Electrical Actuator Patents (Class 74/473.12)
  • Patent number: 9682694
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an electrical load may be automatically activated to consume electrical energy produced during driveline braking so that driveline braking may be extended. The electrical load may be a windscreen heater or other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Nathan Banker, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Jeffrey Allen Doering, James William Loch McCallum, David Oshinsky
  • Patent number: 9671212
    Abstract: A position sensor that detects operation positions of an operation member includes an element array having three stages, each including one or more detection elements. A detected subject is detected by each detection element in two adjacent upstream and downstream stages to determine an operation position of the operation member. Whenever the operation member is shifted by one operation position, the detected subject is moved relative to the element array by one stage. Each detection element outputs a detection result of the detected subject. The element array includes at least three detection elements of which the detection results change whenever the operation member is shifted by one operation position. A detection element in the upstream side stage detects the detected subject before the operation position shifting, and a detection element in the downstream side stage detects the detected subject after the operation position shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Masayoshi Iwata
  • Patent number: 9568096
    Abstract: A gear position locking mechanism of a vehicle is presented. The vehicle has a gear lever unit and a gear box. The gear box is provided with a gear position sensor. The gear position locking mechanism of the vehicle includes a driving unit and a rocker arm. After receiving a target position signal sensed by the gear position sensor, the driving unit drives the rocker arm to automatically lock the gear lever unit, so that a gear lever of the gear lever unit cannot be shifted by hand. As the rocker arm is provided to prevent a gear position from being directly shifted by hand, the structural design inside the gear lever unit or the gear box does not need to be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: KWANG YANG MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Tzu-Jung Lan, Chien-Ping Tseng
  • Patent number: 9441730
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly for an automatic transmission vehicle may include a shift lever installed rotatably front/rearward and left/rightward with respect to a shift lever housing through a ball joint, a cable bracket disposed on a front of the shift lever and connected to the shift lever housing to be moved front/rearward with respect to the shift lever housing, and a cable connection protrusion is provided on a tip end of the cable bracket to connect with a shift cable, and an engaging lever disposed on the front of the shift lever for connecting the shift lever and the cable bracket. The shift lever assembly can have a reduced size and prevent formation the shaking angle of the shift cable, and accordingly, improve the power transmission efficiency and a transmission efficiency of the shift cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Deok Ki Kim, Myung Lyul Na, Min Keun Kwon, Won Jin Jeong
  • Patent number: 9209729
    Abstract: An actuator control unit has a first pattern in which the energization phase is switched on every switching of pulse signals, and a second pattern in which, even when a switching timing of the energization phase due to the switching of the pulse signals exists, the energization phase is not switched during a predetermined period, and, in an acceleration period before a specific position in which the actual rotation angle position of the detent plate is going toward the target rotation angle position and then the rotation becomes stable, the energization phase is switched with the first pattern set, then, in a deceleration period after the specific position in which the rotation of the motor is stable and then the actual rotation angle position generally matches the target rotation angle position, the energization phase of the motor is switched with the second pattern set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Maruo, Takeshi Hashimoto, Takahiko Ono
  • Patent number: 9097507
    Abstract: A non-contact shift lever position detector includes a housing, a gear position shift lever, a magnet, a plurality of magnetic sensors, and a processor. The gear position shift lever is disposed partially within the housing and is moveable to at least a first position, a second position, and a third position. The magnet is disposed within the housing, and is coupled to the gear position shift lever and is movable therewith. The magnetic sensors are fixedly disposed within the housing and each magnetic sensor is spaced apart from the magnet and is configured to supply an output voltage representative of its proximity to the magnet. The processor is coupled to receive the output voltage supplied from each of the magnetic sensors and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to determine when the gear position shift lever is in the first position, the second position, and the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Shakil Moonamkandy, Girish Krishnaiah, Prerana Deepak Kapure
  • Publication number: 20150143938
    Abstract: A default-to-park mechanism for a transmission includes an output member, a rotatable plate, a latching mechanism, and a biasing member. The output member is rotatable to park, reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The rotatable plate is coaxial with the output member. The plate and the output member interfere with one another such that the plate is moved in a first direction of rotation by the output member and the output member is moved in a second direction of rotation by the plate. The plate is releasably held by the latching mechanism to prevent rotation in the second direction of rotation when the output member is in the reverse, neutral, and drive positions. The biasing member biases the plate to rotate in the second direction of rotation to return the output member to the park position when the plate is released by the latching mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Swaita, David A. Provenza, Brian Ganter, Robert DiTommaso, Karthik Kayyer, William Harrop
