Control Convertible Between Automatic And Manual Operation Patents (Class 74/473.18)
  • Patent number: 11906038
    Abstract: An automatic transmission shifter mechanism that is selectable between an automatic transmission mode and a manual shifting mode, including a shifter assembly, a pin attached to the shifter assembly, a first slotted plate to selectively receive a first portion of the shifter assembly, and a detent plate configured to receive the pin at different gear positions, wherein selected shifter assembly positions in the automatic transmission mode are maintained by the pin being located within a corresponding detent of the detent plate, and wherein movement of the first portion of the shifter assembly into the first slotted plate causes the pin to move out of range of detents in the detent plate such that an operator can shift between drive gears in the manual shifting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: LOKAR, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Ford, Scott Thiel, Eric R. Burgan
  • Patent number: 11867284
    Abstract: A gearbox system for a vehicle includes an automated manual gearbox; a gearbox control device which controls the gearbox; a monostable toggle switch which is movable by a user in two deflection directions to select a plurality of driving ranges of the gearbox control device, and a visual device which displays graphically a gearshift diagram with driving ranges selectable by the monostable toggle switch. The gearbox control device has a further driving range which cannot be selected by the monostable toggle switch but can be exited by moving the monostable toggle switch. The visual device has at least one display to display a symbol indicating at least one deflection direction by which the further driving range can be exited. The gearbox control device may control the at least one display such that the symbol is only displayed when the further driving range is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Peters, Benjamin Sprengart, Gregor Walla
  • Patent number: 11788617
    Abstract: A shift lever apparatus is normally hidden, and provides traveling sensitivity according to a driver's preference when deployed for a specific mode. The shift lever apparatus includes a shift lever that is deployed or undeployed in a housing according to a rotating location; an operating mechanism installed on the shift lever to be rotated together with the shift lever, and provided with a stopper drawn out or drawn into the operating mechanism depending on whether an operation is performed; a guide installed in the housing to guide movement of the stopper and having a first fixing hole and a second fixing hole spaced apart from each other within a rotating radius of the stopper; and a sensing sensor sensing the rotating location of the shift lever when the stopper is located in the second fixing hole to transfer a shift signal according to the rotating location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Min Han Kim, Yong Lee, Chang Jin Ji
  • Patent number: 11512773
    Abstract: A selector unit includes a panel, and a dial member that protrudes in a first direction from an opening of the panel. A surface of the panel includes a concave surface having a depth that increases toward the opening. The dial member has an operation portion gripped by a user, and a base shaft portion that extends from the operation portion through the opening of the panel. At least a part of an outer circumferential surface of the base shaft portion is an inclined surface that is inclined radially outward as being away from the panel, and the inclined surface is opposed to the surface of the panel in the first direction. The distance from the surface of the panel to the inclined surface of the dial member in the first direction continuously increases, as a radial distance from the opening to the inclined surface increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Masaoka, Naoki Yamada, Junya Ono, Naofumi Ota
  • Patent number: 10996671
    Abstract: A driving assist apparatus includes a driving mode setting calculator and a steering wheel holding detector. The driving mode setting calculator is configured to control a transition between driving modes including a manual driving mode, a first driving assist mode, and a second driving assist mode, in accordance with a driving condition. The steering wheel holding detector is configured to detect whether the driver holds the steering wheel or releases the steering wheel. The driving mode setting calculator causes the driving modes to make the transition from the first driving assist mode to the second driving assist mode, on a condition that the first driving assist mode is set as the driving modes and the steering wheel holding detector detects that the driver releases, from a state in which the driver holds the steering wheel, the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motoki Zaizen, Hajime Oyama, Ryosuke Namba, Masato Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 10871222
