Patent Abstract:
The present invention provides a dial knob pivotably mounted and a hydraulic device for operating an inhibitor switch of an automatic transmission by creating hydraulic pressure using rotational motion of the dial knob, in order to provide a shift operating device for an automatic transmission that makes it possible to reduce manufacturing cost by having a simple structure and facilitate setting a layout by reducing a space for motion of shift knob, and makes it easy for a driver to shift by turning the shift knob with a hand to reduce the driver&#39;s tiredness and improve commercial value.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application Number 10-2008-0082440 filed Aug. 22, 2008, the entire contents of which application is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a shift operating device for an automatic transmission, particularly a shift operating device for an automatic transmission which is shifted when a dial type shift knob is turned by a driver. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A shift lever is provided near a driver&#39;s seat in a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission for the driver to easily shift in the related art. The shift lever is pivotably mounted in a console box near the driver, such that shift is made when the driver holds and pushes or pulls the knob of the shift lever in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. 
     However, the shift lever according to the related art is shifted, for example, into P-R-N-D-L, when being operated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, such that, according to the structure that shifts in a straight line from the P-range to the L-range in the related art, a large layout of the shift lever should be ensured. Further, when the driver holding the knob of the shift lever operates the shift lever, the driver should move the arm to long distance because the gap between the P-range and the L-range is large, which makes driver tired. Further, since the shift lever protrudes inside the vehicle, the some parts of driver&#39; body, such as head, may hit the shift lever in a collision, such that damage due to the collision may be increased. Furthermore, when the gap between the outer surface of the console box and the knob of the shift lever is set large, the aesthetic appearance is deteriorated, whereas when it is set small, the lever ratio is reduced and more force is required to operate the shift lever. 
     The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various aspects of the present invention provide for a shift operating device for an automatic transmission that makes it possible to reduce manufacturing cost by having a simple structure and facilitate to set a layout by reducing a space for motion of shift knob, and makes it easy for a driver to shift by turning the shift knob with a hand to reduce the driver&#39;s tiredness and improve commercial value. 
     The present invention may include a dial knob pivotably mounted and/or a hydraulic device for operating an inhibitor switch of the automatic transmission by creating hydraulic pressure using rotational motion of the dial knob. 
     In various embodiments, the hydraulic device may include a first hydraulic cylinder having a piston rod connected to the inhibitor switch, a second hydraulic cylinder having a piston rod connected to the dial knob, and/or a hydraulic hose or a tube connecting the first and second hydraulic cylinder to transmit hydraulic pressure of the second hydraulic cylinder to the first hydraulic cylinder. 
     According to various embodiments of the shift operating device for an automatic transmission of the present invention, since shift is automatically made by a driver turning with a hand the dial knob that can turn at that place, it is possible to simplify the configuration and the shape and reduce manufacturing cost. Further, it is possible to facilitate setting a layout of a vehicle by reducing a space for the dial knob and shift operation is improved by rotational motion of the dial knob. Furthermore, even if the driver&#39;s body hits the dial knob in a collision, damage to the driver is reduced because the contact area of the body is small. In addition, because a shift lock function is provided at the P-stage, it is possible to prevent accidents, such as sudden acceleration and improve commercial value by making the best use of design characteristics. 
     The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description of the Invention, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view illustrating the configuration of an exemplary shift operating device for an automatic transmission according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2(   a )-( c ) show a perspective view and a front view of main parts of the exemplary shift operating device for an automatic transmission according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3(   a ) and ( b ) show exploded and assembled perspective views of the exemplary shift operating device for an automatic transmission according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating the operation of an exemplary hydraulic cylinder and rotary shaft according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating arrangement of an exemplary dial knob and solenoid according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6(   a ) and ( b ) are views illustrating the operation of the exemplary dial knob and solenoid according to the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7(   a ) and ( b ) show exploded and assembled perspective views of an exemplary housing, console upper plate, and hydraulic cylinder according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a piston rod  2   a  of a first hydraulic cylinder  2  is connected to an inhibitor switch  1 , such that as piston rod  2   a  moves forward or rearward, the contact point of the inhibitor switch  1  changes and shift is made. 
     First hydraulic cylinder  2  is connected with a second hydraulic cylinder  4  equipped in a console box through a hydraulic hose  3  or a tube and a piston rod  4   a  of the second hydraulic cylinder  4  is connected with a dial knob  5 , such that as dial knob turns, piston rod  4   a  of second hydraulic cylinder  4  creates hydraulic pressure inside second hydraulic cylinder  4  while moving forward or rearward. Further, the hydraulic pressure created in second hydraulic cylinder  4  is transmitted to first hydraulic cylinder  2  through hydraulic hose  3  or the tube, such that first hydraulic cylinder is actuated. 
