Abstract: A mode selection system for switching between different operating modes of a transmission includes a rotary transmission selector for switching between a neutral mode, a forward drive mode, and a reverse drive mode. A park selector for selecting a park mode of the transmission is separate and remotely located from the rotary transmission selector. The rotary transmission selector is axially moveable along a central axis between a reference position and an axially depressed position. The rotary transmission selector is rotatable about the central axis. However, the rotary transmission selector is only rotatable about the central axis when depressed into the axially depressed position. The rotary transmission selector is mono-stable, and automatically returns to a reference position when released.

Abstract: A latching shifter with override feature is interfaced with a shift-by-wire transmission, wherein the latching of the shifter with respect to a gear cam is autonomously synchronized to a gear selected by the electronics of the transmission whenever the shifter is physically at another gear via autonomous actuation of a gear synchronization cam having an inclined cam follower guide surface. The incline urges the cam follower under its inherent biasing into the gear notch corresponding to the gear selected by the electronics of the transmission.

Abstract: A transmission of a vehicle has a first gear and a second gear that corresponds to a lower gear ratio than the first gear. A transmission management system for the transmission comprises an enabling module, a shift control module, and a disabling module. The enabling module enables a second gear start mode of the transmission when a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined speed. The shift control module commands operation of the transmission in the second gear when the second gear start mode is enabled. The disabling module selectively disables the second gear start mode when a user commands a gear shift to the first gear while the second gear start mode is enabled and prevents the enabling module from re-enabling the second gear start mode after the second gear start mode is disabled.

Abstract: A method for determining a transmission range selection of a shift-by-wire system, which includes a shift lever, a park button, and a controller, is provided. The shift lever is movable between a plurality of transmission range positions, each corresponding to a transmission range, and a null position. The park button is switchable between a pressed position corresponding to a Park transmission range, and a released position. The method includes determining, by the controller, if at least one predetermined condition exists. If it does, then the controller determines the transmission range selection to be the Park transmission range. Otherwise, the controller determines the transmission range selection to be the transmission range corresponding to the transmission range position in which the shift lever is positioned.

Abstract: A system for selecting a transmission range in a vehicle includes a plurality of range selection buttons configured to individually select corresponding ones of a plurality of ranges. A plurality of sensing circuits are configured to generate sense signals based on positions of corresponding ones of the plurality of range selection buttons. A park range selection button is configured to select a park range. A park sensing circuit is configured to generate sense signals based on a position of the park range selection button. A button state module is configured to output state signals corresponding to the plurality of range selection buttons based on the sense signals from the plurality of sensing circuits. A control module is configured to select a range based on the sense signals from the park sensing circuit and the state signals from the button state module.

Abstract: A method for determining a transmission range selection of a shift-by-wire system, which includes a shift lever, a park button, and a controller, is provided. The shift lever is movable between a plurality of transmission range positions, each corresponding to a transmission range, and a null position. The park button is switchable between a pressed position corresponding to a Park transmission range, and a released position. The method includes determining, by the controller, if at least one predetermined condition exists. If it does, then the controller determines the transmission range selection to be the Park transmission range. Otherwise, the controller determines the transmission range selection to be the transmission range corresponding to the transmission range position in which the shift lever is positioned.

Abstract: A position diagnostic test for a shift-by-wire system is provided. The shift-by-wire system includes a shift lever configured to move along a shift path, a first and a second position sensor configured to generate a first and a second position signal, respectively, of the shift lever along the shift path, and a controller configured to receive the first and second position signals. The first position sensor includes a first x-coordinate value and a first y-coordinate value, and the second position sensor includes a second x-coordinate value and a second y-coordinate value. The position diagnostic test includes performing a rationality test on each of the coordinate values. If at least one predetermined condition exists for a particular coordinate value, then it fails the rationality test, and the position signal containing the coordinate value may be disregarded.

Abstract: A latching shifter mated with a shift-by-wire transmission in which the gear cam includes a momentary shift lever position which is spring biased toward the drive gear notch. A driver is enabled to shift the transmission into a desired gear by passing the shift lever into and out of the momentary shift lever position in the event of autonomous shifting by the transmission or to otherwise provide a selected gear of the transmission. Preferably a dynamically changeable gear shift display is provided, the indicia of which is responsive to the gear status of the transmission.

Abstract: Music-based electronic transmission range selection for a vehicle is provided. A first signal from a first electronic control unit (ECU) is received that is indicative of an initiation of an electronic park function. The first ECU generates a signal when an operator presses an electronic park button on an electronic shift device. A corresponding first audio function is determined from the first signal and is implemented. It is determined whether a second signal from a second ECU is received, which second signal indicates successful engagement of the park function. If it is not received, a second audio function is implemented and, if it has been received, a third audio function is implemented. The second audio function produces sound that is dissonant with respect to the sound produced by the first audio function, and the third audio function produces sound that is consonant with respect to the first audio function.