    Abstract: An electronic shift control device includes: a shift slider which is movable in a shift direction; a shift body under the shift slider and is movable according to the movement of the shift slider; and a bracket which is arranged under the shift slider and receives the shift body. The shift body includes elastic member receiving grooves and hinge protrusions. A hinge elastic member supporting the shift body is in the elastic member receiving groove. The bracket includes a hinge protrusion recess receiving the hinge protrusion. The shift slider is located at a reference position, and when the shift slider moves from the reference position in the shift direction, the hinge protrusion moves along the hinge protrusion recess, and a shift stage is changed, and the shift slider which has moved in the shift direction returns to the reference position by an elastic restoring force of the hinge elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: KYUNG CHANG INDUSTRIAL CO., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Won Kim, Yong Soo Kang
  • Patent number: 10837545
    Abstract: An operating device for a motor vehicle is provided. The device includes at least one selector lever, which can be moved between at least one parking position, as the first position for activating a parking lock of an automatic transmission, and at least one second position that is different to the parking position. The device includes at least two operating parts which are retained on a base element of the selector lever that can move between the positions, and which can be moved towards one another out of a deactivation position into an activation position, in order to thereby bring about a starting of a drive device of the motor vehicle, as well as a blocking device which is designed to block the operating parts in the activation position, and to bring about a movement of the operating parts out of the activation position into the deactivation position as a result of a movement of the selector lever out of the second position into the parking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Diana Fischer
  • Patent number: 10837549
    Abstract: A vehicle may include a transmission control unit (TCU) to output a control signal to the transmission; a shift lever; a shift lever electronic control unit (ECU) to transmit a first signal and a second signal, to the TCU; a main communication unit to perform communication between the TCU and the shift lever ECU; a backup communication unit to perform communication between the TCU and the shift lever ECU; and a controller configured to: control the shift lever ECU to transmit first and second signals based on one of a plurality of matching codes having different pulse width modulation (PWM) duty ratios assigned to the respective gear positions of the transmission; determine another one of the plurality of matching codes when the operation commands indicated by each of the first signal and the second signal received by the TCU are different; and control the shift lever ECU based on the determined matching code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hangil Park
  • Patent number: 10724626
    Abstract: A shift control device using a double hinge is provided that includes: a lever shift body; a shift lever which is coupled to the lever shift body; a detent system which is spaced apart from the shift lever by a predetermined distance and is disposed in the lever shift body; a hinge system which is disposed under the lever shift body; and a base which is fastened to the hinge system. The hinge system includes a guide hinge and a shaft select. The guide hinge is disposed under the lever shift body. The shaft select is inserted into the guide hinge. The shift lever rotates about the shaft select in a select direction and rotates about the guide hinge in a shift direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: KYUNG CHANG INDUSTRIAL CO., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Won Kim
  • Patent number: 10677347
    Abstract: A shift lever is configured to take deceleration-requesting positions through its operation in a specified direction from an M-range position for a manual mode. A control is configured such that vehicle's deceleration is larger when an operational quantity of a one-time operation of the shift lever operated toward the deceleration-requesting positions B1, B2, B3 is larger. For example, when the shift lever is operated to the position B1, one-stage shift down is performed, when the shift lever is operated to the position B2, two-stage shift down is performed, and when the shift lever is operated to the position B3, three-stage shift down is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiro Matsuoka, Daiki Nakata, Kouji Tokunaga, Yohsuke Takenaga, Norimichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10563752
    Abstract: A gear shifter assembly for a vehicle is described herein. The gear shifter assembly includes a base to be fixed in a vehicle, a shifter yoke mounted to the base by a main pivot shaft, a shift lever mounted to the shifter yoke by a pivotal bearing arranged to allow pivotal movements about a second pivotal axis perpendicular to the first pivotal axis, and an intermediate joint that provides the pivotal bearing of the shift lever. The intermediate joint is attached to the lower end of the shift lever by receiving select pivot pins projecting from the shift lever in recesses of the intermediate joint. The intermediate joint comprises opposite through holes aligned with an aperture in the shift lever for receiving the main pivot shaft. The intermediate joint is made of material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the materials of the shift lever and the shifter yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventors: Robert Fredriksson, Andreas Jonsson, Bengt Hermansson
