Park position locking system for automatic transmission shifter

• US 20030141130A1
• Filed: 01/30/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Lahr, Jeremy A., Lindsey, Aaron D., Downes, Trevor T., Fleming, William R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,689,014 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/746 Engine running state, e.g. on-off of ignition switch
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/223 Electrical gear shift lock, e.g. locking of lever in park or neutral position by electric means if brake is not applied; Key interlock, i.e. locking the key if lever is not in park position
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/10 comprising levers
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/54 dependent on signals from the brakes, e.g. parking brakes
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/22 Locking of the control input devices constructional features of locking or disabling mechanisms F16H63/34
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2003 Electrical actuator

Abstract

This invention is an improved park position locking system for controlling the conditions for removing an automatic transmission gearshift 90 from a PARK position. An electronic system controller 30 and the transmission controller 16 are engaged to a common data bus 18. Vehicle control system 10 comprises the electronic system controller (ESC) 30, which is the primary component of a vehicle electronic control system. ESC 30 manages and communicates with a number of vocational controllers disposed on a vehicle 13 and executes a load management program which oversees the total load imposed on the vehicle electrical system and power train by various accessories installed on the vehicle 13. Such communication is by a standard communication protocol that may be the SAE J1939 protocol over the common data bus 18. The ESC 30 is programmed to ensure that an operator of the vehicle may not move the gearshift 90 out of a PARK position without first depressing a service brake pedal. The ESC 30 prevents or allows movement of the gearshift through a solenoid operated locking mechanism engaged to the gearshift 90.

Claims

1. A park position locking system for an automatic transmission shifter for a mobile vehicle, the vehicle having a chassis and an operators cab, the vehicle having an automatic transmission engaged to a chassis of the vehicle for driving an axle, the transmission engaged to an engine of the vehicle, and the engine engaged to the chassis of the vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle electrical system with a common data bus;

an electronic controller electrically engaged to communicate on said common data bus through a standard communications protocol;

a transmission controller engaged to the transmission to control and monitor transmission operation and mode;

said transmission controller electrically engaged to said common data bus to communicate along said common data bus through a standard communications protocol;

a service brake applied switch in communication with said electronic controller;

a gear shift, located within the cab;

said gearshift for changing transmission operating mode, one mode being a PARK mode;

a shift solenoid engaged to a gearshift handle of said gearshift, said shift solenoid engaged to a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking said gearshift handle;

said electronic controller in electrical communication with and for controlling said shift solenoid;

said electronic controller in electrical communication with a vehicle ignition circuit for detecting whether said vehicle ignition is in a RUN mode; and

said electronic controller programming comprising the steps of;

monitoring when said vehicle ignition is in RUN mode;

querying whether said service brake is applied;

querying whether said transmission operating mode is in said PARK mode from said transmission controller over said common data bus; and

when said vehicle ignition is in RUN, said service brake is applied, and said transmission operating mode is PARK mode, sending a signal to said shift solenoid to operate said locking mechanism to unlock said gear shift handle allowing said gearshift handle to be moved out of PARK mode; and

said vehicle ignition not in RUN, said service brake not being applied, or said transmission operating mode not being in PARK, sending a signal to said shift solenoid to operate said locking mechanism to lock said gearshift handle in PARK if said gearshift handle is in PARK or subsequently moved to PARK.

2. The park position locking system of claim 1, wherein:

said electronic controller is an electronic system controller of the vehicle for managing an engine controller of the vehicle.

3. The park position locking system of claim 2, wherein:

said standard communications protocol is SAE J1939.

4. The park position locking system of claim 3, wherein:

said service brake applied switch is engaged to service brake pedal, depression of which provides indication of service brakes being applied.

5. The park position locking system of claim 3, wherein:

said transmission controller monitors transmission mode indirectly through a transmission transducer.

6. The park position locking system of claim 3, wherein:

said locking mechanism comprising a male plunger that inserts into a hole in said gearshift handle upon locking.

