Transmission Control Patents (Class 74/473.1)
  • Patent number: 7654170
    Abstract: A centering spring apparatus in a shift control mechanism includes a plurality of brackets providing stationary ground members for spring members and a shift control lever, which is operable to pick up the springs from the grounded portion to impose a centering force on the shift lever. These springs are disposed such that three different centering forces can be occasioned upon the shifting of the lever from one neutral position toward other neutral positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott H. Wittkopp
  • Patent number: 7654169
    Abstract: In a shift lever, when a button of a knob is pressed, a link member is pivoted, and a detent rod is moved down. Further, impact sound or the like is restrained or prevented from being emitted by bringing the link member into contact with a contact member and elastically deforming the contact member. Here, a cover portion of the knob and the contact member are constituted by separate members. Therefore, the cover portion of the knob and the contact member can easily be constituted by materials suitable for respective functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tomohisa Sumi, Kenichi Kato
  • Patent number: 7631917
    Abstract: A vehicle includes console/shifter arrangement includes a vehicle floor, a shifter base member and a console. A shifter base member has oversized fastening apertures arranged to align with threaded apertures in the vehicle floor. Fasteners extending through the oversized fastening apertures engage the threaded apertures and are moveable between an adjusting orientation and a securing orientation. The oversized fastening apertures have a prescribed dimension with respect to the fasteners such that the shifter base member is movable in alignment directions relative to the vehicle floor with the fasteners in the adjusting orientation. The console and the shifter base member are configured to move together as a single unit in the alignment directions while the fasteners are in the adjusting orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Kwolek
  • Patent number: 7621047
    Abstract: A transmission shift mechanism for use with a vehicle transmission. The transmission shift mechanism includes a user-operated selector and a sub-assembly operably disposed between said user-operated selector and the vehicle transmission. The sub-assembly includes a torque-transfer member having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is pivotally secured to the transmission shift mechanism about a pivot axis and the second portion defines a section of a substantially spherical surface which is engageably disposed within a non-linear camming slot defined by the transmission shift section. The torque-transfer member takes the form of a molded polymeric body with a sheet metal insert disposed within the molded polymeric body. The second portion of the torque-transfer member may include flats to reduce the volume of polymeric material required in the manufacture of the member. A method of manufacturing such a torque-transfer member or crank arm is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 7617746
    Abstract: A shift lever apparatus including a shift lever assembly, which is supported by a shaft that is disposed along the transverse direction of a vehicle, the lever assembly being operable in the longitudinal and the transverse directions of the vehicle, the apparatus including: a connection pin which is temporarily assembled when inserted along an axis thereof from one end of the shift lever assembly and the shaft into the lever assembly and the shaft, the connection pin becoming regularly assembled when rotated about the axis thereof from the temporarily assembled state, and which supports the lever assembly to be pivotable on the shaft in the transverse direction of the vehicle; and a fallout-preventing mechanism which is provided on the lever assembly to be engageable with the connection pin, and which prevents the connection pin from falling out from the lever assembly and the shaft by engaging the connection pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Isamu Matsushima, Kenichi Kako
  • Patent number: 7610829
    Abstract: A transmission, includes: a plurality of shift members, adapted to be moved in a shifting direction and a selecting direction; a shift lug, having a pair of claw portions spaced apart from each other in the shifting direction; and a shift fork, connected to the shift lug via a shift rail. The shift members are moved by an actuator so that one of the shift members pushes one of the claw portions in the shifting direction to thereby selectively move the shift lug in the shifting direction so as to cause the shift fork to perform a gear shift operation via the shift rail. The shift members are disposed as to be offset from each other in the shifting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Shintani, Koji Kasuya
  • Patent number: 7600446
