Plunger lock mechanism such as for restricting shifter motion
AssigneeKuster North America, Inc.
InventorsChristopher Soave, Brian Andrew Mayville
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plunger lock mechanism including a housing containing a rotationally supported lever shaped component, the component including at least one notch or recess configured within an arcuate surface. An electric motor is configured to rotate a cam extending within the housing, the cam actuating at least one plunger having an extending portion aligning with a selected notch. Upon rotation of the cam by the motor, the plunger is caused to displace between either of engaged and disengaged positions with the component such that, when disengaged, permitting rotation of the component.
Claims18
A plunger lock mechanism, comprising:
- a housing supporting a pivotally adjustable lever shaped component, a base portion of said lever component exhibiting a plurality of notches;
- a pair of plungers supported with said housing in opposing arrangement relative to said notches, each of said plungers having a displaceable main body with a forward end engaging one of said notches, said plungers each having an angled leg which contacts a single eccentric profile of a rotatable cam;
- and
- an electric motor configured to rotate said cam within said housing, said eccentric profile of said cam actuating said pair of plungers to linearly displace between either of engaged and disengaged positions relative said notches such that, when disengaged, permitting rotation of said lever component.
A plunger lock mechanism, comprising:
- a package defining housing supporting a pivotally adjustable lever;
- a base portion of said lever exhibiting a plurality of notches;
- a pair of plungers supported with said housing in opposing arrangement relative to said notches, said plungers each having a displaceable main body with a forward end engaging one of said notches, said plungers each having an angled leg which contacts a single eccentric profile of a rotatable cam;
- first and second coil springs for biasing said first and second plungers in an engaged position relative to said lever;
- an electric motor having a worm gear incorporated into said housing and engaging an outer keyed end of said cam in slaved relationship so that actuation of said motor causes rotation of said cam for actuating said plungers to linearly displace between either of engaged and disengaged positions relative said notches such that, when disengaged, permitting rotation of said lever;
- and
- a magnet supported upon an end of said cam and, in response to rotation relative to a proximately located sensor, detecting a position of said cam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.