Patent Description:
The prior art discloses a variety of rotary shifter configurations. A first example of this is set forth in <CIT> which discloses a monostable rotary knob selector with auto reset and which teaches a double torsional springs arranged in clockwise and counter-clockwise fashion.

<CIT> teaches a rotary by wire shifter (see translation) with variations of slotted guides and end stops for shifting between gear positions.

<CIT> discloses a rotary shifter with multiple magnetic position indicating components.

<CIT> teaches a multi-steady state continuation rotation knob shifter with magnet and Hall type sensor.

<CIT>) teaches a control device with adjustable stops to limit rotation.

<CIT>teaches a rotary shifter within a motor vehicle application in which the shifter can include thin film (TFT) transistor functionality.

<CIT>teaches a motorized shifter knob with a variation of a ring gear arrangement (not monostable).

<CIT>discloses rotary switch shifter with programmable end stops and/or variable tactile feedback.

<CIT>discloses a monostable rotary transmission selection system including the selector being axially movable along a central axis between reference and axially depressed positions.

<CIT> relates to a vehicle transmission with a knob that rotates to select a shaft stage and an operation unit that rotates to generate the operation feeling when the knob rotates. Additionally, a plurality of gear units are configured to transmit the rotational force of the knob to the operation unit and at least one of the plurality of the gear units has a central axis spaced apart from the rotational axis of the knob.

According to CN105934609 A a shifter apparatus is configured for operating a transmission controller of a vehicle and includes a selection knob that is rotatable between first and second angular positions for selecting an operating mode of the transmission controller.

<CIT> relates to an input device with a base member, a motor attached to the base member, a rotary shaft that is rotationally driven by the motor, a worm gear that rotates integrally with the rotary shaft, and the base member. A first gear that is rotatably provided with respect to the worm gear; a second gear that is provided coaxially with the first gear and is provided rotatably with respect to the base member; and the first gear.

Finally, <CIT> relates to a gearshift device (<NUM>) for an automatic transmission that prevents inadvertent gearshift operations. The gearshift device (<NUM>) includes a shaft-shaped gearshift member (<NUM>, <NUM>) partially exposed from a housing (<NUM>) so as to be rotatable relative to the housing about a rotation axis and movable sidewards in at least a first direction (X) that intersects the rotation axis.

The present invention discloses a rotary shifter assembly with monostable one bump functionality at opposite end stop positions and including a knob shaped handle rotatably supported over a housing. The handle can be either one piece or provided as upper and lower co-rotating components.

A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is incorporated into the housing and includes a sensor and a processor. A spur gear is supported within the housing and is actuated by the knob shaped handle. A magnet is supported upon the spur gear in proximity to the sensor and is influenced by a ring gear configured upon a lower circumference of the handle, so that rotation of the knob shaped handle causes displacement of the magnet relative to the PCBA sensor in order for the processor to instruct a change in shifter position. A display component is positioned upon the handle in communication with the PCBA for indicating a current shifter position of the assembly.

The knob shaped handle further includes an open interior incorporating the inner circumferential ring gear with inner circumferential teeth which mesh or inter-engage the opposing exterior teeth of said spur gear. The housing further includes a main housing secured upon a lower cover housing. An outward facing ledge of the housing supports the spur gear in combination with the circumferential extending ring gear.

The knob shaped handle further includes an interior extending actuating portion which, upon rotation, is displaceable a limited arcuate distance about the housing, a shift resistance/bias being exerted against the actuation portion in response to either of clockwise or counter clockwise rotation in order to provide monostable shifting functionality. Direct shift functionality is provided from either Park to Drive or Drive to Park Shifter positions, in response to holding said rotary shaped knob in a maximum rotated clockwise or counter clockwise position.

