vehicle powertrains, thereby adding cost and complexity to the design and manufacturing of the manual transmission. Further, the shift inhibitor assembly may fail, when the operator applies excess force to downshift the gear and, thereby allowing inadvertent shifting of gears.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above and any other limitations associated with the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of conventional system are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of system 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 disclosure, a gear shift inhibitor assembly for a transmission of a vehicle is disclosed. The gear shift inhibitor assembly comprises an inhibitor block defined with a plurality of protrusions. The inhibitor block is movably disposed in a transmission housing of the vehicle and is positioned proximal to a guide plate of the transmission. Further, the gear shift inhibitor assembly comprises an actuator, coupled to the inhibitor block. Furthermore, the gear shift inhibitor assembly comprises a control unit, which is communicatively coupled to the actuator. The control unit is configured to selectively operate the actuator to displace the inhibitor block to a desired gate position to engage at least one protrusion of the plurality of protrusions with at least one gate defined in the guide plate, for arresting movement of a gear engagement member to the at least one gate of the guide plate.

In an embodiment, the plurality of protrusions includes a first protrusion, a second protrusion, a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion.

In an embodiment, the guide plate includes a first gate, a second gate and a third gate, where each gate corresponds to at least one gear of the transmission.

In an embodiment, height of the plurality of protrusions is in a descending order from the first protrusion to the fourth protrusion.

In an embodiment, the first position corresponds to a position of the inhibitor block, where the plurality of protrusions is away from the plurality of gates of the guide plate.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine current gear position of the transmission, based on signals corresponding to at least one of vehicle speed, engine speed, inclination of road, position of accelerator pedal and position of brake pedal.

In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to receive from an engine management system and generate an input signal for the actuator to displace the inhibitor block to a desired gear position for arresting and/or allowing movement for a gear engagement.

In an embodiment, the actuator is an electro-mechanical actuator.

In an embodiment, the actuator and the inhibitor block are housed within a transmission housing.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

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 ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic 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 embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a transmission depicting a guide plate configured in the transmission, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a gear shift inhibitor assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an inhibitor block of the gear shift inhibitor assembly of figure. 2.

Figure. 4 illustrates a side view of a portion of the transmission, equipped with the gear shift inhibitor assembly of Figure 2, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 5 is a flow chart, depicting an operational sequence of the gear shift inhibitor assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figures. 6a-6e, illustrates different positions of the inhibitor block, during operation of the gear shift inhibitor assembly, in accordance with an exemplary 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 structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify various constructions of the gear shift inhibitor assembly, which may vary from transmission to transmission. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such assembly. In other words, one or more elements in the assembly proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a gear shift inhibitor assembly for a transmission of a vehicle. Generally, manual transmissions permit the operator of the vehicle to downshift from highest gear to lowest possible gear (as an example from fifth gear to first gear or second gear), even though it is inappropriate to perform such downshift from fifth gear to first gear, with respect to speed of the engine or the vehicle. This, inadvertent downshift of the gears particularly in higher speeds, may lead to multiplication of clutch disc speed, leading to shorter life cycle of the clutch, increasing the chances of clutch bursting and damage to other components in the transmission and engine, which is undesired.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a gear shift inhibitor assembly for a transmission. The gear shift inhibitor assembly includes an inhibitor block defined with a plurality of protrusions, which may be movably disposed proximal to a guide plate of the transmission. Further, the gear shift inhibitor assembly includes an actuator, which may be coupled to the inhibitor block. Additionally, the gear shift inhibitor assembly includes a control unit. The control unit may be communicatively coupled to the actuator and, may be configured to selectively displace the inhibitor block to a desired gate position, to engage at least one protrusion of the inhibitor block, with at least one gate of the guide plate, to arrest movement of a gear engagement member to the at least one gate position of the guide plate, for inhibiting inadvertent shifting of gears of the transmission.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures. 1 to 6d. In the Figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs. In the figures, vehicle is not illustrated for the purpose of simplicity.

