Patent ID: 6059687
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
An automotive vehicle incorporating an automatic transmission, said automatic transmission having means to lock a shift lever in a parking position P, or ""shift-lock"" function, said means comprising an electromagnetic actuator actuated by an electronic unit incorporating software in order to release the lever from the position P when pressure is exerted on a brake pedal of the vehicle and when an ignition key is in a post-ignition position or an ""accessories"" position, and functioning to lock the ignition key, or ""key-lock"" function, if the lever is not in position P, using another electromagnetic actuator actuated in order to release the ignition key when the lever is in position P, wherein the actuator releasing the lever from position P is actuated during a first predetermined interval during brake application and proper key position, and upon expiration of this interval a brief release of the brake pedal followed by reapplication of the brake pedal instantaneously actuates the actuator, and wherein the software is configured so as to actuate the actuator releasing the ignition key using sensors sensitive to the position of the lever and of the ignition key or to the movement of one of the two, the other being in a given position, and wherein the actuator releasing the ignition key is actuated during a second predetermined interval when the shift lever is in the position P and, upon expiration of this interval, a return of the ignition key to the ""accessories"" position following a brief movement of the key to the post-ignition position instantaneously actuates the actuator.