GB2513430A

GB2513430A - Combined three-way sensor switch

Info

Publication number: GB2513430A
Application number: GB1315881.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ganesha Neelappa
Original assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Current assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
Priority date: 2013-04-25
Filing date: 2013-09-06
Publication date: 2014-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-06
Also published as: GB201315881D0; CN104121362B; GB2513430B; CN104121362A

Abstract

A sensor detent assembly 20 for sensing a position of a gear selector comprises a rotatable profile plate 24 having raised portions (54, 56, fig 2B) and/or valleys (52) that correspond to at least neutral or reverse positions of the gear selector assembly. A three-way sensor switch has a plunger 26 that under an influence of a spring (64) follows the profile of the profile plate 24. In one position, the switch closes a first set of contacts (92) that indicate that the transmission is in neutral, and in another position, the switch closes a second set of contacts (94) that indicate that the transmission is in reverse. The switch may have a third position, wherein neither of the sets of contacts is closed. In the first position third and fourth lead ends are electrically connected with a connector terminal (84) and in the second position first and second lead ends are electrically connected with a connector terminal (84).

Description

I

COMBINED THREE-WAY SENSOR SWITCH

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to as sensor switch for sensing whether an automotive transmission is in neutral or reverse.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art.

In a manual transmission, a gear shifter may be operated by a driver to change gears. The shifter allows an operator of the motor vehicle to manually engage the manual transmission in order to select from a plurality of forward, neutral, and reverse gear ratios. The shifter is typically coupled to the manual transmission through shift cables.

The shifter may be moved through a shift pattern to achieve the plurality of gear ratios. In a six speed transmission, for example, a second gear position may be located opposite a first gear position, a fourth gear position may be located opposite a third gear position, a sixth gear position may be located opposite a fifth gear position, and a reverse gear may include its own channel.

For safety reasons, the shifting system is often equipped with a sensor for sensing whether the shifter is in the neutral position or the transmission in the neutral gear state. Accordingly, a sensor switch is provided which is configured to sense the neutral position. In addition, the shifting system is equipped with a reverse light sensor switch, which senses whether the shifter is in the reverse position and/or whether the transmission is in the reverse gear state. If the transmission is in reverse, the reverse light switch sends a signal that turns on the reverse lights of the vehicle.

While current sensor switches work for their intended purpose, there is a desire to reduce or eliminate components of the transmission, to allow for a small transmission case and a lighter vehicle.

SUMMARY

The present invention seeks to provide an improved sensor switch.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor detent assembly for sensing a position of a gear selector of a transmission, the sensor detent assembly including: a profile plate having a plurality of raised portions; and a sensor switch including a plunger configured to contact the profile plate, the sensor switch having a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts, wherein the sensor switch closes the first set of contacts when the plunger is in a first position and the sensor switch closes the second set of contacts when the plunger is in a second position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a manual transmission assembly for an automobile, the manual transmission assembly including: a gear selector movable between a forward gear engaged position, a reverse gear engaged position, and a neutral position; a sensor detent assembly for sensing whether the gear selector is in the forward gear engaged position, whether the gear selector is in the reverse gear engaged position, and whether the gear selector is in the neutral position, the sensor detent assembly including: a profile plate having a plurality of raised portions; and a sensor switch including a plunger configured to contact the profile plate, the sensor switch having a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts, wherein the sensor switch closes the first set of contacts when the plunger is in a first position and the sensor switch closes the second set of contacts when the plunger is in a second position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sensor detent assembly for sensing a position of a gear selector of a transmission, the sensor detent assembly including: a profile plate having a plurality of raised portions; and a sensor switch including a plunger configured to contact the profile plate, the sensor switch having first and second leads having first and second lead ends, the sensor switch having third and fourth leads having third and fourth lead ends, the sensor switch further comprising a connector terminal that is movable with respect to the first, second, third, and fourth lead ends, wherein the sensor switch electrically connects the first and second lead ends with the connector terminal when the plunger is in a first position and the sensor switch electrically connects the third and fourth lead ends with the connector terminal when the plunger is in a second position, the first and second lead ends not being electrically connected to each other when the plunger is in the second position and the third and fourth lead ends not being electrically connected to each other when the plunger is in the first position, wherein the profile plate is rotatable with respect to the sensor switch.

