Title of Invention

SHIFT SWITCH CONTROL DEVICE FOR SELECTION LEVER UNITS OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS

Abstract

A rotary switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions, comprises: a selection lever (9) mounted by a hinge shaft (11) for selecting a desired range during an automatic transmission mode and during a manual transmission mode; a rotary plate (13) mounted to the hinge shaft, up- and down-shift switches (5, 7) provided on the rotary plate and spaced apart from each other, and a projection (17) provided at a central portion of the rotary plate to extend toward the selection lever; a manipulation lever (19) on the selection lever between the up- and down-shift switches; a projection guide plate (25) provided on the selection lever at a position corresponding to the projection (17), and having an inclined surface at one end to prevent contact between the up-shift switch and the manipulation lever when the selection lever is moved; and rotary plate return means (31, 33) mounted on the hinge shaft for giving an elastic returning force to the rotary plate.

Full Text

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shift switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions and, more particularly, to a shift switch control device for selection lever units of sport mode-type automatic transmissions capable of selectively performing an automatic transmission mode or a manual transmission mode as desired, the shift switch control device being designed to accomplish a reliable up-shift operation, so-called a "+" shift operation, and a reliable down-shift operation, so-called a "-" shift operation, during a manual transmission mode, and to be reduced in the number of its parts, thus being preferably simplified in its construction. Description of the Prior Art In recent years, sport mode-type automatic transmissions, designed to allow drivers to select an automatic transmission mode or a manual transmission mode as desired in accordance with driving conditions and/or driver's tastes while driving, have been developed and proposed to be equipped within, particularly, a variety of expensive luxury cars. Different from conventional transmissions with a fixed automatic transmission mode or a fixed manual transmission mode, such sport mode-type automatic transmissions allow drivers to enjoy the driving feeling to the full while selecting the automatic transmission mode or the manual transmission mode as desired in accordance with driving conditions and/or their tastes while driving their cars. 2 Such a sport mode-type automatic transmission is provided with a selection lever unit for allowing a driver to perform a desired shifting operation. A conventional selection lever unit of the transmission has a selection lever installed within a main frame and is used for selecting a desired mode or a desired range within a transmission pattern having a manual transmission mode and an automatic transmission mode. A cable bracket is connected to a shift cable at a position around the selection lever. The cable bracket is operated in conjunction with the selection lever when the automatic transmission mode is selected, thus actuating a transmission manual valve. The selection lever has two connection protrusions, while the cable bracket has a connection lever at a position corresponding to the connection protrusions. Therefore, the selection lever is operated in conjunction with the cable bracket through the engagement of the two connection protrusions" with the connection lever during an automatic transmission mode. The conventional selection lever unit has a shift switch control device. The conventional shift switch control device for selection lever units comprises a manual mode select switch, an up-shift switch, a down-shift switch and a switch actuation unit, which are provided on the top wall of the main frame. The upshift and down-shift switches are used for performing the up- and down-shifting operations when the manual transmission mode is selected by the selection lever. 3 In such a case, the up-shift switch is positioned at the front portion of the shift switch control device, while the down-shift switch is positioned at the rear portion of the control device. In addition, the manual mode select switch is positioned between the up-shift and down-shift switches. Two shift switch actuation members are provided at positions corresponding to the up-shift and the down-shift switches, with a gap defined between the two shift switch actuation members. When the manual transmission mode is selected by the selection lever, the lever is inserted into the gap defined between the two shift switch actuation members while pushing and turning on the manual mode select switch. In each of the two shift switch actuation members, a tipping bar is set within a housing while being normally biased by a return spring at its rear end, thus normally positioning the selection lever at a neutral position. Therefore, when the selection lever is moved to perform a desired shifting operation, the tipping bars of the two shift switch actuation members actuate the up- and down-shift switches, thus allowing the switches to output up- and downshifting signals. In such a case, the manual mode select switch is continuously operated by a side surface of the selection lever, thus being maintained at its activated state. However, such a conventional shift switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions is problematic in that it is very difficult to maintain the precise actuation gaps between the tipping bars and the up- and 4 down-shift switches. In addition, the operational direction of the tipping bars is different from the operational direction of the up- and down-shift switches. Therefore, the shift switch control device may fail to accomplish a desired operational reliability. In addition, it is very difficult to manufacture the tipping bars, and so the tipping bars are very expensive. Another problem experienced in the conventional shift switch control device resides in that it has a complex construction and is not easy to install within a limited area. