Storable shifter with electronic gear shift reset

• US 6,564,661 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2001
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products Company (JSJ Corporation)
• Original Assignee: GHSP Incorporated (JSJ Corporation)
• Inventors: DeJonge, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Estremsky, Sherry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewis, Tisha D.
• Application Number:
  US09/775,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20030029261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 743/35, 744/735, 744/731.2, 744/732.1, 743/36.R, 477/97, 701/62, 701/63, 701/64, 701/66
• US Class Current: 74/335
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/0239 Up- and down-shift or range or mode selection by repeated movement
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/081 using knops or discs for rotary range selection
• 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 59/0204 for automatic transmissions with means for range selection and manual shifting, e.g. range selector with tiptronic
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/08 Range selector apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/16 Inhibiting or initiating shift during unfavourable conditions, e.g. preventing forward reverse shift at high vehicle speed, preventing engine over speed unintentional control input F16H61/18
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/42 Ratio indicator devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/10 Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles G05G1/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/06 for holding members in one or a limited number of definite positions only G05G5/005, G05G5/03, G05G5/05, G05G5/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19251 Control mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20085 Restriction of shift, gear selection, or gear engagement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2014 Manually operated selector [e.g., remotely controlled device, lever, push button, rotary dial, etc.]

Abstract

A shifter apparatus includes a driver interface module (DIM) movable to request a transmission shift, and a display with indicia for showing the presently selected gear position and for showing a newly selected gear position. A controller is operably coupled to the driver interface module, the display, and sensors for sensing predetermined vehicle conditions. The controller shifts the transmission and changes the display if the vehicle sensors indicate that the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, but doesn'"'"'t shift the transmission if the predetermined vehicle conditions are not met and further it resets the display to the first indicia. By this arrangement, the shifter senses and shifts based on relative position of the DIM and not absolute position. The shifter is storable and covers can be used to hide it when in the storage position.

Claims

1. A shifter apparatus for shifting a transmission having a plurality of gear positions, comprising:

a base;

a driver interface module attached to the base and movable from a first position to a second position to indicate a desire to shift the transmission from a presently selected one of the gear positions to a new one of the gear positions;

a display capable of generating indicia corresponding to the plurality of gear positions of the transmission, the indicia including first indicia showing the presently selected one gear position and a second indicia corresponding to the new one gear position;

at least one sensor adapted to sense predetermined vehicle conditions; and

a controller operably coupled to the driver interface module, the display, and the sensor and programmed to, when the driver interface module indicates a shift change and the at least one sensor indicates the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, generate a transmission-controlling output signal adapted to shift the transmission to the new one gear position and further to change the display from the first indicia to the second indicia;

the controller being further programmed, when the driver interface module indicates a shift change but the at least one sensor does not indicate that the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, to not shift the transmission and instead to cause the display to show the first indicia until a new shift request signal is received from the driver interface module and further being programmed to reset after a predetermined period of time so that, within the controller, the second position of the driver interface module becomes a new primary position for use when generating future transmission-controlling output signals.

2. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the driver interface module includes a dialable handle movable between the first and second positions to indicate a shift request.

3. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein the dialable handle is continuously rotatable through greater than 360 degrees.

4. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the driver interface module includes a member movable through a complete loop forming a continuous looped path.

8. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the display is positioned on the driver interface module.

9. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the driver interface module includes a button operably connected to the controller and that must be depressed to select the new one gear position.

10. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the driver interface module includes a lever.

