Claims:We Claim:
1. A detent mechanism (100) for controlling movement of a shift lever (1) of a vehicle, the mechanism comprising:
a detent plate (2), mounted in a shifter housing (201), the detent plate (2) is defined with a ramp portion (4) and a bulge portion (3) adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4), wherein the ramp portion (4) defines a selection direction and the bulge portion (3) adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4) define a shift direction in the shifter housing (201); and
a detent member (5) connected to an end of a shift lever (1) and abutting the detent plate (2), wherein the detent member (5) is configured to selectively ride on the ramp portion (4) for and the bulge portion (3) adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4) of the detent plate (2), for controlling the movement of the shifter lever during selection of gears.

2. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bulge portion (3) adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4) includes a plurality of provisions (6), each corresponding to at least one gear, to selectively accommodate the detent member (5) during movement in the shift direction.

3. The mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of provisions (6) is at least partially enclosed by walls, to receive and accommodate the detent member (5) when displaced on the bulge portion (3) in the shift direction.

4. The mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of provisions (6) is defined with a dimple, to receive and accommodate the detent member (5) when displaced on the bulge portion (3) in the shift direction.

5. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ramp portion (4) is defined from a central portion of a major surface of the detent plate (2) facing the shift lever (1) when assembled, and the bulge portion (3) is defined between two opposing side walls and the ramp portion (4) of the detent plate (2).

6. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detent member (5) comprises:
a casing (7) connectable to the end of the shift lever (1);
a resilient member (8) disposed in the casing (7); and
a detent (9), retractably disposed in the casing (7) and biased by the resilient member (8), the detent (9) is configured to engage and ride on the detent plate (2), wherein the detent (9) is configured to linearly displace into and from the casing (7) when the detent (9) rides from the bulge portion (3) to the ramp portion (4) and from the ramp portion (4) to the bulge portion (3) respectively.

7. The mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the resilient member (8) is a compression spring.

8. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ramp portion (4) is defined with a path (10), to control the ride of the detent member (5) during displacement of the shifter lever in the shift direction and the selection direction.

9. A shifter assembly (200), comprising:
a shift lever (1), accommodated in a shift housing (201), the shift lever (1) is operatively connectable to a shifter mechanism, to perform at least selection and shifting of gears; and
a detent mechanism (100) for controlling movement of the shift lever (1) during selection and shifting of the gears, the mechanism comprising:
a detent plate (2), mounted in shifter housing (201), the detent plate (2) is defined with a ramp portion (4) and a bulge portion (3) adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4), wherein the ramp portion (4) defines a selection direction and the bulge portion (3) adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4) defines a shift direction in the shifter housing (201); and
a detent member (5), connected to an end of a shift lever (1) and abutting the detent plate (2), wherein the detent member (5) is configured to selectively ride on the ramp portion (4) for and the bulge portion (3) adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4) of the detent plate (2), for controlling the movement of the shifter lever during selection of gears.

10. The shifter assembly (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bulge portion (3) adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4) includes a plurality of provisions (6), each corresponding to at least one gear, to selectively accommodate the detent (9) device during movement in the shift direction.

11. The shifter assembly (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of provisions (6) is at least partially enclosed by walls, to receive and accommodate the detent member (5) when displaced on the bulge portion (3) in the shift direction.

12. The shifter assembly (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the detent member (5) comprises:
a casing (7) connectable to the end of the shift lever (1);
a resilient member (8) disposed in the casing (7); and
a detent (9), retractably disposed in the casing (7) and biased by the resilient member (8), the detent (9) is configured to engage and ride on the detent plate (2), wherein the detent (9) is configured to linearly displace into and from the casing (7) when the detent (9) rides from the bulge portion (3) to the ramp portion (4) and from the ramp portion (4) to the bulge portion (3) respectively.

13. The shifter assembly (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the resilient member (8) is a compression spring.