  • Publication number: 20150135877
    Abstract: An organ type electronic automatic shift lever may include a shift lever portion, a step motor unit, an operating arm, a position recognition unit, and a gear shift stage control unit. The shift lever portion may have a lower end at which a magnetic unit is mounted. The step motor unit may be fixed on a console surface of a vehicle and include a step motor. The operating arm may be rotatably connected to the shift lever portion and the step motor. The position recognition unit may recognize a position of the magnetic unit and output information of the recognized position. The gear shift stage control unit may control the step motor unit, preset position recognition information, compare position information and output gear shift information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Eun-Sik KIM, Jeong-Seop Lee
  • Patent number: 9027429
    Abstract: An electronic shift lever includes a case through which a hollow is formed in a longitudinal direction. A shift lever cover covers the hollow and is connected to the case. A rod housing is located adjacent the bottom of the case where a through-pipe is disposed in a longitudinal direction. A rod is disposed in the through-pipe and slides frontward and rearward. A recognition sensor is disposed in a longitudinal direction at an inner lower side of the rod housing. Shift stage magnets are arranged in a longitudinal direction spaced apart from a lower side of the shift lever cover and are able to stop the rod temporarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Eun-Sik Kim, Jeong-Seop Lee
  • Patent number: 9027428
    Abstract: A non-contact sensor includes a substrate having a groove, two pattern coils arranged on opposite sides of the groove, a detected object connected to the shift lever and moved in cooperation with the shift lever along the groove, and a signal processing circuit that calculates a movement amount of the shift lever based on an output value provided from the pattern coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masayoshi Iwata
  • Patent number: 9021911
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, electronic shift lever including a PRND button and a scroll wheel configured to operate an H-Matic function, which are formed within one region of an upper surface of the shift lever, respectively, in which the shift lever is formed to be attached to and detached from a fixing device which is formed within one region inside a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Eun-Sik Kim
  • Publication number: 20150114157
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Jay T. TenBrink, Robert L. Brown, Donald Niskanen, Kirk Ypma
  • Publication number: 20150107392
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Orson S. Wang, David R. Worpell
  • Patent number: 9004218
    Abstract: A system for controlling a work vehicle is disclosed. The system may include a controller configured to control motion of the work vehicle and an electronic joystick communicatively coupled to the controller. The electronic joystick may be configured to transmit signals to the controller as it is moved between a neutral position and a full stroke position. The joystick may also be configured such that a varying joystick force is required to move the joystick between the neutral and full stroke positions. In addition, a rate of change of the joystick force may be varied as the electronic joystick is moved across a start/stop position defined between the neutral and full stroke positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Navneet Gulati, Duqiang Wu, Aditya Singh
  • Publication number: 20150096398
    Abstract: An automatic transmission having an operator control which has at least one manually actuable switching rocker which is arranged on a steering wheel. A sensor senses the actuation of the switching rocker and is connected via a signal path to a transmission control device of the automatic transmission. The switching rocker and the transmission control device are additionally connected to one another via a second signal path which is independent of the signal path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Martin Bauer, Johann Eichler, Hennig Schmahl, Iwo Heidrich
  • Patent number: 8996262
    Abstract: Method and system providing manual skip-shift for operating the automatic transmission of a vehicle. The method includes accepting the input of gear states by operating a selector mechanism to select a value. The system accepts input of a selected sequence of gear states from a plurality of available gear states, the selected sequence including fewer gear states than the number of available gear states. The system then operates a selector mechanism to select the gear state from the selected sequence. The system also includes an electronic control module, a selector mechanism, and a power train control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuji Fujii, Davor Hrovat, Gregory Michael Pietron, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Alex O'Connor Gibson, Nimrod Kapas, Joseph F Kucharski, Diana Yanakiev, James Dottavio
  • Publication number: 20150082931
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Bialas, Orson S. Wang, Anne Bliss
  • Publication number: 20150068343
    Abstract: In a shift device of the present invention, a shift range is switched to a drive range or a reverse range when a switch portion is operated additionally to moving of an operational member. Switching to a drive range is executed when the switch portion is operated further in a state in which the mount of move of the operational member tilted in a first direction from a home position exceeds a first threshold, and switching to a reverse range is executed when the switch portion is operated further in a state in which the mount of move of the operational member tilted in a second direction from the home position exceeds a second threshold which is greater than the first threshold. Accordingly, quick and easy selection of a traveling range can be conducted, ensuring the safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayuki TOKUMO
