MXPA00007304A - Shift lever interlock - Google Patents

Abstract

A shift lever assembly includes a housing (12), a first quadrant (18) pivotally supported by the housing (12) and for linking to a first transmission actuator, a second quadrant (20) pivotally supported by the housing (12) for linking to a second transmission actuator, and a lever (22) movable to selectively engage and operate the first and second quadrants (18, 20). An elongated interlock member (30) is coupled to the lever (22) and slidably received by the first and second quadrants (18, 20). The member (30) has ends (42, 44) which remain slidably received by housing sleeves (27, 28) so that the member (30) cannot move transversely to its sliding axis. Part of the member (30) engages the second quadrant (20) to prevent pivoting of the second quadrant (20) when the lever (22) moves into engagement with the first quadrant (18).

Description

LEVER EXCHANGE OF CHANGE Background of the Invention The invention relates to a interlock for a vehicle shift lever assembly.

A known gear lever assembly for a production vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor, includes a parking quad which is hinged to a parking drive in the transmission by means of a Bowden cable and a neutral forward quadrant. and Reverse (FNR) which is articulated with forward, neutral and reverse drive actuators by means of a Bowden cable and a rod hinge. A forward, neutral, reverse and stationary lever (F-N-R-P) can move within a guide groove and selectively engage and operate the parking quadrant and forward, neutral and reverse quadrant F-N-R. It may be desirable to provide an interlock mechanism which, when the lever is out of engagement with the forward, neutral and reverse quadrant FNR, which prevents inadvertent actuation of the forward, neutral and reverse quadrant FNR, such as the movement of the joints or cables between the dial and the drive of the transmission.

Synthesis of the Invention Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a interlock mechanism for a transmission shift lever assembly which, when the lever is in the parking position, prevents the transmission from being inadvertently placed in a parking condition. forward or reverse.

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention, wherein a shift lever assembly includes a box having side walls with openings formed therein, a first pivoted quadrant supported by the box and for articulating to a first drive actuator. , a second pivoted quadrant supported by the case to articulate to a second drive actuator and a moveable lever to selectively engage and operate the first and second quadrants. An elongated interlock member is coupled to the lever and slidably received by the openings and has a part which meshes with the second quadrant to prevent pivoting of the second quadrant when the lever moves within the gear with the first quadrant.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a transmission shift lever assembly which includes the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the assembly of Figure 1 illustrating more clearly the interlock member of the present invention; Y Figure 3 is a view along lines 3-3 of Figure 2 with parts removed for clarity; Y Figure 4 is a view along lines 4-4 of Figure 2; Y Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the interlock member of Figure 2.

Description of Preferred Additions Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, a shift lever assembly 10 includes a box 12 with a pair of side walls 14 and 16. The openings 15 and 17 are formed in handles 27 and 28 which are fixed to and which they project inwards from the walls 14 and 16, respectively. Held pivotally in a conventional manner between the walls 14 and 16 is a parking quad 18 which is hinged by means of a conventional Bowden cable (not shown) to a conventional drive parking actuator (not shown) and a quadrant 20 for forward, neutral and reverse FNR which is articulated by means of a conventional Bowden cable and a rod hinge (not shown) to a forward, neutral and reverse drive actuator of a conventional transmission (not shown). A forward, neutral, reverse and parking lever 22 (FNRP) can be moved to selectively engage and operate quadrant 20 forward, neutral and reverse FNR and parking quadrant 18. Quadrant 18 and quadrant 20 they have the openings 19 and 21, respectively. An opening 24 extends through the lever 22. A tongue 26 on the lever 22 projects downwardly into the opening 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a latching member 30 is coupled to the lever 22 and slidably received by the opening 19 of the parking quadrant 18 and by the opening 21 of the quadrant 20 for forward, neutral and reverse FNR. . The interlock member 30 includes a first surface 32, a second surface 34 and a third surface 36. The surfaces 32 and 34 are separated by a first slot 38 which extends transversely to a slidable axis of the interlock member 30. The surfaces 34 and 36 are separated by a second groove 40 which also extends transversely to the slidable axis of the interlock member 30. The rods 42 and 44 project from opposite ends to the member 30 and are received by the openings 15, 17 in the handles 27 and 28, respectively.

The length of the rods 42, 44 is such that they are at all times at least partially received by the respective openings 15, 17. This prevents the member 30 from being moved transversely with respect to its longitudinal slidable axis.

The slot 38 receives the tongue 26 of the lever 22, so that the lever 22 can be pivoted transversely with respect to a longitudinal or slidable axis of the member 30 and so that the member 30 can slide together with the lever 22 when the lever 22 is pivoted towards and away from the dial 20 and in a plane which is parallel to the slidable axis of the member 30.