The present disclosure provides a combined three-way sensor switch detent assembly. It should be understood, however, that the sensor switch detent assembly could sense more than three positions, if desired. The assembly includes a profile plate having raised portions and/or valleys that correspond to neutral, forward gear, and reverse positions of the gear selector assembly. A switch is provided having a plunger that follows the profile of the profile plate. In one position, the switch closes a first set of contacts that indicate that the transmission is in a first gear state, and in another position, the switch closes a second set of contacts that indicate that the transmission is in a second gear state.

In a particular embodiment, the combined three-way sensor switch is used to sense neutral and reverse gear states.

In one variation, which may be combined with or separate from the other variations described herein, a sensor detent assembly for sensing a position of a gear selector of a transmission is provided. The sensor detent assembly includes a profile plate having a plurality of raised portions and a sensor switch having a plunger configured to contact the profile plate. The sensor switch has a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts. The sensor switch closes the first set of contacts when the plunger is in a first position, and the sensor switch closes the second set of contacts when the plunger is in a second position.

In another variation, which may be combined with or separate from the other variations described herein, a manual transmission assembly for an automobile is provided. The manual transmission assembly includes a gear selector that is movable between a forward gear engaged position, a reverse gear engaged position, and a neutral position. A sensor detent assembly is provided for sensing whether the gear selector is in the forward gear engaged position, whether the gear selector is in the reverse gear engaged position, and whether the gear selector is in the neutral position. The sensor detent assembly includes a profile plate having a plurality of raised portions. A sensor switch has a plunger configured to contact the profile plate. The sensor switch has a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts. The sensor switch closes the first set of contacts when the plunger is in a first position, and the sensor switch closes the second set of contacts when the plunger is in a second position.

In yet another variation, which may be combined with or separate from the other variations described herein, a sensor detent assembly for sensing a position of a gear selector of a transmission is provided. The sensor detent assembly includes a profile plate having a plurality of raised portions and a sensor switch.

The sensor switch has a plunger configured to contact the profile plate. The sensor switch also has first and second leads having first and second lead ends and third and fourth leads having third and fourth lead ends. The sensor switch further includes a connector terminal that is movable with respect to the first, second, third, and fourth lead ends. The sensor switch electrically connects the first and second lead ends with the connector terminal when the plunger is in a first position, and the sensor switch electrically connects the third and fourth lead ends with the connector terminal when the plunger is in a second position. On the other hand, the first and second lead ends are not electrically connected to each other when the plunger is in the second position, and the third and fourth lead ends are not electrically connected to each other when the plunger is in the first position. The profile plate is rotatable with respect to the sensor switch.

Further advantages and areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a transmission having a sensor detent assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the

present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view of a gear selector assembly showing four neutral positions of a gear selector stick, in accordance with an embodiment of the

present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a profile plate of the sensor detent assembly of FIG. 1, showing four neutral positions of a plunger of the sensor detent assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sensor assembly of the sensor detent assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the neutral position is being sensed, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view of the gear selector assembly of FIG. 2A, showing six forward gear engaged positions of the gear selector stick, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the profile plate of FIG. 2B, showing six forward gear engaged positions of the plunger of the sensor detent assembly of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sensor assembly of FIG. 2C, wherein neither neutral nor reverse is sensed, according to an embodiment of

the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of the gear selector assembly of FIGS. 2A and 3A, showing a reverse gear engaged position of the gear selector stick, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the profile plate of FIGS. 2B and 3B, showing a reverse gear engaged position of the plunger of the sensor detent assembly of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sensor assembly of FIGS. 2C and 3C, wherein the reverse gear engaged position is being sensed, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a portion of a manual transmission is illustrated and generally designated at 10. The transmission may have shift rails and synchronizers or the like disposed around an input shaft 12 for shifting the transmission 10 into a plurality of forward, neutral, and reverse gears. The shift rails, synchronizers, and/or other synchronizers are generally indicated at 14 and are disposed in a transmission case 16.

