Abstract: A gear shifter assembly for a vehicle is described herein. The gear shifter assembly includes a base to be fixed in a vehicle, a shifter yoke mounted to the base by a main pivot shaft, a shift lever mounted to the shifter yoke by a pivotal bearing arranged to allow pivotal movements about a second pivotal axis perpendicular to the first pivotal axis, and an intermediate joint that provides the pivotal bearing of the shift lever. The intermediate joint is attached to the lower end of the shift lever by receiving select pivot pins projecting from the shift lever in recesses of the intermediate joint. The intermediate joint comprises opposite through holes aligned with an aperture in the shift lever for receiving the main pivot shaft. The intermediate joint is made of material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the materials of the shift lever and the shifter yoke.

Abstract: A gearshift assembly for a transmission includes a shift lever which is mounted for pivotal movement in a select direction between a shifting gate for automatic mode and a shifting gate for manual mode. The gearshift assembly also includes a return mechanism including a push member, an electric motor mechanically acting on the shift lever through the push member, a driven member connected to the push member, a spring acting between the push member and the driven member, and a blocking element which can be actuated to move out of a blocking position in which the blocking element blocks the movement of the shift lever from the shifting gate for automatic mode to the shifting gate for manual mode. The return mechanism also includes a wheel drivable for rotation by the electric motor.

Abstract: A ball joint connector for connecting an elongated element to a ball pin includes a socket having a cylindrical cavity for receiving a ball of a ball pin with an opening at one end and a dome-shaped end wall at the opposite end, and a clip disposed at least partially within the cavity and dimensioned to encompass more than the upper hemisphere of the ball, the clip being moveable between a locking position and a retracted assembly/disassembly position characterized in that the clip is arranged to extend, in its locking position, in abutment with the surface of a ball received in the cavity on opposing sides of the ball on each side over a portion of the upper hemisphere and with its lower end portion over an adjoining surface portion of the lower hemisphere.

Abstract: A gearshift assembly for a transmission includes a shift lever which is mounted for pivotal movement in a select direction between a shifting gate for automatic mode and a shifting gate for manual mode. The gearshift assembly also includes a return mechanism including a push member, an electric motor mechanically acting on the shift lever through the push member, a driven member connected to the push member, a spring acting between the push member and the driven member, and a blocking element which can be actuated to move out of a blocking position in which the blocking element blocks the movement of the shift lever from the shifting gate for automatic mode to the shifting gate for manual mode. The return mechanism also includes a wheel drivable for rotation by the electric motor.

Abstract: A compact and efficient rotary shift actuator for a shift-by-wire transmission includes a motor having a motor shaft that is rotatable about a motor axis, an output head arranged towards a second end of an output lever and adapted for connection with a shift shaft of a transmission, and a gear train for transferring torque from the motor shaft to the output head. The gear train comprises a first shaft rotatable about a first axis, a second shaft rotatable about a second axis, and the output lever pivotable about a lever axis. The gear train further includes a worm gear for transmitting torque from the first shaft to the second shaft.

Abstract: A gear shifter assembly for a vehicle is described herein. The gear shifter assembly includes a base to be fixed in a vehicle, a shifter yoke mounted to the base by a main pivot shaft, a shift lever mounted to the shifter yoke by a pivotal bearing arranged to allow pivotal movements about a second pivotal axis perpendicular to the first pivotal axis, and an intermediate joint that provides the pivotal bearing of the shift lever. The intermediate joint is attached to the lower end of the shift lever by receiving select pivot pins projecting from the shift lever in recesses of the intermediate joint. The intermediate joint comprises opposite through holes aligned with an aperture in the shift lever for receiving the main pivot shaft. The intermediate joint is made of material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the materials of the shift lever and the shifter yoke.

