Shift lever assembly with magnetic sensation for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a shift lever assembly with magnetic sensation for a motor vehicle, comprising: a support base (5); a rod body (7) movably coupled to the support base (5) along a path (8), the path (8) comprising a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the support base (5); a first magnet (12) fixed with respect to the rod main body (7) and having a first magnetic pole (12b); and at least one corresponding second magnet (13) for each of said predetermined positions, the second magnet (13) having an associated second magnetic pole (13b) opposite the first magnetic pole (12b) and being carried by the support base (5) in an associated fixed position such that when the rod body (7) is in a corresponding one of said predetermined positions, said second pole (13b) magnetically cooperates with the first pole (12b), therefore, the corresponding second magnet (13) applies magnetic attraction force to the first magnet (12).

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of Italian Patent Application No. 102023000024669, filed on November 21, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a gearshift lever assembly for a motor vehicle, in particular for controlling a manual or automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0004] As is known to all, motor vehicles generally have a shift lever to control a transmission, and more specifically, the transmission may be a manual transmission, an automatic transmission, or a semi-automatic transmission.

[0005] Transmissions and associated gearshift levers are also found in all-electric vehicles, as well as hybrid vehicles and vehicles with only a thermal engine. The transmission of an all-electric vehicle is usually not mechanically connected to the lever, but the position of the lever is determined by sensors whose signals allow the transmission to be electronically controlled.

[0006] The transmission may be of any type, including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that can be varied through a continuous range of gear ratios, or it may even be incorporated into the electric motor of the motor vehicle or defined by the electric motor itself.

[0007] In any case, the shift lever has a plurality of predetermined positions corresponding to various gears (including reverse) or operating states (such as neutral or park, as is known for automatic transmissions).

[0008] In the predetermined position, the lever should be suitably stable; in other words, the driver of the motor vehicle should at least exceed a minimum force threshold for moving the lever from one position in order to move the lever to another position.

[0009] In this operation, the driver actually first receives a feeling of resistance to removing the lever from its current position, followed by a feeling of release or freedom from restraint when the lever leaves the current position.

[0010] Then, when the lever reaches another desired position, the driver receives a feel of engagement.

[0011] These feelings are typically ensured by friction or mechanical fit between the transmission components that allow the lever to move between its predetermined positions.

[0012] In the automotive industry, there is a need to improve known gearshift levers, in particular with regard to reducing the noise associated with the movement of the lever and receiving a feeling of greater comfort, in particular with reference to the overall smoothness of the movement of the lever.

[0013] Furthermore, there is a need to reduce the overall dimensions associated with the transmission components, or more generally, the mechanical components that allow the lever to move between its predetermined positions.

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to meet at least one of the above-mentioned needs, preferably in a simple and reproducible manner. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The above object is achieved by the shift lever assembly defined in claim 1 .

[0016] The dependent claims disclose particular embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In the following, embodiments of the invention will be described by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in order to allow a better understanding of the invention, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle including a shift lever assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 a larger scale perspective view of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle,

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 a top view of the shift lever assembly with portions removed for clarity;

[0021] Figure 4 、 Figure 5 yes Figure 3 The shift lever assembly is based on Figure 3 The lines IV-IV and VV represent corresponding cross sections of the cross section, some of which are schematic.

[0022] Figure 6 、 Figure 7 Similar to Figure 4 、 Figure 5 And involves the Figure 3 A first variation of the shift lever assembly,

[0023] Figure 8 、 Figure 9 Similar to Figure 4 、 Figure 5 And involves the Figure 3 A second variation of the shift lever assembly, and

[0024] Figure 10 、 Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a corresponding alternative embodiment of a gearshift lever assembly according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] exist Figure 1 , reference numeral 1 is used to denote a motor vehicle as a whole.

[0026] For the purposes of the present invention, the motor vehicle 1 may have any type of propulsion means with any type of powertrain, such as an internal combustion engine, an electric motor or other known types of powertrain components.

[0027] The motor vehicle 1 has a plurality of wheels 2 that allow it to be used. To cause the wheels 2 to rotate, the motor vehicle 1 also has a transmission, for example of known type and not shown here, which transmits the output motion generated by the engine to the wheels 2.

[0028] The transmission sets the gear ratio, ie the ratio of the respective speeds, between the engine and the wheels 2 .

