Vitesco Technologies Usa, LLC

Continental Automotive Systems Corporation

Keith Joseph Rodrigues

Mitul M Patel

Jeffrey Donald Merwin

Edward Hribar

An electronic parking pawl actuator which uses a smaller motor and higher gear ratio has the ability to configure a rooster comb to engage with various park detents, and reduces the mechanical and software design complexity. Furthermore, the electronic park actuator limits the amount of back drivable range (unable to perform an external park to neutral shift) for theft deterrence, and also allows operation (speed performance) and a lower motor peak current. The electronic parking pawl actuator includes an electric motor, a drive gear, the drive gear operable for being driven by the electric motor, and a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism is operable for being driven by the drive gear. The drive mechanism is engaged with an output shaft of a gear selector of a transmission, and the drive mechanism is rotatable relative to the drive gear, allowing the output shaft to be located in a desired position.

Electric park lock actuator limited rotary disconnect

A parking pawl module includes a first actuator, a gearbox including at least one gear carrier where the at least one gear carrier supports a hub configured to rotate when the first actuator rotates, and a disconnect module. The disconnect module includes: an output coupler having a first surface and a second surface; an actuation feature disposed on the first surface; and a torsion spring having a first end connected to the output coupler and a second end connected to the hub or the at least one gear carrier. The disconnect module also includes an actuation mechanism disposed on the second surface of the output coupler. The actuation mechanism is configured to mesh with the hub. The first actuator controls movement of the at least one hub, the actuation feature, and the actuation mechanism.

Growing community of inventors

Wheeling, IL, United States of America

Keith Joseph Rodrigues