Shift Element Interlock Patents (Class 74/473.24)
  • Publication number: 20100083785
    Abstract: A gear shift mechanism of a gear shift transmission having a plurality of gears is described. A first movable gear shift fork and at least one second movable gear shift fork are provided for engaging gears of the gear shift transmission and assuming a neutral position as well as an engaged position where a gear allocated to a respective one of the first and second gear shift forks is engaged. A locking mechanism comprising a locking element is provided that prevents that both gear shift forks can assume at the same time unintentionally an engaged position. The locking mechanism is designed such that in a locking position a force for moving the first gear shift fork out of its neutral position does not generate a resulting component of force that would force the locking element against the second gear shift fork.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: GETRAG FORD TRANSMISSIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Doelling, Andreas Hegerath, Patrick Soehnge
  • Publication number: 20100045715
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a carriage carrying a recording head and being movably supported, the recording head being configured to eject liquid onto a recording medium, a plurality of driven units to be driven by a drive source that generates a driving force, a transmission-switching mechanism configured to switch between the driven units, a carriage locker configured to prevent and allow movement of the carriage, and a transmission-switching locker configured to prevent and allow switching between the driven units. Movement prevention by the carriage locker and switching prevention by the transmission-switching locker are in synchronicity, and movement allowance by the carriage locker and switching allowance by the transmission-switching locker are in synchronicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Takeuchi, Nobuhiro Toki, Haruo Uchida
  • Publication number: 20100024585
    Abstract: A gearshift device for a change-speed gearbox of a motor vehicle, includes, but is not limited to a gearshift lever guided movably between positions corresponding to different gears, on which a locking member is displaceable between a locking position in a first degree of freedom in which it blocks any movement of the gearshift lever from a forward gear position into a reverse gear position, and a release position in a first degree of freedom in which it allows movement from the forward gear position into the reverse gear position. The locking member on the gearshift lever is movable in a second degree of freedom between a normal position in which movement between release position and locking position is possible and an alignment position in which it fixes the gearshift lever free from play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen BURGER, Thorsten HAHN, Axel GEIBERGER
  • Patent number: 7650807
    Abstract: A method for adjusting an automatic transmission ratio by a driver includes imposing a ratio change required by the driver to the transmission when first conditions are fulfilled, maintaining the ratio until second conditions for returning to operation in an automatic mode are fulfilled, and automatically restoring the automatic mode when the second conditions are fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Carine Poisson, Christian Taffin
  • Publication number: 20100011898
    Abstract: A shifting device for a multi-gear manual transmission, in particular a gearwheel variable-speed transmission of a vehicle, with a gearshift shaft that can be axially and rotationally moved. A shift gate can be selected by axial movement of the shaft and a gear in the shift gate is engaged by rotation movement of the shaft. A locking device communicates with the gearshift shaft and increases a selection force when selecting a shift gate having a reverse gear. A spring arrangement includes a first spring element, which acts during the selection of a shift gate with two forward gears, and the second spring element acts, together with the locking device, during the selection of the shift gate with the reverse gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Dieter Eisenberger
  • Publication number: 20100000360
    Abstract: A manual transmission with a gearshift locking arrangement includes a rail having a shifter having a slot between forward and rear ears of the shifter, the rail being movable between rail forward and rear positions. The manual transmission with a gearshift locking arrangement also includes forward and rear engagement members disposed at positions corresponding to the rail forward and rear positions. A shift lever is also provided, an engaging portion of the shift lever being adapted to be disposed in the slot, the shift lever being adapted to move the rail between the rail forward and rear position, the engaging portion being engageable with the forward engagement member when the rail is in the rail forward position and the engaging portion being engageable with the rear engagement member when the rail is in the rail rear position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Victor Kronstadt, Earl E. Duffey
  • Publication number: 20090272216
    Abstract: A shift selector apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first operational zone and a second operational zone. The apparatus provides separation between the two operational zones to prevent accidental shifting between ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas H. Wilson, Linus L. Happ
  • Publication number: 20090223317