  • Publication number: 20150068342
    Abstract: Provided is a transmission device of a vehicle, that can use a manual transmission without modifications, and can perform automatic gear shifting. A transmission is provided with shift blocks for regulating shifting between gear positions so as to achieve the automatic gear shifting. This vehicle transmission device includes the shift block for the reverse-1st speed (B1), the shift block for the 4th speed-5th speed (B4), the shift block for the 2nd speed-3rd speed (B2), and the shift block for the 6th speed (B6) arranged in this order in a selection operation direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Enami
  • Publication number: 20150059510
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission including a plurality of operating modes, a shift selector including a switch mechanism associated with at least two operating modes of the plurality of operating modes, and a controller operably coupled to the transmission and to the shift selector. The controller is configured to receive a signal associated with the switch mechanism, identify a current operating mode associated with the transmission, and selectively shift the transmission from the current operating mode to one operating mode of the at least two operating modes. The one operating mode is determined based at least in part on the current operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Blake Otis Knisely
  • Publication number: 20150053039
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle transmission (11) is disclosed in which a sensor (18) used to produce an indication of position of a selector (17) is calibrated such that positioning the selector (17) at a peak force feedback position produced by a peak and trough force feedback mechanism (24) connected to the selector (17) will always result in the selection of a drive mode of the transmission (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Rob Jerger, Pete Stares, Hardev Mandair
  • Patent number: 8960040
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Orson S. Wang
  • Patent number: 8960039
    Abstract: A mouse AT lever includes a pair of A/B buttons generating control signals when being pressed and an operation dial turning to implement P, R, N, D, and M shift ranges, and can implement a basic function of outputting operation signals for the positions of the selected shift ranges and implementing operation feeling according to the shifting in various ways using the pressing time of A/B buttons, a function of preventing mis-operation in the shifting by using H-MATIC functions, a shift-lock function that prevents the ranges from being switched under a predetermined condition, a function of starting the engine by using a button, a customer-directional safety control function that is set by the customer, and an interface function for communicating with an DIS (Driver Information System) controlling the devices mounted in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Eunsik Kim
  • Patent number: 8958962
    Abstract: An electric shift operating device is basically provided with a base member, a first operating member, a clicking mechanism, a signal generating arrangement and a controller. The base member is configured to be attached to a bicycle. The first operating member is movably supported on the base member from a rest position to an operated position. The clicking mechanism is operated by the first operating member to produce a haptic feedback response upon the first operating member reaching the first operated position. The signal generating arrangement generates a first shift start signal prior to or upon the first operating member reaching the first operated position. The controller controls a gear position of the electric gear changing device. The controller receives the first shift start signal and operates the electric gear changing device towards a target gear position upon receiving the first shift start signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Miki, Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 8948985
    Abstract: A shift control device for a motorcycle includes a transmission that allows switching between a neutral state and a number of engaged shift positions, a shift control section that controls a shift state of the transmission, and an N/D changeover switch that switches between the neutral state and a drive mode for executing automatic shift among the plural shift positions. The shift control device also includes a hand-operated shift switch that allows manual shifting among the plural shift positions, and a foot operated shift control unit that allows manual shifting among the plural shift positions during the drive mode according to an operation of a shift pedal. The N/D changeover switch and the hand-operated shift switch are arranged around a handlebar of the motorcycle. The shift control section is operable to switch between the neutral state and the drive mode by the foot operated shift control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Sakamoto, Kenichi Machida, Makoto Tsuyuguchi, Satoru Okoshi
  • Patent number: 8926473
    Abstract: The invention refers to a locking unit, in particular a transmission locking unit. It consists of a coil encircling at least partly an armature space. The coil has a wire that can be energized by electric current. An armature rod projecting out of the armature space and carrying an armature is provided, as well as an operating element locking unit interacting with the armature rod. This holds or releases, depending on the position of the armature rod, an operating element, wherein the armature rod or the armature is held in a first position by a permanent magnet, and a current flow through the wire of the coil compensates the holding force of the permanent magnet, and the armature rod gets in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: SVM Schultz Verwaltungs—GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Scherer, Helmut Mang
  • Patent number: 8928187
