Abstract: A vehicle park lock assembly includes a park valve that moves in a first direction to transition a lever from a first to a second position, and moves in an opposite, second direction to permit movement of the lever from the second to the first position. The assembly includes a support block that limits movement of the park valve in the first direction. The assembly includes a biasing device coupled to the support block and the park valve. The biasing device biases the park valve to the first position. A method of supporting components of a vehicle park lock assembly includes moving a park valve in a first direction to transition a lever from a first to a second position, and moving the park valve in an opposite, second direction to permit movement of the lever from the second to the first position.

Abstract: A vehicle park lock assembly includes a park valve that moves in a first direction to transition a lever from a first to a second position, and moves in an opposite, second direction to permit movement of the lever from the second to the first position. The assembly includes a support block that limits movement of the park valve in the first direction. The assembly includes a biasing device coupled to the support block and the park valve. The biasing device biases the park valve to the first position. A method of supporting components of a vehicle park lock assembly includes moving a park valve in a first direction to transition a lever from a first to a second position, and moving the park valve in an opposite, second direction to permit movement of the lever from the second to the first position.

Abstract: An override mechanism for a shift-by-wire transmission includes a housing having a first pin aperture and a shaft extending into the housing. The override mechanism further includes a reel plate having a second pin aperture. The reel plate is rotatably fixed to the shaft and rotatable within the housing. The override mechanism further includes a spring biasing the reel plate to a first angular position, and a pull-pin removably disposable within the first and second pin apertures to retain the reel plate in a second angular position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a park lock system for an automatic transmission. In one example, a park lock system may include a slideable element coupled to a park rod, a lock slot formed by the slideable element, a cam coupled to an end of a shaft, the shaft positioned within a solenoid and moveable by energization of the solenoid, and a pivotable pawl adapted to couple with the lock slot. In one example, the pivotable pawl is coupled to the lock slot by energization of the solenoid, and a position of the slideable element is locked.

Abstract: A fastener having a head is provided. The fastener includes a unidirectional inner drive including an inner lobe having an inner ramp surface adjacent to an inner drive abutment surface adapted to receive a torque to effect a clockwise rotation of the fastener. The fastener further includes a concentric unidirectional outer drive including an outer lobe having an outer ramp surface adjacent to an outer drive abutment surface adapted to receive an inverse torque to effect a counter-clockwise rotation of the fastener.

Abstract: A parking mechanism in a vehicle is controlled to rotate, which engages and disengages a pawl with a spoke or gear of a wheel to selectively hold the wheel against rotation in park. A spring is connected to the parking mechanism at a first end, and is connected to the transmission housing or a stop block at a second end. The first end of the spring is a closed loop, such as a helix shape that extends over 360 degrees over a loop axis. The second end of the spring is open-ended, such as a hook. After attaching the first end of the spring to the park mechanism, but prior to attaching the second end, a valve assembly can be mounted as well as the stop block. After those components are assembled in place, the second end of the spring can simply hook into place.

Abstract: A transmission diagnostic system includes a pivotable member and an actuator. The actuator has a notch with a first side, a second side, and an opening between the two sides. The width of the opening is greater than a width of the pivotable member. The pivotable member is retained within the notch, and the actuator is configured to selectively pivot the pivotable member between an engaged position, corresponding to a PARK gear, and a disengaged position, corresponding to a gear other than PARK. The transmission diagnostic system also includes a biasing spring configured to exert a biasing torque on the pivotable member to bias the pivotable member toward the first side of the notch. The transmission diagnostic system further includes a controller configured to generate at least one diagnostic signal in response to the pivotable member not being in contact with the first side of the notch.

Abstract: A pawl return spring includes a surface contacting portion adapted to contact a transmission housing. The surface contacting portion includes a first connection region and a second connection region opposite the first connection region. The pawl return spring includes an active coil region connected to the first connection region and disposed about a central longitudinal axis to provide torsional effort to the system. The pawl return spring also includes an inactive coil region connected to the second connection region and disposed about the central longitudinal axis that does not provide torsional effort to the system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a park lock system for an automatic transmission. In one example, a park lock system may include a slideable element coupled to a park rod, a lock slot formed by the slideable element, a cam coupled to an end of a shaft, the shaft positioned within a solenoid and moveable by energization of the solenoid, and a pivotable pawl adapted to couple with the lock slot. In one example, the pivotable pawl is coupled to the lock slot by energization of the solenoid, and a position of the slideable element is locked.