A sensor detent assembly 20 is provided for sensing whether the transmission 10 is in neutral or reverse. The sensor detent assembly 20 may be attached to the transmission case 16, as illustrated, or it may be attached to any other suitable structure. The sensor detent assembly 20 includes a sensor assembly 22 and a profile plate 24. The sensor assembly 22 has a plunger 26 extending from an inner side 28 of the sensor assembly 22. The plunger 26 is configured to contact and follow the profile plate 24. The profile plate 24 is moved axially and/or rotationally by a gear selector stick, which will be described in further detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a portion of a gear selector assembly is illustrated and generally designated at 30. The gear selector assembly 30 defines a track 32 therein. A gear selector stick 34 is disposed in the track 32. The gear selector stick 34 is configured to be moved throughout the track 32 and to follow the shift pattern of the track 32 to shift the manual transmission 10 into a plurality of gear ratios. Accordingly, the gear selector stick 34 may be moved to a first portion 36 of the track 32 to shift the transmission 10 into a first gear, a second portion 38 of the track 32 to shift the transmission 10 into a second gear, a third portion 40 of the track 32 to shift the transmission 10 into a third gear, a fourth portion 42 of the track 32 to shift the transmission 10 into a fourth gear, a fifth portion 44 of the track 42 to shift the transmission 10 into a fifth gear, a sixth portion 46 of the track 32 to shift the transmission 10 into a sixth gear, and a seventh portion 48 of the track 32 to shift the transmission 10 into a reverse gear.

In FIG. 2A, the gear selector stick 34 is shown in a neutral position 50, which corresponds to the transmission 10 being in a neutral gear state. The gear selector stick 32 is illustrated as being in one of four places in the neutral position 50, all along the central neutral position 50. Though six forward gears and one reverse gear are illustrated, the transmission 10 and the gear selector assembly could alternatively have a different number of forward and/or reverse gears.

Referring now to FIGS. 2B and 2C, the sensor assembly 22 and the profile plate 24 of the sensor detent assembly 20 are illustrated. The profile plate 24 has three height levels that correspond to one of the forward gear engaged positions 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, the reverse gear engaged position 48, and the neutral position 50. More specifically, a lower portion 52 of the profile plate 24 corresponds to the neutral position 50 of the gear selector assembly 30. A first raised portion 54 and a second raised portion 56 correspond to the forward gear engaged positions 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 of the gear selector stick 34. More specifically, the first, third, and fifth gear engaged positions 36, 40, 44 correspond to the first raised portion 54, and the second, fourth, and sixth gear engaged positions 38, 42, 46 correspond to the second raised portion 56. A third raised portion 58, which is raised higher than the first raised portion 54, corresponds to the reverse gear engaged position 48 of the gear selector assembly 30.

The gear selector assembly 30 is coupled to the profile plate 24, such that when the gear selector stick 34 is in the neutral position 50 as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gear selector assembly 30 rotates and/or axially moves the profile plate 24 so that the plunger 26 is located in one of the four neutral positions 50' located on the profile plate 24, unless the profile plate 24 is already in such a position. The gear selector assembly 30 rotates the profile plate 24 until the lower portion 52 is aligned with the plunger 26, and the gear selector assembly 30 axially slides the profile plate 24 on an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the transmission 10 as the gear selector stick 34 is moved across the four positions in the neutral position 50, as illustrated in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2C, the sensor assembly 22 has an outer housing comprising an upper cover 60 attached to a lower cover 59 and defining a cavity 61 therein. The sensor assembly 22 includes the plunger 26, which is biased outward from a bottom side 62 of the sensor assembly 22 by a biasing member 64, such as a spring. The plunger 26 has a main body portion 66 ending in a detent 68. The detent 68 has a lip 70, a detent end 74, and a cylindrical part 72 disposed between and contacting the lip 70 and detent end 74. The lip 70 has a larger outer diameter than the diameter of the cylindrical part 68. A washer 76 is disposed around the main body portion 66 of the plunger 26. The washer 76 holds the spring 64 between the washer 76 and an upper portion 78 of the upper cover 60.

The bottom side 62 of the lower housing cover 59 defines a cylindrical aperture 80 through which the cylindrical part 72 of the detent 68 extends. The lip is stopped by an inner edge 82 of the lower cover 59 around the cylindrical aperture 80. The biasing member 64 biases the lip 70 into contact with the inner edge 82, unless a greater force pushes the lip 70 into the cavity 61 and away from the inner edge 82 (which will be described below).

When the transmission 10 is in neutral, the gear selector assembly 30 rotates the profile plate 24 so that the lower portion 52 of the profile plate contacts the detent end 74. As the gear selector stick 34 is moved throughout the positions in the neutral position 50, the profile plate 24 is slid along the detent end 74 so that the detent end 74 contacts the profile plate in the tour neutral positions 50'. In some variations, the detent end 74 may not contact the lower portion 52; rather, the detent end 74 may be disposed proximate to, but not contacting, the lower portion 52 of the profile plate 24. The lower portion 52 is low enough that it allows the lip 70 to be biased into contact with the inner edge 82, in this embodiment.

