Electrical Actuator Patents (Class 74/473.12)
  • Publication number: 20130133457
    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: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8434383
    Abstract: A transmission shifting apparatus of a vehicle, may include a shifter movably installed along at least two straight paths which meet each other at one point, respectively, wherein at least two fixed points are arranged adjacent each other in at least one of straight paths, in which the shifter maintains a position thereof unless an external force is applied thereto, wherein the straight path having the at least two fixed points has a structure extending outwardly to both sides of the at least two fixed points, and wherein one of the at least two fixed points in the straight path is formed to meet the other straight path of the at least two straight paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hangil Park, Changhyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8413536
    Abstract: An actuating device for selection on shift steps of a gear changing transmission. The actuating device comprises a flexible gear selection device (1) with at least two drive step positions, a park lock position and an additional park lock-actuating device (4) for activation of the park lock. When the gear selector device (1) moves out of the park lock position, the gear selector device (1) becomes disengaged while movement of the gear selector device (1) from one of the drive step positions into the park lock position, or beyond the previous park lock position, does not engage the park lock. Engagement of the park lock is only achieved by actuating the additional park lock-actuating device (4). This improves the safety and provides intuitive shifting between the different drive step positions without the need to view the gear selector device. The unintended engagement of the park lock is precluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer, Ludger Rake
  • Patent number: 8413533
    Abstract: An operating device for a gear-changing transmission operated by shift-by-wire is disclosed. The operating device includes an operating element, rotatably or pivotally supported in a bearing position having a position sensor device, and a device for producing force-feedback. The force-feedback device includes an adjustable counterforce element acting on the operating element, wherein the counterforce element comprises a fluid having controllably variable viscosity. The operating device including the counterforce element is produced by a bearing gap of the bearing position of the operating element, with the bearing gap being filled with the fluid. A space-saving integration of the counterforce element of a force-feedback device is enabled into the joint of an operating lever. Thus, the cost, structural complexity, and installation space required for an operating device having force-feedback is significantly reduced. The haptics of a mechanical operating lever can be realistically emulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ludger Rake, Andreas Giefer
  • Publication number: 20130081501
    Abstract: A shifter assembly for providing mechanical and electronic actuation to a transmission and a method of operating the same is disclosed. A shift lever is pivotable about a first axis in a first mode for providing mechanical actuation, and a second mode for providing electronic actuation to the transmission. An arm is pivotable about the first axis concurrently with the shift lever in at least the first mode. The arm includes a first and second engagement surface. The shifter assembly includes a cam pivotable about a second axis between a first and second position. The first engagement surface urges the cam to move between the first and second positions as the shift lever pivots in the first mode. The second engagement surface abuts the cam as the shift lever pivots in the second mode such that the arm pivots about the first axis while the cam remains stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Kongsberg Driveline Systems I, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Behounek, Kenneth Skogward
  • Patent number: 8408088
    Abstract: An apparatus for releasing a parking state of a shift-by-wire shifting device may include a housing fixed to a vehicle body, a driving screw rotatably coupled to the housing and threaded, a slider engaged to the driving screw and slidable along the driving screw, and a cable connected to the slider and transmitting a sliding motion of the slider to a transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hangil Park, Changhyun Lee, Jeongho Park
  • Publication number: 20130031999
    Abstract: The lever is mounted such as to be capable of moving relative to a detector suitable for detecting lever movements and for sending electrical signals to a processing unit. The detector comprises an axially magnetised cylindrical magnet positioned according to the axis of rotation and selection of the lever corresponding to the selection of gears, and a sensor arranged opposite the magnet, such that the signal is independent of the angular position of the lever about the gear-selection axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: DURA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS SAS
    Inventor: Thomas Farges
  • Publication number: 20130031998
