DEVICE FOR BLOCKING THE LEVER OF AN AUTOMATIC GEARSHIFT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract: The device comprises a repositioning mechanism ( MR ) and a fixing mechanism ( MF ) joined by means of a control cable ( C ). The repositioning mechanism ( MR ) comprises a contact rod (10) linked to the contact key with two positions, parking and running, which correspond to the coupling of the key with the ignition switch, and a retention rod (11) joined to the cable ( C ). The fixing mechanism ( MF ) comprises a traction body joined to the lever (2), to its support (11) and to the cable ( C ). When the contact rod (10) and the retention rod (11) are coupled, the traction body (22) blocks the trigger (3) of the lever (2), thereby impeding its actuation. The decoupling of the contact key requires that the lever (2) is in the parking position producing automatically the coupling of both rods (10, 11).

Description: Technical field of the invention The object of the present invention is a locking device for the automatic transmission gearshift lever of automobile vehicles as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and known from US-A-4 905 802. Background of the invention Known in the art are many embodiments of locking devices which have the purpose, under certain circumstances, such as when the vehicle is parked, of acting upon the gearshift lever to render it impossible to drive the vehicle. Such locking devices are generally actuated by the user once the vehicle has been parked, and require that the user proceed deliberately to unlock them to make it possible to drive the vehicle. The known embodiments of locking device such as those described present, totally or partially, the following disadvantages: the device immobilizes the gearshift lever in any of the driving positions, that is, the gearshift lever can be locked in a position other than the parking position, which can mean that when the user unlocks the device, starting of the vehicle engine is implemented with the gearbox set up in driving conditions, thus causing a situation which is at the very least difficult; the device is actuated manually by the user, which means that the device is actuated only in those cases when the user deems it appropriate; this leads to situations where it is possible to make undue use of the vehicle in all cases in which the device is not operative; the device is mounted in the driving compartment and is at the very least a nuisance, while it also lends the vehicle a finish which, on a certain type of vehicles, is scarcely acceptable; the device requires actuating items such as keys, which constitutes a clear disadvantage due to it being the usual practice to centralize vehicle systems such as door locking, steering lock, etc., in a single key, which is also the ignition key. US-A-4 905 802 as the closest prior art discloses a device applicable to the automatic transmission gearshift lever of automobile vehicles whose purpose is to assure that when the vehicle is parked with gearshift lever in the parking position, the movement of said lever from the parking position to a driving position requires pressing previously the brake pedal in order to avoid the vehicle from starting brusquely. The device comprises a lock cam associated to three mechanisms, which operate coordinately. Said cam is blocked by a mechanism associated with the ignition key of the vehicle. Explanation of the invention An automatic transmission gear lever locking device of original structure and operation is made known hereby in order to provide a new embodiment of locking device which provides a solution to all the above-mentioned problems. The locking device of the invention presents the main advantages detailed below: the locking device is linked with the operating or ignition key for the starter switch on the vehicle dashboard; actuation of the locking device is automatic upon withdrawal of the ignition key, thereby immobilizing the gearshift lever and avoiding manual actuation of the device; linking of the locking device with the ignition key means that in order to withdraw the ignition key the driver of the vehicle must move the gearshift lever to the parking position, this advantage providing a special solution to those disadvantages deriving from the operation of known embodiments of locking devices which operate independently of the position of the gearshift lever; the locking device of the invention is so arranged as to be inaccessible from the exterior, which largely prevents it being manipulated in an undue or unauthorized manner, so that in a complementary manner it exercises the function of an effective anti-theft device. The locking device of the invention is defined by the features of claim 1. According to another characteristic of the locking device of the invention, the coupling of the traction body of the securing mechanism with the gearshift lever is implemented by means of a stop attached to the lever and arranged in a slot on the traction body through which it can slide. According to another characteristic of the locking device of the invention, the traction body of the securing mechanism is adapted so that, when the gearshift lever is in the parking position, the projection from the actuation trigger of the lever linked with the retainer of the support which sets the parking position is positioned between the support