Shifter Assembly For Controlling The Transmission Of A Motor Vehicle

Abstract

The invention is directed to a shifter assembly (1) for controlling the transmission of a vehicle. A rotatably mounted actuation element (2) with a locking track is rotatable for selection of a shift stage and at least one locking assembly (8, 9) with a rotatable locking member (13) may lock the actuation element (2) against rotation. The locking track is provided on the circumference of a ratchet wheel (4, 5) connected to the actuation element (2), and the locking assembly (8,9) includes a biasing member (12) applied to the locking member (13) to rotationally bias the locking member (13) such as to engage and lock the ratchet wheel. An electrically activated retaining device (11) is configured to retain the locking member (13) in a position such that the locking member (13) is prevented from rotating and engaging the ratchet wheel (4, 5) under the force of the biasing member (12).

Claims

1. A shifter assembly for controlling the transmission of a vehicle comprising: a rotatably mounted actuation element that is rotatable for selection of a shift stage; and at least one locking assembly configured to lock the actuation element against rotation, wherein the actuation element is provided with a locking track having a plurality of locking projections, wherein the locking track is provided on the circumference of a ratchet wheel connected to the actuation element; wherein the locking assembly includes at least one locking member that is rotatable about a rotational axis between a first position in which the locking member engages the locking track such as to lock the ratchet wheel and the actuation element against rotation in at least one rotational direction and a second position in which rotation of the ratchet wheel and the actuation element in the one rotational direction is allowed, wherein the locking assembly includes: a biasing member applied to the locking member to rotationally bias the locking member into the first position; and an electrically activatable retaining device to retain the locking member in the second position when electrically activated such that the locking member is prevented from rotating and engaging the ratchet wheel under the force of the biasing member; wherein the ratchet wheel is configured such that when the locking member is in the first position, rotation of the ratchet wheel in a rotational direction opposite to the one rotational direction moves the locking member toward the electrically activatable retaining device and into the second position or at least close to the second position such that it may be retained in the second position or attracted into the second position and retained in the second position by supplying electrical power to the electrically activatable retaining device.

2. The shifter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is provided in the form of a double ended lever with a first lever arm and a second lever arm, wherein the biasing member is applied to the first lever arm and the second lever arm is adapted to engage the locking track.

3. The shifter assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first lever arm is shorter than the second lever arm.

4. The shifter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrically activatable retaining device comprises electromagnetic means arranged to magnetically interact with the locking member.

5. (canceled)

6. The shifter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the locking assembly comprises a mounting bracket, wherein the locking member is rotationally supported on the mounting bracket, and wherein the electrically activatable retaining device and the biasing member are each mounted on the mounting bracket such that the locking assembly can be installed in the form of a preassembled unit.

7. The shifter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a tension spring, a pressure spring or a rotational spring.

8. The shifter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is a stamped latch.

9. The shifter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the locking assembly includes two oppositely oriented ratchet wheels and wherein the shifter assembly comprises two locking assemblies, each assigned to one of the ratchet wheels.

10. The shifter assembly according to claim 9, wherein the shifter assembly is connected to a control unit to control actuation of the electrically activatable retaining devices, wherein the control unit is configured such that the electrically activatable retaining devices can be activated independently from each other.

11. A vehicle having a transmission, the vehicle comprising: a shifter assembly for controlling the transmission, the shifter assembly comprising; a rotatably mounted actuation element that is rotatable for selection of a shift stage, and at least one locking assembly configured to lock the actuation element against rotation, wherein the actuation element is provided with a locking track having a plurality of locking projections, wherein the locking track is provided on the circumference of a ratchet wheel connected to the actuation element; wherein the locking assembly includes at least one locking member that is rotatable about a rotational axis between a first position in which the locking member engages the locking track such as to lock the ratchet wheel and the actuation element against rotation in at least one rotational direction and a second position in which rotation of the ratchet wheel and the actuation element in the one rotational direction is allowed, wherein the locking assembly includes: a biasing member applied to the locking member to rotationally bias the locking member into the first position; and an electrically activatable retaining device to retain the locking member in the second position when electrically activated such that the locking member is prevented from rotating and engaging the ratchet wheel under the force of the biasing member; wherein the ratchet wheel is configured such that when the locking member is in the first position, rotation of the ratchet wheel in a rotational direction opposite to the one rotational direction moves the locking member toward the electrically activatable retaining device and into the second position or at least close to the second position such that it may be retained in the second position or attracted into the second position and retained in the second position by supplying electrical power to the electrically activatable retaining device.

12. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the locking member is provided in the form of a double ended lever with a first lever arm and a second lever arm, wherein the biasing member is applied to the first lever arm and the second lever arm is adapted to engage the locking track.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the first lever arm is shorter than the second lever arm.

14. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the electrically activatable retaining device comprises electromagnetic means arranged to magnetically interact with the locking member.

15. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the locking assembly comprises a mounting bracket, wherein the locking member is rotationally supported on the mounting bracket, and wherein the electrically activatable retaining device and the biasing member are each mounted on the mounting bracket such that the locking assembly can be installed in the form of a preassembled unit.

16. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the biasing member is a tension spring, a pressure spring or a rotational spring.

17. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the locking member is a stamped latch.

18. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the locking assembly includes two oppositely oriented ratchet wheels and wherein the shifter assembly comprises two locking assemblies, each assigned to one of the ratchet wheels.

19. The vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the shifter assembly is connected to a control unit to control actuation of the electrically activatable retaining devices, wherein the control unit is configured such that the electrically activatable retaining devices can be activated independently from each other.

Description

[0025] The foregoing advantages as well as other advantages of various aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0026] FIG. 1 a shifter assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 parts of the shifter assembly of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 3 a detailed view of FIG. 2;

[0029] FIG. 4 components of the shifter assembly of FIG. 1; and

[0030] FIG. 5a-c the shifter assembly of FIG. 1 in different states.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a shifter assembly 1 for controlling the transmission of a motor vehicle. The shifter assembly 1 comprises a rotatably mounted actuation element 2 in the form of a knob that is rotatable for the selection of a shift stage such as Park (P), Drive (D), Neutral (N) and Reverse (R) about a rotational axis 3 in clockwise (CW) direction and in counterclockwise (CCW) direction. The actuation element 2 is provided with a locking track having a plurality of locking projections. The locking track is provided by a first ratchet wheel 4 and a second ratchet wheel 5 located adjacent the first ratchet wheel 4, each of the ratchet wheels 4, 5 being firmly connected to the actuation element 2.

[0032] The locking track serves to lock the actuation element 2 against rotation in counterclockwise direction and/or clockwise direction. The ratchet wheels 4, 5 are each provided with a number of teeth 6, 7, wherein the teeth of the first and second ratchet wheels 4, 5 are oriented in opposite circumferential directions. The teeth are formed asymmetrical and have an inclined back and a much steeper front. The front of the teeth 6 of the first ratchet wheel 4 is oriented in counterclockwise direction, whereas the front of the teeth 7 of the second ratchet wheel 5 is oriented in clockwise direction.

[0033] In order to lock the actuation element 2 against rotation in clockwise and counterclockwise direction, a first locking assembly 8 and a second locking assembly 9 are provided. The locking assemblies 8 and 9 are basically identical in construction but are oriented in opposite direction, i.e., the second locking assembly 9 showing its back is turned 180 relative to the first locking assembly 8 showing its front. The locking assemblies 8,9 each comprise a mounting bracket 10 made of sheet metal, a coil 11 which may be energized with electrical power and a coil spring 12 (tension spring). At a lower end of the mounting bracket 10 a locking member 13 in the form of a latch is rotatably supported on the mounting bracket 10.

[0034] The first locking assembly 8 is arranged substantially above the first ratchet wheel 4 and the second locking assembly 9 is arranged substantially above the second ratchet wheel 5. The locking member 13 of the first locking assembly 8 is configured to engage the teeth 6 of the first ratchet wheel 4 and to lock the first ratchet wheel 6 against rotation in counterclockwise (CCW) direction and the second locking assembly 9 is configured to engage the teeth 7 of the second ratchet wheel 5 and lock the second ratchet wheel 5 against rotation in clockwise (CW) direction.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows in detail the first locking assembly 8 in FIG. 1 and the interaction with the first ratchet wheel 4 of the shifter assembly. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the locking member 13 in FIG. 2. The locking member 13 is provided in the form of a double ended lever with a first lever arm 14 and a second lever arm 15. In a center section connecting the first lever arm 14 and the second lever arm 15, the locking member 13 is provided with a through opening to receive a latch shaft or mounting shaft 16 to mount the locking member 13 on the mounting bracket 10 such that the locking member 13 may pivot about a center of rotation 17.

[0036] The locking member 13 is rotatable between a first position in which the second lever arm 15 engages the front of the teeth 6 of the first ratchet wheel 4 and locks the first ratchet wheel against counterclockwise rotation and a second position (shown in FIG. 3) in which the second lever arm 15 is disengaged from the first ratchet wheel 4 and the first ratchet wheel 4 is free to rotate in counterclockwise direction.

