Shifter with actuator incorporating shape memory alloy
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B60K-020/00
G05G-005/00
B60W-010/10
출원번호
UP-0772972
(2007-07-03)
등록번호
US-7814810
(2010-11-08)
발명자
/ 주소
Mitteer, David M.
출원인 / 주소
Grand Haven Stamped Products, a division of JSJ Corporation
대리인 / 주소
Price, Heneveld, Cooper, DeWitt & Litton, LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
8인용 특허 :
36
초록▼
A shifter includes an actuator incorporating a shape memory alloy wire to control movement of lever-position-controlling components of a vehicle transmission shift lever. In one arrangement, the actuator controls movement of a cam to prevent moving a pawl out of park position until predetermined veh
A shifter includes an actuator incorporating a shape memory alloy wire to control movement of lever-position-controlling components of a vehicle transmission shift lever. In one arrangement, the actuator controls movement of a cam to prevent moving a pawl out of park position until predetermined vehicle conditions are met. Alternatively, the actuator can be directly attached to the pawl itself for controlling movement of the pawl, or connected to a toggle linkage arrangement for controlling movement of the pawl. In still another arrangement, a magnet arrangement is used to motivate a pawl-blocking member. When necessary, a mechanical fuse is operably connected to the system to prevent damage to the shape memory alloy wire where there is risk of the pawl being frictionally stopped from movement despite the contraction of the shape memory alloy wire actuator.
대표청구항▼
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. In a park lock/brake transmission shift interlock apparatus including a base, a shifter including a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions i
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. In a park lock/brake transmission shift interlock apparatus including a base, a shifter including a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions including a park position, a pawl on the shift lever selectively engageable with notches on the base to control movement of the shift lever between the gear positions, at least one lever-position-controlling component, and a control circuit for controlling operation of the shifter based on predetermined vehicle conditions being met, an improvement comprising: an actuator for operating the at least one lever-position-controlling component, the actuator incorporating shape memory alloy wire operably connected to the control circuit and to a drive member for operating the lever-position-controlling component for locking the shift lever in a selected one of the gear positions until the predetermined vehicle conditions are met, the actuator being configured to move the drive member between shifter-locked and shifter-unlocked positions. 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the actuator is operably connected to the pawl for moving the pawl between a locking position where the pawl is engaged with a selected one of the notches, and a release position where the pawl is permitted to retract to allow movement of the shift lever between the gear positions. 3. The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein the at least one lever-position-controlling component includes a linkage for moving the pawl between a first position where the pawl engages a selected one of the notches, and a second position disengaging the pawl to allow movement of the pawl and hence movement of the shift lever between the gear positions, the actuator being connected to the linkage for actuating the linkage. 4. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one lever-position-controlling component includes a blocking member for abuttingly locking the pawl in a selected position, the actuator being connected to the blocking member for moving the blocking member between a locking position retaining the pawl in a selected one of the notches and a release position allowing movement of the pawl out of the selected one notch to allow the shift lever to move between the gear positions. 5. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one lever-position-controlling component includes a blocking member for abuttingly holding the shift lever in a selected position, the shape memory alloy wire being looped around the drive member and operably connected to the blocking member for moving the blocking member between a locking position engaging the shift lever to retain the shift lever in a selected one of the gear positions and a release position allowing movement of the shift lever between the gear positions. 6. The apparatus defined in claim 1, including a strain relief mechanism connected to the shape memory alloy wire to prevent damage to the shape memory alloy wire when the actuator is energized to move the at least one lever-position-controlling component at a time when the lever-position-controlling component cannot move. 7. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the strain relief mechanism is connected to the pawl and includes a pawl housing, a first spring biasing the pawl to extend from the pawl housing, and a second spring operably connected between the wire and the pawl, the second spring being configured to compress when the wire is operated to retract the pawl at a time when the pawl cannot be retracted. 8. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the drive member provides a mechanical advantage so that a change in length of the shape member alloy wire results in an amplified movement of an operative end of the drive member. 9. The apparatus defined in claim 1, including a compensating device associated with the shape memory alloy wire and configured to allow the shape memory alloy wire to change length without forcing movement of the lever-position-controlling component. 10. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the compensating device is configured to store energy from the shape memory alloy wire until such time as the stored energy can be used to move the lever-position-controlling component. 11. The apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein the compensating device includes an arrangement of magnets. 12. A method of controlling a vehicle shifter having a battery-powered vehicle electrical control system and lever-position-controlling components, comprising steps of: passing controlled amounts of electrical current from the vehicle electrical control system through a shape memory alloy wire actuator to change a length of the shape memory alloy wire actuator based on current flow and material phase change in order to control movement of at least one of the lever-position-controlling components between shifter-locked and shifter-unlocked locations. 