Solenoid system for, for example, a brake/shift interlock for vehicular transmission control

A brake/shift interlock for, e.g., a vehicle having a shift mechanism (10) for an automatic transmission. The shift mechanism includes a shift lever (12) and a detent mechanism (24) having a latch (26) and latch plate (28) with a detent notch at the "Park" position. A Park/Lock member (34) is actuable to lock the latch in the Park position (FIGS. 1 and 6). In addition to an ignition lock mechanism (38) for actuating the Park/Lock member based on the status of the ignition switch (36A); FIG. 8), a brake/shift interlock is also provided for actuating the Park/Lock member when the ignition switch is in "Run" position (FIG. 2 ) , except for being released during actuation of a brake switch (82). A solenoid (160; FIGS. 4 and 5), when energized, applies a tensioning force to the Park/Lock member via a cable (44) actuating the P/L member. The solenoid includes a plunger (162) having a centrally located, axial opening (171) through it, through which the cable extends. The plunger opening is stepped, providing a seat (170) into which a laterally extended, mushroom-shaped button (173) affixed to the cable is seated, with the cable and plunger thereby being interfaced for movement in unison. A spring (174), located between an end wall of the solenoid and the plunger, biases the two apart. The solenoid can be completely assembled in manufacture before being interfaced in engagement with the button staked to the cable. The brake/shift interlock may be mechanically in series (FIGS. 1-3) or in parallel (FIGS. 6 and 7) with the ignition lock mechanism. (Exemplary power circuitry is illustrated in FIG. 8).

Skip to:  ·  Claims  ·  References Cited  · Patent History  ·  Patent History

Claims

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein:

said substantially inelastic line is a cable, and said laterally extended element is a mushroom-shaped button member affixed to said cable.

4. The combination of claim 2, wherein:

said housing is open at axially opposite ends in register with said stepped opening in said plunger, said connecting line extending continuously through said solenoid via said openings in said housing and said opening in said plunger.

5. The combination of claim 2, wherein said solenoid further includes:

a hollow tubular stop member fixedly positioned within said hollow core in said coil assembly limiting reciprocation of said plunger in the direction away from said spring member, said connecting line extending freely through said stop member.

6. The combination of claim 2, wherein:

said opening through said plunger is formed by two, in-line, connected, cylindrical, axially coincident, communicating, axial openings of different diameters, a seat being formed at the interfacing between said connected openings.

7. The combination of claim 2, wherein:

said plunger is positioned and constituted with respect to said solenoid coil assembly to cause it to move away from said end wall when said solenoid coil assembly is energized, adding to the biasing force of said spring member.

8. The combination of claim 2, wherein said substantially inelastic line is flexible.

9. In combination, a solenoid and a connecting, substantially inelastic line;

said solenoid including
a housing,
a coil assembly fixedly positioned in said housing and having a hollow core,
a plunger axially movable in the hollow core of said coil assembly, said plunger having a stepped, axial opening through it with said connecting line extending through said axial opening in said plunger and having a laterally extended element engaging the stepped portion of said axial opening, causing said connecting line and said plunger to move in unison due to the stepped engagement between said laterally extended element and said plunger, said plunger being in interfacing engagement with said connecting line for reciprocation in unison relative to said solenoid housing, said substantially inelastic line being a cable, and said laterally extended element being a mushroom-shaped button member affixed to said cable.Iadd., and
a stop member having a flange disposed within said housing, said plunger abutting against said stop member when energized.Iaddend..

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein:

a spring member is located between said end wall and said stepped portion biasing said plunger and said laterally extended element away from said end wall, adding to the biasing force of said solenoid coil assembly.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein there is included the step of:

forming the seat within the interior of the axial opening through the solenoid plunger.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein there is included the step of:

forming a stepped, axial opening through the solenoid plunger by forming a centrally located, cylindrical, axial opening of a relatively smaller diameter down into the plunger; and
forming a relatively larger diameter, centrally located opening from the end of the plunger proximal to the distal end of the solenoid, with the formed cylindrical opening being in line and connecting together, the interconnection between the two cylindrical openings forming the seat for the laterally extended member on the connecting line..Iadd.

