Gearshift lever arrangement for a vehicle transmission

Abstract

Gearshift lever assembly (1) for a vehicle transmission, comprising: a gearshift lever (100) which is configured to move in order to select a gearshift position; a movable element (120) arranged to move in a vertical direction along a guide groove (110) formed in the shift lever (100); and a movement lock (200) which is configured to selectively block the movement of the gearshift lever (100) based on a position of the moving element (120), the movement lock (200) includes: a rotating element (210) which is configured to rotate through the movable element (120) and to block the movement of the movable element (120); and a support element (220) to which the rotary element (210) is rotatably connected and which is arranged to move through the movable element (120), wherein, when the movable element (120) is moved to one side of the guide groove (110) from the other side, the movable element (120) comes into contact with a part of the rotating element (210), so that a force is exerted on the rotating element (210) in a vertical direction, and wherein the support element (220) is moved in the vertical direction by the force exerted on the rotating element (210) to cause the movable element (120) to be movable in a longitudinal direction.

Description

STATE OF THE ART

[0001] The present invention relates to a gearshift lever arrangement for a vehicle transmission, in particular for a vehicle transmission that supports two or more gearshift modes and performs a change between the gearshift modes.

[0002] A vehicle transmission can change its gear ratio to maintain a constant engine speed in relation to the vehicle's speed, and the driver can operate a gearshift lever located within the transmission to change the gear ratio. The vehicle transmission's gear-shifting modes include a manual mode, in which the driver can change a gear selector position, and an automatic mode, in which the gear selector position is automatically determined based on the vehicle's speed when the driver selects a drive mode (D).

[0003] The aforementioned gear-shift modes utilize a sport-type transmission in which manual and automatic gear shifting can be performed within a single transmission. With a sport-type transmission, the driver can perform manual gear changes by raising or lowering the gear positions while automatic gear shifting is occurring, or by using a separate transmission that performs automatic gear changes and is located adjacent to a transmission that performs manual gear changes.

[0004] The vehicle's transmission features a shift lock function, also known as a gear shift lock. This function is designed to prevent a common sudden acceleration accident. There is a primary shift lock function that prevents the gearshift lever from moving to other positions when the driver applies the brake pedal while the gearshift lever is in Park (P) or Neutral (N) position. A secondary shift lock function prevents the gearshift lever from moving to Reverse (R) when the vehicle is traveling forward at a predetermined speed or higher. Furthermore, to prevent driver error, a full shift lock function can be implemented, which locks the gearshift lever in all gear positions.

[0005] In a vehicle transmission that supports two or more gear shift modes, the designated gear shift position must be selected to change the gear shift mode, and a gear shift position is formed within one of the two or more gear shift modes to select a different gear shift mode. However, the gear shift position for changing from one gear shift mode to another may be selected incorrectly due to driver error.

[0006] US Patent 7,213,483 B2 discloses a gearshift lever arrangement for a vehicle transmission, comprising a gearshift lever configured to move in order to select a gear position, a movable element configured to move in a vertical direction along a guide groove formed in the gearshift lever, and a motion lock configured to selectively block the movement of the gearshift lever based on the position of the movable element. The motion lock includes: a rotary element configured to rotate through the movable element and block the movement of the movable element, and a support element to which the rotary element is rotatably connected and configured to move through the movable element.

[0007] Further shift lever arrangements with a motion lock comprising a rotary element designed to rotate through the movable element and block the movement of the movable element, and a support element to which the rotary element is rotatably connected and designed to move through the movable element, are described in DE 100 28 649 A1 and US 2008 / 0 006 115 A1. SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention provides a shift lever arrangement for a vehicle transmission that prevents a gear shift position from being selected for changing gear shift modes due to an incorrect operation by a driver, and that stably changes the gear shift mode in the vehicle transmission, which supports two or more gear shift modes.

[0009] The present invention provides a gearshift lever arrangement for a vehicle transmission according to claim 1, a gearshift lever arrangement for a vehicle transmission according to claim 11 and a gearshift lever arrangement for a vehicle transmission according to claim 12.

[0010] According to the invention, the shift lever arrangement comprises a shift lever configured to move in a first direction to select a gear shift position, a movable element configured to move in a second direction along a guide groove formed in the shift lever, and a motion lock configured to selectively block the movement of the shift lever based on a position of the movable element in which the motion lock comprises a rotary element configured to rotate in one direction through the movable element located on one side of the guide groove and blocking the movement of the movable element in the first direction, and a support element to which the rotary element is rotatably connected and which moves in a second direction through the movable element located on the other side of the guide groove.

