Restriction Of Shift, Gear Selection, Or Gear Engagement Patents (Class 74/473.21)
  • Publication number: 20040250642
    Abstract: At least one shift gate includes a stabilizing range for stabilizing an engagement between the engaging portion and the at least one shift gate. The system stops movement of the movable member by driving the actuator and determines a portion at the movable member as a shift gate reference position at a time when the movement of the movable member stops. The system moves the movable member by driving the actuator, stabilizes the engaging portion in the stabilizing range, and determines the stabilizing position of the engaging portion as a position of the at least one shift gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN AI CO,. LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ichikawa, Tatuhiro Miyake, Takeshige Miyazaki, Mitsutoshi Kamiya, Yoshiki Itoh, Hideyuki Yamada
  • Publication number: 20040250643
    Abstract: A restrictor lock is disclosed for locking in the maximum velocity of a traveling unit. The restrictor lock prevents the movement of a throttle past a certain point. The restrictor lock can be adaptable and interchangeable with various machine types and brands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Gary R. Jones
  • Publication number: 20040244523
    Abstract: A hydraulic servo assembly includes a piston slidably disposed within a housing and a pin extending from the piston. The pin is interconnected with a servo link rod of the ETRS system. A port enables inlet of hydraulic fluid to induce movement of the piston and the pin from a first position to a second position to pull the servo link rod thereby shifting the transmission range to the out-of-park position. When in the first position the pin biases a forward-reverse enable (FRE) valve of the ETRS system in a first position. When in the second position a bias force of the pin is relieved from the FRE valve enabling the FRE valve to shift to a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Brian W. Whitmarsh, Stephen W. Powell, Ryan M. Jenness
  • Publication number: 20040237694
    Abstract: A parking lock for an automated transmission of a motor vehicle includes a first spring-type actuator for engaging the parking lock, a transmission actuator, a release device operable using the transmission actuator for disengaging the parking lock, and a retaining device. The retaining device is configured to counteract at least one of the spring-type actuator and a second spring-type actuator so as to hold the parking lock in a disengaged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KG
    Inventors: Christoph Lindenschmidt, Reinhard Berger
  • Patent number: 6823755
    Abstract: A manual transmission includes a shift body that is associated with two separate actuating devices, wherein the shift body may be a gearshift fork or a gearshift rocker. The gearshift body can be actuated selectively by one or the other actuating device. The actuating devices are preferably gearshift rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Koerber, Heinz Bassner
  • Publication number: 20040226801
    Abstract: A shifter includes a powered pawl mechanism that selectively engages a shift gate. The powered pawl mechanism may include an electrically operated solenoid or the like, and may be mounted to the base of the shifter or to the shift lever. The pawl engages a shift gate that is mounted on the other of the shift lever and the base. A mechanical override may be utilized to disengage the pawl. The shifter includes an electrically operated push button or the like on the shift knob, and may utilize sensors that determine the shift lever position for controlling a transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Robert A. De Jonge, Dennis M. Hawver, David M. Mitteer, Edward J. Bratkowski, Eric W. Bryant, Daniel J. Fisher, Craig A. Wolffis, Mark A. Moss
  • Patent number: 6810762
    Abstract: A gear change device comprising a select actuator for actuating a shift lever in the direction of selection and a shift actuator for actuating the shift lever in the direction of shift, and the select actuator has a shift lever support mechanism arranged in a casing to support the shift lever in such a manner as to slide in the axial direction and to rotate, an electromagnetic solenoid for operating the shift lever in the axial direction which is the direction of selection, a select position-limiting mechanism for limiting the operation position of the shift lever according to the thrust produced in response to the amount of electric power fed to the electromagnetic coils of the electromagnetic solenoids, and the shift actuator works to turn the shift lever support mechanism in the direction of shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Michinobu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6786108
    Abstract: A motorized beach vehicle has a gear lever clutching structure for prevention of gear slip. The gear lever, the linking arm and the swing arm are connected to form a substantially “h”-shaped structure. The gear lever may be pivoted to combine the combination stud of the swing arm with the combination hole of the combination arm, so that the gear lever may be moved to shift the universal connector of the crank so as to change the speed. After the gear lever accomplishes the gear shifting work, the combination stud is detached from the combination hole of the combination arm. Thus, the crank cannot be moved to shift gear in the gearbox due to vibration or shock applied on the vehicle body, thereby preventing from incurring gear slip of the gearbox of the motorized beach vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Power Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tai-Yang Luh
