Restriction Of Shift, Gear Selection, Or Gear Engagement Patents (Class 74/473.21)
  • Patent number: 8820187
    Abstract: A shifting device comprises a selector lever movable relative to a fixed part and selector lever lock for preventing the lever from being moved when in a locking position (P) in which a vehicle transmission is blocked. The lock comprises a slider coupled with lever configured to slide through the fixed part from the locking position (P) to an unlocking position (R, N, D) in which vehicle transmission is unblocked. The slider may comprise one or more stop such that the slider can only be displaced through the fixed part or otherwise allowed to be rotated about an axis for changing into any of the unlocking positions (R, N, D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fico Triad, S.A.
    Inventor: Javier Moreno Colom
  • Patent number: 8776630
    Abstract: An operating shift apparatus for a transmission may improve shift feeling using variable rotational inertia according to rotation. The operating shift apparatus for a transmission may include a control shaft is disposed on a transmission case, a select lever which is connected to the control shaft and selects a shift gear, a shift lever which is connected to the control shaft and engages the selected shift gear and a weight disposed to the shift lever for enhancing rotational inertia of the shift lever, wherein the shift lever and the weight are independently formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hongsuk Suh
  • Publication number: 20140182408
    Abstract: A neutral locking system for a vehicle includes a park release shaft and a neutral locking tool. The park release shaft is operatively connected to the transmission such that rotation of the park release shaft places the transmission in a neutral state. The tool is configured to couple to the park release shaft such that rotation of the tool rotates the park release shaft. The tool can also include a sliding locking pin having a first position allowing rotation of the tool within an engine compartment and a second position in which the pin contacts a component in the engine compartment to limit rotation of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daric J. Galden
  • Publication number: 20140165764
    Abstract: An automotive transmission is provided that includes a shift lever configured to move in a first direction to select a gear shifting position and a moving member that is configured to move in a second direction along a guide groove formed in the shift lever. A movement blocker is configured to selectively block the movement of the shift lever based on a position of the moving member. The movement blocker includes a rotating member configured to rotate in one direction by the moving member positioned at one side of the guide groove and block the movement of the moving member in the first direction. In addition, a support member to which the rotating member is rotatably connected moves in the second direction by the moving member positioned at the other side of the guide groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: SL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang Ho Moon, Yun Je Hwang
  • Publication number: 20140144273
    Abstract: In a shift lever device, a first engagement portion or a second engagement portion of a shift lever is inserted into a first stopping hole or a second stopping hole of a strength gate when the shift lever is turned along a manual transmission hole, thereby stopping the shift lever from turning towards an automatic transmission hole side. In the shift lever, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are disposed at the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side of a support body. An increase in size of the shift lever in the vehicle left-right direction due to the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion can accordingly be suppressed, and the turning rage of the shift lever in the vehicle left-right direction can be made smaller, thereby enabling a reduction in size of the shift lever device in the vehicle left-right direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masashi KATO, Kenichi KAKO, Hayato MORI, Kenji NAKANISHI, Reiji HIGUCHI, Yoshifumi IWASAKI, Kenta GOTO
  • Patent number: 8726755
    Abstract: In a shift lever device, a first-link is held at a permitting-position due to a release button being operated. Therefore, when a shift lever is operated from a “P” shift position, when a second-link is pushed toward a vehicle right side by the shift lever, even if a magnet is not energized, the second-link is rotated in a state where sliding of the first-link toward a vehicle right is impeded. Operation of the shift lever from the “P” shift position is thereby forcibly permitted. Here, the first-link is disposed at the permitting-position that is an initial-position, and, due to the release button being operated, the first-link is held at the permitting-position. Therefore, there is no need to move the first-link by operation of the release button, and the operation load and operation stroke of the release button can be made to be small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shuji Nakamura, Hideaki Ito
  • Patent number: 8707817
    Abstract: An operating device (40) for a state-changing element that is an embodiment of the present invention includes a detent mechanism (50) for displacing and positioning displacement members (22, 33) included in a state-changing element (10), an actuator (60) for driving the detent mechanism (50), and a control unit (5) that controls the actuator (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Itazu, Yoshinobu Nozaki
  • Patent number: 8667859
    Abstract: In a parking position lock shifting device of a motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine, particularly a parking lock shifting device with at least one hydraulic shifting unit, the shifting unit is designed so as to be operable by a drive unit that is operable separately from the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Boris Engel, Joachim Gansloser