In a first selected variant, a torsional spring is secured to the housing and has first and second legs alternatively abutting the interior extending actuating portion in response to rotation in either of clockwise or counter clockwise rotation. A fastener and spring retainer is provided for securing the torsional spring upon the housing. The open interior of the knob shaped handle further includes inner protuberances which seat within arcuate tracks configured within an outer perimeter of the housing for defining a range of rotation in either of clockwise or counter clockwise directions. The inner extending actuating portion further includes lateral extending wing portions alternatively abutting legs of the torsional spring.

In a second selected variant, a pair of spring loaded pawls are incorporated into a main housing, these abutting opposing sloping surfaces defined upon an inner circumferential profile of a rotatable handle in order to influence the handle to the center position when released from either of monostable clockwise or counter-clockwise rotated directions. Other features include the PCBA further having a processor which, upon receiving the signal from the magnet proximate located sensor, or from an external signal, resets the shifter assembly to the Park shifter position.

An illuminating component is associated with the graphical display and LED elements integrated into a surface display. The display can also include either of a thin film transistor display or an organic light emitting diode display. The graphical display further includes segmented LCD elements with LED backlight elements.

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:.

With reference to the attached illustrations, the present invention discloses a rotary shifter assembly, see as depicted at <NUM> in each of <FIG> and <FIG> according to a first embodiment, as well as at <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG> in a second embodiment. In either version, the rotatable shifter provides single bump or one position monostable clockwise (cw) or counter clockwise (ccw) gear selection for successively shifting through Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Manual positions. As will be further disclosed, an additional direct shift feature includes the dial held in either of the cw or ccw direction for a determined time interval for shifting between either of direct-to-drive or direct-to-park configurations.

Referencing first <FIG>, an exploded view is depicted of the rotary shifter according to the present invention. The shifter assembly includes each of a knob shaped handle assembly <NUM> (such including an upper knurled user gripping profile <NUM> configured upon its circumferential exterior). The handle <NUM> is rotatably supported upon a main housing <NUM>. A lower cover portion <NUM> of the housing includes an interior and annular support rim <NUM> for seating the underside of the main housing <NUM> and in order to sandwich a circular shaped printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) <NUM> there between.

An ASM or planetary gear (also termed a spur gear) <NUM> is supported within the main housing <NUM> and, upon being actuated by the knob shaped handle <NUM> (via a circumferentially configured ring gear as further described in <FIG>, displaces an end mounted magnet <NUM> positioned in proximity to a sensor component <NUM> (see <FIG>) associated with the PCBA <NUM>. Although not shown, an alternate envisioned variant substitutes the planetary gear with end supported magnet in favor of incorporating a ring or hoop shaped magnet directly into a bottom perimeter of the rotatable knob, the ring shaped magnet displacing or riding over the sensor mounted to the PCBA in order to provide position sensing for the various shifter positions.

Other features include a torsion spring <NUM> which is secured upon the main housing <NUM> via a spring retainer <NUM> and fastener <NUM> and, as will be further described, provides the required shift resistance bias to either of clockwise (cw) or counter-clockwise (ccw) rotation of the handle in order to provide each of the monostable and direct shift functionalty. Also depicted at <NUM> is a graphic display component for incorporation into the assembly and, as will be subsequently described, can be provided in a variety of different applications not limited to any of thin film transistor (TFT), organic light emitting diode (OLED) or segmented displays.

<FIG> is an assembled perspective of the rotary shifter such as depicted in <FIG> and which better illustrates additional structural features including upward projecting clasps or tabs <NUM>/<NUM> integrated into the lower housing cover portion <NUM> which engage an outer annular rim or ledge <NUM> of the rotatable knob <NUM>, and upon it being assembled over main housing body <NUM>. The main housing can also include bottom tabs <NUM> or the like which align with surface locations of the bottom cover <NUM> and which receive screws <NUM> or the like to secure the assembly together. Also depicted at <NUM> is transparent surface bezel <NUM> or the like for covering the display face of the graphic display component <NUM>.