The surface 34 has a first end 45 adjacent to the second slot 40 and a second end 46 adjacent the first slot 38. The first end 45 has a small height as that of the second end 46 so that the surface 34 has an inclined outer surface 48 between them. This inclined outer surface 48 provides a space which allows the pivoting of the lever 22 towards the quadrant 20 for forward, neutral and reverse F-N-R.

As best seen in Figures 2 and 3, the opening 24 in the lever 22 is significantly larger than the external dimensions of the member 20 so that the lever 22 can be pivoted from the position shown. Similarly, the opening 19 in the dial 18 is significantly larger than the external dimensions of the member 30 and / or the handle 27 so that the dial 18 can be pivoted clockwise in its parking position before it the wall of the opening 19 meshes the outer surface of the member 30 and / or of the handle 27. The wall of the opening 19 forms a shoulder 50 which meshes with the member 30 and / or with the handle 27 to prevent the dial 18 is pivoted counter-clockwise from the position shown in Figure 3. As best seen in Figure 4, the opening 21 in the dial 20 has a shape of an inverted "aT", with the lower portion 52 long and a short upper portion 54. The lower portion 52 of the opening 21 is significantly larger than the outer dimensions of the member 30 so that the dial 20 can be pivoted when the dial 20 is in register with the slot 4. 0 Operation mode With the lever 22 in the gear with the dial 18 as shown in Fig. 2, the engagement between the tongue 26 and the walls of the slot 38 hold the member 30 in the position shown where the surface 36 of the member 30 will engage quadrant 20 forward, neutral and reverse FNR. At the same time, the ends 42 and 44 of the member 30 are received by the handles 27 and 28 of the box. This avoids. the inadvertent pivoting of the dial 20, thereby preventing the inadvertent placement of the dial 20 in a forward or reverse operating position.

If the lever 22 is moved to the left (see figures 1 and 2) and in the gear with the dial 20, the gear between the tongue 26 and the walls of the slot 38 move the member 30 to a position where the ends 42 and 44 of member 30 remain received by the handles of box 27 and 28, but where slot 40 of member 30 may be in register with quadrant 20 for forward, neutral and reverse FNR. This allows the lever 22 to pivot the dial 20 transversely with respect to the slidable axis of the member 30.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it must be. it being understood that many alternatives, modifications and variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Therefore, it is intended that this invention encompass all those alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. A shift lever assembly comprising: a box having an opening formed therein; a first quadrant pivotally held by the box and for articulating to a first drive actuator; a second quadrant pivotally supported by the box to articulate to a second drive actuator; a lever that can be moved to selectively engage and operate the first and second quadrants; Y an elongated interlock member coupled to the lever and slidably received by the first and second quadrants, the member has an end which is received by the opening and has a part which meshes with the second quadrant to prevent pivoting of the second quadrant when the lever moves in the gear with the first quadrant.

2. The gear lever assembly as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that: the lever has a tongue projecting therefrom; Y the interlock member is slidable along an axis, the interlock member having a first, a second and a third surfaces. The first and second surfaces are separated by a first groove which extends transversely to said axis and which receives the tongue, the member has a second groove between the second and third surfaces, the tongue engages the first and second surfaces for that the member slides along said axis as the lever is pivoted in a plane parallel to said axis, the third surface is engageable with the second quadrant to prevent pivoting of the second quadrant when the lever is not in a position to actuate the second quadrant and the second slot is in coincidence with the second quadrant to allow the pivoting of the second quadrant when the lever is in a position to drive the second quadrant.

3. The shift lever assembly as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that: the end of the member remains received by the opening during all positions of the lever.

4. The gear lever assembly as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that: the tongue can move through the first slot to allow the lever to pivot in the directions transverse to said axis.

5. The shift lever assembly as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that: the second surface has a first end adjacent to the second slot and a second end adjacent to the first slot, the first end has a small height, the second end has a greater height and second surface has an inclined external surface which extends from the first end to the second end, the inclined outer surface provides a space which allows the lever to pivot towards the second quadrant.

6. The shift lever assembly as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that: The first quadrant is located between the opening and the second quadrant.

7. A shift lever assembly comprising: a box; a first quadrant is supported by pivoting through the box and through the linkage to a first drive actuator; a second quadrant supported by pivoting through the box and through the link to a second drive actuator; a lever that can move to selectively engage and operate the first and second quadrants, the lever has a tongue projecting therefrom; Y an elongate slidable member slidable along its axis, the interlock member having a first, a second and a third surface, the first and second surfaces being separated by a first slot which extends transversely to said axis and the which receives the tongue, the member has a second groove between the second and the third surfaces, the tongue engaging the first and second surfaces so that the member slides along said axis while the lever is pivoted in a plane parallel to said axis, the third surface is engageable with the second quadrant to prevent the pivoting of the second quadrant when the lever is not in position to drive the second dial and the second slot is in coincidence with the second dial to allow the second quadrant to pivot when the lever is in a position to drive the second dial.