and the traction body in such a way that, with the contact and retaining stems coupled, the projection of the trigger cannot be moved. According to another characteristic of the locking device of the invention, the portion of the traction body facing the projection of the trigger of the lever, when the latter occupies the parking position, forms a certain angularity oriented towards the other positions of the lever. According to another characteristic of the locking device of the invention, the contact and retaining stems of the retaining mechanism are arranged orthogonally to each other, their mutual coupling being implemented by means of a cavity made in the retaining stem which is so dimensioned as to receive the corresponding end portion of the contact stem. According to another characteristic of the locking device of the invention, the thrust spring of the retaining mechanism is arranged coaxially with respect to the control cable and works permanently under compression, with one of its ends resting against said fixed point of the vehicle structure and its other end against an annular body fixed coaxially to the end of the steel cable linked to the retaining stem. Brief description of the drawings The drawing sheets of the present specification show the locking device of the automatic transmission gearshift lever of automobile vehicles of the invention. In said drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic view of the device of the invention in which the gearshift lever is in the parking position locked by the action of the device; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the device of the invention in which the lever of Figure 1 is in the unlocked parking position; Figure 3 is a schematic view of the device of the invention in which the trigger of the lever of Figures 1 and 2 is pressed prior to movement of the lever; and Figure 4 is a schematic view of the device of the invention in which the lever of Figures 1 to 3 occupies a position different from the parking position. Detailed description of the example of embodiment The description which follows of the locking device of the automatic transmission gearshift lever of automobile vehicles of the invention refers to Figure 1 of the drawing sheets, although the other Figures 2 to 4 show identical components which differ from those shown in Figure 1 only by the different position which some of them adopt. These premises stated, the locking device of the invention includes a reset mechanism MR and a securing mechanism MF which are linked by means of a control cable C . The reset mechanism MR is associated with the starter switch which, mounted arranged on the dashboard, is actuated by means of an ignition key. The switch and the ignition key have not been shown in the figures of the drawing sheets, since they can adopt any configuration without this affecting the essential nature of the invention. The securing mechanism MF is fitted to a support 1 of a lever 2 of a gearbox not shown in the drawing sheets. The coupling of the lever 2 with the cable or cables which link it with the gearbox is not shown either. The support 1, which in this example of embodiment is made from an aluminium alloy casting, is set at a level immediately beneath the passenger compartment of the vehicle, with a portion of the lever 2 which can be actuated by the user projecting from that compartment. As is known, in order to actuate the lever 2 the user has to press a trigger 3 in order, through a stem 4 and overcoming the resistance of a spring 5 which works under compression, to move a projection 6 to situate it in one of the driving positions set by a bridge 7 of the support 1; it should be noted under this point that the parking position of the lever 2 is determined by a radial retainer 8. It is understood that the support 1 and the lever 2 shown in the figures of the drawing sheets are provided only as a guideline, since both can adopt any other configuration suitable for each specific case of application without this affecting the essential nature of the invention. The reset mechanism MR includes a main body 9, a contact stem 10, a retaining stem 11, a thrust spring 12 and an annular body 13. The main body 9 is coupled to the starter switch, even forming part of same, and includes two orifices 14, 15 whose respective axes are set orthogonally and in coplanar fashion to form a generally T-shaped cavity. The contact stem 10 can slide in both directions through the orifice marked number 14, while the retaining stem 11 can slide in both directions through the orifice marked number 15. The contact stem 10 is linked to the ignition key in such a way that, if the ignition key is not coupled to the starter switch, the contact stem 10 takes up the position shown in Figure 1, which is the parking position, and when the ignition key is coupled to the starter switch the contact stem 10 takes up the driving position shown in Figures 2 to 4. Said linkage of the contact stem 10 with the ignition key of the switch has not been shown, and it can adopt any suitable configuration without this affecting the essential nature of the invention. The end 16 of the retaining stem 11 projects from the main body 9 and is firmly attached to a corresponding end 17 of the steel cable of the control cable C by means of a retaining collar 18. On its central portion 19, the retaining stem 11 has