    Abstract: A bicycle component control device basically includes a bracket and a bicycle component operating unit. The bicycle component operating unit is disposed in an interior space of the bracket. The bicycle component operating unit includes an operating member protruding toward outside of the interior space. The bracket includes a plurality of bracket parts being separate pieces from each other and non-movably fixed to at least one adjacent one of the plurality of bracket parts that define the interior space. The plurality of bracket parts is further configured relative to each other such that a connecting seam formed on the bracket extends along at least three of a mounting surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface and a second side surface of the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu MIKI, Kazutaka FUKAO, Kentaro KOSAKA
  • Publication number: 20130025398
    Abstract: An shift lever device provides M mode of +/? to feel a dynamic shift manipulation feeling together with automatic mode of P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral), and D (driving) as a basic function and further provides integrated mode to provide to engine control unit the electrical signal generated by positional change of automatic lever to control the engine, suspension device, or the steering device in addition to the transmission by driver's simple manipulation, thereby significantly improving convenience and in particular, further improving performance, quality, and merchantability of an automobile when the shift lever device is applied to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, SL Corporation, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jeehyuck Choi, Yangrae Cho, Chunnyung Heo, Kwanggi Lee
  • Publication number: 20130025397
    Abstract: An integrated control shift lever device according to an exemplary embodiment provides M mode of +/? to feel a dynamic shift manipulation feeling together with automatic mode of P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral), and D (driving) as a basic function and further provides integrated mode 6 to provide to engine control unit the electrical signal generated by positional change of automatic lever to control the engine, suspension device, or the steering device in addition to the transmission by driver's simple manipulation, thereby significantly improving convenience and in particular, further improving performance, quality, and merchantability of an automobile when the integrated control shift lever device may be applied to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, SL Corporation, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jeehyuck Choi, Yangrae Cho, Chunnyung Heo, Kwanggi Lee
  • Patent number: 8359942
    Abstract: A transmission actuator for a transmission includes a split sensor configured to detect a switching position of a split phase rod of the transmission that can be longitudinally displaced in a split sensor measuring direction. The transmission actuator further includes a gate sensor configured to detect a gate rod position of a gate rod of the transmission that can be longitudinally displaced in a gate sensor measuring direction, and a gear sensor configured to detect a gear rod position of a gear rod of the transmission that can be longitudinally displaced in a gear sensor measuring direction. Two measuring directions extend substantially parallel and span a measuring direction plane, and a third measuring direction forms an obtuse angle with the measuring direction plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Brammer, Mike Heurich, Reiner Hölscher, Andreas Sievers, Tino Wiggers
  • Publication number: 20130008279
    Abstract: A transmission driving device that is capable of preventing displacement of a shift operation member or a select operation member in a case where there is reverse input in the shift operation member or the select operation member by inhibiting rotation of a rotation member which is released from an input shaft. When an input shaft and a first rotor are connected, the first electromagnetic coil is an excitation state and a second electromagnetic coil is in a non-excitation state. In this state, a second magnetic ring is not attracted to the side of the second electromagnetic coil, a seventh facing, which is fixed to the second magnetic ring, and an eighth facing are engaged with each other, and a second rotor and a casing are connected to each other. In a connection state of the second rotor and the casing, the second rotor cannot be rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Kagawa, Yasuhiro Yukitake
  • Publication number: 20130000436
    Abstract: An HV-ECU executes a program including a step (S102) of turning on a fail-safe permission flag if a select sensor is abnormal (YES in step S100), and a step (S108) of transmitting a non-P request signal to a P-ECU if the position of a shift lever is read as the N position (YES in S104) and a predetermined time Tn(2) elapses (YES in S106).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koki UENO
  • Patent number: 8344565
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement for the axial displacement of an actuation member by means of a drive force which is generated by an electric machine, in particular for a shift-clutch arrangement of a multi-step gear change transmission. The actuation member is mounted axially displaceably on a rotary shaft. The electric machine has a stator fixed to a housing and a rotor which is coupled to the actuation member and is arranged coaxially with respect to the actuation member. The rotor is coupled to the actuation member with a form fit in the axial direction. Here, the rotor or the actuation member has a radial projection which engages into a radial groove of the other part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG
    Inventors: Mark Schweiher, Uli Christian Blessing, Thorsten Gatzka, Ulrich Knoedel
  • Publication number: 20120330518
    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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicants: SL AMERICA, SL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hee Seok Kim
