Abstract:
A device and method for manually controlling a system including a first lever movable between multiple positions and a movable component. Also included are an automatic system and a manual system for moving the movable component in response to movement of the first lever. A manual engagement device is movable between an activated and a deactivated position. When the manual engagement device is activated the manual system couples the first lever and the movable component and when the manual engagement device is deactivated, the automatic system couples the first lever and the movable component.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/625,179, filed Apr. 17, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
         [0002]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/769,386, filed Feb. 26, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
         [0003]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/769,388, filed Feb. 26, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0004]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a control mechanism and, more particularly, to a manual override system for an electronically controlled linkage or apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0005]    Vehicles provide a number of controls allowing the driver of the vehicle to control various functions of the vehicle during operation. One control that is typically provided is a gearshift for the transmission. Automatic transmissions are a common type of transmission because it simplifies shifting of the gear speeds. Automatic transmissions include a limited number of control selections such as park, reverse, neutral and drive. This makes driving the vehicle much easier because the driver chooses a single selection and the transmission automatically shifts the various transmission gears based on the speed of the vehicle and the torque of the load. 
         [0006]    Several different types of gearshifts are generally available for vehicles. In the case of automatic transmissions, a shift lever is generally provided which the driver operates by moving the shift lever in a pattern. Desirably, the shift lever should be located at a convenient place near the driver for easy operation, for example the shifting lever may be mounted to the vehicle&#39;s steering column or center console. 
         [0007]    In various automatic transmissions, the shift lever of the gear shift is not mechanically connected to the transmission cable. Rather, a sensor determines the movement of the shift lever between the various operating modes and sends a signal to a motor mechanically coupled to the transmission cable. If this sensor fails, or the motor fails or the system loses power, the driver of the vehicle will be able to move the shift lever between the various operating modes, but the transmission cable will not respond. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, while existing gear shift mechanisms are suitable, the need for improvement remains, particularly in providing an alternate apparatus and method for coupling the shift lever to the transmission. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided including a first lever movable between multiple positions and a movable component. The system also includes an automatic control and a manual control for coupling the first lever to the movable component. A manual engagement device is movable between an activated position and a deactivated position. When the manual engagement device is activated, the manual control couples the first lever to the movable component, and when the manual engagement device is deactivated, the automatic control couples the first lever to the movable component. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment of the invention, a method for manually controlling a system is provided including activating a manual engagement device. A manual control is then engaged to couple a first lever and a movable component. An automatic control coupling the first lever and the movable component is disengaged. The movable component is then moved by moving the first lever. 
         [0011]    The above-described and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary automatic transmission shifter assembly according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a side view illustrating movement of the exemplary automatic transmission shifter assembly; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary automatic transmission shifter assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the exemplary automatic transmission shifter assembly in the manual engagement mode; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a side view illustrating movement of the exemplary automatic transmission shifter assembly in the manual engagement mode; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary automatic transmission shifter assembly in the manual engagement mode; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is another side view of the shifter assembly wherein internal components are illustrated; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is perspective view of the shifter assembly wherein internal components are illustrated. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Referring to the FIGS., a driver operated shifting medium or actuator  20  is illustrated. A gearshift  22  is adapted for mounting in a vehicle having an automatic transmission. The gearshift  22  includes a shift lever  26  having an upper grip portion  24  for the driver&#39;s hand. The shift lever  26  extends within and is coupled to the gearshift body  27 . The shift lever  26  is pivotally mounted to the gearshift body  27  with a pin to define a pivot axis. The shift lever  26  is moveable through a range of motion about the pivot axis to shift the shifting medium  20  between a plurality of operating modes such as park, reverse, neutral, drive and low. A sensor, illustrated by dotted lines, is also located within the gearshift body  27  and senses the position of the shift lever. The sensor provides a signal to a motor  38  via a microcontroller MC, to move a connected transmission cable or other equivalent device  40  to a position corresponding to the operating mode of the shift lever  26 . The transmission cable  40  being operatively coupled to a transmission or other applicable device  41  such that movement of the cable  40  shifts the transmission  41  or actuates a device  41  which causes the shifting of the transmission. 