    Abstract: A gearshift position detector, for a transmission component of a powertrain unit including an engine and a transmission, includes first and second actuator arms for cooperatively interacting with neutral and reverse indicator switches. The neutral and reverse indicator switches are mounted to a crankcase or a crankcase cover of the engine. The acutator arms are selectively operable to trip the respective switches, and thereby, to generate signals for alerting a vehicle operator that the transmission is in neutral or reverse. The actuator arms are operatively attached to a shift drum skip-turn-prevention plate which, in turn, is secured to an axial end surface of a shift drum. The indicator switches are, respectively, capable of being energized upon interaction between the corresponding actuator arm and the switch. In this configuration, the main components of the detector are housed within the crankcase, thereby saving space in the vicinity of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinya Mizuno, Shinichiro Keyaki
  • Publication number: 20090241714
    Abstract: The present invention provides a three position hydraulic piston assembly for a gear ratio change mechanism for a transmission exhibiting reduced gear shift noise. The three position hydraulic piston assembly includes a master piston and motion retarding assemblies that act near both travel limits of the master piston. The master piston includes symmetrical passageways that provide hydraulic fluid flow to small chambers at each end of the piston that are closed off as the piston approaches its travel limits. Hydraulic fluid trapped in the chambers decelerates the piston and is bled off through an orifice allowing the piston to reach its travel limit and quickly and quietly engage a gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
    Inventors: HENRYK SOWUL, TEJINDER SINGH, BRIAN W. WHITMARSH, BRIAN TOOMAN, JAMES D. HENDRICKSON, RICHARD A. PASHNIK
  • Publication number: 20090241713
    Abstract: A vehicle range switching device including a motor that is controlled according to operation of a shift range selecting portion, a driving portion that is driven by the motor, and a detecting portion for detecting a pivot position of a range control shaft for transmitting driving force from the driving portion to a shift range operating portion for switching a shift range, comprising: a case member accommodating the driving portion and the detecting portion; a support portion pivotally supported by the case member and having a recess for mounting one end of the range control shaft therein, wherein the support portion and the case member are sealed; and a removing unit disposed in the recess of the support portion for removing a play between the one end of the range control shaft and the recess of the support portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Ito, Kazushige Nakagawa, Naotaka Murakami
  • Patent number: 7594451
    Abstract: A transmission selector mechanism for controlling a gearbox which provides forward/reverse direction and high/low ratios using two coupling members (6?, 53:7?, 54) each axially slideable in both directions either side of the a respective neutral position to couple a selected one of a pair of gears (10, 12:11, 13) to an associated shaft (4, 5). The mechanism includes a driver operated forward/reverse selector member (50) and a driver operated high/low ratio selector member (52). The forward/reverse selector member (50) moves a first selector formation (64, 64b) which is engageable with a first coupling formation means (66) on a first cam (61) which moves one of the coupling members (7?, 54). The high/low selector member (52) moving a second selector formation (63, 63b, 63c) which is engageable with a second coupling formation means (65) on a second cam (58) which moves the other coupling member (6?, 53).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: AGCO Ltd
    Inventor: Jonathan Seed
  • Publication number: 20090235770
    Abstract: A shift device (13) for a manual transmission having actuation mechanisms for shifting and selecting in which the selection motion is carried out by way of a selector actuator (10), which is connected to a driving lug (5) of a selector plate (4). An anchor (1) of the selector actuator (10) consists of a permanent magnet (2). End stops (3) of the selector actuator (10) are configured of ferromagnetic material, where the anchor (1) of the selector actuator (10) is fixed in a defined position for the installation of the selector actuator (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Josef Bader, Gerhard Birkenmaier, Kim Führer, Frank Gessler, Andreas Graf, Kai Heinrich, Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann, Gerhard Höring, Hubert König, Ludger Ronge, Henrik Schuh, Mario Steinborn, Markus Ulbricht, Manfred Vetter, Bernhard Walter, Klaus Wöhr
  • Patent number: 7587958
    Abstract: A motor vehicle gear shift assembly includes a dampening device and a detent structure. The dampening device includes a body structure made of a resilient material, a mounting structure for securing it to structure of the gear shift assembly, and a flexible dampening surface. The flexible dampening surface of the dampening device flexes to decelerate and stop the movement of the detent structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick Gorman, Chris Bortolon
  • Patent number: 7584040
