Patent · US Active

Auto return to park rotary shifter

US10677344B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
22References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 2, 2018
Grant dateJun 9, 2020
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 27, 2038

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16H2061/247
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A rotary shifter having a housing with a bezel cover. An auto return to park mechanism is provided and includes a knob supported upon the bezel cover. A rotary disk stopper is secured to the knob and seated within the housing, a spring rotationally biasing the end stopper relative to the housing. A solenoid is supported within the housing and engages the stopper in a first condition limiting the knob to manual rotary shifting between Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive gear shift positions. A PCB board is integrated into the housing and communicable with at least one external sensor associated with a driver exit condition. Upon a triggering of the exit condition with the shifter in other than a Park position, the solenoid is energized to disengage the end stopper in a second release condition permitting the spring to reset the stopper and knob to the Park position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.