  • Publication number: 20040163924
    Abstract: A gearshift unit (1) for electronic transmission control in motor vehicles including a gearshift lever housing (4) and a gearshift lever (5) moveable in relation to the gearshift lever housing (4), the gearshift lever being rotatable about a main pivot axis (6) of the gearshift lever (5) within an active position range for active gearshift positions and a neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Staffan Wendeberg, Robert Brostrom, Henrik Bostrom
  • Patent number: 6769325
    Abstract: A detent assembly for a transmission is provided including a transmission component, such as a shift rail, movable between a plurality of shift positions including first, second, and neutral shift positions. A contoured surface on the shift rail includes first and second recesses, respectively, corresponding to the first and second shift positions. A neutral recess is arranged between the first and second shift recesses corresponding to the neutral shift position. The first and second recesses, respectively, include first and second transition surfaces sloping towards the neutral recess with the second transition surface being steeper than the first transition surface. A detent assembly includes a biasing member and a detent member with the biasing member urging the detent member into engagement with the contoured surface. The biasing member generates a first work along the first transition surface and a second force along the second transition surface greater than the first work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Meritor, LLC
    Inventors: Dean Molde, Patrick Scheib
  • Patent number: 6761084
    Abstract: A gate-type shift lever device in which a pin is formed at a mounting piece formed at a back wall portion of a base, which pin axially supports a plate switch. Two levers are formed at the plate switch. A shift lever abuts and presses one of the levers during a shift operation from a “D” position to a “4” position. The shift lever abuts and presses another of the levers, during a shift operation from a “2” position to an “L” position. In accordance with rotation of the plate switch due to the pressing forces received by the levers, a holder contact moves transversely. Thus, the shift operations from the “D” position to the “4” position and from the “2” position to the “L” position can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yutaka Suzuki, Keizo Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6745878
    Abstract: An interlock mechanism is provided for a transmission system having a gear unit with a plurality of selectable gear ratios. A manually operated clutch control pedal is manually movable from a clutch engaged position to a clutch disengaged position. The transmission has a pair of shift rails movable to select gear ratios. The shift rails have detent grooves which interact with a pair of detent balls. An interlock member is normally in a lock position wherein the interlock member engages both detent balls and holds them in the detent grooves to prevent movement of either or both shift rails. The interlock member is movable to a release position wherein the interlock member is disengaged from the both detent balls whereby the detent balls will allow one of the shift rails to be moved. An interlock spring is biased to urge the interlock member to the lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Michael Ray Jensen
  • Patent number: 6718842
    Abstract: Shift lever unit for transforming the tilting movements of a shift lever (1) in electrical control signals, in particular for controlling a gearbox, with a shift lever, a rotating element (30, 3′) which is rotated by the tilting movements of the shift lever (1) and a sensor (32, 41) detecting the angular position of the rotating element (30, 3′) and transforming it into electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fico Triad
    Inventor: Josep Bofias
  • Patent number: 6701798
    Abstract: An automatic transmission of a motor vehicle is provided that can be in at least one secured state and one unsecured state has a pivotable selector lever for selecting different gears and/or gear selections and has a first blocking mechanism, which can block the pivoting movement of the selector lever. The first blocking mechanism has a displaceable blocking element and a stationary blocking contour for engaging the blocking element and can prevent the selector lever from being pivoted by the blocking element engaging the blocking contour. A second blocking mechanism has a toggle lever, which is in contact with a stop in a stretched-out blocking position and prevents the release of the first blocking mechanism and makes possible the unlocking of the first blocking mechanism in the release position. A release mechanism releases the toggle lever from the stretched-out blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventor: Jörg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20040020321
    Abstract: A shaft and detent assembly includes a detent lever assembly that is manually assembled on the shaft. The detent lever includes a hub which has an opening formed therein alignable with an opening formed in the shaft. A pin is inserted through the opening in both the hub and the shaft to secure the two members together for common rotation. A cylindrical retainer is assembled on the hub of the detent lever in a position to overlap or cover at least a portion of the openings in the detent lever and shaft to restrict the movement of the pin, which is secured therein during assembly. The retainer also has a plurality of spring fingers, which engage a groove formed in the hub to restrict inadvertent removal of the retainer from the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Richard L. Whitebread, Heidi L. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6679809