    Abstract: A gearshift interlock is provided including a first shift block operatively associated with a first synchronized gear. The first shift block is movable between neutral and actuated positions and has a detent. A second shift block is provided operatively associated with a second synchronized gear. The second shift block is movable between neutral and actuated positions and has a detent. A lockout member is provided wherein movement of one of the shift blocks from the neutral position toward the actuated position causes that shift block to urge the lockout member to engage the other shift block detent preventing movement of the other shift block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventor: Graham M. Annear
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090211389
    Abstract: A gear change control system of an automatic transmission, includes: a shift member, including a shaft portion disposed in such a manner that a selection axis is oriented in a selecting direction, and including a pair of arm portions formed on the shaft portion in such a manner as to project therefrom; shift rail members, having rail shaft portions, and arranged in such a manner that shift axes are oriented in a shifting direction; shift fork portions, formed on the rail shaft portions; shift lug members, formed on the rail shaft portions and including pillar-shaped portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Masanori Shintani, Masashi Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20090205456
    Abstract: A gear change control system of an automatic transmission, include: a shift member, including a shaft portion which is s disposed in such a manner that a selection axis thereof is oriented in a selecting direction and including an arm portion; shift fork portions, operable to make gear shifts of gears; shift rail members, connected to the sift fork portions and arranged in such a manner that shift axes thereof are oriented in a shifting direction; and shift lug members, projecting from the shift rail members and including pillar-shaped portions. The arm portion swings about the selection axis to apply a pressure in the shifting direction from one side of the pillar-shaped portion so as to cause the shift fork portion to perform a shift making operation, and to apply a pressure in the shifting direction from the other side of the pillar-shaped portion so as to cause the shift fork portion to perform a shift withdrawing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Masashi Fujimoto, Masanori Shintani
  • Publication number: 20090158877
    Abstract: A Park inhibition solenoid assembly for preventing the undesirable shifting of a transmission from an out-of-Park mode to a Park mode includes a follower and an armature slidably disposed within a valve body/housing and within a solenoid. The follower is moveable between an out-of-Park position and a Park position and the armature is moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The follower and armature include detents for supporting a bearing. The armature and bearing prevent the follower from moving from the out-of-Park position to the Park position when the armature is held in place in the lock position by the solenoid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Vernacchia, Stephen W. Powell
  • Publication number: 20090107278
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly for operating a transmission of a vehicle includes a mounting shaft an extension shaft coupled thereto. The extension shaft is pivotable between an operating position and a collapse position relative to the mounting shaft. A latching mechanism is disposed within a bore defined by one of the mounting shaft and the extenstion shaft. The latching mechanism includes a compression spring biasing against a plunger. One of the mounting shaft and the extension shaft defines a seat. The plunger engages the seat in the interlocking engagement when the extension shaft is in the operating position. The plunger holds the extension shaft in the operating position until a force greater than a pre-determined value is applied to the extension shaft to compress the plunger and permit the extension shaft to pivot into the collapse position. The extension shaft is repeatably moveable between the operating position and the collapse position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Michael C. Vermeersch
  • Publication number: 20090082932
    Abstract: A control unit 3 of a select assist device includes a start halt judging part 31 for judging a start halt by comparing a relative displacement amount and a start threshold value, a target relative displacement amount part 32 for setting a target relative displacement amount so that it is set to be a predetermined value when an assist actuator starts and then it is gradually decreased toward zero, and a drive command value computing part 33 for computing a drive command value so that approximate the relative displacement amount to the target relative displacement amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Shinya Kobayashi, Yukitsugu Hirota, Masaharu Nagano, Kensuke Osamura
  • Publication number: 20090049943
    Abstract: A process for the prevention of unintentional gear shifting from a non-friction locked position of a transmission is proposed, which is comprised by an electrical or electronic gear shift control and a friction-locked gear shift or selector device, within the scope of which the requested friction-locked position detected by the electrical or electronic gear shift control is outputted and is displayed to the driver by way of a position display during position shifting from a non-friction locked position, at the latest when the friction-locked gear shift or selector device has reached a position or a range within which it can remain in an automatic lockup, whereupon this position is implemented in the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Franz HORNEFFER, Bernd Zanglein, Stephane Klein
