Abstract: A fluid pump includes a pump element in communication with an inlet and an outlet. Rotation of the pump element generates a suction at the inlet and pressure at the outlet. The suction and pressure cooperate to move a fluid through a fluid path. An accessory fluid path is in communication with the inlet and outlet. The accessory fluid path includes a thermistor in communication with the accessory fluid path. The thermistor monitors a temperature of the fluid within the accessory fluid path.

Abstract: A transmission shifter includes a base defining P, R, N, D gear positions; four electrical dome switches associated with each of the P, R, N, D gear positions, and analog and digital circuits operably connected to the electrical switches, respectively, and associated with the P, R, N, D gear positions. The dome switches are arranged in different patterns in each of the different gear positions, and in combination with pushbutton actuators operate with different actuator motions and with different closure distances and forces to cause reliable ad confirmed intentional actuation, including redundancy. The switches are operably connected to analog and digital circuits, which provides additional functional advantage, reliability, and certainty of intentional operation.

Abstract: A shifter module is provided for a vehicle. The shifter module includes: a substrate adapted for mounting to the vehicle; a shifter knob provided on top of the substrate for enabling a driver to select a gear of the transmission; and a pop-up storage compartment for storing a portable electronic device. The pop-up storage compartment includes: a storage drawer movable between a stowed position and an accessible position within an aperture in the substrate, the storage drawer including a forward support adapted to receive a rear surface of the portable electronic device, the forward support supports the portable electronic device so that a front surface of the portable device is visible to the driver when the storage drawer is in the accessible position; and a rail system extending below the aperture of the substrate for receiving and guiding the storage drawer between the stowed position and the accessible position.

Abstract: A selector for a vehicle includes a stepper motor. A manually operable rotating portion is in communication with the stepper motor. A display screen is positioned proximate the rotating portion. A position sensor is in communication with the stepper motor and the manually operable rotating portion. The rotating portion is coupled to the stepper motor at a drive shaft of the stepper motor. Manual operation of the rotating portion also rotates the drive shaft. The stepper motor applies a haptic component to the manual operation of the rotating portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes two pumps and a circuit-changing valve connected to two cooling circuits, with the valve being controlled by a pressure differential created by the pumps. This simplifies controls, reduces components of the pumping system, and also provides a backup pump for each system. The valve's spool is controlled so that when the first pump is started before the second pump (or it generates a higher fluid pressure), the valve causes the two pumps to be connected in a serial arrangement with fluid being pumped through the first circuit and then through the second circuit. But when the second pump is started before the first pump, the valve causes the two pumps to be connected in a parallel arrangement so that the first pump moves fluid only through the first circuit, and the second pump moves fluid only through the second circuit. The valve includes an anti-dithering device.

Abstract: A transmission shifter includes a base, a shift lever movable between gear positions, and a pawl, a pawl blocker, a permanent magnet, an electro-magnet, and an electrical circuit for selectively activating the electro-magnet when a predetermined vehicle condition is sensed. The permanent magnet's attraction to an iron based surface of the electro-magnet normally holds the blocker in a pawl-blocking position, keeping the shift lever in park position, until the electrical circuit activates the electro-magnet and the pawl is depressed. When activated, the electro-magnet biases the blocker toward a pawl-unblocked position. A ramp lever keeps the pawl blocker in the park position until the pawl mechanically moves the ramp lever and magnetically-biased blocker together, thus allowing the shift lever to be moved from park position. The park lock system is characterized by an absence of movement in response to an electrical signal to an electro-mechanical device and thus operates noise-free.

Abstract: A pump assembly includes an electric motor and different selectable pump covers, and is suitable for mounting within a transmission fluid reservoir for transferring automatic transmission fluid. The pump assembly includes a stator housing having a cylindrical cavity for receiving ATF contained in the transmission fluid reservoir. A rotor is rotatably coupled within the cylindrical cavity and has a plurality of magnets arranged about a rotational axis thereof. A flux collector is coupled with the stator housing adjacent to the cylindrical cavity for transferring magnetic flux from one of the plurality of magnets from a first portion to a second portion thereof. A hall sensor is disposed proximate the second portion for sensing magnetic flux in the flux collector, such that the magnetic flux is used to determine a rotated position of the rotor.

Abstract: A park lock system for a shifter of an automatic transmission, according to one embodiment, includes a blocking member pivotal between a locked position to prevent movement of the shifter and an unlocked position for allowing movement of the shifter. At least a portion of the blocking member may include hard magnetic properties, such as having a permanent magnet coupled therewith. An electromagnet may have a core member proximate the magnetic portion of the blocking member to cause the blocking member to move to or remain in the locked position when the electromagnet is de-energized. Accordingly, when the electromagnet is energized, the electromagnet may be configured to generate a magnetic field in repelling polarity to the magnetic portion that causes the blocking member to move to the unlocked position.

Abstract: An apparatus electrically connects a motor's on-board stator circuit board to multiple circuits on a controller circuit board using an edge connector on the controller circuit board that engages opposing pads on an edge of the stator circuit board. The edge connector includes tuning-fork-like conductors each with pairs of protruding arms positioned to both engage the pads for electrical contact and also frictionally engage the pads for mechanical retention. A related method of assembly uses the edge-connect system for quick, reliable and sure assembly even under blind assembly conditions.

