Selector device for a user input for shifting a vehicle gearbox, and gearbox system for a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11906039-B2
Application number	US-202017432304-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 19, 2020
Priority date	Feb 20, 2019
Publication date	Feb 20, 2024
Grant date	Feb 20, 2024

Abstract

A selector device for a user input for shifting a vehicle transmission may be connected to the vehicle transmission for signal transfer. The selector device may include a slider unit coupled to a selector knob for the user input, and a housing unit for receiving the slider unit. The slider unit may be moveable in relation to the housing unit in a translatory manner. The selector device may have a ball bearing unit, where the ball bearing unit is designed to guide the slider unit linearly in the housing unit.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A selector device for receiving a user input for shifting a vehicle transmission, the selector device comprising:
a slider unit coupled to a selector knob;
a housing unit for receiving the slider unit; and
a ball bearing unit,
wherein the slider unit is moveable in a translatory manner in relation to the housing unit,
wherein the ball bearing unit is configured to guide the slider unit linearly in the housing unit,
wherein the selector device is configured to be connected to the vehicle transmission for signal transfer,
wherein the ball bearing unit includes a ball cage for retaining balls,
wherein the ball cage is configured to receive at least a portion of the slider unit,
wherein the ball cage has an upper part for retaining balls and a lower part for retaining balls, and
wherein the slider unit is located between the upper part and the lower part.

2. The selector device according to claim 1 , wherein indents are formed in the ball bearing unit for retaining balls.

3. The selector device according to claim 1 , wherein the sliding unit includes grooves that form rolling paths for balls in the ball bearing unit.

4. The selector device according to claim 1 , further comprising a latching unit attached to the slider unit and by a latching connector attached to the housing unit, wherein the latching unit and the latching connector are configured to interact when the selector device is assembled to hold the slider unit in a resting position in relation to the housing unit.

5. The selector device according to claim 4 , wherein the latching unit is held away from the slider unit by an elastic element secured to the slider unit.

6. The selector device according to claim 1 , further comprising a sensed element connected to the slider unit, wherein the sensed element is configured to be detected by a detection device to determine a relative position of the slider unit in relation to the housing unit.

7. The selector device according to claim 6 , wherein the sensed element is in the shape of a rhombus.

8. The selector device according to claim 6 , wherein the sensed element is held away from the slider unit by a second elastic element, and wherein the sensed element is biased toward a printed circuit board in the selector device.

9. The selector device according to claim 6 , wherein the sensed element is made of a material that can be detected using a capacitive and/or magnetic detection principle.

10. The selector device according to claim 1 , further comprising a printed circuit board that has a detection device for determining a relative position of the slider unit in relation to the housing unit.

11. The selector device according to claim 10 , wherein the detection device is configured to determine the relative position using a capacitive and/or magnetic detection principle.

12. The selector device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing unit comprises at least two housing parts, wherein the housing parts are secured to one another by fasteners, and wherein at least a portion of the slider unit is placed between the housing parts.

13. A transmission system for a vehicle, comprising:
the selector device according to claim 1 ; and
a vehicle transmission,
wherein an electrical connection between the selector device and the vehicle transmission allows for signal transfer.

14. A selector device for receiving a user input for shifting a vehicle transmission, the selector device comprising:
a slider unit coupled to a selector knob;
a housing for receiving the slider unit; and
a ball bearing unit,
wherein a ball cage of the ball bearing unit receives at least a portion of the slider unit,
wherein the ball bearing unit is configured to guide the slider unit linearly in the housing,
wherein the ball cage has an upper part for retaining balls and a lower part for retaining balls, and
wherein the slider unit is located between the upper part and the lower part.

15. The selector device of claim 14 , wherein indents are formed in the ball bearing unit for retaining balls.

16. The selector device of claim 14 , wherein the sliding unit includes grooves that form rolling paths for balls in the ball bearing unit.

Assignees

• Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen

Inventors

• Bormann Dirk
• Rake Ludger

Classifications

• F16H59/105 Primary

  consisting of electrical switches or sensors · CPC title

• F16H59/0278

  Constructional features of the selector lever, e.g. grip parts, mounting or manufacturing · CPC title

• F16H61/22

  Locking {of the control input devices} (constructional features of locking or disabling mechanisms F16H63/34) · CPC title

• F16H2059/0269

  Ball joints or spherical bearings for supporting the lever · CPC title

• F16H59/04 Primary

  Ratio selector apparatus · CPC title