  • Patent number: 7458432
    Abstract: A dual lever steering control mechanism for a mounting a control lever or stick to a mower is disclosed. The mechanism includes a housing with an opening, a forward/reverse lever insertable through the opening and pivoting on a first axis, and a neutral position lever pivotably attached to the forward/reverse lever to pivot on a second axis transverse to the first axis. The control lever may be attached to the neutral position lever at a plurality of different height and fore/aft settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Mayer, Kyle Thomas Ressler
  • Patent number: 7444896
    Abstract: A shifting device for the shifting of a transmission with a shifting shaft (2), having a multiplicity of shifting forks or shifting levers (8, 10, 12, 14) placed in an axial slidable manner for the carrying out of a shifting procedure with a selection apparatus (28, 30, 32, 42, 44, 46) for the choice of a shifting fork (8, 10, 12, 14) from the multiplicity of shifting forks for the carrying out of the shifting procedure and with blocking disk (52) for the prevention of the movement of non-chosen shifting forks (8, 10, 12, 14). The elements (2, 8, 10, 12, 14, 20, 22) for the carrying out of the shifting procedure are made from a material of high structural strength and the elements of the selection apparatus (28, 30, 32, 42, 44, 46) and the blocking apparatus (52) are constructed from a material of lesser structural strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Bernd Schepperle
  • Publication number: 20080223167
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cycling a neutral switch of an automated mechanical transmission includes software which, either independently or by operator command through a shift actuator having side-to-side motion capability and sensors, controls a select piston and cylinder assembly to provide shift rail motion along a transverse axis of the transmission which simulates operator commanded motion of a shift rail of a conventional (manual) transmission as the operator checks for neutral. Such activity may release a malfunctioning neutral switch thereby providing a proper neutral indication to associated transmission and engine components to, for example, permit starting of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: James H. DeVore, Rudolf Kalthoff, Rupert Kramer, Ronald Muetzel, Robert Sayman, Mario Steinborn
  • Publication number: 20080156135
    Abstract: A universal shifter system that is adaptable to any of a variety of locations in a vehicle has a shift assembly with a frame supporting a shaft for rotation about a primary axis. An end of the shaft is exposed axially through the frame for circumferentially indexed attachment of either a shift arm or a cam device of the system dependent upon the selected system location in the vehicle. A side mount feature has a secondary axis that traverses the primary axis. The cam device rotates about both axes when selected. A shifter mechanism is supported by the frame and is constructed and arranged to rotate the shaft between park and drive positions. Preferably, a flexible park lock cable interfaces between the shifter mechanism and a start device of the vehicle to prevent the shaft from rotating from the park and into the drive position if the start device is not in a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Tamara Reppuhn, Michael C. Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 7393304
    Abstract: A shifter for controlling a vehicle transmission includes a base and a shift lever movably mounted to the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions. At least one of the gear positions comprises a PARK/NEUTRAL position having a PARK and a NEUTRAL control feature. The shifter includes an input device configured to switch between PARK and NEUTRAL upon actuation of the input device by an operator. An indicator on the shift lever indicates if the transmission is in PARK or NEUTRAL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products
    Inventors: Scott D. Wilde, Robert A. DeJonge
  • 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: 20080000315
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a parking lock mechanism (2) for a transmission (1), comprising a pawl (4), which can pivot from a neutral position into a locking position in which the transmission (1) is locked, whereby the pawl (4) is prestressed in the neutral position by way of a spring element. According to the invention, the spring element is a leaf spring (14). The present invention furthermore relates to a transmission (1) incorporating such a parking lock mechanism (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Heinz Reichert, Olaf Langwald
  • Patent number: 7308838