    Abstract: The following steps are performed in the control method: determining a mode of operation from amongst a permanent mode and a transient mode, as a function of a set of variables comprising said estimated values; correcting the value of the speed of rotation of the outlet shaft in such a manner that: if the mode has been determined as being the permanent mode, then the moving average (L?) of the gear ratio (L) over a period (T) of a plurality of unit time intervals lies between a first threshold value (S1) that is negative and a second threshold value (S2) that is positive; and if the mode has been determined as being the transient mode, then said moving average (L?) of the gear ratio (L) lies outside the range of values defined by the first and second threshold value (S1, S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventor: Stéphane Rimaux
  • Patent number: 7578215
    Abstract: The position of a lever is adjustable relative to its bearing via a locking clip that is arranged opposite to a catch. The lever is arranged in a bearing shell with a ball therein in which the lever is arranged so as to be displaceable with the catch attached. The locking clip is guided in the walls of the ball, and the locking of the locking clip and catch in the closed state of the bearing shell forms a positive engagement. The adjustable ball bearing apparatus for shift levers and selector levers compensates for tolerances in the installation of a lever between the ball, the bearing shell, and the axis of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Teleflex Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Knagge
  • Publication number: 20090205454
    Abstract: A transmission device has at least two change-under-load shift elements with transmission capacities that are varied an actuation device. A method for operating a drive train including transmission and drive engine includes a step that when the transmission is shifted, one of the shift elements, which is engaged in the force flow, is disengaged by the actuation device and the other shift element, which is engaged, is disengaged. The actuation device includes an actuator which applies an actuating force to actuate the shift elements and a coupling device by which the actuator communicates with the shift elements to actuate them, such that an actuating force of the actuator, which is actuating the shift element to be disengaged, can be reduced, while an actuating force of the actuator, which is actuating the shift element to be engaged can simultaneously be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ralf DREIBHOLZ, Matthias REISCH
  • Patent number: 7571661
    Abstract: A shifter assembly includes a base having top and bottom surfaces. A shift lever is coupled to the base. A light box includes top and bottom surfaces and is disposed about the base. The light box includes a lever slot formed through the top surface for receiving the shift lever. The light box also includes a travel guide. At least one spring is disposed between the top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the light box for biasing the light box from the base. A release member is disposed in the travel guide and is also releasably coupled to the base. The release member is adapted to contact the shift lever to initiate movement of the light box from a starting position to a final position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad A. Blondeel, Norman D. Rezmer, Scott B. Fugate
  • Patent number: 7552659
    Abstract: A gearshift device includes a gearshift lever adapted to move a plurality of gear selection positions, and a gear selection position detecting unit which detects a gear selection position. The gear selection position detecting unit has a magnet plate disposed at a lower end portion of the gearshift lever and movable in accordance with a movement of the gearshift lever and primary magnetic sensors and at least one secondary magnetic sensor, which are disposed so as to oppose to the magnet plate in a non-contact fashion at predetermined positions based on the individual gear selection positions. The primary magnetic sensor detects magnetic flux density and outputs ON/OFF signals in accordance with intensity of the detected magnetic flux density The secondary magnetic sensor detects magnetic flux density and outputs an output value according to the detected magnitude of the magnetic flux density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Komatsu, Kotaro Hiramine, Yoshiharu Saito
  • Patent number: 7533755
    Abstract: A shift-lever device of a vehicle is provided. The device includes a single shift lever provided so as to be pivotable, and a gate plate having a gate through which the shift lever is inserted up to a predetermined length to guide a shift operation thereof. The device is configured to be coupled with a single shift shaft of a gear transmission mechanism through a single push-pull cable so as to operate the shift shaft. The transmission is configured so that the shift shaft interlocks with a single shift fork to shift gears of the transmission. The gate has a shape such that the shift lever is movable more greatly at each of shift positions as much as a clearance between an outer casing and inner cable of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Miyazaki, Hiroyuki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7523683
