Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlled elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-08-14
Herrmann, Allan D. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlled elements
C074S473120, C074S473280, C074S527000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272944
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic transmission for a vehicle and, more particularly, to a shift lever system of an automatic transmission for a vehicle.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Generally, an automatic transmission includes seven modes that can be manually controlled by the driver, i.e., a parking (P) range, a reverse (R) range, a neutral (N) range, a drive (D) range, a third speed (3) range, a second speed (2) range 2, and a lock up (L) range. Changes in the mode of the automatic transmission is realized by user manipulation of a shift lever along a linear path S as shown in FIG.
8
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A shift cable is coupled to a lower end of the shift lever pivotally fixed on a transmission housing, and a detent member is provided on a hinge portion of the shift lever to securely maintain the changed mode and allow the driver to feel the changes in the shift modes. Accordingly, when the driver moves the shift lever along the linear path S, the shift cable cooperates to displace a manual valve of the automatic transmission, thereby initiating changes in a hydraulic system to realize shifting into the desired mode.
However, in the conventional shift lever system, the linear motion of the shift lever to change modes is such that the operational stroke of the shift lever from parking (P) range to the lockup (L) range quite lengthy. This results in a range indicating panel, on which shift modes are marked along the linear operational direction of the shift lever, occupying a large amount of space of a center console.
In addition, the lengthy operation stroke of the shift lever may cause the driver's elbow and/or arm to strike the front passenger seat or other objects inside the vehicle when changing the shift mode.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a shift lever system in which a shift lever can move in longitudinal and lateral directions, thereby reducing an operational length of the shift lever (i.e., the amount of space in a linear direction used by the shift lever).
To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a shift lever system for a vehicle having longitudinal and lateral directions, the shift lever system comprising a shift lever pivotable in the longitudinal and lateral directions, a main range shift part for a shift operation between parking P, reverse R, neutral N, and drive D ranges in accordance with a movement of the shift lever along a first line between a first point and a second point, the line being parallel to the longitudinal direction, a forward manual shift part for a shift operation between third 3, second 2, and lockup L ranges in accordance with a movement of the shift lever along a second line between a third point and a fourth point, the second line being parallel to the first line and the first and third points being located on a third line perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the second and fourth points being spaced away from the third line in the same longitudinal direction, and a D-3/3-D range shift part for a shift operation between the D and 3 ranges in accordance with a movement of the shift lever along the third line connecting the first point to the third point.
The shift lever is pivotally fixed at its lower end to an upper end of a first rotating member by a first hinge pin which is disposed in the longitudinal direction, and a lower end of the first rotating member is pivotally fixed around a main hinge pin disposed in the lateral direction.
The first rotating member comprises a pair of supporting plates, a post fixed between the supporting plates and extending downward, and a hinge tube fixed on a lower end of the post to rotatably receive the main hinge pin, the shift lever being disposed between the supporting plates by the first hinge pin above the post.
The main range shift part comprises a first support rotatably supported at an end of the main hinge pin, and a connecting member selectively coupled to the select lever and connected to a shift cable.
The forward manual range shift part comprises a second support supported at the other end of the main hinge pin and a connecting member selectively coupled to the select lever.
The second support comprises a lower member fixed on the main hinge pin, and an upper member pivotally coupled to the lower member by a hinge pin.
The D-3/3-D range shift part comprises a third speed On/Off switch electronically coupled to the transmission control unit, the third speed On/Off switch being turned on when the shift lever is moved from the D range to the 3range by being contacted with the shift lever.
The shift lever system may further comprise a detent member disposed between the shift lever and the first hinge pin.
The detent member comprises a wave-shaped detent plate inserted into a hinge hole formed on a lower body of the shift lever and a detent projection formed on a central portion of the first hinge pin.
An insertion groove is formed on a wall of the hinge hole to accommodate the detent plate, and a guide groove is formed on the support of the first rotating member so that the detent projection is inserted together with the first hinge pin.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3458018 (1969-07-01), Shore
patent: 3858695 (1975-01-01), Whisler
patent: 4630499 (1986-12-01), Hopkins
patent: 5184523 (1993-02-01), Nyzedatny
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Herrmann Allan D.
Hyundai Motor Company
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