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly,the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shift switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions capable of selectively performing an automatic transmission mode or a manual transmission mode as desired, which is designed to accomplish a reliable up-shift operation, so-called a "+" shift operation, and a reliable downshift operation, so-called a "." shift operation, during a manual transmission mode, and which ts reduced in the number of its parts, thus being preferably simplified in its construction. In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a shift switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions, comprising: a selection lever installed within a main frame of a chassis by a hinge shaft and used for selecting a desired range within a transmission pattern during an automatic transmission mode and performing an up or down-shifting operation during a manual transmission mode, the transmission pattern having an automatic transmission mode pattern and a manual transmission mode pattern, the selection lever turning on or off up and down shift switches during the manual transmission mode, thus performing the up or downshifting operation; a rotary plate mounted to the hinge shaft at one side of the selection lever, with the up and downshift switches provided at the top end of the rotary plate while being spaced apart from each other at a predetermined gap, and a projection provided at the central portion of the rotary plate while extending toward the selection lever; a manipulation lever installed at the top portion of the selection lever such that the manipulation lever is positioned between the up and downshift switches at a M-stage of the manual transmission mode pattern, the manipulation lever being used for turning on or off the up or downshift switch; a projection guide plate provided on the selection lever at a position corresponding to the projection of the rotary plate under the manipulation lever, with an inclined surface formed at one end of the projection guide plate to prevent the up-shift switch from coming into undesired contact with the manipulation lever when the selection lever is moved from a D-stage to the M-stage, thus allowing the projection to push the rotary plate outward so as to position the manipulation lever in the gap between the up- and down shift switches; and a rotary plate return means for giving an elastic 6 returning force to the rotary plate, the rotary plate return means being mounted to the hinge shaft of the rotary plate at the outside of the rotary plate. In the above shift switch control device, the M-stage of the manual transmission mode pattern has a plus (+) stage for actuating the upshift switch and a minus (¦) stage for actuating the down-shift switch. In the preferred embodiment, the manipulation lever comprises: a horizontal part having a predetermined length so as to be free from coming into undesired contact with the upshift switch when the selection lever is moved from the D-stage to the M-stage; and a vertical part extending from the tip of the horizontal part downward to a predetermined length so as to selectively come into contact with the up and downshift switches, thus turning on or off the up and down-shift switches. 1 he projection guide plate comprises: the inclined surface formed at the end of the projection guide plate, the inclined surface being operated in conjunction with the projection of the rotary plate when the selection lever is moved from the D-stage to the M-stage, thus preventing the upshift switch from coming into undesired contact with the manipulation lever; and a flat guide surface linearly guiding a movement of the projection when the selection lever at the M-stage performs an up or downshifting operation. On the other hand, the return means comprises: a support bracket mounted to the hinge shaft of the rotary plate at the outside of the rotary plate; and a return spring positioned between the rotary plate and the support bracket. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a view, showing the transmission pattern of a selection lever unit of automatic transmissions capable of selectively performing an automatic transmission 7 mode or a manual transmission mode as desired in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a shift switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is a view, showing an operation of the shift switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions of this invention during the automatic transmission mode (D-stage); Fig. 4 is a side view of the shift switch control device of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a view, showing an operation of the shift switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions of this invention during the manual transmission mode (M-stage); Fig, 8 is a side view of the shift switch control device of Fig. 5; Fig. ? is a view, showing the transmission pattern of a conventional