초록 ▼

A shift actuator for a vehicle transfer case includes a bidirectional electric motor for positioning gearing in the transfer case. An indicator mechanism associated with the drive train between the motor and the transfer case provides electrical signals indicative of the actual position in, and thus

A shift actuator for a vehicle transfer case includes a bidirectional electric motor for positioning gearing in the transfer case. An indicator mechanism associated with the drive train between the motor and the transfer case provides electrical signals indicative of the actual position in, and thus operating state, of the gearing in the transfer case. A selector switch provides electrical signals indicative of a desired operating state of the transfer case gearing. An electronic control is responsive to an input from the selector switch and to the indicator mechanism for effecting rotation of the motor in a predetermined one or other direction to attain the desired operating state. The indicator mechanism includes a contact plate, which rotates with the drive train, and a set of stationary contacts. A conductive pattern on the contact plate identifies the positioning of the operating states of the transfer case gearing. Signals indicating the condition of the vehicle, as its speed and the state of its transmission, serve to allow or to inhibit certain responses to certain selected states of the transfer case gearing.

대표청구항 ▼

An electrical shift actuator for a vehicle transfer case adapted to be driven by a vehicle transmission which includes a neutral condition, the transfer case including vehicle drive gearing and being responsive to a bidirectional rotary input for placing said gearing into selected ones of a pluralit

An electrical shift actuator for a vehicle transfer case adapted to be driven by a vehicle transmission which includes a neutral condition, the transfer case including vehicle drive gearing and being responsive to a bidirectional rotary input for placing said gearing into selected ones of a plurality of operating states, all of said plurality of operating states being attainable within a predetermined angle of rotation of said rotary input, the shift actuator comprising: a rotary drive means operatively connected to provide said bidirectional rotary input to said transfer case, said rotary drive means including bidirectional motor means for determining the rotational position of said rotary drive means; means for indicating the rotational position of said rotary drive means thereby to provide an indication of the existing operating state of said vehicle drive gearing, said indicating means including first and second relatively movable parts, said first part being stationary and said second part being mounted to rotate with said rotary drive means and wherein at least one of said first and said second parts is operative to provide an electrical signal indicative of the rotational position of said rotary drive means; selector switch means for providing an electrical signal representative of a desired state of the vehicle drive gearing; and electrical control means responsive to said signal representative of a desired state of vehicle drive gearing and to said signal indicative of the existing rotational position of said rotary drive means for effecting movement of said motor means in a predetermined one or the other of said directions until the desired vehicle drive gearing state is attained, said electrical control means further including means for sensing at least one vehicle operating condition from the group including vehicle speed and state of the transmission relative to its neutral condition, said electrical control means being inhibited from effective movement of said motor to place the drive gearing in a certain one from a certain other of said vehicle drive gearing states at least until said vehicle speed satisfies a predetermined threshold or said transmission state satisfies a predetermined threshold interval in the neutral condition, respectively.