    Abstract: A shift lever mechanism (10) comprises a housing (12), having a longitudinal axis (14), and a lever (16), having a first end (18), a second end (20) and a longitudinal axis (22). The mechanism (10) further comprises pivoting means (24) adapted to facilitate pivoting of the lever (16) into predetermined positions. The mechanism (10) further comprises lever position indication means (78) operable to indicate disposal of the lever in one or more positions, and resilient means (92), operable to provide resistance to displacement of the lever (16) into a predetermined restricted position. The pivoting means (24) is attached to the lever (16) and is disposed in a retaining cup (38), being operable to pivot therein. The retaining cup (38) is disposed in the housing (12). The lever position indication means (78) and the resilient means being disposed on the pivoting means (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Graeme Andrew Jackson
  • Patent number: 7472627
    Abstract: An adjustable linkage comprises a housing, a slider slidable within the housing, and a locking member seated within an opening in the housing and selectively contacting the slider to prevent sliding movement thereof. The adjustable linkage is attached between a first attachment point and a second attachment point to automatically adjust a linkage length. Preferably, the adjustable linkage is used within a vehicle as a link between an automatic vehicle transmission and a vehicle shifter, with the design allowing ease of installation within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Generals Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Skelton, Michael C. Danielian
  • Publication number: 20080271560
    Abstract: A shifting device (1), for the transmission of shifting commands to a vehicle gearbox includes a housing (2) and/or a frame, a selector lever (4), transmitting shift commands to the gearbox. A knob (3) provides a grip for the hand of the vehicle driver. An adapter (7) is provided for the knob (3) with an integrated switch (5a). The adapter is fitted to the selector lever (4) and forms a connection point between the selector lever (4) and the knob (3). The shifting device (1) is provided for assembly in a motor vehicle and, preferably after fitting of the shifting device (1), a shifting gate is placed over the selector lever (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer
  • Patent number: 7444897
    Abstract: A control panel unit has a control lever operable by a driver seated at a driver's seat of a utility vehicle. The panel unit includes a base panel which covers the control lever except for its control grip area and a guide slot defined in the base panel along an operational displacement of the control lever. The panel unit further includes an inclined panel portion inclined by a predetermined angle relative to the base panel so as to orient its surface toward the driver and extending adjacent and along the length of the guide slot. A display face is formed in the surface of the inclined panel portion and configured for displaying operational positions of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Komine, Hitoshi Aoyama, Yutaka Inubushi, Yoshitaka Higashikawa, Hajime Shikiya
  • Patent number: 7438666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting the gearbox actuation system of an automatic gearbox of a vehicle, whereby at least one reference travel is made with the gear engaged. The invention further relates to a gearbox actuation system for selecting and engaging gears in an automatic gearbox of a vehicle, especially for carrying out the inventive method, whereby at least one reference travel is made for the purpose of adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kupper, Klaus Henneberger, Jorg Metzger, Reinhard Berger, Frank Stengel
  • Publication number: 20080250890
    Abstract: A gear selector assembly is provided having a selector shaft, an internal mode switch mounted on the selector shaft, and a detent lever mounted on the selector shaft and rotatable with the selector shaft. The detent lever is indexed relative to the internal mode switch. A spring assembly is in engagement with the detent lever. The spring assembly has a first member that engages the internal mode switch to prevent the internal mode switch from rotating and has a second member that engages the internal mode switch to prevent the internal mode switch from rotating if the first member does not engage the internal mode switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: KENNETH M. ANDREWS, Shaun A. Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20080245174
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission shift device (30) for a transmission (6) having one range group transmission (14) and one shift lever (16) with a superposed H-shaped shift pattern in which a shift and selector shaft (32) is operatively connected by one end (34) with the shift lever (16) and by the other end with a transmission-side shift means, one blocking device actuatable with pressure means which prevents or at least makes detectable for the driver of a motor vehicle the inadvertent activation of transmission gears in a range group change so that the shift and selector shaft (32) is autonomously displaceable from a shift gate (G5-G6) to the shift gate (G3-G4) of the next two lower gears (G3, G4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Dieter Fischer, Klaus Spath
  • Publication number: 20080236321
