The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 27, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 30, 1996
Edward E Sponable, Novi, MI (US);
Hi-Lex Corporation, Battle Creek, MI (US);
Abstract
An electrically powered park lock actuator for use with an automotive vehicle transmission. The actuator is mechanically independent from a shift actuator which shifts the transmission between gear ranges, and comprises two high-speed, reversible DC electric motor acting via a speed reduction gear train to move a locking pawl into and out of engagement with a gear on the transmission output shaft. The shafts of the two motors are connected to a common worm which forms the fist stage of the gear train, and either one of the motors is individually capable of actuating the locking pawl. In the preferred embodiment, the park lock actuator is controlled by an electronic transmission control system so that the lock actuator may be controlled in coordination with a power-operated transmission gear shift actuator for integrated operation of the transmission. A back-up battery is supplied to provide sufficient power to unlock the transmission in the event of a failure of the vehicle main electrical power system.