  • Publication number: 20120318090
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for electronically controllable transmission, and more particularly, an apparatus for electronically controllable transmission, the apparatus capable of shifting gears by moving a shift lever and sensing the magnetic flux density of a magnet, which moves in accordance with the rotation of the shift lever, by using a three-dimensional (3D) hall sensor. The apparatus includes: a shift lever including one end which is connected to a magnet and shifting gears by moving the shift lever; a shift lever body which is connected to the shift lever and is allowing the shift lever to move around shift axis or select axis; and a sensor unit including a 3D sensor which is mounted fixedly in the place intersecting the shift axis and select axis within the shift lever body and can sense the movement of the magnet around an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis as the magnet moves, wherein the 3D sensor is mounted at a tilted angle for providing at least two of three output signals with linearity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: SL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeong-Ho Bak, Byung-Ki Kim
  • Publication number: 20120318089
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a transmission device which has a simple structure and can be produced at a low cost. A second electromagnetic clutch is shut off at a timing when an electric motor is decelerated and before selecting motion is finished, and thereafter, a shift/select shaft is moved to a terminal end position of the selecting motion with an inertia of a driven part (a second output hub) of the second electromagnetic clutch. At a timing after a predetermined period has passed from the timing, a first electromagnetic clutch for the next shifting motion is connected. The electric motor is driven synchronously with the end of the selecting motion or immediately in response to the end, thereby to start the next shifting motion. In this manner, gear change can be rapidly conducted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takafumi Uemoto
  • Patent number: 8333128
    Abstract: An electronic selector lever module for generating gear shifting signals for an automatic transmission of a vehicle. The swivel motion of the gear selector lever, within a main shifting path, is transformed into rotational motion for an angle sensor. The sensor is positioned on a printed circuit board and is actuated by a rotor. To guide the rotor relative to the angle sensor, the rotor either surrounds a rounded part of the printed circuit board or surrounds a rotor guidance which is mounted on the printed circuit board. The mechanical linking point is a short sleeve at a slider, which both belong to the rotor, needed for the shifting path motion, and which also drive the tilting lever for the transverse motion. The slider can be moved, relative to the rotor, along rails, either radially and directly at the rotor, or tangentially to the pivot point of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thomas Schober, Thomas Deichler, Hans-Ludwig Gotz
  • Patent number: 8322245
    Abstract: A shift lever apparatus includes: a housing; a shift lever including a shift lever base member extending in the Z-axis direction, and being arranged to pivot about the shift shaft in the X-axis direction, and a shift lever movable member arranged to move between a first axial side and a second axial side in an axial direction relative to the shift lever base member, the shift lever being arranged to move from a reference position on the first axial side, through an N-position on the second axial side, to one of a pair of positions; an urging member; and a detent pin, the housing including a guide groove arranged to guide the detent pin along the Z-axis direction so as to guide the shift lever movable member only from the N-position to the reference position when the shift lever movable member is positioned on the second axial side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Kino
  • Patent number: 8316734
    Abstract: An operating device for selecting gear ratios of a transmission. The operating device comprises a selector lever that is movable between at least three gear selection positions and a locking device for limiting the range of motion of the selector lever. The locking device has a cantilever assembly with a plurality of locking contours that are connected to the selector lever. Each locking contour is assigned to a selector lever position and can be engaged with locking element to form a motion stop for the selector lever. It is thus possible to implement even complex locking tasks in a structurally simple manner such that jams, that occur during actuation, or undefined operating states in the locking device can be prevented. The range of motion of the selector lever is largely freely controlled using an actuator control, and the device is relatively silent and has short shifting times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake, Sascha Rosentreter
  • Publication number: 20120291580
    Abstract: An automated manual transmission control apparatus may include a cam rotatably provided on a center shaft, first power transmission assembly for transmitting power generated by rotational displacement of the cam to a shift lever as power to drive the shift lever, and second power transmission assembly for transmitting power generated by the rotational displacement of the cam to a release lever as power to drive the release lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Young Ho KIM
  • Patent number: 8297143