[0029] The transmission may include a gearbox having a plurality of gears that may be selected to change the gear ratio.

[0030] In other words, the gearbox can be controlled to change the transmission ratio, for example by selectively engaging gears.

[0031] The gearbox may have a finite number of gears or even a substantially infinite number of gears, defining a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

[0032] Continuously variable transmissions and gearboxes with a limited number of gears are generally known per se in the automotive industry, so they will not be described in more detail or illustrated in a specific manner.

[0033] Gearbox also can not exist, and transmission ratio can be fixed rather than variable thus.In this case, the rotational speed of wheel 2 will be determined by engine, and the speed of engine is still controllable.

[0034] The motor vehicle 1 also has a passenger compartment 3 to accommodate the driver ( Figure 2 ).

[0035] Inside the passenger compartment 3 , the motor vehicle 1 comprises a gearshift lever assembly 4 .

[0036] Generally speaking, the shift lever assembly 4 is configured to allow a driver to control or select the state of motion transferred from the engine to the wheels 2 , particularly via a transmission.

[0037] In more detail, the gearshift lever assembly 4 is configured to control a control unit of the motor vehicle 1 which in turn controls the motion transmission state in a consequential manner, ie in a manner subsequent to a selection made by the driver by means of the gearshift lever assembly 4 .

[0038] In particular, the gearbox of the transmission is of automatic type, whereby the control unit adjusts the transmission ratio based on the operation of the engine, for example by selecting the engagement of a specific gear or by controlling a continuously variable transmission.

[0039] In particular, the control unit extracts information about the operation of the engine from specific sensors coupled to the control unit and configured to monitor the operation of the engine.

[0040] Here, ie for an automatic gearbox, the motion transmission state can be selected by means of the shift lever assembly 4 , for example, from a parking state P, a reverse state R, a neutral state N and a drive state D.

[0041] These motion transfer states are common to motor vehicles with an automatic gearbox, so they will not be explained in detail, nor will the operation of the control unit for each motion transfer state.

[0042] The same motion-transmitting states described above can be selected by means of the gearshift lever assembly 4 even if no gearbox is present, as is the case for example in some fully electric vehicles, but using a known gearshift lever assembly other than the specific assembly 4 according to the invention.

[0043] However, this is not restrictive, as the shift lever assembly 4 can be used to select a specific gear of the gearbox, in which case it should be manually operated. Here, in addition to the above-mentioned reverse gear and neutral gear states N, D, each gear defines a corresponding motion transmission state.

[0044] Therefore, in addition to one or more of the above-mentioned motion transmission states, the motion transmission states that can be selected with the aid of the gear shift lever assembly 4 may also include states associated with the engagement of specific gears of the gear shift, or more generally, states associated with specific transmission ratios between the engine and the wheels 2 (including the reverse gear ratio).

[0045] The assembly 4 comprises a supporting base 5 which is notably fixed to a body 6 of the motor vehicle 1 .

[0046] Furthermore, the assembly 4 comprises a lever body 7 which can be grasped by the driver and which is coupled to the base 5 in a movable manner along a path 8 .

[0047] The rod body 7 can be moved along the path 8 in a continuous manner, ie the rod body 7 can reach any point of the path 8 which can be represented geometrically by a continuous line, ie without interruption.

[0048] The path 8 comprises a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the base 5; the predetermined positions correspond in particular to a selection of motion transmission states.

[0049] More specifically, the path 8 or assembly 4 has four positions corresponding to the selection of the parking state, the reverse state, the neutral state, and the drive state, respectively.

[0050] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the base 5 comprises a guide device 9 configured to guide the rod body 7 along the path 8 .

[0051] In more detail, the rod body 7 comprises one or more slides 10 coupled in a sliding manner to the guide means 9 along the path 8 .

[0052] In particular, the guide means 9 comprises at least two guides 11, more particularly respective beams with a C-shaped cross section facing each other. The guides 11 extend substantially according to the path 8 and are slidably engaged by two respective slides 10 of the rod body 7.

[0053] Reference Figure 3 , the path 8 extends along a line in a plane and is in particular composed of one or more straight line segments.