Proceeding to <FIG>, an overhead plan view is shown of the rotary shifter with the graphical display removed along with the upper knurled portion <NUM> for and to illustrate each of the torsional spring <NUM> placement upon the main housing <NUM> for depicting the single bump monostable profile in combination with the interior extending spring actuating portion associated with the rotatable handle assembly. <FIG> in combination provides a rotated and downward looking perspective of <FIG> and again depicting the interior of the rotary shifter from another angle by which the interior extending actuating portion includes a radially inwardly projecting stem <NUM> which is integrally formed with an inner side wall location of the interiorly hollowed knob <NUM>, a pair of lateral extending wings <NUM> and <NUM> extending from the stem <NUM> and which are position in alternative abutting fashion with either of first <NUM> or second <NUM> extending legs of the interiorly mounted torsional spring <NUM>.

As further best depicted in <FIG>, the washer shaped spring retainer <NUM> and fastener <NUM> secures the base portion of the torsion spring <NUM> so that its pair of end extending legs <NUM>/<NUM> straddle on either side of an upper surface embossment <NUM> of the main housing <NUM>. In this fashion, and as will be further described, clockwise rotation of the knob shaped handle <NUM> results in a shift resistance bias of the first torsional spring leg <NUM> against the lateral extending wing <NUM> of the knob inner extending portion <NUM>, with alternative counter clockwise rotation of the knob shaped handle <NUM> likewise resulting in a shift resistance bias exerted by the second torsional spring leg <NUM> against the lateral extending wing <NUM> of the inner extending portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional perspective of the main housing <NUM>, spur gear <NUM> and torsional spring <NUM> (including extending and shift resistance legs <NUM>/<NUM>). In combination with <FIG>, the upper annular defining perimeter of the main housing <NUM> further includes a pair of upper opposing and circumferentially spaced overhang locations <NUM> and <NUM>, which define there between a partial circumferential gap (arrow <NUM>) which seats the inner projecting stem portion <NUM> of the handle <NUM> and establishes limited rotational ranges in either of the clockwise or counter clockwise directions. Reference is also made to <FIG> which depicts the seating configuration of the interior arcuate resistance engagement portion (stem <NUM> and wings <NUM>/<NUM>) relative an interior seating track profile (see at <NUM>) defined within the upper surface configuration of the main housing <NUM>.

Also depicted in <FIG>, in combination with succeeding <FIG>, are additional integrally formed and inner protuberances <NUM> and <NUM> associated with the annular interior of the knob <NUM>, these seating within limited arcuate slots <NUM> and <NUM> defined along the interior opposing profile of the inner housing <NUM> and, in combination with the circumferential gap seating the inner arcuate portion stem <NUM>, defining the specified range of clockwise (cw) or counter-clockwise (ccw) rotation of the shifter knob in either of the monostable or direct to Drive/direct to Park shift functionalities.

<FIG> again depicts the main housing <NUM> which includes a closed interior window or profile cutout, see perimeter <NUM>, defining an annular window through which partially projects a toothed exterior gear profile of the planetary or spur gear <NUM>. In combination, <FIG> depicts a vertical cutaway of the assembly as substantially shown in <FIG> and further illustrating the manner in which the planetary/spur gear <NUM> and underside supported magnet <NUM> are arranged within the main housing <NUM> in overhead proximity to the underside located PCBA <NUM> and sensor (see as further depicted at <NUM> in <FIG>).

As further shown, the main housing <NUM> can include an outward oriented or facing interior ledge <NUM> configuration, this further defining an interior pocket (again at <NUM> in <FIG>) for supporting the planetary gear <NUM> in combination with an inner circumferential ring gear profile (see ring gear teeth <NUM> as best shown in <FIG>) for inter-engaging the teeth (further shown at <NUM>) of the planetary gear <NUM>. As best shown in <FIG>, the ledge <NUM> includes a partial arcuate profile and can exhibit a smooth inner diameter <NUM> allowing for clearance of the spur gear <NUM> to rotate but still be properly positioned and supported by the ledge <NUM> and so that, in combination with the inner circumferential ring gear teeth <NUM> of the knob handle interior incorporated and circumferentially extending ring gear <NUM> support the planetary gear <NUM> in a limited orbital displacing fashion within the assembly interior and so that the magnet <NUM> supported at a lower stem mounted end of the planetary gear is caused to rotate/displace a limited range relative to the PCBA mounted sensor (see again at <NUM> <FIG>) in order to facilitate a microprocessor portion of the PCBA <NUM> to issue a vehicle shift change instruction.

