Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Utilizing transitory attached element or associated separate...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-29
2004-02-24
Vidovich, Gregory (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Utilizing transitory attached element or associated separate...
C029S407100, C029S559000, C029S281500, C081S484000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06694590
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present application relates to the initial setup of an automotive transmission gear selector to an automotive transmission. More specifically, the present invention is a method for ensuring that the gear selector remains in the correct position when a connecting means coupling the transmission to the gear selector is attached thereto. The present invention ensures that after the connecting means is attached, movement of the gear selector will cause the transmission to be properly located in the selected gear.
In typical automotive design, a vehicle is provided with a transmission that couples the output of the vehicle's engine to the drive wheel, or wheels, of the vehicle. Commonly, the transmission is actually coupled to a differential, which is in turn used to drive the wheel(s). Transmissions may be of either the manual variety, wherein the operator of the vehicle manually shifts through the gears of the transmission, or automatic, wherein the transmission is programmed to shift on its own based on vehicle speed, engine speed, or other monitored characteristics.
An automatic transmission typically has a series of internal gears that may be brought together in various combinations to achieve the desired direction of travel, as well as the desired drive ratio. Other types of automatic transmissions, commonly referred to as variable transmissions, also exist, wherein the series of internal gears is substantially replaced by a belt, chain, or other similar drive mechanism. Such transmissions do not shift, as such is typically defined, but rather are designed to continuously vary the length of the belt or chain therein to effect continuously variable drive ratios. Each of these transmissions is typically equipped with several selectable gears. More specifically, each automatic transmission will typically have a “Park”, “Neutral”, and “Reverse” gear, as well as a primary “Drive” gear. Generally, such transmissions also are equipped with one or more secondary selectable drive gears—such as may be needed, for example, when pulling a trailer. Aside from the primary and secondary drive gears, such transmissions commonly restrict the other selectable gears (i.e., “Reverse”) to a single drive ratio. The secondary drive gears are usually restricted to fewer internal drive ratios than the primary drive gear.
In either type of the automatic transmission mentioned above, gear changes are typically brought about by moving a gear selector lever located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The gear selector lever is generally located either on the steering column or on the floor. In either case, the gear selector lever is designed to be moved through the series of available gears. Normally, the gear selector lever is provided with detents or similar means that releasably restrain the gear selector lever in each gear. Thus, once the gear selector lever is placed in “Drive”, for example, it will remain there until moved by the operator. There is generally a gear indicator associated with the gear selector lever, such that the operator is able to visually confirm the gear selection. The gear indicator may use a pointing device, change color, become illuminated, or otherwise operate to indicate what gear has been selected with the gear selector lever. The detent or other restraining means operates in conjunction with the gear indicator to ensure that the gear selector remains aligned with the proper gear indication.
The gear selector lever is typically coupled to one end of a connecting means, normally a cable, the other end of which is connected to the transmission. As the gear selector lever is moved through the selectable gears, the cable causes a corresponding movement of an actuator or other device on the automatic transmission, thereby placing the automatic transmission into the selected gear. To ensure that movement of the gear selector lever produces the proper movement at the transmission, an initial setup procedure is generally required. Often, the procedure is no more complicated than placing the gear selector lever in a particular gear, and attaching the corresponding end of the shift cable thereto (as the transmission end of the cable is ordinarily attached first). The detent or other restraining means will normally operate to keep the gear selector lever in the correct gear while the attachment process is accomplished. Attachment can be achieved by use of a multitude of fastening means, such as, for example, a bolt and nut, a pin, a clamp, or a variety of other suitable means. A threaded stud or other male fastener portion is often integrated into a portion of the gear selector lever for this purpose.
Although seemingly simple, this setup process can be problematic. The combination of the detent or other restraining means and the effort of the installer of the cable is usually sufficient to keep the gear selector lever in the proper gear during installation of the cable. However, it is still generally possible for a variation in the position of the gear selector lever to occur, while the gear selector lever remains in the selected gear. For example, it has been found that when a threaded male fastener is provided on a portion of the gear selector lever, and the shift cable is attached thereto using a nut, the clockwise rotation of the fastener assembly has a tendency to encourage the gear selector lever toward the direction of fastener rotation. Consequently, after the setup procedure, the gear selector lever may be biased toward either the previous or succeeding gear, depending on what side of the gear selector lever the cable is attached to.
The above situation may be problematic for several reasons. First, the gear selector lever may be biased so far in one direction that proper gear selection may be impeded due to misalignment between the gear selector lever and the actuator on the transmission. More likely however, is the situation wherein a slight misalignment of the gear selector lever translates into an improper movement of the shifter cable and connected actuator. While this may not impede the shifting of the transmission, it may cause problems with certain secondary systems associated therewith. For example, automatic transmissions commonly employ a release mechanism, such as a button or other actuator located on the gear selector lever, that must be activated in order to move the gear selector lever out of the “Park” position. Similarly, these transmissions may also have coupled thereto, certain safety devices that prohibit removal of the vehicle's ignition key from the vehicle's ignition unless the gear selector lever is returned to the “Park” position. To determine if the gear selector lever is indeed in the “Park” position, one or more sensors are typically used to detect the position of the actuator or some other relevant component of the transmission. These sensors are generally rather small and fairly sensitive, to ensure that the sensor is not triggered unless the gear selector lever is truly in the “Park” position. However, during setup, it may be possible for the gear selector lever to remain in gear, but to be sufficiently biased toward the previous or ensuing gear by the cable tightening operation that the sensor(s) either fails to emit a signal, or emits a premature signal. For example, the misalignment of the gear selector lever may cause the actuator on the transmission to fall short of, or overrun the sensor position—although the transmission may actually be in gear. In such a case, it may be impossible, for example, for the operator of the vehicle to remove the vehicle's ignition key. Similarly, other vehicle features relying on a signal from the sensor(s) may be rendered inoperative.
The invented method of setting gear selector position overcomes this problem. The method of the present invention allows a setting tool to be inserted through a portion of the gear selector lever, after the gear selector lever has been placed in the gear that will be used for setup. Subsequent rotation o
Ciamacco Vince
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
McDonald Alan T
Omgba Essama
Standley Law Group LLP
LandOfFree
Method of setting automotive transmission gear selector... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of setting automotive transmission gear selector..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of setting automotive transmission gear selector... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3287850