Operation apparatus for vehicle automatic transmission mechanism
US5156243A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 1990 |
| Grant date | Oct 20, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20146
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An operation apparatus for a vehicle automatic transmission mechanism includes an actuator for driving a hydraulic valve for switching a travel range of an automatic transmission mechanism, a control unit for controlling the actuator, and a transmission operation unit for outputting a range switching instruction to the control unit. In the preferred embodiment, the transmission operation unit includes a stroke contact type operation switch suitably mounted on a side surface of a steering column so that at least forward vehicle travel ranges can be switched by only a stretched finger of the hand of a vehicle driver who continues to maintain his grip on the steering wheel with the same hand. The operation switch can include either a rotary switch or slide switch mounted on the steering column. As an alternative embodiment, the operation switch can be an operation lever swingably arranged on the vehicle instrument panel opposing the steering wheel, but which can be operated so that at least the forward vehicle travel ranges can be switched by only a stretched finger of the vehicle driver's hand while the driver continues to maintain his grip on the wheel with the same hand.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.