When the lip 70 contacts the inner edge 82, the detent 68 protrudes a maximum distance from the lower cover 59, in a maximum extended position. In other variations, the lip 70 may not contact the inner edge 82, even when the detent 68 extends from the lower cover 59 in the maximum extended position.

A connecting terminal 84 is fixedly connected to the main body portion 66 of the plunger 26. A pair of neutral sensor leads 86 and a pair ot reverse light sensor leads 88 are disposed in the cavity 61 of the housing tormed by the upper and lower covers 60, 59. Each of the neutral sensor leads 86 and the reverse light sensor leads 88 extend through a terminal cover 90 of the upper cover 60 and are further connected for sending a signal indicating that the transmission 10 is in neutral or reverse.

When the detent 68 is in the maximum extended position (when the gear selector stick 34 is in the neutral position 50 and the detent end 74 extends along the lower portion 52 of the profile plate 24), the main body portion 66 of the plunger 26 places the connecting terminal 84 in contact with the neutral sensor leads 86, closing the loop between the ends 92 of the neutral sensor leads 86.

When the loop between the neutral sensor leads 86 is closed, a signal is sent through the neutral sensor leads 86 indicating that the transmission is in neutral.

Thus, the sensor detent assembly 20 has a neutral sensed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2B-2C. In the neutral position, the end 74 is located a distance A from the highest level protrusion -the third raised portion 58. Thus, the contacts 85 on the connecting terminal 84 are disposed a distance A from the ends 94 of the upper sensor leads 88 when the assembly 20 is in the neutral position.

Turning now to FIGS. 3A-3B, the gear selector assembly 30 and the detent sensor assembly 20 are in one of the six forward gear states. In FIG. 3A, the gear selector stick 34 is shown in the six forward gear engaged positions 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 (the stick 34 only in one forward position at a time), which correspond to each of the six forward gear states of the transmission 10. As explained above, even though six forward gears and one reverse gear are illustrated, the transmission 10 and the gear selector assembly 30 could alternatively have a different number of forward and/or reverse gears.

Referring now to FIGS. 3B and 3C, the sensor assembly 22 and the profile plate 24 of the sensor detent assembly 20 are illustrated with the transmission 10 being in a forward gear. When the transmission 10 is in one of the forward gears, one of the first and second raised portions 54, 56 is disposed in contact with the detent end 74. More specifically, when the gear selector stick 34 is in the first gear engaged position 36, the detent end 74 contacts the first raised portion 54 in the first gear spot 36'; when the gear selector stick 34 is in the second gear engaged position 36, the detent end 74 contacts the second raised portion 56 in the second gear spot 38'; when the gear selector stick 34 is in the third gear engaged position 40, the detent end 74 contacts the first raised portion 54 in the third gear spot 40'; when the gear selector stick 34 is in the fourth gear engaged position 42, the detent end 74 contacts the second raised portion 56 in the fourth gear spot 42'; when the gear selector stick 34 is in the fifth gear engaged position 44, the detent end 74 contacts the first raised portion 54 in the fifth gear spot 44'; and when the gear selector stick 34 is in the sixth gear engaged position 46, the detent end 74 contacts the second raised portion 56 in the sixth gear spot 46'.

When the gear selector stick 34 is in one of the forward gear engaged positions 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the gear selector assembly 30 rotates and/or axially moves the profile plate 24 so that the plunger 26 is located in one of the forward gear engaged position spots 36', 38', 40', 42', 44', 46' located on one of the first and second raised portions 54, 56 of the profile plate 24. The gear selector assembly 30 rotates the profile plate 24 until one of the first and second raised portions 54, 56 is aligned with the plunger 26.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the sensor assembly 22 is in a position corresponding to the profile plate 24 illustrated in FIG. 3B. One of the first and second raised portions 54, 56 is disposed in contact with the detent end 74. As such, the profile plate 24 pushes the detent lip 70 away from the inner edge 82 of the bottom 62 of the lower cover 59 and against the biasing member 64.