  • Patent number: 10539226
    Abstract: An input device for a transmission includes, a knob with which an operator performs rotation and press operations, a rotation detector for detecting that the knob is rotated, a press detector for detecting that the knob is pressed, and a controller for performing, based on results of detection by the rotation detector and the press detector, a range shift between a first forward travel range where a gear shift operation performed by the operator is not accepted and a second forward travel range where the gear shift operation is accepted, and for performing a gear shift in the second forward travel range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Fujii
  • Patent number: 10436317
    Abstract: An apparatus for imparting an operating feeling of a gear shift mechanism to a driver, may include a housing having an accommodating space, a bullet portion disposed in the accommodating space to operate in a longitudinal direction of the accommodating space, wherein the bullet portion has a head part on an upper portion thereof, and an elastic member disposed between the head part and the accommodating space to operate to allow the bullet portion to be elastically moved in and out of the accommodating space. The head part has a sliding protrusion and the accommodating space has a sliding groove having a shape to correspond to that of the sliding protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Du Eon Kim, Yang Rae Cho, Min Gi Song, Joon Young Park, Sun Il Kim
  • Patent number: 10247299
    Abstract: In a shift lever device, a detent rod is assembled to a lever main body, and when a detent pin of the detent rod engages with a detent body and rotation is stopped, a lever is restricted from rotating. When a button is press-operated, the detent rod is displaced, engagement of the detent pin with the detent body is released, and the lever is allowed to rotate. The detent rod is assembled to the outside of the lever main body. This enables to detent rod to be easily assembled to the lever main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Kenji Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 9643715
    Abstract: A selector lever includes a housing with front and rear ends and a lever with a shaft pivotally disposed on a cross-shaft. The shaft defines a shaft axis. The lever has a top that is disposed outside of the housing. A movable shaft moves substantially axially along the shaft axis. A pin, having first and second protrusions, is disposed adjacent to a bottom end of the movable shaft. A first detent plate is disposed on a first side of the movable shaft and includes at least a first slot that receives the first protrusion. A second detent plate is disposed on a second side of the moveable shaft and includes at least a second slot therein receiving the second protrusion. A first failure detection slot is associated with the first slot, permitting movement of the first protrusion therein in the absence of the second protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Vlad Iliescu, Menas Salib
  • Patent number: 9618110
    Abstract: A shift/tilt locking apparatus for shift lever of automatic transmission may include a shift knob, a main shaft slidably and rotatably disposed in a housing such that shift knob is slidable; a crossbar having shift knob at the upper end to tilt; a shift restriction device that allows shift knob to slide by selectively restricting sliding of main shaft; and a tilting restriction device controlling shift knob to tilt by selectively restricting the tilting of shift knob by using a third solenoid, which is controlled by a shift mode determining step that determines a shift mode by checking the position of shift knob and a lever locking step that restricts/releases shift knob by selectively operating first solenoid to third solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, SL Corporation
    Inventors: Jeehyuck Choi, Kwanggi Lee, Dongjae Kim
  • Patent number: 9568097
    Abstract: Disclosed are device and method for driving a shift lever. The device may include a control unit that sets a travel distance of the shift lever when the shift lever is manipulated to a predetermined shift stage to be different than a reference travel distance of the shift lever, which is a travel distance of the shift lever when the shift lever is manipulated to shift stages other than the predetermined shift stage. The device may further include a driving unit which restricts a travel of the shift lever or moves the shift lever depending on a setting of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, SL Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Sung Heo, Ki Young Song, Joon Young Park, Chang Hyun Lee, Han Gil Park, Ean Soo Cho, Nam Sik Baek
  • Patent number: 9494228
    Abstract: A shifter assembly (20) for a transmission of a vehicle. The shifter assembly includes a shaft (36) defining a longitudinal axis (LA) and having a knob (42) mounted to a first end (38) of the shaft. A selector plate (46) is mounted to a second end (40) of the shaft. The selector plate is movable as a unit with the shaft. The shifter assembly includes a guide plate (54) coupled to the housing (24). The guide plate defines a first path (56) and a second path (58) spaced from the first path. A portion (52) of the selector plate is movable through the first path during an automatic mode for facilitating automatic selection of the gear positions within the transmission. The selector plate is rotatable about the longitudinal axis into a manual mode. In the manual mode, the portion of the selector plate is movable through the second path for permitting manual selection of gear positions within the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventor: Bengt Hermansson