  • Patent number: 8631718
    Abstract: A punch includes a first caulking surface and a second caulking surface caulking margins of which axially differ in depth and sequentially formed in a peripheral direction, and includes a regulating surface opposing an outer peripheral surface of a caulking process portion to the first caulking surface of the first and second caulking surfaces, which has a deeper caulking margin, wherein the regulating surface regulates radial fillet movement by caulking of the caulking process portion to promote the fillet movement to the second caulking surface of the first and second caulking surfaces, which has a less deep caulking margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shimada
  • Publication number: 20140007729
    Abstract: A shifter assembly for selecting one of a plurality of gears of a transmission of a vehicle includes a housing having an index track for defining a first mode and a second mode. A shift lever is movably coupled to the housing and interfaces with the index track as the shift lever moves between the modes. A blocker coupled to the housing has a first engagement surface engageable by the shift lever when in the first mode to prevent the shift lever from entering the second mode with the blocker moving in a first direction when the shift lever abuts the first engagement surface. The blocker has a second engagement surface engaged by the shift lever when moving from the first mode to the second mode with the blocker moving in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction when the shift lever abuts the second engagement surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Fredriksson
  • Publication number: 20140000403
    Abstract: Disclosed therein is an automatic transmission lever assembly having a shift-lock cam having an electromagnet. The automatic transmission lever assembly includes: a base bracket fixed to a frame of a vehicle; a rod; a rotating member joined to a lower end of the rod, the rotating member rotating on a predetermined shaft according to a movement of the rod for changing a transmission mode and having a locking portion formed at a position corresponding to a shift-lock; a shift-lock cam having a permanent magnet, the shift-lock cam being caught to the locking portion at a shift-lock position and being rotatable on the shaft; and an electromagnet provided at a position facing the permanent magnet, wherein when a brake signal is transferred, electric current flows to the electromagnet, so that the shift-lock cam is operated in a direction to be released from the locking portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: KYUNG CHANG INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jisoo Kim
  • Patent number: 8556772
    Abstract: A manual transmission clutch protection apparatus includes a shift gate cylinder acted upon by the operator controlled shift lever having a first shift pattern that represents all possible shift positions and two or more additional but limited shift patterns corresponding to certain gears which limit the gears selectable and enagageable by the vehicle operator. Two or more actuators which may be solenoids or other electric, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators translate blocking pins or plungers into the additional or limited shift patterns to lockout or block motion of the shift lever and shift gate cylinder into certain gears. Engine speed and temperature sensors, a vehicle speed sensor and a current gear sensor provide data which is utilized to compute which gears, under current sensed operating conditions, should be locked out, that is, unavailable for selection by the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Biallas
  • Patent number: 8560188
    Abstract: A sport running estimated value LEVELSP obtained by searching a value on a map prepared in advance based on an average values AGYAVE of lateral accelerations GY of a vehicle and on average values of vehicle speed changes is calculated, and a vehicle speed on a shift map is searched based on the sport running estimated value LEVELSP and an estimated value DA of a vehicle gradient, whereby a downshift vehicle speed VA at which a downshift is implemented is calculated. Then, the downshift is implemented in a case where actuation of a brake is detected, deceleration of the vehicle is a predetermined value or more, and a current vehicle speed is a downshift vehicle speed VA or more. In such a way, running on a meandering road, for which the downshift and a subsequent shift hold should be implemented, is sensed appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ishikawa, Hiroshi Saito, Yasuhiro Gokan
  • Publication number: 20130247703
    Abstract: A transmission device for an internal combustion engine for preventing components thereof from being damaged for making the components smaller in size and weight, reducing a load and a time required to shift gear positions for increased operability and for reducing overall size and weight. A transmission device for an internal combustion engine includes a shift drum angularly movable by a star-shaped drum plate that is turned when a change spindle is turned and a stopper roller for limiting the star-shaped drum plate against turning movement. The star-shaped drum plate includes peaks corresponding to a plurality of gear positions and valleys interposed between the peaks. A selected one of the valleys includes a curved wall for being more gently contacted by the stopper roller than curved surfaces of the other valleys which are contacted by the stopper roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi OGASAWARA, Noriaki TAKANO, Eiichi SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20130167682