selection lever unit of automatic transmissions capable of selectively performing an automatic transmission mode or a manual transmission mode as desired; Fig. 8 is a perspective view, showing the construction of the conventional selection lever unit of automatic transmissions; and Fig, 9 is a plan sectional view, showing the construction of a conventional shift switch control device for selection iever units of automatic transmissions. Description of the Prior Art A conventional sport mode-type automatic transmission is provided with a selection lever unit for allowing a driver to perform a desired shifting operation. The construction of a conventional selection lever unit for such sport mode-type 8 automatic transmissions is shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. As shown in the drawings, the conventional selection lever unit has a selection lever 100, which is installed within a main frame 111 and is used for selecting a desired mode or a desired range within a transmission pattern 110 having a manual transmission mode and an automatic transmission mode. A cable bracket 113 is connected to a shift cable (not shown) at a position around the selection lever 100. The above cable bracket 113 is operated in conjunction with the selection lever 100 when the automatic transmission mode is selected, thus actuating a transmission manual valve (not shown). The selection lever 100 has two connection protrusions 114, while the cable bracket 113 has a connection lever 115 at a position corresponding to the connection protrusions 114. Therefore, the selection lever 100 is operated in conjunction with the cable bracket 113 through the engagement of the two connection protrusions 114 and 114' with the connection lever 115 during an automatic transmission mode. The conventional selection lever unit has a shift switch control device of Fig. 9. As shown in the drawing, the conventional shift switch control device for selection lever units comprises a manual mode select switch 103, an up-shift switch 101, a down-shift switch 102 and a switch actuation unit, which are provided on the top wall of the main frame 111. The up-shift switch 101 and the down-shift switch 102 are used for performing the up- and down-shifting operations when the manual transmission mode is selected by the selection lever 100. 9 In such a case, the up-shift switch 101 is positioned at the front portion of the shift switch control device, while the down-shift switch 102 is positioned at the rear portion of the control device. In addition, the manual mode select switch 103 is positioned between the up-shift switch 101 and the down-shift switch 102. Two shift switch actuation members 104 and 105 are provided at positions corresponding to the up-shift switch 101 and the down-shift switch 102, with a gap defined between the two shift switch actuation members 104 and 105. When the manual transmission mode is selected by the selection lever 100, the lever 100 is inserted into the gap defined between the two shift switch actuation members 104 and 105 while pushing and turning on the manual mode select switch 103. In each of the two shift switch actuation members 104 and 105, a tipping bar 108 is set within a housing 106 while being normally biased by a return spring 107 at its rear end, thus normally positioning the selection lever 100 at a neutral position. Therefore, when the selection lever 100 is moved to perform a desired shifting operation, the tipping bars 108 of the two shift switch actuation members 104 and 105 actuate the up- and down-shift switches 101 and 102, thus allowing the switches 101 and 102 to output up- and down-shifting signals. In such a case, the manual mode select switch 103 is continuously operated by a side surface of the selection lever 100, thus being maintained at its activated state. 10 Disadvantages of such a conventional shift switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions have already been explained. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the transmission pattern of a selection lever unit of automatic transmissions of this invention has an automatic transmission mode pattern 1 comprising a plurality of stages, that is, P, R, N and D-stages arranged in a line, and a manual transmission mode pattern 3 comprising an M-stage. The manual transmission mode pattern 3 is arranged in back of the automatic transmission mode pattern 1. The M-stage of the manual transmission mode pattern 3 has a plus (+) stage for actuating an upshift switch 5 and a minus (.) stage for actuating a downshift switch 7. As shown in Fig. 2, the shift switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions in accordance with the present invention has a selection lever 9, which is mounted to a hinge shaft 11 so as to be moved between the automatic transmission mode pattern 1 and the manual transmission mode pattern 3 in accordance with a selected transmission mode. The above selection lever 9 turns on or off the up or downshift switches 5 or 7 during the manual transmission mode, thus performing the up or downshifting operation. A rotary plate 13 is mounted to the hinge shaft 11 at one side of the selection lever 9. The up- and downshift switches 5 and 7 are positioned at the top of the selection lever 9 while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined gap. A projection 17 is formed at one side of the central portion of the rotary plate 13 while being directed to the selection lever 9. A manipulation lever 19 is installed at the top of the selection lever 9 such that the manipulation lever 19 is