<FIG> is a further sectional and downward looking perspective of with other parts removed and showing the annular interior with ring gear profile <NUM> of the rotatable and knob shaped handle <NUM>, and further depicting the single bump actuating portion (stem <NUM> and wings <NUM>/<NUM>), in combination with the gear and PCBA <NUM>. <FIG> is a further side rotated and sectional perspective depicting the ASM gear <NUM> and bottom interior mounted magnet <NUM> arranged proximate the sensor <NUM> integrated into the PCBA <NUM>. Additional optional features can include a capacitor cap <NUM> associated with the PCBA <NUM> and which is used to assist with electronic power management.

<FIG> is an overhead plan illustration similar to that shown in <FIG> and showing the rotary shifter in a home position, with <FIG> providing a succeeding illustration to <FIG> and depicting the handle assembly being rotated in a clockwise direction (arrow <NUM>) so that the inner protuberances <NUM> and <NUM> of the handle abut a pair of first end stop locations <NUM>/<NUM> of the slots <NUM>/<NUM> configured in the main housing, and concurrent with the rotary engagement of the spring actuating portion (leg <NUM>) by the associated wing <NUM> of the interior arcuate extending stem portion <NUM> of the knob <NUM>. <FIG> is an alternate succeeding illustration to <FIG> and depicting the handle assembly being rotated in a counter clockwise direction (arrow <NUM>) so that inner protuberances <NUM>/<NUM> of the handle abut additional end stop locations configured in the interior slots <NUM>/<NUM> of the main housing, this concurrent with the rotary engagement of the spring actuating portion <NUM> by the other inner extending wing portion <NUM> and in a counter direction to that depicted in <FIG> and until the inner protuberances <NUM>/<NUM> abut a second pair of opposite end stop locations <NUM>/<NUM> of the slots <NUM>/<NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view cutaway of the knob assembly and housing and illustrating the inter-engagement of the planetary gear <NUM> and knob shaped handle <NUM> with the interior annular configured and integrated ring gear teeth <NUM>. <FIG> again provides an illustration similar to that shown in <FIG> with parts removed and depicting the planetary gear <NUM> and ring gear <NUM> engagement from another angle.

<FIG> is an illustration of the graphical display <NUM> incorporated into the present invention and which can include an illuminating component not limited to LED elements (not shown) integrated into a surface display for presenting a pixelated image. Alternatively, the illuminating component can include either of a thin film transistor display, an organic light emitting diode display or a segmented display including segmented LCD elements (likewise not shown) such as provided in combination with LED backlight elements.

A ribbon cable (as further described below at <NUM>) extends from the display to a receiver location of the PCBA board assembly <NUM>. A side notch <NUM> in the PCBA <NUM> facilitates passage of the ribbon cable to the PCBA <NUM>. The ribbon <NUM> can include either integrated or separate power lines for operating the display, including illuminating the various shifter positions as identified for each of Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Manual positions. Other features can include an illuminating component associated with the graphical display further including any of LED elements and/or LCD segments integrated into a surface display for presenting a pixelated image. The illuminating component can include any of thin film transistor, organic light emitting diode or segmented display options, such including the segmented LCD elements such as provided in combination with LED backlight elements.

A closeout display is provided and encloses a display subassembly display surface <NUM> (this can also reference the surface bezel <NUM> identified in <FIG>) and a surrounding frame housing <NUM>. A lens (not shown) can also be provided for covering the display surface <NUM> in a manner which transparently reveals and protects the pixelated or segmented image provided by the display surface.

