Abstract:
An electronic selector lever module for generating gear shifting signals for an automatic transmission of a vehicle. The swivel motion of the gear selector lever, within a main shifting path, is transformed into rotational motion for an angle sensor. The sensor is positioned on a printed circuit board and is actuated by a rotor. To guide the rotor relative to the angle sensor, the rotor either surrounds a rounded part of the printed circuit board or surrounds a rotor guidance which is mounted on the printed circuit board. The mechanical linking point is a short sleeve at a slider, which both belong to the rotor, needed for the shifting path motion, and which also drive the tilting lever for the transverse motion. The slider can be moved, relative to the rotor, along rails, either radially and directly at the rotor, or tangentially to the pivot point of the rotor.

Description:
This application is a National Stage completion of PCT/EP2008/059089 filed Jul. 11, 2008, which claims priority from German patent application serial no. 10 2007 032 545.4 filed Jul. 12, 2007 and European patent application serial no. 07150371.8 filed Dec. 21, 2007. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns an electronic selector lever module for generating gear shift signals for an automatic transmission, as known through the patent publication DE 103 19 720 B3. The publication basically reveals a printed circuit board comprising two groups of sensors and a mechanism, which transmits the motion of the selector lever to the sensors. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The known splitter switching unit has a sensors, offset towards the side in regard to the selector lever switching path, whereby especially the printed circuit board is positioned in parallel with the level of the switching path. This electronic selector lever module works very reliable and its size is suitable for most of the applications. However, there exists applications in which the available space is not going to be sufficient. 
     Therefore, the invention also refers to an electronic selector lever module as described in the patent publication DE 10 2006 021 078 B. The publication of an electronic selector lever module solves a task, by maintaining the electric reliability, combined with the limited mounting space, making the module suitable for the different vehicles. In this configuration, the printed circuit board is not placed anymore sideways and in parallel to the slide path, but positioned in front of the slide path in a transverse alignment, so that the motion in the slide path D, N, R, P of the gear selector lever is facing the sensor side of the PCB. This alignment requires a re-constriction of the mechanism, which is linking the gear selector lever with the sensor actuators in the area of the printed circuit board. 
     At the input side and the output side, meaning at the time of motions, which are being entered through the gear selector lever, and providing the output through the PCB, a general principle remains in accordance with the invention, which has been proven through the modules in DE 103 19 720 B3 and DE 10 2006 021 078 B. The usual swiveling of the gear selector lever, within the main shifting path P, R, N, D, is converted to a rotation motion for an angle sensor. 
     A motion of the gear selector lever, transversal to the direction of the shifting path, can be, depending on the shifting boundary, a tilting motion for a manual gear selection, or can be interpreted, having a different shifting boundary, as a changing of a path into a second shifting path. In DE 10 2006 021 078 B, the transversal motion was linearly transformed for an additional sensor, which was also positioned as a way point sensor on the printed circuit board. At this point, an improvement of the mechanism, in accordance with DE 10 2006 021 078 B, became necessary. With the existing method, a problem arose in recognizing breakages. The motion of the gear selector lever is transferred by a bracket with a ball extension to the invented mechanism. If the bracket is going to break, either through excessive stress or misuse, the defect could not be detected until now. 
     A problem developed also in guiding the provided damping part, in addition to the present angle sensor&#39;s damping part. During the conversion of the gear selector lever&#39;s motion, transversal to the direction of the shifting path, it could happen that too much pressure or a misuse would cause an inaccurate analysis by the sensors. 
     Last but not least, also tolerances which are present within the moving track of the bracket with the ball extension, in accordance with DE 10 2006 021 078 B, need to be compensated and shall not cause any inaccuracies in the analysis. 
     Finally, the proper guidance of the rotor, relative to the angle sensor, needs to be present, using as few parts as possible, and having small distance tolerances. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is therefore addressing the positive task of providing for an electronic gear selector lever module and to generate the gear shift signals, and
         to recognize a release of the mechanical linking position, caused by the break of the bracket,   to achieve the task by using just a few parts,   to guide most accurately the damping parts, needed for the transformation of the gear selector lever&#39;s motion, along and transversal to the shifting path,   to perform the task, even if the motion track of the linked gear selector lever varies, due to mechanical tolerances.       