    Abstract: An electrical bicycle shift control device is provided with a base member, a first shift operating member and a second shift operating member. The handlebar mounting portion is configured to be fixedly mounted to a free end of a bicycle handlebar. The base member includes a handlebar mounting portion that is configured to be fixedly mounted a handlebar. The first shift operating member is pivotally coupled the base member from a rest position to a shift position in a first shift operating direction. The second shift operating member is mounted on the first shift operating member to move with the first shift operating member with respect to the base member. The second shift operating member is independently movable relative the first shift operating member from a rest position to a shift position in a second shift operating direction that is different to the first shift operating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fujii, Akinobu Uno
  • Patent number: 8297142
    Abstract: Since centers of a second gear, a fourth gear and a sixth gear coincide with each other and are disposed rotatably round a circumference of the same long shaft, a compact configuration can be realized while using a gear train of five gears to obtain a reduction gear ratio of a high gear ratio. The configuration in which the three gears have the same rotational center shaft in the way described above in an actuator which incorporates a plurality of gears is advantageous in that the number of center shafts is reduced and that the number of supporting holes in a housing which support center shafts is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisaku Kawada, Koji Hashimoto, Shingo Saito, Shinobu Mogi, Toru Harada, Manabu Horikoshi, Tomofumi Yamashita, Naoya Aoki, Atsushi Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 8281681
    Abstract: A shift-by-wire (SBW) device includes a capacitor, which stores electric power. When an abnormality occurs in a battery or an electric power supply system, an actuator of the SBW device receives electric power from the capacitor and changes a shift range of an automatic transmission to a P range at least once. Furthermore, when a lever of a P range releasing arrangement is operated, the P range of the automatic transmission is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kimura, Shigeru Yoshiyama, Taku Itoh, Yoshinobu Nozaki, Atsushi Kamada
  • Publication number: 20120234124
    Abstract: A shift switching control device of a vehicle including a shift switching mechanism that electrically switches a shift position of an automatic transmission with activation of a step motor based on an operation signal indicative of an operating state of an operating device for switching a shift position of the automatic transmission, wherein if a first shift switching control is provided that is determined in advance as shift position switching control giving higher priority to higher output of the step motor rather than responsiveness of switching of a shift position, the shift switching control device of a vehicle drives the step motor in a one-two-phase excitation mode and sets a rotation speed of the step motor to a predetermined first rotation speed, and wherein if a second shift switching control is provided that is determined in advance as shift position switching control giving higher priority to responsiveness of switching of a shift position rather than higher output of the step motor, the shift swi
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Nozaki, Naoki Itazu
  • Patent number: 8261630
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for electronically controllable transmission, and more particularly, an apparatus for electronically controllable transmission, the apparatus capable of shifting gears by moving a shift lever and sensing the magnetic flux density of a magnet, which moves in accordance with the rotation of the shift lever, by using a three-dimensional (3D) hall sensor. The apparatus includes: a shift lever including one end which is connected to a magnet and shifting gears by moving the shift lever; a shift lever body which is connected to the shift lever and is allowing the shift lever to move around shift axis or select axis; and a sensor unit including a 3D sensor which is mounted fixedly in the place intersecting the shift axis and select axis within the shift lever body and can sense the movement of the magnet around an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis as the magnet moves, wherein the 3D sensor is mounted at a tilted angle for providing at least two of three output signals with linearity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventors: Jeong-Ho Bak, Byung-Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 8256313
    Abstract: An actuator and vehicle system including a drive gear with an integral drive nut in meshing engagement with a drive screw. The drive screw is prevented from rotating such that rotation of the drive gear causes linear motion of the drive screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Ganter
  • Patent number: 8246518
    Abstract: The invention is a transmission shifting system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a transmission having a push-pull and rotating member for operating the transmission movable in an H pattern. In detail, the invention includes a first reversible electric motor coupled to the member for moving the member backwards and forwards. A second reversible electric motor is coupled to the member for rotating the member clockwise and counter-clockwise. The second motor coupled to the member by means of a biasing assembly such that a biasing force can be applied to the member when the second motor rotates without the member rotating. A transmission shifter control system is provided for sequencing the operation of the first and second motors so to move the member in the H pattern upon receipt of an actuation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: American Supercars and Prototypes