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire gear shifter comprises: a holder; a rotary shaft rotatably held by the holder; a shift lever whose bottom is fixed on the rotary shaft; a shift knob attached to a top of the shift lever; detecting means for detecting an operational condition of the shift knob; an actuator which applies an external force for force feedback to the shift knob through the rotary shaft and the shift lever; a control section which receives a detection signal a from the detecting means, a transmission signal d from a transmission controller and an engine revolution speed signal e from an engine controller, generates and outputs a control signal b for the actuator and a gear shift signal c for the transmission controller; and a release switch which unlocks the shift knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Kato, Yoshio Sanpei, Noriyuki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6658952
    Abstract: A shift device that prevents an operator from unintentionally operating the shift lever. The shift device has a plurality of shift ranges and sets a predetermined range from the plurality of shift ranges. The shift device includes a shift lever for setting the predetermined shift range, a control circuit, and a notification device. The control circuit determines whether an operator has unintentionally operated the shift lever. The notification device notifies the operator that the operator has unintentionally operated the shift lever in accordance with the determination of the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masaki Hayashi, Naoki Kamiya, Chikao Nagasaka, Yoshimasa Kunimatsu, Toru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6658958
    Abstract: A positive lock-out adapter device which is interposed between the shifter of a vehicle and the transmission housing. The device positively prevents shifting into 5th gear and reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventors: Edward L. Day, Sammy D. Thornsberry
  • Patent number: 6601685
    Abstract: A shift device is located on an installing portion in the passenger compartment of a vehicle for selecting the connection state of the gear train of the transmission. The shift device includes a case, manipulation body, and a first detecting member. The manipulation body is manipulated to select the connection state of the transmission. The manipulation body is arranged to be selectively projected from the case. The first detecting member detects the connection state selected by the manipulation body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai, Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Chikao Nagasaka, Noriyasu Syamoto, Atsushi Mizutani, Naoki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6588294
    Abstract: A gearbox for a motor vehicle having at least one input shaft and one output shaft and including a plurality of gears. The gears can be engaged and disengaged by an actuator. The gearbox further includes a parking brake that can be actuated by a gear change actuator and that serves to block rotation of the output shaft. The parking brake can be a gear and pawl arrangement in which the pawl is selectively engageable with the gear to prevent gear rotation, or it can be in the form of a shiftable jaw clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiliungs KG
    Inventor: Andreas Rogg
  • Publication number: 20030106387
    Abstract: An engaging-by-gear-positions shift lever lock, the lock is provided on the top thereof with a shift lever head attached with an insertion portion, and is provided with a cylinder to cooperatively make locking between the shift lever head and the shank of the shift lever. Thereby, when the shift lever is moved to a transition position of a channel having a plurality of gear positions, the head of the shift lever can be pulled down to render the insertion portion on the lower end thereof to insert in the shank of the shift lever and in a space at the transition position, so that the shank of the shift lever and the channel for the gear positions can engage with each other. Thereby, and an effect of locking of the shift lever is attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Chun-Chang Lee
  • Publication number: 20030097897
    Abstract: Because a shift lever device 10 uses attracting force of a fixed iron core 150A, 216A of a magnet 150 or an electromagnet 216 in switching between a lock state and an unlock state at a shift lock mechanism 118 and a key interlock mechanism 200, the mechanisms can be made compact. When a shift lever 12 is changed from a “D” shift position to a “4” shift position and when the shift lever 12 is changed from a “2” shift position to an “L” shift position, a link 30 is rotated in a same direction. Thus, a sliding direction of a slider 38 which detects a rotational position of the link 30 is only one, and a placement size of a detecting member 48 can be made small and the device can be made compact. Because the shift lock unit 88 is equipped integrally with shift lock mechanism 118, and the link 30, the slider 38 and the detecting member 48 of a sensing mechanism, the shift lock unit 88 can be made compact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Eiji Yamada, Yoshinobu Yokoyama, Kenichi Kako, Haruyuki Kitajima
  • Patent number: 6564661