    Abstract: In association with a solenoidal coil 10 being energized to unlock a shift lever 1C, a first movable core 9 and a second movable core 11 magnetically stick together so as to rotationally move in unison from an original position in which the first movable core 9 engages with the second movable core 11. Because the first movable core 9 and the second movable core 11 stick together before unlocking the shift lever 1C, it is possible to avoid the first movable core 9 from hitting the second movable core 11 so as to eliminate an operational noise. A lock plate 7 and a link plate 8 are rotatably provided around a rotational center 6 in relative to the solenoidal coal 10. This prevents the lock plate 7 and the link plate 8 from moving rotationally in unison with the solenoidal coil 10 so as to insure a smooth and quick rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hamanako Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsunori Inoguchi, Masanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7270027
    Abstract: A detent lever assembly for implementation with an electronic transmission range selection (ETRS) system that shifts a transmission range between a park position and an out-of-park position. The detent lever assembly includes a shaft rotatably supported by a housing and a detent lever rotatably supported by the shaft and rotatable between a first position and a second position. In a first mode, the detent lever is rotatable about the shaft and in a second mode the detent lever is rotatable with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Todd R. Berger, Stephen W. Powell, Mark A. Vernacchia
  • Patent number: 7213483
    Abstract: In association with a solenoidal coil 10 being energized to unlock a shift lever, a first movable core 9 and a second movable core 11 magnetically stick together so as to rotationally move in unison from an original position in which the first movable core 9 engages with the second movable core 11. Because the first movable core 9 and the second movable core 11 stick together before unlocking the shift lever, it is possible to avoid the first movable core 9 from hitting the second movable core 11 so as to eliminate an operational noise which would otherwise be produced by hitting the first movable core 9 against the second movable core 11. A lock plate 7 and a link plate 8 are rotatably provided around a rotational center 6 in relative to the solenoidal coil 10. This prevents the lock plate 7 and the link plate 8 from moving rotationally in unison with the solenoidal coil 10, thus enabling the lock plate 7 and the link plate 8 to a smooth and quick rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Hamanako Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsunori Inoguchi, Masanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7185554
    Abstract: In a shifting device (2) for a multi-step transmission, several shift couplings are arranged one behind another, each with a shifting sleeve, can alternately be engaged in each case, via a shift rocker arm (4, 6, 8, 10), in that first form enclosed elements (30, 32, 34, 36) are arranged on a swivelling and axially movable selector and gearshift shaft (24) in such manner that at predetermined swivel angles of the selector and gearshift shaft (24) in each case only one first form enclosed element (30, 32, 34, 36) cooperates with one second form enclosing element (38, 40, 42, 44) which is arranged on a shift rocker arm (4, 6, 8, 10), and in that via an axial displacement of the selector and gearshift shaft (24), the appropriate shift rocker arm (4) is actuated while during its actuation, the other shift rocker arms (6, 8, 10) are locked in their neutral position by a locking device, the locking device comprises a locking sleeve (66, 74, 82, 86) which is provided on the selector and gearshift shaft (24) for respe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ludger Ronge
  • Patent number: 7172063
    Abstract: A gearshift unit (1) for electronic transmission control in motor vehicles including a gearshift lever housing (4) and a gearshift lever (5) moveable in relation to the gearshift lever housing (4), the gearshift lever being rotatable about a main pivot axis (6) of the gearshift lever (5) within an active position range for active gearshift positions and a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Staffan Wendeberg, Robert Broström, Henrik Boström
  • Patent number: 7124874
    Abstract: A shift lever device for a motor vehicle is disclosed with a shift lever being operated in a longitudinal and transverse direction. A stop device is disposed in either a vertically or horizontally and vertically oriented track adjacent the shift lever so that in one condition, the shift lever is prevented from movement out of the P shift range and in another condition, the shift lever is permitted to move from the P shift range to one of the N shift range, the R shift range and the 3 D shift range. The shift lever is also prevented from “N” position into “R” position, if the vehicle speed is too high by a reverse gear lock-out device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Qiang Wang
  • 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: 7082851
    Abstract: A hydraulic servo assembly includes a piston slidably disposed within a housing and a pin extending from the piston. The pin is interconnected with a servo link rod of the ETRS system. A port enables inlet of hydraulic fluid to induce movement of the piston and the pin from a first position to a second position to pull the servo link rod thereby shifting the transmission range to the out-of-park position. When in the first position the pin biases a forward-reverse enable (FRE) valve of the ETRS system in a first position. When in the second position a bias force of the pin is relieved from the FRE valve enabling the FRE valve to shift to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Brian W. Whitmarsh, Stephen W. Powell, Ryan M. Jenness
  • Patent number: 7070535