The first and second raised portions 54, 56 are raised a distance B from the lower portion 52, and therefore, the connecting terminal 84 is pushed away from the ends 92 of the neutral sensor leads 86. The first and second raised portions 54, 56, however, do not have enough height to push the connecting terminal 84 into contact with the ends 94 of the reverse light sensor leads 88. Instead, the connecting terminal 84 disposed between the neutral sensor lead ends 92 and the reverse light sensor lead ends 94 without contacting either of them. Therefore, when the transmission 10 is a forward gear state, there is no signal sent indicating that the transmission 10 is in neutral or reverse.

For example, the first and second raised portions 54, 56 may have a height RB, which is disposed a distance B from the neutral valley 52. The third raised portion may have a height RA, which is greater than the height RB. Accordingly, when the tip 74 is disposed on one of the first and second raised portions 54, 56, the contacts 85 of the terminal 84 may be located a distance B from the contacts 92 and a distance RA -RB from the contacts 94.

When the transmission 10 is in one of the forward gear states, the gear selector assembly 30 rotates the profile plate 24 so that one of the first and second raised portions 54, 56 of the profile plate contacts the detent end 74. The detent end 74 contacts the profile plate 24 in one of the forward gear engaged positions 36', 38', 40', 42', 44', 46'. When the lip 70 is pushed away from the inner edge 82 by the profile plate 24, the detent 68 does not protrudes a maximum distance from the lower cover 59; instead, the connecting terminal 84 is moved out of contact with the ends 92 of the neutral sensor leads 86. Both ends 94, 92 are open and no signal is established.

Turning now to FIGS. 4A-4B, the gear selector assembly 30 and the detent sensor assembly 20 are in the reverse gear engaged position. In FIG. 4A, the gear selector stick 34 is shown in the reverse gear engaged position 48, which corresponds to the reverse gear state of the transmission 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 4B and 4C, the sensor assembly 22 and the profile plate 24 of the sensor detent assembly 20 are illustrated with the transmission 10 being in a reverse gear. When the transmission 10 is in the reverse gear position, the third raised portion 58 of the profile plate 24 is disposed in contact with the detent end 74. More specifically, when the gear selector stick 34 is in the reverse gear engaged position 48, the detent end 74 contacts the third raised portion 58 in the reverse gear engaged spot 48'.

When the gear selector stick 34 is in the reverse gear engaged position 48, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the gear selector assembly 30 rotates and/or axially moves the profile plate 24 so that the plunger 26 is located on the reverse gear engaged position 48' located on the third raised portion 58 of the profile plate 24.

The gear selector assembly 30 rotates the profile plate 24 until the reverse gear engaged position spot 48' of the third raised portion 58 is aligned with the plunger 26.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the sensor assembly 22 is in a position corresponding to the profile plate 24 illustrated in FIG. 4B. The third raised portion 58 is disposed in contact with the detent end 74. As such, the profile plate 24 pushes the detent lip 70 away from the inner edge 82 of the bottom 62 of the lower cover 59 and against the biasing member 64.

The third raised portion 58 is raised a distance A from the lower portion 52, and therefore, the connecting terminal 84 is pushed away from the ends 92 of the neutral sensor leads 86 and into contact with the ends 94 of the reverse light sensor leads 88, against the biasing member 64. The main body portion 66 of the plunger 26 places the connecting terminal 84 in contact with the reverse light sensor leads 88, closing the loop between the ends 94 of the reverse light sensor leads 88. When the loop between the reverse light sensor leads 88 is closed, a signal is sent indicating that the transmission 10 is in reverse.

When the transmission 10 is in the reverse gear state, the gear selector assembly 30 rotates the profile plate 24 so that the third raised portion 58 of the profile plate 24 contacts the detent end 74. The detent end 74 contacts the profile plate 24 in the reverse gear engaged position 48'. When the lip 70 is pushed away from the inner edge 82 by the profile plate 24 by a distance A corresponding to the height of the third raised portion 58 of the profile plate 24, the detent 68 does not protrudes a maximum distance from the lower cover 59; instead, the connecting terminal 84 is moved out of contact with the ends 92 of the neutral sensor leads 86 and into contact with the reverse light sensor leads 88.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ends 92, 94 of the sensor leads 86, 88 are located a distance A' plus height of connecting terminal 84 from each other, which also corresponds to the height A of the third raised portion 58 of the profile plate 24, such that at the bottom position (low portion 52), the connecting terminal 84 closes the loop of the neutral sensor leads 86, and at the top reverse gear engaged position 48', the connecting terminal 84 closes the loop of the reverse light sensor leads 88. Thus, the contacts 85 on the connecting terminal 84 are disposed a distance A from the ends 92 of the lower sensor leads 86 when the assembly 20 is in the reverse position.