    Abstract: A shift device with an over-shift lock for a multi-speed transmission of a motor vehicle, in which individual gears are shifted incrementally, is provided. The shift device has a pivotable shifting element which is composed of an activation element and a driver element displaceably held thereon. Both elements have mutually aligned oblong holes which are penetrated by a shifting shaft leading to the transmission. A shifting process is limited by the striking of the shifting shaft against the end sides of the oblong holes. In this position, the alternating influencing of the shifting shaft and the contours of the oblong holes prevents a further rotation of the shifting shaft and thereby an over-shifting of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
  • Patent number: 8468905
    Abstract: An operating device with an operating lever for a control valve includes: an input member connected to the operating lever; an output member connected to a slide spool of the control valve; and a swing link for relaying a displacement of the input member to the output member. The swing link is swingable about a swing shaft center on one end and is connected to the input and output members. A latch portion in the swing link is farther than a connecting point with the output member from the swing shaft center. A lock body is switchably operable between a lock position and a release position, and at the lock position, engaged with the latch portion at a neutral position to limit a swing of the swing link about the swing shaft center by which the control valve is locked at a neutral state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoshige Maezawa
  • Patent number: 8459136
    Abstract: An improved shifter detent plate to replace the stock shifter detent plate used in certain automatic transmissions equipped with horseshoe shifters to provide positive stops between gears during forward shifts, thereby allowing the user to manually shift through the gears of the automatic transmission without accidentally skipping a gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Robert K. Thomson
  • Publication number: 20130133459
    Abstract: A shift/tilt locking apparatus and method for shift lever of automatic transmission allows a shift knob to slide and tilt to fit the state of a vehicle the driver's intention, or restricts the operation of the shift knob. The apparatus 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 means that allows shift knob to slide by selectively restricting sliding of main shaft; and a tilting restriction means 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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, SL Corporation, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jeehyuck Choi, Kwanggi Lee, Dongjae Kim
  • Publication number: 20130133458
    Abstract: A device for controlling a device for locking a motor-vehicle gear change in a parking condition includes a transmission which connects the gear change lever to a driven member movable between an operative position and an inoperative position, respectively for engagement and disengagement of the locking, device. The transmission is connected to the driven member through a rotatable drum with a cylindrical surface having a cam-track cooperating with, a cam-following element, The cam-track is designed so as to cause engagement of the locking device when the transmission is subjected to a pulling action or to a pushing action, depending upon the requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Fiat Powertrain Technologies S.p.A
    Inventor: Mario SCAVARDA
  • 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: 8448536
    Abstract: An actuating device for selecting fixed gear ratios of a gear shifting transmission. The actuating device comprises a shift lever movable between at least three gear positions, and a lockout mechanism for limiting the range of motion of the shift lever. The lockout mechanism comprises a locking assembly including at least one locking chamber disposed in at least one locking roller, and the shift lever includes at least one locking cam. The locking cam can be inserted into the locking chamber to limit the range of motion of the shift lever. It is thus possible to implement actuating and locking tasks in the field of shift-by-wire transmissions, in a simple way and with minimal construction space requirements. The actuating device produces minimal noise and has short shifting times, and makes it shift-by-wire-controlled H shift patterns possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake, Sascha Rosentreter
  • Publication number: 20130091972
    Abstract: In a shift lever device, operation of a shift lever to a “P” shift position is allowed when electric-power is not supplied to a solenoid in a state where the shift lever has been operated to a shift position other than the “P” shift position. Moreover, operation of the shift lever from the “P” shift position is regulated when electric-power is not supplied to a lock solenoid in a state where the shift lever has been operated to the “P” shift position. Therefore, in a case where the shift position of the shift lever is other than the “P” shift position when electric-power is not supplied to the solenoid and the lock solenoid, operation of the shift lever from the “P” shift position can be regulated by operating the shift lever to the “P” shift position, and the shift lever can be placed in the “P” shift position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI- SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
  • Patent number: 8413534
