Patent ID: 7241244
Filing Date: 2007-07-10
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. An electric actuator for an automatic transmission, said electric actuator comprising, in combination: an adapter for connection to the automatic transmission to transmit rotary motion between the adapter and the automatic transmission; an electric motor having an output shaft operably connected to the adapter; a gear set operably connecting the adapter and the output shaft to reduce speed and increase torque supplied by the output shaft of the electric motor and applied to the adapter; and a release mechanism operably connected to the adapter and the electric motor and selectively movable between a first position wherein the adapter is rotated by rotary motion of the output shaft so that the adapter rotates to a predetermined zone about a desired gear position and a second position wherein the adapter is rotated relative to the output shaft by internal forces of the automatic transmission so that the adapter aligns to the desired gear position when the adapter is within the predetermined zone; wherein the gear set includes a ring gear and the release mechanism includes a movable lock member, the lock member is in engagement with the ring gear to lock the ring gear against rotary motion in both directions when the release mechanism is in the first position, and the lock member is out of engagement with the ring gear to permit rotary motion of the ring gear in said both directions when the release mechanism is in the second position.