[0054] The line of the path 8 is more specifically defined by two straight segments or sections that are perpendicular to each other and have two corresponding coinciding end points. Thus, in other words, the line of the path 8 is L-shaped, since one of the two sections is specifically shorter than the other.

[0055] The path 8 could obviously have been different and for example even defined by two H-shaped portions adjacent to each other and having coinciding long branches, i.e. similar to the path of some known gear levers for controlling five-speed manual transmissions with an additional reverse gear.

[0056] The assembly 4 further comprises a magnet 12 which is fixed relative to the rod body 7 , ie the magnet 12 is carried by the rod body 7 in a fixed position.

[0057] The magnet 12 has two opposite poles 12a, 12b, which are aligned in particular along a magnetic axis or direction or axis 12c, more particularly of the rectilinear type.

[0058] exist Figure 4 、 Figure 5 In the specific example of Figures 6 to 9 In a variant of , the magnetic axis 12 c is perpendicular to the path 8 , or more precisely perpendicular to the plane of the path 8 .

[0059] Furthermore, the assembly 4 comprises a plurality of further magnets 13 at least equal to the predetermined positions.

[0060] The magnets 13 are carried by the base 5 in respective fixed positions, ie they are fixed relative to the base 5 .

[0061] Furthermore, although they are fixed to the base 5 , the magnets 13 are arranged or distributed along or according to the path 8 , in particular at predetermined positions.

[0062] Just like the magnet 12, one or each of the magnets 13 also has two opposite poles 13a, 12b, which are particularly aligned along a magnetic axis or direction or axis 12c, more particularly of a rectilinear type. Figure 4 、 Figure 5 In the example shown, the magnetic axis 13c is parallel to the magnetic axis 12c.

[0063] Pole 13b is opposite (magnetically) to pole 12b.

[0064] Each magnet 13 is arranged so that in a corresponding predetermined position of the rod body 7 (i.e., when the rod body 7 is in said predetermined position), the associated pole 13b magnetically cooperates with the pole 12b. In this way, the corresponding magnet 13 exerts a magnetic attraction on the magnet 12; in effect, the opposite poles 12b, 13b attract each other.

[0065] Therefore, in other words, when the rod body 7 reaches a predetermined position, the magnet 12 cooperates or interacts with a corresponding one of the magnets 13. More precisely, the magnet 12 is attracted by the corresponding magnet 13.

[0066] This ensures the stability of each predetermined position because, in order to move the rod body 7 from the relevant predetermined position, the driver must overcome the magnetic attraction between the magnet 12 and the corresponding one of the magnets 13. Therefore, when moving the rod body 7 from any one of the predetermined positions, the driver feels a sense of resistance due to the magnetic attraction between the magnet 12 and the corresponding magnet 13.

[0067] exist Figure 4 、 Figure 5 In the example, when the rod body 7 is in each predetermined position, the pole 12b and the corresponding pole 13b of the magnet 13 are aligned along the magnetic axis 13c or the magnetic axis 12c, where the magnetic axis 13c and the magnetic axis 12c coincide with each other.

[0068] Still in this last example, the magnets 13 corresponding to two adjacent or consecutive predetermined positions according to the path 8 are spaced apart from each other along the path 8 (ie parallel to the path 8 ) by an empty space or any absence of magnets.

[0069] Moreover, in this last example, for each predetermined position, there is one and only one corresponding magnet 13 which faces the magnet 12 and is more precisely aligned with the magnet 12 according to the magnetic axis 12c, 13c when the rod body 7 is in the corresponding predetermined position.

[0070] Figure 6 、 Figure 7 A variation similar to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 The present invention relates to a variant of the present invention and therefore only the different aspects thereof will be described, using the same reference numerals where possible to indicate components shared by both variants.

[0071] exist Figure 6 、 Figure 7 In the example shown in FIG, when the rod body 7 is in the corresponding predetermined position, each magnetic axis 13c forms an acute angle with the magnetic axis 12c. In other words, for each predetermined position, the magnetic axis 12c is tilted relative to the magnetic axis 13c of the corresponding magnet 13 and is incident on the magnetic axis 13c.

[0072] In particular, two magnets 13 may correspond to a predetermined position; in fact, Figure 6 、 Figure 7 In the example of FIG. 1 , the two magnets 13 correspond to predetermined positions associated with the neutral state.