Abstract: A controller can execute a method to reduce a speed of a vehicle by initiating a vehicle stop request in response to a vehicle signal received while the vehicle is in motion. The method includes: (a) applying a wheel brake in response to initiation of the vehicle stop request when the vehicle is moving at a vehicle speed less than or equal to a first vehicle speed threshold in order to reduce the vehicle speed; and (b) actuating a parking sprag assembly to stop rotation of an output member of a transmission when the vehicle speed is equal to or less than a second vehicle speed threshold. By example, the vehicle signal may be a park signal, an engine off signal, or a plurality of signals defining a condition set. The wheel brake may be at least one of an electronic park brake and a service brake.

Abstract: An apparatus for a gear shifter for use with a transmission is provided. The gear shifter includes a housing that defines a gate and a gear shift lever having a first end and a second end. The gear shift lever is at least partially received within the housing so that the first end is guided by the gate. The gear shifter includes a shifter block received within the housing and including a plurality of detents. One of the plurality of detents includes at least one pocket defined adjacent to the one of the plurality of detents so as to be in communication with the one of the plurality of detents. The at least one pocket and the plurality of detents are each sized to receive a portion of the second end of the gear shift lever.

Abstract: An electronic transmission range selection system of a vehicle includes first and second input devices and first and second modules. The first input device is user actuatable to request operation of a transmission in reverse, neutral, and drive. The first module generates first signals based on a first position of the first input device. The second input device is different than the first input device and is user actuatable to request operation of the transmission in park. The second module generates second signals based on a second position of the second input device.

Abstract: An electronic transmission range selection system of a vehicle includes first and second input devices and first and second modules. The first input device is user actuatable to request operation of a transmission in reverse, neutral, and drive. The first module generates first signals based on a first position of the first input device. The second input device is different than the first input device and is user actuatable to request operation of the transmission in park. The second module generates second signals based on a second position of the second input device.

Abstract: A position sensor arrangement that can determine the two-dimensional position of a variety of different movable devices, such as an electronic joystick. According to one embodiment, the position sensor arrangement includes two pair of magnetic sensing elements that are angularly offset or skewed with respect to one another in order to provide redundancy and accuracy with a minimum number of sensing elements.

Abstract: A latching shifter mated with a shift-by-wire transmission in which the gear cam includes a momentary shift lever position which is spring biased toward the drive gear notch. A driver is enabled to shift the transmission into a desired gear by passing the shift lever into and out of the momentary shift lever position in the event of autonomous shifting by the transmission or to otherwise provide a selected gear of the transmission. Preferably a dynamically changeable gear shift display is provided, the indicia of which is responsive to the gear status of the transmission.

Abstract: A latching shifter with override feature is interfaced with a shift-by-wire transmission, wherein the latching of the shifter with respect to a gear cam is autonomously synchronized to a gear selected by the electronics of the transmission whenever the shifter is physically at another gear via autonomous actuation of a gear synchronization cam having an inclined cam follower guide surface. The incline urges the cam follower under its inherent biasing into the gear notch corresponding to the gear selected by the electronics of the transmission.

Abstract: A system comprises a shifter module, an engine control module, and a transmission control module. The shifter module generates a position signal based on a position of a driver input. The engine control module controls an engine, selects one of a plurality of transmission gear ranges based on a mapping of the position signal to the plurality of transmission gear ranges, and generates a range request signal based on the selected transmission gear range. The transmission control module controls a transmission based on the range request signal.

Abstract: An information presentation system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a transmission operable in a plurality of gear states. The system comprises a sensor adapted to detect a gear state of the transmission, an electronic control system adapted to operate the transmission and to detect a gear state of the transmission, and a display device coupled to the sensor and to the electronic control system. The display device is adapted to receive a first signal indicating the gear state of the transmission, to receive a second signal indicating the gear state of the transmission, and to adjust an arrangement of visual elements in a manner influenced by the first and second signals.

Abstract: A position sensor arrangement and method for determining the position of a movable device, such as an electronic gear shifter for vehicle. According to one embodiment, the position sensor arrangement is arranged in a skewed or offset fashion, with respect to the shifting pattern of the electronic gear shifter, such that movement of the gear shifter from one discrete position to an adjacent discrete position causes a change in both an x-axis coordinate and a y-axis coordinate.

Abstract: An information presentation system for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a transmission operable in a plurality of gear states. The system comprises a sensor adapted to detect a gear state of the transmission, an electronic control system adapted to operate the transmission and to detect a gear state of the transmission, and a display device coupled to the sensor and to the electronic control system. The display device is adapted to receive a first signal indicating the gear state of the transmission, to receive a second signal indicating the gear state of the transmission, and to adjust an arrangement of visual elements in a manner influenced by the first and second signals.