7. A park position locking system for an automatic transmission shifter for a mobile vehicle, the vehicle having a chassis and an operators cab, the vehicle having an automatic transmission engaged to a chassis of the vehicle for driving an axle, the transmission engaged to an engine of the vehicle, and the engine engaged to the chassis of the vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle electrical system with a common data bus;

an electronic system controller electrically engaged to communicate on said common data bus through a standard multiplexing communications protocol;

said electronic controller is an electronic system controller of the vehicle for managing an engine controller of the vehicle;

a transmission controller engaged to the transmission to control and monitor transmission operation and mode;

said transmission controller electrically engaged to said common data bus to communicate along said common data bus through a standard communications protocol;

a service brake applied switch in communication with said electronic system controller;

a gear shift, located within the cab;

said gearshift for changing transmission operating mode, one mode being a PARK mode;

a shift solenoid engaged to a gearshift handle of said gearshift, said shift solenoid engaged to a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking said gearshift handle;

said locking mechanism comprising a male plunger that inserts into a hole in said gearshift handle upon locking;

said electronic system controller in electrical communication with and for controlling said shift solenoid;

said electronic system controller in electrical communication with a vehicle ignition circuit for detecting whether said vehicle ignition is in a RUN mode; and

said electronic system controller programmed to send a signal to said shift solenoid to operate said locking mechanism to unlock said gear shift handle allowing said gearshift handle to be moved out of PARK mode when said vehicle ignition is in RUN, said service brake is applied, and said transmission operating mode is PARK mode; and

said electronic system controller programmed to send a signal to said shift solenoid to operate said locking mechanism to lock said gearshift handle in PARK if said gearshift handle is in PARK or subsequently moved to PARK when said vehicle ignition not in RUN, said service brake not being applied, or said transmission operating mode not being in PARK.

8. The park position locking system of claim 7, wherein:

said electronic system controller in electrical communication with said vehicle ignition circuit through said shift solenoid.

9. The park position locking system of claim 8, wherein:

said service brake applied switch is engaged to service brake pedal, depression of which provides indication of service brakes being applied.

10. A mobile vehicle in combination park position locking system, comprising:

a chassis;

an operators cab engaged to said chassis;

a transmission engaged to said chassis for driving an axle;

said transmission engaged to an engine;

said engine engaged to said chassis;

a vehicle electrical system with a common data bus;

an electronic system controller electrically engaged to communicate on said common data bus through a standard multiplexing communications protocol;

said electronic controller is an electronic system controller of said vehicle for executing a load management program which oversees total load imposed on said vehicle electrical system and power train;

a transmission controller engaged to the transmission to control and monitor transmission operation and mode;

said transmission controller electrically engaged to said common data bus to communicate along said common data bus through a standard communications protocol;

a service brake applied switch in communication with said electronic system controller;

a gear shift, located within said cab;

said gearshift for changing transmission operating mode, one mode being a PARK mode;

a shift solenoid engaged to a gearshift handle of said gearshift, said shift solenoid engaged to a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking said gearshift handle;

said locking mechanism comprising a male plunger that inserts into a hole in said gearshift handle upon locking;

said electronic system controller in electrical communication with and for controlling said shift solenoid;

said electronic system controller in electrical communication with a vehicle ignition circuit for detecting whether said vehicle ignition is in a RUN mode; and

said electronic system controller programmed to send a signal to said shift solenoid to operate said locking mechanism to unlock said gear shift handle allowing said gearshift handle to be moved out of PARK mode when said vehicle ignition is in RUN, said service brake is applied, and said transmission operating mode is PARK mode; and

said electronic system controller programmed to send a signal to said shift solenoid to operate said locking mechanism to lock said gearshift handle in PARK if said gearshift handle is in PARK or subsequently moved to PARK when said vehicle ignition not in RUN, said service brake not being applied, or said transmission operating mode not being in PARK.