Patent ID: 7243567

Claim:
An operating position select device for an automatic transmission whose operation modes are shiftable, the operating position select device comprising: a select lever unit having a select lever that is operated by a driver between a plurality of select positions corresponding to the operation modes; an operating state sensor that detects an operating state of the select lever and outputs an operating state signal; a mode shift unit mounted on the automatic transmission to shift operation modes of the automatic transmission; a mechanically connecting means that mechanically connects the select lever and said mode shift unit with each other; an assist actuator that is arranged between the select lever and said mode shift unit and supplies assist force to the shift lever; and a control unit for executing assist control to control said assist actuator based on the operating state signal, and said control unit having an assist maintenance part for maintaining the assist control for a predetermined period after an ignition switch signal of an ignition switch of an engine becomes OFF.