Back to results
US 7,814,810 B2Granted
Shifter with actuator incorporating shape memory alloy
AssigneeGrand Haven Stamped Products, division of JSJ Corporation
InventorDavid M. Mitteer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeGrand Haven Stamped Products, division of JSJ Corporation
InventorDavid M. Mitteer
Estimating the term…
A shifter includes an actuator incorporating a shape memory alloy wire to control movement of lever-position-controlling components of a vehicle transmission shift lever. In one arrangement, the actuator controls movement of a cam to prevent moving a pawl out of park position until predetermined vehicle conditions are met. Alternatively, the actuator can be directly attached to the pawl itself for controlling movement of the pawl, or connected to a toggle linkage arrangement for controlling movement of the pawl. In still another arrangement, a magnet arrangement is used to motivate a pawl-blocking member. When necessary, a mechanical fuse is operably connected to the system to prevent damage to the shape memory alloy wire where there is risk of the pawl being frictionally stopped from movement despite the contraction of the shape memory alloy wire actuator.
In a park lock/brake transmission shift interlock apparatus including a base, a shifter including a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions including a park position, a pawl on the shift lever selectively engageable with notches on the base to control movement of the shift lever between the gear positions, at least one lever-position-controlling component, and a control circuit for controlling operation of the shifter based on predetermined vehicle conditions being met, an improvement comprising:
A method of controlling a vehicle shifter having a battery-powered vehicle electrical control system and lever-position-controlling components, comprising steps of:
In a park lock/brake transmission shift interlock apparatus including a base, a shifter including a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions including a park position, at least one lever-position-controlling component, and a control circuit for controlling operation of the shifter based on predetermined vehicle conditions being met, an improvement comprising:
In a park lock/brake transmission shift interlock apparatus including a base, a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions including a park position, a pawl on the shift lever selectively engageable with notches on the base to control movement of the shift lever between the gear positions, at least one lever-position-controlling component, and a control circuit for controlling operation of the shifter based on predetermined vehicle conditions being met, an improvement comprising:
A method of controlling a shifter having lever-position-controlling components, comprising a step of:
In a park lock/brake transmission shift interlock apparatus including a base, a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions including a park position, at least one lever-position-controlling component, and a control circuit for controlling operation of the shifter based on predetermined vehicle conditions being met, an improvement comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.