positioned between the up and down-shift switches 5 and 7 at the M-stage of the manual transmission mode pattern 3. The manipulation lever 19 thus turns on or off the up or down-shift switch 5 or 7 in accordance with an up or downshifting operation of the selection lever 9. The above manipulation lever 19 comprises a horizontal part 21 and a vertical part 23. The horizontal part 21 has a predetermined length such that the part 21 does not come into undesired contact with the upshift switch 5 when the selection lever 9 is moved from the D stage to the M-stage. The vertical part 23 extends from the tip of the horizontal part 21 downward to a predetermined length so as to selectively come into 12 contact with the up and down-shift switches 5 and 7, thus turning on or off the up and down-shift switches 5 and 7. A projection guide plate 25 is provided on the selection lever 9 at a position corresponding to the projection 17 of the rotary plate 13 under the manipulation lever 19. An inclined surface 27 is formed at ore end of the projection guide plate 25. This inclined surface 27 prevents the upshift switch 5 from coming into undesired contact with the manipulation lever 19 when the seection lever 9 is moved from the D-stage to the M-stage. h such a case, the projection 17 pushes the rotary plate 13 outward, thus allowing the manipulation lever 19 to be postioned in the gap between the up and downshift switches 5 and 7. The projection guide plate 25 also has flat guide surface 29, which linearly guides a movement of the projection 17 when the selection lever 9 at the M-stage performs an up or downshifting operation. In order to give an elastic returning force to the rotary plate 13 when the selection lever 9 is moved from the M-stage to the D-stage, a return means is provided. In the preferred embodiment, this return means comprises a support bracket 31 mounted to the hinge shaft 11 at the outside of the rotary plate 13, with a return spring 33 positioned between the rotary plate 13 and the support bracket 31. The operation of the above shift switch control device of this invention will be described herein below with reference to Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6. In Fig. 3, the selection lever 9 is positioned at the D-stage of the automatic transmission mode pattern 1, while the rotary plate 13 is positioned at the M-stage of the manual transmission mode pattern 3. In addition, the projection 17 of the rotary plate 13 is positioned on the inclined surface 27 of the projection guide pate 25 of the selection lever 9 as shown in Fig. 4. In such a case, the up and down-shift switches 5 and 7 are positioned inside the 13 vertical part 23 of the manipulation lever 19 relative to the rotating direction of the selection lever 9. In addition, the rotary plate 13 is elastically supported by the return spring 33. When the selection lever 9 is moved from the D-stage of the automatic transmission mode pattern 1 to the M-stage of the manual transmission mode pattern 3 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the projection 17 of the rotary plate 13 is pushed outward by the inclined surface 27 of the projection guide plate 25 of the selection lever 9. Therefore, the rotary plate 13 is pushed outward, and so it is possible for the selection lever 9 to be moved from the D-stage of the automatic transmission mode pattern 1 to the Mstage of the manual transmission mode pattern 3 without allowing the manipulation lever 19 to be brought into undesired contact with the upshift switch 5. The selection lever 9 is thus completely moved to the M stage of the manual transmission mode pattern 3, thereby selecting the manual transmission mode pattern 3. When the selection lever 9 in the above state is moved forward, the lever 9 turns on the actuation button of the upshift switch 5, thus performing a desired up-shifting operation. On the other hand, when the selection lever 9 is moved backward, the lever 9 turns on the actuation button of the downshift switch 7, thus performing a desired downshifting operation. In addition, the transmission mode shifting operation for shifting the mode from the M-stage to the D-stage is accomplished by reversely performing the above-mentioned transmission mode shifting operation for shifting the mode from the D-stage to the M-stage, and further explanation is thus not deemed necessary. As described above, the present invention provides a shift switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions capable of selectively performing an automatic transmission mode or a manual transmission mode as desired. In the shift switch control device, the actuated direction of the actuation buttons of the up- and downshift switches is equal to that of the manipulation lever of the selection lever 14 practically actuating the up and down-shift switches, thus accomplishing a desired operational reliability of the shift switch control device during a manual transmission mode. The shift switch controi device of this invention is also reduced in the number of its parts, thus being preferably simplified in its construction. The shift switch control device is thus easily manufactured at a low production cost and is easily installed within a limited area. Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 15 WE CLAIM:- 1. A shift switch control device for selection fever units of automatic transmissions, comprising: a selection lever installed within a main frame of a chassis by a hinge shaft and used for selecting a desired range within a transmission pattern during an automatic transmission mode and performing an up- or down-shifting operation during a manual transmission mode, said transmission pattern having an automatic transmission mode pattern and a manual transmission mode pattern, said selection lever turning on or off up and down-shift switches during the manual transmission mode, thus performing the up or down-shifting operation; a rotary pfate mounted to said hinge shaft at one side of said selection lever, with the up- and down-shift switches provided at a top end of said rotary plate while being spaced apart from each other at a predetermined gap, and a projection provided at a central portion of the rotary plate while extending toward the selection lever; a manipulation (ever installed at a top portion of said selection lever such that the manipulation lever is positioned between said up and down-shift switches at a M-stage of the manual transmission mode pattern, said manipulation lever being used for turning on or off said up or down-shift switch; a projection guide plate provided on said selection lever at a position corresponding to said projection of the rotary plate under the manipulation lever, with an inclined surface formed at one end of said projection guide plate to prevent said up-shift switch from coming into undesired contact with the manipulation lever when the selection lever is moved from a D-stage of the automatic transmission mode to the M- stage, thus aliowing said projection to push the rotary piate outward so as to position the manipulation lever in the gap between the up- and down-shift switches; and rotary plate return means for giving an elastic returning force to said rotary plate, said rotary plate return means being mounted to said hinge shaft of the rotary plate at the outside of said rotary piate. 16 2. The shift switch control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said automatic transmission mode pattern comprises a plurality of stages P, R, N and D arranged in a line. 3. The shift switch control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said M-stage of manual transmission mode pattern is arranged in the rear of said automatic transmission mode pattern. 4. The shift switch control device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said M-stage of the manual transmission mode pattern has a plus (+) stage for actuating said up-shift switch and a minus (-) stage for actuating said down-shift switch. 5. The shift switch control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said manipulation lever comprises: a horizontal part having a predetermined length so as to be free from coming into undesired contact with said up-shift switch when the selection lever is moved from the D-stage to the M-stage; and a vertical part extending from a tip of said horizontal part downward to a predetermined length so as to selectively come into contact with the up- and down-shift switches, thus turning on or off said up- and down-shift switches. 6. The shift switch control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inclined surface is formed at the end of said projection guide plate, said inclined surface 17 being operated in conjunction with the projection of the rotary plate when the selection lever is moved from the D-stage to the M-stage, thus preventing the upshift switch from coming into undesired contact with the manipulation lever; and a flat guide surface is provided on the projection guide plate for linearly guiding a movement of said projection when the selection lever at the M-stage performs an up- or down-shifting operation. 7. The shift switch control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotary plate return means comprises: a support bracket mounted to the hinge shaft of the rotary plate at the outside of said rotary plate; and a return spring positioned between said rotary plate and said support bracket. 18 8. A shift switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions substantially as herein described, particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings. A rotary switch control device for selection lever units of automatic transmissions, comprises: a selection lever (9) mounted by a hinge shaft (11) for selecting a desired range during an automatic transmission mode and during a manual transmission mode; a rotary plate (13) mounted to the hinge shaft, up- and down-shift switches (5, 7) provided on the rotary plate and spaced apart from each other, and a projection (17) provided at a central portion of the rotary plate to extend toward the selection lever; a manipulation lever (19) on the selection lever between the up- and down-shift switches; a projection guide plate (25) provided on the selection lever at a position corresponding to the projection (17), and having an inclined surface at one end to prevent contact between the up-shift switch and the manipulation lever when the selection lever is moved; and rotary plate return means (31, 33) mounted on the hinge shaft for giving an elastic returning force to the rotary plate.

Documents:

00713-cal-2000-abstract.pdf

00713-cal-2000-claims.pdf

00713-cal-2000-correspondence.pdf

00713-cal-2000-description(complete).pdf

00713-cal-2000-drawings.pdf

00713-cal-2000-form-1.pdf

00713-cal-2000-form-18.pdf

00713-cal-2000-form-2.pdf

00713-cal-2000-form-3.pdf

00713-cal-2000-form-5.pdf

00713-cal-2000-g.p.a.pdf

00713-cal-2000-latters patent.pdf

00713-cal-2000-priority document others.pdf

00713-cal-2000-priority document.pdf

00713-cal-2000-reply f.e.r.pdf

713-CAL-2000-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

713-CAL-2000-FORM 27.pdf