Patent ID: 7194927

Claim:
An operating position select device for an automatic transmission comprising: a select lever unit having a select lever operated by a driver; an operating position sensor which detects an operating position of said select lever and outputs an operating position signal; a mode shift unit mounted on the automatic transmission to shift operation modes of the automatic transmission; a detent mechanism including a detent pin and a detent plate connected with a manual valve, the detent plate being formed with a cam having bottom portions respectively corresponding to select positions and each arranged between adjacent top portions and the pin being pressed toward the cam where the detent plate and the pin are moved relative to each other according to a select operation of said select lever; a mechanically connecting means which mechanically connects said select lever and said mode shift unit with each other; an assist actuator which is arranged between said select lever and said mode shift unit and outputs assist torque to an intermediate portion of said mechanically connecting means to shift the mode shift unit; an assist position sensor which detects an assist position of said assist actuator and outputs an assist position signal; and a control unit which receives the operating position signal and the assist position signal and controls a drive current to be supplied to said assist actuator based on a position difference between the operating position and the assist position so as to obtain the assist torque that can reduce resistance force caused by the detent mechanism.