a cavity 20 so dimensioned that, when it is in its most advanced position or locking position, it receives with a tight fit the interior end 21 of the contact stem 10 when the latter is in its most interior position, that is, in the parking position. The thrust spring 12 is set coaxially with respect to the end 17 of the steel cable of the control cable C and works permanently under compression with one of its ends resting against a fixed point F of the structure of the automobile vehicle, and its other end against the annular body 13 firmly attached to said end 17; in this way, the thrust spring 12 tends permanently to situate the retaining stem 11 inside the main body 9 in its most advanced position or locking position. The securing mechanism MF includes a traction body 22 which is fixed to the support 1 by means of a pivot pin 23 which allows it to rotate in both directions. In this example of embodiment of the traction body 22, the latter adopts a planar configuration of basically long trapezoidal shape in which one of its sides 24 is linked by means of an extension 25 to the pivot pin 23, while its shorter base 26 has a convex outline which corresponds with the outline of the bridge 7 of the support 1, the shorter base 26 having a plane 27 which projects and forms a certain angularity oriented towards the other side 28 of the traction body 22. The traction body 22 is linked to the other end 29 of the steel cable of the control cable C by means of a retaining collar 30, so that the traction body 22 is permanently submitted to the action of the thrust spring 12 which tends to situate it in the locked position shown in Figures 1 and 2. The rotation of the traction body 22 around the pivot pin 23 is caused, in one of the directions, that marked as A in Figures 3 and 4, by the lever 2 through a stop 31 attached to the lever 2 and located in a slot 32 of the traction body 22, and in the other opposite direction, marked as B in figure 4, it is caused by the action of the thrust spring 12. The sheath 33 of the control cable C has one of its ends 34 fixed by means of a retaining collar 35 to the fixed point F , while its other end 36 is fixed by means of a retaining collar 37 to a self-adjusting device 38 fixed to the support 1. The self-adjusting device 38 has the purpose of adjusting the length of the sheathed steel cable portion of the control cable C , that is, the sheathed cable portion included between the fixed point F and the self-adjusting device 38 itself. Once the locking device of the invention is mounted on the vehicle, it operates as described below: Figure 1 shows the initial position in which the locking device operates, that is, with the lever 2 in the parking position and with the ignition key not coupled to the starter switch; in this position, on the retaining mechanism MR the retaining stem 11 is in the locked position and is coupled with the contact stem 10 which, situated in the parking position, prevents its movement, and on the securing mechanism MF the traction body 22 is in the locking position, while the projection 6 of the trigger 3 of the lever 2 is, furthermore, set between the bridge 7, the retainer 8 and the plane 27 of the traction body 22; in this situation, if the user presses on the trigger 2 of the lever 2, its projection 6 cannot slide downwards as it is prevented from doing so by the traction body 22, which cannot rotate around the pivot pin 23 due to being prevented from doing so by the coupling of the contact 10 and retaining 11 stems, while the lever 2 cannot advance towards the drive positions due to its being prevented from doing so by the retainer 8 in which the projection 6 engages, that is, the lever 2 cannot be moved towards the drive positions and is locked; Figure 2 shows how, with the ignition key coupled to the starter switch, on the retaining mechanism MR the contact stem 10 is in the drive position in which its end 21 withdraws from the cavity 20 of the retaining stem 11, thereby leaving said stem 11 released and able to slide through the orifice 15 of the main body 1; Figure 3 shows how, with the retaining stem 11 released, when the trigger 3 of the lever 2 is pressed, its projection 6 pushes the traction body 22, making it rotate around the pivot pin 23 by overcoming the elastic resistance of the thrust spring 12 which is subjected to higher compression by reduction of its length, in which situation the spring 6, on leaving its parking position set by the retainer 8 of the bridge 7, permits rotation of the lever 2 in the direction marked A towards the vehicle driving positions; once the lever 2 is situated in one of said driving positions, Figure 4 shows how the lever 2 can be moved in both directions, marked as A and B , inherent to driving the vehicle; in such a situation, the traction body 22 is in a position corresponding with that of the lever 2, and the retaining stem 11, which is moved through the interior of the main body 9, takes up positions different from the locked position; once the vehicle is parked, in order to uncouple the ignition key from the starter switch the retaining stem 11 must be in the locked position shown in Figure 1, thus permitting the contact stem 10 be in the parking position, in which the retaining stem is coupled; once the ignition key in uncoupled, the locking device of the invention is left in the initial position described above.