[0037] The biasing member 12 in the form of a spring is attached to the first lever arm 14 at a distance A from the center of rotation 17. The coil 11 is arranged such as to magnetically interact with the second lever arm 15. When energized, the coil 11 generates magnetic pulling forces acting on the second lever arm 15 at a distance B from the center of rotation 17. The first lever arm 14 is shorter than the second lever arm 15 (A<B). When the coil is energized and the locking member 13 is in the second position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the coil acts as an electrically activated retaining device that retains the locking member 14 in the second position such that the locking member 13 is prevented from rotating and engaging the ratchet wheel 4 under the force of the biasing member 12. The second locking assembly 9, which interacts with the second ratchet wheel 5, is constructed correspondingly.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows the components of the locking assemblies 8, 9 in a disassembled condition. The mounting bracket 10 is provided in the form of a sheet metal bracket that is stamped and therefore easy and cost-effective to manufacture. On a side section of the sheet metal bracket 10, an elongated bar receives the center section of the coil 11. On the opposite side of the mounting bracket 10, the spring 11 is to be attached. The mounting shaft 16 is to be inserted in a hole in the locking member 13 and into a hole at the forward end of the mounting bracket 10 thereby rotatably mounting the locking member 13 on the mounting bracket.

[0039] FIG. 5a-5c shows part of the shifter assembly of FIG. 1 with the first and second ratchet wheel 4 and 5. The curved line in the middle of the wheels indicates that the right half of the first ratchet wheel 4 is not shown to expose the right half of the second ratchet wheel 5 lying behind the first ratchet wheel 4. As evident from the direction of the teeth of the first and second ratchet wheel, the teeth of the first ratchet wheel 4 and the teeth of the second ratchet wheel 5 are oriented in opposite directions.

[0040] FIGS. 5a - 5c illustrate the actuation of the locking assemblies 8, 9 to lock the shifter assembly against counterclockwise rotation of the actuation element 2.

[0041] In FIG. 5a, the coil 11 of the first locking assembly 8 and the coil of the second locking assembly 9 are both supplied with electrical power. Both locking members 13 are in their respective second position and retained in that position by the magnetic field generated by the respective coil. The actuation element 2 is free to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise direction.

[0042] In FIG. 5b, power supply to the first locking assembly 8 is interrupted so that the coil 11 of the first locking assembly 8 does not produce a magnetic field and does not retain the respective locking member 13 in its second position. The locking member 13 of the first locking assembly 8 may now rotate under the force of the spring 12 such that its second lever arm 15 may engage the teeth 6 of the first ratchet wheel 4. When the teeth 6 are moving in the restricted direction (counterclockwise direction), the spring 12 forces the locking member 13 into the depression between adjacent teeth. Upon further rotation in counterclockwise direction, the second lever arm 15 will catch against the face-side sloped edge of the next tooth (as shown in FIG. 5b) thereby locking the first ratchet wheel 4 against further rotation in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction. Rotation in the opposite direction (clockwise direction), however, is possible, because of the activated second locking assembly 9.

[0043] In FIG. 5c, the first locking assembly 8 remains unpowered and the second locking assembly 9 remains powered, which corresponds to the state in FIG. 5b. The user now rotates the actuation element 2 in clockwise direction. The locking member 13 of the second locking assembly 9 cannot catch the teeth 7 on the second ratchet wheel 5, because it is retained in the second position.

[0044] At the same time, the locking member 13 of the first locking assembly 8 is rotatable and is constantly forced against the first ratchet wheel 4 by the spring 12 of the first locking assembly 8. However, in clockwise direction, the locking member 13 of the first locking assembly 8 will ride over the teeth 6 of the first ratchet wheel 4, wherein the teeth do not provide an edge for the locking member to catch and lock the first ratchet wheel 4.

[0045] In order to lock the shifter assembly in clockwise direction, a control unit (not shown) interrupts power to the coil 11 of the second locking assembly 9, so that the locking member 13 of the second locking assembly 9 may rotate under the force of the spring such that its second lever arm engages the front end of the teeth of the second ratchet wheel 5.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0046] 1 shifter assembly [0047] 2 actuation element [0048] 3 rotational axis [0049] 4 first ratchet wheel [0050] 5 second ratchet wheel [0051] 6 teeth of first ratchet wheel [0052] 7 teeth of second ratchet wheel [0053] 8 first locking assembly [0054] 9 second locking assembly [0055] 10 mounting bracket [0056] 11 coil [0057] 12 spring [0058] 13 locking member [0059] 14 first lever arm [0060] 15 second lever arm [0061] 16 mounting shaft [0062] 17 center of rotation