14. A vehicle comprising:
an engine;
a transmission coupled to the engine; and
a shifter assembly (200) coupled between the transmission and the engine, the shifter assembly (200) comprising:
a shift lever (1), accommodated in a shift housing (201), the shift lever (1) is operatively connectable to a shifter mechanism, to perform at least selection and shifting of gears; and
a detent mechanism (100) for controlling movement of the shift lever (1) during selection and shifting of the gears, the mechanism comprising:
a detent plate (2), mounted in shifter housing (201), the detent plate (2) is defined with a ramp portion (4) and a bulge portion (3) adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4), wherein the ramp portion (4) defines a selection direction and the bulge portion (3) adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4) defines a shift direction in the shifter housing (201); and
a detent member (5), connected to an end of a shift lever (1) and abutting the detent plate (2), wherein the detent member (5) is configured to selectively ride on the ramp portion (4) for and the bulge portion (3) adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4) of the detent plate (2), for controlling the movement of the shifter lever during selection of gears.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure in general relates to automobile engineering. Particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to a transmission assembly and external gearshift mechanism for a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the disclosure, relates to a detent mechanism for controlling movement of a shift lever in a shifter housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Conventionally, vehicles such as, but not limiting to, passenger vehicles, light duty vehicles, heavy duty vehicles, sports utility vehicles, and multi utility vehicles are equipped with manual transmissions. In manual transmission, gears in gearbox are operated through a shift lever provisioned in a driver cabin, to allow selection and shifting of gears in the gearbox. Vehicles are equipped with varying combinations of gear arrangements in the gearbox to operate vehicle under varying speeds and conditions. Selective displacement of the shift lever may operate a plurality of shift rails in a gearbox, for selection and shifting of the gears in the gearbox. Generally, the shift lever may be either directly connected to the plurality of shift rails or be connected by means of a coupling member such as sleeves, cables, and any other elements capable of selecting or shifting the gears.

In manual transmission systems, force required by the user for displacing the shift lever and in-turn for selecting and shifting of gears may different. For example, the user may be required to exert more force for selecting 5th gear gate or Reverse gear gate as compared to 1st gear gate and 2nd gear gate, due to operational requirement of transmission and have distinct selection force feel. Similarly, shifting of gears from a lower gear rank to a higher gear rank may require comparatively less force than shifting of the gears from the higher gear rank to the lower gear rank due to difference in rotational inertia and rotational speed at input of transmission.

In addition, variation in shift force may be due to orientation of the shifter housing, type and number of synchronizer, shifter sleeve and synchronizer dog teeth angle, and gearshift cable efficiency. During gearshift, the user may experience double bump (second force) which may get transferred from transmission to the shift lever, whereby leading to notchy or scratchy shift feel. For precise gearshift feel, free play in Neutral and in-gear position may be required to be maintained minimum and gear gate may be required to be distinct. However due to limitation of control in the transmission, free play of internal components of the transmission, a gearshift cable and a shifter assembly may get reflected onto the shift lever. Due to such conventional configuration, the gear gates may overlap with each other and may lead to poor gearshift precision.