[0073] Except for the predetermined position having two corresponding magnets 13, adjacent or consecutive magnets 13 along the path have respective magnetic axes 13b that form a corresponding acute angle therebetween by intersecting toward the rod body 7. The two magnets 13 corresponding to a single predetermined position have respective magnetic axes 13c that form a corresponding acute angle therebetween by intersecting on the opposite side relative to the side on which the rod body 7 is located.

[0074] In this way, in fact, at the portion of the path 8 between two adjacent or consecutive predetermined positions along the path 8, two adjacent magnets 13 corresponding to the two predetermined positions respectively form a recessed or V-shaped configuration toward the rod body 7 according to the direction of the magnetic axis 12c.

[0075] In each predetermined position of the rod body 7 , the magnet 12 and the one or two magnets 13 corresponding to the predetermined position in question have a minimum distance from one another along the magnetic axis 12 c .

[0076] In fact, with the predetermined position of the two corresponding magnets 13, both magnets 13 have a minimum distance from the magnet 12 along the magnetic axis 12c when the rod body 7 is in said predetermined position. Here, the two magnets 13 form a wedge-shaped or inverted V-shaped configuration towards the rod body 7.

[0077] In this way, when the rod body 7 moves away from each predetermined position, the magnetic attraction force gradually decreases. In particular, on the other hand, when the rod body 7 approaches the adjacent or continuous predetermined position according to the path 8, the magnetic attraction force increases again until it reaches the maximum magnetic attraction force when the rod body 7 reaches the adjacent or continuous predetermined position.

[0078] In summary, for the predetermined position, the magnet 12 and the magnet corresponding to the predetermined position 13 respectively have poles 12a, 13a, which are opposite to the poles 12b, 13b respectively and are aligned with the poles 12b, 13b respectively according to the corresponding magnetic axes 12c, 13c.

[0079] Furthermore, in particular, when the rod body 7 is in the predetermined position, the magnetic axis 12 c forms an acute angle with the magnetic axis 13 c of the magnet 13 corresponding to the predetermined position. Furthermore, here (when the rod body 7 is in the predetermined position), the magnet 12 and the magnet 13 corresponding to the predetermined position have a minimum distance from each other along the magnetic axis 12 c, so that the magnetic attraction force (between the magnets 12 and 13) gradually decreases as the rod body 7 moves away from the predetermined position.

[0080] Alternatively or additionally, the magnet 12 and each magnet 13 have a magnetic pole 12a and a corresponding magnetic pole 13a, respectively, which are opposite to the magnetic pole 12b and the corresponding magnetic pole 13b, respectively, and are aligned with the magnetic pole 12b and the corresponding magnetic pole 13b according to the magnetic axis 12c and the corresponding magnetic axis 13c, respectively. In addition, in particular, when the rod body 7 is in the corresponding predetermined position, the magnetic axis 12c forms a corresponding acute angle with each magnetic axis 13c, wherein the magnet 12 and the corresponding magnet 13 have a minimum distance from each other along the magnetic axis 12c, so that the magnetic attraction force gradually decreases as the rod body 7 moves away from the corresponding predetermined position.

[0081] Still refer to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 In the example of FIG. 8 , the magnets 13 are distributed along the path 8 in a substantially continuous manner, ie such that the magnetic attraction force persists during the movement of the rod body 7 through the entire path 8 .

[0082] More precisely, the magnet 13 defines its own path which is identical to the path 8 but is arranged in a different plane parallel to the plane of the path 8. For this reason, the two paths can be considered as a whole as the path 8.

[0083] The term "substantially" used above relates to the fact that there may be a physical separation between adjacent magnets 13, but the gaps between adjacent magnets 13 remain negligible in the sense that the magnetic attraction is not interrupted by the passage of the rod body 7 from one predetermined position to another adjacent or consecutive position.

[0084] Instead, the magnetic attraction force rises and falls in a wave-like manner, with the magnetic attraction force reaching a peak at a predetermined position.

[0085] Figure 8 、 Figure 9 A variation similar to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 The present invention relates to a variant of the present invention and therefore only the different aspects thereof will be described, using the same reference numerals to indicate components shared by both variants where possible.

