Return-to-park spring
US10189451B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 29, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D2125/582
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A parking mechanism in a vehicle is controlled to rotate, which engages and disengages a pawl with a spoke or gear of a wheel to selectively hold the wheel against rotation in park. A spring is connected to the parking mechanism at a first end, and is connected to the transmission housing or a stop block at a second end. The first end of the spring is a closed loop, such as a helix shape that extends over 360 degrees over a loop axis. The second end of the spring is open-ended, such as a hook. After attaching the first end of the spring to the park mechanism, but prior to attaching the second end, a valve assembly can be mounted as well as the stop block. After those components are assembled in place, the second end of the spring can simply hook into place.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.