The present disclosure is intended to overcome the one or more limitations stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a mechanism and assembly as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the mechanism and assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a detent mechanism for controlling movement of a shift lever of a vehicle is disclosed. The mechanism includes a detent plate, mounted in shifter housing. The detent plate is defined with a 2D or 3D ramp profile and a bulge portion adjoining either sides of the ramp portion. The ramp portion defines a selection direction and the bulge portion adjoining either sides of the ramp portion defines a shift direction in the shifter housing. Further, the mechanism includes a detent member, connected to an end of a shift lever and abutting the detent plate. The detent member is configured to selectively ride on the ramp portion for and the bulge portion adjoining either sides of the ramp portion of the detent plate, for controlling the movement of the shifter lever during selection of gears.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bulge portion adjoining either sides of the ramp portion includes a plurality of provisions, each corresponding to at least one gear, to selectively accommodate the detent member during movement in the shift direction.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of provisions is at least partially enclosed by walls, to receive and accommodate the detent member when displaced on the bulge portion in the shift direction. Further, the plurality of provisions is defined with a dimple, to receive and accommodate the detent member when displaced on the bulge portion in the shift direction.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ramp portion is defined from a central portion of a major surface of the detent plate facing the shift lever when assembled, and the bulge portion is defined between two opposite side walls and the ramp portion of the detent plate.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detent member includes a casing connectable to the end of the shift lever and a resilient member disposed in the casing. Further, a detent is provisioned to retractably be disposed in the casing and biased by the resilient member. The detent is configured to engage and ride on the detent plate. The detent is configured to linearly displace into and from the casing when the detent rides from the bulge portion to the ramp portion and from the ramp portion to the bulge portion respectively.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the resilient member is a compression spring.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ramp portion is defined with a path, to control ride of the detent member during displacement of the shifter lever in the shift direction and the selection direction.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a shifter assembly is disclosed. The shifter assembly includes a shift lever, accommodated in a shifter housing. The shift lever is operatively connectable to a shifter mechanism, to perform at least selection and shifting of gears. The shifter assembly also includes a detent mechanism for controlling movement of the shift lever during selection and shifting of the gears. The mechanism includes a detent plate, mounted in shifter housing. The detent plate is defined with a ramp portion and a bulge portion adjoining either sides of the ramp portion. The ramp portion defines a selection direction and the bulge portion adjoining either sides of the ramp portion defines a shift direction in the shifter housing. Further, the mechanism includes a detent member, connected to an end of a shift lever and abutting the detent plate. The detent member is configured to selectively ride on the ramp portion for and the bulge portion adjoining either sides of the ramp portion of the detent plate, for controlling the movement of the shifter lever during selection of gears.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figures 1a and 1b illustrate a front and a rear perspective views of a shifter assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a shift lever including a detent mechanism for controlling movement of the shift lever, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a detent plate of the detent mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of a detent member of the detent mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the detent mechanism with a shift lever operating in a select direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the detent mechanism with the shift lever operating in a selecting direction, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figures 7a-7c illustrate different configurations of the detent plate for the detent mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the mechanism and assembly illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, assembly, mechanism, system, method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or mechanism.

Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a shifter assembly. The shifter assembly includes a shift lever, accommodated in a shifter housing. The shift lever is operatively connectable to a shift and select ball pin in a shifter housing, to perform at least of selection and shifting of gears in a transmission of the vehicle. Further, a plurality of shifter shafts are disposed in the transmission and positioned between the shift lever and the selection dog, each of the plurality of shifter shafts is connected to the shift lever through a shift cable or linkage connected at one end of the shift lever. The shifter assembly also includes a detent mechanism for controlling movement of a shift lever in the shifter housing. The mechanism includes a detent plate, mounted in the shifter housing. The detent plate is defined with a ramp portion and a bulge portion adjoining either sides of the ramp portion. The ramp portion defines a selection direction and the bulge portion adjoining either sides of the ramp portion defines a shift direction in the shifter housing. Further, the mechanism includes a detent member, connected to an end of a shift lever and abutting the detent plate. The detent member is configured to selectively ride on the ramp portion and the bulge portion adjoining either sides of the ramp portion of the detent plate, for controlling the movement of the shifter lever during selection and shifting of gears. With such configuration, double bump force coming from the transmission will not be perceived at the gearshift lever by driver and free play will reduced leading to good precision during gear shifting..

In an embodiment, term “selection direction” refers to displacement of a shift lever in a longitudinal direction relative to a neutral position of the shift lever. That is, when the shift lever may be displaced sideways to change between a plurality of shift rails in the transmission, then such direction of displacement of the shift lever may be termed as the selection direction. Further, displacement of the shift lever in the selection direction may traverse a coupling element including, but not limited to, a shift cable connectable to the shift lever, between ranks of the plurality of shift rails. That is, when the shift lever is to operate a first gear or a second gear, then the shifter lever may be displaced longitudinally from the neutral point. On the other hand, when the shift lever is to operate a fifth gear or a reverse gear, then the shifter lever may be displaced longitudinally from the neutral point and opposite to the direction of engaging the first or the second gear. That is, during displacement in the selection direction, the shift lever is configured to engage with the shifter shaft corresponding to which the gear in the transmission is to be selected.