The graphical display communicates with the PCBA <NUM>, such as via a main microcontroller on the main PCBA via such as a serial communication protocol (LIN, SPI, 12C, etc.). Alternatively, a parallel interface is envisioned between the main microcontroller/PCB and the graphic display in substitution for the above listed serial communication options. In such an application, the main microcontroller/PCB to graphic display interface will initially be parallel, with the ribbon style cable (again at <NUM>) extending from the graphic display and connecting into an input location for the PCB using the appropriate mating connector <NUM> which engages to a separate location on the PCBA <NUM> apart from the main underside connector <NUM> for connection to the vehicle.

In a segmented display configuration, the a separate wire set (at <NUM> and <NUM> associated with the separate connector <NUM>) is provided for managing the LED's to the separate connector on the PCBA <NUM>, with the ribbon <NUM> managing the segments to the separate connector receiving. In a TFT/OLED configuration, a single ribbon (such as again shown at <NUM>) is provided with the power lines included and which connects to the single location on the PCBA.

As further understood, the ribbon cable will have a wire for each individual LED/LCD segment controlled by the main microcontroller and so that subset areas of the display surface are illuminated based upon the collection of outputs provided from the PCBA <NUM>. Regardless of the type of graphic display employed, the display surface <NUM> will exhibit a desired arrangement of symbols which, in the illustrated embodiment, include an outer array of menu shifter positions (Park <NUM>, Reverse <NUM>, Neutral <NUM>, Drive <NUM> and Manual <NUM>), this in combination with a central enlarged graphical depiction which is provided by the display of a selected one of the shifter positions (see by example for Drive as depicted at <NUM>).

Having provided a structural description of the components of the variant <NUM>, additional description will now be had of the operating protocols for providing each of successive and single shift position shifting between each of the PRNDM gear positions according to the monostable functionality of the gear shifter in single position twist and release in either of the clockwise or counter-clockwise directions (corresponding to one bump operation of the rotary shifter), this in combination with rotate and hold direct shift functionality, such as for shifting directly from Park to Drive and Drive to Park positions.

<FIG> provides an overhead view <NUM> of the assembly in the home position of <FIG>, with <FIG> subsequently depicting the graphical display installed in the same home position and a central enlarged depiction <NUM> referencing the shifter in the Park position. <FIG> provide a succeeding pair of overhead views <NUM> of the assembly as shown in <FIG> in the clockwise monostable actuated position (see arrow <NUM>) for shifting from Park to Reverse shifter positions (further referenced in <FIG> by enlarged depiction <NUM> for Reverse). <FIG> provide a further succeeding pair of overhead views <NUM> of the assembly as shown in <FIG> in the counter clockwise monostable actuated position (arrow <NUM>) for shifting back to the Park position. In each instance, monostable one bump operation (i.e., return to center positioning) of the shifter knob <NUM> is provided by the dual action torsional spring <NUM> for providing shift resistance to the inner arcuate extending portion (stem <NUM> and wings <NUM>/<NUM>) of the knob shifter <NUM>.

<FIG> is a repeat overhead view of the assembly in the home position, with <FIG> subsequently depicting either of the cw or ccw directed monostable actuation of the rotary shifter as previously described in <FIG>. This is again provided by one bump or monostable rotation of the knob <NUM> and by which the forced deflection of the selected torsion spring leg <NUM>/<NUM> occurs simultaneous with the inner protuberances <NUM>/<NUM> of the knob contacting the selected end-stop abutment locations of the slots <NUM> and <NUM> (again <FIG>).

In this manner, rotation of the knob <NUM> (such as in the clockwise direction) and subsequent release will cause the torsion spring to return the knob or handle to the home position, with the display indicating the next succeeding gear position from PRNDM. Rotation of the knob <NUM> in the counterclockwise direction further causes reverse shifting according to the above protocol.

