Abstract: In a default-to-park system for a transmission, a lever member has a cylindrical hub configured to rotate about a spindle. The lever member has a transverse plate including a lever arm connected to a park release actuator and to a link to a park pawl of the transmission. Under normal operation, a transmission controller shifts the actuator to turn the lever arm and release the park pawl so the transmission can rotate. In an absence of a signal from the controller to the actuator, a bias spring restores the lever arm so that the transmission is locked. The bias spring comprises torsion coils disposed over the hub, a fixed end, and a drive end. The drive end has a heel segment bearing against a transverse surface of the transverse plate facing the torsion coils and a loading hook wrapped around an edge of the transverse plate.

Abstract: In a default-to-park system for a transmission, a lever member has a cylindrical hub configured to rotate about a spindle. The lever member has a transverse plate including a lever arm connected to a park release actuator and to a link to a park pawl of the transmission. Under normal operation, a transmission controller shifts the actuator to turn the lever arm and release the park pawl so the transmission can rotate. In an absence of a signal from the controller to the actuator, a bias spring restores the lever arm so that the transmission is locked. The bias spring comprises torsion coils disposed over the hub, a fixed end, and a drive end. The drive end has a heel segment bearing against a transverse surface of the transverse plate facing the torsion coils and a loading hook wrapped around an edge of the transverse plate.

Abstract: In a default-to-park system for a transmission, a lever member has a cylindrical hub configured to rotate about a spindle. The lever member has a transverse plate including a lever arm connected to a park release actuator and to a link to a park pawl of the transmission. Under normal operation, a transmission controller shifts the actuator to turn the lever arm and release the park pawl so the transmission can rotate. In an absence of a signal from the controller to the actuator, a bias spring restores the lever arm so that the transmission is locked. The bias spring comprises torsion coils disposed over the hub, a fixed end, and a drive end. The drive end has a heel segment bearing against a transverse surface of the transverse plate facing the torsion coils and a loading hook wrapped around an edge of the transverse plate.

Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission includes using actuation of a button of a shift module to produce a signal representing a desired gear, using the signal and a second signal commanding a park range to determining a priority range, using a shift mechanism to attempt engagement of the transmission in the priority range, and if the priority range is park and park is not engaged, engaging a park brake.

Abstract: Emergency shifting is performed in a shift-by-wire (SBW) vehicle during a power failure of a main electrical supply that includes a battery. A shift actuator is configured to mechanically couple to the transmission in order to execute shift events between a plurality of shift positions (including park and neutral) using the main voltage from the main supply during normal conditions. A human-powered generator is provided for converting a manually-imparted motion to an electrical output during the power failure. A storage device (e.g., capacitor) receives the electrical output to store a power reserve to apply to the shift actuator to execute an emergency shift event in the absence of main power in response to a manual command. The generator and storage device are configured such that a maximum power reserve stored from the generator can achieve only one emergency shift event at a time.

Abstract: Emergency shifting is performed in a shift-by-wire (SBW) vehicle during a power failure of a main electrical supply that includes a battery. A shift actuator is configured to mechanically couple to the transmission in order to execute shift events between a plurality of shift positions (including park and neutral) using the main voltage from the main supply during normal conditions. A human-powered generator is provided for converting a manually-imparted motion to an electrical output during the power failure. A storage device (e.g., capacitor) receives the electrical output to store a power reserve to apply to the shift actuator to execute an emergency shift event in the absence of main power in response to a manual command. The generator and storage device are configured such that a maximum power reserve stored from the generator can achieve only one emergency shift event at a time.

Abstract: A system for shifting a transmission range includes a selector producing a signal representing a selected range, and the system has a primary state wherein a source of electric power shifts the transmission to the selected range in response to the signal, and a secondary state wherein a source of mechanical energy shifts the transmission to a Park range when the primary state is unable to shift the range.

Abstract: A method for controlling a transmission includes using actuation of a button of a shift module to produce a signal representing a desired gear, using the signal and a second signal commanding a park range to determining a priority range, using a shift mechanism to attempt engagement of the transmission in the priority range, and if the priority range is park and park is not engaged, engaging a park brake.

Abstract: A system for shifting a transmission range includes a selector producing a signal representing a selected range, and the system has a primary state wherein a source of electric power shifts the transmission to the selected range in response to the signal, and a secondary state wherein a source of mechanical energy shifts the transmission to a Park range when the primary state is unable to shift the range.