    Abstract: A shifting device is provided for a vehicle transmission with a selector lever pivotable within a shifting device housing about at least one axis of rotation for selecting gears defined within the vehicle transmission. A shift position of the selector lever is assigned to at least one gear. A locking device for the individual shift positions of the selector lever can be released as a function of given general data of the state of motor vehicle components such as the pedal mechanism and the engine. The locking device has a locking element displaceable by the selector lever analogously to the individual shift positions of the selector lever. The locking element has a plurality of locking devices, which correspond to the individual shift positions and which can be brought into a locking position and an unlocking position by at least one actuating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
  • Patent number: 8408088
    Abstract: An apparatus for releasing a parking state of a shift-by-wire shifting device may include a housing fixed to a vehicle body, a driving screw rotatably coupled to the housing and threaded, a slider engaged to the driving screw and slidable along the driving screw, and a cable connected to the slider and transmitting a sliding motion of the slider to a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hangil Park, Changhyun Lee, Jeongho Park
  • Patent number: 8402858
    Abstract: A gearshift device for a change-speed gearbox of a motor vehicle, includes, but is not limited to a gearshift lever guided movably between positions corresponding to different gears, on which a locking member is displaceable between a locking position in a first degree of freedom in which it blocks any movement of the gearshift lever from a forward gear position into a reverse gear position, and a release position in a first degree of freedom in which it allows movement from the forward gear position into the reverse gear position. The locking member on the gearshift lever is movable in a second degree of freedom between a normal position in which movement between release position and locking position is possible and an alignment position in which it fixes the gearshift lever free from play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Burger, Thorsten Hahn, Axel Geiberger
  • Patent number: 8397894
    Abstract: An apparatus for locking a shift lever of an automatic transmission in a vehicle may include a shift lock cam including a position converting member and being connected with a brake pedal wherein the shift lock cam is pivotally coupled to a shift lever housing and elastically supported by a first elastic member, and a shift lock release lever that is pivotally coupled to the shift lever housing and elastically supported by a second elastic member, wherein one end of the shift lock release lever is selectively coupled to a shift lever body and the other end of the shift lock release lever is eccentrically coupled to the position converting member of the shift lock cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Wonjin Jeong
  • Patent number: 8387478
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hangil Park, Namsik Baek
  • Patent number: 8371188
    Abstract: A transmission control assembly having a housing and a bracket pivotally coupled to the housing for movement along a first path. A yoke is selectively coupled to the bracket for concurrent movement with the bracket along the first path. The yoke is also selectively pivotal about a second pivot axis substantially transverse to the first pivot axis for movement along a second path. A tactile device is supported by the bracket and engageable with the housing. The tactile device moves about the bracket during the movement of the bracket along the first path. A locking mechanism is coupled between the bracket and the yoke. The locking mechanism moves between an unlocked position when the yoke is coupled to the bracket for allowing movement of the tactile device and a locked position engaged with the tactile device when the yoke moves along the second path for preventing movement of the tactile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kongsberg Driveline Systems I, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bortolon, William McDonald
  • Patent number: 8359943
    Abstract: A gearshift device for an automatic transmission that prevents inadvertent gearshift operations. The gearshift device includes a shaft-shaped gearshift member partially exposed from a housing so as to be rotatable relative to the housing about a rotation axis and movable sidewards in at least a first direction that intersects the rotation axis. The gearshift member is rotated to a plurality of rotation positions respectively corresponding to the gear positions of the automatic transmission. A movement restriction unit permits movement of the gearshift member in the first direction only when the gearshift member is rotated to a selected one of the rotation positions to determine shifting to the gear position corresponding to the selected one of the rotation positions. A control unit provides the automatic transmission with a gearshift control signal corresponding to the selected one of the rotation positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Seki
  • 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: 8327970
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vehicle includes a vehicle body frame including a main frame extending rearward from a head pipe, and a pivot frame extending downward from a rear portion of the main frame. An engine is supported by the vehicle body frame. A shift pedal is provided, with which a driver performs a gear-shifting operation. A base part is provided, to which a detector and a moveable part are attached. The detector is configured to detect the gear-shifting operation, and the moveable part is configured such that an operation thereof is detected by the detector. A link is provided, which links the shift pedal and the moveable part to each other. The base part is detachably provided to the engine, and the base part and the moveable part are configured, in a plan view, inward of an outer side surface of the main frame in a vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Furuse, Kenji Morita