Accordingly, a combined neutral gear state and reverse gear state detent sensor assembly 20 is provided, which includes a profile plate 24 having at least three different levels or heights. It will be appreciated that the location and particular embodiments of the gear selector assembly 10 and the sensor detent assembly 20 could have various other configurations without departing from the

spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

In addition, the particular embodiments illustrated in the figures could have variations within the scope of the claims. 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 scope of the teachings herein.

The disclosures in United States patent application number 61/815958, from which this application claims priority, and in the abstract accompanying this application are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sensor detent assembly for sensing a position of a gear selector of a transmission, the sensor detent assembly including: a profile plate having a plurality of raised portions; and a sensor switch including a plunger configured to contact the profile plate, the sensor switch including a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts, wherein the sensor switch is operable to close the first set of contacts when the plunger is in a first position and to close the second set of contacts when the plunger is in a second position.
2. The sensor detent assembly of claim 1, wherein the profile plate is rotatable with respect to the sensor switch.
3. The sensor detent assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of raised portions includes a first raised portion and a second raised portion, the profile plate providing a valley between the first and second raised portions.
4. The sensor detent assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the plunger is configured to slide along the first and second raised portions and through the valley of the profile plate.
5. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of raised portions includes a third raised portion, the plunger being configured to slide along the third raised portion.
6. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second sets of contacts are open when the plunger contacts first raised portion, the first and second sets of contacts also being open when the plunger contacts the second raised portion.
7. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the first set of contacts is closed when the plunger is disposed in the valley of the profile plate.
8. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the second set of contacts is closed when the plunger contacts the third raised portion.
9. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the plunger contacts one of the first and second raised portions when the transmission is in a forward gear state.
10. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the plunger is disposed in the valley of the profile plate when the transmission is in a neutral gear state.
11. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the plunger contacts the third raised portion when the transmission in a reverse gear state.
12. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein a surface of the profile plate has at least three height levels.
13. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, including a biasing member, wherein the plunger is biased outward from the sensor switch by the biasing member.
14. A manual transmission assembly for an automobile, the manual transmission assembly including: a gear selector movable between a forward gear engaged position, a reverse gear engaged position, and a neutral position; a sensor detent assembly for sensing whether the gear selector is in the forward gear engaged position, whether the gear selector is in the reverse gear engaged position, or whether the gear selector is in the neutral position, the sensor detent assembly including: a profile plate having a plurality of raised portions; and a sensor switch including a plunger configured to contact the profile plate, the sensor switch including a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts, wherein the sensor switch is operable to close the first set of contacts when the plunger is in a first position and the sensor switch closes the second set of contacts when the plunger is in a second position.
15. The manual transmission assembly of claim 14, wherein the profile plate is rotatable with respect to the sensor switch, and wherein the plurality of raised portions includes a first raised portion, a second raised portion, and a third raised portion, the first profile plate providing a valley between the first and second raised portions.
16. The manual transmission assembly of claim 14 or 15, wherein the plunger is configured to slide along the first, second, and third raised portions and through the valley of the profile plate.
17. The manual transmission assembly of claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the first and second sets of contacts are open when the plunger contacts first raised portion, the first and second sets of contacts also being open when the plunger contacts the second raised portion, wherein the first set of contacts is closed when the plunger is disposed in the valley, and wherein the second set of contacts is closed when the plunger contacts the third raised portion.
18. The manual transmission assembly of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the plunger contacts one of the first and second raised portions when the gear selector is in the forward gear engaged position, wherein the plunger is disposed in the valley when the gear selector is in the neutral position, and wherein the plunger contacts the third raised portion when the gear selector in the reverse gear engaged position.
19. The manual transmission assembly of any one of claims 14 to 18, including a biasing member, wherein the plunger is biased outward from the sensor switch by the biasing member.