Abstract: A transaxle and a parking actuator assembly are provided. The parking actuator assembly may include an actuator, a rack, and the biasing member. The actuator may include a pin biased towards an extended position. The rack may be configured to carry a parking rod and may define first and second ramped recesses each configured to receive the pin. The biasing member may be coupled with the rack and may be configured to bias the parking rod towards engagement with a parking mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a shift-by-wire transmission, a pressure source configured to selectively provide hydraulic pressure in the absence of engine power, an internal combustion engine, and a controller. The shift-by-wire transmission includes a hydraulic actuator, and the electric pump is in fluid communication with the actuator. The controller is configured to, in response to a driver input and the engine being off, control the pressure source to provide hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A vehicle includes both a transmission park mechanism and an electronic parking brake. As a failure management strategy, a controller monitors vehicle movement to verify that the park mechanism is successfully restraining the vehicle against movement. Specifically, when the driver releases the brake pedal with the transmission park mechanism commanded to restrain the vehicle, the controller waits for a predetermined amount of time. If the vehicle moves during this time, the controller commands application of the electronic parking brake. The controller may also command application of the electronic parking brake if the vehicle does not come to a stop after the transmission park mechanism is commanded to restrain the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes both a transmission park mechanism and an electronic parking brake. As a failure management strategy, a controller monitors vehicle movement to verify that the park mechanism is successfully restraining the vehicle against movement. Specifically, when the driver releases the brake pedal with the transmission park mechanism commanded to restrain the vehicle, the controller waits for a predetermined amount of time. If the vehicle moves during this time, the controller commands application of the electronic parking brake. The controller may also command application of the electronic parking brake if the vehicle does not come to a stop after the transmission park mechanism is commanded to restrain the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Hold mode in a vehicle having a shift-by-wire transmission with a return to park feature. The Neutral Hold mode is entered upon detecting when the transmission control mechanism has been used a first time to select Neutral when a driver's door is open or has been used a second time to select Neutral. When in Neutral Hold mode, the transmission will stay in Neutral and not shift to Park upon detecting that a driver has exited the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system provides a Neutral Tow mode in a vehicle with a shift-by-wire transmission by displaying a Neutral Tow mode option when the transmission control mechanism has been used to select Park, an ignition switch is on, and an engine is off or an information button has been pushed and entering a Neutral Tow mode upon detecting a triggering event. The Neutral Tow mode is canceled upon detecting a certain sequence of events, such as turning on the ignition switch, depressing and holding a brake pedal, and selecting Park. When in Neutral Tow mode the transmission will stay in Neutral, without automatically shifting to Park or using battery power, thereby enabling the vehicle to be towed long distances without draining battery power.

Abstract: A system includes a controller that executes a method for determining failure of the door latch sensor using both the door latch sensor and a door lock sensor. If the door latch sensor is faulty, the controller adjusts an automatic feature of the vehicle based on a door lock signal instead of a door state signal. The controller is also configured to mark the door latch signal as faulty if the door latch system is not functioning properly by using a fault counter that tracks the door lock sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling an electric park brake, including: receiving shift-command data related to operator shift commands; receiving transmission-operating-gear data related to a transmission mode of operation; comparing shift-command data and transmission-operating-gear data; and actuating an electric park brake when shift-command data fails to match transmission-operating-gear data.

Abstract: A method and system provides a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Override mode in a vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission. With power applied and ignition on, a driver will press and hold an override switch for a calibrated time. While the override switch is pressed, the driver presses a non-Park button for another calibrated time. The result will be that the vehicle is placed in the selected range wherein the transmission will not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event. The driver is able to shift the vehicle from Park, even if an electrical failure prevents the transmission from shifting out of Park. As such the vehicle can be driven until the failure is serviced.

Abstract: A system includes a controller that executes a method for determining failure of the door latch sensor using both the door latch sensor and a door lock sensor. If the door latch sensor is faulty, the controller adjusts an automatic feature of the vehicle based on a door lock signal instead of a door state signal. The controller is also configured to mark the door latch signal as faulty if the door latch system is not functioning properly by using a fault counter that tracks the door lock sensor.

Abstract: A method and system provides a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Override mode in a vehicle including a shift-by-wire transmission. With power applied and ignition on, a driver will press and hold an override switch for a calibrated time. While the override switch is pressed, the driver presses a non-Park button for another calibrated time. The result will be that the vehicle is placed in the selected range wherein the transmission will not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event. The driver is able to shift the vehicle from Park, even if an electrical failure prevents the transmission from shifting out of Park. As such the vehicle can be driven until the failure is serviced.