Proceeding to <FIG>, depicted are a series of illustrations of the single bump operation of the rotary shifter between each of Park <NUM> (<FIG>), Reverse <NUM> (<FIG>), Neutral <NUM> (<FIG>), Drive <NUM> (<FIG>) and Manual <NUM> (<FIG>) operating gear positions. Again, a monostable (single bump) operation is provided in a clockwise direction for achieving each succeeding gear, with similar operation in a reverse (counter clockwise) direction causing return shifting in an opposite direction).

<FIG> is a repeat illustration of the shifter in the home position of <FIG>, with <FIG> providing an illustration of the shifter rotated clockwise (see again arrow <NUM>) to the end stop position and held for a determined period of time (e.g. such as greater than two seconds) for accomplishing a direct shift operation according to a further operational feature of the present invention. <FIG> illustrate a succession of Park <NUM> to Drive <NUM> and return to Park <NUM> shifter positions provided by the direct shift operation, with <FIG> further illustrating a succession of Reverse <NUM> to Drive <NUM> to Manual <NUM> to Park <NUM> shifter positions provided by the direct shift operation, and again by which the handle/knob <NUM> is rotated either cw <NUM> or ccw <NUM> and held for a non-limited and sustained period of time, such as which can include two seconds (<NUM> milliseconds) or longer such as <NUM> milliseconds, such time being customer dependent based on the individual desire from the vehicle team.

<FIG> provides a representation <NUM> of an electronic return to park feature for returning the shifter assembly to the Park position from any gear upon command, with <FIG> providing a succeeding illustration <NUM> to that shown in <FIG> of the shifter display returned to the Park position. Unlike the preceding described embodiments, the return to park (RTP) protocol operates separately from the monostable one-bump or direct shift functionality and can result from an external sensor located in the vehicle sending an input to the PCBA mounted processor (such as in response to a vehicle door being opened, seatbelt not engaged, etc.,) for in turn putting the vehicle in the Park position <NUM>.

<FIG> is a Park Lock illustration, generally at <NUM> corresponding to an operator being required to depress a vehicle brake pedal (not shown) to release the assembly from the Park position, and such as in which the handle assembly can move but the gear position remains in the Park position. <FIG> is a Neutral Lock illustration <NUM> corresponding to the functionality described in <FIG>, and by which the shifter will maintain the neutral gear upon command given by an operator and in which, notwithstanding the handle assembly (knob <NUM>) being rotated, the gear position remains in Neutral.

Proceeding to <FIG>, an exploded view is again shown at <NUM> of the rotary shifter according to a further embodiment of the present invention and which substitutes the return to center torsion spring <NUM> of <FIG> with a pair of pawls <NUM> and <NUM> and corresponding coil springs <NUM> and <NUM> which are integrated into a redesigned main housing <NUM> (these as will further described in <FIG> abutting opposing sloping surfaces defined upon an inner circumferential profile of a rotatable handle in order to influence the handle to the center position when released). The main housing <NUM> also defines a perimeter defining window <NUM> from which partially projects the spur gear, again shown at <NUM> with end supported magnet <NUM> and outward meshing teeth <NUM>.

In comparison to that shown in <FIG>, a number of redesigned components are provided and include a two piece handle assembly with an upper handle component <NUM> and a lower assemble-able handle component <NUM>. The upper component <NUM> can again exhibit a knurled exterior gripping profile <NUM> along with circumferential cutout location <NUM> which, upon assembly, seat annular rim protuberances <NUM> of the lower handle component <NUM>. As previously described, the handle or knob can be provided as a single piece as shown at <NUM> in the first variant of the assembly <NUM>.

A redesigned display component <NUM> includes a ribbon connector <NUM> (see also as previously described in <FIG>) which connects to the PCBA <NUM>. Reference is also made to the preceding description regarding alternate design options for TFT/OLED or segmented display variations for the graphic display component.

