Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlled elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-10
2002-01-15
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlled elements
C074S473210, C074S335000, C060S591000, C060S594000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06338286
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of Swedish Patent Application No. 9702510-0, filed Jun. 27, 1997.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a maneuvering apparatus comprising a gear lever and at least one pivot hinge by means of which the gear lever is articulated relative to a console for switching between a number of gear positions, the gear positions of the gear lever about the pivot hinge being intended to be converted into gear positions of an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gear controls for automatic transmissions have used mechanical means for transmitting gear movements between the gear controls and the gearbox. The mechanical means are either designed as wire controls or as link brackets. These devices have certain limitations in terms of the way these movement-transmitting components are arranged, which takes up space in order for the components to be protected against soiling and damage.
An object of the present invention is to provide a transmission of the gear change movements of the gear lever to the gearbox in a distinct and reliable manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, this and other objects have now been realized by the invention of apparatus for controlling the gears of a motor vehicle having a transmission including a gear box comprising a pivotable gear lever for pivoting between a plurality of gear positions corresponding to a plurality of gear positions for the transmission, hydraulic motion transmitting means for hydraulically transmitting motion between the gear lever and the gearbox, the hydraulic motion transmitting means comprising at least one primary hydraulic member mechanically coupled to the gear lever, at least one secondary hydraulic member mechanically coupled to the gearbox, and a hydraulic circuit hydraulically communicating with the at least one primary hydraulic member and the at least one secondary hydraulic member, the hydraulic circuit including a controllable flow limiter having an open position in which the hydraulic flow in the hydraulic circuit is not limited thereby and a plurality of closed positions for controllably limiting the hydraulic flow in the hydraulic circuit, whereby the movement between the plurality of gear positions for the motor vehicle transmission are controlled. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes pressure sensor means for sensing the pressure in the hydraulic circuit, whereby the controllable flow limiter can be controlled by the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor means. In a preferred embodiment, the application of a predetermined force to the pivotable gear lever creates a predetermined pressure in the hydraulic circuit, and the controllable flow limiter is adapted to be in the open position when the predetermined pressure is exceeded.
In accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus includes at least one position sensor for sensing the position of the pivotable gear lever, and wherein the controllable flow limiter is controllable by means of the at least one position sensor.
In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the at least one primary hydraulic member comprises a first primary hydraulic member and including a second primary hydraulic member, the first primary hydraulic member comprising a first piston in a first cylinder, and the second primary hydraulic member comprising a second piston in a second cylinder, a lifting rod pivotably attached to the pivotable gear lever at a pivot point, the lifting rod including first and second arms extending from either side of the pivot point whereby the lifting rod can pivot along with the pivotable gear lever, the first piston connected to the first arm and the second piston connected to the second arm.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the hydraulic circuit comprises a first hydraulic circuit, and including a second hydraulic circuit disposed in parallel with the first hydraulic circuit, the controllable flow limiter comprising a first controllable flow limiter, the second hydraulic circuit including a second controllable flow limiter for controllably limiting the hydraulic flow in the second hydraulic circuit, the second hydraulic circuit including at least one cylinder and a spring return piston disposed therein, the second controllable flow limiter adapted to cooperate with the first controllable flow limiter whereby the plurality of gear positions can be switched between a normal gear change mode and an alternate gear change mode in which the pivotable gear lever can be switched from a neutral position to a gear change position wherein the pivotable gear lever can spring back to the neutral position. Preferably, the at least one cylinder and spring return piston disposed in the second hydraulic circuit comprises a first cylinder and spring return piston, and including a second cylinder and spring return piston disposed in the second hydraulic circuit, the first and second cylinders and spring return pistons being disposed in parallel circuits and including pistons facing in opposite directions whereby the piston of the first cylinder and spring return piston is spring loaded counter to the first primary hydraulic member and the piston of the second cylinder and spring return piston is spring loaded counter to the second primary hydraulic member.
The objects of the present invention are achieved by means of maneuvering apparatus consisting of a hydraulics system with at least one primary hydraulic component which is mechanically coupled to the gear lever, and at least one secondary hydraulic component which is mechanically coupled to the gearbox and is arranged to communicate with the primary hydraulic component by means of a hydraulic circuit in which there is arranged a controllable flow limiter for the hydraulic flow, by which means the gear positions and existing catch positions are created.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2079684 (1937-05-01), Church
patent: 3991845 (1976-11-01), LaPointe
patent: 4287784 (1981-09-01), Cedendahl
patent: 5481877 (1996-01-01), Bakke et al.
patent: 5623852 (1997-04-01), Tischer et al.
patent: 43 20 353 (1994-01-01), None
patent: 44 08 209 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 0 179 951 (1986-05-01), None
patent: 2 302 573 (1997-01-01), None
Havdal Hans Peter
Skogward Kenneth
Bucci David A.
Joyce William C
Kongsberg Automotive ASA
Lerner David Littenberg Krumholz & Mentlik LLP
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