Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Interchangeably locked
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-21
2001-09-18
Herrmann, Allan D. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Gearing
Interchangeably locked
C074S473120, C074S473280
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289756
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to transmission shifting systems and more particularly to an electronic shifter assembly.
2. Discussion
Modern automotive vehicles having automatic transmissions typically employ a mechanical shifter assembly which controls the transmission. Such shifters typically employ a shift lever which may be rotated between several gear settings. While such configurations are widely used, several drawbacks have been noted.
One such drawback concerns the mechanical linkage between the gear shift lever and the spool valve lever. Due in part to manufacturing and assembly tolerances, the mechanical linkage from the gear shift lever can become misaligned to the spool valve lever, impairing the vehicle operator's ability to select a desired gear setting or inhibiting the operation of the vehicle. In such situations, it is necessary to adjust the linkage which is frequently costly due to the amount of labor involved.
To eliminate these and other drawbacks associated with mechanical shifter assemblies, it is proposed that an electronic shifter assembly be used to shift the transmission into a desired gear setting. Such shifter assemblies include a shift lever and a plurality of switches to detect the position of the shift lever. The signal from the plurality of switches is indicative of the position of the shift lever and is employed to control the gear setting into which the transmission is placed.
A drawback associated with this approach concerns the ease with which the vehicle operator is able to set the shifter assembly into a desired gear setting. Unlike the mechanical shifter assemblies, the electronic shifter assembly provides little “feedback” to the vehicle operator, either by sound or by feel, which can be related to the relative position of the shift lever. Consequently, in shifting such electronic shifter assemblies the vehicle operator is forced to watch a light display to both determine the position of the shift lever and “hunt” for a desired shift lever position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention to provide an electronic shifter assembly which provides the vehicle operator with tactile feedback to aid in the setting of the shifter assembly to a desired gear setting.
An electronic shifter assembly is provided. The shifter assembly includes a shift lever, a position sensor and first and second mechanisms. The position sensor is operable for sensing a position of the shift lever and producing a position signal in response thereto. The first mechanism is coupled to one of the position sensor and the shift lever and includes a structure having a plurality of detents. The second mechanism is coupled to the other one of the position sensor and the shift lever and includes an assembly which engages the plurality of detents to resist relative movement between the shift lever and the position sensor.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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patent: 5309783 (1994-05-01), Doolittle et al.
patent: 5453732 (1995-09-01), Takano
patent: 5799538 (1998-09-01), DeJonge et al.
patent: 6018294 (2000-01-01), Vogel et al.
patent: 6073511 (2000-06-01), Umezawa et al.
Falkowski William James
Roemen Joseph John
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
Herrmann Allan D.
Kelsey-Hayes Co.
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