5. A shifter apparatus for shifting a transmission having a plurality of gear positions, comprising:

a base;

a driver interface module attached to the base and movable from a first position to a second position to indicate a desire to shift the transmission from a presently selected one of the gear positions to a new one of the gear positions;

a display capable of generating indicia corresponding to the plurality of gear positions of the transmission, the indicia including first indicia showing the presently selected one gear position and a second indicia corresponding to the new one gear position;

at least one sensor adapted to sense predetermined vehicle conditions; and

a controller operably coupled to the driver interface module, the display, and the sensor and programmed to, when the driver interface module indicates a shift change and the at least one sensor indicates the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, generate a transmission-controlling output signal adapted to shift the transmission to the new one gear position and further to change the display from the first indicia to the second indicia;

the controller being further programmed, when the driver interface module indicates a shift change but the at least one sensor does not indicate that the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, to not shift the transmission and instead to cause the display to show the first indicia until a new shift request signal is received from the driver interface module, and

the driver interface module being movably attached to the base, and the base including a recess for moving the driver interface module between a storage position within the recess and a use position at least partially outside of the recess.

6. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 5, including covers adapted to cover the recess and shield the driver interface module when in the storage position.

7. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 6, including a floor-mounted console, the base being positioned within the console.

11. A shifter apparatus for shifting a transmission having a plurality of gear positions, comprising:

a base;

a driver interface module attached to the base and movable from a first position to a second position in a two-step sequence to indicate a desire to shift the transmission from a presently selected one of the gear positions to a new one of the gear positions;

a display capable of generating indicia corresponding to the plurality of gear positions of the transmission, the indicia including a first indicia showing the presently selected one gear position and a second indicia corresponding to the new one gear position;

at least one sensor adapted to sense predetermined vehicle conditions; and

a controller operably coupled to the driver interface module, the display and the sensor and programmed to, when the driver interface module indicates a shift change via the two-step sequence and the at least one sensor indicates the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, generate a transmission-controlling output signal adapted to shift the transmission to the new one gear position and further to change the display from the first indicia to the second indicia;

the controller being further programmed, when the driver interface module indicates a shift change but the at least one sensor does not indicate that the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, to not shift the transmission until a new driver-interface signal is received, the controller including a timer and being programmed to initially change the display to show the second indicia upon receiving an indication for the shift change from the driver interface module, but being programmed to reset the display to show the first indicia if the timer times out before the at least one sensor indicates that the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, and being programmed to reset the controller so that within the controller, the second position becomes reset to become analogous to the first position for the purpose of indicating a future shift change, with the future shift change being based on relative movement of the driver interface module from the second position.

12. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 11, wherein the driver interface module includes a dialable handle movable between the first and second positions to indicate a shift request.

13. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 12, wherein the dialable handle is rotatable through at least 360 degrees.

14. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 11, wherein the driver interface module includes a knob rotatable through a complete loop forming a continuous looped path.

17. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 11, wherein the display is positioned on the driver interface module.

18. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 11, including a floor-mounted console, the base being positioned within the console.

19. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 11, wherein the driver interface module includes a button operably connected to the controller and that must be depressed to select the new one gear position.

15. A shifter apparatus for shifting a transmission having a plurality of gear positions, comprising:

a base;

a driver interface module attached to the base and movable from a first position to a second position to indicate a desire to shift the transmission from a presently selected one of the gear positions to a new one of the gear positions;

a display capable of generating indicia corresponding to the plurality of gear positions of the transmission, the indicia including a first indicia showing the presently selected one gear position and a second indicia corresponding to the new one gear position;

at least one sensor adapted to sense predetermined vehicle conditions; and

a controller operably coupled to the driver interface module, the display and the sensor and programmed to, when the driver interface module indicates a shift change and the at least one sensor indicates the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, generate a transmission-controlling output signal adapted to shift the transmission to the new one gear position and further to change the display from the first indicia to the second indicia;

the controller being further programmed, when the driver interface module indicates a shift change but the at least one sensor does not indicate that the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, to not shift the transmission until a new driver-interface signal is received, the controller including a timer and being programmed to initially change the display to show the second indicia upon receiving an indication for the shift change from the driver interface module, but being programmed to reset the display to show the first indicia if the timer times out before the at least one sensor indicates that the predetermined vehicle conditions are met; and

the driver interface module being movably attached to the base and the base including a recess for moving the driver interface module between a storage position within the recess and a use position at least partially outside of the recess.

16. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 15, including covers adapted to cover the recess and shield the driver interface module when in the storage position.

20. An apparatus adapted for connection to vehicle sensors and further adapted for connection to a driver interface module, for shifting a transmission having a plurality of gear positions, and still further adapted for connection to a display for indicating selected gear positions, comprising:

a controller programmed to, when a shift-change-request signal is received from the driver interface module and when a vehicle-conditions-met signal is received from the vehicle sensor indicating that the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, generate a transmission-controlling output signal adapted to shift the transmission to a new one gear position and further adapted to generate a display-controlling output signal adapted to change the display from a first indicia to a second indicia;

the controller being further programmed, when the shift-change-request signal is received from the driver interface module but the vehicle-conditions-met signal is not received from the sensor, to not shift the transmission and instead to cause the display to show the first indicia until a new shift-change-request signal is received, and further being programmed to reset the controller so that any new shift-change-request signal is generated based on relative movement from a most recent relative position of the driver interface module and not from an original position of the driver interface module.

21. An apparatus for shifting a vehicle transmission having a plurality of gear positions, comprising:

a driver interface module configured to move between a plurality of discrete positions defining a continuous looped path and to generate a shift-change-request signal based on the movement to each of the discrete positions, the discrete positions corresponding to the gear positions and being at different locations along the continuous looped path; and

an electrical control circuit including a controller operably connected to the driver interface module for receiving the shift-change-request signal, the controller being programmed to shift the vehicle transmission based on a relative change in position of the driver interface module as the driver interface module is moved between the discrete positions, the controller characteristically being programmed so that the plurality of discrete positions correspond to the plurality of gear positions at any point in time but so that the plurality of discrete positions will index and correspond in a new manner to the plurality of gear positions if the shift request signal is rejected by the controller.

22. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 21, wherein the driver interface module includes a dialable handle movable between first and second positions to indicate a shift request.

23. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 22, wherein the dialable handle is rotatable through at least 360 degrees.

24. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 21, wherein the driver interface module includes a knob rotatable through a complete loop forming the continuous looped path.

25. An apparatus for shifting a vehicle transmission having a plurality of gear positions, comprising:

a driver interface module configured to move between a plurality of discrete positions and to generate a shift-change-request signal based on the movement; and

a controller operably connected to the driver interface module for receiving the shift-change-request signal, the controller being programmed to shift the vehicle transmission based on a relative change in position of the driver interface module as the driver interface module is moved between the discrete positions, the controller characteristically being programmed so that the plurality of discrete positions correspond to the plurality of gear positions at any point in time but so that the plurality of discrete positions will index and correspond in a new manner to the plurality of gear positions if the shift request signal is rejected by the controller; and

a base, the driver interface module being movably attached to the base and the base including a recess for moving the driver interface module between a storage position within the recess and a use position at least partially outside of the recess.

26. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 25, including covers adapted to cover the recess and shield the driver interface module when in the storage position.

27. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 25, including a display is positioned on the driver interface module.

28. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 25, including a floor-mounted console, the base being positioned within the console for supporting the driver interface module in the console.

29. A shifter apparatus for shifting a transmission for a vehicle comprising:

a base defining a cavity; and

a driver interface module configured and adapted to shift a vehicle transmission, the driver interface module being movably mounted to the base for linear movement between a use position located at least partially outside the cavity and a stored position in the cavity.

30. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 29, wherein the base includes linear bearings supporting the driver interface module for linear vertical movement on the base.

31. A shifter apparatus for shifting a transmission for a vehicle comprising:

a base;

a driver interface module operably mounted to the base; and

a cover movable between an open position for permitting driver access to the driver interface module and a shielding position for covering the driver interface module.