15. In combination, a solenoid and a connecting line;

said solenoid including:
a housing;
a spool disposed with said housing and having a hollow core;
a coil assembly fixedly positioned around said spool and in said housing;
a movable member associated with said coil assembly, said movable member axially movable in said spool, said movable member, having an axial opening through it, with said connecting line extending through said axial opening in said movable member said movable member being in interfacing engagement with said connecting line for reciprocation in unison relative to said housing;
said connecting line is a cable having a mushroom-shaped button member affixed to said cable; and
a stop member having a flange extending thereabout, said flange disposed between said housing and said spool..Iaddend..Iadd.16. The combination of claim 15, wherein:
said housing is open at axially opposite ends in register with said opening in said movable member, said connecting line extending continuously through said solenoid via said openings in said housing and said opening

in said movable member..Iaddend..Iadd.17. The combination of claim 15, wherein:

said opening through said movable member is formed by two, in-line, connected, cylindrical, axially coincident, communicating, axial openings of different diameters, a seat being formed at the interfacing between said connected openings..Iaddend..Iadd.18. In a brake/shift interlock for use in a vehicle having a shift control mechanism for an automatic transmission, an improvement in the brake/shift interlock comprising:
an electromagnetic actuator including a movable member, said movable member having an axial opening through it;
electrical means for connecting said electro-magnetic actuator electrically into a power circuit including a brake switch to control operation of said actuator as a function of the actuation of the brake switch;
an ignition lock mechanism including a first substantially inelastic line connected to a Park/Lock member;
a second substantially inelastic, mechanical connecting line mechanically connecting said movable member of said electromagnetic actuator in line with the movement of the Park/Lock member, said electromagnetic actuator being energizable for placing said connecting line in tension and urging the Park/Lock member toward a Lock position, said connecting line extending through said axial opening in said movable member and said movable member being in interfacing engagement with said connecting line

for reciprocation in unison..Iaddend..Iadd.19. A solenoid for use in a brake/shift interlock system in a vehicle having a shift control mechanism for an automatic transmission, said solenoid comprising:

a housing;
a coil assembly fixedly positioned in said housing and having a hollow core;
a movable member axially movable with respect to said coil assembly, said movable member having an axial opening through it, said movable member being adapted for interfacing engagement with a connecting line for reciprocation in unison, said connecting line extending through said hollow core of said coil assembly and through said axial opening in said movable member;
said solenoid further includes a spring member disposed between an end wall of said housing and said movable member; and
said movable member is positioned and constituted with respect to said solenoid coil assembly to cause it to move away from said end wall when said solenoid coil assembly is energized, adding to the biasing force of said spring member..Iaddend..Iadd.20. A brake/shift interlock system comprising:
an electromagnetic actuator having an axially movable member;
an electrical circuit connected to said electromagnetic actuator;
a brake switch to control operation of said electromagnetic actuator as a function of the actuation of said brake switch, said brake switch connected to said electrical circuit;
a Park/Lock member;
an ignition lock mechanism coupled to said Park/Lock member; and
a connector mechanically coupling said axially movable member of said electromagnetic actuator with the movement of said Park/Lock member, said electromagnetic actuator being energizable for causing said connector to

urge said Park/Lock member toward a Lock position..Iaddend..Iadd.21. In combination, a solenoid and an automatic transmission shift control mechanism comprising:

a housing;
a coil assembly positioned in said housing;
an axially movable member substantially positioned in said housing adjacent to said coil assembly;
a connector directly connecting said axially movable member to said shift control mechanism; and
said coil assembly maintaining said axially movable member thereagainst when said coil assembly is energized, said axially movable member further magnetically maintaining said shift control mechanism in a Park position when said coil assembly is energized, said axially movable member being axially movable away from said coil assembly upon application of a force by said shift control mechanism greater than the magnetic force exerted by said coil assembly when energized..Iaddend..Iadd.22. The combination of claim 21 wherein said connector includes a rod..Iaddend..Iadd.23. The combination of claim 21 wherein said connector includes a cable..Iaddend..Iadd.24. The combination of claim 21 wherein:
said coil assembly has an axially hollow core; and
said connector is axially movable within said hollow core of said coil