     That is, as dial knob  5  turns, any one range of P-R-N-D ranges is selected by dial knob  5  according to the amount of turn and the turning of dial knob  5  is transmitted to second hydraulic cylinder  4  and creates hydraulic pressure, which is transmitted to first hydraulic cylinder  2  and the inhibitor switch is operated to a corresponding range, such that shift is made. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a console upper plate  7  is disposed on the upper portion, which is open, of a housing  6  having a rectangular box shape, dial knob  5  is pivotably disposed and supported on the console upper plate  7 , P, R, N, and D ranges that show shift ranges is circumferentially marked on dial knob  5 , an arrow-shaped indicator is marked on console upper plate  7 , such that a driver can easily recognize the shift range selected by turning dial knob  5  through the indicator. 
     Dial knob  5  sequentially passes through console upper plate  7  and the bottom of housing  6  and is fitted in one end of a rotary shaft  8  to rotate with the rotary shaft, and a washer  10  is fitted on the other end of rotary shaft  8  through an assembly nut  9 . 
     A connecting portion  4   b  for connecting hydraulic hose  3  to second hydraulic cylinder  4  protrudes through one side of housing  6  and hydraulic hose  3  is connected to connecting portion  4   b.    
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a rotary shaft assembly hole  7   a  through which one end of rotary shaft  8  protrudes is formed through console upper plate  7  and a plunger guide hole  7   b  is formed near rotary shaft assembly hole  7   a  such that a plunger  11   a  of solenoid  11  passes through the console upper plate. 
     A connecting boss  8   b  having a pin hole  8   a  integrally protrudes from one side of rotary shaft  8  and two connecting bosses  4   d  each having a pin hole  4   c  are integrally formed with the front end of piston rod  4   a  such that connecting boss  8   b  is inserted and fitted in the connecting bosses  44 . Accordingly, by inserting connecting boss  8   b  of the rotary shaft between the two connecting bosses  4   d  of the piston and then fitting an assembly pin  12  into the pin holes, rotational motion of the rotary shaft is transmitted to the piston through the connecting bosses and the assembly pin, such that the piston reciprocates, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     A connecting portion assembly hole  6   a  through which connecting portion  4   b  of second hydraulic cylinder  4  is fitted is formed at one side of housing  6  and solenoid  11  is accommodated near the rotary shaft inside housing  6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a fixing groove  5   a  is formed on the bottom  5  of dial knob  5  to prevent turning of dial knob  5  by plunger  11   a  of solenoid  11  which is projected into fixing groove  5   a.    
     That is, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when dial knob  6  is positioned to the P-range, plunger  11   a  of solenoid  11  is projected into fixing groove  5   a  and the position of the dial knob is fixed to the P-range by the solenoid. Thereafter, as a driver presses down the brake pedal, control current is applied to the solenoid and the plunger is pulled out of the fixing groove, such that the driver can select a shift range by turning the dial knob. That is, a shift lock function is achieved by the solenoid. 
     Although the fixing groove is formed only at the position corresponding to the P-range of the dial knob in various embodiments of the invention, another fixing groove may be additionally formed at a position corresponding to the N-range to achieve a shift lock function for the N-range. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a mount block  6   b  having a rectangular block shape is formed at a side in the housing, a semi-circular first receiving groove  6   c  where second hydraulic cylinder  4  is seated is formed on mount block  6   b . Further, a locking groove  6   d  where a ring-shaped locking protrusion  4   e  formed around the outer circumference of second hydraulic cylinder  4  is inserted and locked, and a second receiving groove  6   e  where connecting portion  4   b  of second hydraulic cylinder  4  is inserted and seated, are formed continuously with the first receiving groove. 
     A mount block  7   c , a first receiving groove  7   d , a locking groove  7   e , and a second receiving groove  7   f  are also formed on the inner side of the console upper plate, which covers the open upper portion of the housing, in the same shapes as mount block  6   b , first receiving groove  6   d , locking groove  6   d , and second receiving groove  6   e  of the housing to correspond to them, such that second hydraulic cylinder  4  is accommodated in the housing and stably positioned by the housing and the console upper plate. 
     For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms “upper”, “front” or “rear”, “inside”, and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8