Patent ID: 7869925
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: B60K,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling a selector mechanism of a motor vehicle having a transmission, a transmission control unit, at least one sensor for sensing a position of a rotary selector on the selector mechanism, an index mechanism for maintaining a rotary handle of the selector mechanism in one of a predetermined number of selector positions corresponding to one of a predetermined number of transmission operating modes, and a selector correction mode device, and a clutch mechanism engaging the rotary selector to one of the rotary handle and the selector correction mode device, wherein the clutch mechanism and the selector correction mode device are controlled by the transmission control unit to move the rotary selector from a selector position selected by the driver through the rotary handle to another selector position representative of the operating mode of the transmission by means of the selector correction mode device without moving the rotary handle, the method comprising the steps of: determining an operational state of the vehicle and providing data related to said operational state to the transmission control unit; receiving a signal from the sensors indicating whether a selector mode is available or unavailable; if the selector mode is unavailable the transmission control unit operates the clutch mechanism to engage the rotary selector to the selector correction mode device and disengage the rotary selector from the rotary handle; and sending a command to the selector correction mode device to return the rotary selector to the previous gear position.