Figure. 1, illustrates a perspective view of a guide plate (101), configured in a top cover assembly of a transmission (100). The guide plate (101) may be defined with a plurality of gates (102), where each gate of the plurality of gates (102) corresponds to at least one gear position of the transmission (100). In an illustrated embodiment, the guide plate (101) may include four gates (i.e. a first gate, a second gate, a third gate and a fourth gate), which correspond to six gears (5+R) of the transmission (100). In other words, each gate corresponds to one gear position. As apparent from Figure. 1, a gear engagement member (103) is disposed within the guide plate (101). The gear engagement member (103) may be coupled to the gear shift lever (not shown in figures), which may be operated by an operator or driver of the vehicle. Based on displacement of the gear shift lever by the operator, the gear engagement member (103) may displace within the guide plate (101) and engage with at least one of the four gate positions of the guide plate (101), for restricting the operator or the driver to engage the transmission (100) in an inappropriate gear.

Referring to Figure. 2, which illustrates a perspective view of a gear shift inhibitor assembly (200). The gear shift inhibitor assembly (200) may be adapted to prevent inadvertent downshifting of gears in the transmission (100). As apparent from Figure. 2, the gear shift inhibitor assembly (200) may include an inhibitor block (201). The inhibitor block (201) may include a first major surface (206) and a second major surface (207). The first major surface (206) of the inhibitor block may be defined with a plurality of protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304) [best seen in Figure. 3], which may extend outwardly from the first major surface of the inhibitor block (201). In an embodiment, the inhibitor block (201) may be configured in at least one of geometrical configurations such as rectangular, square and the like. In an illustrative embodiment, the plurality of protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304) may include a first protrusion (301), a second protrusion (302), a third protrusion (303) and a fourth protrusion (304), and may be configured with but not limiting to a cylindrical configuration. In an embodiment, the four protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304) defined on the inhibitor block (201) may not be construed as a limitation, as a number of protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304) may be configured depending upon the configuration of the transmission (100). As an example, for a six-speed transmission, the inhibitor block (201) may include five protrusions and for a seven-speed transmission, the inhibitor block (201) may include six protrusions. In an embodiment, heights (thus, axial length) of the plurality of protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304) is configured in a descending order from the first protrusion (301) to the fourth protrusion (304). In other words, the first protrusion (301) may be the tallest in terms of height, followed by the second protrusion (302), third protrusion (303) and fourth protrusions (304), which may be the shortest. In an embodiment, varying heights of the protrusion may facilitate in sequentially blocking and/or opening the gates in the guide plate (101).

Referring further to Figure. 2, the gear shift inhibitor assembly (200) may further include an actuator (202). The actuator (202) may be coupled to the inhibitor block (201) through the second major surface (207). As an example, the actuator (202) may be, but not limiting to electro-mechanical actuator, pneumatic actuator, hydraulic actuator and the like. In an embodiment, the actuator (202) may include a shaft (204) which reciprocates with respect to the housing of the actuator (202). The shaft (204) may be either removably or fixedly attached to the second major surface of the inhibitor block (201). As an example, the inhibitor block (201) may be defined with a threaded hole (not shown in figures) and the shaft (204) may be defined with threaded portion for coupling the inhibitor block (201) with the shaft (204). The inhibitor block (201) and the actuator (202) may be housed within the transmission (100)[best seen in Figure. 4]. Additionally, the gear shift inhibitor assembly (200) includes a control unit (203). The control unit (203) may be communicatively coupled to the actuator (202). The control unit (203) may be configured to selectively displace the actuator (202) to desired gate position, to inhibit inadvertent shifting of gears and/or allow feasible gearshift. In an embodiment, the control unit (203) may be configured to receive a plurality of signals, which correspond to parameters such as engine speed, vehicle speed, inclination angle of road, position of the accelerator pedal, position of the brake pedal and position of clutch pedal from the engine management system (not shown in figures). Based, on the signals received from the engine management system, the control unit (203) may determine the current gear position of the transmission (100). Further, the control unit (203) may compare the engine speed with the pre-set threshold engine speed associated with corresponding gear, and generates an input signal to operate the actuator (202) for displacing the inhibitor block (201) to desired gate position. As an example, if the control unit (203) determines an increase in the engine speed above the pre-set threshold engine speed, associated with the respective gear, the control unit (203) may generate an input signal, which corresponds to the gear position to be blocked. Consequently, the actuator (202) upon receiving the input signal may displace the inhibitor block (201) to the desired gate position, to engage at least one protrusion with the at least one gate position in the guide plate (101), for arresting movement of the gear engagement member (103) to the at least one gate position and, thus blocking the corresponding gear position. This may prevent inadvertent downshifting of gears of the transmission (100). Further, in another example, if the engine speed is decreasing below the pre-set threshold engine speed associated with the corresponding gear, the control unit (203) may generate an input signal, which corresponds to the gear position or the gate in the guide plate to be unblocked. Consequently, the actuator (202) upon receiving the input signal may displace the inhibitor block (201) to the desired gate position [i.e. in a direction opposite to the direction in which the actuator (202) displaces to engage the protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304)], to disengage at least one protrusion of the inhibitor block (201) with the at least one gate position in the guide plate (101), and thereby allowing movement of the gear engagement member (103) to the at least one gate position and thus unblocking the corresponding gear position.

