On^Ci r^ iL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a transmission shifter assembly for a
vehicle and method of assembling the same, and more particularly, to the
assembly of the shifter and other components facilitating perfect assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Transmission shifters are well-known and one of the most important automobile
component. Generally, transmission shifters are manufactured at separate
locations than an assembly location. Therefore, it becomes more important to
have such transmission shifters which are easy to assemble in the vehicle and
requires minimal expert supervision. In addition to this, it is also of importance to
have transmission shifter assembly which consists of such parts which are
durable, require less maintenance and wherein replacement of the parts is easy.
There have been numerous numbers of shifters being disclosed in prior arts. One
of them is discussed below in brief:
European Patent Application EP0667470 discloses an arrangement wherein a
transmission shifter consists of a shift stick which is movable between various
gear positions. Further, the shifter has a base which has to be mounted on a
vehicle and connected to a shifter box. Also, a socket in the form of a bushing is
placed on the shifter box.
In the aforesaid arrangement, the shift stick consists of a ball, which is pivotally
engaged with the socket, and a retainer, including tabs, configured to snap-lock
onto the tab engaging flanges of the shifter box to retain the ball defining member
in operative engagement with the socket defining bushing and to retain the socket
defining bushing on the shifter box. Further, it is also disclosed that the various
parts of the shifter such as, the shifter box, the socket, the ball and the retainer are
made up of polymeric materials.
The above-mentioned document and similar other prior arts talk about
transmission shifters which possess advantages of easy installment and less
expensive parts. However, the existing prior arts still do not provide a solution to
the problem of perfect assembly of the parts while putting a check on overall
looseness of the arrangement during the full life cycle of the automobile as well as
preventing the socket bushing from getting disengaged from the ball member and
coming out from the assembly during the operating conditions.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a transmission shifter assembly which
overcomes the aforesaid problems and shortcoming of the prior arts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a transmission
shifter assembly for a vehicle which is easy to assemble at a separate location
from a manufacturing location and comprises of such parts which are durable,
requires less maintenance and replacement of the same is easy.
3
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a transmission
shifter assembly for a vehicle with the features of claim 1. Further, according to
another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling
a transmission shifter assembly for a vehicle by performing the steps as
mentioned in claim 5. The invention may additionally reside in any combination of
features of claim 1 and may be performed by performing the steps of claim 5 in
any desired order.
In accordance with one of the preferred aspect of the present invention there is
provided a transmission shifter assembly for a vehicle. The assembly comprises
of a shift lever, a base, a shifter box, a socket liner and a fixation shaft.
Preferably, the shift lever is transferable between gear engaging positions and
includes a pivot ball sub assembly. Preferably, the base is adapted to be mounted
on to the vehicle and the shifter box is attached to the base. Preferably, the socket
liner is pivotally engaged with the pivot ball sub assembly. Preferably, the fixation
shaft engages the socket liner with the shifter box.
In accordance with another preferred aspect of the present invention, the socket
liner is having an integral arm extending laterally from one side of the socket liner
and at least two locking positions provided on other sjde of the periphery of the
socket liner. Preferably, the integral arm is having a shape of a spoon.
In accordance with another preferred aspect of the present invention, the fixation
shaft is configured to engage the socket liner in compressed form during the
assembly of the shifter box. Such compression creates reverse tension at the at
least two locking positions, thereby keeping pivot ball assembly properly guided
within the socket liner. Therefore, the disclosed assembly has increased life in
terms of overall looseness of the assembly during the full cycle of the automobile
and advantageously prevents socket liner to come out during operating condition,
hence enhance safety.
A preferred method of assembling a transmission shifter assembly for a vehicle
comprises of providing a base configured for mounting on to the vehicle, the base
having at least one bell crank; providing a shift lever configured to move between
plurality of gear engaging positions; engaging a shifter box with the base, the
shifter box having a socket liner configured to pivotally engaging a pivot ball sub
assembly of the shift lever; providing a fixation shaft which is configured to engage
the socket liner with the shifter box. Preferably, the fixation shaft compresses one
side of the socket liner while assembling the same with the shifter box and creates
reverse tension at at least two locking positions on other side of the periphery of
the socket liner. Preferably, the socket liner is configured to hold the pivot ball sub
assembly.
