Patent ID: 7966903

Claim:
A shift range control apparatus for a vehicle automatic transmission comprising: a shift range changing mechanism for changing a shift range of the automatic transmission; a parking condition setting mechanism for changing a parking condition of the vehicle from a parking setting position to a parking releasing position and vice versa; a shift-by-wire actuator for switching an operational mode from the shift range changing mechanism to the parking condition setting mechanism and vice versa; a forced parking mechanism having; a rod movably supported between an initial position and a final operational position; a spring for biasing the rod toward the final operational position; and an interlocked portion rotated together with an output shaft of the shift-by-wire actuator, wherein the rod does not interfere with the interlocked portion when the rod is in the initial position, whereas the rod is brought into engagement with the interlocked portion when the rod is moved from the initial position to the final operational position, so that the interlocked portion and the output shaft are driven to the parking setting position; a rod-lock mechanism having; an engaging pin engaged with the rod when the rod is in the initial position and for holding the rod in the initial position; and an electric actuator for driving the engaging pin when electric power is supplied, so that the engaging pin is brought out of engagement from the rod; a forced parking current supply unit for controlling supply of the electric power to the electric actuator.