     The solution is achieved through an electronic selector lever module, having angle sensors. 
     The novelty of the invention is the presence of a second sensor, needed for the transversal motion, and being an angle sensor. Therefore, the carrier of the related transversal damping parts is now also a kind of rotor, here being designed like an elongated tilting lever, and being mounted rotatable. The mechanical linking point of the bracket&#39;s extension has now been doubled: the rotor for the shifting path motion, as well as the rotatable mounted tilting lever for the transversal motion, are being driven by means of a common, short sleeve at the linking point. The sleeve is firmly connected with the slider and being flexibly guided in a slot of the tilting lever. 
     The slider can be moved, relative to the rotor, in tracks. In a special embodiment, the tracks for the slider are not radial integrated with the rotor, but positioned tangential to the pivot point at an auxiliary device with a longitudinal slider. Hereby, it can be excluded that at certain motions of the slider, the rotor is also, even very slightly, being moved. These unwanted motions can be caused, for instance, through an impulse or excessive pressure, by the user, on the gear selector lever (misuse). For a special embodiment, parts are being added, such as a longitudinal slider, an auxiliary device with tracks, and an extension arm for the rotor. 
     An additional, important part of the invention is a precise guidance of the rotor, which either surrounds either the rounded edge of the printed circuit board or edges in a fork like shape into a rotor guidance on the printed circuit board. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is further presented through the patent drawings. Shown in: 
         FIG. 1  is an enclosure with a shifting boundary, in which the gear selector lever is positioned, which transfers, in accordance with the invention, its motion to a selector lever module; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective, exploded drawing, presenting the invented selector lever module; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a top view of the invented selector lever module, whereby the rotor position corresponds to a position D of the gear selector lever; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a top view as in  3   a , but the rotor position corresponds to the position P of the gear selector module 
         FIG. 3   c  is a perspective presentation of the invented selector lever module with the rotor and tilting lever, whereby the position of the linking point corresponds with a “displacement at break” position of the gear selector level; 
         FIG. 4  is a presentation of a printed circuit board of the selector lever module which shows a possible configuration of the angle sensor&#39;s inductors; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a top view of an additional embodiment of the invented selector lever module, whereby the rotor position corresponds with the shift position S of the gear selector lever; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a top view as in  FIG. 5   a , whereby the rotor position corresponds with a shift position D of the gear selector lever; 
         FIG. 5   c  is a top view as in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , whereby the rotor position corresponds with the shift position P of the gear selector lever; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view as in  FIG. 5   b  (shift position D), whereby the transversal motion of the tilting lever, due to the shifting path change, has been transferred to the tilting lever, and tilting motion M+ is executed in the second shifting path; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view as in  FIG. 5   b  (shift position D), whereby the transversal motion of the tilting lever, due to the shifting path change, has been transferred to the tilting lever, and tilting motion M− is executed in the second shifting path; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective, exploded view of the invented selector lever module, with a spring system and with the printed circuit board; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective, exploded view of the invented selector lever module, showing the spring system as in  FIG. 8 , but without the printed circuit board; 
         FIG. 10   a  is a perspective, exploded view of a special, preferred angle sensor, viewed towards the sensor side of the printed circuit board; 
         FIG. 10   b  is the angle sensor as in  10   a , viewed from the bottom side of the printed circuit board; 
         FIG. 11   a  is the angle sensor in accordance with  FIG. 10   a , in an assembled condition, viewed from the sensor side; 
         FIG. 11   b  is the angle sensor in accordance with  FIG. 10   b , without the gear screw, viewed from the bottom side; 
         FIG. 11   c  is the angle sensor in accordance with  FIG. 10   b , in an assembled condition, viewed from the bottom side; 
         FIG. 12   a  is a perspective, exploded view of another embodiment of the angle sensor, viewed from the sensor side of the printed circuit board; 
         FIG. 12   b  is another angle sensor as in  FIG. 12   a , viewed from the bottom of the printed circuit board; 
         FIG. 13   a  is another angle sensor as in  FIG. 12   a , in an assembled condition, viewed from the sensor side; and 
         FIG. 13   b  is another angle sensor as in  FIG. 12   b , in an assembled condition, viewed from the bottom side. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following table shows three embodiments of a layout of the shifting boundary. The conversion of these motions in the selector lever module can be seen in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 . 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Layout 2, 
                 Layout 3, 
               
               
                   
                 Layout 1 
                 Left Steering 
                 Right Steering 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Hereby, Layout  1  describes a simple shifting boundary, having the usual positions P, R, N, and D in a shifting path, as well as a transversal motion, which, starting in automatic position D allows manual selection, as known in TIPTRONIC®, of D+ and D−. Within the shifting path, the positions P, R, N, and D are passed through and hereafter detected in the selector lever module through a rotor  9 ; the transversal motion towards D+ or D− is detected by the rotatably mounted tilting lever  30 . 
     In the Layouts  2  and  3  for Left Steering or Right Steering, respectively, the sensor functions as follows:
         The tilting Lever  30  is not moving in the main shifting path; the positions P, R, N, D, and S will be detected through the rotor  9 .   A path change from D to M is detected by the tilting lever  30 , with the help of a slider  13  being guided in rails  11 , and compensated for at the rotor  9 .   Also the rotor  9  is supported by a leg spring  35 . Therefore it can be guaranteed, that the rotor  9  is removed from the area of action in the case of a material break.       

