Patent ID: 6151977
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: B60K,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
An electronic shift control for providing signals indicating a vehicle driver's desired gear selection to a transmission controller which controls the transmission of the vehicle, the vehicle having a steering wheel supported by a steering column for steering the vehicle, the steering wheel projecting outwardly from the steering column for gripping by an operator of the vehicle for steering the vehicle, the shift control comprising:an elongated lever element having a first end portion pivotally coupled to the steering column and a second or distal end portion spaced from the first end portion;the lever element being pivotal in a first direction toward the steering wheel and in a second direction away from the steering wheel;an electronic shift control circuit responsively coupled to the lever so as to provide a first signal in response to movement of the shift lever in the first direction and a second signal in response to movement of the shift lever in the second direction, one of the first and second signals indicating the driver's desire to up-shift the selected gear at least one gear shift level with the other of the first and second signals indicating the driver's desire to down-shift the gear selection at least one gear shift level.