Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlled elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-28
2001-01-09
Footland, Lenard A. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlled elements
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170353
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to two concurrently filed applications, Ser. No. 09/300,524 and 09/300,525, filed Apr. 28, 1999, respectively, in the name of G{umlaut over (u)}nter Wörner et al. for Selection System For An Automatic Motor Vehicle Transmission; based upon German applications 198 18 866.8-14 and 198 18 863.314, filed in Germany on Apr. 28, 1998, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application claims the priority of 198 18 864.1, filed Apr. 28, 1998, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to a selection system for an automatic motor vehicle transmission and more particularly, to a selection section having a manual selector element arranged to be manually adjusted to different positions for selecting transmission adjustments, and a locking device having a controllable actuator arrangement for automatic locking and unlocking of the selector element in at least one defined position as a function of defined operating conditions.
The invention relates to all types of automatic transmissions, particularly, fully automatic and partially automatic gear boxes. In addition, so-called automatic converter step mechanisms and variable transmissions with infinitely variable transmission ratios with or without gears are also contemplated.
In vehicles with automatic transmissions, a selector element, usually a selector lever, is provided for selecting a desired transmission adjustment. The selector lever can be adjusted to different positions, such as a parking position P, a reversing position R, a neutral position or engine idling position N, a normal forward driving position D with an automatically variable transmission ratio and optionally also one or several forward driving positions with an invariable transmission ratio.
The known selector lever is combined with a so-called shiftlock function, via which the release of the selector lever from the parking position P is possible only when certain operating conditions are fulfilled, e.g., when the ignition key of the vehicle has been operated in the ignition lock (for example, the ignition was switched on) and the brake pedal is also depressed. It happens frequently in normal operation that, although the ignition is initiated, the driver forgets to depress the braking pedal so that a manual operating force is exercised on the selector lever, while the selector lever is still locked in the parking position P.
In a selection system, as described, for example, in DE-196 41 706 C1, when the brake is operated only subsequently, a solenoid can no longer release the lock for the following reasons. The manual force entered by the driver into the selection system is transmitted to a cam disk. The cam disk is held by a locking lever in a locking contour of the cam disk in the parking position P as long as, by way of a solenoid, an auxiliary force is not transmitted to the lever such that the locked engagement of the locking lever on the locking contour is released.
Because of the mechanical connection of the elements, the releasing force is proportional to the manual force on the selector lever. Consequently, starting from a defined manual force, the solenoid will no longer be strong enough to overcome the locking forces, particularly the frictional forces generated by the manual force and to release the engagement of the locking lever in the locking contour. This condition will exist when the manual introduction of force takes place at the selector lever before the ignition key has been operated and/or before the brake is operated. The brake must be operated before and while a manual force is exercised on the selector lever.
Although changes of the limit value of the release force between the locking lever and the locking cam are possible in small amounts, the locking kinematics and the capacity of the solenoid are restricted to space-related parameters. Because of the limited space and also because the heat generates, the solenoid cannot be arbitrarily enlarged. A further locking contour in the cam disk, forms a second lock in combination with the locking lever. As a function of the driving speed in the forward drive, a manual engagement of the reverse gear is prevented as long as the driving speed is above a defined limit value of, for example, 8 km/h. The locking lever is loaded by spring devices in a direction opposed to the solenoid and, when the solenoid is switched off, is moved back into the opposite direction.
EP 0 709 597 A1 describes a selection system which has a locking arrangement in which a toggle lever operated by a solenoid blocks the manual operation of the locking element in the extended position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to be able to securely lock and unlock a selector element of a selection system without the requirement of larger and higher-powered control elements as previously required also when a manual operating force is exercised on the selector element before the operating conditions exist which are required for unlocking the selector element.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by providing that the locking device contains a toggler lever arrangement which, by means of one end away from its toggle link, is swivellably connected with the selector element and can be moved by it relative to a locking body and, by means of its other end, is stationarily swivellably arranged. The locking body is arranged to be movable into the moving path of the toggle lever arrangement into a locking position which locks it in and out of moving path, into an unlocking position which does not lock it, and can be driven by the actuator arrangement for carrying out its movements.
The operating condition as a function of which the selector element is locked or unlocked, in addition to the operation of the ignition key and of the brake, can also include the driver's proof of an authorization to drive which must first be reported to an electronic control unit of the vehicle before a start of the vehicle can be initiated. Furthermore, the function of a drive-away lock, a so-called “break-lock” may be integrated in the selection system; i.e. a rotating block of the drive transmission line in the parking position P of the selector element as a safety device, particularly a child safety device, against an unintentional moving of the vehicle by adjusting the is selector element from the parking position P into another position R, N. D, etc.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2745526 (1956-05-01), Saives
patent: 3710904 (1973-01-01), Boyer et al.
patent: 3857298 (1974-12-01), Case et al.
patent: 4398433 (1983-08-01), Sonns
patent: 5588934 (1996-12-01), Osborn et al.
patent: 5878623 (1999-03-01), Teich
patent: 6009769 (2000-01-01), Ikegami
patent: 6092435 (2000-07-01), Paparoni
patent: 196 41 706 (1998-03-01), None
patent: 0625656 A1 (1994-05-01), None
patent: 0 709 597 (1996-05-01), None
Gosele Hartmut
Weiss Paul
Wörner G{umlaut over (u)}nter
Daimler-Chrysler AG
Evenson, McKeown, Edwards & Lenahan P.L.L.C.
Footland Lenard A.
Hansen Colby
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