         [0022]    A first end of a connecting lever  30  is fastened to the shift lever  26  about pin  28  and extends vertically downward from the base of the gearshift body  27 . A first end of a manual engagement lever  34  is pivotally coupled to a second end  32  of the connecting lever  30  for movement between a first position and a second position. In one embodiment, a spring, such as a torsion spring for example, surrounds the pin (not shown) coupling the manual engagement lever  34  to the connecting lever  30  and biases the manual engagement lever  34  in the direction indicated by arrow A to a first, unengaged position. The manual engagement lever  34  has a throat  36  proximate to a second, opposite end for capturing a pin  46 . 
         [0023]    Positioned adjacent the connecting lever  30  and the manual engagement lever  34  is housing  50 . A wall  51  of the housing  50 , closest to the manual engagement lever  34 , includes an elongated opening  47  positioned adjacent the manual engagement lever  34 . A manual engagement link  42  is pivotally coupled by a pin  44  to the surface of wall  51  adjacent the manual engagement lever  34 . The manual engagement link  42  is biased in the direction of arrow B, such as by a coil spring for example, into a first position out of contact with the manual engagement lever  34 . The manual engagement link  42  may be rotated about pin  44  to a second position where the manual engagement link  42  applies a rotational force to the second end of the manual engagement lever  34 . When in the second position, the manual engagement link  42  extends from pin  44  generally to the far end of elongated opening  47 . The surface of the manual engagement link  42  facing the housing  50  includes a cam surface  48  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0024]    Disposed within the housing  50  are a motor  38 , a coupling mechanism  53 , and a movable component  62 , such as a rack for example. Located at the end of the housing  50 , furthest from the connecting lever  30 , is a motor  38  (see  FIG. 1 ) that receives an input signal from the sensor located within the gearshift body  27 . The movable component  62  is positioned at the base on the housing  50  adjacent wall  51 , closest to the manual engagement lever  34 . A pin  46  (see  FIG. 1 ) extends generally horizontally from a side of the movable component  62  in the direction of the manual engagement lever  34  through the elongated opening  47  in wall  51 . A second pin (not shown), connected to the transmission cable  40 , extends vertically downward from the base of the movable component  62  through an opening (not shown) in the base of the housing  50 . 
         [0025]    A coupling mechanism  53  mechanically connects the motor  38  to the movable component  62  to move the transmission cable  40  to a position corresponding to the operating mode of the shift lever  26 . The input signal from the sensor causes the motor  38  to operate for a certain time, such that the movable component  62 , and therefore the transmission cable  40 , moves into a position corresponding to the position and operating mode of the shift lever  26 . The coupling mechanism  53  includes a plurality of gears, a clutch member  56 , and a clutch spring  58 . A first gear  52 , such as a worm gear for example, is connected to the motor  38  and engages a second gear  54 , such as a helical gear for example. A third gear or pinion  60  is disposed adjacent the second gear  54  and engages the movable component or rack  62 . In one embodiment, the movable component is a rack that includes a plurality of teeth configured to engage teeth of a pinion gear  60 . The second and third gears  54 ,  60  are rotatably supported on a clutch member  56 . The clutch member  56  has shoulders  57   a  and  57   b  to engage each of the second and third gears  54 ,  60  respectively to couple their rotation. If the shoulders  57   a,    57   b  of the clutch member  56  are engaged with the second and third gears  54 ,  60 , activation of the motor  38  will cause the clutch member  56  to spin in unison with the second gear  54 . This rotation will be imparted to the third gear  60  causing the rack  62 , and the coupled transmission cable  40 , to move linearly along the base of housing  50 . If the shoulders  57   a,    57   b  of clutch member  56  are not engaged with the second and third gears  54 ,  60  when the motor  38  is driven, the first and second gears  52 ,  54  will rotate, but the clutch member  56 , the third gear  60 , and consequently the movable component  62  will remain stationary. 
         [0026]    A first end of the clutch member  56   a,  closest to the second gear  54 , is surrounded by a spring  58  which biases the clutch member  56  in the direction illustrated by arrow C, into an engaged or coupled position. The second end  56   b  of the clutch member  56  extends through an opening  59  in wall  51  adjacent the cam surface  48  of manual engagement link  42 . If the manual engagement link  42  is rotated about pin  44 , in a direction opposite the direction indicated by arrow B, the end  56   b  of the clutch member  56  will contact the cam surface  48 , causing the clutch member  56  to slide out of engagement with the second and third gears  54 ,  60 . 
