Abstract: A selector assembly includes a housing having a spherical cavity and a detent cavity. A positioning sensor is positioned within a sensor cavity and is in communication with the spherical cavity. A selector operates about a center point of the spherical cavity and includes a spheroid member that slidably engages a guide surface of the housing. The spheroid member includes a magnet in electromagnetic communication with the positioning sensor. A first pivot and a second pivot include respective first and second rotational axes that each extend through the center point. A detent pin is biased toward and slidably engages a detent surface of the detent cavity to define a plurality of selector positions of the selector. Operation of the selector within the spherical cavity and along the detent surface defines the plurality of selector positions that are communicated to a controller via the magnet and the positioning sensor.

Abstract: A selector assembly includes a housing having a spherical cavity and a detent cavity that form a continuous selector cavity. A selector slidably operates within the selector cavity and about a center point of the spherical cavity. The selector includes a spheroid member that is contained within the spherical cavity and slidably engages a guide surface that defines the spherical cavity. A first pivot includes a first rotational axis that extends through the center point of the spherical cavity. A second pivot includes a second rotational axis that extends through the center point of the spherical cavity. A detent pin is biased toward a detent surface of the detent cavity and slidably engages the detent surface to define a plurality of selector positions of the selector.

Abstract: A selector assembly includes a housing having a spherical cavity and a detent cavity that form a continuous selector cavity. A selector slidably operates within the selector cavity and about a center point of the spherical cavity. The selector includes a spheroid member that is contained within the spherical cavity and slidably engages a guide surface that defines the spherical cavity. A first pivot includes a first rotational axis that extends through the center point of the spherical cavity. A second pivot includes a second rotational axis that extends through the center point of the spherical cavity. A detent pin is biased toward a detent surface of the detent cavity and slidably engages the detent surface to define a plurality of selector positions of the selector.

Abstract: A selector assembly includes a housing having a spherical cavity and a detent cavity. A positioning sensor is positioned within a sensor cavity and is in communication with the spherical cavity. A selector operates about a center point of the spherical cavity and includes a spheroid member that slidably engages a guide surface of the housing. The spheroid member includes a magnet in electromagnetic communication with the positioning sensor. A first pivot and a second pivot include respective first and second rotational axes that each extend through the center point. A detent pin is biased toward and slidably engages a detent surface of the detent cavity to define a plurality of selector positions of the selector. Operation of the selector within the spherical cavity and along the detent surface defines the plurality of selector positions that are communicated to a controller via the magnet and the positioning sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of transmission control includes a shift lever supported between gear positions P, R, N, D, and a sensor operably connected to a vehicle electrical system for generating a variable signal corresponding to the P, R, N, D gear positions. The electrical system is initially set to control shifting a transmission between P, R, N, and D gear positions based on initial P and D position-indicating signals and interpolated/proportional R and N position-indicated signals. The apparatus and method further include adjusting shifting control for improved shift location accuracy after worn shifter components have mechanically worn or electrically drifted, by determining “new” P and D gear positions when the shift lever is in component-worn P and D gear positions, respectively, and then calculating new R and N position-indicating signals.

Abstract: An electronic shifter can include a base, a shift lever assembly, a detent system and a clutch system. The shift lever assembly can include a pivot base having a coupling member. The detent system can include a biasing member and a detent member associated with the shift lever assembly. The biasing member can bias the detent member into engagement with a cam member. The clutch system can include a flexible clutch member and a bearing area having a bearing surface. The bearing area can be associated with the base and can receive the coupling member and clutch member to pivotably couple the shift lever assembly to the base. The detent system can apply a downward force onto the coupling member thereby forcing the clutch member against the bearing surface and providing frictional damping of the shift lever assembly during movement thereof proportional with a biasing force of the biasing member.

Abstract: An electronic shifter can include a base, a shift lever assembly, a detent system and a clutch system. The shift lever assembly can include a pivot base having a coupling member. The detent system can include a biasing member and a detent member associated with the shift lever assembly. The biasing member can bias the detent member into engagement with a cam member. The clutch system can include a flexible clutch member and a bearing area having a bearing surface. The bearing area can be associated with the base and can receive the coupling member and clutch member to pivotably couple the shift lever assembly to the base. The detent system can apply a downward force onto the coupling member thereby forcing the clutch member against the bearing surface and providing frictional damping of the shift lever assembly during movement thereof proportional with a biasing force of the biasing member.

Abstract: An electronic shifter assembly can include a shift lever assembly and a dual mechanical detent system. The shift lever assembly can include a shift lever and a pivot base that is pivotably coupled to a base of the electronic shifter assembly. The dual mechanical detent system can include first and second mechanical detent systems having respective first and second detent plungers biased into engagement with respective first and second detent cam members having first and second cam surface profiles. The first and second detent plungers can be coupled to the pivot base and can move relative to the respective first and second cam surface profiles with movement of the shift lever assembly. The first and second mechanical detent systems can each releasably retain the shift lever assembly in a selected one of a plurality of transmission gear selection locations.

Abstract: A pedal system includes a housing, a pedal lever pivoted to the housing for rotation, and a hysteresis mechanism located above the pivot axis when mounted in a vehicle so that it is positioned in a protected position from environmental dirt and debris, and further is positioned in a more open region less subject to conflicting special requirements within the vehicle. The housing defines a closed end and an open end. The pedal lever is adapted to fit into the housing with the hysteresis mechanism already mounted on a free end of the pedal lever. A pivot pin extends through side walls of the housing and also through the pedal lever to retain the pedal lever in the housing, and is accessible for attachment of an electrical sensor for sensing angular position of the pedal.

Abstract: A pedal system includes a housing, a pedal lever pivoted to the housing for rotation, and a hysteresis mechanism located above the pivot axis when mounted in a vehicle so that it is positioned in a protected position from environmental dirt and debris, and further is positioned in a more open region less subject to conflicting special requirements within the vehicle. The housing defines a closed end and an open end. The pedal lever is adapted to fit into the housing with the hysteresis mechanism already mounted on a free end of the pedal lever. A pivot pin extends through side walls of the housing and also through the pedal lever to retain the pedal lever in the housing, and is accessible for attachment of an electrical sensor for sensing angular position of the pedal.