    Abstract: In a transmission for a vehicle including a shift drum rotatably supported by an engine case for selectively establishing multiple gear trains of respective speed steps in accordance with the rotational position of the shift drum, a shift-position changing-driving member is interlocked with and connected to an end portion of the shift drum so as to drive the shift drum to rotate. A shift-position sensor detects which of the multiple gear trains is established. The maintainability of the shift-position sensor is achieved by a transmitting mechanism that transmits the amount of rotational movement of a shift drum. The shift-position sensor is interlocked with and connected to an end portion of the shift drum. A shift-position sensor is disposed at and fixed to the outside of an engine case so as to detect the acting amount that is transmitted by the transmitting mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Koshi Hayakawa, Yoshihisa Ieda, Akihiko Tomoda
  • Patent number: 7418884
    Abstract: A shifting device for shifting a transmission with a shifting shaft upon which a plurality of shifting forks are located in an axial, slidable manner for carry out desired shifting procedures. The shifting device includes a selection apparatus for choosing the shifting fork to be activated for carrying out the shifting procedure and a blocking mechanism, which prevents movement of each of the non-chosen shifting forks. The blocking mechanism is located on an additional shaft which extends parallel to the shifting shaft and supports elements of the selection apparatus. A first actuator axially displaces the shifting shaft, when carrying out of the shifting procedure, and another actuator causes the additional shaft to rotate for choosing a desired the shifting fork to carry out the shifting procedure and for preventing movement of non-chosen shifting forks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Bernd Schepperle
  • Publication number: 20080156136
    Abstract: A transmission selector mechanism for controlling a gearbox which provides forward/reverse direction and high/low ratios using two coupling members (6?, 53:7?, 54) each axially slideable in both directions either side of the a respective neutral position to couple a selected one of a pair of gears (10, 12:11, 13) to an associated shaft (4, 5). The mechanism includes a driver operated forward/reverse selector member (50) and a driver operated high/low ratio selector member (52). The forward/reverse selector member (50) moves a first selector formation (64, 64b) which is engageable with a first coupling formation means (66) on a first cam (61) which moves one of the coupling members (7?, 54). The high/low selector member (52) moving a second selector formation (63, 63b, 63c) which is engageable with a second coupling formation means (65) on a second cam (58) which moves the other coupling member (6?, 53).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: AGCO Ltd.
    Inventor: Jonathan Seed
  • Publication number: 20080156133
    Abstract: A vehicle shifting mechanism configured for actuation of a clutch and gear-shifting of a shift drum in a transmission is disclosed, which includes a camshaft linked to the shift drum; an actuating motor for driving the camshaft to allow the camshaft to make one revolution to shift the shift drum with one gear; and a cam connected to the camshaft to coaxially rotate with the camshaft and abutting against a release bearing actuating element to actuate engagement and disengagement of the clutch. The cam has a symmetrical contour such that the camshaft driven by the actuating motor is capable of making one unidirectional revolution to enable actuation of the clutch and the gear-shifting of the shift drum to occur concurrently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Li-Yu Chen, Yeu-Jou Lin, Tien-Ho Gau
  • Patent number: 7387044
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly includes a cross-car-beam. The assembly includes a shift lever supported by the cross-car-beam. The assembly includes a fitting fixing the shift lever to the cross-car-beam. The fitting includes a base for inserting the shift lever therein. The fitting includes a first wall fixed to the cross-car-beam. The fitting includes a second wall extending from the base transversely of the first wall and fixed to the cross-car-beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Yo Matsutani
  • Publication number: 20080134824
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body unit which has an image forming unit; a door unit which couples with the main body unit to open and close the main body unit, and has a projection at one side thereof; a mid-transfer unit which couples with the door unit; a coupling knob which is provided in the main body unit and rotates in cooperation with pressure of the projection when the door unit is closed; and a coupling apparatus which is provided in the main body and transmits a driving force from the main body unit to the mid-transfer unit in cooperation with the rotation of the coupling knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-chul Jung, Jin-kyu Yang, Sang-woon Lee, Eun-sang Park
  • Publication number: 20080127767