  • Publication number: 20120297913
    Abstract: A manual transmission clutch protection apparatus includes a shift gate cylinder acted upon by the operator controlled shift lever having a first shift pattern that represents all possible shift positions and two or more additional but limited shift patterns corresponding to certain gears which limit the gears selectable and enagageable by the vehicle operator. Two or more actuators which may be solenoids or other electric, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators translate blocking pins or plungers into the additional or limited shift patterns to lockout or block motion of the shift lever and shift gate cylinder into certain gears. Engine speed and temperature sensors, a vehicle speed sensor and a current gear sensor provide data which is utilized to compute which gears, under current sensed operating conditions, should be locked out, that is, unavailable for selection by the vehicle operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Biallas
  • Patent number: 8316734
    Abstract: An operating device for selecting gear ratios of a transmission. The operating device comprises a selector lever that is movable between at least three gear selection positions and a locking device for limiting the range of motion of the selector lever. The locking device has a cantilever assembly with a plurality of locking contours that are connected to the selector lever. Each locking contour is assigned to a selector lever position and can be engaged with locking element to form a motion stop for the selector lever. It is thus possible to implement even complex locking tasks in a structurally simple manner such that jams, that occur during actuation, or undefined operating states in the locking device can be prevented. The range of motion of the selector lever is largely freely controlled using an actuator control, and the device is relatively silent and has short shifting times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake, Sascha Rosentreter
  • Patent number: 8281681
    Abstract: A shift-by-wire (SBW) device includes a capacitor, which stores electric power. When an abnormality occurs in a battery or an electric power supply system, an actuator of the SBW device receives electric power from the capacitor and changes a shift range of an automatic transmission to a P range at least once. Furthermore, when a lever of a P range releasing arrangement is operated, the P range of the automatic transmission is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kimura, Shigeru Yoshiyama, Taku Itoh, Yoshinobu Nozaki, Atsushi Kamada
  • Patent number: 8246518
    Abstract: The invention is a transmission shifting system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a transmission having a push-pull and rotating member for operating the transmission movable in an H pattern. In detail, the invention includes a first reversible electric motor coupled to the member for moving the member backwards and forwards. A second reversible electric motor is coupled to the member for rotating the member clockwise and counter-clockwise. The second motor coupled to the member by means of a biasing assembly such that a biasing force can be applied to the member when the second motor rotates without the member rotating. A transmission shifter control system is provided for sequencing the operation of the first and second motors so to move the member in the H pattern upon receipt of an actuation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: American Supercars and Prototypes
    Inventors: Christopher Charles Trevino, Gerhard Heinrich Fiedler
  • Publication number: 20120192670
    Abstract: An operation device of a shift mechanism in a manual transmission includes a cylindrical support member fixedly mounted within the transmission housing in such a manner that a radial projection on an operation shaft of the shift mechanism is concentrically placed in the cylindrical support member and a leaf spring having a central portion formed with a V-shaped concave to be engaged with the radial projection of the operation shaft and a pair of side portions fixed to opposite ends of the cylindrical support member such that the V-shaped concave is maintained in engagement with the radial projection to retain the operation shaft in a neutral position, whereby load of the leaf spring acting on the operation shaft respectively when shifted in one direction and in the other direction can be adjusted in different characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN AI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Isao MIZUTANI, Arisa Himeno
  • Patent number: 8225632
    Abstract: A key interlock device for a vehicle, may include a shift lever moving straight at least in two perpendicular directions between a predetermined range and a P-range in sequence, a key lock lever pivotally coupled to a vehicle body and rotatable by a second straight movement of the shift lever between the predetermined range and the P-range, and a motion transmitting member coupled to an end portion of the key lock lever and transmitting the rotation of the key lock lever to a key set as a straight motion while the other end portion of the key lock lever moves in the second straight movement from/to the P-range of the shift lever by the shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dohyon Won
  • Patent number: 8210989
