VEHICLE GEAR SELECTOR CONTROL APPARATUS

• US 3,870,120 A
• Filed: 02/11/1974
• Issued: 03/11/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc. (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Paul J. Blinkilde
• Inventors: Blinkilde, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Application Number:
  US05/441,351
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 180/82C,101,102,82A 340/278,53E 307/1SB 335/268 70/248
• US Class Current: 180/269
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4891 preventing use of the vehicle when the seatbelt is not fastened
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

Apparatus for locking a vehicle'"'"''"'"'s gear selector lever in a nondrive mode unless the vehicle driver'"'"''"'"'s body-restraining belts are coupled comprises a solenoid having a first coil operable to drive a gear selector lever locking member to its lock position when the engine starting mechanism is energized and a second coil operable to maintain the locking member in the lever-locking position until the driver'"'"''"'"'s body-restraining belts are fastened, whereupon the locking member is restored to its non-lock position to enable the gear selector lever to be adjusted to a drive mode.

Claims

1. Apparatus adapted for use with a vehicle having transmission selector means shiftable between at least one drive mode and at least one non-drive mode, said apparatus comprising lock means movable between lock and unlock positions in which said selector means is respectively disabled from and enabled for movement from a non-drive mode to a drive mode;

energizable and deenergizable magnetic drive means operable when energized to drive said lock means to said lock position;

energizable and deenergizable magnetic holding means operable in response to energization of said drive means to hold said lock means in said lock position;

means for energizing and deenergizing said drive means; and

means for energizing and de-energizing said holding means, said means for deenergizing said holding means being independent of the means for de-energizing said drive means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 including return means acting on said lock means and biasiNg the latter to said unlock position, said holding means when energized being operable to overcome said return means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises a solenoid having a magnetic armature and a first winding encircling said armature.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said holding means comprises a second winding encircling said armature.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first winding has a greater number of ampere turns than said second winding.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said windings are connected in parallel with one another.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said lock means is carried by said armature for movements therewith.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said lock means extends through a magnetic member located in the path of movement in one direction of said armature.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said armature and said magnetic member have confronting ends shaped to nest with each other.

10. In a vehicle having engageable and disengageable occupant restraint means associated with at least one seat of said vehicle, gear selector means movable between drive and non-drive modes, shift means for moving said selector means between said modes, an energizable ignition system, and means for sensing whether said restraint means is engaged or disengaged, the combination of lock means movable between lock and unlock positions for respectively disabling and enabling movement of said selector means from its non-drive mode to its drive mode;

drive means coupled to said ignition system for driving said lock means to its lock position in response to energization of said system;

energizable and deenergizable holding means coupled to said drive means and to said sensing means and operable in response to energization of said drive means for holding said lock means in said lock position unless said restraint means is engaged; and

means operable in response to engagement of said restraint means for deenergizing said holding means.