    Abstract: A shift device in a manual transmission of a motor vehicle having a central selector shaft (6) with two rocker arms (7, 8) to which a spindle (9) is supported. The spindle (9) supports a roller (10), which communicates with a pivotally mounted, spring-loaded contour element (2). The contour element (2) has a gate guide which extends in a circular arc (k) concentric with the selector shaft (6). The rocker arms (7, 8) have guide pins (19) which extend parallel to the selector shaft (6) on a radius (R) of the circular arc (k). The guide pins (19) are moveable through axially directed movement of the selector shaft (6) to engage the gate guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Uwe Beer
  • Publication number: 20080105070
    Abstract: A display screen turning apparatus includes a base portion for placing a display screen portion thereon, a transmission gear portion for transmitting driving force of a driving source arranged inside the base portion, a display screen support member supporting the display screen portion rotatably in a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, a rack plate arranged on the base portion and including a rack gear meshed with the transmission gear portion in a horizontal direction, and a coupling portion rotatably coupling the rack plate in the horizontal plane with respect to the display screen support member. The display screen support member is rotated in the anteroposterior direction with respect to the vertical plane by a prescribed angle through the coupling portion coupled to the rack plate following reciprocation of the rack plate in the horizontal plane with normal and reverse rotation of the driving source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Sawai, Toshiharu Hibi
  • Publication number: 20080105073
    Abstract: A display screen turning apparatus includes a base portion for placing a display screen portion thereon, a driving source and a transmission gear portion arranged inside the base portion, a display screen support member provided with an engaging member and supporting the display screen portion rotatably in a horizontal plane and rotatably with respect to a vertical plane and a rack plate arranged on the base portion and including a rack gear meshed with the transmission gear portion in a horizontal direction. The display screen support member is rotated in an anteroposterior direction with respect to the vertical plane by a prescribed angle with rotation of the engaging member of the display screen support member engaged with the rack plate following reciprocation of the rack plate in the horizontal plane with normal and reverse rotation of the driving source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio SAWAI, Toshiharu Hibi
  • Patent number: 7367244
    Abstract: An operating position select device has a select lever unit, a mode shift unit to shift operation modes of the automatic transmission, a mechanically connecting means connecting them, and an assist actuator to assist a select lever. A control unit that controls the actuator is electrically connected to an operating position sensor detecting an operating position of the select lever and an operating velocity detector detecting operating velocity of the lever. The control unit has an excessive movement prevention part that reduces the assist force when the operating velocity outputted from the operating velocity detector exceeds a velocity threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Yuzo Shimamura, Mitsuo Kikkawa, Yuichi Tanii, Hiroyuki Ikari
  • Publication number: 20080098845
    Abstract: A shifting device is provided for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle with a first automatic shift gate and with a second tipping gate for a manual, stepwise shifting operation about a middle position. A selector lever can be pivoted about a first shift gate axis into the automatic shift gate and the tipping gate and about a second selector lever axis within the shift gates. The selector lever axis and the shift gate axis are arranged at right angles to one another in a shifting device housing. A connection member is provided for transmitting the pivoting motion of the selector lever in the automatic shift gate to a coupling element to the automatic transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Joerg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20080098841
    Abstract: An assembly including a polymeric member and a unitary metal casting wherein the metal casting relatively moveably captures the polymeric member on the metal casting. The assembly can be adapted for use as a crank arm in a transmission shift mechanism. In some embodiments of the assembly, the polymeric member includes an opening defining a rotational axis of said polymeric member. The metal casting extends into the opening and includes at least one enlarged diameter portion with the polymeric member being rotationally disposed on the metal casting and axially captured on the metal casting by the at least one enlarged diameter portion of the metal casting. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Michael C. Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 7363836