8. The shift lever assembly as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that: an opening is formed by the box; Y. one end of the member is received by the opening.

9. The shift lever assembly as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that: the interlock member is received by the first and second quadrants.

10. The shift lever assembly as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that: the tongue can move through the first slot to allow the lever to pivot in directions transverse to said axis.

11. The shift lever assembly as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that: the second surface has a first end adjacent to the second groove and a second end adjacent to the first groove, the first end has a small height, the second end has a larger height and the second surface has an inclined outer surface which is extends from the first end to the second end, the inclined outer surface that provides a space which allows the pivoting of the lever towards the second quadrant.

12. The gear lever assembly as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that: The first quadrant is located between the opening and the second quadrant.

13. An interlocking mechanism for a shift lever assembly having a housing, a first quadrant pivotally supported by the housing and for articulating to a first transmission actuator, a second quadrant pivotally supported by the housing to articulate to a second transmission actuator; A lever is moved to selectively engage and operate the first and second quadrants, the interlock mechanism comprising: a tongue from the lever; Y a slidable slider member along an axis, the interlock member having a first, a second and a third surfaces. The first and second surfaces are separated by a first groove which extends transversely to said axis and which receives the tongue, the member has a second groove between the second and third surfaces, the tongue engages the first and second surfaces so that the member slides along said axis while the lever is pivoted in a plane parallel to said axis, the third surface is engageable with the second quadrant to prevent pivoting of the second quadrant when the lever is not in a position for act the second dial and the second slot is in coincidence with the second dial to allow the pivoting of the second dial when the lever is in position to operate the second dial.

14. The gear lever assembly as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that it has: an opening formed in the box adjacent to the first quadrant; and one end of the member is received through the opening.

15. The gear lever assembly as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that: the interlock member is received by the first and second quadrants.

16. The gear lever assembly as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that: the tongue can move through the first slot to allow the lever to pivot in directions transverse to said axis.

17. The gear lever assembly as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that: the second surface has a first end adjacent to the second groove and a second end adjacent to the first groove, the first end has a small height, the second end has a larger height and the second surface has an inclined outer surface which is extending from the first end to the second end, the inclined outer surface provides a space which allows the pivoting of the lever towards the second quadrant.

18. The gear lever assembly as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that: The first quadrant is located between the opening and the second quadrant.

19. In a gear lever assembly having a box, a parking quadrant pivotally supported by the box to articulate it to a parking actuator transmission, a forward, neutral and reverse quadrant FNR pivoted supported by the box to articulate to the forward, neutral and reverse transmission drive actuators, a lever that can be moved to selectively engage and operate the parking quadrant and the forward, neutral and reverse quadrant FNR, an interlock mechanism comprising: a interlock member coupled to the lever and slidably received by the parking quadrant and the forward, neutral and reverse quadrant FNR, the interlock member can be moved by the lever to an interlock position where the interlock member engages with the quadrant for forward, neutral and reverse FNR and prevents the quadrant for forward, neutral and reverse FNR when the lever is not in position to activate the quadrant for forward, neutral and reverse FNR.

20. The interlock mechanism as claimed in clause 19, characterized by: the interlock member is slidable along an axis, the interlock member has a first, a second and a third surfaces, the first and second surfaces are separated by a first slot which extends transversely to said axis and the which receives the tongue, the member has a second groove between the second and third surfaces, the tongue engages the first and second surfaces so that the member slides along said axis while the lever is pivoted in a plane parallel to said axis, the third surface is engaged with the second quadrant to avoid the pivoting of the second quadrant when the lever is not in the operating position of the forward, neutral and reverse quadrant FNR and the second slot is in coincidence with the second quadrant to allow the pivoting of the second quadrant when the lever is in position to operate the quadrant for forward, neutral and reverse FN- R. EXCHANGE ARRANGEMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSMISSIONS R E S U M E N / E X T RA C T O A shift arrangement for a motor vehicle transmission is described with a selector lever held in bearings in a housing that can pivot about a longitudinal axis in a longitudinal direction and about a transverse axis in the transverse direction. On the selector lever or on the components moving with the selector lever on one side and on the components fixed to the box on the other side, the indicator elements or sensors are arranged in such a way that the sensors respond to the approach to the position of the sensors. indicating elements and transmits signals to a transmission control arrangement corresponding to the pivoted position of the selector lever. In order to make it possible to automatically detect the position of the selector lever during any desired movement in the longitudinal and transverse directions it is proposed that the position indicator elements and the sensors are arranged essentially in planes that are approximately parallel to the planes established by one side by the pivoting path in the longitudinal direction and the other side by the pivoting path in the transverse direction.