         [0027]    Disposed in a position easily accessible by the driver, generally adjacent the gear shift body  27  and above the manual engagement link  42 , is a manual engagement device  70  movable between an activated and a deactivated position. In an exemplary embodiment, the manual engagement device  70  is activated by applying a force, such as to a depressible button for example. Additionally, the manual engagement device  70  may be activated and deactivated in a similar manner. For example, by pressing the manual engagement device  70  a first time, the manual engagement device  70  will be activated such that the manual control will be engaged and the automatic control will be disengaged allowing manual control of the shifting medium  20 . In other words movement of the shift lever  26  will cause movement of the cable  40  due to a direct mechanical coupling as opposed to the movement of shift lever  26  is a power operated mode wherein the motor  38  is activated according to movement of the shift lever and the cable  40  is manipulated of actuated via its operational engagement with motor  38 . In one non-limiting embodiment and if the manual engagement device  70  is pressed a second time, the device  70  is deactivated and automatic control of the shifting medium  20  is resumed. In one non-limiting embodiment, the manual engagement device  70  includes a plunger  71  that contacts the manual engagement link  42  when the manual engagement device  70  is pressed or actuated. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  3 A and  4 , the manual engagement device  70  has been activated, thereby decoupling the shifting medium  20  from the motor  38  for manual control. When activated, the manual engagement device  70  applies a force to the manual engagement link  42 , causing the manual engagement link  42  to rotate from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the second end  56   b  of the clutch member  56  engages the cam surface  48  of the manual engagement link  42 . The cam surface  48  applies a horizontal force in a direction opposite the biasing force of spring  58  such that the shoulders  57   a,    57   b  of the clutch member  56  are disengaged from the second and third gears  54 ,  60 . This movement of the clutch member  56  decouples the motor  38  from the movable component  62 . Therefore, rotation of the manual engagement link  42  to a second position disengages the automatic control of the shifting medium  20 . Movement of the shift lever  26  will not be impeded by the deactivated motor  38 . The motor  38  may continue to operate upon receipt of input signals from the sensor (not shown), but this rotation will not transferred to the movable component  62 . 
         [0029]    Rotation of the manual engagement link  42  to a second position applies a rotational force on the manual engagement lever  34 , such that the manual engagement lever  34  rotates against a biasing force, opposite the direction indicated by arrow A from a first position to a second position. As the manual engagement lever  34  rotates to a second position, the horizontal pin  46  fastened to the movable component  62  is captured within throat  36 . This creates a direct connection between the shift lever  26  and the movable component  62 . Movement of the shift lever  26  to a different position causes the connecting lever  30  and the manual engagement lever  34  to apply a force on pin  46  such that the movable component  62 , and therefore the transmission cable  40 , slides linearly along the base of the housing  50 . 
         [0030]    In one non-limiting embodiment and when the manual engagement button or device  70  is pushed down, it rotates the manual engagement link  42  down connecting the manual engagement lever  34  to the rack or movable component  62  that resides inside a housing  50  of the actuator  20  when this happens the manual engagement link  42  is also moving the clutch member  56 , by means of the cam surface  48 , compressing a spring  58  and disengaging the clutch member  56  from the helical gear  54  and motor  38  worm  52  interface. This action allows the rack  62 , pinion or gear  60  and clutch member  56  to move independent of the motor  38 , worm  52  and helical gear  54 . In other words, the system has a power mode wherein the shift lever  26  is not directly or mechanically coupled to the cable  40  and ultimately the transmission and a manual mode, wherein the wherein the shift lever  26  is directly or mechanically coupled to the cable  40 , via lever  30 , engagement lever  34 , pin  46 , rack  62  and ultimately the transmission which will allow for shifting of the transmission or other component in the event of a power failure or failure of other components (e.g., motor, sensor, etc.) of the power mode apparatus. 
         [0031]    As such, the power mode moves cable or device  40  via detection of the movement of lever  26  with a sensor that provides signals to a motor  38  to move the cable (no direct mechanical connection of lever  26  to cable or device  40 ) while the manual mode provides a direct mechanical connection of the shift lever  26  to the cable or device  40  so that its movement will move the cable or component  40  and in this manual mode the power operated device (e.g., motor  38 , worm  52  and gear  54 ) are decoupled from the cable  40  such that it can be moved by movement of the shift lever  26 . 
         [0032]    While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.