[0011] According to the vehicle transmission of the present invention, as described above, one or more of the following effects occur. First, the movement of the shift lever can be selectively blocked when the gear shift mode is selected from one gear shift mode to another in the vehicle transmission, which supports two or more gear shift modes. This prevents the gear shift position from being selected for changing the gear shift mode due to an incorrect operation by the driver, and thus prevents the possibility of a vehicle accident. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is an exemplary view showing a gearshift lever arrangement for a vehicle transmission according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exemplary side view showing the gearshift lever arrangement according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is an exemplary detailed view showing the gearshift lever arrangement according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is an exemplary schematic view showing the gear-changing pattern according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 to Fig. Seven exemplary side views are shown, illustrating the process by which a gear shift position of the vehicle transmission is selected according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is an exemplary side view showing a gearshift lever arrangement for a vehicle transmission according to another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is an exemplary view showing a motion lock according to the embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 10 to Fig. 15 exemplary side views are shown, illustrating the process by which a gear change mode is changed in the vehicle transmission according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Identical reference symbols denote identical elements throughout the entire description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] It is to be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicle-" or other similar terms as used herein include motor vehicles in general, such as passenger cars including off-road vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft and the like, and hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, internal combustion engine vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other vehicles using alternative fuels (e.g. fuels derived from sources other than petroleum).

[0015] Spatial terms such as "below," "under," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like may be used here to simplify the description and to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another, as illustrated in the figures. It is important to understand that these spatial terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is reversed, would elements described as "below" or "under" other elements or features then be oriented "above" them? Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of forward and one of downward.The device can be oriented differently (rotated by 90 degrees or in other orientations) and the spatial markings used herein shall be interpreted accordingly.

[0016] Herein the present invention is described with reference to the drawings to explain a gearshift lever arrangement for a vehicle transmission according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 is an exemplary view showing a gearshift lever arrangement for a vehicle transmission according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is an exemplary side view showing the gearshift lever arrangement according to the embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. Figure 3 is an exemplary detailed view showing the gearshift lever arrangement according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] As shown, a shift lever arrangement 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a shift lever 100 configured to move in a direction to select a gear shift position, and a motion lock 200 configured to selectively block movement of the shift lever 100, and the shift lever 100 and the motion lock 200 can be connected to a housing 2 to be actuated together with various components used to perform a gear shifting or shift lock function.

[0019] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle transmission 1 can support two or more gear-shift modes, which have a gear-shift pattern as described in Fig. Figure 4 is shown, and an example is described in which the vehicle transmission 1 supports an automatic gear-shifting mode and a manual gear-shifting mode, but this example is only for a better understanding of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to it, and the gear-shifting mode and gear-shifting pattern supported by the vehicle transmission 1 can be changed in various ways.

[0020] When the vehicle transmission 1 is in automatic gear-shift mode, selectable gear shift positions may include a park position (P position), a reverse position (R position), a neutral position (N position), and a drive position (D position). When the vehicle transmission 1 is in manual gear-shift mode, selectable gear shift positions may include a '+' position and a '-' position, and a manual position (M position) may be included as a gear shift position (hereinafter referred to as the 'switching gear shift position') that converts the gear shift mode from automatic to manual gear shift mode.

[0021] Particularly in automatic gear-shift mode, the gear shift position can be changed by moving the shift lever 100 in a vertical direction starting from Fig. 4 can be selected; however, since the M position is positioned on one of the gearshift lever's movement paths in automatic gearshift mode, the M position can frequently be selected due to driver error. In other words, if the gearshift positions are arranged in the order of P, R, N, D, and M, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the driver may intend to select the D position, but the M position may be selected due to an incorrect operation by the driver. Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, to prevent the change-gear shift position (e.g., the M position) from being selected due to an incorrect operation by the driver, the movement of the shift lever 100 can be selectively blocked, and a detailed description thereof is given below.

[0022] The shift lever 100 can be moved in one direction to select the gear shift position, and the shift lever 100 includes a movable element 120 that is movable along a guide groove 110 formed in one direction of the longitudinal axis of the shift lever 100. The movable element 120 can be connected to a release button 100a formed at one end of the shift lever 100 to release the movement restriction of the shift lever 100, and when the driver intends to move the shift lever 100 to select the gear shift position, the movable element 120 can be moved along the guide groove 110 when the driver presses the release button 100a, and the movable element 120 can be returned to its original position when the driver releases the release button 100a.