In an embodiment, term “shift direction” refers to displacement of the shift lever in a lateral direction relative to the neutral position of the shift lever. That is, when the shift lever is displaced forward or backwards to suitably displace at least one shift rail of the plurality of shift rails of the gearbox, then such direction of displacement of the shift lever may be termed as the shift direction. Further, displacement of the shift lever in the shift direction may traverse a coupling element including, but not limited to, a shift cable connectable to the shift lever, between ranks of the plurality of shift rails. For example, the shift lever may be engaged with one shifter shaft and configured to operate or toggle said shifter shaft in a reciprocating direction, to engage one of the gears in the transmission. For example, when the shift lever may be longitudinally displaced from the neutral position and engaged with the shifter shaft corresponding to operation of the first gear and the second gear, then the shift lever may be laterally displaceable to toggle the shifter shaft for engaging one of the first gear and the second gear. That is, during displacement in the selection direction, the shift lever is configured to displace the engaged shifter shaft to select corresponding gear in the transmission for manoeuvring the vehicle.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that, the vehicle is not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the mechanism and assembly as disclosed in the present disclosure may be used in any vehicle including, but not liming to, passenger cars, heavy duty vehicles, light duty vehicles or any other vehicle having a manual or an automatic transmission that may be operated by a shift lever.

Figures 1a and 1b are exemplary embodiments illustrating a shifter assembly (200) of a vehicle. The shifter assembly (200) includes a shift lever (1), positioned in a driver cabin of the vehicle. A free end of the shift lever (1) may be accessible by a driver of the vehicle, while a connecting end of the shift lever (1) may extend into a shifter housing (201), mounted on a gearbox [not shown in Figures] of the vehicle. The shift lever (1) may be connectable to a plurality of shifter shafts [not shown in Figures], disposed in the gearbox, to operate at least one selection dog [not shown in Figures], for correspondingly operate a gear arrangement within the gearbox of the vehicle.

In the illustrative embodiment, the shift lever (1) may be connectable to the plurality of shifter shafts by a plurality of cables, where the plurality of cables may be anchored to a selection bracket (202) connected to the shift lever (1), as best seen in Figure 1a. The selection bracket (202) may be disposed within the shifter housing (201) and be pivotally coupled to the end of the shift lever (1) within the shifter housing (201). One end of the selection bracket (202) may be hinged to the shifter housing (201) and other end of the selection bracket (202) may be allowed to pivot based on displacement of the shift lever (1). The selection bracket (202) may include at least one pivot point (204), for anchoring the plurality of cable that are configured to correspondingly operate the plurality of shifter shafts and the shift dog. As illustrated in Figure 1a, the selection bracket (202) includes two pivot points for anchoring the plurality of cables, however, such number of pivot points should not be construed as a limitation of the shifter assembly (200), rather as an embodiment which may be improved by increasing or decreasing such pivot points without deviating from working of the shifter assembly (200). The selection bracket (202) may be coupled to the shift lever (1) at an end of a select sleeve, which may laterally be extending from the shift lever (1), as best seen in Figure 2, to act as one of the two pivot points for selecting one of a plurality of gear arrangements in the gearbox for manoeuvring the vehicle.

Referring now to Figure 2, the shift lever (1) includes a shift bracket (203) [also seen in Figure 1b], which may extend into the shifter housing (201). The shift bracket (203) may be configured to suitably engage with the at least one shift dog, by means including but not limited to, plurality of cables, for shifting between the plurality of shifter shafts. The shift bracket (203) may be coupled to a shift cable [not shown in Figures], to selectively shift between the plurality of shifter shafts, where tension of the shift cable may be varied due to displacement of the shift lever (1). Such variation in tension of the shift cable may enable in shifting between the plurality of shifter shafts, whereby allowing the driver to shift between a lower gear range, a mid gear range and a higher gear range of the gearbox. The shift bracket (203) may be displaceable with the shift lever (1) in either a selection direction or in a shift direction by a detent mechanism (100), as can be best seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Referring now to Figure 2, the shift lever (1) may be abuttingly positioned on a detent plate (2) [as can be seen in Figure 1a] of the detent mechanism (100), where the detent plate (2) may be mounted in the shifter housing (201). The shift lever (1) may engage the detent plate (2) by a detent member (5) of the detent mechanism (100). The detent member (5) may be connected at the end of the shift lever (1) within the shifter housing (201) such that, the detent member (5) may engage the detent plate (2) and may be configured to ride on the detent plate (2) during displacement of the shift lever (1). In an embodiment, the detent member (5) may be either housed at an end of the shift lever (1) or may be externally connected to the shift lever (1). The detent member (5) may operate in a direction opposite to direction of displacement of the end of the shift lever (1) in the driver cabin, as the shift lever (1) may be pivotally connected in between the ends. Such relative displacement between the detent member (5) and the end of the shift lever (1) in the driver cabin may be operable in at least one of a manual transmission and a semi-automatic transmission. Also, for an automatic transmission, direction of displacement of the detent member (5) may be same as the direction of displacement of the end of shift lever (1) in the driver cabin. With the detent mechanism (100) being connected to the end of the shift lever (1) in the shifter housing (201), the driver may be capable of controlling movement [or also, rate of displacing] of the shift lever (1), for shifting gears of the gearbox.