    Abstract: A shift lever apparatus includes a base member, a shift lever, and one or more planar four-bar linkage mechanisms supporting the shift lever so as to be movable relative to the base member. The four-bar linkage mechanism includes four link elements including a base-side link element, a lever-side link element, and a pair of connecting link elements. The shift lever is supported by the lever-side link element, and the base member supports the base-side link element. The four-bar linkage mechanism includes an operational plane in which the four link elements conduct a link motion. The lever-side link element is parallelly or substantially parallelly shiftable in the operational plane relative to the base member so that the shift lever can shift parallelly or substantially parallelly in the operational plane relative to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tamaki Koide
  • Patent number: 7350435
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the moving direction of a motor, especially an electric motor of a transmission actuating system for gear selection and/or shifting, whereby at least one signal of the motor is detected. The inventive method is characterized in that the moving direction of the motor is validated by means of the detected signal, on the basis of the feed direction. The invention also relates to a motor, especially a gear motor or a selector motor of a transmission actuating system, especially for carrying out the method, whereby at least one device is provided for validating the moving direction of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Betelligungs KG
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Renk, Klaus Henneberger, Martin Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20080066571
    Abstract: A shifting apparatus for a transmission includes a shift-and-select shaft, a retaining member, at least one shifting member rotatably and slidably supported by the shaft to be in contact with an axial end of the retaining member, plural driving pins, plural neutral interlock grooves formed at outer plan surfaces of the retaining member to be slidably engaged with the driving pins, plural shifting interlock grooves, a stepped recessed-portion formed at one of outer plan surfaces of the shifting member, and plural non-shifting grooves formed at the other outer plan surfaces of the shifting member. The shifting member is rotated and detected in a selected position relative to the retaining member. Then, the retaining member and the shifting member are reciprocated so that one of the driving pins makes a contact with the shifting inclined surface of the shifting member and the fork shaft is reciprocated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN AI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kawamoto, Shiro Ogami, Yuichi Fukuhara
  • Publication number: 20080041180
    Abstract: A shift lever system of a vehicle is provided comprising (a) a shift lever movable between a plurality of predetermined positions corresponding to different shift positions, (b) an engaging lever comprising a pin and connected to the shift lever so as to integrally move with the shift lever, and (c) a sensor module connected to the shift lever to detect predetermined positions of the shift lever, wherein the pin is in cooperation with sensor module such that the sensor module can detect the movement of the shift lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Eunsoo Cho
  • Publication number: 20080006115
    Abstract: A shifter includes an actuator, such as a shape memory alloy wire, to control movement of a set of strategically placed magnets on lever-position-controlling components of a vehicle transmission shift lever. In one arrangement, the actuator controls movement of a carrier carrying one or more of the magnets, the magnets controlling a position of a blocking member to prevent moving a pawl out of park position until predetermined vehicle conditions are met. Alternatively, the magnets can be carried by a cam, or slide, or wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: David M. Mitteer
  • Patent number: 7275457
    Abstract: A control lever assembly having a moveable lever and a knob mounted on an end of the lever. The knob has a hollow housing which is removably attached to a cylindrical base. The housing has a cylindrical side wall which forms an opening. A wheel is received in and partially enclosed by the housing for rotation therein. A portion of the housing completely surrounds an outer surface of one end of the wheel. A rotary encoder generates a rotary position signal and is coupled to the wheel by a stiff wire or shaft. The shaft extends through the wheel to a first end which is received by an alignment recess formed on an inner surface of the housing and to a second end which is coupled to the encoder. The shaft extends through a bore in the base and through a bore in the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: David Joseph Easton
  • Patent number: 7257476
    Abstract: A select lever device for an automatic transmission includes: a torque sensor to detect an input torque to a drive shaft of a select lever; a select position sensor to detect the stroke angle of the select lever; a characteristic data storing unit in which a mechanical load characteristic of the select lever is stored; and a control unit to which signals and data of these elements are inputted. Further, the control unit includes an electric motor to output to the select lever assist torque for assisting the operating force by a driver, the assist torque being controlled based on the input torque to the select lever, the stroke angle of the select lever, and the mechanical load characteristic of the select lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Yuzo Shimamura, Nobuaki Tsuchiya, Wataru Shimizu, Toru Aoki
