Shift lever operating apparatus for automatic transmission

• US 6,443,026 B1
• Filed: 09/11/1998
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujikiko Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Fujikiko Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Arakawa, Tetuya, Kataumi, Yoshimasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyce, William C
• Application Number:
  US09/151,315
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 744/732.1, 744/732.3, 744/733.1, 744/733.2, 192/220, 192/220.1, 192/220.2
• US Class Current: 74/473.32
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 20/06 mounted on steering column or the like
• 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 61/22 Locking of the control input devices constructional features of locking or disabling mechanisms F16H63/34
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20098 Separate actuator to disengage restrictor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20152 Control lever movable through plural planes

Abstract

A shift lever operating apparatus includes: a control tube rotatably supported; a shift lever axially attached to the control tube; a compression rod inserted into the control tube which moves in an axial direction in accordance with an operation of the shift lever and integrally rotating with the control tube; a selector member fixed to the compression rod; a detent bracket having a plurality of detent grooves with which a detent portion formed in the selector member selectively engages and being fixed to a vehicle body end. In the construction, the detent bracket is perpendicular to the control tube and rotatably supports an end portion opposite the shift lever. The detent groove is formed on the same surface as the supporting portion. The selector member is fixed to an end portion of the compression rod projecting from the end portion apart from the shift lever of the control tube.

Claims

1. A shift lever operating apparatus for an automatic transmission, comprising:

a control tube rotatably supported in a side portion of a steering column;

a shift lever axially attached to said control tube;

a compression rod inserted into said control tube, said compression rod moving in an axial direction in accordance with operation of said shift lever and integrally rotating with said control tube;

a return spring pressing said compression rod in the axial direction toward said shift lever;

a selector member fixed to said compression rod;

a detent bracket having a plurality of detent grooves for selectively engaging said selector member and oriented perpendicular to said control tube and rotatably supporting an end portion of said control tube opposite said shift lever;

a lock member having a lock portion engaging with said selector member when said selector member is positioned at a parking position and thereby restricting the operation of said shift lever in a select direction; and

an actuator rotating said lock member from a locked position engaging with said selector member to an unlocked position not in engagement with said selector member, wherein

said selector member has an engaging portion located apart from a side surface of said detent bracket with a predetermined interval and perpendicular to the control tube;

said lock member including a base portion slidably contacting with said side surface of said detent bracket and rotatably supported in a coaxial manner on said control tube;

said lock portion projecting from an outer peripheral surface of said base portion; and

said lock portion movable between said engaging portion of said selector member and said one side surface of said detent bracket by driving said actuator, thereby preventing said selector member from moving in the axial direction.