Gearshift for a vehicle simulator having a solenoid for imposing a resistance force

A gearshift for a simulated vehicle, said gearshift comprising:

• a gearshift lever;
• a first axle connected to said gearshift lever so as to provide movement of the gearshift lever along a first axis;
• a second axle normal to said first axle connected to the gearshift lever so as to provide movement of the gearshift lever along a second axis;
• a first position sensor connected to said gearshift lever for transducing mechanical position along said first axis into a first sensor signal;
• a second position sensor connected to said gearshift lever for transducing mechanical position along said second axis into a second sensor signal;
• means for selectively locking the gearshift lever in a plurality of predetermined positions and for providing variable resistance when shifting said gearshift lever out of and between said plurality of predetermined positions;
• a solenoid in communication with said locking and resistance means to selectively prevent movement of said locking and resistance means and to provide variable resistance to said locking and resistance means when shifting said gearshift lever into as well as between said plurality of predetermined positions, said solenoid controlled by a solenoid signal;
• and
• a control unit which simulates an engine and a transmission, and generates engine and transmission modeling information, said control unit responsive to said first and second sensor signals and at least partially therefrom determines when to generate said solenoid signal so that said locking means secures said gearshift lever in one of said predetermined positions and when to modulate said solenoid signal so that a selected resistance is applied to said locking and resistance means.