[0023] A plate 130, having a pattern based on the gearshift position selected by the shift lever 100, can be formed on one side of the shift lever 100. The plate 130 can have a plurality of projecting sections 131 formed based on the gearshift position. The restriction of movement of the shift lever 100 can be released by moving the movable element 120 to one side of the guide groove 110 by pressing the release button 100a, thus allowing the movable element 120 to pass over the projecting sections 131. When the release button 100a is released after the gearshift position selection is complete, the projecting sections 131, formed on one or both sides of the movable element 120, prevent the shift lever 100 from moving to other gearshift positions. The shift lever 100 is returned to its original position.In particular, the plurality of the foregoing sections 131 can be shaped for each gearshift position or for two or more gearshift positions at a time. In other words, to move the shift lever 100, the driver can press the release button 100a to move the movable element 120 to one side of the guide groove 110, for example in a downward direction, as shown in . Fig. 5 is shown, and then, when the driver releases the trigger button 100a after moving the gearshift lever 100 in one direction, as in Fig. As shown in 6, a different gear shift position can be selected, as shown in Fig. 7 is shown. In particular, they show Fig. 5 to Fig. Figure 7 shows an example in which the R position is selected from the P position in automatic gear-shift mode, and the same procedure can be applied when selecting the other gear shift position. The driver can select other gear shift positions by moving the shift lever 100 so that it passes through two or more gear shift positions after the release button 100a of the shift lever 100 is pressed, and the position in which the movable element 120 returns to its original position when the driver releases the release button 100a can be understood as the gear shift position currently selected.

[0024] In particular, as described above, if the vehicle transmission 1 supports two or more gear-shift modes, the shift lever 100 may be moved into the change-gear position due to an incorrect operation by the driver intended to change the gear-shift mode, but in the embodiment of the present invention, the movement lock 200 may be configured to selectively block the movement of the shift lever 100 to prevent the change-gear position from being selected due to an incorrect operation by the driver.

[0025] The motion lock 200 comprises a rotary element 210 that can be rotated in one direction by a collision with the movable element 120 when the shift lever 100 is moved, specifically when the movable element 120, which is connected to the shift lever 100, is moved to one side of the guide groove 110, i.e., when the release button 100a of the shift lever 100 is pressed. The motion lock 200 also comprises a support element 220 to which the rotary element 210 is rotatably connected.

[0026] In the following embodiment of the present invention, a direction in which the shift lever is moved to select the gear shift position is referred to as the first direction, and a direction in which the movable element 120 is moved along the guide groove 110 is referred to as the second direction.

[0027] The rotary element 210 is designed such that it projects beyond one side of the support element 220 at a predetermined interval, and a position of the one side of the support element 220, where the rotary element 210 projects, can be aligned with a point P1 on the aforementioned plate 130, where the change-gear shift position begins to be selected.

[0028] The rotating element 210 can include an elastic element 211 such as a torsion spring, and when a force exerted by the collision with the movable element 120 is removed, the rotating element 210 can be returned to an original position, and a confining surface 221, which limits a rotation range of the rotating element 210, can be formed on the support element 220 to rotate the rotating element 210 towards the confining surface 221 by means of the movable element 120.If the rotary element 210 is rotated towards the confining surface 221 due to the collision with the movable element 120, one side of the rotary element 210, which is adjacent to the movable element 120, can be positioned at approximately the same position as one side of the support element 220 or be positioned inside the support element 220, so that the movable element 120 comes into contact with one side of the support element 220, thereby preventing the shift lever 100, which is moved in the first direction, from being moved further.

[0029] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an example is described in which the movable element 120 comes into contact with one side of the support element 220 in order to block the movement of the shift lever 100, but this example is given only for a better understanding of the present invention, the present invention being not limited to this, and as in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, when the rotary element 210 is moved towards the confining surface 221, one side of the rotary element 210, which is adjacent to the movable element 120, can be held to project further than one side of the support element 220 at a predetermined interval, thereby blocking the movement of the shift lever 100 by the rotary element 210. In particular, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, since the rotating element 210 comes into contact with the movable element 120 to block the movement of the shift lever 100, a damping element 230, such as rubber, which reduces the impact or noise exerted on the rotating element 210, can be formed on one side of the rotating element 210 or the limiting surface 221.

[0030] As described above, when the movable element 120 comes into contact with the rotary element 210 or the support element 220 to prevent the shift lever 100 from being moved in the first direction, and when the driver releases the release button 100a of the shift lever 100, the movable element 120 can be moved towards the other side of the guide groove 110, that is, in an upward direction, and thus the force exerted on the rotary element 210 can be removed to return the rotary element 210 to its original position by the elastic element 211.