    Abstract: A plurality of shift rails are manipulated by a manual control rod to selectively actuate one or more synchronizer mechanisms. The control rod is moved angularly and linearly during ratio selection. Each synchronizer mechanism may control two or more drive ratios in a planetary transmission. At least two of the rails are interconnected by a reversing mechanism to permit consistent movement of the rails regardless of the direction of movement of the control rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, Raymond J. Haka
  • Patent number: 6993994
    Abstract: A blocking and releasing of actuating elements especially used in a manually shifted automatic transmission in vehicles for a manual gear input unit with a plurality of actuating elements, e.g., a selector lever and a button. A manual gear input unit (1) is selected for selecting gears with a first actuating element 2 for selecting at least one gear and with at least one additional actuating element 3 for setting additional functions. A detent pawl (6), which can be moved by means of an actuator 8 and by which the first actuating element and at least one additional actuating element 2, 3 can be locked and unlocked simultaneously, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
  • Patent number: 6973850
    Abstract: The transmission gear shift lever device has a variable select lever ratio adapted to accommodate most of the operating mechanisms of the conventional transmission gear shift (TGS) lever device without major design changes. The select lever ratio is a ratio of rotating angle of a select lever relative to the rotating angle of the TGS lever and can be varied during the select manipulation of the TGS lever, such that all shift stages in a 6-speed transmission can be controlled while the rotating angle of the TGS lever during the select manipulation is maintained at the same size as that of a conventional TGS lever device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yong-Dal Choi
  • Patent number: 6966237
    Abstract: The first gear/reverse gate switch of the present invention includes a detent switch including a contact pin and a contact switch. When a manual transmission is shifted to a gear not in the first gear/reverse gate, the contact pin of the detent switch engages a recessed portion on a detent mechanism such that the contact pin does not engage the contact switch. This indicates that the transmission is not in a gear in the first gear/reverse gate. When the manual transmission is shifted to a gear in the first gear/reverse gate, the interlock moves the detent, pushing the contact pin into engagement with the contact switch. This indicates that the transmission is in a gear in the first gear/reverse gate. The spring forces the detent into a “relaxed position” when not in the first gear or the reverse gate, breaking switch contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Meritor, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick L. Scheib, Peggy M. Garrett
  • Patent number: 6945377
    Abstract: An integrated gear shift selector switch assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a park position switch and a brake transmission shift interlock switch combined in a unitized housing as an integrated structure. The park position switch has a movable component that moves within the housing between a park and non-park position corresponding to a movement of a gear shift selector lever from a park to at least one non-park position. The brake transmission shift interlock switch also has a movable component supported by the switch housing for movement in to and out of selective locking engagement with the movable component of the park position switch to selectively unlock and lock the gear shift selector lever in the park position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry W. Burr, Frederick J. Berg, Kenneth G. Johnston, Barry L. Hoffman, Michael C. Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 6923084
    Abstract: A device for increasing a selection force is integrated into a support arrangement of a shift lever. The device is pivotable around a pivot axis and also around a tilt axis aligned transversely to the pivot axis. The selection force upon pivoting movements of the shift lever around the tilt axis is produced by at least one lever that is movable against a spring and a runoff roller placed in operative connection with the lever (24, 38). The device is integrated into a support arrangement for pivotable support of the shift lever by a casing in a housing. The support arrangement supports the shift lever pivotably with respect to the casing around the pivot axis and also supports the shift lever with the casing pivotably with respect to the housing around the tilt axis aligned transversely to the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Klaus Krämer, Susanne Pintus
  • Patent number: 6892600
    Abstract: A changing system in a manual transmission is provided. An interlock plate is mounted on a shift-selecting shaft capable of being moved axially in response to a selecting operation and turned about an axis in response to a shifting operation, so that the interlock plate cannot be turned about an axis of the shift-selecting shaft. The interlock plate has a pair of side plate portions which are provided at locations spaced apart from each other in an axial direction of the shift-selecting shaft and through which the shift-selecting shaft extends. A shifting arm disposed between the side plate portions is fixed to the shift-selecting shaft. In such changing system, the shifting arm and an interlock member operatively connected to the shifting arm are interposed between the side plate portions of the interlock plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Onuma, Kiyokazu Okubo, Atsuhiro Sakai, Keiji Nemoto, Takayuki Yakou