    Abstract: An operating control device for adjusting the power of a heating device has a rotary knob that has an off position in which said rotary knob is deactivated, and a working position into which said knob can be brought to adjust the power. The working position is predetermined by a lock-in position, and the rotary knob can be rotated over a working angle of a rotation range in at least one direction of rotation from the working position counter to a counterforce that rises as the angle of rotation increases. The operating control device can detect the angle of rotation and uses a control system of the operating control device for adjusting the power. The control system is configured in such a manner that the power is adjusted more rapidly as the angle of rotation increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Gerätebau GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Alfred Hamm, Martin Baier
  • Publication number: 20150000450
    Abstract: A shift-by-wire controller is applied to a shift-by-wire system which switches a shift range of an automatic transmission by a driving force of a motor, and drives the motor according to an input signal. The shift-by-wire controller includes a position sensor, a position acquirement portion acquiring a switching edge corresponding to a position where the shift range is switched from the position sensor, an encoder detecting a rotational position of the motor, a determining portion determining whether the rotational position can be acquired as a present-position from the encoder, and a position determination portion. When the determining portion determines that the present-position cannot be acquired, the position determination portion drives the motor to switch the shift range, and determines a position of the motor based on the switching edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshihiro YATOU, Kenji SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20150000448
    Abstract: A shift position detecting device that determines a shift position based on a detection logic formed of a combination of turning on or off of a plurality of switches that are fixedly arranged at least one by one at positions corresponding to a plurality of detecting object portion rows mounted on a shift drum. An accurate shift position can be detected even if there is an irregularity in switching timings of switching modes of the plurality of switches. A shift position detecting member establishes the shift position as a new shift position and outputs shift position information, while when the detection logic after the transition is a detection logic other than the detection logic corresponding to the changeable shift position, sets the new shift position not yet established and outputs information corresponding to non-establishment of the shift position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Takashi TETSUKA, Takashi HOTEI, Dai ARAI, Atsushi CHIBA, Kenichi TAMURA
  • Publication number: 20150000449
    Abstract: A range switch device has a range switch control without an abutment control of a motor. The range switch control detects an encoder count at a slack removed rotation position of the motor during a rotation to a target rotation position at a shift range switch time. Then, the range switch control sets the target rotation position based on the slack removed rotation position of the motor and a by-design rotation amount of the motor, in which the slack removed rotation position is detected by an encoder count that marks an output change start time of a rotation sensor and a by-design rotation amount between pre- and post-switching rotation positions regarding pre- and post-switching shift ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Koji SAKAGUCHI, Kazuhiro YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20150000447
    Abstract: In a shifting-operation detection unit, a first detection unit has a first resistor connected in series to a first switch and a second resistor connected in parallel to the first switch and the first resistor, a second detection unit has a third resistor connected in series to a second switch and a fourth resistor connected in parallel to the second switch and the third resistor, and the first detection unit and the second detection unit are connected in series to be connected to correspond to a power supply terminal and a ground terminal of an external device and apply a divided voltage of a voltage of the power supply terminal to the external device via an electric wire, the divided voltage having voltage values corresponding to a shift-up operation and a shift-down operation, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: KEIHIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Ebata, Nagatomo Harata
  • Publication number: 20140366670
    Abstract: In a manual transmission mode, a downshift instruction signal is outputted by a position sensor, and a shift range is lowered by one gear, as a result of an operation of a shift lever by the driver. The driving force of the vehicle is increased through downshifting. The number of times of downshifting within a predefined time is limited to a predefined number of times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Tanaka, Masaya Amano, Shunsuke Oyama, Shoji Nagata
  • Patent number: 8909444
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle transmission (11) is disclosed in which a sensor (18) used to produce an indication of position of a selector (17) is calibrated such that positioning the selector (17) at a peak force feedback position produced by a peak and trough force feedback mechanism (24) connected to the selector (17) will always result in the selection of a drive mode of the transmission (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Rob Jerger, Pete Stares, Hardev Mandair
  • Publication number: 20140345411