     The inductor coils of both angle sensors  3  and  7  are redundant, meaning one-failure correcting, and two-failure-recognition, and positioned in at least two arcs. A contact free operating damping rotor  9  and  30  is respectively positioned above each of the circular mounted inductor coils. The damping rotor  9 , for detecting the shifting positions P, R, N, D, S, is directly linked through rails  11  with the slider  13 , and its sleeve  37 , and in addition, is also guided in a slot of the tilting lever  30 . 
     Due to the tilting lever  30 , any excessive pressure or misuse, that is initiated by the driver or mechanical impact, due to tolerances or by driving on uneven surfaces, can be compensated for. Through the novel tilting lever  30 , constant and undistorted signals are obtained, which makes them easier to analyze with the sensors. 
     An additional damping part for damping the inductor coils of the additional angle sensor  7  is positioned on the bottom side of the tilting lever  30  in the area of the path change detector field with its angle sensor  7 . These inductor coils detect the path changes. After the path change, the slider  13  of the first rotor  9  is again moved along the guide in the tilting lever  30 . The tilting M+, M− will be detected in this layout  2  and layout  3  by the first rotor  9 . 
     To recognize a break of the tappet (bracket  19  of gear selector lever  1  with ball extension  21 ), a preloaded spring  29  will be inserted in the rotatable bearing of the tilting lever  30 . In case the tappet  19 ,  21  breaks, which normally would result in the tilting lever  30  remaining in its basic position, the spring relaxes and moves the tilting lever  30  away from the regular damping area of the additional angle sensor  7 . Either an additional inductor coil can be positioned outside of the regular area of function, recognizing the breakage, or the presence of a material breakage can also be determined by a missing, false or standard signal. 
     The sleeve  37 , which is used in the state of the art DE 10 2006 021 078 B, is integrated in this invention in the slider  13  in a way, such that it can be guided by the tilting lever  30 , as described above. In the apparatus of the invention, the tilting lever  30  is used, at the same time, as a spacer for the printed circuit board  5 . Sliding tracks are provided at the place where the mechanical coupling point is pressed against the supporting printed circuit board  5  (not shown in the patent drawings). 
       FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c  present an additional embodiment of the invention, for the three shifting positions S, D, and P of the gear selector  1 . The rails for the slider  13  are different from the previously discussed embodiment, as they are not integrated in the rotor  9 . In fact, the rails have been removed from the rotor  9  and are attached separately in the selector lever module by means of an auxiliary fixture. 
     This embodiment is for the most part identical with the previously described configuration, with the addition of a longitudinal slider, the auxiliary fixture with rails, and an extension arm for the rotor  9 . The longitudinal slider is moveably mounted, to slide between the rails and the stationary auxiliary fixture. The slider now hereby accepts the longitudinal motions of the gear selector lever  1  in the shifting path. The auxiliary fixture is positioned above the complete assembly. 
     The slider  13  is guided inside of the longitudinal slider. At the same time, the extension arm of the rotor is associated with the longitudinal slider, for making sure that the rotor, at intended longitudinal motions of the gear selector lever in the shifting path, is always moved as well. 
     Because of the guidance of the slider  13  within the longitudinal slider, only moving in one direction, and by carrying along the rotor through the extension arm, the rotor cannot be moved anymore in the case of a misuse, an unambiguous signal will always be obtained. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show an additional shifting path, beginning in shifting position D (compare to  FIG. 5   b ). The transversal motion leads through the slider  13 , with its sleeve for the pivoting, to the pivoted tilting lever  30 . In the new shifting path, the tilting motions M+ and M− can be executed, which lead to a new longitudinal motion of the longitudinal slider, with the corresponding transfer to the extension arm of the rotor. 
     The additional advantages resulting from this invented fixture are:
         Through shifting of the pivot point of the tilting lever  30 , the ratio of the angle can be adjusted upon request. Hereby, the distance covered by the selector lever  1  can be transposed from a small angle into a larger angle, and vice versa.   The invented fixture is designed for any version of an automatic transmission, meaning that recognition of the position can be achieved for any layout, like the H-, X-, T-Layout, etc.   The present selector lever module is as space saving as the previous model, in accordance with DE 10 2006 021 078 B, although an additional safety function has been implemented.       

