Emergency parking release device for automatic transmission

Abstract

Emergency parking release device (1) for an automatic transmission, comprising: A gear lever (40) movable between a position for locking a gearbox in the parking position and a position for unlocking the gearbox, An actuating mechanism (10) capable of being manually actuated by a user in order to move the gear lever (40) from its locking position to its unlocking position, the actuating mechanism (10) comprising at one of its distal ends a disengagement part (14) comprising on its face (15) facing the lever an outwardly convex rounded portion (16), said rounded portion (16) being arranged to come at least partially into contact with said gear lever (40) when said mechanism (10) is actuated, causing said lever (40) to move from its locking position to the unlocking position.Figure for abstract: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Emergency parking release device for an automatic transmission Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automatic gearboxes fitted to motor vehicles.

[0002] The invention relates more specifically to an emergency release mechanism for an automatic transmission. Technological background

[0003] It is known to equip a vehicle with an automatic transmission system. Such a system has four driving positions, namely: parking (P), reverse (R), neutral (N) and driving (D).

[0004] Most automatic transmission systems are equipped with a locking device to lock the gearbox in the park position when necessary. This locking device is designed to prevent accidental movement of the vehicle.

[0005] In certain situations, particularly during a power outage or when the locking system is faulty, it may be impossible to move the automatic gearbox from the park position to another position.

[0006] For this purpose, automatic transmission systems are provided with an emergency release mechanism to allow manual release of the gearbox when it is in the parking position.

[0007] The mechanism generally comprises a control cable which can be manually operated by a user to enable disengagement from the parking position.

[0008] Such a mechanism is notably described in application EP2527692B1.

[0009] There is a need to further improve the unlocking mechanisms emergency parking for automatic transmissions. Summary of the invention

[0010] The subject of the invention is an emergency parking release device for an automatic transmission, including: - A gear lever movable between a position for locking a gearbox in the parking position and a position for unlocking the gearbox, - An actuating mechanism capable of being manually operated by a user to move the gear lever from its locking towards its unlocking position, the actuating mechanism comprising at one of these distal ends a disengagement part comprising on its face facing the lever a rounded portion convex towards the outside, said rounded portion being arranged to come at least partially into contact with said gear lever when said mechanism is actuated, causing said lever to move from its locking position towards the unlocking position.

[0011] The rounded shape of the face of the disengagement part opposite the lever allows for substantially point-like contact with the gear lever. This point-like contact allows the lever to pivot around its axis of rotation when the disengagement part is moved.

[0012] The use of a disengagement part with a rounded face convex towards the outside makes it easier to design the emergency unlocking device and its manufacture. Indeed, unlike the devices of the prior art, the point contact does not require the disengagement parts and gear levers to be made with complex shapes.

[0013] Preferably, the gear lever has on its portion coming into contact with the engagement part a smooth outer surface devoid of projecting reliefs.

[0014] Preferably, the lever is rotatable about an axis of rotation between its locking position and its unlocking position.

[0015] The disengagement part may have a generally circular outline when viewed from the front. Preferably, the disengagement part is disc-shaped.

[0016] Alternatively, the disengagement part has an outline, in front view, of a generally polygonal shape, and for example hexagonal.

[0017] Preferably, the rounded portion extends over at least a central part of the aforementioned face.

[0018] Preferably, the rounded portion convex towards the outside is in the shape of a cap, in particular substantially spherical.

[0019] The rounded portion may occupy at least 10% of the aforementioned face, better still at least 30%, even better still at least 50%, in particular at least 70%. Preferably, the rounded portion extends substantially over the entire aforementioned face.

[0020] The rounded portion may be of a symmetrical shape of revolution.

[0021] Thus the rounded portion can have, in side view, a profile in the shape of an arc of a circle or an ellipse, as well as in longitudinal section.

[0022] Preferably, the longitudinal sectional contour of the portion has a constant radius of curvature.

[0023] The actuating mechanism may comprise an actuator on which the user acts and a wired connection arranged to connect the disengagement part to the actuator, such that a movement of the actuator causes a movement of said disengagement part from an initial position of non-contact with the lever to a position of contact with said lever.

[0024] The disengagement part may be capable of moving in a linear translation.

[0025] The actuator is preferably rotatable in a first direction, said mechanism being arranged in such a way that a rotation of the actuator in the first direction causes the disengagement part to move from its initial position to its position of contact with the lever, preferably in a linear translation. In particular, the actuating mechanism is arranged so that when the actuator is rotated in the first direction, a tensile force is exerted on the disengagement part via the wire connection bringing it from its initial position to its position of contact with the lever. Preferably, the contact of the disengagement part with the lever causes said lever to pivot from its locking position to its unlocking position.

[0026] The actuator may comprise a rotating member, in particular a hollow member, such as a nut.