    Abstract: A bicycle component actuation apparatus basically comprises a base member; a user operating member and a controller. The user operating member is movably mounted to the base member from a rest position to a first operated position. The controller detects operation of the user operating member to operate first and second electric components, one of which is not a shifting device. The controller operates one of the first and second electric components upon the controller detecting the user operating member being moved to the first operated position. The controller operates at least the other of the first and second electric components upon the controller detecting the user operating member remaining at the first operated position for a period of time longer than a first prescribed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kentaro KOSAKA, Atsuhiro EMURA
  • Publication number: 20140318295
    Abstract: An electronic auto shift lever, and more particularly, a smart touch type electronic auto shift lever configures a shift operating unit of the auto shift lever. The auto shift lever includes a touch screen and provides a predetermined shift pattern to a user to perform a shift operation by an input through the touch screen, in which the user is allowed to arbitrarily change the shift pattern to provide various shift patterns corresponding to a user's taste, in an auto shift lever of an automatic transmission vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Eun Sik Kim, Jeongseop Lee
  • Publication number: 20140318296
    Abstract: A gearbox control module for a gearbox comprises an electronic component with an electronic circuit configured to control the gearbox, electrical connections and a module carrier. The electronics component and the electrical connections are mounted on the module carrier, and the module carrier is a cover configured to sealingly close off an interior of the gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Zweigle, Holger Braun, Michael Kircher
  • Publication number: 20140318294
    Abstract: A vehicle shift control device includes: a parking lock device selectively switched by driving of an electric motor between a lock position restraining rotation of wheels and a non-lock position not restraining the rotation of the wheels; and an electronic control device controlling the electric motor, the vehicle shift control device providing a parking lock switching control of selectively switching the parking lock device between the lock position and the non-locking position in an activated state of the electronic control device, wherein if the electronic control device is switched from the deactivated state to the activated state, the vehicle shift control device provides a wall abutment control of driving the parking lock device with the electric motor to a mechanical displacement end before starting the provision of the parking lock switching control, and if a temperature of the electric motor is lower than a predefined low-temperature determination value, the vehicle shift control device provides an e
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Kamada, Yoshinobu Nozaki, Naoki Itazu, Yusuke Nakade, Kazumi Endo
  • Publication number: 20140298943
    Abstract: A bicycle component operating apparatus is basically provided with a controller. The controller is configured to electrically adjust an input position of at least one operating member for starting operation of at least one bicycle component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Akinori HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140290411
    Abstract: A bicycle gear changing apparatus is basically provided with a controller. The controller is configured to be operatively coupled a first input to receive first shift signals. The controller is configured to be operatively coupled to a second input to receive second shift signals. The controller outputs control signals to control at least one of a first gear changing device and a second gear changing device in accordance with a first prescribed shift route in response to receiving the first shift signals. The controller outputting control signals to control at least one of the first and second gear changing devices in accordance with a second prescribed shift route different from the first prescribed shift route in response to receiving the second shift signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Mao KURODA
  • Publication number: 20140290412
    Abstract: A bicycle gear changing apparatus is basically provided with an upshifting input, a downshifting input and a controller. The controller is operatively coupled to the upshifting input and the downshifting input to receive upshift signals and downshift signals. The controller outputs control signals to control a first gear changing device and a second gear changing device in accordance with a synchro-downshift route and a synchro-upshift route that is different from the synchro-downshift route, in response to receiving the upshift signals and the downshift signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro EMURA, Nobukatsu HARA, Hideki IKEMOTO, Mao KURODA
  • Publication number: 20140283639
    Abstract: A smart touch type electronic auto-shift lever may include a shift stage controller which is connected to a controller of an electronic auto-transmission of a vehicle and a touch screen which is arranged on a console of a vehicle and is connected to the shift stage controller to display information of a shift pattern received from the shift stage controller and transmit input information produced by a touch to the shift stage controller. The shift stage controller generates the information of the shift pattern including the shift pattern and transmits it to the touch screen, and generates stage shift information allotted to the input information received from the touch screen and transmits it to the controller of the electronic auto-transmission of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Eun-Sik KIM
  • Publication number: 20140251051
    Abstract: A range switching device has a range switch mechanism driven by a motor and a control unit in the range switching device performs an abutment control for controlling the motor when a shift range is a range other than a P range at a start time of the control unit, based on a determination whether a switch permission condition is being fulfilled. The fulfillment of such a condition is determined based on a brake ON state of a vehicle and an IG switch ON state. When the switch permission condition is determined as fulfilled, the shift range is switched to the P range and the motor is rotated to perform the abutment control for learning a reference position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jun YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20140224055