  • Patent number: 9321435
    Abstract: A system for locking a Park device in a transmission in an out-of-Park mode of operation includes a valve body that defines a bore, a solenoid connected to the valve body, a lock feature disposed in the valve body and interconnected with the solenoid, and a servo piston disposed within the bore of the valve body. The servo piston has a detent and the servo piston is interconnected to the Park device and is moveable between a first position and a second position. The detent is radially aligned with the lock feature when the servo piston is in the first position. Activation of the solenoid locks the lock feature into the detent of the servo piston to lock the Park device of the transmission in the no-Park mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Landino, Stephen W. Powell, Todd R. Berger
  • Patent number: 9234584
    Abstract: An automatic transmission has an automatic shift mode and a manual shift mode. When an opposite manual operation is performed, during an automatic shift based on a shift map in the automatic shift mode, in an opposite direction opposite to the automatic shift or when the opposite manual operation is performed, during a forced shift performed regardless of the manual operation in the manual shift mode, in the opposite direction opposite to the forced shift, a control apparatus forbids a shift based on a first manual operation and permits a shift based on a second or subsequent manual operation in the opposite direction opposite to the automatic shift or the forced shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Matsuo, Keizo Ishida
  • Patent number: 9169918
    Abstract: An integrated control shift lever device according to an exemplary embodiment provides M mode of +/? to feel a dynamic shift manipulation feeling together with automatic mode of P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral), and D (driving) as a basic function and further provides integrated mode 6 to provide to engine control unit the electrical signal generated by positional change of automatic lever to control the engine, suspension device, or the steering device in addition to the transmission by driver's simple manipulation, thereby significantly improving convenience and in particular, further improving performance, quality, and merchantability of an automobile when the integrated control shift lever device may be applied to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, SL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeehyuck Choi, Yangrae Cho, Chunnyung Heo, Kwanggi Lee
  • Patent number: 9141126
    Abstract: A return to neutral mechanism is provided for hydraulic apparatuses such as motors/pumps that utilize a swashplate and a trunnion arm to control flow. The return to neutral mechanism includes two rotating brackets which have ends aligned to a single plane. Two springs are utilized and attached to the ends of the two rotating brackets giving the force mechanism the ability apply the force in a direct path, reducing friction, increasing life, and improving accuracy. This design is an “x” type mechanism, the force arms are in-line and do not cross, the force is applied equally on both sides of the fulcrum and therefore balanced. The mechanism can be can be used with compression springs, tension springs, torsion springs, or leaf springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Hynes, Jason Scot Richardson
  • Publication number: 20150143938
    Abstract: A default-to-park mechanism for a transmission includes an output member, a rotatable plate, a latching mechanism, and a biasing member. The output member is rotatable to park, reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The rotatable plate is coaxial with the output member. The plate and the output member interfere with one another such that the plate is moved in a first direction of rotation by the output member and the output member is moved in a second direction of rotation by the plate. The plate is releasably held by the latching mechanism to prevent rotation in the second direction of rotation when the output member is in the reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The biasing member biases the plate to rotate in the second direction of rotation to return the output member to the park position when the plate is released by the latching mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Swaita, David A. Provenza, Brian Ganter, Robert DiTommaso, Karthik Kayyer, William Harrop
  • Patent number: 8955405
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automotive transmission which includes shift lever which moves in a first direction and a second direction to select a shift position and a shift mode selection unit which is installed at one side of the shift lever to select a shift mode. Additionally, the disclosed automotive transmission also includes a shift blocking unit which selectively blocks movement of the shift lever in the first direction and the second direction such that a shift position of the selected shift mode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventors: Chun Nyung Heo, Kwang Gi Lee, Dong Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 8863605