20. A sensor detent assembly for sensing a position of a gear selector of a transmission, the sensor detent assembly including: a profile plate having a plurality of raised portions; and a sensor switch including a plunger configured to contact the profile plate, the sensor switch including first and second leads having first and second lead ends, the sensor switch including third and fourth leads having third and fourth lead ends, the sensor including comprising a connector terminal that is movable with respect to the first, second, third, and fourth lead ends, wherein the sensor switch is operable to connect electrically the first and second lead ends with the connector terminal when the plunger is in a first position and to connect electrically the third and fourth lead ends with the connector terminal when the plunger is in a second position, the first and second lead ends not being electrically connected to each other when the plunger is in the second position and the third and fourth lead ends not being electrically connected to each other when the plunger is in the first position, wherein the profile plate is rotatable with respect to the sensor switch.Amendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. A sensor detent assembly for sensing a position of a gear selector of a transmission, the sensor detent assembly including: a profile plate having a plurality of raised portions; and a sensor switch including a plunger biased into contact with the profile plate and having a connecting terminal, a first set of contacts defining a first circuit and a second set of contacts defining a second circuit, wherein the connecting terminal connects the first set of contacts when the plunger is in a first position and and connects the second set of contacts when the plunger is in a second position. a)O 2. The sensor detent assembly of claim 1, wherein the profile plate is rotatable o with respect to the sensor switch.3. The sensor detent assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of raised portions includes a first raised portion and a second raised portion, the profile plate providing a valley between the first and second raised portions.4. The sensor detent assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the plunger slides along the first and second raised portions and through the valley of the profile plate.5. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of raised portions includes a third raised portion, the plunger slides along the third raised portion.6. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second sets of contacts are open when the plunger contacts first raised portion and the second raised portion.7. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the first set of contacts is connected by the connecting terminal when the plunger is disposed in 0') the valley of the profile plate.S. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the second set of contacts is connected by the connecting terminal when the plunger contacts the third raised portion.9. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the plunger contacts one of the first and second raised portions when the transmission is in a forward gear state.10. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the plunger is disposed in the valley of the profile plate when the transmission is in a neutral gear state.11. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the plunger contacts the third raised portion when the transmission in a reverse gear state.12. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, wherein a surface of the profile plate has at least three height levels.13. The sensor detent assembly of any preceding claim, including a biasing member, wherein the plunger is biased outward from the sensor switch by the biasing member. a)0 14. A manual transmission assembly for an automobile, the manual o transmission assembly including: a sensor detent assembly of claim 1 a gear selector movable between a forward gear engaged position, a reverse gear engaged position, and a neutral position; a sensor detent assembly for sensing whether the gear selector is in the forward gear engaged position, whether the gear selector is in the reverse gear engaged position, or whether the gear selector is in the neutral position.15. The manual transmission assembly of claim 14, wherein the profile plate is rotatable with respect to the sensor switch, and wherein the plurality of raised portions includes a first raised portion, a second raised portion, and a third raised portion, the first profile plate providing a valley between the first and second raised portions.16. The manual transmission assembly of claim 14 or 15, wherein the plunger slides along the first, second, and third raised portions and through the valley of the profile plate.17. The manual transmission assembly of claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the first and second sets of contacts are open when the plunger contacts the first raised portion, the first and second sets of contacts also being open when the plunger 0') contacts the second raised portion, wherein the first set of contacts is closed when the plunger is disposed in the valley, and wherein the second set of contacts is o closed when the plunger contacts the third raised portion.18. The manual transmission assembly of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the plunger contacts one of the first and second raised portions when the gear selector is in the forward gear engaged position, wherein the plunger is disposed in the valley when the gear selector is in the neutral position, and wherein the plunger contacts the third raised portion when the gear selector in the reverse gear engaged position.19. The manual transmission assembly of any one of claims 1410 18, including a biasing member, wherein the plunger is biased outward from the sensor switch by the biasing member.20. A sensor detent assembly of claim 1; and a sensor switch including a plunger biased into contact with the profile plate, the sensor switch including first and second leads having first and second lead ends, the sensor switch including third and fourth leads having third and fourth lead ends, the sensor including comprising a connecting terminal that is movable with respect to the first, second, third, and fourth lead ends, wherein the 0') sensor switch connects electrically the first and second lead ends with the connecting terminal when the plunger is in a first position and to connect o electrically the third and fourth lead ends with the connecting terminal when the plunger is in a second position, the first and second lead ends not being electrically connected to each other when the plunger is in the second position and the third and fourth lead ends not being electrically connected to each other when the plunger is in the first position, wherein the profile plate is rotatable with respect to the sensor switch.