[0027] The actuator may further comprise a hollow rod arranged to pass through the hollow rotating member and to be able to move vertically towards the outside of the mechanism, in particular in a translational movement, during rotation of the rotating member in the first direction.

[0028] The wired connection may comprise a control cable having a widened free end housed within said hollow rod and bearing against an internal wall of said rod.

[0029] Due to the widened shape of the end of the control cable, it comes into abutment against the bottom of the rod when the rod moves vertically outwards. Also, the aforementioned movement generates traction on the control cable in the same direction and in the same direction.

[0030] Advantageously, the mechanism further comprises a transmission rod connecting the wired connection, in particular the control cable, to the disengagement part.

[0031] The disengagement part may comprise for this purpose one or more openings for the passage of said transmission rod.

[0032] Preferably, the control cable is attached to the transmission rod by a distal end opposite its enlarged proximal end.

[0033] Preferably, the wired connection comprises a sleeve housing the control cable.

[0034] Preferably, the actuating mechanism further comprises means of return of the engagement part to its initial non-contact position. The return means may be housed inside the aforementioned sleeve.

[0035] Preferably, the return means are in the rest position when the disengagement part is in its position of non-contact with the gear lever.

[0036] Preferably, the return means are arranged so that the movement of the disengagement part towards its position of contact with the lever causes the compression of the return means.

[0037] Preferably, the actuating mechanism is further capable of being manually actuated by the user in order to move the gear lever from its unlocked position to its locked position.

[0038] The actuator is preferably rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first direction, said mechanism being arranged in such a way that a rotation of the actuator in the second direction causes the disengagement part to move from its contact position to its non-contact position with the gear lever. The return of the disengagement part to its initial non-contact position releases the lever, thus causing it to pivot from its unlocked position to its locked position.

[0039] Preferably, the mechanism is configured so that when the actuator is rotated in the second direction, the disengagement part is no longer subjected to a tensile force, and this disengagement part returns to its initial position under the effect of the return means.

[0040] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising an emergency parking release device according to the invention. Brief description of the figures

[0041] The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. In the appended figures:

[0042] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] schematically represents a release device emergency according to the invention;

[0043] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents in perspective a first detail of [Fig.l];

[0044] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view similar to [Fig.2] after activation of the device;

[0045] [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] Figures 4 and 5 respectively represent a longitudinal section of Figures 2 and 3;

[0046] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents in longitudinal section a second detail of [Fig.1]; and

[0047] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] illustrates the movement of the gear lever. Description of embodiment(s)

[0048] In the figures, and unless otherwise provided, identical elements will bear the same reference signs.

[0049] [Fig.l] shows an example of an emergency parking release device for an automatic transmission according to the invention.

[0050] As illustrated, the device 1 comprises a support 2 for fixing the device in a vehicle.

[0051] The device comprises a gear lever 40 movable in rotation between a position for locking the gearbox in the parking position and a position for unlocking the gearbox.

[0052] The device 1 further comprises an actuating mechanism 10 capable of being manually actuated by a user in order to move the gear lever 30 from its locking position to its unlocking position.

[0053] As illustrated, the actuating mechanism 10 comprises at one of its distal ends a disengagement part 14 which is in the form of a disc in the illustrated example. The disengagement part 14 is arranged to come into contact with said control lever when said mechanism is actuated, thus causing the lever to pivot towards the unlocking position.

[0054] As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the disengagement part 18 has a face 15 facing the gear lever 40. This face 15 includes a rounded portion 16 that is convex outwards. The rounded portion 16 has, in side view, a profile in the shape of an arc of a circle as well as in longitudinal section. The contour in longitudinal section of the portion has a constant radius of curvature.

[0055] The actuating mechanism 10 comprises an actuator 20 received in the support 2 on which the user acts and a wired connection 30 arranged to connect the disengagement part 14 to the actuator 20, in such a way that a movement of the actuator 20 causes a movement of said disengagement part.

[0056] As illustrated in particular in Figures 6 and 7, the wired connection 30 comprises a control cable 32 connected by a distal end 33 to the disengagement part via a transmission rod 34. For this purpose, the disengagement part 14 has an opening 17 for the passage of the transmission rod 34.

[0057] In the example illustrated in Figures 2 to 6, the actuator 20 comprises a rotating nut 22 coupled to a hollow rod 24. The hollow rod 274 is movable in translation along a vertical axis X. The hollow rod 24 is arranged so as to be able to move vertically towards the outside of the mechanism, along the arrow F1, during rotation of the nut 22 in a first direction, for example clockwise, as can be seen in Figures 2, 3 and 5.

