Patent Document

FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to a lock assembly for a shifter in a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a multi-position lock assembly having a single actuating device for a shifter. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art. 
         [0003]    In a motor vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission, a shifter mechanism typically includes a shifter or control lever mounted within the motor vehicle&#39;s passenger compartment. The shifter lever is used by an operator of the motor vehicle to select one of a plurality of transmission operating modes. For example, these transmission operating modes may include park (P), reverse (R), neutral (N), drive (D), and may, in some configurations, include a low gear or manual mode (M), manual shift up (M+), and manual shift down (M−). To select transmission modes, the operator of the motor vehicle moves the shifter lever about an axis of rotation corresponding to the P, R, N, D positions. The shifter lever may, in some configurations, also be moveable about a second axis of rotation corresponding to the M, M+, M− positions. 
         [0004]    In order to prevent the shifter lever from being accidentally moved to a position not intended by the operator of the motor vehicle, the shifter mechanism includes either, or both, a button lock and a lever lock. The button lock typically includes a feature that engages a detent gate to prevent the shifter lever from moving from the neutral position to the park position unless a button is depressed. The lever lock typically includes locking arm that engages the shifter lever to prevent the shifter lever from moving from the park position to the neutral position. A solenoid selectively moves the locking arm out of engagement with the shifter lever when the brakes have been engaged by the operator of the motor vehicle. While these systems are useful for their intended purpose, there is a need in the art for improved locking mechanisms that do not increase the cost packaging of the shifter mechanism while further providing additional redundant safety features. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A shifter assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The shifter assembly includes a housing, a detent gate connected to the housing, a shifter lever moveable between at least a park position and a neutral position, a locking button movably supported by the shifter lever that contacts the detent gate when in a first position and that spaces apart from the detent gate when depressed to a second position, and a pawl moveable between an unlock position and a lock position. The pawl prevents the shifter lever from moving out of the park or neutral positions and prevents the locking button from being depressed when in the lock position. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, the pawl includes a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion selectively contacts the shifter lever and the second portion selectively contacts the locking button. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the shifter lever includes a slot and the first portion of the pawl is disposed within the slot when the pawl is in the lock position and the shifter lever is in the neutral position. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, the first portion of the pawl contacts a side surface of the shifter lever when the shifter lever is in the park position and the pawl is in the lock position. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the second portion of the pawl includes a first surface offset from a second surface. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, the first surface of the pawl contacts the locking button when the shifter lever is in the park position and the pawl is in the lock position. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the second surface of the pawl contacts the locking button when the shifter lever is in the neutral position and the pawl is in the lock position. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, the pawl is pivotally mounted to the housing and is actuated by a solenoid. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, the locking button includes a first arm that extends through a first window disposed in the shifter lever, and wherein the first arm contacts the detent gate when in the first position. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, the locking button includes a second arm that extends through a second window disposed in the shifter lever, and wherein the second arm selectively contacts the pawl when the pawl is in the lock position. 
         [0015]    Another shifter assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The shifter assembly includes a housing, a detent member connected to the housing, a shifter lever moveable between at least a first gear position and a second gear position, a locking member movable between a first position that contacts with the detent member and a second position free from contact with the detent member, and a pawl moveable between an unlock position and a lock position. The pawl includes a first portion and a second portion. When the pawl is in the lock position the first portion selectively contacts the shifter lever to prevent the shifter lever from moving out of the first gear position and the second portion selectively contacts the locking member to prevent the locking member from being placed in the second position. 
         [0016]    In one aspect, the locking member moves along a first axis concentric with the shifter lever and the shifter lever pivots about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. 
         [0017]    In another aspect, the pawl has a first end and a second end opposite the first end and the pawl is pivotally connected to the housing between the first end and the second end. 
         [0018]    In another aspect, a solenoid is connected to the first end of the pawl for moving the pawl between the lock position and the unlock position. 
         [0019]    In another aspect, the first and second portions are disposed on the second end. 
         [0020]    In another aspect, the first portion extends parallel to the second axis and the second portion extends parallel to the first axis. 
         [0021]    In another aspect, the shifter lever includes a slot and the first portion is disposed within the slot when the pawl is in the lock position and the shifter lever is in the second gear position and the first portion contacts a side surface of the shifter lever when the shifter lever is in the first gear position and the pawl is in the lock position. 
         [0022]    In another aspect, the second portion includes a first surface offset substantially in the direction of the first axis from a second surface. 
