Electronic park lock

• US 5,489,246 A
• Filed: 08/29/1994
• Issued: 02/06/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pontiac Coil Incorporated (Sumida Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Pontiac Coil Incorporated (Sumida Corporation)
• Inventors: Wiltfang, Lawrence A., Hojnacki, Steve, Brandt, C. Robert, Moody, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US08/297,387
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 477/96, 477/99, 192/4 A
• US Class Current: 477/96
• 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

Abstract

An electronic transmission shifter interlock system in which an electronic module is mounted directly on a shift lever for pivotal movement therewith. The module contains two electromagnetic devices which operate on the spring-biased, shift lever core rod to control the PARK lock release so as to inhibit and/or enable operation of the shift lever according to the status of the ignition lock and the position of the brake pedal. The interlock module is electrically coupled with the ignition lock to prevent the ignition key from being removed while the shift lever is other than the PARK position.

Claims

1. An electronic shifter interlock for an automotive vehicle having a shift lever which is pivotally mounted for transmission operating mode selection and which includes a spring-biased, axially movable core rod forming part of a detent-type PARK lock wherein the interlock further comprises:

an electromagnetic actuator housing fixedly mounted on the shift lever for pivotal movement therewith; and

an electromagnetic actuator within the housing and operatively engaging the core rod to alternatively inhibit and enable operation of the PARK lock.

2. An interlock as defined in claim 1 wherein the actuator includes a movable pin extending into mechanically interfering relationship with the core rod, and an electromagnetic winding for positioning the pin according to the condition of a remote mechanism.

3. An interlock as defined in claim 2 wherein the remote mechanism is an ignition lock.

4. An interlock as defined in claim 2 wherein the remote mechanism is a vehicle brake system.

5. An electronic shifter interlock system for an automotive vehicle having a lever-operated shifter of the type having a release mechanism which must be actuated before the shift lever can be effectively operated, comprising:

a shift lever mounted for pivotal movement between a PARK position and a series of drive positions;

a core rod and a stub shaft mounted within said lever for axial reciprocal motion between a shift lock position and a shift release position, the stub shaft having first and second notches formed therein;

a first electromagnetic device having a normally extended bolt engaging the first notch to inhibit axial movement of the rod away from the shift lock position but energizable to retract said bolt to enable movement of the rod to the shift release position;

a second electromagnetic device having a movable bolt held in engagement with the second notch to inhibit axial movement of the rod away from the shift lock position only when the second electromagnetic device is energized;

the first electromagnetic device being operatively connected to a vehicle ignition system to be energized only when the ignition system is activated; and

the second electromagnetic device being operatively connected to another vehicle system to be energized only when a predetermined condition in said system is satisfied.

6. A system as defined in claim 5 further including bias means for urging the core rod toward the shift lock position.

7. A system as defined in claim 5 wherein said another vehicle system is a brake system and the predetermined condition is the depression of a brake pedal.

8. A system as defined in claim 5 wherein the ignition system comprises an ignition lock for receiving and holding an ignition key and a key lock means electrically actuable to prevent removal of the key, the system further including means operable in response to axial movement of the core rod to activate the key lock means.

9. A system as defined in claim 8 wherein the means responsive to axial movement of the core rod comprises a cam groove formed in the stub shaft, a follower engaging the groove and electrical switch means operable by movement of the follower to change the condition of an electrical circuit controlling the key lock means.

10. A system as defined in claim 5 further comprising a housing, the first and second electromagnetic devices being mounted in the housing on opposite sides of the core rod.

11. A system as defined in claim 10 wherein the housing is mechanically connected to the shift lever for movement therewith about a pivot point.

12. A system as defined in claim 11 wherein the housing includes integral pivot means adapted to be connected to the structure of an automotive vehicle.

13. A system as defined in claim 5 wherein the second notch is shaped to provide preload release.