# US 9,518,650 B2 · Translatory activation device with indirect latching > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,518,650 B2 - Document ID: US9518650B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/695,767 - Filed: 2011-04-21 - Published: 2013-06-06 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2010-05-05 - Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Applicants: Ludger Rake; Andreas Giefer - Inventors: Ludger Rake; Andreas Giefer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518650B2 ## CPC - F16H 59/0278: {Constructional features of the selector lever, e.g. grip parts, mounting or manufacturing} - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - F16H 59/08: Range selector apparatus - F16H 61/24: Providing feel, e.g. to enable selection - F16H 61/32: Electric motors {, actuators or related electrical control means} therefor - B60K 35/25: using haptic output - B60K 2360/126: Rotatable input devices for instruments - F16H 2061/247: {Detents for range selectors} - F16H 2061/326: {Actuators for range selection, i.e. actuators for controlling the range selector or the manual range valve in the transmission} - Y10T 74/2014: Manually operated selector [e.g., remotely controlled device, lever, push button, rotary dial, etc.] - F16H: GEARING - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An activation device for selecting shift stages of a shift-by-wire vehicle transmission comprises a housing and an activation knob which can be moved in a translatory fashion and a latching device with a latching pin and latching contour as latching elements for generating latching forces and restoring forces. The activation device is defined by a latching gearwheel which is in engagement with a toothing arrangement on the activation knob. In this context, one of the two latching elements is connected to the latching gearwheel and in this way forms a rotatable latching element. The second latching element is directly or indirectly connected to the base housing and forms the fixed latching element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An activation device for the selection of shift stages of a shift-by-wire transmission, the activation device comprising: a base housing; an activation knob configured to move translationally with respect to the base housing; a latching device, the latching device having a latching pin and a latching contour as latching elements for generating latching forces and restoring forces; a latching gearwheel engaged with a toothing arrangement on the activation knob, wherein a face of the latching gearwheel is rotatable within a plane; a first latching element wherein the first latching element is either the latching pin or the latching contour, the first latching element connected to the latching gearwheel to form a rotatable latching element; and a second latching element wherein the second latching element is either the latching pin or the latching contour, the second latching element coupled to the base housing to form a fixed latching element, wherein at least a portion of the activation knob is located on the same side of the plane as the latching contour. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The activation device of claim 1 wherein the first latching element is integrally formed on the latching gearwheel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The activation device of claim 1 wherein the latching gearwheel is formed as a gear segment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The activation device of claim 1 wherein the latching contour is arranged along a circular arc or a circle circumference. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The activation device of claim 1 wherein the latching contour is formed uniformly and arranged endlessly along a circular periphery, and wherein the second latching element is rotationally actuator-adjustable such that the axis of rotation of the second latching element is concentric to the latching gearwheel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The activation device of claim 1 wherein the second latching element is connected indirectly to the base housing, wherein the second latching element is connected to an activation wheel concentrically rotatable to the latching gearwheel, and wherein the activation wheel is engaged with a motorized actuator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The activation device of claim 6 wherein the second latching element is formed integrally with the activation wheel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The activation device of claim 6 wherein the activation wheel is connected to the actuator by a gear engagement. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The activation device of claim 8 wherein the gear engagement is designed to be self-locking. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The activation device of claim 8 wherein the gear engagement is designed as a worm gear. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The activation device of claim 1 wherein a tap for a position sensor system of the activation device occurs at a shaft of the latching gearwheel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The activation device of claim 11 wherein a tap for the position sensor system of the activation device occurs indirectly on the shaft of the latching gearwheel by means of a pair of pinions.