         [0023]    In another aspect, the locking member includes a first arm that extends perpendicular to the first axis through a first window disposed in the shifter lever, wherein the first arm engages with the detent member when in the first position, and the locking member includes a second arm that extends perpendicular to the first axis through a second window disposed in the shifter lever, wherein the second arm selectively contacts the pawl when the pawl is in the lock position. 
         [0024]    Further aspects, examples, and advantages will become apparent by reference to the following description and appended drawings wherein like reference numbers refer to the same component, element or feature. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a shifter assembly in a first, unlocked position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged, side perspective view of a portion of the shifter assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of a shifter assembly in a first, locked position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of a shifter assembly in a second, unlocked position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a shifter assembly in a second, locked position; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a shifter assembly in a third position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a shifter assembly is generally indicated by reference number  10  and is illustrated in a neutral, energized position, as will be described below. The shifter assembly  10  is employed within a motor vehicle (not shown). The shifter assembly  10  is controlled by an operator of the motor vehicle to select one of a plurality of shift positions. Each of the shift positions corresponds to an operating mode of a transmission (not shown) associated with the shifter assembly  10  and the motor vehicle. In the example provided, the shifter assembly  10  includes a park (P), reverse (R), neutral (N), and drive (D). It should be appreciated that the number of shift positions, as well as the associated transmission operating mode, may vary without departing from the scope of the present example. For example, the shifter assembly  10  may also include manual modes M, M+, and M− and/or high gear and low gear operating modes. 
         [0034]    The shifter assembly  10  generally includes a shifter lever  12  having a support collar  14 . The shifter lever  12  is connectable to a shift knob (not shown) that is useable by an operator of the motor vehicle. The support collar  14  is pivotally mounted to a shifter housing  16  at a ball bearing or pivot point  17 . The shifter housing  16  encloses and protects the components of the shifter assembly  10 . The shifter lever  12  and support collar  14  are capable of pivoting or rotating about a pivot axis  18  at the pivot point  17 . The support collar  14  includes detent arms  14 A,  14 B that engage a plurality of detents  19  located on an inner surface  20  of the shifter housing  16 . The detents  19  are positioned in the shifter housing  16  to provide a mechanical detent to each of the plurality of shift positions of the shifter lever  12  and support collar  14 . 
         [0035]    A button lock mechanism  22  is connected to the shifter lever  12 . The button lock mechanism  22  prevents the shifter lever  12  and the support collar  14  from pivoting to the park position from the neutral position, as will be described below. The button lock mechanism  22  includes a button lock  24  disposed within the shifter lever  12 . The button lock  24  is depressible within the shifter lever  12 , i.e., the button lock  24  is translatable along an axis  25  of the shifter lever  12 . The button lock  24  includes a first lock arm  24 A and a second lock arm  24 B. The first lock arm  24 A extends out through a first window  26 A disposed in the support collar  14 . The second lock arm  24 B extends out through a second window  26 B disposed on an opposite side of the support collar  14  than the first window  26 A. Each of the first and second lock arms  24 A,  24 B are configured to selectively engage detent gates  30  (only one of which is shown) on each side of the shifter lever  12 . The detent gates  30  are mounted to the shifter housing  16 . The detent gates  30  have a stepped face  32  that limits movement of the shifter lever  12  from the neutral position to the park position. For example, in a rest state where the operator of the motor vehicle  12  is not depressing the lock button  24 , the lock button  24  is biased upwards by any suitable biasing member (not shown), such as a coil spring, to a first position. When the lock button  24  is not depressed, the lock arms  24 A,  24 B are also in the first position where each of the lock arms  24 A,  24 B engage the stepped face  32  of the detent gates  30 , thus preventing the shifter lever  12  from moving from the neutral position to the park position. When the lock button  24  is depressed, the lock arms  24 A,  24 B move downwards to a second position away from the detent gates  30  and do not engage the stepped face  32 , thus allowing the shifter lever  12  to move from the neutral position to the park position. 
         [0036]    The shifter assembly  10  further includes a pawl lock mechanism  34 . The pawl lock mechanism  34  selectively prevents the shifter lever  12  and support collar  14  from moving between the park and neutral positions while simultaneously preventing the lock button  24  from being depressed from the first position to the second position. The pawl lock mechanism  34  includes a pawl  40  actuated by an actuator  42 . 