In an embodiment, the control unit (203) may continuously receive signals pertaining to the vehicle operating parameters, from the engine management system to determine the current gear position and, may continuously generate an input signal to the actuator (202), which corresponds to either blocking or unblocking the gear position of the transmission (100).

Turning now to Figure. 5, illustrates a flowchart depicting operational sequence of the gear shift inhibitor assembly (200), for a transmission (100) of a vehicle.

As illustrated in flowchart of Figure. 5, the one or more blocks illustrates a sequence of operation of the gear shift inhibitor assembly (200). The operation may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform functions or implement abstract data types.

The order in which the operation is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

As shown in block 401, the control unit (203) may receive a signal corresponding to vehicle operation parameters such as vehicle speed, engine speed, position of the accelerator pedal, position, position of the brake pedal, position of the clutch pedal and inclination of the road and the like, by the engine management system. Based on the signals received by the engine management system, the control unit (203) may determine the current gear position of the transmission (100) [block 402].

Upon determining the current gear position of the transmission (100), the control unit (203) may compare the engine speed with the pre-set threshold speed for the corresponding gear. If the control unit (203) determines an increase in the engine speed above the threshold speed, the control unit (203) may generate an input signal, which corresponds to the gear position to be blocked. Based on the input signal received from the control unit (203), the actuator (202) may operate to displace the inhibitor block (201) to the desired gate positions in a forward direction, and to engage at least one protrusion of the inhibitor block (201) with at least one gate in the guide plate (101) and, thereby blocking the corresponding gear position in the transmission (100) [as seen in block 403].

At block 404, if the control unit (203) determines a decrease in the engine speed beyond the pre-set threshold speed, the control unit (203) may generate a signal, which corresponds to the gear position to be unblocked. Based on the signal from the control unit (203), the actuator (202) may operate to displace in a rearward direction, to disengage the at least one protrusion of the inhibitor block (201) from the at least one gate of the guide plate (101), and thus unblocking the corresponding gear position in the transmission (100).

Now referring to Figures. 6a to 6e, illustrates a schematic view of different operational positions of the inhibitor block (201), during operation of gear shift inhibitor assembly (200) disposed in the transmission (100). The example shown in the Figures. 6a to 6e is for five speed gearbox (5 forward + Reverse) and is shown for the exemplary purpose. Hence, same should not be considered as a limitation to the disclosure. As apparent from Figure. 6a, the inhibitor block (201) is positioned such that the plurality of protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304) away from the plurality of gates in the guide plate (101). As an example, the inhibitor block (201) may be positioned such that the plurality of protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304) away from the plurality of gates in the guide plate (101), based on the input signal generated by the control unit (203) as described above, when the transmission (100) is engaged with a first gear.

In an embodiment, the control unit (203) continuously receives signals, corresponding to vehicle operation parameters from the engine management system, and continuously determines the gear position of the transmission (100). As an example, when the transmission (100) is engaged to the second gear by the operator, the control unit (203) may determine the current gear position [i.e. second gear of the transmission (100)]. Upon determining the current gear position (i.e. second gear), the control unit (203) may generate an input signal, by comparing the engine speed with pre-set threshold speed associated with the second gear of the transmission (100). If the control unit (203) determines an increase in the engine speed beyond the pre-set threshold speed, the control unit (203) may generate an input signal, to operate the actuator (202) for displacing the inhibitor block (201) to the first gate position [best seen in Figure. 6b], where the first protrusion (301) of the inhibitor block (201) engages with the first gate position of the guide plate (101) and, thus inhibiting shifting from the second gear to the first gear, until the engine speed is below the pre-set threshold speed associated with the second gear.

