Storable shifter with electronic gear shift reset
US6564661B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/2014
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A shifter apparatus includes a driver interface module (DIM) movable to request a transmission shift, and a display with indicia for showing the presently selected gear position and for showing a newly selected gear position. A controller is operably coupled to the driver interface module, the display, and sensors for sensing predetermined vehicle conditions. The controller shifts the transmission and changes the display if the vehicle sensors indicate that the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, but doesn't shift the transmission if the predetermined vehicle conditions are not met and further it resets the display to the first indicia. By this arrangement, the shifter senses and shifts based on relative position of the DIM and not absolute position. The shifter is storable and covers can be used to hide it when in the storage position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.