  • Patent number: 6865467
    Abstract: Specific shift positions of an electrically actuated vehicle transmission, such as first to fifth, neutral and reverse gears, are detected by monitoring one or more characteristic electrical variables, e.g., actuator currents, during a shift movement of the transmission and by correlating increased or decreased levels of current with the arrival at or passage through the specific shift positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Martin Vornehm, Stefan Winkelmann, Marc Hauptmann, Klaus Henneberger, Klaus Küpper
  • Patent number: 6854354
    Abstract: A shifting device for a motor vehicle transmission is provided comprising a selector lever for selecting different shift positions (P, R, N, D, 3, 2, . . . ). The lever is mounted in a housing pivotably around at least one axis. A first locking member and at least one additional locking member are provided as angle levers, each arranged on the housing pivotably around a respective pivot axis. The locking members block the movement of the selector lever in different shift positions. An adjusting member is provided. A locking element provided at the selector lever is engaged by one of the locking members in the shift positions of the selector lever which are to be locked as a function of preset parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventor: Jörg Meyer
  • Patent number: 6827195
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a locking and unlocking mechanism, which is equipped with an electromagnet (1) and is used preferably to embody a key and/or shift lock function in motor vehicles. Its basic object is to design such a mechanism such that the generation of noise during the transition from one state into the other is reduced compared with prior-art solutions. To accomplish the object, a pulsating voltage in the form of a direct voltage-rated pulse width signal (PWM voltage) is sent to the electromagnet (1). The effective value of the PWM voltage is increased over at least three voltage pulses from an off-load voltage value to a preset final voltage value at the beginning of a phase of energization and it conversely drops, again over at least three voltage pulses, to the off-load voltage value at the end of the phase of energization, in a time-controlled manner by means of a circuit unit (2) associated with a pulse width modulator (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kliemannel
  • Patent number: 6785599
    Abstract: Specific shift positions of an electrically actuated vehicle transmission, such as first to fifth, neutral and reverse gears, are detected by monitoring one or more characteristic electrical variables, e.g., actuator currents, during a shift movement of the transmission and by correlating increased or decreased levels of current with the arrival at or passage through the specific shift positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: LUK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Berger, Martin Vornehm, Stefan Winkelmann, Marc Hauptmann, Klaus Henneberger, Klaus Küpper
  • Patent number: 6745878
    Abstract: An interlock mechanism is provided for a transmission system having a gear unit with a plurality of selectable gear ratios. A manually operated clutch control pedal is manually movable from a clutch engaged position to a clutch disengaged position. The transmission has a pair of shift rails movable to select gear ratios. The shift rails have detent grooves which interact with a pair of detent balls. An interlock member is normally in a lock position wherein the interlock member engages both detent balls and holds them in the detent grooves to prevent movement of either or both shift rails. The interlock member is movable to a release position wherein the interlock member is disengaged from the both detent balls whereby the detent balls will allow one of the shift rails to be moved. An interlock spring is biased to urge the interlock member to the lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Michael Ray Jensen
  • Publication number: 20040083843
    Abstract: An interlock device includes a housing and a toggle interlock mechanism with an extendable interlock pin. The interlock device also includes a preassembled switch, an electromechanical device, and a lead frame interconnecting the switch and electromechanical device. The lead frame conductors are formed as one piece, but are separated after assembly into the housing. The conductors and mating components include mating non-releasable contacts that telescope together in a manner that forms a robust assembly and that facilitates automation of the assembly process. A method related to the above is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: John T. Lewis, Donald R. Rempinski
  • Patent number: 6725738
    Abstract: A gear shift apparatus for a manual transmission utilizes an actuator to prevent a miss shift manipulation from a forward gear stage to a reverse gear stage. The gear shift apparatus permits the driver to forcedly release a mis-shift preventing state with a smaller force. In the gear shift apparatus for a manual transmission, a select cam is responsive to a selecting manipulation to pivotally move to forward positions corresponding to forward select positions and a reverse position corresponding to a reverse select position. A restraint cam is driven to a prohibiting position by a plunger when a solenoid is energized to prohibit the select cam from pivotally moving to the reverse position. In this prohibiting state, as the select cam is pivotally moved toward a forward position in response to a manipulation for selecting a forward select position, a release protrusion of the select cam presses the restraint cam to pivotally move the same from the prohibiting state to a permitting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Okubo, Takayuki Yakou, Yasushi Onuma, Keiji Nemoto, Kazufumi Hosoda