         [0037]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the pawl  40  includes a first end  44  and a second end  46  opposite the first end  44 . The pawl  40  is pivotally mounted to the shifter housing  16  at a pivot point  48 . The pivot point  48  is disposed between the first end  44  and the second end  46  of the pawl  40 . The pawl  40  pivots about an axis  50 . The axis  50  is perpendicular to the pivot axis  18  of the shifter lever  12  and support collar  14 . 
         [0038]    The first end  44  of the pawl  40  includes a first portion or tab  52  and a second portion or blocker  54 . The tab  52  is oriented perpendicular to the blocker  54  and extends from the blocker  54  toward the support collar  14 . The tab  52  is configured to engage a slot  56  defined in the support collar  14  and a side surface  58  on the support collar  14 , depending on the position of the shifter lever  12  and the support collar  14 . The slot  56  is disposed on a same side as the first window  26 A. The slot  56  is disposed along the axis  25  between the pivot point  17  and the first window  25 A. The side surface  58  is disposed adjacent the slot  56 . 
         [0039]    The blocker  54  includes a first surface  54 A offset from a second surface  54 B thus creating a stepped profile. The blocker  54  is configured to selectively contact or engage the first lock arm  24 A when the shifter lever  12  and support collar  14  are in different positions which changes the height of the first lock arm  24 A relative to the pawl  40 . For example, the second surface  54 B is raised with respect to the first surface  54 A and is disposed on the pawl  40  between the pivot point  48  and the first surface  54 A. 
         [0040]    Returning to  FIG. 1  and with continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the actuator  42  includes an armature  60  pivotally connected to the second end  46  of the pawl  40 . The actuator  42  is preferably an on/off solenoid where, upon receipt of a control signal, the solenoid is energized and the armature  60  is translated. Translation of the armature  60  in turn pivots the pawl  40  about the pivot axis  50 . However, it should be appreciated that the actuator  42  may take other forms without departing form the scope of the present example. The actuator  42  may be electronically controlled by a controller, such as a transmission control module or brake control module, etc., and commanded to energize when the brakes of the motor vehicle are depressed. 
         [0041]    The pawl  40  is movable between an unlocked or energized position, shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 , and a locked or de-energized position, shown in  FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 .  FIG. 1  shows the shifter lever  12  in the neutral position with the pawl  40  in the unlocked position. In this condition, the pawl  40  does not engage the support collar  14  nor the lock button  24 . To move the shifter lever  12  to a drive position, shown in  FIG. 6 , the operator of the motor vehicle need only move the shifter lever  12  rearwards, i.e. away from the detent gate  30 . However, to move the shifter lever  12  to a reverse position (not shown) or a park position (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ), the lock button  24  must be depressed to move the lock arms  24 A,  24 B out of alignment and engagement with the detent gate  30  before moving the shifter lever  12  forwards, i.e., towards the detent gate  30 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows the shifter lever  12  in the neutral position with the pawl  40  in the locked position. In this condition, the pawl  40  engages both the support collar  14  and the first lock arm  24 A. For example, the tab  52  of the pawl  40  is disposed in the slot  56  and the second surface  54 B of the blocker  54  is in contact with the first lock arm  24 A. The tab  52  prevents the shifter lever  12  from pivoting about the axis  18  while the blocker  54  blocks the lock button  24  form being depressed, thus providing extra redundancy. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  shows the shifter lever  12  in the park position with the pawl  40  in the unlocked position. In this condition, the pawl  40  does not engage the support collar  14  nor the lock button  24 . However, the locking arms  24 A,  24 B are disposed on an opposite side of the detent gate  30 . Thus, to move the shifter lever  12  to the drive position, neutral position, or reverse position, the operator of the motor vehicle must depress the lock button  24  to move the lock arms  24 A,  24 B out of alignment and engagement with the detent gate  30  before moving the shifter lever  12 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  shows the shifter lever  12  in the park position with the pawl  40  in the locked position. In this condition, the pawl  40  engages both the support collar  14  and the first lock arm  24 A. For example, the tab  52  of the pawl  40  is in contact with the side surface  58  and the first surface  54 A of the blocker  54  is in contact with the first lock arm  24 A. The tab  52  prevents the shifter lever  12  from pivoting about the axis  18  while the blocker  54  blocks the lock button  24  form being depressed, thus providing extra redundancy. 
         [0045]    Finally,  FIG. 6  shows the shifter lever  12  in the drive position. In this position, the pawl  40  does not inhibit movement of the shifter lever  12  nor the lock button  24 . 
         [0046]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 2