[0058] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the control cable 32 has a widened proximal end 34 housed inside the hollow rod 24 and coming into contact with an internal wall 25 of said hollow rod 24. The widened end 34 makes it possible to prevent the control cable 32 from sliding outside the hollow rod 24. Also, when the hollow rod 24 is moved vertically outwards, that is to say according to the arrow F1, the widened end 34 of the control cable 32 abuts on the neck 26 of the rod hollow 24, as illustrated in particular in [Fig.5]. Consequently, during the aforementioned vertical movement, the control cable 32 is subjected to a tensile force in the same direction, thus causing the disengagement part 14 to move from an initial position XI of non-contact with the lever to a position of contact with said lever according to the arrow F2, as illustrated in [Fig.7]. The contact between the disengagement part 14 and the lever 20 causes the lever 40 to pivot from its locking position to its unlocking position, thus releasing the gearbox.

[0059] The actuator 20 is also rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first, for example counterclockwise, when the lever is in its unlocked position. When the nut 33 is turned in the second direction, the hollow rod 24 moves vertically towards the inside of the mechanism 10 to return to its initial position XL. Also, the cable is no longer subjected to the aforementioned traction. The disengagement part 14 is thus released and returns to its initial position, that is to say, of non-contact with the lever thanks to a spring 36 fixed to the transmission rod. The spring 36 is received in a sleeve 38 further receiving a portion of the control cable 32, as illustrated.

[0060] The device further comprises sealing parts 21, 23, 27, 35 and 36 ensuring the sealing of the assembly.

[0061] We will subsequently describe the use of the emergency parking release device according to the invention.

[0062] In order to activate the device 1, the user first acts on the actuator 10 by turning the nut in the first direction, for example clockwise, as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. The hollow rod 24 thus moves outwards according to the arrow F1 and exerts traction on the control cable 32.

[0063] On the other side, the control cable 32 subjected to traction pulls on the connecting rod 34 and compresses the return spring 36. The disengagement part 14 is thus moved in the direction of the gear lever, according to the arrow F2 and brought to its position of contact with the gear lever 40. The contact with the lever 40 during the movement of the disengagement part 14 causes the lever 40 to pivot to the end of its travel to unlock the gearbox.

[0064] In order to deactivate the device 1, the user acts again on the actuator by turning the nut in the second direction, i.e. counterclockwise. The hollow rod 24 moves vertically downwards and thus returns to its initial position. The control cable 32 ceases to be subjected to the tensile force and thus releases the return spring 36. The latter, by returning to its rest position, exerts a thrust on the transmission rod 34 which returns the disengagement part 14 to its initial position XI of non-contact with the lever and thus releases the latter. The lever 40 thus released returns to its gearbox locking position.

[0065] The invention is not limited to the example which has just been described.

Claims

Claims

1. Emergency parking release device (1) for an automatic transmission, comprising: - A gear lever (40) movable between a position for locking a gearbox in the parking position and a position for unlocking the gearbox, - An actuating mechanism (10) capable of being manually actuated by a user in order to move the gear lever (40) from its locking position to its unlocking position, the actuating mechanism (10) comprising at one of its distal ends a disengagement part (14) comprising on its face (15) facing the lever an outwardly convex rounded portion (16), said rounded portion (16) being arranged to come at least partially into contact with said gear lever (40) when said mechanism (10) is actuated,causing the movement of said lever (40) from its locking position to the unlocking position, the disengagement part (14) being of outline, in front view, of generally circular shape, the rounded portion (16) extending over at least a central part of the corresponding face (15).,

2. Device according to the preceding claim, the gear lever (40) being movable in rotation around an axis of rotation between its locking position and its unlocking position.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the outwardly convex rounded portion (16) being in the shape of a cap, in particular substantially spherical.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the gear lever (40) having on its portion coming into contact with the engagement part a smooth external surface devoid of projecting reliefs.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the actuating mechanism (10) comprising an actuator (20) on which the user acts and a wire connection (30) arranged to connect the disengagement part (14) to the actuator (10), in such a way that a movement of the actuator (10) causes a movement of said disengagement part (14) from an initial position (XI) of non-contact with the lever to a position of contact (X2) with said lever (40).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the actuating mechanism (10) further comprising means (36) for returning the engagement part (14) to its initial non-contact position (XI), the return means (36) preferably being in the rest position when the disengagement part (14) is in its non-contact position (XI) with the gear lever (40).

7. Device according to any one of claims 5 and 6, the actuating mechanism (10) being further adapted to be manually actuated by the user in order to move the gear lever (40) from its unlocked position to its locked position.

8. Device according to the preceding claim, the actuator (20) being movable in rotation in a second direction opposite to the first direction, said mechanism being arranged in such a way that a rotation of the actuator (20) in the second direction causes the disengagement part (18) to move from its contact position to its non-contact position with the gear lever.

9. A vehicle comprising an emergency parking release device (1) according to any preceding claim.

Images