    Inventors: Christopher Charles Trevino, Gerhard Heinrich Fiedler
  • Publication number: 20120167705
    Abstract: A transmission direction control system of a vehicle comprises a transmission circuit having a transmission actuator to activate a corresponding solenoid, and an actuating switch for controlling an electrical flow through the transmission circuit; a control circuit configured to actuate the switch; and a control configured for electrical communication with the transmission actuator and the control circuit to alternately activate the transmission circuit and the control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Simon Richard Conway, Richard George Smith, Edwin George Coombs
  • Patent number: 8210066
    Abstract: An assembly for actuating a synchronizer includes a shift fork, a shift rail, and a permanent magnet connected to the shift rail. A first control coil is disposed in proximity to the permanent magnet. The first control coil is operable to produce a magnetomotive force on the permanent magnet in a first direction when a current is applied to the first control coil. A second control coil is disposed in proximity to the permanent magnet. The second control coil is operable to produce a magnetomotive force on the permanent magnet in a second direction when a current is applied to the second control coil. The permanent magnet is moved to a first position when the current is applied to the first control coil and the permanent magnet is moved to a second position when the current is applied to the second control coil. Movement of the magnet in turn moves the synchronizer between engaged positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shushan Bai, Vijay A. Neelakantan, Paul G. Otanez
  • Patent number: 8202182
    Abstract: A bicycle derailleur apparatus comprises a base member for coupling to a bicycle frame, a movable member coupled for movement relative to the base member, a chain guide coupled to the movable member for guiding a chain among a plurality of sprockets in response to movement of the movable member, and a biasing device that provides a biasing force to the chain guide for tensioning the chain. A movement resisting device has a control element for the application of a signal that causes the movement resisting device to change resistance to movement of the chain guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Noriyasu Ishikawa, Takeshi Takachi
  • Publication number: 20120145510
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuating assembly for at least an actuator element of a vehicle transmission with at least a drive device which activates a spindle drive (2) of an actuator device to actuate the actuator element. The actuator device comprises a toggle lever mechanism (4) which is activated via the spindle drive (2), and the actuator device is positioned coaxially with a transmission shaft (5) of the vehicle transmission and is positioned radially inside or radially outside with reference to the actuator element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Benjamin Schneider
  • Publication number: 20120145509
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuating assembly for at least an actuator element of a vehicle transmission with at least a drive device which is coupled with to an actuator device to activate an actuator element. The actuator device comprises of a toggle lever mechanism which is actuated by a ramped contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Matthias Reisch, Benjamin Schneider
  • Patent number: 8199514
    Abstract: An electrical device storage unit includes a separation wall having a convex portion and a concave portion; a control unit having a printed circuit board whose front surface and back surface are mounted with an electronic component; an adhesive for joining the convex portion and the printed circuit board; and an electrical device that is electrically connected with the control unit by a conductor and arranged opposite the control unit with the separation wall disposed therebetween, wherein the conductor is provided passing through the separation wall and the printed circuit board, and an end of the conductor is soldered to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Ito
  • Publication number: 20120137811
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having at least one controllable actuator provided for engaging and/or disengaging at least one transmission gear, and a selection element to be operated manually, by which the actuator can be controlled, wherein. In order to engage a transmission gear, the selection element must first be moved in the direction of a specified end position assigned to the corresponding transmission gear. The selection element can be moved into the end position assigned to the corresponding transmission gear only when the corresponding transmission gear is actually engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Lindner, Thomas Tille
  • Publication number: 20120137812
    Abstract: A shifting apparatus for a manual transmission automatically performs a selecting operation and a shifting operation through the driving of one motor according to a shift step level of a shift lever at the time when a driver operates the shift lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Myeongju Woo
  • Publication number: 20120133501
