Vehicle Shifter Fluid Diverter System

• US 20110197697A1
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Morrissett, Donald, Meyer, Robert E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,656,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/473.24
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 20/02 of initiating means control mechanisms in general G05G
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/0213 with sealing means, e.g. against entry of dust
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20104 Shift element interlock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2014 Manually operated selector [e.g., remotely controlled device, lever, push button, rotary dial, etc.]

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle shifter assembly having a retainer ring between a housing and an instrument panel or console. The retainer ring includes a fluid diverter system configured to guide fluid away from predetermined shifter assembly component(s).

Claims

1. A vehicle shifter assembly, comprising:

a shift lever positioned with respect to an instrument panel or console;

a housing attached to the shift lever, configured to at least partially cover a predetermined shifter assembly component; and

a retainer ring between the housing and the instrument panel or console;

wherein the retainer ring includes a fluid diverter system configured to guide fluid away from the predetermined shifter assembly component.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is a boot.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the housing is at least partially composed of a fluid resistant material.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid diverter system comprises a channel formed in the retainer ring.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the channel is molded into the retainer ring.

6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the channel includes a middle portion and two end portions, the middle portion positioned upward at least one of the two end portions.

7. The assembly of claim 6, further comprising a fluid run-off formed in at least one end portion of the channel.

8. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the channel extends through a perimeter of the retainer ring.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the predetermined shifter assembly component is a transmission shifter interlock solenoid or a transmission lever position detection switch.

10. A boot for a shifter assembly, comprising:

a first end defining a first orifice in the boot configured to fit a shifter lever therethrough;

a second end defining a second orifice in the boot, larger than the first orifice; and

a retainer ring attached to the second end, configured to attach to a vehicle component;

wherein the retainer ring includes a fluid diverter system configured to guide fluid in a predetermined flow path.

11. The boot of claim 10, wherein the boot is composed of a fluid resistant material.

12. The boot of claim 10, wherein the fluid diverter system comprises a channel formed in the retainer ring.

13. The boot of claim 12, wherein the channel includes a middle portion and two end portions, the middle portion positioned upward at least one of the two end portions.

14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a fluid run-off formed in at least one end portion of the channel.

15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the channel extends through a perimeter of the retainer ring.

16. A method of manufacturing a fluid diverter system for an instrument cluster or console mounted shifter assembly, the method comprising:

forming a housing configured to at least partially cover a predetermined shifter assembly component;

forming a retainer ring attachable to the housing and the instrument panel or console; and

forming a channel in the retainer ring.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the forming of the retainer ring and channel is performed via molding.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

forming a fluid run-off in at least one end of the channel.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising;

forming an inclined surface in the channel.

20. A vehicle shifter assembly, comprising:

a shift lever positioned with respect to an instrument panel or console;

a fluid management system configured to guide fluid away from a predetermined shifter assembly component, the system including;

a housing attached to the shift lever, configured to at least partially cover the predetermined shifter assembly component;

a retainer ring between the housing and the instrument panel or console; and

a channel formed in the retainer ring.