[0086] exist Figure 8 、 Figure 9 In a variant, the assembly 4 comprises further magnets 14, each magnet 14 having, like each magnet 13, two opposite poles 14a, 14b, aligned in particular along a magnetic axis or direction or axis 14c, more particularly of the rectilinear type.

[0087] exist Figure 8 、 Figure 9 In the example shown, the magnetic axis 14c is parallel to the magnetic axis 12c and to the magnetic axis 13c.

[0088] Pole 13b is aligned (magnetically) with respect to pole 12b.

[0089] The magnets 14 are carried by the base 5 in corresponding fixed positions; each magnet 14 is arranged so that when the rod body 7 is in a corresponding intermediate position along the path 8 between two adjacent or consecutive predetermined positions, the relevant pole 14b is magnetically matched with the pole 12b, so that the magnet 14 exerts a magnetic repulsive force on the magnet 12 during the passage of the rod body between the two adjacent or consecutive predetermined positions.

[0090] In more detail, each magnet 14 is arranged between two corresponding magnets 13 that are adjacent or consecutive to each other along the path 8 .

[0091] Specifically, when the rod body 7 moves to the corresponding intermediate position, each magnet 14 is aligned with the magnet 12 along the magnetic axis 12 c.

[0092] Thus, in particular, the magnets 13, 14 are distributed along the path 8 (or along the path of the aforementioned magnets 13) according to an alternating sequence. In other words, according to the path 8, each magnet 13 is followed by a magnet 14 and vice versa.

[0093] Preferably, the magnets 13 , 14 are distributed in a substantially continuous manner, ie such that the magnetic cooperation or interaction of the magnets 13 , 14 with the magnet 12 persists during the movement of the rod body 7 through the entire path 8 .

[0094] Likewise, the term “substantially” relates to the fact that there may be a physical separation between two consecutive magnets 13, 14, but the gap between consecutive magnets 13, 14 remains negligible in the sense that the magnetic interaction of the magnets 12 is not interrupted by the passage of the rod body 7 from one predetermined position to another adjacent or consecutive position.

[0095] In fact, the magnetic interaction of the magnets 12 during the travel of the rod body 7 along the entire path 8 consists of an alternation between an attractive force with each magnet 13 whenever the rod body 7 reaches a corresponding predetermined position and a repulsive force with each magnet 14 whenever the rod body 7 moves between two adjacent or consecutive corresponding predetermined positions.

[0096] The following will describe Figure 10 This last implementation is similar to Figure 3 , whereby even if not explicitly repeated for the sake of brevity, Figures 3 to 8 All variations of Figure 10 implementation method. Figure 10 The implementation is only possible by combining it with Figure 3 In the present invention, different aspects of the embodiments are described, and the same reference numerals may be used to refer to the same components.

[0097] exist Figure 10 In the embodiment, the rod body 7 includes a knob 70, and the knob 70 can be rotated relative to the base 5 around a rotation axis 71.

[0098] The path 8 is therefore circular, ie it is defined by an arc of a circle.

[0099] Furthermore, the magnetic axes 12c, 13c, 14c (wherein the magnets 14 are optionally provided, even if they are Figure 9 ) is directed radially relative to the axis of rotation 71 .

[0100] Figure 11 The implementation is similar to Figure 10 implementation, so it will only be used when Figure 10 In the present invention, different aspects of the embodiments are described, and the same reference numerals may be used to refer to the same components.

[0101] Likewise, even though it is not explicitly repeated for the sake of brevity, Figures 6 to 9 The content of the variant also applies to Figure 11 implementation method.

[0102] exist Figure 11 In the embodiment of , the rod body 7 is coupled to the base 5 by means of a spherical coupling, so that in particular the rod body 7 and the base 5 form part of a spherical joint.

[0103] Thus, in this case, the path 8 extends along a spherical surface and not on a plane as is the case in the other embodiments described and illustrated herein.The spherical surface is virtually defined by the spherical coupling.

[0104] Furthermore, the magnetic axes 12c, 13c, 14c (wherein the magnets 14 are optionally provided, even if they are Figure 10 ) are directed radially relative to the center of the spherical surface.

[0105] For the reasons described above, the advantages of the shift lever assembly 4 according to the present invention are obvious.

[0106] The magnetic attraction of the magnet 12 with the corresponding magnet 13 in the corresponding predetermined position is perfectly suitable for returning to the driver a sensation similar to that provided by the mechanical members of the known solutions.