An outer housing <NUM> is provided with lower engagement tabs <NUM> for assembling over projecting locations <NUM> associated with an annular outer base portion <NUM> of the main (inner) housing <NUM>. A redesigned lower housing cover <NUM> receives fasteners <NUM> for securing to the annular bottom of the outer housing <NUM> and inner main housing <NUM> and in order to sandwich there between the PCBA <NUM>. A chrome ring <NUM> (or other decorative finishing) secures the upper display surface <NUM> of the graphic display component to the upper handle component <NUM>. The ring <NUM> includes annular spaced clips <NUM> which seat within a circular recess or trough <NUM> defined within the surface of the upper handle component <NUM> for securing the display surface. A transparent lens <NUM> can be integrated into the top surface of the upper rotatable handle component <NUM> and beneath which is positioned the graphic display component <NUM>.

As an alternate option to the torsional spring <NUM>, the pawls <NUM>/<NUM> and associated pawl springs <NUM>/<NUM> seat within apertures (one of which is shown at <NUM> in <FIG>) defined within the annular wall of the main housing <NUM>. The interior of the main housing <NUM> further includes a pair of pockets for receiving the springs <NUM>/<NUM> and for seating the pawls <NUM>/<NUM> and so that only a sloping exterior portion of the pawls <NUM>/<NUM> project radially outwardly from circumferential exterior of the main housing.

<FIG> is a top plan cutaway view through the handle assembly and showing the spring loaded pawls <NUM>/<NUM> engaging the inter-assembled lower handle component <NUM> in the home position. This corresponds to the Park position <NUM> referenced in <FIG>.

As previously described, the lower handle component <NUM> includes abutting opposing sloping surfaces (see as depicted in non-limiting fashion as one hundred and eighty degree offset peaked profile locations <NUM> and <NUM>), these defined upon an inner circumferential profile of the lower knob component <NUM>. Regardless of the direction of rotation imparted by rotation of the handle component <NUM>, the projecting locations of the pawls <NUM>/<NUM> are compressed and, upon being released, the handle/knob assembly is return rotated to the center position.

A pair of redesigned inner protuberances <NUM>/<NUM> (compare to as shown at <NUM>/<NUM> in the first variant) are provided with the knob component <NUM> and displace relative to offset opposing end stops <NUM>/<NUM> defined in the main housing <NUM> and so that, depending upon the direction of rotation of the knob, the protuberances <NUM>/<NUM> can only display a limited degree until abutting contact is established. Other variants can envision the spring loaded pawls <NUM>/<NUM> being redesigned to incorporate any end stop structure, such as which can be done without the need for separate protuberances and arcuate defined end stops, in order to define the limits of monostable rotation of the knob <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top plan cutaway view similar to <FIG> and depicting the handle/lower knob component <NUM> being rotated in a clockwise direction (arrow <NUM>) and corresponding to the spring loaded pawls <NUM>/<NUM> interfacing with a first subset set of communicating sloped surfaces <NUM>/<NUM> associated with the peaked locations <NUM>/<NUM> configured upon an inner circumference of the handle. <FIG> is a corresponding top plan view to <FIG> depicting the shifter display in the Reverse position <NUM>, with successive one bump clockwise displacements adapted to progressively shift the display through each of the Neutral, Drive and Manual positions.

<FIG> is a top plan cutaway view similar to <FIG> and depicting the handle/lower knob component <NUM> being rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, this corresponding to the spring loaded pawls <NUM>/<NUM> interfacing with a second set of communicating sloped surfaces <NUM>/<NUM> configured upon an inner circumference of the lower handle/knob component <NUM>. <FIG> is a corresponding top plan view to <FIG> depicting the shifter display returned to the Park position <NUM>. Each of <FIG> further depict a cutout location (see at <NUM> in <FIG>) for permitting passage therethrough of the display component ribbon <NUM> connected to the PCBA <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top plan cutaway view taken along line <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG> and illustrating the inside of the handle/rotatable knob assembly including a similar ring gear <NUM> configured upon an lower circumference of the rotatable lower knob or handle component <NUM>. The ring gear includes inner teeth <NUM> which interfaces with and rotates the spur gear <NUM> with end supported magnet <NUM>, with rotation of the magnet relative to the PCB mounted sensor (again at <NUM> in <FIG>) being communicated to the processor associated with the PCBA <NUM> for instructing a shifter position change.