    Abstract: A gear shift lever apparatus includes: a first support shaft pivotally supported on an upper housing; a gear shift lever swingably supported via the first support shaft; an engagement member provided to the gear shift lever; a second support shaft pivotally supported on a lower housing in parallel to the first support shaft with at least part of the second support shaft overlapping the first support shaft in an axial direction thereof; a selector lever swingably supported via the second support shaft; an engagement receiver formed in the selector lever and being engageable with the engagement member in a swing direction thereof; and a bypass unit configured to prevent the selector lever from interfering with the first support shaft upon swinging of the gear shift lever due to a manipulation of the gear shift lever through engagement between the engagement member and the engagement receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norihito Shioji
  • Publication number: 20140216195
    Abstract: A structure of a shift lever that changes to a manual mode. The structure includes a shift lever that has a protrusion formed to a horizontal side and a base spaced from the shift lever to allow the protrusion to reach the base during horizontal movement of the shift lever. A G-return to which the protrusion is coupled is mounted on the base to be able to turn and a knob that is connected to one end of a knob lever pivotably mounted on the base with the other end of the knob lever facing the shift lever, slides with the horizontal movement of the shift lever. The conversion to a manual mode is sensed from the sliding of the knob and change to the manual mode is controlled by turning of the G-return.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jee-Hyuck Choi, Bum-Jun Kim, Hee-Soo Yang, Yang-Rae Cho, Jeong-Seon Min, Eun-Sik Kim, Sug-Jun Youn
  • Publication number: 20140157934
    Abstract: An shifting apparatus includes a shift gate pattern allowing manual shifting as well as a shift gate pattern allowing automatic shifting and to implement a manual shift gate pattern substantially at the same level as a vehicle with an MT in the vehicle with a DCT such that a driver can enjoy more dynamic and interesting shifting with maintaining the advantages of convenient automatic shifting, thereby improving the commercial value of the vehicle, and a method thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Young Min Yoon, Seong Hwan Cheong, Jong Ho Hong
  • Publication number: 20140157933
    Abstract: A method of setting a reference position of an actuator in an automated manual transmission, may include acquiring a full stroke by checking both ends in a shifting direction, determining whether or not the full stroke is within a normal range, moving a finger to a position that is half of a previous full stroke when the full stroke acquired at the procedure of acquiring the full stroke exceeds the normal range as a result of determining whether or not the full stroke is within the normal range, and determining whether or not a selection operation is carried out at the position that is half of the full stroke after moving the finger to the position that is half of the previous full stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Young Min Yoon, Hyung Wook Cho
  • Patent number: 8683888
    Abstract: A shift device for an automated or automatic transmission, in particular of a motor vehicle, has a manual selector lever which can be moved into the following stable selector lever positions: P, R, N and E and into four non-stable selector lever positions. Here, the stable selector lever positions are all arranged in alignment in a shift gate. Here, a stable selector lever position E is provided which is arranged in alignment with the stable selector lever positions in the shift gate and, here, is situated between two non-stable tilt positions +/?, which are arranged in alignment with the selector lever positions P, R and N, for step-by-step or multiple shifting, and in a transverse gate, which runs transversely with respect to the shift gate, between the two non-stable selector lever positions D and M arranged in the transverse gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Sickart, Michael Funk
  • Patent number: 8686717
    Abstract: A position sensor arrangement that can determine the two-dimensional position of a variety of different movable devices, such as an electronic joystick. According to one embodiment, the position sensor arrangement includes two pair of magnetic sensing elements that are angularly offset or skewed with respect to one another in order to provide redundancy and accuracy with a minimum number of sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Orson S. Wang
  • Patent number: 8656802