     The drawings  8  and  9  show a possible improvement of the selector lever, which is not absolutely necessary, but is preferred under certain circumstances. During shock or vibration, the rotor might move away from the printed circuit board. Also, due to wear in the bearing, the distance between the rotor and the printed circuit board might change. These mechanical disruptions are compensated for by a spring system, in accordance with  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . The spring system comprises a pressure spring  31 , having a guiding part  32 , and an axle receptacle  33 , designed as a dome at the axle of the rotor in the bearing. The pressure spring is preloaded, through the receptacle  33 , by use of the dome, and through the guiding part  32  in the rotor  9 . The rotor  9  now possesses a closed axle receptacle  33  and is constantly pressed against the printed circuit board. However, it is not absolutely necessary to integrate the spring system with the selector lever module, but the following advantages arise from applying the additional spring  31 :
         The rotor  9  cannot be moved away from the printed circuit board during shocks. Therefore, the shifting positions can be detected accurately.   The detected signal cannot become intermittent during shocks. The rotor  9  cannot slide anymore along the section cut line of the printed circuit board  5 ,   The shock related problem will increase by the wear of rotor  9 . In that case, rotor  9  has more play and it is easier for the rotor to slide along the section cut line of the printed circuit board  5 . The distance for signal recognition could vary. By means of the spring  31 , also this wear is compensated.       

     The drawings  10  and  11  present an additional embodiment for a particularly important configuration of the invented selector lever module. The exploded views in drawing  10   a  (top view of the sensor side of the printed circuit board) and drawing  10   b  (bottom view of the sensor board) show that a small number of parts for the sensor is sufficient. The assembly comprises of a leg spring  35 , a slider  13 , a rotor  9 , a printed circuit board  5 , and an optional fear screw  41 . The printed circuit board carries the sensor coil inductors, configured as an arc, in a redundant design. The inductor coils serve on one hand for detecting the rotor motion for the shifting positions P, R, N, D, and on the other hand, for detecting the change of the shifting path. Located above the inductor coils is the rotor  9  with its slider  13 , as it is seen in  FIG. 12   a . The rotor  9  is held by a preloaded leg spring  35 , and can be moved away from the area of activity, in case of a malfunction. Through the snap-in hook  42 , see  FIG. 11   c , the rotor  9  is kept in the pivot bearing. Generally, the rotor  9  just snaps into the printed circuit board. The fear screw  41  is not an essential part, it is an option for additional fastening. 
     The bearing of the rotor has a special feature comprised of three hooks near the bearing, which feed through the printed circuit board  5  as a flexible plug connection. The opposite end of the rotor  9  surrounds the printed circuit board  5  in an arc shape border. Present in this area of the printed circuit board  5  are the (not shown) sliding tracks, which enable guidance of the rotor  9  on the printed circuit board  5 . On the back side of the printed circuit board  5 , sliding tracks are also present to support the rotor  9  sliding. Therefore, the rotor  9  is in direct contact with the printed circuit board  5  and is also guided at the same time ( FIGS. 11   a ,  11   b , and  11   c ). Hereby, the damping part of the rotor  9  always has constant spacing in regard to the inductor coils on the printed circuit board  5 , so that an essential feature of the sensor technology is met. Warping of the rotor  9 , due to temperature influences, does not lead to lifting from the printed circuit board. Also, manufacturing tolerances in regard to warping of the printed circuit board  5  do not have an influence on the spacing anymore. Due to dual sided guidance of the rotor  9  on the printed circuit board  5 , a forced guidance exists. 
     An additional example for an angle sensor with a forced guidance can be seen in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 . In this case, a separate rotor guide  39  has been provided, instead of the surrounding of the printed circuit board  5 . The rotor guide  39  is attached to the printed circuit board  5 , in accordance with  FIG. 13   a . Intended as an attachment fixture, in accordance with  FIG. 13   b , is a screw connection on the back side, or other options like a plug connector or hook connection. In  FIG. 12   a  and  FIG. 13   a  it can be seen how the rotor  9  and its damping part, by means of the rotor guide  39 , maintain a steady spacing to the inductor coils of the printed circuit board  5 . The spacing between the damping parts and the inductor coils does not change, even if the rotor, as an example, warps, due to temperature conditions. 
     Reference Characters 
     
         
           1  Gear Selector Lever 
           3  Angle Sensor 
           5  Printed Circuit Board 
           7  Additional Sensor (Angle Sensor) 
           9  Rotor 
           10  Rails 
           13  Slider 
           15  Rotary Bearing 
           16  Slide Path 
           19  Bracket 
           21  Ball Extension 
           29  Spring 
           30  Tilting Lever 
           31  Pressure Spring 
           32  Guiding Part 
           33  Axle Receptacle 
           35  Leg Spring 
           37  Sleeve 
           39  Rotor Guide 
           41  Fear Screw 
           42  Snap-in Hook