    Abstract: A method of preventing unauthorized movement of a transmission shift mechanism comprises the steps of: detecting a predefined event; moving a locking device into an engaged position with a shift mechanism upon the occurrence of the predefined event to retain the shift mechanism in at least one of a park, reverse, neutral, and drive position; and maintaining an ignition system in a substantially off position during the detecting of the event and the moving of the locking device into the engaged position. A vehicle assembly is also provided comprising the transmission shift mechanism and the locking device coupled to the shift mechanism. The vehicle assembly also includes the ignition system, which is movable between off, accessory, run, and start positions, and a controller with the controller energizing the locking device in response to the predefined event to move the locking device into the locked position while the ignition system remains substantially in the off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Vermeersch, Larry W. Burr
  • Patent number: 8197387
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly utilizing a single switch to produce a first signal indicating that a transmission of a vehicle is in a park position and a second signal to authorize removal of a key from an ignition of the vehicle is disclosed. The switch includes a casing supporting a plunger having a first park indication contact and a first key removal contact. The casing includes a second park indication contact and a second key removal contact. The first park indication contact engages the second park indication contact when the plunger is in a rest position and is disengaged from the second park indication contact when the plunger is in a depressed position. The first key removal contact is disengaged from the second key removal contact when the plunger is in the rest position and engages the second key removal contact when the plunger is in the depressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Vermeersch, Larry W. Burr
  • Publication number: 20120137811
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having at least one controllable actuator provided for engaging and/or disengaging at least one transmission gear, and a selection element to be operated manually, by which the actuator can be controlled, wherein. In order to engage a transmission gear, the selection element must first be moved in the direction of a specified end position assigned to the corresponding transmission gear. The selection element can be moved into the end position assigned to the corresponding transmission gear only when the corresponding transmission gear is actually engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Lindner, Thomas Tille
  • Patent number: 8186241
    Abstract: A shifting device for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle with a gear-shift lever, which can be moved in an automatic shift track to select gear-shift positions; with a locking mechanism for blocking the adjusting movements of the gear-shift lever into at least one gear-shift position and/or out of at least one gear-shift position; and with a release button arranged on the gear-shift lever to release the blocking action of the locking mechanism. An increased level of functional reliability can be achieved by establishing a drive connection between the release button and two blocking elements, which are arranged redundantly on the gear-shift lever with the freedom to move up and down, that an actuation of the release button produces a synchronous stroke of the two blocking elements, where each of the blocking elements cooperates with an arresting gate comprising gate sections assigned to the gear-shift positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Sickart
  • Patent number: 8161837
    Abstract: An emergency release device for manual actuation of the parking lock of a shift-by-wire transmission. The emergency release device comprises a mechanical transfer device located between an emergency release actuator and the transmission and engages a pivoting lever mechanism arranged on a transmission shifting shaft. A characterizing feature of the emergency release device is that the pivoting lever mechanism comprises a primary pivoting lever connected to the transfer device, a secondary pivoting lever connected to the transmission and a unidirectional coupling element located between the primary and the secondary pivoting levers. The advantage of this device relates to reduced susceptibility to corrosion, wear and noise emission and easier correct adjustment of the transfer device during assembly, while a separate prestressing mechanism for the cable of the emergency parking lock release can be omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake
  • Patent number: 8156841
    Abstract: A manipulation lever connection structure for a vehicle eliminates a striking sound without losing an adjusting function of an adjustment nut. The manipulation lever connection structure for a vehicle includes an arm for operating a driving changeover device and for connecting a wire which extends from a manipulation lever to the arm. An adjustment bolt is mounted on a distal end of the wire with a joint slidably mounted on the adjustment bolt on an axis thereof. An adjustment nut for supporting the joint is fastened to the adjustment bolt. A pair of side plate portions, respectively, forming elongated holes which allow the joint to pass therethrough is mounted on the arm. The adjustment nut is inserted between the pair of side plate portions with a buffer cover being mounted on the adjustment nut with a clearance formed between the adjustment nut and the respective side plate portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yasuda, Koji Sato, Hideo Yanai
  • Patent number: 8145399
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing an electronic gear shift selector associated with an automatic mechanical transmission for a heavy vehicle. The gear shift selector includes a toggle switch for asserting at least one gear shift request, a counter receiving the at least one gear shift request, and a time delay for preventing communication of the at least one gear shift request from the counter until a predefined time period has passed. A method for communicating a collective gear shift request to a gear box includes asserting one or more gear shift requests with a gear shift selector, communicating the gear shift requests to a counter, determining the collective gear shift requests occurring within a predefined time period, communicating the gear shift requests occurring within the predefined time period to a gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Lindgren, Anders Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20120067154