    Abstract: A shifter assembly for providing mechanical and electronic actuation to a transmission and a method of operating the same is disclosed. A shift lever is pivotable about a first axis in a first mode for providing mechanical actuation, and a second mode for providing electronic actuation to the transmission. An arm is pivotable about the first axis concurrently with the shift lever in at least the first mode. The arm includes a first and second engagement surface. The shifter assembly includes a cam pivotable about a second axis between a first and second position. The first engagement surface urges the cam to move between the first and second positions as the shift lever pivots in the first mode. The second engagement surface abuts the cam as the shift lever pivots in the second mode such that the arm pivots about the first axis while the cam remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventors: Jeff Behounek, Kenneth Skogward
  • Patent number: 8646354
    Abstract: A gear shift unit for an automated manual transmission, may include a shift block that is restricted in the rotational direction and slidably movable along a control shaft, and has a shift finger in order to implement a selecting operation with straight motion thereof and a shifting operation with rotation motion thereof, a driving actuator, a shifting unit selectively engaged with the driving actuator to rotate the control shaft by power of the driving actuator, wherein the shifting unit changes rotational direction of the control shaft in accordance with rotational angles of the driving actuator, and a selecting unit selectively engaged with the driving actuator to slide the shift block along the control shaft by power of the driving actuator while the shifting unit is not driven by the power of the driving actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Wooyeol Jeong
  • Patent number: 8584544
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a gearshift mechanism, the gearshift mechanism having at least one shifting element, a gear release element, a shift actuator and a selector actuator, in which the shifting element is movable by the selector actuator along a selector track, and is movable from the selector track at sites spaced from each other by means of the shift actuator into shift tracks for engagement of a gear, and the gear release element is coupled to the shifting element, so that during engagement of the new gear, it disengages a previously engaged gear, the shifting element, after engagement of a gear, is moved by the shift actuator in the direction toward the selector track into a rest position right in front of the discharge of the shift track into the selector track, in which it remains, until it is moved for engagement of a new gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lars Lein, Jan Gunnar Royland, Ole Andre Gjerpe, Christer Svenkerud, Ole Jonny Waerp, Viggio L. Norum
  • Patent number: 8453535
    Abstract: Selector lever arrangement for automatic transmissions of motor vehicles, having a manual shift facility and a selector lever, which in a shifting gate can be moved forwards or backwards in only one plane into the positions P, R, N and D, all positions being situated in series in one plane and the selector lever having a hand rest together with a release mechanism, the hand rest being pivotally guided relative to the selector lever by way of a four-bar linkage, in such a way that its angle in relation to the selector lever varies according to the position of the selector lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Igor Fischbein
  • Patent number: 8452498
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a tactile feedback system. The system comprises a transmission indicator having a position, the position adapted to be adjusted by a user, a feedback device coupled to the transmission indicator, the feedback device adapted to produce a vibration in response to a feedback signal, and a control system adapted to detect the position of the transmission indicator and to transmit a feedback signal to the feedback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: William T. Flanagan
  • Patent number: 8434383
    Abstract: A transmission shifting apparatus of a vehicle, may include a shifter movably installed along at least two straight paths which meet each other at one point, respectively, wherein at least two fixed points are arranged adjacent each other in at least one of straight paths, in which the shifter maintains a position thereof unless an external force is applied thereto, wherein the straight path having the at least two fixed points has a structure extending outwardly to both sides of the at least two fixed points, and wherein one of the at least two fixed points in the straight path is formed to meet the other straight path of the at least two straight paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hangil Park, Changhyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8353226
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly for a vehicle transmission can include an escutcheon body having a first guide rail and a second guide rail where the first and second guide rails are spaced apart from each other and are substantially parallel to each other. A slider body can be provided and can be movable with respect to the escutcheon body and include at least one spring member. The at least one spring member can include a contact structure, and a compression force can be applied via the contact structure to maintain the contact structure in compression with the guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sugiyama, Alan Cheung
  • Patent number: 8347752