    Abstract: A shifter apparatus includes a driver interface module (DIM) movable to request a transmission shift, and a display with indicia for showing the presently selected gear position and for showing a newly selected gear position. A controller is operably coupled to the driver interface module, the display, and sensors for sensing predetermined vehicle conditions. The controller shifts the transmission and changes the display if the vehicle sensors indicate that the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, but doesn't shift the transmission if the predetermined vehicle conditions are not met and further it resets the display to the first indicia. By this arrangement, the shifter senses and shifts based on relative position of the DIM and not absolute position. The shifter is storable and covers can be used to hide it when in the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products, division of JSJ Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. DeJonge
  • Publication number: 20030084742
    Abstract: A positive lock-out adapter device which is interposed between the shifter of a vehicle and the transmission housing. The device positively prevents shifting into 5th gear and reverse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Edward L. Day, Sammy D. Thornsberry
  • Publication number: 20030074999
    Abstract: A window is formed in a case mounted on a vehicle. The window has opposed inner walls. A select member is pivotally connected to the case in a manner to pivot about a first axis that extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the case. The select member has a stopper arm exposed to the window. A shift lever is pivotally connected to the select member in a manner to pivot about a second axis that extends substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis. The shift lever has a portion that passes through the gate slot. A lock lever is pivotally connected to the case and projectable into the window to block a traveling path of the stopper arm of the select member. A load supporting structure is provided that permits the lock lever to move to and abut against either one of the opposed inner walls of the window when a given force is applied to the lock lever by the stopper arm of the select member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: FUJI KIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihito Shioji, Mitsuo Narazaki
  • Publication number: 20030029265
    Abstract: A shifter system includes an automatic transmission shifter lever movable along a first shift path in forward and rearward directions and a transfer case shifter lever movable along a second shift path in the forward and rearward directions. The automatic transmission shifter lever is movable in lateral directions to provide an auto stick option. The second shift path is laterally adjacent the first shift path a short distance to reduce space. An interlock mechanism is provided to prevent contact between the shifter levers. The interlock mechanism includes a blocker pivotable between a locking position wherein the blocker prevents movement of the transfer case shifter lever to a first portion of the second shift path from a second portion of the second shift path and an unlocking position wherein the blocker permits movement of the transfer case shifter lever to the first portion from the second shift path from the second portion of the second shift path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Yong Qiang Wang
  • Publication number: 20030032523
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire gear shifter comprises: a holder; a rotary shaft rotatably held by the holder; a shift lever whose bottom is fixed on the rotary shaft; a shift knob attached to a top of the shift lever; detecting means for detecting an operational condition of the shift knob; an actuator which applies an external force for force feedback to the shift knob through the rotary shaft and the shift lever; a control section which receives a detection signal a from the detecting means, a transmission signal d from a transmission controller and an engine revolution speed signal e from an engine controller, generates and outputs a control signal b for the actuator and a gear shift signal c for the transmission controller; and a release switch which unlocks the shift knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Hironori Kato, Yoshio Sanpei, Noriyuki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6508139
    Abstract: A by-wire shift lever device for a vehicle that is compact, lightweight, and has a desirable operability. The by-wire shift lever device includes a shift lever; a lock release switch provided in the shift lever; a position sensor for transmitting a position signal according to a direction and an amount of operation of the shift lever; and an actuator for applying an external force to the shift lever. When the shift lever at a predetermined position is operated in a certain direction without operating the lock release switch, the actuator is driven to apply an external force in a direction opposite to the direction of operation to the shift lever so as to prohibit the operation of the shift lever to other shift positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Onodera
  • Publication number: 20020166400
    Abstract: A shift lock device for a shift lever of a shift apparatus includes a fixed plate having a shift gate that allows movement of the shift lever to each of the shift positions. A movable plate faces the fixed plate and is movable in a direction intersecting a moving direction of shift lever. The movable plate has a corresponding gate that has an area greater than the area of the shift gate. A solenoid is connected to the movable plate to move the movable plate between a first position and a second position. The corresponding gate of the movable plate allows movement of the shift lever to any shift position at the first position and restricts movement of the shift lever in cooperation with the fixed plate at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Noriyasu Syamoto, Isamu Matsushima
