Selector lever system for manually shiftable automatic transmissions
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsGuido DeCrouppe, Graeme Turner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a selector lever system for manually shiftable automatic transmissions for motor vehicles, comprising a selector lever movable in a gear shifting gate in only one plane in a plurality of gear shift positions. The shift positions include a manual drive position from which the lever can be moved into a first direction to command an upshift and in a second direction to command a downshift. The lever is biased back to the manual drive position after the upshift or downshift command is given. The system also includes sensors for detecting movement in the first and second directions from the manual drive position. The system includes a cam and spring loaded pin which prevents the lever from being positioned in the manual drive position.
Claims8
A selector lever system for manually shiftable automatic transmissions for motor vehicles, comprising:
- a selector lever movable within a gear shifting gate in only one plane, the lever being positionable into a plurality of gear shift positions, including a manual drive position from which said lever is urged in a first direction to command an upshift and urged in a second direction to command a downshift;
- means for sensing movement of said lever in said first and second directions from said manual drive position;
- biasing means for urging said lever back to the manual drive position after an upshift and downshift is commanded;
- means for preventing movement of the lever into the manual drive position;
- and
- means for overcoming the means for preventing movement of the lever into the manual drive position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.