13. The method defined in claim 12, including connecting a strain relief mechanism to the shape memory alloy wire actuator to protect the shape memory alloy wire actuator even when the shape memory alloy wire actuator is operated to change a length of the shape memory alloy wire actuator at a time when the at least one lever-position-controlling component cannot move. 14. The method defined in claim 12, including an arrangement of magnets arranged to absorb energy when the shape memory alloy wire actuator is energized at a time when the one lever-position-controlling component cannot move. 15. The method defined in claim 12, wherein the step of connecting includes connecting the shape memory alloy wire to a drive member, where the drive member has an operative end configured to move a greater distance than the change in the length of the shape memory alloy wire actuator in order to more responsively control movement of the at least one of the lever-position-controlling components between the shifter-locked and shifter-unlocked locations. 16. In a park lock/brake transmission shift interlock apparatus including a base, a shifter including a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions including a park position, at least one lever-position-controlling component, and a control circuit for controlling operation of the shifter based on predetermined vehicle conditions being met, an improvement comprising: an actuator for operating the at least one lever-position-controlling component, the actuator incorporating shape memory alloy wire operably connected to the control circuit and to the lever-position-controlling component for locking the shift lever in a selected one of the gear positions until the predetermined vehicle conditions are met. 17. The apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein the at least one lever-position-controlling component includes a blocking member for abuttingly locking a pawl in a selected position, the actuator being connected to the blocking member for moving the blocking member between a locking position retaining the pawl in a selected one of the notches and a release position allowing movement of the pawl out of the selected one notch to allow the shift lever to move between the gear positions. 18. The apparatus defined in claim 16, including a compensating device associated with the shape memory alloy wire and configured to allow the shape memory alloy wire to change length without forcing movement of the lever-position-controlling component. 19. The apparatus defined in claim 18, wherein the compensating device is configured to store energy from the shape memory alloy wire until such time as the stored energy can be used to move the lever-position-controlling component. 20. The apparatus defined in claim 18, wherein the compensating device includes an arrangement of magnets. 21. In a park lock/brake transmission shift interlock apparatus including a base, a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions including a park position, a pawl on the shift lever selectively engageable with notches on the base to control movement of the shift lever between the gear positions, at least one lever-position-controlling component, and a control circuit for controlling operation of the shifter based on predetermined vehicle conditions being met, an improvement comprising: an actuator for operating the at least one lever-position-controlling component, the actuator incorporating shape memory alloy wire operably connected to the control circuit and to the lever-position-controlling component for locking the shift lever in a selected one of the gear positions until the predetermined vehicle conditions are met; and a compensating device associated with the shape memory alloy wire and configured to allow the shape memory alloy wire to change length without forcing movement of the lever-position-controlling component; the compensating device including an arrangement of magnets. 22. A method of controlling a shifter having lever-position-controlling components, comprising a step of: passing controlled amounts of electrical current through the shape memory alloy wire actuator to change a length of the shape memory alloy wire actuator based on current flow and material phase change in order to control a position of at least one of the lever-position-controlling components; and including an arrangement of magnets arranged to absorb energy when the shape memory alloy wire actuator is energized at a time when the one lever-position-controlling component cannot move. 23. In a park lock/brake transmission shift interlock apparatus including a base, a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions including a park position, at least one lever-position-controlling component, and a control circuit for controlling operation of the shifter based on predetermined vehicle conditions being met, an improvement comprising: an actuator for operating the at least one lever-position-controlling component, the actuator incorporating shape memory alloy wire operably connected to the control circuit and to the lever-position-controlling component for locking the shift lever in a selected one of the gear positions until the predetermined vehicle conditions are met; and a compensating device associated with the shape memory alloy wire and configured to allow the shape memory alloy wire to change length without forcing movement of the lever-position-controlling component; the compensating device including an arrangement of magnets. 24. The apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein the actuator includes a drive member operably connected to the shape memory alloy wire, the drive member providing a mechanical advantage so that a change in length of the shape member alloy wire results in an amplified movement of an operative end of the drive member.
AbuJudom ; II David N. (Brookfield WI) Thoma Paul E. (Wauwatosa WI) Hajny Roger V. (Cedarburg WI) Linstead Steven A. (North Prairie WI), Shape memory actuator.
AbuJudom ; II David N. (Brookfield WI) Thoma Paul E. (Cedarburg WI) Hajny Roger V. (Cedarburg WI) Linstead Steven A. (North Prairie WI) Schultz Bruce R. (Milwaukee WI), Shape memory actuator smart connector.
Lawall, Jennifer P.; Morris, Steven E.; McQueen, Diane K.; Alexander, Paul W.; Johnson, Nancy L.; Browne, Alan L.; Mankame, Nilesh D., Adjustable seat ramp utilizing active material actuation.
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