Abstract: A linear actuator assembly (30) having an inner sleeve (100) which moves in a first direction or in an opposite second direction relative to a fixed outer sleeve (90) between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. The linear actuator assembly (30) includes a stop mechanism (99, 112) limiting the movement of the inner sleeve (100) relative to the outer sleeve (90) in the extended position, the stop mechanism (99, 112) having a first portion (99) associated with said outer sleeve (90) and a second portion (112) associated with said inner sleeve (100) with the first (99) and second (112) portions abutting each other when said inner sleeve (100) is in the extended position to define a hard stop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor and pump assembly for mounting in a vehicle seat including a motor driven pump unit (3), a housing (9, 11) and a suspension arrangement for holding the motor driven pump unit within the housing, said motor driven pump unit having a longitudinal axis, characterized in that the suspension arrangement comprises: at least one helical compression spring (8) for holding said motor driven pump unit and balancing its weight, one end of the helical compression spring being connected to the housing and the other end being connected to the motor driven pump unit, at least one spiral spring (1), the inner end of which being connected to one axial end of the motor driven pump unit and an outer end portion of which being connected to the housing, wherein the spiral spring is located such that the spiral is centered around the longitudinal axis of the motor driven pump unit (3).

Abstract: A linear actuator assembly (30) having an inner sleeve (100) which moves in a first direction or in an opposite second direction relative to a fixed outer sleeve (90) between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. The linear actuator assembly (30) also has an emitter (180) and a sensor (184) positioned near the emitter (180) that detect changes in an emitted signal resulting from the movement of the inner sleeve (100) relative to the outer sleeve (90) along a longitudinal axis and a controller (101) electrically coupled to the sensor (184) to determine the axial position of the inner sleeve (100) relative to the outer sleeve (90) along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a solenoid valve assembly including a housing (32) defining a cavity (34). A support (48) is disposed in the cavity and defines a bore (50). A coil (60) is disposed about the support and defines an energized state for generating a magnetic field and a de-energized state. A plunger (74) is movably disposed in the bore of the support between a first position engaging the housing and a second position spaced from the housing. The plunger is radially spaced from the support to define a gap (76) between the plunger and the support. A dampener (86) is coupled to one of the support and the plunger adjacent the gap to prevent direct engagement between the support and the plunger as the plunger moves between the first and second positions during the energized and de-energized states for reducing noise during operation.

Abstract: A shifter assembly (20) for a transmission of a vehicle. The shifter assembly includes a shaft (36) defining a longitudinal axis (LA) and having a knob (42) mounted to a first end (38) of the shaft. A selector plate (46) is mounted to a second end (40) of the shaft. The selector plate is movable as a unit with the shaft. The shifter assembly includes a guide plate (54) coupled to the housing (24). The guide plate defines a first path (56) and a second path (58) spaced from the first path. A portion (52) of the selector plate is movable through the first path during an automatic mode for facilitating automatic selection of the gear positions within the transmission. The selector plate is rotatable about the longitudinal axis into a manual mode. In the manual mode, the portion of the selector plate is movable through the second path for permitting manual selection of gear positions within the transmission.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ball joint connector for connecting an elongated element to a ball pin, comprising a socket having a cylindrical cavity for receiving a ball of a ball pin with an opening at one end and a dome-shaped end wall at the opposite end, and a clip disposed at least partially within the cavity and dimensioned to encompass more than the upper hemisphere of the ball, said clip being moveable between a locking position and a retracted assembly/disassembly position characterized in that the clip is arranged to extend, in its locking position, in abutment with the surface of a ball received in the cavity on opposing sides of the ball on each side over a portion of the upper hemisphere and with its lower end portion over an adjoining surface portion of the lower hemisphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact and efficient rotary shift actuator for a shift-by-wire transmission comprising a motor having a motor shaft that is rotatable about a motor axis, an output head arranged towards a second end of an output lever and adapted for connection with a shift shaft of a transmission and a gear train for transferring torque from the motor shaft to the output head, wherein the gear train comprises a first shaft rotatable about a first axis, a second shaft rotatable about a second axis and the output lever pivotable about a lever axis and wherein the gear train further comprises means for transmitting torque from the motor shaft to the first shaft, from the first shaft to the second shaft and from the second shaft to the output lever, characterized in that the means for transmitting torque from the first shaft to the second shaft is formed as a worm gear.

