Patent ID: 6931961
Filing Date: 2005-08-23
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A gate change unit for generating gear change signals for an automatic gearbox in response to movement of a gear change lever, comprising: a base member having a base member opening for accepting the gear change lever therethrough and having longitudinal guides on opposing sides; a printed circuit board mounted on said base member and having a planar configuration, said printed circuit board including: a longitudinal slide plate displaceably mounted in said longitudinal guides to move under and relative to said printed circuit board, said longitudinal slide plate having: a shutter having an opening accepting said gear change lever to permit transverse movement of said gear change lever with respect to said shutter and to permit longitudinal movement of said shutter with movement of said gear change lever; a housing mounted to said base member, said housing including a housing opening for accepting and guiding the gear change lever; a shutter guide on an upper portion of said housing for guiding movement of said shutter in the longitudinal direction; a cover mounted on the housing and having a cover opening accepting said gear change lever to permit transverse and longitudinal movement of said gear change lever, said cover displaying gear-changing gate symbols; and said shutter guide being disposed below said cover and above said housing, said printed circuit board, and said slide plate, said cover providing protection from debris entering through said housing opening into said printed circuit board and said slide plate.