Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlled elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-19
2001-10-02
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlled elements
C074S473280, C074S48300R, C477S099000, C070S248000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295887
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns miniaturized transmission shifters and shifting systems, and methods for shifting vehicle transmissions related to same.
More and more, manufacturers of modern vehicles are taking advantage of electronic devices and systems for controlling and operating vehicles. Further, manufacturers are maximizing interior space in the passenger compartments of vehicles, such as by minimizing the size of controls and devices within the passenger compartment, and further by optimizing the location of these devices. Consistent with this, some manufacturers are considering specifying “finger-operated” miniaturized controls for controlling shifting of vehicle transmissions, as opposed to traditional “hand-operated” shifters, such as the traditional shift levers that are mounted in floor consoles between front vehicle seats. However, as shifters are miniaturized, problems of misalignment of the miniaturized shift lever to selected gear positions can increase due to the small size of components. Further, any misalignment can quickly become critical, since gear positions are physically located closer together on a miniaturized shifter than on a more traditional “full sized” shifter. Also, the miniaturized components must be made to maintain a high level of function, durability, and security against theft despite their small size.
Further, there are safety concerns associated with a change to miniaturized components. Specifically, modern federal statutes require that shifting systems be constructed so that vehicle transmissions cannot be accidentally shifted into (or out of) certain gears until predetermined vehicle conditions are met. For example, traditional “hand-operated” shifters are designed so that, before a shift lever can be moved out of a park gear position, the brake pedal must be depressed, the ignition key must be in the ignition switch and in the “on” position, and a thumb-operated button must be depressed to move a pawl out of a park gear notch. Only then can the shift lever itself be moved. (For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,033.) Vehicle manufacturers often desire a mechanical interlock device or a positive physical interaction of components to provide the safety interlocks, as opposed to an interlock device that is solely electrically operated. However, the small size of miniaturized shifters can make mechanical and electromechanical interlocking devices for such shifters relatively more fragile.
Accordingly, a shifting arrangement is desired having the advantages of miniaturization and finger operation, but also that provides requisite safety features and that solves the above-identified disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for shifting a vehicle transmission includes a shifter having a base adapted for attachment to a vehicle and having an elongated shift lever subassembly rotatably mounted on the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions. The shift lever subassembly is rotatably movable about an axis of rotation that extends parallel a length of the shift lever subassembly. The shift lever assembly includes a handle in-line with the axis that is rotatable with a dialing motion. A detent device is provided that includes an irregular surface with notches corresponding to the gear positions on one of the base and the shift lever subassembly, and further that includes a first protrusion on the other of the base and the shift lever subassembly. The first protrusion operably engages the irregular surface in a manner physically preventing undesired rotational movement of the shift lever subassembly between at least some of the gear positions until the first protrusion is axially moved and disengaged from the irregular surface. A feel positioner device includes an undulated surface separate from the irregular surface on one of the base and the shift lever assembly, and further includes a second protrusion on the other of the base and the shift lever subassembly. The undulated surface has depressions accurately aligned with each of the gear positions and further has well-defined opposing ramps inclined toward a center of each depression. The second protrusion operably engages the undulated surface to provide a feel to a vehicle driver as the vehicle driver shifts the shift lever subassembly between gear positions. The arrangement is further configured to bias the shift lever subassembly toward a center of each gear position.
In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for shifting a vehicle transmission includes a base defining an axis of rotation and having a circumferentially extending surface with radially extending notches therein defining a plurality of gear positions. A shift lever subassembly includes a lever support that extends parallel a length of the axis and that rotatably engages the base for rotation about the axis. The shift lever subassembly further includes a shift lever member that telescopingly engages the lever support but that is coupled to the lever support for rotation with the lever support. The shift lever member includes a pawl that extends radially from the shift lever member into engagement with the notches and includes a spring that telescopingly biases the shift lever member in a manner causing the pawl to move into engagement with the notches. The pawl positively engages the notches to prevent undesired rotational movement of the shift lever subassembly but the shift lever member is telescopingly movable on the lever support against a bias of the spring to disengage the pawl from the notches. By this arrangement, the shift lever subassembly must be manipulated by a vehicle operator both telescopingly and rotationally to select different ones of the gear positions.
In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for shifting a vehicle transmission includes a shifter having a base defining an axis of rotation and an elongated shift lever subassembly that extends parallel the axis and that is rotatably mounted on the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions. The shift lever subassembly includes a miniaturized knob in-line with the axis of rotation that is shaped to receive a person's fingers for rotational manipulation, and further includes a radially extending aperture. A detent device includes an irregular surface with notches corresponding to the plurality of gear positions on one of the base and the shift lever subassembly, and a first protrusion on the other of the base and the shift lever subassembly. The first protrusion operably engages the irregular surface to prevent undesired rotational movement of the shift lever subassembly between at least some of the gear positions. An ignition switch is attached to the base that is movable between an ignition-on, key-retained position and a key-released position. An ignition switch interlock device includes an extendable pin configured to extend into the aperture to prevent undesired rotation of the shift lever subassembly when the ignition switch is in the key-released position and to retract from the aperture when the ignition switch is in the ignition-on, key-retained position.
In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus adapted to function with a vehicle control circuit for shifting a vehicle transmission includes a shifter having a base and a shift lever subassembly rotatably mounted on the base for movement about an axis of rotation between a plurality of gear positions. The shift lever subassembly includes a miniaturized knob in-line with the axis of rotation and that is shaped to receive a person's fingers for rotational manipulation. The shift lever subassembly further includes an enlarged section that rotates with the knob, the enlarged section including an aperture. A detent device includes an irregular surface with notches corresponding to the plurality of gear positions on one of the base and the shift lever subassembly, and a first protrusion on the other of the base and the shift lever subassembly. The fir
DeJonge Robert A.
Wexall Stephen D.
Bucci David A.
Charles Marcus
Grand Haven Stamped Products Division of JSJ Corporation
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
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