Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlled elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-28
2001-03-06
Herrmann, Allan D. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlled elements
C074S473250, C074S473260, C074S473280
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196080
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shift/select lever unit for dual-mode automatic transmissions in which both automatic and manual shifting capabilities are provided.
(b) Description of the Related Art
A relatively recent development in the automatic transmission allows for both automatic and manual shifting. That is, the transmission has the conventional automatic modes, but enables manual control in the drive D range so that the driver can have more control over the vehicle. Such an arrangement is more often found in sports vehicles.
A select lever unit used in the dual-mode automatic transmission generally includes a select lever operated by the user to change shift modes and ranges; a cable bracket connected to a shift cable and which is indexed with the select lever when the select lever is in an automatic mode to operate a manual valve of the transmission; and a connecting lever member formed on the select lever to enable the select lever and the cable bracket to move together according to changes in the automatic mode, the cable bracket being provided with a lever connecting hole corresponding to the connecting lever member.
An indentation is provided on an upper portion of the lever connecting hole for insertion of the connecting lever member to fix the connecting lever member's relative motion with respect to the cable bracket along certain directions when the select lever is in the automatic mode, thereby forming an automatic mode range. Also, a bottom portion of the lever connecting hole is realized through a manual mode range having a predetermined width to enable freer movement of the connecting lever member during plus and minus shifting in the case where the select lever is in the automatic shift mode.
Accordingly, the operation of the select lever unit is such that the connecting lever member selectively moves in ranges in the lever connecting hole according to mode changes of the select lever, thereby either transmitting or discontinuing operational force of the select lever on the shift cable. When the select lever is in the automatic mode, the connecting lever member is inserted in the automatic mode range of the lever connecting hole such that the select lever and the cable bracket integrally move together, and if the select lever is converted to a manual mode, the connecting lever member is removed from the automatic mode range of the lever connecting hole such that the select lever and the cable bracket no longer integrally move together.
In the manual mode, the cable bracket must be fixed in the drive range. This is realized by the action of a detent spring formed on one side of the cable bracket and a detent plate formed on a main frame. However, the degree to which the cable bracket is secured in the drive range is dependent upon the operation of the elastic force of the detent spring on a groove of the detent plate. As a result, shaking or vibrations of the vehicle body can compromise the anchoring of the cable bracket in the drive range, possibly resulting in safety problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problem.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a shift/select lever unit for dual-mode automatic transmissions which is not affected by shaking and vibrations of the vehicle, and which securely fixes a cable bracket in a drive range when the select lever is in a manual mode.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a shift/select lever unit for a dual-mode automatic transmission. The shift/select lever unit includes a main frame mounted to a vehicle body; a select lever assembly movable between the automatic and manual modes to select one of the automatic and manual modes, the select lever assembly being shiftable in the automatic and manual modes to change drive modes and ranges; a shift cable bracket connected to a shift cable, the shift cable bracket being engaged with the select lever assembly when the select lever assembly is in the automatic mode and released from the select lever assembly when the select lever assembly is in the manual mode; and means for preventing the shift cable bracket from moving when the select lever assembly is in the manual mode.
According to a feature of the present invention, the shift cable bracket is provided with a select lever releasing/engaging hole, and the select lever assembly comprises a select lever pivotally mounted on the main frame and a connecting lever fixedly mounted on the select lever and extending toward the select lever releasing/engaging hole of the shift cable bracket, the connecting lever being located in the select lever engaging section when the select lever is in the automatic mode and located in the select lever releasing section when the select lever is in the manual mode.
According to another feature of the present invention, a detent plate is mounted on the main frame and having a plurality of grooves and a detent spring having a first end mounted on the bracket and a second end engaged with the grooves of the detent plate such that a suitable detent feeling is provided to the select lever assembly when the select lever assembly changes ranges in the automatic mode.
According to yet another feature of the present invention, the means for preventing the shift cable bracket from moving includes a push lever mounted on the select lever assembly and extending toward the shift cable bracket; and a flat spring mounted on the main frame and disposed between the push lever and the shift cable bracket, the flat spring being designed to be forced toward the shift cable bracket by the push lever when the select lever assembly is displaced to the manual mode, thereby preventing the shift cable bracket from moving in the manual mode.
According to still yet another feature of the present invention, the means for preventing the shift cable bracket from moving further comprises a stopper integrally formed on the push lever, the stopper being inserted into a stopper hole formed on the shift cable bracket when the select lever assembly is displaced to the manual mode.
According to still yet another feature of the present invention, the detent spring has a predetermined degree of elasticity to provide the detent feeling, is screw-coupled to the shift cable bracket, and is rounded on the second end engaged with the grooves of the detent plate.
According to still yet another feature of the present invention, a portion of the flat spring contacting the push lever is formed such that a larger area is provided for contact with the push lever when the select lever assembly is displaced from the automatic mode to the manual mode.
According to still yet another feature of the present invention, the select lever engaging/releasing hole has an automatic mode section and a manual mode section, the manual mode section being larger than the automatic mode section.
According to still yet another feature of the present invention, the connecting lever is provided at its extreme end within the select lever engaging/releasing hole with a sound absorbing member so as to prevent the generation of noise when the connecting lever associated with the select lever moves in the select lever engaging/releasing hole.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5622079 (1997-04-01), Woeste et al.
patent: 5799538 (1998-09-01), Dejonge et al.
patent: 5875684 (1999-03-01), Bravo
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Herrmann Allan D.
Hyundai Motor Company
LandOfFree
Shift lever unit for dual-mode automatic transmission does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Shift lever unit for dual-mode automatic transmission, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Shift lever unit for dual-mode automatic transmission will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2539926