assembly..Iaddend..Iadd.25. The combination of claim 24 wherein said connector is fixedly coupled to said axially movable member..Iaddend..Iadd.26. The combination of claim 24 wherein said connector can freely move in a first axial direction regardless of the position of said axially movable member and said connector is limited in movement in a second axial direction by said axially movable

member..Iaddend..Iadd.27. In a brake/shift interlock for use in a vehicle having a shift control mechanism for an automatic transmission, an improvement in the brake/shift interlock, comprising:

an electromagnetic device including a movable member and a wire coil;
said electromagnetic device electrically energizeable and de-energizeable as a function of the actuation of a brake switch;
an ignition lock mechanism including a first substantially inelastic line connected to a pivoting member of said shift control mechanism;
a second substantially inelastic, mechanical connecting line directly and mechanically connecting said movable member of said electromagnetic device with the movement of said pivoting member of said shift control mechanism, said electromagnetic device being energizable for maintaining the position of said second connecting line and said pivoting member in a Lock position, said movable member being in interfacing engagement with said

second connecting line for reciprocation in unison..Iaddend..Iadd.28. In a brake/shift interlock for use in a vehicle having a shift control mechanism for an automatic transmission, an improvement in the brake/shift interlock, comprising:

an electromagnetic actuator including a movable member;
electrical means for connecting said electro-magnetic actuator electrically into a power circuit including a brake switch to control operation of said actuator as a function of the actuation of the brake switch;
an ignition lock mechanism including a first line connected to a Park/Lock member;
a second connecting line mechanically connecting said movable member of said electromagnetic actuator with the movement of the Park/Lock member, said electromagnetic actuator being energizable for maintaining said second connecting line and the Park/Lock member in a Lock position, said movable member being in interfacing engagement with said second connecting

line for reciprocation in unison..Iaddend..Iadd.29. In combination, a solenoid, a substantially inelastic mechanical connector and a shift control mechanism, said combination comprising:

a solenoid housing having an end wall with an opening through it,
a solenoid coil assembly fixedly positioned in said solenoid housing, said solenoid coil assembly including a spool with a wire coiled therearound,
a solenoid plunger having an end adjacent to said end wall and being axially movable in said solenoid housing toward and away from said end wall, said solenoid plunger having said mechanical connector extending from said plunger and through said opening in said end wall, said mechanical connector and said plunger moving in unison as said plunger moves toward said end wall; and
a shift control mechanism having said connector directly affixed to a portion thereof for magnetically inhibiting shifting from a Park position without performing one of the following acts consisting essentially of: (a) deenergizing said solenoid, and (b) overriding a magnetic force

created by said solenoid being energized..Iaddend..Iadd.30. The combination of claim 29 wherein said shift control mechanism is defined as a floor mounted automatic transmission shifter having a pivoting shift lever..Iaddend..Iadd.31. A brake/shift interlock system comprising:

a solenoid having an axially movable member;
a brake switch to electrically control operation of said solenoid as a function of the actuation of said brake switch;
a Park/Lock member;
an ignition lock mechanism coupled to said Park/Lock member; and
a connector mechanically directly coupling said axially movable member of said solenoid with the movement of said Park/Lock member, said solenoid being energizable for causing said connector to maintain said Park/Lock member in a Lock position..Iaddend..Iadd.32. A brake/shift interlock system comprising:
an electromagnetic actuator having an axially movable member;
an electrical circuit connected to said electromagnetic actuator;
a brake switch to control operation of said electromagnetic actuator as a function of the actuation of said brake switch, said brake switch connected to said electrical circuit;
a Park/Lock member;
an ignition lock mechanism coupled to said Park/Lock member; and
a connector directly mechanically coupling said axially movable member of said electromagnetic actuator with the movement of said Park/Lock member, said electromagnetic actuator being energizable for magnetically maintaining said connector and said Park/Lock member in a Lock

position..Iaddend..Iadd.33. A brake/shift interlock system comprising:

an electromagnetic actuator having an axially movable member;
a brake switch to control operation of said electromagnetic actuator as a function of the actuation of said brake switch;
a pivoting member of a shift control mechanism;
an ignition lock mechanism coupled to said shift control mechanism; and
a connector directly mechanically coupling said axially movable member of said electromagnetic actuator with the movement of said pivoting member, said electromagnetic actuator being energizable for magnetically causing said connector to urge said pivoting member toward a Lock