  • Patent number: 7243567
    Abstract: An operating position select device has a select lever unit, a mode shift unit to shift operation modes of the automatic transmission, a mechanically connecting means connecting them, and an assist actuator to apply assist force to a select lever of the select lever unit. A control unit for controlling the actuator is electrically connected to an operating state sensor detecting an operating state of the select lever. The control unit executes assist control to control the assist actuator based on the operating state signal of the operating state sensor, and maintains the assist control for a predetermined period after the ignition switch is turned to OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Kensuke Osamura, Yukitsugu Hirota, Yuzo Shimamura, Masaharu Nagano
  • Publication number: 20070137356
    Abstract: A manual transmission includes a shift and select shaft supported by a housing and reciprocatable in an axis line direction and a rotational direction, an outer lever fixed to a first end of the shift and select shaft at a base portion thereof, an outer lever pin fixed to an end portion of the outer lever, a connecting member rotatably attached to the outer lever pin, a shift cable an end of which is connected to the connecting member via a guide member secured to the housing, a bearing member having a lower degree of frictional coefficient, and the connecting member being connected to the outer lever pin through the bearing member so as to be movable in the axis line direction corresponding to an amount of a travel distance of the shift and select shaft in the axis line direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: AISIN AI CO., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Itoh, Takayuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7228753
    Abstract: A shift control apparatus for a transmission wherein the gear shift lever is configured to undergo movement in a first and a second direction. A plurality of shift lugs are disposed within the transmission and configured to realize a specific speed ratio according to its longitudinal movement. The control shaft is disposed within the housing such that it can move in a longitudinal direction and rotate. The select control assembly is connected to the gear shift lever and the control shaft such that the control shaft moves in the longitudinal direction, thereof, responding to a movement of the gear shift lever in the first direction and rotates responding to a movement of the gear shift lever in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hong Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 7139652
    Abstract: A range selector issues a range selection command signal representative of an operation range of a shift-by-wire type automatic transmission meeting with a driver's intention. The operating range is at least one of P(parking)-range, R(reverse)-range, N(neutral)-range and D(drive)-range. An actuator causes the transmission to assume a certain operation range when receiving an instruction signal. A control unit issues the instruction signal by processing the range selection command signal, so that the transmission is able to assume an operation range that meets with the driver's intention. The control unit is configured to carry out, when the range selector fails to issue the range selection command signal, presuming a range selection intended by the driver based on a previous operation of the range selector; and based on the presumption, causing through the actuator the transmission to actually carry out at least one of first and second range selection operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7114410
    Abstract: In a select system for an automatic transmission in which switchover between a mechanical automatic mode and an electrical manual mode is achieved by a lateral shift of a select lever, the select lever has an engaging protrusion extending a distance to one side, which remains inserted in an engaging groove opened in a rotatable linkage member. When the select lever is in the automatic mode, the linkage member is rotatable with the lever operation by engagement between the engaging protrusion and a part of the engaging groove so as to achieve mechanical transmission control of the automatic transmission. When the select lever is in the manual mode, the engaging protrusion, while disengaging from the part of the engaging groove, restricts rotation of the linkage member so as to prevent the mechanical transmission control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunihiro Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 7086305
    Abstract: A gearshift device for a multiple-gear change box of a vehicle includes at least two gearshift rods with a rectangular cross-section. A roller bearing and a locking device are provided for guiding and locking the gearshift rods, with each gearshift rod having its own locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Klaus Krämer