Mechanical return-to-park feature for shift-by-wire transmission
AssigneeGHSP, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Lee Bays, Phillip Torrey Merrill, II
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A selector mechanism includes a selector interface having a detent member. An artificial feel positioner defines a plurality of artificial feel positions that correspond to selectable positions of the selector interface. The plurality of artificial feel positions are connected via a screw channel that helically extends along the artificial feel positioner. A motor rotationally operates the artificial feel positioner to automatically operate the detent member through the screw channel to move the detent member and the selector interface to a desired position of the detent member and the selector interface.
Claims20
A selector mechanism comprising:
- a selector interface having a detent member, the selector interface being rotationally operable about a rotational axis;
- an artificial feel positioner that defines a plurality of artificial feel positions that correspond to selectable positions of the selector interface, wherein the plurality of artificial feel positions are connected via a screw channel that helically extends along the artificial feel positioner;
- a motor that rotationally operates the artificial feel positioner to automatically operate the detent member through the screw channel to move the detent member and the selector interface to a desired position of the detent member and the selector interface, wherein the desired position is a predetermined rotational position of the selector interface with respect to the rotational axis, and wherein the screw channel of the artificial feel positioner includes a profile that is concentric to the rotational axis of the selector interface.
A selector mechanism for a vehicle, the selector mechanism comprising:
- a selector interface having a positioning member;
- an artificial feel positioner having a continuous screw channel that defines a plurality of selectable positions of the selector interface, wherein the continuous screw channel in a stationary state defines a detent relationship between the positioning member and the continuous screw channel that defines a corresponding rotational position, with respect to a rotational axis of the selector interface, of each selectable position of the plurality of selectable positions;
- and
- an actuator that operates to define a translating state that rotates the artificial feel positioner about a positioner rotational axis, wherein operation of the actuator guides the positioning member through the continuous screw channel and about the rotational axis of the selector interface, wherein the continuous screw channel includes a profile that is concentrically oriented about the rotational axis of the selector interface.
A selector mechanism comprising:
- a selector interface having a detent member;
- an artificial feel positioner having a continuous screw ridge, wherein the continuous screw ridge in a stationary state defines a plurality of artificial feel positions, the artificial feel positions corresponding to selectable positions of the selector interface, wherein the plurality of artificial feel positions are connected via the continuous screw ridge that helically extends along the artificial feel positioner to define a screw channel;
- a positioner actuator that rotationally operates the artificial feel positioner to define a translating state, wherein operation of a motor translates the detent member along the continuous screw ridge and through the screw channel to translate the detent member and the selector interface about a rotational axis of the selector interface to a desired rotational position relative to the rotational axis, wherein the continuous screw ridge and the screw channel define a profile that is concentrically oriented about the rotational axis of the selector interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.