32. An apparatus for shifting a vehicle transmission having a plurality of gear positions, comprising:

a driver interface module defining a plurality of discrete positions and including a shifter position sensor configured to output a shift change request signal when the driver interface module is moved between the discrete positions; and

a controller operably connected to the shifter position sensor for receiving the shift change request signal, the controller being programmed to shift the vehicle transmission based on a relative change in position of the driver interface module as the module is moved between the discrete positions when predetermined vehicle conditions are met, but being programmed to not shift the transmission when predetermined vehicle conditions are not met, even though the driver interface module remains in a newly selected one of the discrete positions after the shift change request signal is generated, the controller characteristically controlling the transmission based on relative movement of the driver interface module and not based on an absolute location of the driver interface module.

33. The apparatus defined in claim 32, wherein the driver interface module includes a dialable knob rotatable at least 360 degrees.

34. An apparatus for shifting a vehicle transmission having a plurality of gear positions, comprising:

a driver interface module including a dialable knob rotatable at least 360 degrees to a selected dialed position to select one of the plurality of gear positions, a display for indicating the selected dialed position, and a depressible button located on the driver interface module that is depressible for confirming the selection of the one gear position, a circuit having a timer that times out and resets the driver interface module to correspond to a previously selected gear position unless the button is depressed within a predetermined time period after the knob is rotated.

35. The apparatus defined in claim 34, wherein the dialable knob is rotatable beyond 360 degrees.

36. A shifter apparatus for shifting a transmission having a plurality of gear positions, comprising:

a base;

a driver interface module including a shift member movably mounted on the base for relative movement between a plurality of positions;

a sensor device adapted to generate a signal representing a shift change request based on a relative movement of the shift member from an original position to a changed position;

a controller operably connected to the sensor and programmed to determine whether predetermined vehicle operating conditions are met and, if met, being programmed to shift the transmission to a selected one of the gear positions based on the relative movement, and if not met, being programmed to reject the shift change request;

the controller, in preparation for the next shift change request, being programmed to reset so that the changed position becomes recognized by the controller as a newly reset home position even though the shift change request is rejected and even though the shift member remains in a newly-selected one of the plurality of positions.

37. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 36, wherein the driver interface module is configured to move along an endless continuous loop.

38. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 37, wherein the continuous loop includes 360 degrees rotation of the shift member.

39. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 36, wherein the shift member includes a dial. rotatable at least about 360 degrees.

40. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 39, wherein the shift member is rotatable and depressible and is movable along a two-step shift sequence to prevent accidental actuation of the shift member, the two-step shift sequence including depressing the dial and rotating the dial.

41. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 36, wherein the driver interface module is movably mounted to the base and movable between a storage position and a use position.

42. The shifter apparatus defined in claim 36, wherein the driver interface module includes a cover adapted to cover the driver interface module on the base and prevent access to the driver interface module when the cover is in a securing position.

43. A shifter for shifting a vehicle transmission having a plurality of gear positions, comprising:

a shifter base defining a home position and a plurality of discrete positions, an upright shift lever shiftable between the home position and the plurality of discrete positions, and at least one shifter position sensor configured to output a shift change request signal when the shift lever is moved from the home position to one of the discrete positions; and

a controller operably connected to the shifter position sensor for receiving the shift change request signal, the controller being programmed to shift the vehicle transmission based on a relative change in position of the shift lever as the shift lever is moved from the home position to a selected one of the discrete positions when predetermined vehicle conditions are met, but being programmed to not shift the transmission when predetermined vehicle conditions are not met, the shift lever being biased to return to the home position, the controller characteristically controlling the transmission based on relative movement of the shift lever from the home position to the selected one discrete position and not shifting the transmission based on an absolute location of the driver interface module, the controller being programmed to reset the home position to correspond to an actual gear position of the transmission and to activate a display showing the actual gear position of the transmission.

44. The apparatus define in claim 43, wherein the shift lever includes an upright post, and a handle with a depressible button.