  • Patent number: 6691590
    Abstract: The single-rod shifting device for a motor vehicle manual transmission, in particular for a six-speed transmission, has a central shifting shaft, fork-shaped shifting elements that engage into sliding bushings, and a locking device. The locking device is equipped with a lever (3, 11) whose rotation point lies on the rotation axis of the axially displaceably mounted central shifting shaft (1) and which is joined to it via a radial entrainment arrangement. Also provided is a blocking part (5) that is arranged immovably in the housing in the shifting direction, as well as a coupling drive that converts the rotation of the lever into a linear motion of the blocking elements (15, 15′ . . . ) on the shifting elements and on the blocking part (5) ensure that upon superposition of the blocking elements in the shifting direction, a shifting of the shifting elements is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jens Patzner, Uwe Beer
  • Patent number: 6647821
    Abstract: A transmission shift lever assembly has a manually operated shift lever that can be moved in a longitudinal direction and in a transverse direction. The shift lever operates upon transmitting elements in order to transmit information to the vehicle gearbox or a gearbox control corresponding to the movement of the lever. The shift lever is coupled to a retainer, and a plurality of arms form four-bar linkages which couple the retainer to housing members so that the lever pivots about a virtual pivot axis which is repositioned remote from the lever, and so that the shift lever moves with little tilting motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Dieter Rückert, Jörg Höfle
  • Patent number: 6622583
    Abstract: A shifter system includes an automatic transmission shifter lever movable along a first shift path in forward and rearward directions and a transfer case shifter lever movable along a second shift path in the forward and rearward directions. The automatic transmission shifter lever is also movable in lateral directions to provide an auto stick option. The second shift path is laterally adjacent the first shift path a short distance to reduce space. An interlock mechanism is provided to prevent contact between the shifter levers. The interlock mechanism includes a blocker pivotable between a locking position wherein the blocker limits movement of the transfer case shifter lever along the second shift path and an unlocking position wherein the blocker does not limit movement of the transfer case shifter lever along the second shift path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Qiang Wang
  • Patent number: 6533705
    Abstract: A shifting device is disclosed for automatic transmissions of motor vehicles with a selector lever, which is pivotable around at least one axis and by which the gears defined by the transmission of the motor vehicle can be selected. A shift position of the selector lever is associated with each gear. An actuator cooperates with a locking member, which is pivotable around an axis. The locking member is pivotable by the actuator around the axis and has an engaging contour corresponding to the particular shift position of the selector lever on the side facing the selector lever. The selector lever can thus be locked in each shift position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignees: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG, Audi AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Roland Neughbauer, Peter Schiberna
  • Patent number: 6499375
    Abstract: A manually controlled transmission includes a combined detent and interlock pin mechanism. The elongated interlock pin prevents surrounding shift fork extensions from being engaged when a desired shift fork extension is selected. A recess in the interlock pin allows engagement of a shift lever with a desired shift fork extension, and opposing sides of the interlock pin engage shift finger notches in the other shift fork extensions to prevent their movement. Detent springs attached to the manually controlled transmission substantially contact opposing ends of the sliding interlock pin to provide resistance as an end of the interlock pin substantially contacts the detent spring. An anti-rotate pin positioned proximate to the interlock pin prevents rotation, but not translation, of interlock pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: ZF Meritor, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Ross, Patrick L. Scheib, Kenneth T. Picone, Michael K. Humphrey
  • Patent number: RE39598
    Abstract: A mechanical transmission system (10) is provided with a detent mechanism (156/172, 186/196) for applying a selectively variable detent resistance to disengagement of an engaged gear ratio. To provide resistance to shift lever (31) induced jumpout when no intent to shift is sensed, a greater detent resistance is provided, and to provide improved shift quality upon sensing an intent to shift, a lesser detent resistance is provided. The mechanism also may be utilized to maintain the transmission in neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald K. Markyvech, Thomas N. Riley, Thomas G. Ore