    Abstract: An actuating device for transmitting shift commands to an automatic gearbox of a motor vehicle. The actuating device comprises a selector lever which is movable in a selector lane between an automatic shift lane and a sequential shift lane, a shift carriage for transmitting the shift commands to a gearbox transmission element, a separating device for separating the force transmission between the selector lever and the shift carriage, and a locking device for blocking the selector lever in at least one selector lever position. The locking device is set up to block the shift carriage. The shift carriage can be blocked not only in the shift-lock positions but also in the position of the shift carriage which corresponds to the selector lane position of the selector lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Carsten Weifels
  • Patent number: 8333128
    Abstract: An electronic selector lever module for generating gear shifting signals for an automatic transmission of a vehicle. The swivel motion of the gear selector lever, within a main shifting path, is transformed into rotational motion for an angle sensor. The sensor is positioned on a printed circuit board and is actuated by a rotor. To guide the rotor relative to the angle sensor, the rotor either surrounds a rounded part of the printed circuit board or surrounds a rotor guidance which is mounted on the printed circuit board. The mechanical linking point is a short sleeve at a slider, which both belong to the rotor, needed for the shifting path motion, and which also drive the tilting lever for the transverse motion. The slider can be moved, relative to the rotor, along rails, either radially and directly at the rotor, or tangentially to the pivot point of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Schober, Thomas Deichler, Hans-Ludwig Gotz
  • Patent number: 8196491
    Abstract: A shift selector apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first operational zone and a second operational zone. The apparatus provides separation between the two operational zones to prevent accidental shifting between ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Wilson, Linus L. Happ
  • Publication number: 20120085193
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automotive transmission which includes shift lever which moves in a first direction and a second direction to select a shift position and a shift mode selection unit which is installed at one side of the shift lever to select a shift mode. Additionally, the disclosed automotive transmission also includes a shift blocking unit which selectively blocks movement of the shift lever in the first direction and the second direction such that a shift position of the selected shift mode is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: SL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun Nyung Heo, Kwang Gi LEE, Dong Jae Kim
  • Publication number: 20120004818
    Abstract: When a select lever is in a drive range, a microcomputer reads a value of an output voltage by a switch-operation-signal output circuit after detecting that both shift-up switch and shift-down switch are substantially simultaneously turned on, checks whether or not the output voltage by the switch-operation-signal output circuit is the output voltage indicating that the switch after a predetermined time has elapsed is in a normal condition, and only when the output voltage is such an output voltage, permits a manual mode of an automatic transmission and when the output voltage is not such an output voltage, cancels the manual mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi WAKITA, Yoshiyuki NAGAYAMA
  • Patent number: 8024990
    Abstract: A shift lever apparatus includes a detent pin, and the distal end portion thereof is attached to a shift lever so as to be movable in the direction of coming into and out of contact with the shift lever. A lever guide is formed with a transition sliding surface on which the distal end of the detent pin slides along the operation of the shift lever on the back surface thereof. A gate portion is provided on the transition sliding surface, and limits the direction of movement of the detent pin in the direction practically matching the selecting direction by coming into contact with the distal end portion of the sliding detent pin. Accordingly, the direction of movement of the shift lever is limited only to the direction practically matching the selecting direction by a force transmitted from the gate portion via the detent pin when the shift lever passes through a transition guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Morimichi Hirano
  • Patent number: 7992463
    Abstract: A shifter for an automatic transmission has a gate plate with a main gate and a sub-gate. A shift lever has a spherical portion and is movable along the main gate and the sub-gate. A switching member enables switching the automatic transmission to a manual operation. The switching member includes a body held in a swingable manner, and a lever holding section integrally formed with the body to rotatably hold the spherical portion. The body is adapted, to be uncoupled from the shift lever so as to place the automatic transmission in a manual mode when the shift lever is swung from the main gate into the sub-gate about the spherical portion and to be coupled to the shift lever so as to return the automatic transmission to an automatic mode when the shift lever is returned from the sub-gate to the main gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mizuho Ueta, Takumi Kusayama
