Patent ID: 6241068
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A shift lever assembly (12) for a vehicle transmission (16) comprising:a housing (30);a detent supported within said housing (30) and selectively movable between a plurality of shift positions;a selector lever (22) defining a longitudinal lever axis (66) and pivotally mounted with respect to said housing (30) to move said detent between said shift positions;a stop (68) engaging a portion of said lever (22) to prevent said lever (22) from moving longitudinally along said axis (66);an actuator (56) for moving said lever (22) tangentially to said stop (68) to allow said lever (22) to move along said longitudinal lever axis (66) when a pre-determined condition is met, resulting in said detent moving from a first shift position to a second shift position a shift force is applied to said lever (22) along said longitudinal lever axis (66) causing said detent to experience a binding shift load and wherein said actuator (56) applies a secondary force along a path that intersects said longitudinal lever axis (66) to overcome said binding shift load and release said detent from said first shift position.