    Abstract: A vehicle has a transmission and a gearshift element pivotally arranged on a steering wheel of the vehicle. By actuating the gearshift element, the transmission is shiftable in an electrically controlled manner from one transmission gear to a next-higher or a next-lower transmission gear. At least one electric switch element and/or at least one optical display device is arranged on the gearshift element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin WALTER, Thomas Tille
  • Patent number: 8176807
    Abstract: An automatic transmission control unit includes a shift-by-wire control circuit that inputs an electrical signal based on a selected range selected by a driver, changes a range changeover member of an automatic transmission using the rotation of a motor to a predetermined position based on the electrical signal, and outputs a signal that drives the motor so as to achieve a travel range; and an automatic transmission control circuit that inputs the electrical signal based on the selected range and a signal based on a vehicle state and outputs a signal for controlling the automatic transmission in order to achieve the travel range, wherein the shift-by-wire control circuit and the automatic transmission control circuit are accommodated in one storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Ito, Michimasa Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8170757
    Abstract: A selection device for shifting a vehicle transmission, with a operating element (4), which can be rotated into different shift positions (6, 7, 8, 9) about an axis of rotation (5) and with a shaft (21), which is connected to the operating element (4) and is rotatable about the axis of rotation. An angle of rotation sensing device (32) is connected to the shaft, by which a rotation of the operating element (4) about the axis of rotation (5) can be sensed. An actuator (22) is provided by which a torque can be applied to the shaft (21) or a torque can be applied to oppose a rotation of the shaft (21). A control is connected to the angle of rotation sensing device (32) and to the actuator (22) for controlling the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Lemförder Electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Fürhoff, Knut Schwarz, Gregori Dombrowski, Torsten Stradal
  • Publication number: 20120090421
    Abstract: An operating device for an automatically switched manual gearbox. The gearbox has a movable engagement element for each gear. The device has rotary shafts (1) and rotatable shift fingers (2, 3, 4) to move selected engagement elements each for a gear. Each separate shift finger (2, 3, 4) is associated with a specific engagement element. Each shaft finger (2, 3, 4) is separately pivotable independently of the other shift fingers (2, 3, 4). An axially shiftable slide has a connector to each of the fingers at respective axially shifted positions of the slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Magnus Hagberg
  • Patent number: 8156839
    Abstract: A vehicle gear box shift actuator and apparatus including the same. The actuator includes a lead screw; a drive nut threaded on the lead screw; a plunger; a first spring disposed between the drive nut and a first end of the plunger; a second spring disposed between the drive nut and a second end of the plunger opposite from the first end. Non-contact position sensing of the actuator output is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Meaney, Thomas P. Schregardus, Robert Cicerchia, David Medina
  • Patent number: 8145399
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing an electronic gear shift selector associated with an automatic mechanical transmission for a heavy vehicle. The gear shift selector includes a toggle switch for asserting at least one gear shift request, a counter receiving the at least one gear shift request, and a time delay for preventing communication of the at least one gear shift request from the counter until a predefined time period has passed. A method for communicating a collective gear shift request to a gear box includes asserting one or more gear shift requests with a gear shift selector, communicating the gear shift requests to a counter, determining the collective gear shift requests occurring within a predefined time period, communicating the gear shift requests occurring within the predefined time period to a gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Lindgren, Anders Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20120067153
    Abstract: A power transmission device for a vehicle configured with a rotary power member, and a mechanism configured with a plurality of operational states. A switching shaft changes the operational state of the operating mechanism and is moved by an electric actuator. A control transmission transmits the power from the actuator to the shaft. The housing for the rotary member includes is configured so that the switching shaft projects outwards from the housing. The electric actuator is arranged at a location facing, of a surface of the housing portion of the case, a portion that does not overlap another portion where the switching shaft projects, when viewed in the axial direction of the rotational axis of the rotary member. A part of the actuator is arranged on a case side relative to a vertical line passing through the portion where the switching shaft projects from the housing portion of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicants: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Komatsu, Tomoo Atarashi, Tatsuya Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20120031215