The detent plate (2) of the detent mechanism (100) may enable in regulating and controlling rate of displacement of the shift lever (1). The detent plate (2), as best seen in Figure 3, may be defined with a myriad of patterns, about which the detent member (5) may directed to be displaced for either shifting or selecting of gears in the gearbox. With such myriad of patterns, the detent plate (2) may regulate rate of movement of the detent member (5) and in-turn that of the shift lever (1). The detent member (5), due to such myriad of pattens in the detent plate (2), may traverse at a uniform rate in each of a shift direction or in a selection direction, without having substantial change in rate of movement relative to the driver. That is, force required for displacing the shift lever (1) in each of the selection direction and in each of the shift direction for either engaging and disengaging the gears of the gearbox may be regulated and maintained at a constant rate. In the illustrative embodiment, the myriad of patterns of the detent member (5) may be in the form of a bulge portion (3) and a ramp portion (4). The bulge portion (3) and the ramp portion (4) may integrally be formed in the detent plate (2) or may be externally laid on a major surface of the detent plate (2). It is to be noted that the major surface of the detent plate (2) may be referred to a surface facing the shift lever (1) and being defined along a length and width of the detent plate (2).

In an embodiment, the ramp portion (4) may be defined along a portion of length of the detent plate (2), where such portion of the length of the detent plate (2) may include an elevation from the major surface. Such elevation may extend from a central portion of the major surface to each end of the detent plate (2) for defining the ramp portion (4). The central portion about which the ramp portion (4) may extend, be considered as a neutral point relative to which the shift lever (1) may be displaced to either select and/or shift between the gear arrangements of the gearbox. With such configuration of the detent plate (2), the central portion may resemble a depression at the neutral point, while the ramp portion (4) may resemble an uphill from the central portion towards each end of the detent plate (2). The ramp portion (4) may be defined with a slope surface towards either sides of the detent plate (2). Also, the ramp portion (4) may be defined with a path (10), to control ride of the detent member (5) during displacement of the shifter lever.

Further referring to Figure 3, the bulge portion (3) of the detent plate (2) may be adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4) along the slope surface. The bulge portion (3) and the path (10) of the ramp portion (4) may define a plurality of shifting routes and a plurality of section regions in the detent plate (2). In an embodiment, the plurality of shifting routes may correspond to a gear rank defined by the plurality of shifter shafts, while the plurality of selection regions may be defined by number of gear arrangements in the gearbox. For example, in a six-speed gearbox, the shifter housing (201) may include three shifter shafts, to define three gear ranks [i.e. lower gear rank, mid gear rank and higher gear rank] and six gear arrangements to define six gear selection regions in the detent plate (2). It should be noted that the number of shifting routes and the section regions in the detent plate (2) may be dependent on number of paths in the ramp portion (4), number of shifter shafts and number of gear arrangements in the gearbox, for suitably defining the detent plate (2).

Turning now to Figure 4, the detent member (5) may be configured to ride across or along the path (10) defined in the ramp portion (4), when the shift lever (1) is displaced in at least one of the shift direction and the selection direction to suitably engage the gear arrangements in the gearbox. In the illustrative embodiment, the detent member (5) may include a casing (7), connectable to the end of the shift lever (1) within the shifter housing (201). The casing (7) may be integrally formed with the shift lever (1) or may be connected to the end of the shift lever (1) by means including, but not limited to, welding, brazing, fastening, and any other connecting mechanism capable of rigidly connecting the casing (7) and the shift lever (1). The detent member (5) may further include a detent (9), which may be retractably disposed in the casing (7). The detent (9) may be configured to abut and ride on the detent plate (2), whereby enabling controlling of movement of the shift lever (1). The detent (9) may be biased by a resilient member (8), which may be disposed within the casing (7). The resilient member (8) may be configured to ensure that the detent (9) may constantly abut the detent plate (2) during movement of the shift lever (1). In the illustrative embodiment, the detent (9) is a roller, which is being biased by a compression spring or a coil spring acting as the resilient member (8). The detent (9), as in the roller, having a curved profile may reduce frictional contact between the detent plate (2) and the detent member (5), in-turn the shift lever (1).