  • Patent number: 6477911
    Abstract: Gear shift mechanism for a vehicle gearbox, comprising a gear lever (1, 7) pivotable between forward and rear end positions via an intermediate neutral position. A pivot element (22) is pivotable about an axis (c), which is located between and fixed relative to the pivot axis (a) of the gear lever and the lower end of the gear lever. A pair of springs (29) are set between the pivot element and said end of the gear lever so as to make up together with the pivot element an over center mechanism, which forces the gear lever towards either of the end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Torsten Thoreson
  • Publication number: 20020152828
    Abstract: A shift device is located on an installing portion in the passenger compartment of a vehicle for selecting the connection state of the gear train of the transmission. The shift device includes a case, manipulation body, and a first detecting member. The manipulation body is manipulated to select the connection state of the transmission. The manipulation body is arranged to be selectively projected from the case. The first detecting member detects the connection state selected by the manipulation body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Chikao Nagasaka, Noriyasu Syamoto, Atsushi Mizutani, Naoki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6462651
    Abstract: A gear indicator provides a display to a motorcycle driver of which gear the motorcycle is currently operating in. The gear indicator is used with a gear position switch providing ground signal indication to a motorcycle CPU at a connection with a plurality of leads which reflect the gear a motorcycle is operating in, no indication indicating that the motorcycle is in first gear. The gear indicator bridges the gear position switch to the motorcycle CPU receiving this ground information through a bridge and a similar number of leads communicate with the gear indicator processor from this bridge. The processor of the gear indicator processes the information received to drive a display to reflect the gear to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Ooltewah Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony John Consiglio, Robert L. Doss, Michael Doss, John A. McGirr
  • Publication number: 20020134187
    Abstract: A positioning means for a reverse shifting fork includes a toggle spring for biasing the reverse shifting fork toward one of a reverse position shown by a solid line and a neutral position shown by a dashed line with a dead point set as a boundary between the reverse position and the neutral position, and a stopper pin for stopping the reverse shifting fork in the reverse position and the neutral position against a biasing force of the toggle spring. The toggle spring is a torsional coil spring and is compressed so that a biasing force is generated in a direction to move opposite ends of the spring connected respectively to the reverse shifting fork holder and the reverse shifting fork away from each other, and the distance between the opposite ends is smallest in the dead point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Shigeru Koyama, Shinichi Kojima
  • Patent number: 6374702
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a variable speed hydrostatic transmission which drives through a gear transmission, having selectable gear ratios, to provide propulsion power to a pair of drive wheels. The hydrostatic transmission is used as a brake to supplement the braking ability of the vehicle. The gear transmission is provided with a positioning plate which is mounted for pivoting between respective positions corresponding to different transmission gear ratios in response to a gear shift lever being moved between corresponding positions. Provided for ensuring that the gear transmission is not shifted to neutral while the vehicle is in motion, and the consequent loss of the ability of the hydrostatic transmission to provide braking, is a blocking arrangement, including a vehicle motion responsive sensor, that operates to prevent the movement of the positioning plate, so long as the vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Heinrich Scheid, Bernd Rabe
  • Patent number: 6357315
    Abstract: An arrangement 1 for selectively actuating the four-wheel drive and differential lock engagement means of a vehicle comprises a hand operable selector mounted a bracket 4, the bracket 4 including a pathway, the selector comprising a protrusion which co-operates with the said pathway, so that movement of the selector in a first direction from a first position to a second position actuates four-wheel drive, and further movement in the first direction from the second position to a third position actuates the said differential lock, the pathway preventing the selector from moving in the first direction from the second position to the third position without first being moved in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: AGCO Limited
    Inventors: Derek John Smith, David William Seccull
  • Patent number: 6357316
