US 4,378,474 AGranted

Rotary switch device for automotive transmission control

AssigneeAmerican Standard Inc.

InventorPaul E. Olson

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An electrical switch device manually operable, by a rotatable knob, to a plurality of definable positions for selectively effecting operation of an automotive transmission to a desired gear ratio. The knob and a housing, which includes the switch, may be mounted any place in the vehicle cab within convenient reach of the operator. The switch device is connected to an electronic logic system which monitors the condition of the transmission at all times to either energize or deenergize a lock-out solenoid, which controls a latch mechanism. Depending upon the condition of the transmission and, therefore, of the solenoid, a latch mechanism either permits or inhibits operation of the knob. An override mechanism permits the operator to release the latch mechanism to permit operation of the knob and the switch for shifting of the transmission, in an emergency situation, notwithstanding that the latch mechanism is in a locked position.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A rotary switch device for controlling gear shifting of an automotive transmission comprising:

(a) a housing in which a switch member is mounted;
(b) a multi-position switch member carried in said housing and electrically connectable to the transmission for transmitting an operational signal thereto in accordance with the position of the switch member selected;
(c) manually operable position means for selectively operating said switch member to one of its positions;
(d) inhibiting means normally mounted in said housing for restricting operation of said manually operable position means in response to a remotely located monitoring device on such transmission, said inhibiting means occupying a release position in which said manually operable means is freely operable to any of its positions, said inhibiting means being energizable in response to such monitoring device to occupy a blocking position in which operation of said manually operable position means is inhibited;
and
(e) manually operable override means engaging said inhibiting means for manually operating said inhibiting means to a release position in which said manually operable position means may be operated to any of its positions.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/276,138Filed 22 Jun 1981
Granted: 29 Mar 1983
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

H01H 3/20
Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch: wherein an auxiliary movement thereof, or of…
B60K 35/10
Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles: input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle,…
F16H 59/044
Ratio selector apparatus: consisting of electrical switches or sensors
G05G 1/08
Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members: controlling members…