Patent ID: 8312786
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A shift-lock mechanism comprised in a shifter that is provided with a selector lever and a transmission range-switching member coupled to the selector lever, to switch between a plurality of shift ranges of an automatic transmission based on respective movements of the selector lever and the transmission range-switching member, the shift-lock mechanism comprising: a lock member that locks or unlocks the transmission range-switching member; a solenoid controllably operated in response to an operation of a brake device provided on a vehicle; an engagement arm releasably engaged with the solenoid, and a main control unit that controls the solenoid, wherein: the engagement arm is operatively connected to the lock member in such a manner as to be movable along a given movement path and over a range between a lock position corresponding a locked state in which the transmission range-switching member is locked by the lock member, and an unlock position corresponding an unlocked state in which the lock by the lock member is released; the solenoid includes a solenoid body, and a plunger that is driven forwardly and backwardly with respect to the solenoid body in such a manner as to be movable over a range between a retracted position where the plunger is retracted outside the movement path of the engagement arm, and an engagement position where the plunger is stretched across the movement path of the engagement arm, the plunger consists of a rod-shaped member having a central axis oriented in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the engagement arm; the main control unit controls movement of the plunger forwardly from the retracted position to the engagement position when the selector lever is moved manually into a parking range zone, and controls movement of the plunger backward from the engagement position to the retracted position when a braking operation of the brake device is performed; the plunger has a peripheral wall to stop the engagement arm that is located in the lock position from being moved to the unlock position when the plunger is in the engagement position, and, the plunger that is located in the retracted position allows the movement of the engagement arm; the lock member includes a lock shaft configured to be inserted into and pulled out of a lock hole in the transmission range-switching member, and a lock shaft-actuating member coupled to the lock shaft; the selector lever has a lever shaft pressing the lock shaft-actuating member when the selector lever is moved manually into the parking range zone; and the lock shaft-actuating member pressed by the lever shaft allows the lock shaft to be inserted into the lock hole.