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle including a transmission housing for receiving a transmission and an actuator for actuating the transmission. The actuator comprises an electric motor having a stator, a rotor, and a drive shaft protruding into an interior of the transmission housing. The actuator further comprises a control circuit for controlling the electric motor, and a heat sink device thermally conductively coupled to the control circuit. The stator of the electric motor is directly attached to the transmission housing. The heat sink device is attached to the transmission housing independently of the mounting of the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNA Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Feier
  • Publication number: 20110296942
    Abstract: A gear selector assembly for selecting a gear position of a transmission includes an internal mode switch having detent lever, a plurality of magnetic field sensors, a control module, a first power supply and a second power supply. The detent lever has a plurality of detents and a magnetized track, where the magnetized track includes a plurality of magnetized elements that are indicative a particular gear selector position. The magnetic field sensors are associated with each of the magnetized elements for sensing changes in a magnetic field of the magnetized track. The control module is in communication with each of the field sensors. Each of the field sensors sends an output current to the control module and the value of the output current is variable. The value of the output current is indicative of at least one of the following: the direction of the magnetic field from the corresponding magnetic track, a short circuit, and an open circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter E. Wu, Richard E. Robinette, Mark A. Vernacchia, Jack P. Koski
  • Publication number: 20110296943
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuation device for a shift-by-wire-actuated gearshift transmission. It includes a shifter base and an actuating element pivotally supported in a bearing location of the shifter base. The actuation device further includes at least one actuator for blocking the actuation element. Here, the actuator, in addition to its blocking function, is configured for generating mechanical vibrations or oscillations. A tactile feedback for the user of the actuation device with low design complexity is provided for flexible, tactile signaling of switching processes or locked actuation positions of a selection lever. Existing actuation devices can potentially be upgraded for tactile feedback purely by software-side changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Andreas PEUKERT
  • Publication number: 20110290057
    Abstract: A gearbox having a housing, an actuator, a leadscrew rotated by the actuator, a rack nut threadingly engaged with the leadscrew to move longitudinally as the leadscrew rotates, a toothed section that moved with the rack nut, a shaft and a gear integral with or coupled to the shaft, and arranged such that rotation of the gear causes rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: CORCOST LIMITED
    Inventor: Steven Corcoran
  • Publication number: 20110290055
    Abstract: Systems and methods for engagement and disengagement of gears are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a gear engagement system including a first crown gear assembly including a first crown gear including first crown teeth including a non-magnetic material and a ring including a first magnetic material and coupled along a circumference of the first crown gear, a second crown gear including second crown teeth including a second magnetic material and configured to engage with the first crown teeth, and switching circuitry for selectively engaging and disengaging the first crown teeth and the second crown teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Jerry Hielkema, Craig Legault
  • Publication number: 20110290056
    Abstract: A locking/unlocking device, specifically for locking and unlocking the reverse gear of the gearbox of a vehicle, comprising a housing provided interiorly with a fixed core provided with a coil and a mobile core triggered by the activation of said coil and attached to a computer by electrical connection means and a cam that is part of the gearbox, whose device comprises, in addition, a reverse gear position detector mechanism that is associated to the mobile core, said detector mechanism being provided with a stationary hall sensor and electromagnet inside the housing that operate via the presence of a metallic member arranged in the mobile core, such that depending on the position of the mobile core in relation to the fixed core, the hall sensor sends a signal to the computer to activate or lock the reverse gear condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Joaquin GARUZ RODES, Francisco Javier FERNANDEZ QUIROS
  • Patent number: 8068965
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a shift-position changing mechanism that changes the shift positions of an automatic transmission mounted in a vehicle using a rotational force of an actuator based on a signal corresponding to the state of an operation member, including: a mechanism that generates a rotational force for moving the actuator toward a rotation stop positional-range corresponding to the shift position, based on a rotation stop position of the actuator; a detection unit that detects a rotation amount of the actuator; a control unit that controls the actuator based on the signal and the detected rotation amount; and a learning unit that learns the rotation stop positional-range corresponding to the shift position, based on an amount by which the actuator has been rotated since a control over the actuator executed by the control unit is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kubonoya, Masato Kaigawa, Keiji Hoshino, Shigeru Kamio