Patent ID: 7313980

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; a first connecting member mechanically connected with and movable with the select lever; an operating position sensor detecting an operating position of the select lever; a mode shift unit mounted on the automatic transmission to shift operation modes of the automatic transmission; a second connecting member mechanically connected with the mode shift unit to shift positions thereof, the second connecting member being relatively movable to a limit amount with respect to the first connecting member and integrally movable beyond the limit amount with the first connecting member; an assist sensor detecting an assist position of the mode shift unit; an assist actuator supplying assist force to the mode shift unit; a drive command value calculating means calculating a drive command value for driving the assist actuator based on the operating position and the assist position so that a difference between the operating position and the assist position may be reduced; and a drive prohibiting means for prohibiting drive of the assist actuator when the difference is kept out of a permissible range for a predetermined period during rest of the assist actuator.