Further, when gear is engaged or shifted to the third gear by the operator and, as the control unit (203) continuously receives signals from the engine management system, the control unit (203) may determine the current gear position [i.e. third gear of the transmission (100)]. Upon determining the current gear position (i.e. third gear), the control unit (203) may generate a signal, by comparing the engine speed with pre-set threshold speed associated with the third gear of the transmission (100). If the engine speed is increasing beyond the pre-set threshold speed, the control unit (203) may generate an input signal, to operate the actuator (202) for displacing the inhibitor block (201) to the second gate position [best seen in Figure. 6c], where the second protrusion (302) of the inhibitor block (201) engages with the second gate position of the guide plate (101), which corresponds to the second gear. Further, the first protrusion (301) may already be engaged with the first gate and continues to be in engagement with the first gate, thus inhibiting shifting from third gear to either of the first gear and the second gear, until the engine speed is below the pre-set threshold speed associated with the third gear.

Similarly, when the gear is engaged or shifted to the fourth gear by the operator and, as the control unit (203) continuously receives signals from the engine management system, the control unit (203) may determine the current gear position (i.e. fourth gear), of the transmission (100). Upon determining the current gear position (i.e. fourth gear), the control unit (203) may compare the engine speed with pre-set threshold speed associates with the fourth gear of the transmission (100). If the engine speed is increasing beyond the threshold speed, the control unit (203) may generate an input signal, to operate the actuator (202) for displacing the inhibitor block (201) to the third gate position, where the third protrusion (303) engages with the gate corresponding to third gear of the transmission (100) [as seen in Figure. 6d]. Meantime, the first protrusion (301) and the second protrusion (302) continue to be in engagement with the gate position corresponding to the first gear and second gear, respectively and, thus inhibits shifting from fourth gear to either of the first, second and third gear, until the engine speed is below the pre-set threshold speed associated with the fourth gear.

Consequently, when the transmission (100) is shifted to the fifth gear by the operator and, as the control unit (203) continuously receives signals from the engine management system, the control unit (203) may determine the current gear position (i.e. fifth gear) of the transmission (100). If the speed of the engine increases beyond the pre-set threshold speed associated with fifth gear, the control unit (203) may generate an input signal, to operate the actuator (202) for displacing the inhibitor block (201) to the fourth gate position [as seen in Figure. 6e], where the fourth protrusion (304) engages with the gate corresponding to fourth gear of the transmission (100). Meantime, the first protrusion (301), the second protrusion (302) and the third protrusion (303) continue to be in engagement with the gates corresponding to the first gear, the second gear and the third gear, thus inhibits shifting from fifth gear to either of the first, second, third and fourth gear, until the engine speed is below the pre-set threshold speed associated with the fifth gear.

In an embodiment, the control unit (203) may determine the decrease in the engine speed beyond the threshold speed, associated with the corresponding engaged gear. Upon determination of the decrease in the engine speed beyond the pre-set threshold speed, the control unit (203) may generate an input signal to operate the actuator (202) for displacing the inhibitor block (201) to feasible gate position in a rearward direction, for disengaging the protrusions from the gates, thereby enabling the operator to downshift to the corresponding gears, which are associated with the engine speed at that instant of time.

In an embodiment, the above description described with respect the five-speed transmission (100), may not be construed as a limitation, since the gear shift inhibitor assembly (200) of the present disclosure may be adapted in transmission (100) of different gear configuration.

In an embodiment, the gear shift inhibitor assembly (200) of the present disclosure includes less number of parts, which makes the assembly (200) to easily fitted in the housing of the transmission, without modifications to the housing of the transmission.

In an embodiment, the protrusions (301, 302, 303, 304) in the inhibitor block (201) of gear shift inhibitor assembly (200) of the present disclosure protrudes through the gate position in the guide plate (101) and thus, may not allow shifting of gears irrespective of the force applied by the operator to shift the gears.

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."

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 and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:
Referral numeral Description
100 Transmission
101 Guide plate
102 Gates of the guide plate
103 Gear engagement member
200 Gear shift inhibitor assembly
201 Inhibitor block
202 Actuator
203 Control unit
204 Shaft of the actuator
206 First major surface
207 Second major surface
301 First protrusion
302 Second protrusion
303 Third protrusion
304 Fourth protrusion