position..Iaddend..Iadd.34. A brake/shift interlock system comprising:

an electromagnetic device having an axially movable member;
a brake switch controlling operation of said electromagnetic device as a function of the actuation of said brake switch;
a pivoting member of a shift control mechanism;
an ignition lock mechanism coupled to said shift control mechanism; and
a connector mechanically coupling said axially movable member of said electromagnetic device with the movement of said pivoting member, said electromagnetic device being energizable for magnetically causing said connector to maintain said pivoting member in a Lock position..Iaddend..Iadd.35. A solenoid comprising:
a housing having an end wall with an opening therethrough;
a coil assembly positioned in said housing for creating electromagnetic forces;
a member having an end facing said end wall and being axially movable toward and away from said end wall, said member having a bore disposed therethrough; and
a stop having a first stop bore and a coaxial second stop bore axially internal to said first stop bore, said first stop bore having a larger diameter than said second stop bore, said member abuttable against said stop upon energization of said coil assembly..Iaddend..Iadd.36. A method of manufacturing a solenoid device having a connecting line, which solenoid device includes
a solenoid having a housing and a solenoid coil assembly with a hollow core, the solenoid further having an axially movable, solenoid plunger located at least partially in the hollow core with the solenoid having an overall axial opening through it, the solenoid also having a stop member at least partially disposed within said housing, and
a connecting line which is to extend through the overall axial opening and be engaged with the plunger for some common movement with the plunger in unison, comprising the following steps:
(a) utilizing a solenoid design having
an overall axial opening through it from end to end with a relatively larger lateral dimension at one end and a relatively smaller lateral dimension at its other end, with the plunger itself having an axial opening through it forming part of the overall axial opening through the solenoid, and
a spring member located against an end of said plunger and said housing;
(b) bonding said stop member to said housing;
(c) assembling together the solenoid, including the spring member, coil assembly, plunger and housing with the overall axial opening through the solenoid and the axial opening through the plunger being in-line, with the spring member being positioned between said plunger and said other end of the solenoid;
(d) inserting the connecting line through the overall axial opening of the solenoid; and
(e) engaging a laterally extended member to contact and interfacingly engage the solenoid plunger..Iaddend.
Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2616955 November 1952 Dube et al.
3248579 April 1966 Plasko
3438455 April 1969 Redmond
3549917 December 1970 Buhlertal
3715694 February 1973 Kruger
3960235 June 1, 1976 Iijima
4335418 June 15, 1982 Clement
4473141 September 25, 1984 Mochida
4474085 October 2, 1984 DeVogelaere et al.
4817471 April 4, 1989 Tury
4884668 December 5, 1989 Kobayashi et al.
4887702 December 19, 1989 Ratke et al.
4905802 March 6, 1990 Gotoh
4934496 June 19, 1990 Barske et al.
5018610 May 28, 1991 Rolinski et al.
5021764 June 4, 1991 Mabee
5035156 July 30, 1991 Roble
5076114 December 31, 1991 Moody
5129494 July 14, 1992 Rolinski et al.
Foreign Patent Documents
737616 December 1932 FRX
1265869 April 1968 DEX
643982 January 1979 RUX
Other references
  • Author: Audi Title: ASL--Automatic Shift Lock Pertinent pp. 1, 2, 7 and 10. (prior Jan. 6, 1994).
Patent History
Patent number: RE35772
Type: Grant
Filed: Jan 6, 1994
Date of Patent: Apr 21, 1998
Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc. (Dearborn, MI)
Inventors: Richard Ratke (Dearborn, MI), Donald E. Ellison (Clemens, MI)
Primary Examiner: Allan D. Herrmann
Law Firm: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C.
Application Number: 8/178,047
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: 192/4A; With Switch (70/248); Control Levers With Switch (70/254); 74/5005; 74/5026; Reciprocating Or Linearly Sliding (335/126); 335/355; One Control Blocks Another (477/96)
International Classification: B60K 4126; B60K 4104; H01F 708;