Re: Push button then & now

Posted by HH56 On 2022/9/20 13:29:35

It is interesting to see how mfgs implemented their various designs and methods of pushbutton or assisted transmission control systems.

I am thinking Hudson or maybe it was Graham that had a system which was an early precursor of things to come. A small push lever was an electrically controlled but vacuum operated system and was probably the first "finger controlled" shifting method.

I believe Packard was the first to employ a full electric motor system followed a year or so later by Edsel. Since Autolite built them both it might be interesting to know how much of that almost identical system was of Packard engineering design and how much was Autolite. The other PB controls of the 50s and early 60s were all strictly mechanical cable operations.

I believe the last full electric factory production system not reliant on a microprocessor was introduced by Rolls Royce. Their electric motor and relay actuator portion is very similar in operation to the Packard PB unit but RR has a regular looking lever that moves to activate individual microswitches instead of using PBs.

While others use their various modern PBs, knobs and levers wasn't it the Chrysler/Jeep rotating knob that got almost all the bad publicity for confusing operation.

There is an aftermarket PB system made by MoonEyes PCS. They have different actuators for several modern trans units but the PB control unit for the various actuators is about the same design. Operation is via microprocessor. As I understand it the positioning stops are somewhat programmable. It might be interesting to see what could be done with modifying the PB module and fitting it in the Packard pod if changing to a GM trans in a PB 56.