<FIG> is a side or height extending cutaway of the assembled shifter of <FIG> and illustrating the ASM spur gear <NUM> and magnet <NUM>, and PCBA mounted sensor <NUM>.

In this manner, the present invention according to either of the variants <NUM> and <NUM> discloses an effective assembly for providing operator interface for a transmission gear selection as well as haptic operator feedback (i.e. through the shift resistance architecture), while shifting through the gear positions in any of monostable or direct gear shifting operations as previously described. Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims. The detailed description and drawings are further understood to be supportive of the disclosure, the scope of which being defined by the claims. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the claimed teachings have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the disclosure defined in the appended claims.

The foregoing disclosure is further understood as not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.

In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, as one skilled in the art will appreciate, various embodiments disclosed herein can be modified or otherwise implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, this description is to be considered as illustrative and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of making and using various embodiments of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the forms of disclosure herein shown and described are to be taken as representative embodiments. Equivalent elements, materials, processes or steps may be substituted for those representatively illustrated and described herein. Moreover, certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the disclosure. Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "incorporating", "consisting of", "have", "is" used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.

Further, various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense, and should in no way be construed as limiting of the present disclosure. All joinder references (e.g., attached, affixed, coupled, connected, and the like) are only used to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the systems and/or methods disclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references, if any, are to be construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected to each other.

Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, "first", "second", "third", "primary", "secondary", "main" or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.

Claim 1:
A rotary shifter assembly (<NUM>), including a knob (<NUM>, <NUM>) bi-directionally and biasingly supported upon a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a monostable and return-to-center orientation, said knob including a pair of pawls (<NUM>, <NUM>) and corresponding springs (<NUM>, <NUM>); a printed circuit board assembly (<NUM>) incorporated into said housing (<NUM>) and including a sensor (<NUM>) and a processor;
a spur gear (<NUM>) rotatably supported within said housing and actuated by said knob, said spur gear supporting a magnet (<NUM>) in proximity to said sensor (<NUM>); said assembly characterizing:
said knob including upper (<NUM>) and lower (<NUM>) assembleable components, said lower assembleable component (<NUM>) being rotated in a clockwise direction (<NUM>) and corresponding to said pawls (<NUM>, <NUM>) interfacing with a first subset set of communicating sloped surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>) associated with peaked locations (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured upon an inner circumference of the handle, said lower assembleable component (<NUM>) being rotated in a counter-clockwise rotation corresponding to said pawls (<NUM>, <NUM>) interfacing with a second set of communicating sloped surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured upon the inner circumference of the component (<NUM>), said housing including a perimeter defining window (<NUM>) from which partially projects the spur gear (<NUM>);
a display component (<NUM>) including a ribbon connector (<NUM>) extending to said printed circuit board assembly (<NUM>);
said lower assembleable component including a similar ring gear (<NUM>) configured upon a lower circumference of said lower assembleable component (<NUM>), said ring gear including inner teeth (<NUM>) which interface with and rotate said spur gear (<NUM>)with end supported magnet (<NUM>);
rotation of said knob (<NUM>) causing said ring gear to rotate said spur gear (<NUM>), with rotational displacement of said magnet (<NUM>) relative to said sensor (<NUM>) causing said processor to instruct a change in shifter position; and
said knob (<NUM>) incorporating a graphical display (<NUM>) of said display component (<NUM>) for indicating a current shifter position (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the assembly.