Abstract: A haptic device for an actuator of a gear selector for a vehicle. The haptic device includes a first element and a second element coupled to one another and movable from a rest position, when the actuator is in a disengaged position, to a triggered position, when the actuator is moved to an engaged position. The elements define a space for accepting a slide between the first and second elements. A biasing member continuously biases the first and second elements toward one another. The slide defines a contoured surface. A cam follower selectively engages the contoured surface and urges the first and second elements toward the triggered position to create the tactile feedback to the actuator.

Abstract: A linear actuator assembly (30) having an inner sleeve (100) which moves in a first direction or in an opposite second direction relative to a fixed outer sleeve (90) between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. The linear actuator assembly (30) also has an emitter (180) and a sensor (184) positioned near the emitter (180) that detect changes in an emitted signal resulting from the movement of the inner sleeve (100) relative to the outer sleeve (90) along a longitudinal axis and a controller (101) electrically coupled to the sensor (184) to determine the axial position of the inner sleeve (100) relative to the outer sleeve (90) along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A shifter assembly (20) for a transmission of a vehicle. The shifter assembly includes a shaft (36) defining a longitudinal axis (LA) and having a knob (42) mounted to a first end (38) of the shaft. A selector plate (46) is mounted to a second end (40) of the shaft. The selector plate is movable as a unit with the shaft. The shifter assembly includes a guide plate (54) coupled to the housing (24). The guide plate defines a first path (56) and a second path (58) spaced from the first path. A portion (52) of the selector plate is movable through the first path during an automatic mode for facilitating automatic selection of the gear positions within the transmission. The selector plate is rotatable about the longitudinal axis into a manual mode. In the manual mode, the portion of the selector plate is movable through the second path for permitting manual selection of gear positions within the transmission.

Abstract: A linear actuator assembly (30) having an inner sleeve (100) which moves in a first direction or in an opposite second direction relative to a fixed outer sleeve (90) between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. The linear actuator assembly (30) includes a stop mechanism (99, 112) limiting the movement of the inner sleeve (100) relative to the outer sleeve (90) in the extended position, the stop mechanism (99, 112) having a first portion (99) associated with said outer sleeve (90) and a second portion (112) associated with said inner sleeve (100) with the first (99) and second (112) portions abutting each other when said inner sleeve (100) is in the extended position to define a hard stop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a knob assembly adapted to be secured to a top portion of a shaft (4) of a gearshift lever, the knob assembly comprising a knob (2) having a generally cylindrical bore adapted to fit over an end portion of the shaft (4), the knob assembly further having engaging members (6) connected to the knob and adapted to engage the shaft for securing the knob on the shaft (4), wherein the knob assembly is provided with at least two engaging members (6), a locking ring (30), and a compression ring (20).

Abstract: The present invention provides for a solenoid valve assembly including a housing (32) defining a cavity (34). A support (48) is disposed in the cavity and defines a bore (50). A coil (60) is disposed about the support and defines an energized state for generating a magnetic field and a de-energized state. A plunger (74) is movably disposed in the bore of the support between a first position engaging the housing and a second position spaced from the housing. The plunger is radially spaced from the support to define a gap (76) between the plunger and the support. A dampener (86) is coupled to one of the support and the plunger adjacent the gap to prevent direct engagement between the support and the plunger as the plunger moves between the first and second positions during the energized and de-energized states for reducing noise during operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor and pump assembly for mounting in a vehicle seat including a motor driven pump unit (3), a housing (9, 11) and a suspension arrangement for holding the motor driven pump unit within the housing, said motor driven pump unit having a longitudinal axis, characterized in that the suspension arrangement comprises: at least one helical compression spring (8) for holding said motor driven pump unit and balancing its weight, one end of the helical compression spring being connected to the housing and the other end being connected to the motor driven pump unit, at least one spiral spring (1), the inner end of which being connected to one axial end of the motor driven pump unit and an outer end portion of which being connected to the housing, wherein the spiral spring is located such that the spiral is centered around the longitudinal axis of the motor driven pump unit (3).