Abstract: A multi-pump apparatus includes a first component in a fluid heat transfer system, such as a heat exchanger, the first component including a body portion forming a first interface surface. A pumping component includes a second interface surface. The first and second interface surfaces are planar and combine to define two pump cavities and a planar interface groove supporting a seal ring that extends around the two pump cavities to prevent leakage of fluid from the pump cavities. The pumping component includes a pump impeller in each of the pump cavities and independently-controlled separate motors driving the two pump impellers using an on-board circuit board. One of the first and second components also defines a fluid inlet to and a fluid outlet from each of the pump cavities. Related methods are also defined.

Abstract: The present pump devices provide a dual pump using two (or more) electric motors (e.g. brushless DC motors) driving the pumps independently, including integration of hydraulic and electrical components and connectors. The illustrated arrangements include an in-line single shaft version, a parallel side-by-side separate shaft version, and an inside-outside version. Each configuration includes a housing supporting formation of: shared structural support for the pumps and motors (e.g., bearings, stator, relationship of components), fluid pump and hydraulic system (e.g., fluid passageways, ports connectors) and motor electrical control (e.g., control circuitry and sensory components).

Abstract: The present pump devices provide a dual pump using two (or more) electric motors (e.g. brushless DC motors) driving the pumps independently, including integration of hydraulic and electrical components and connectors. The illustrated arrangements include an in-line single shaft version, a parallel side-by-side shaft version, and an inside-outside version. Each configuration includes a housing supporting formation of: shared structural support for the pumps and motors (e.g., bearings, stator, relationship of components), fluid pump and hydraulic system (e.g., fluid passageways, ports connectors) and motor electrical control (e.g., control circuitry and sensory components).

Abstract: A shifter apparatus, according to one embodiment, is configured for operating a transmission controller of a vehicle and includes a selection knob that is rotatable between first and second angular positions for selecting an operating mode of the transmission controller. The shifter apparatus also includes a swing arm that is pivotal between an unlocked position spaced from the selection knob and a locked position engaged with the selection knob to prevent rotation thereof. Further, the shifter apparatus includes a motor configured to pivot the swing arm from the locked position to the unlocked position when a disengagement condition is satisfied for selecting a different operating mode. The shifter apparatus may also include a drive gear that is movable to an engaged position between the motor and the selection knob, such that the motor may automatically rotate the selection knob from the first angular position to the second angular position.

Abstract: The present pump devices provide a dual pump using two (or more) electric motors (e.g. brushless DC motors) driving the pumps independently, including integration of hydraulic and electrical components and connectors. The illustrated arrangements include an in-line single shaft version, a parallel separate shaft version, and an inside-outside version. Each configuration includes a housing supporting formation of: shared structural support for the pumps and motors (e.g., bearings, stator, relationship of components), fluid pump and hydraulic system (e.g., fluid passageways, ports connectors) and motor electrical control (e.g., control circuitry and sensory components).

Abstract: A multi-pump apparatus includes a first component in a fluid heat transfer system, such as a heat exchanger, the first component including a body portion forming a first interface surface. A pumping component includes a second interface surface. The first and second interface surfaces are planar and combine to define two pump cavities and a planar interface groove supporting a seal ring that extends around the two pump cavities to prevent leakage of fluid from the pump cavities. The pumping component includes a pump impeller in each of the pump cavities and independently-controlled separate motors driving the two pump impellers using an on-board circuit board. One of the first and second components also defines a fluid inlet to and a fluid outlet from each of the pump cavities. Related methods are also defined.

Abstract: The present pump devices provide a dual pump using two (or more) electric motors (e.g. brushless DC motors) driving the pumps independently, including integration of hydraulic and electrical components and connectors. The illustrated arrangements include an in-line single shaft version, a parallel separate shaft version, and an inside-outside version. Each configuration includes a housing supporting formation of: shared structural support for the pumps and motors (e.g., bearings, stator, relationship of components), fluid pump and hydraulic system (e.g., fluid passageways, ports connectors) and motor electrical control (e.g., control circuitry and sensory components).

Abstract: A shifter assembly includes a post-like shift lever, a knob with a bore configured to receive the top section, and a retainer spring extending longitudinally within the bore. The spring includes retainer barbs shaped to frictionally grip the knob and further has a leg(s) configured to frictionally engage the top section and also take up clearance between the top section and the bore for frictionally engaging the post-like shift lever. The spring can be alternative shapes, such as U-shaped or L-shaped. A method of assembly includes pressing the knob onto a shift lever with a single one-touch motion.

Abstract: A transmission shifter includes a shift lever, and a knob with attachment clip that mechanically locks the knob atop the lever with a single assembly motion. The clip is located inside a hole in the select knob, and the lever includes a notch near its top. The clip is positioned to flex to facilitate assembly as the lever is inserted into the hole, but then unflex to engage the notch and lock the knob to the lever. To remove the knob from the lever, a removal tool is used to depress the clip, pushing it out of the way and allowing the select knob to be pulled off the lever. The illustrated shifters include a mechanically-actuated pawl actuator system and an electrically-actuated pawl actuator system.

Abstract: A shifter incorporates a shape memory alloy wire (SMA actuator) to control movement of a blocker to selectively prevent moving a shift lever (or pawl) out of its park position until predetermined vehicle conditions are met. A mechanical fuse (i.e., flexible overload spring) prevents damage to the SMA actuator where the shift lever (or pawl) can be frictionally stopped from movement despite the contraction of the SMA actuator. The control circuit for the SMA actuator includes a photo-electric switch for stopping electrical power to the SMA actuator when the shift lever is moved from its park position, and the shift lever includes structure for mechanically continuing to hold the switch open while out of park. Further, the control circuit is operably connected to an ignition key retaining mechanism so that the ignition key cannot be removed when the lever is not in its park position.