Claims: A locking device for an automatic transmission gearshift lever (2) of automobile vehicles having a vehicle structure and including a reset mechanism (MR) and a securing mechanism (MF) linked by a control cable (C) made of a sheathed steel cable, said reset mechanism (MR) being associated with a starter switch on a vehicle dashboard through a contact stem (10) with two working positions provided by coupling of an ignition key with said starter switch, whereby in a parking position said ignition key is not coupled to said starter switch, and whereby in a drive position said ignition key is coupled to said starter switch; said reset mechanism (MR) including a main body (9) and a retaining stem (11), whereby said main body (9) houses said contact stem (10) and said retaining stem (11), -- both stems (10,11) can slide in both directions, said retaining stem (11) is provided with means to couple it with said contact stem (10) and to link it by one of its ends (16) to the corresponding end (17) of said steel cable of the control cable (C), and with said contact stem (10) in the parking position and said retaining stem (11) in a locking position both stems (10, 11) can be coupled, said securing mechanism (MF) including a traction body (22) which is coupled to said gearshift lever (2) and to a lever support (1) and linked at the other end (29) of the steel cable of the control cable (C), whereby said traction body (22) is coupled with said lever support (1) in such a way that said traction body (22) can rotate in both directions around a pivot pin (23) and said traction body (22) is coupled with said lever (2) in such a way that the position of said traction body (22) corresponds with that of said lever (2), the locking position being distinguished in that the lever (2) is in the parking position, which corresponds with the locking position of the retaining stem (11), while in a position of said traction body (22) different from said locking position said retaining stem (11) is in a position different from the locking position which prevents its coupling with said contact stem (10), and when said contact stem (10) and said retaining stem (11) are coupled said traction body (22) is fixed in the locking position, and said gearshift lever (2) having an actuation trigger (3) which is fixed in the parking position by locking said actuation trigger (3), characterised in that said reset mechanism is provided with a thrust spring (12) which rests against a fixed point (F) of the vehicle structure and which acts permanently upon said retaining stem (11), pushing it towards the interior of the main body (9) and tending to situate it in its most advanced position being said locking position, said traction body (22) is permanently submitted to the action of said thrust spring (12) in such a way that, when the traction body (22) is moved by the gearshift lever (2) from the locking position to another position, it subjects the thrust spring (12) to a higher compression, while when the gearshift lever (2) is moved to its parking position the traction body (22) is moved towards the locking position driven by the reaction of the thrust spring (12) so that said contact stem (10) and said retaining stem (11) are coupled in the parking position to prevent sliding of the retaining stem (11). A locking device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said traction body (22) is coupled with said gearshift lever (2) by means of a stop (31) attached to the gearshift lever (2) and slidably arranged in a slot (32) on the traction body (22). A locking device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said traction body (22) is adapted in such a way that, when the gearshift lever (2) is in the parking position and the contact stem (10) and retaining stem (11) are coupled, a projection (6) from the actuation trigger (3) of the lever (2) linked with a retainer (8) of the support (1) which sets the parking position is positioned between the support (1) and the traction body (22), so that the projection (6) of the actuation trigger (3) cannot be moved. A locking device as claimed in Claims 3, wherein a portion (27) of the traction body (22) facing the projection (6) of the actuation trigger (3) of the gearshift lever (2), when the latter is in the parking position, forms a certain angularity oriented towards the other positions of the gearshift lever (2). A locking device as claimed in Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the contact and retaining stems (10 and 11) are arranged orthogonally to each other, their mutual coupling being implemented by means of a cavity (20) made in the retaining stem (11) which is so dimensioned as to receive the corresponding end portion (21) of the contact stem (10). A locking device as claimed in Claims 1 to 5, wherein said thrust spring (12) is arranged coaxially with respect to the control cable (C) and works permanently under compression, with one of its ends resting against said fixed point (F) of the vehicle structure and its other end against an annular body (13) fixed coaxially to the end (17) of the steel cable linked to the retaining stem (11).

Inventors: LORENTE BOTELLA OCTAVI, MOTGER GRAUS XAVIER, LORENTE BOTELLA, OCTAVI, MOTGER GRAUS, XAVIER
Applicants: FICO TRIAD SA, FICO TRIAD S.A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: F16H59
IPC codes: F16H61, F16H59, B60R25