    Abstract: A device (42, 50, 70, 75, 80, 85) for manually inputting commands for an electronically servo-assisted bicycle gearshift (8) comprises a lever (54, 86) configured to actuate a first switch (60) when it is rotated by a first predetermined angle, and to actuate the first switch (60) and a second switch (61) when it is rotated by a second predetermined angle after the rotation by the first predetermined angle. A command input requesting gearshifting in a first direction is considered to be valid when only the first switch (60) is actuated, and a command input requesting gearshifting in a second direction is considered to be valid only when both of the switches (60, 61) are actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio CRACCO, Andrea DE PRETTO
  • Patent number: 8801561
    Abstract: A power switching device for vehicle has at least first and second power switching mechanisms, a shared operating mechanism, and a housing accommodating the power switching mechanisms and the shard operating mechanism, the housing being integrally formed with a boss portion having a waiting mechanism, wherein the waiting mechanism includes drive and driven cylindrical shafts, and a coil spring connecting between the cylindrical shafts, both of the cylindrical shafts and the coil spring are arranged in a same axis, and are supported on an inner peripheral surface of the boss portion through drive and driven side needle roller bearings respectively, the coil spring is arranged inside the cylindrical shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Kii
  • Publication number: 20140216194
    Abstract: An activation apparatus is provided for a transmission of a motor vehicle, having a gear selector that is moveable in at least one shift gate for selecting different drive program of the transmission, a control device with which the selection of at least one drive program of the transmission can be locked, and at least two sensors designed for detecting a gear selector activation. The control device is designed for determining the plausibility of signals detected by the sensors and for enabling the selection of the drive program on the basis of the plausibility determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias LINDNER, Thomas TILLE
  • Publication number: 20140216189
    Abstract: A shifting mechanism has a shift fork. The shift fork has upper and lower arms connected by an upright portion. The upright portion defines a pivot axis for the fork. The mechanism also has a clutch collar that is connected to the shift fork. The shift fork is connected to gearing and a motor to pivot the fork and thus the clutch collar into and out of engagement with a clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Scott V. Anderson, Michael Z. Creech
  • Patent number: 8788158
    Abstract: A shifting device for a vehicle and a shifting system using the same are provided. The shifting device for a vehicle may be connected to a transmission of the vehicle via a cable to operate the transmission. More specifically, the shifting device may include an interface module which receives an input of a shift signal, and an actuator which is connected to one end of the cable, and operates the cable according to the shift signal inputted to the interface module to operate the transmission connected to the other end of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: SL Corporation, SL America
    Inventor: Hee Seok Kim
  • Publication number: 20140196560
    Abstract: The invention includes a wheel speed detector, disposed beside a wheel of the bicycle for detecting a rotational speed of the wheel; a crankset forward rotation detector, disposed beside a crankset of the bicycle for detecting forward rotational speed of the crankset; a control module, attached on a handle bar of the bicycle, having a display, an operation interface and a program, and electrically connected to the wheel speed detector and the crank forward rotation detector for receiving sensing signals therefrom and outputting control signals; a gear change driver, electrically connected to the control module for receiving the control signals and driving at least one derailleur of the bicycle to change gears; and a power supply, having a battery to supply electric power to the automatic transmission system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Jian-Hong Lai
  • Publication number: 20140190302
    Abstract: A method for operating a multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system of a motor vehicle transmission. The multi-stable shift-by wire selector control system includes a multi-stable selector which is operable by the driver of the vehicle to select a respective one of the operating modes of the transmission, an arrangement of illuminated labels indicating the selector mode and an indexing mechanism for maintaining the immobilization of the selector in its different positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Rob Jerger, Pete Stares, Darren Vincent, Hardev Mandair
  • Publication number: 20140165763
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shift control device for an electronic derailleur of a racing bicycle. The control device includes a support body conventionally mounted to handlebars of the bicycle. The control device includes a plurality of electrical switches for selectively controlling a gear change of the bicycle. An upper set of switches operate an electronic motor of a derailleur for controlling a gear change towards a higher or a lower gear ratio, and are located toward an upper portion of the support body. A lower set of switches are located toward a lower portion of the support body, and also operate the electrical motor of the derailleur for controlling the gear change. The upper set of switches and the lower set of switches are each respectively positioned on the control device to minimize interference and/or mis-shifting during various riding positions by the cyclist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Jonathan K. Harris