    Abstract: A shifting device (1) for pinion gear change transmissions which actuates the positive fit couplings by selector forks (3, 21) that slide on a stationary longitudinal guide (2). Shifting forces are transmitted from the shifting finger (9) to the selector forks (3, 21) by profiled metal plates (4, 5, 6) suspended in the selector fork (3, 21), the other end of the plates is guided in a switching comb (7) and the automatic locking device for blocking non-shifted gates and gears and gear selection is actuated via the locking plates (11) and sliders (16). The configuration of the inventive shifting device (1) makes it possible to provide a reliable, simple, low-costing shifting device suitable for various types of shifting mechanism such as lever shifts, turning-shaft shifts, cable and hydrostatic shifting mechanisms and automation modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Gerold Bieber
  • Patent number: 6341537
    Abstract: A control device for a gear change of a vehicle comprising a support structure, a control member borne by the support structure such that it can move in translation along a first axis and rotate about this axis in order to carry out a maneuver to select the row of gears and a maneuver to engage or disengage these gears, an actuator cooperating with the control member in order to rotate it about the first axis and dispose it, for each row of gears, in a neutral position and two engagement positions of respective gears, and a cam and tappet unit interposed between the support structure and the control member which can be selectively actuated in order axially to displace the control member by a predetermined amount during the actuation of the actuator; the cam and tappet unit comprises a tappet member borne by the support structure and a guide member rigid with the control member and provided with a series of cams parallel to one another and each adapted to be selectively engaged by the tappet member in order to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Tornatore
  • Patent number: 6338286
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the gears of a motor vehicle comprising a pivotable gear lever for pivoting between gear positions corresponding to the gear positions for the motor vehicle transmission, a primary hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangement coupled to the gear lever, a secondary hydraulic piston/cylinder arrangement coupled to the gearbox of the motor vehicle, and a hydraulic circuit hydraulically communicating with the primary and secondary hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangements and including a flow limiter valve with an open position in which the hydraulic flow in the hydraulic circuit is not limited and a plurality of closed positions for controllably limiting the hydraulic flow in the hydraulic circuit whereby movement between the various gear positions for the motor vehicle is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive ASA
    Inventors: Kenneth Skogward, Hans Peter Havdal
  • Patent number: 6336373
    Abstract: A drivig rotary shaft and a follower rotary shaft are rotatably carried in a housing of a rotary solenoid. Operating members fixed to the rotary shafts by clips are operatively connected to each other by gears, and a locked member is locked non-movably by locking surfaces formed at tip ends of the operating members. This makes it unnecessary to provide a device for converting a rectilinear motion to a rotational motion such as a pin and an elongated bore in a path of transmission of a driving force from the rotary solenoid to the operating members. Therefore, not only the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are reduced, but also the number of slide areas, where a friction resistance and looseness are liable to be produced, is reduced, thereby enabling a noiseless smooth operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Murai, Shigeto Ryuen
  • Patent number: 6327931
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for controlling the operational states of a motor vehicle comprising a maneuvering console including a maneuvering lever, a pivot hinge for the maneuvering lever so that the maneuvering lever can be actuated into a number of positions corresponding to the operational states of the motor vehicle, the pivot hinge being mounted to permit pivoting of the maneuvering lever with respect to the maneuvering console about an unlimited number of spatial pivot axes, a plurality of hydraulic pistons and cylinders mechanically coupled to the maneuvering lever for selectively limiting the pivoting movement of the maneuvering lever, a plurality of sensors for detecting a maneuvering force applied to the maneuvering lever and the position of the maneuvering lever so that the pivoting movement of the maneuvering lever can be selectively limited by the plurality of hydraulic pistons and cylinders based upon those detections, and a controller for controlling the plurality of hydraulic pistons and cylinder
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventor: Kenneth Skogward
  • Publication number: 20010047694
    Abstract: A shifting device is provided for an automatic transmission that is capable of accurate shift operation. The reverse position R of the shift lever 1 is not located along the shift lever operation path between the parking position P and drive position D. Accurate shift lever operation is made possible because the shift lever 1 does not pass through the reverse position R when the vehicle is shifted from a parked state into forward operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Seiji Yokawa
  • Patent number: 6321612