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a transmission shift assembly for a vehicle and methods of monitoring and controlling the same. The transmission shift assembly includes a transmission having a shift position member movable between a plurality of gear positions, an actuator configured to move the shift position between the gear positions, and a linkage coupled to the actuator and movable between a plurality of positions in response to movement of the actuator. The assembly further includes a controller to control the actuator, an ignition to receive a key, and at least one key sensor positioned within the ignition and configured to transmit a signal to the controller upon sensing removal of the key, the controller controlling the actuator to move the shift position member to a predetermined gear position upon receiving the signal from the key sensor that the key has been removed from the ignition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: NEXTEER (BEIJING) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: James E. Rouleau
  • Publication number: 20120067155
    Abstract: An actuating device for selecting gear steps of a shift-by-wire gearshift transmission with a base housing, a selection lever, a mechanical transmission means for actuating the parking lock, and with a coupling element are arranged between the selection lever and the transmission means. The transmission means is selectively actuated by the coupling element only during selection and/or deselection of the parking lock position on the selection lever. The coupling element has an end which is linearly guided in a slot and an end which is pivotally guided in certain sections in the base housing. The coupling element and the selection lever are kinematically coupled with each other by way of a swivel support. The structure and the installation of the mechanical transmission linkage required for selectively actuating the transmission means to the parking lock can be simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Berthold Grosse Kohorst
  • Patent number: 8127637
    Abstract: A control device for controlling engagement of desired gears of a gearbox. The control device includes a holder unit and at least one control rod which has a relating locking arrangement and is arranged for linear movement in the holder unit. The control rod is provided with one or more recesses which each define a predetermined setting position of the control rod relative to the holder unit. The locking arrangement includes a locking device which is movable, substantially perpendicularly to the control rod's longitudinal axis, between a first position in which the locking device engages in one of the recesses in the control rod, and a second position in which the locking device does not engage in any of the recesses in the control rod. A wire spring fastened in a holder arrangement is firmly connected to the holder unit. The locking device is mounted on or forms part of the wire spring and is movable from the first position to the second position against the action of the spring force of the wire spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Erik Göras, Magnus Hagberg
  • Patent number: 8087319
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle includes a shift rail movable in a longitudinal direction. The shift rail carries a fork engaging a shift collar. A shift block carried by the shift rail includes a latch and a detent. The latch is latchable with the shift rail for preventing longitudinal movement of the shift rail. A cross shaft extending transverse to the shift rail carries a shift arm engageable with the shift block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Thomas G. Ore
  • Patent number: 8079282
    Abstract: To provide a dual-system switch device for a transmission, using conventional components, without newly preparing a new dual-system switch device, a switch device 1 for a transmission comprises: a main inhibitor switch 11 which is connected to a shift cable 32 moving in accordance with the select position of a shift lever 3 operated by a driver, and which detects the select position of the shift lever in accordance with the movement of the shift cable 32; and a sub-inhibitor switch 13 which is connected to the shift cable 32 via a connecting member, and which detects the select position of the shift lever in accordance with the movement of the shift cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Matsushita
  • Patent number: 8068965
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a shift-position changing mechanism that changes the shift positions of an automatic transmission mounted in a vehicle using a rotational force of an actuator based on a signal corresponding to the state of an operation member, including: a mechanism that generates a rotational force for moving the actuator toward a rotation stop positional-range corresponding to the shift position, based on a rotation stop position of the actuator; a detection unit that detects a rotation amount of the actuator; a control unit that controls the actuator based on the signal and the detected rotation amount; and a learning unit that learns the rotation stop positional-range corresponding to the shift position, based on an amount by which the actuator has been rotated since a control over the actuator executed by the control unit is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kubonoya, Masato Kaigawa, Keiji Hoshino, Shigeru Kamio