  • Publication number: 20110132122
    Abstract: An electronic shifting apparatus for a vehicle may include an operator movable along at least two or more straight paths, a shift lock assembly controlling a movement of the operator, a sensor detecting changes in position of the operator, a P-switch for selecting a P-range, a safety switch receiving an input from a driver, a controller outputting a shifting signal for controlling a transmission, wherein one of the straight paths sequentially have an R-temporary point for selecting a R-range, an NR-fixing point and an ND-fixing point for selecting an N-range, and a D-temporary point for selecting a D-range, wherein the ND-fixing point is connected with another straight path connecting an M-fixing point for selecting a neutral state in an manual mode, and both sides of the M-fixing point are connected with a (+)-temporary point (+) and a (?)-temporary point (?) through another straight line to operate the manual mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hangil PARK, Namsik BAEK
  • Publication number: 20110132124
    Abstract: A transmission shifting apparatus of a vehicle, may include a shifter movably installed along at least two straight paths which meet at one point each other, respectively, wherein at least two fixed points are arranged adjacent each other in at least one of straight paths, in which the shifter maintains a position thereof unless an external force is applied thereto, wherein the straight path having the at least two fixed points has a structure extending outward both sides of the at least two fixed points, and wherein one of the at least two fixed points in the straight path is formed to meet the other straight path of the at least two straight paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hangil Park, Changhyun Lee
  • Patent number: 7900532
    Abstract: An electric shifting device for a vehicle includes a shift lever, a gate channel, and a detent device. The detent device has a spring-loaded pin and a detent contour cooperating therewith. The detent contour includes first and second paths and a connection path therebetween. The detent contour is movable relative to the channel between a first position in which the first path is aligned with the channel and a second position in which the second path is aligned with the channel. The lever is connected to the pin such that the lever is movable within the channel along the first path when the detent contour is in the first position and within the channel along the second path when the detent contour is in the second position and such that the lever is movable along the connection path between the paths when the detent contour moves between the positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Abel, Ralf Boebel, Martin Deitmerg, Thomas Luksch, Knut Moldenhauer, Frank Blaesing, Dirk Bunselmeier, Klaus Hirschfeld, Bjorn Mans, Ralf Winkelmann, Michael Bleckmann, Rainer Buehlmann, Martin Kunze, Peter Molkow
  • Patent number: 7891267
    Abstract: An AT selector cover is disclosed having a base member having a select gate for an automatic mode and a manual mode gate formed along a vehicle's longitudinal direction, a first slide plate slidably held on the base member for sliding capability in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and a second slide plate held on the first slide plate for sliding capability in a vehicle's lateral direction, wherein the second slide plate has a guide member protruding toward the base member, which has a guide recess for guiding the guide member, movable with the shift lever, which is inserted to the guide recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Aso, Tomohiro Takahira
  • Patent number: 7882760
    Abstract: A shifting device is provided for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle with a first automatic shift gate and with a second tipping gate for a manual, stepwise shifting operation about a middle position. A selector lever can be pivoted about a first shift gate axis into the automatic shift gate and the tipping gate and about a second selector lever axis within the shift gates. The selector lever axis and the shift gate axis are arranged at right angles to one another in a shifting device housing. A connection member is provided for transmitting the pivoting motion of the selector lever in the automatic shift gate to a coupling element to the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Joerg Meyer
  • Patent number: 7878087
    Abstract: A selector device for an automated or automatic transmission, in particular of a motor vehicle, has a selector lever for selecting automatic shift stages and gears of the transmission. It being possible to move the selector lever from a stable initial position into a plurality of directly adjacent labile selector positions for selecting the automatic shift stages and the gears, from which labile selector positions, the selector lever automatically returns into the initial position. The selector device further has a display for visualizing the currently engaged gear and/or the currently activated automatic shift stage. To increase operating comfort, the selector lever can also be moved from the initial position into a stable rest position, from which the selector lever can be moved only in the direction of the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Dr Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Sickart