Pushbutton vehicle shifter interface

• US 10,336,186 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2017
• Issued: 07/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2016
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Woodhouse, David, Kang-Morales, Soo Young, Niemiec, Ryan G., Blodi, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M
• Application Number:
  US15/441,710
• Publication Number:
  US 20170274765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 20/08 Dashboard means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/131 Pivotable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/139 Clusters of instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/34 Backlit symbols
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/026 Details or special features of the selector casing or lever support for mechanical gear shifting F16H59/042
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/12 comprising push button devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/002 joined to form button rows

Abstract

A pushbutton shifter interface is provided on a vehicle and includes a plurality of pushbutton keys arranged horizontally on a dashboard. The pushbutton shifter interface may be fixedly coupled with the dashboard generally forward of a driver seat. The pushbutton shifter interface is accessible by a driver to select a vehicle operating mode.

Claims

1. A vehicle pushbutton shifter interface comprising:

a support assembly located proximate a panel in a vehicle generally forward of a driver seat; and

a plurality of pushbutton keys arranged horizontally on the support assembly and mechanically actuatable downward by force applied by a user to input vehicle operating modes including vehicle transmission positions, wherein the plurality of pushbutton keys pivot about a horizontal pivot rod to actuate a switch.

2. The vehicle pushbutton shifter interface of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pushbutton keys are arranged side-by-side in a lateral array.

3. The vehicle pushbutton shifter interface of claim 1, wherein the pushbutton shifter interface is fixedly coupled with the panel.

4. The vehicle pushbutton shifter interface of claim 3, wherein the panel comprises a dashboard panel of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle pushbutton shifter interface of claim 4, wherein the plurality of pushbutton keys are located generally forward and below a display device.

6. The vehicle pushbutton shifter interface of claim 1 further comprising one or more surface features located between adjacent pushbutton keys.

7. The vehicle pushbutton shifter interface of claim 6, wherein the surface features comprise fixed dividers positioned between adjacent keys.

8. The vehicle pushbutton shifter interface of claim 1 further comprising an indicia on a surface of each key and a light source for illuminating the indicia.

9. The vehicle pushbutton shifter interface of claim 1 further comprising a light source and a light pipe for illuminating the keys.

10. A vehicle comprising:

a panel located generally forward of a driver seat within a passenger compartment of the vehicle;

a support assembly provided in a panel generally forward of the driver seat; and

a plurality of pushbutton keys arranged horizontally on the support assembly and mechanically actuatable downward by force applied by a user to input vehicle operating modes including vehicle transmission positions, wherein the plurality of pushbutton keys pivot about a horizontal pivot rod to actuate a switch.

11. The vehicle pushbutton shifter interface of claim 10, wherein the plurality of pushbutton keys are arranged side-by-side in a lateral array.

12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the pushbutton shifter interface is fixedly coupled with the panel.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the panel comprises a dashboard panel of the vehicle.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the plurality of pushbutton keys are located generally forward and below a display device.

15. The vehicle of claim 10 further comprising one or more surface features located between adjacent pushbutton keys.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the surface features comprise fixed dividers positioned between adjacent keys.

17. The vehicle of claim 10 further comprising an indicia on a surface of each key and a light source for illuminating the indicia.

18. The vehicle of claim 10 further comprises a light source and a light pipe for illuminating the keys.