[0031] Particularly when the driver releases the release button 100a, as described above, one side of the support element 220 can be aligned with point P1, where the movable element 120 is moved upwards. However, since the rotary element 210 protrudes beyond one side of the support element 220 at a predetermined interval when the driver presses the release button 100a again, the movable element 120 can collide with the rotary element 210 and exert a force on the rotary element 210 from the second direction, that is, from a direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the rotary element 210. Therefore, the rotary element 210 cannot be rotated, but the support element 220, which is connected to the rotary element 210, can be moved in the second direction, causing the shift lever 100 to be movable, thus enabling the selection of the change-gear shift position as described above.

[0032] Furthermore, when the driver releases the release button 100a of the shift lever 100 after completing the selection of the change-gear shift position, the movable element 120 can be returned to a position where the movable element 120 is held by the plate 130, and at the same time the support element 220 can exert force on the movable element 120 by means of an elastic element 224 of the support element 220 to prevent the movable element 120 from being moved away from the change-gear shift position or to prevent the shift lever 100 from being shaken.

[0033] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, insertion projections 222a and 222b are formed on one side of the support element 220, and the insertion projections 222a and 222b are inserted into insertion grooves 2a and 2b formed in the housing 2, as shown in Figure 9. Fig. Figure 3 shows that they are coupled so that they can move in one direction. In particular, the rotary element 210 can also be rotatably connected to the support element 220 in order to move the rotary element 210 when the support element 220 is moved in the second direction. The number or position of the insertion projections 222a and 222b, and the insertion grooves 2a and 2b, can be varied.

[0034] A guide projection 223, which guides the movement of the support element 220, is formed at one end of the support element 220, and the guide projection 223 can be moved in one direction along a guide groove 2c formed in the housing 2. The elastic element 224, which is formed around the guide projection 223, exerts an elastic force on the support element 220 to return the support element 220 to an original position.

[0035] Fig. 10 to Fig. Figure 15 shows exemplary side views illustrating the functioning of the shift lever arrangement according to the embodiment of the present invention. In particular, they include Fig. 10 to Fig. 15 the gait change pattern as it is in Fig. Figure 4 illustrates, and these are understood to represent the functions of the motion lock 200 when the gear shift mode is changed from automatic gear shift mode to manual gear shift mode by selecting the M position in automatic gear shift mode. An example is described in which the rotary element 210 of the Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 is used, meaning that the movable element 120 can collide with one side of the support element 220, but also when the rotating element 210 is used, on which the weakening element 230, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, an object can be used to block the movement of the movable element 120 from the support element 220 to the rotary element 210, and the entire operation can be carried out in the same way.

[0036] If the driver intends to change the gear shift mode, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the driver moves the shift lever 100 in the first direction while pressing the release button 100a of the shift lever 100, and then the movable element 120 can be moved to one side of the guide groove 110, that is, into a lower position, until the point where the movable element 120 begins to collide with the rotating element 210. After the state shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, when the shift lever 100 is continuously moved in the first direction, the rotary element 210 can be moved to the confining surface 221 by force exerted by the movable element 120, as shown in Figure 10. Fig. 11 shown, can be rotated, and the movable element 120 can collide with one side of the support element 220 to prevent the shift lever 100 from being moved further in the first direction.

[0037] When the driver releases the release button 100a at point P1, where the shift lever 100 is blocked by the support element 220 from being moved in the first direction, i.e., the change-gear shift position begins to be selected, the movable element 120, which is positioned in the lower direction of the guide groove 110, can be moved to its original position, i.e., to the upper direction of the guide groove 110, as shown in Fig. Figure 12 shows that the rotating element 210 can be returned to its original position by the elastic element 211 when the force exerted by the movable element 120 is removed. Specifically, when the driver presses the release button 100a again, the movable element 120 can be moved downwards along the guide groove 110, i.e., in the second direction, to exert a force on the rotating element 210 perpendicular to its direction of rotation, as shown in Figure 12. Fig. Figure 13 shows. Furthermore, the support element 220 can also be moved in the second direction with the rotary element 210, while the guide projection 223 is moved along the guide groove 2c.