[0107] Furthermore, magnetic mating is noiseless and does not involve wear of parts in mechanical contact.

[0108] In addition, if Figure 8 、 Figure 9 The alternation between the magnetic attraction and repulsion forces ensured by the alternation between the magnets 13 , 14 is particularly advantageous since it corresponds to a greater feeling for the driver of the fluidity of movement of the lever body 7 and a more powerful engagement / disengagement feeling.

[0109] Finally, the gearshift lever assembly 4 according to the invention is obviously susceptible of changes and modifications without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

[0110] In particular, the number and shapes of components described and illustrated herein may be varied.

Claims

1. A gearshift lever assembly (4) for a motor vehicle (1), the assembly comprising: - a support base (5), a lever body (7) which can be grasped by a driver of the motor vehicle and which is movably coupled to the support base (5) along a path (8), the path (8) comprising a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the support base (5), a first magnet (12) fixed relative to the rod body (7) and having a first magnetic pole (12b), and - At least one corresponding second magnet (13) for each of the predetermined positions, the second magnet (13) having a corresponding second magnetic pole (13b) opposite to the first magnetic pole (12b) and carried by the support base (5) at a corresponding fixed position, so that when the rod body (7) is at a corresponding predetermined position among the predetermined positions, the second pole (13b) magnetically cooperates with the first pole (12b), so that the corresponding second magnet (13) exerts a magnetic attraction on the first magnet (12).

2. The shift lever assembly according to claim 1, wherein: When the rod body (7) is in the corresponding predetermined position, the first pole (12b) and the second pole (13b) are aligned along a straight line direction (12c, 13c).

3. The shift lever assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The first magnet (12) and each second magnet (13) have a third magnetic pole (12a) and a fourth magnetic pole (13a), respectively. The third magnetic pole (12a) and the fourth magnetic pole (13a) are respectively opposite to the first pole (12b) and the second pole (13b) and are respectively aligned with the first pole (12b) and the second pole (13b) according to a first straight line direction (12c) and a second straight line direction (13c). When the rod body (7) is in the corresponding predetermined position, the first straight line direction (12c) and the second straight line direction (13c) form an acute angle. When the rod body (7) is in the corresponding predetermined position, the first magnet (12) and the second magnet (13) have a minimum distance from each other along the first straight line direction (12c), so that the magnetic attraction force gradually decreases as the rod body (7) leaves the corresponding predetermined position.

4. The shift lever assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The second magnets (13) are distributed along the path (8) such that the second linear directions (13c) of the mutually adjacent second magnets (13) form another associated acute angle.

5. The shift lever assembly according to claim 1 further comprises a third magnet (14), wherein the third magnet (14) has a fifth magnetic pole (14b) consistent with the first pole (12b) and is carried by the support base (5) in a related fixed position, so that when the rod body (7) is in a corresponding intermediate position along the path (8) between two adjacent predetermined positions in the predetermined positions, the fifth pole (14b) magnetically cooperates with the first pole (12b), so that the third magnet (14) applies a magnetic repulsive force to the first magnet (12) during the passage of the rod body (7) between the two adjacent predetermined positions.

6. The shift lever assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The second magnets (13) are distributed along the path (8) in a substantially continuous manner, so that the magnetic attraction force persists during the movement of the rod body (7) across the entire path (8).

7. The shift lever assembly according to claim 5, further comprising, in addition to the third magnet (14), one or more additional third magnets (14), wherein the second magnet (13) and the third magnet (14) are distributed along the path (8) in an alternating order and preferably in a substantially continuous manner, so that the magnetic interaction with the first magnet (12) persists during the movement of the lever body (7) across the entire path (8).

8. The shift lever assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The path (8) extends in a plane according to an L-shaped line.

9. The shift lever assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The rod body (7) comprises a knob (70) rotatable relative to the support base (5) about a rotation axis (71), wherein the path (8) is circular about the rotation axis (71).

10. The shift lever assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The rod body (7) is coupled to the support base (5) via a spherical coupling, whereby the path (8) extends along a spherical surface virtually defined by the spherical coupling.

11. A motor vehicle (1) comprising a gearshift lever assembly (4) according to claim 1.

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