The detent (9) may be configured to linearly displace into and out from the casing (7) when the detent (9) rides in the selection direction, i.e. from the bulge portion (3) to the ramp portion (4) and from the ramp portion (4) to the bulge portion (3) respectively, as best seen in Figure 5. Such configuration of the detent (9) may ensure that a constant predefined force is required to be applied in the selection direction for displacing the detent (9) to ride on the bulge portion (3) and arrive at the ramp portion (4). Also, the detent (9) may be accommodated in the path (10) defined in the ramp portion (4) when the detent (9) is displaced from the bulge portion (3) in the shift direction. Due to such configuration, inadvertent selection force may be perceived by the driver. Additionally, as the constant predefined force is required to be applied for the detent (9) to ride and reach the path (10) in the ramp portion (4) when selection to and from either side of the neutral point of the shift lever (1), variation in force application during selection of gears may be avoided. In an embodiment, the bulge portion (3) adjoining either sides of the ramp portion (4) may include a plurality of provisions (6), where such provisions (6) correspond to at least one gear in the gearbox, to selectively accommodate the detent member (5) during movement in the selection direction. Also, the plurality of provisions (6) may be defined with a dimple, to receive and accommodate the detent member (5) when displaced on the bulge portion (3) in the selection direction, as can be seen in Figures 7a to 7c.

Referring now to Figure 6, the detent (9) may also be configured to traverse along the path (10) of the ramp portion (4), in the shift direction of the shift lever (1). The plurality of provisions (6) in the detent plate (2) may include walls extending from the bulge portion (3), that at least be partially enclose the path (10) of the ramp portion (4). The walls may be configured to selectively restrict and receive the detent (9) for accommodating corresponding to the gear selected along the path (10) of the ramp portion (4), when the shift lever (1) is displaced from the ramp portion (4) to the bulge portion (3) in the shift direction. With such walls in the detent plate (2) extending partially into the path (10), selective accommodation of the detent (9) corresponding to the gear may be effortlessly produced, due to which handling of the shift lever (1) during displacement in the selection direction may be performed without hinderance by the driver. Also, as the driver is required displace the shift lever (1) and in-turn the detent member (5) between the path (10) of the ramp portion (4), constant predefined force is required to be applied by the driver, whereby avoiding confusions in selection of the gears during displacement in the selection direction.

Figures 7a to 7c may illustrate the detent plate (2) in accordance with an embodiment, where configuration of the bulge portion (3) and the ramp portion (4) may be varied, or profile of the plurality of provisions (6) defined in the detent plate (2) may be varied. In Figure 7a, the plurality of provisions (6) are defined as a cavity, to receive and accommodate the detent member (5) without requiring the walls from the bulge portion (3). In Figure 7b, the path (10) of the ramp portion (4) may be defined at the central portion, whereby allowing the detent member (5) to be displaced to the central portion, when displacing the shift lever (1) in either of the shift direction or the selection direction. In Figure 7c, the plurality of provisions (6) are defined as dimples, extending along the slope surface of the ramp portion (4). Such configuration of the detent plate (2) may enable the detent member (5) to gradually ride on the slope surface of the ramp portion (4), during operating the shift lever (1) in the selection direction.

In an embodiment, the detent mechanism is configured to minimise double bump force & free play and precision & optimal selection force perceived by driver.

In an embodiment, the detent mechanism may gradually shifting and selection of gears to the driver, during operating the shift lever (1), whereby avoiding any hinderance during movement of the vehicle.

EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
Referral numerals:
Particulars Numerical
Detent mechanism 100
Shift lever 1
Detent plate 2
Bulge portion 3
Ramp portion 4
Detent member 5
Provisions 6
Casing 7
Resilient member 8
Detent 9
Path 10
Wall 11
Shifter assembly 200
Shifter housing 201
Selection bracket 202
Shift bracket 203
Pivot point 204