    Abstract: An actuating device for automatic operation of a gear change in a transmission that produces a change in predetermined translation ratios of the gear change transmission in any desired sequence comprises first and second drives that are in active connection with a selector shaft. The first drive is connected to the selector shaft via a guide mechanism which comprises at least one constraint guide that corresponds to a shifting path. The second drive is in active connection with the selector shaft for providing an operating force in the axial direction and an operating force in the circumferential direction of the selector shaft. The resulting movement depends on the operating position of the guide mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Lutz Leimbach, Thomas Wirth, Andreas Ratte, Alexander Horst
  • Patent number: 6311577
    Abstract: A selection system for an automatic motor vehicle transmission has a manual selector element which is locked or released by an oblique locking surface as a function of operating conditions. The oblique locking surface divides the manual forces of the selector element into a force component directed in the operating direction of the selector element and into a force component directed transversely thereto. Only this transversely directed force component can act upon additional locking surfaces if their surfaces have not yet been disengaged by an actuator arrangement before a manual operating force is exercised on the selector element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Günter Wörner, Hartmut Gösele
  • Patent number: 6298742
    Abstract: A rocker has a least one rocker arm and is urged by a spring member into a rocker end position and by an electromagnetically actuated control member into an opposite rocker arm end position. The respective upwardly tilted rocker end serves as a latch for a selector element so that the adjustment movements of the selector element in one or more predetermined adjustment positions (P, R, N, D) is allowed or prevented under certain operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Peter von Ey
  • Publication number: 20010004851
    Abstract: A cable block-locking mechanism of a dual mode shift lever unit having a shift lever pivotally connected to a pivot shaft in a lever housing via a lever bracket provided at a lower end of the shift lever, a rotation member rotationally mounted on the pivot shaft, and a cable block pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft outside the lever housing. The cable block-locking mechanism includes a stud slidably mounted to the cable block for selectively connecting the cable block with the lever housing, a push rod formed on the lever bracket for depressing the stud so as to release the cable block from the lever housing in an automatic mode, and a return spring mounted around the stud for returning the stud to its place so as to couple the cable block with the lever housing in a manual mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventor: Hyung-Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 6182527
    Abstract: A latching element is used for locking a selector lever in vehicles, with the latching element consisting of at least two flat elements. In order to accept high forces, and be manufactured at low-cost and to exhibit reduced noise generation in conjunction with other latching parts, the first of the flat elements is injection-coated at least areawise with elastic material and the other flat elements are coupled with the first element by the elastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.C.F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Edmund Sander
  • Patent number: 6176150
    Abstract: An agricultural machine is equipped with a operator's cab and incorporates a gearbox which can be shifted through the various gear stages by means of a shift lever. The shift lever is coupled to the steering column when necessary by a coupling device such that the pivotal movement of the steering column can be utilized to shift gears in the gear box. To this end, an auxiliary pedal for releasing the steering column is provided in the cab in addition to the normal foot pedal. The auxiliary pedal initially releases the gas strut that is retaining the steering column and then inserts a locking pin into a blind hole in the shift lever when the steering column is in the relevant position. In this manner the operator has more free space because the number of elements in the controls are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Walter Fögeling
  • Patent number: 6170353
    Abstract: A selection system for an automatic motor vehicle transmission has locking system in which a toggle lever arrangement is connected with the selector element and is arranged to be movable thereby relative to a locking body. The locking body is arranged to be movable into the moving path of the toggle lever arrangement into a locking position which locks it and out of this moving path into an unlocking position which does not lock it and can be driven by the actuator arrangement for carrying out its movements. As a result, the selection system can be securely unlocked also by low forces of an actuator arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: G{umlaut over (u)}nter Wörner, Hartmut Gösele, Paul Weiss
  • Patent number: 6170352
    Abstract: An operating device for an automated gear box having a shift gate with a selector slot, three or more shift slots intersecting the selector slot, and an actuator for actuating a gear or shifting shaft in shifting motions. The shifting shaft has a pin or shaft extending through the shift gate. A blocking device with one or more blocking elements moveable generally along the selector slot allows movement of the pin to an adjacent shift slot and shifting within the shift slot by the actuator while blocking further movement of the pin along the selector slot upon engaging a blocking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: AFT Atlas Fahrzeugtechnik
    Inventors: Dirk Neubauer, Klaus-Jörg Breuer, Detlef Axmacher