[0038] Additionally, if the support element 220 is moved in the second direction, the position of the support element 220 that comes into contact with the movable element 120 can be changed to move the movable element 120 in the first direction. Therefore, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 14, the shift lever 100 can be moved in the first direction to select the change-gear shift position. Furthermore, when the driver releases the release button 100a after completing the selection of the change-gear shift position by the shift lever 100, the support element 220, which has been moved in the second direction, can be moved as shown in Figure 14. Fig. As shown in Figure 15, a force can also be applied to the original position by the elastic element 224 in order to exert force on the movable element 120. REFERENCE MARK 1 Vehicle transmission 2 cases 2a, 2b Insertion grooves 2c guide groove 100 gearshift levers 100a Trigger button 110 guide groove 120 movable elements 130 of the aforementioned plate 130 plate 131 preceding sections 200 movement lock 210 Rotary element 211 elastic element 220 support element 221 Restricted area 222a, 222b Introduction advantages 223 Leading lead 224 elastic element 230 attenuation element

Claims

[1] Shift lever arrangement (1) for a vehicle transmission, comprising: a shift lever (100) configured to move to select a gear shift position; a movable member (120) adapted to move in a vertical direction along a guide groove (110) formed in the shift lever (100); and a movement lock (200) configured to selectively block the movement of the shift lever (100) based on a position of the movable member (120), wherein the movement lock (200) comprises: a rotating element (210) configured to rotate through the movable element (120) and to block the movement of the movable element (120); and a support element (220) to which the rotary element (210) is rotatably connected and which is adapted to move through the movable element (120), wherein, when the movable member (120) is moved to one side of the guide groove (110) from the other side thereof, the movable member (120) comes into contact with a part of the rotary member (210) so that a force is exerted on the rotary member (210) in a vertical direction, and wherein the support member (220) is moved in the vertical direction by the force exerted on the rotary member (210) to cause the movable member (120) to be movable in a longitudinal direction. [2] The shift lever assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rotary member (210) is shaped to protrude beyond a side of the support member (220) and is configured to rotate through the movable member (120) in a predetermined rotation range to cause the movable member (120) to come into contact with a side of the support member (220). [3] The shift lever assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rotary member (210) is positioned to protrude beyond a side of the support member (220) and is configured to rotate through the movable member (120) in a predetermined rotation range to block the movement of the movable member (120). [4] A shift lever assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the rotary member (210) comprises a weakening member (230) formed on one side thereof and capable of being brought into contact with the movable member (120). [5] Shift lever assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the support member (220) comprises a restriction surface (221) that restricts a rotational range of the rotary member (210). [6] Shift lever assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rotary member (210) comprises an elastic member (211) such that when a force exerted due to contact between the movable member (120) and the rotary member (210) or contact between the movable member (120) and the support member (220) is removed, the rotary member (210) can be returned to an original position. [7] The shift lever assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein when the force applied to the rotary member (210) is removed, the support member (220) is returned to the original position to apply a force to the movable member (120). [8] Shift lever assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the movement lock (200) is arranged to selectively block the selection of the gear shift position to change a gear change mode between two or more gear change modes. [9] The shift lever assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the support member (220) comprises an insertion projection (222a, 222b) inserted into an insertion groove (2a, 2b) formed in a housing (2) to which the shift lever (100) and the movement lock (200) are connected. [10] Shift lever assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the support element (220) comprises: a guide projection (223) inserted into a guide groove (2c) formed in a housing (2) to which the switching lever (100) and the movement lock (200) are connected; and an elastic element (224) which exerts an elastic force on the guide projection (223). [11] Shift lever arrangement (1), comprising: a shift lever (100) configured to move to select a gear shift position; a movable member (120) adapted to move in a vertical direction along a guide groove (110) formed in the shift lever (100); and a movement lock (200) configured to selectively block the movement of the shift lever (100) based on a position of the movable member (120), wherein the movement lock (200) comprises: a rotating element (210) configured to rotate through the movable element (120) and to block the movement of the movable element (120); and a support element (220) to which the rotary element (210) is rotatably connected and which is adapted to move through the movable element (120), wherein the support member (220) comprises an insertion projection (222a, 222b) inserted into an insertion groove (2a, 2b) formed in a housing (2) to which the shift lever (100) and the movement lock (200) are connected. [12] Shift lever arrangement (1), comprising: a shift lever (100) configured to move to select a gear shift position; a movable member (120) adapted to move in a vertical direction along a guide groove (110) formed in the shift lever (100); and a movement lock (200) configured to selectively block the movement of the shift lever (100) based on a position of the movable member (120), wherein the movement lock (200) comprises: a rotating element (210) configured to rotate through the movable element (120) and to block the movement of the movable element (120); and a support element (220) to which the rotary element (210) is rotatably connected and which is adapted to move through the movable element (120), wherein the support element (220) comprises: a guide projection (223) inserted into a guide groove (2c) formed in a housing (2) to which the switching lever (100) and the movement lock (200) are connected; and an elastic element (224) which exerts an elastic force on the guide projection (223).

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