In accordance with another preferred aspect of the present invention, the socket
liner is configured to receive load from a shift knob of the shift lever. The socket
liner transfers the load to at least one bell crank of the base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from the
following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a transmission shifter assembly for a vehicle in
accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the transmission shifter assembly for a vehicle as
shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a shift lever assembly in accordance with one of the
preferred embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the shifter box as shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the fixation shaft as shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the bell crank as shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is an isometric view of a spring as shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 8 is an isometric view of the socket liner as shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 9 is a front view of the socket liner as shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 10 is a top view of the socket liner as shown in fig. 1.
Fig. 11 is a rear view of the socket liner as shown in fig. 1
Fig. 12 is an exploded view of the socket liner engagement section of the
transmission shifter assembly in accordance with one of the preferred
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein reference numerals used in the
accompanying drawings correspond to the like elements throughout the
description. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are
provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and
ranges are to be treated as examples only, and are not intended to limit the scope
of the claims. In addition, a number of materials are identified as suitable for
various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as
exemplary, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.
Figure 1 is an isometric view of the transmission shifter assembly (100) for a
vehicle in accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of the present
invention.
7
The assembly (100) comprises of a shift knob (102), a shift lever (104), a pivot ball
sub assembly (106), a base (108), a socket liner (110), fixation shaft (112), bell
crank (114), a shifter box (116) and a spring (118).
The base (108) is adapted to mount on to the vehicle and the shifter box (116) is
configured to mount on to the base (108). The fixation shaft (112) retains the
socket liner (110) with the shifter box (116) in compressed form along with the bell
crank (114) and the spring (118). The socket liner (110) retains the pivot ball sub
assembly (106) of the shift lever (104).
Figure 2 is an exploded view of the transmission shifter assembly (100) for a
vehicle as shown in fig. 1, wherein the base (108) may be a pocket defining
structure to receive the shifter box (116). Further, structure comprises of
attachment holes to enable engagement of the base (108) on to the vehicle. Also,
the structure is provided with retainer clips to facilitate retention of cable sleeves.
Preferably, the base is made of, but not limited to, a polymeric material.
The shifter box (116) having a shape of, but not limited to, an inverted cup-shaped
body. The lower part of the shifter box (116) may have flanges for mateably
engaging with the base (108). Further, the shifter box (116) may be permanently
molded on to the base (108) by virtue of injection molding and come up with a
single structure. Preferably, the shifter box (116) is made of, but not limited to, a
polymeric material.
8
The shift lever (104) is made up of metals, but not limited to, such as steel alloys.
Preferably, the shift lever (104) having the pivot ball sub assembly (106) at the
bottom end. Preferably, the pivot ball sub assembly (106) is molded onto the shaft
lever (104).
The socket liner (110) is made of polymeric material and having a spherical shape.
The aforesaid material and the shape of the socket liner are mentioned therein for
sake of example and not to limit the nature of said features. Preferably, the socket
liner (110) comprises of an integral arm extending laterally from one side of the
socket liner (110) and at least two locking positions provided on other side of the
periphery of the socket liner (110).
The fixation shaft (112) facilitating the engagement of the bell crank (114), the
socket liner (110) and the shifter box (116) together. The introduction of the
fixation shaft (112) in the transmission shifter assembly (100) eliminates the
requirement of separate engagement/connection means for the bell crank (114)
and the socket liner (110) enabling attachment with the shifter box (116). The
fixation shaft (112) is made up of, but not limited to, a metal or polymeric material.
The bell crank (114) enables the socket liner (110) to shift the load from shift knob
(102) to a select cable connected with a clutch (not shown). The bell crank (114) is,
preferably, made up of polymeric material.
Figure 3 is an isometric view of a shift lever assembly (300) in accordance with
one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The assembly (300)
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comprises of the shift knob (102), the shift lever (104), the pivot ball sub assembly
(106), a shift pin (302) and an axel lever selector (304). The shift lever (104)
comprises of similar properties and functionalities as discussed above and the
same has not been elaborated here for sake of brevity.
Preferably, the shift knob (102) is made of, but not limited to, a metal or polymeric
material. Further, the shift knob (102) may be of any desired shape, say for
example, circular, rectangular with round edges, oval etc.
In accordance with one of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
pivot ball sub assembly (106) is being retained by the socket liner (110).
Preferably, the pivot ball sub assembly (106) is made up of, but not limited to,
polymeric material. The sub assembly (106) enables the shift lever (104) to move
between plurality of gear engaging positions.
The shift pin (302) is attached at the bottom end of the shift lever (104) and made
up of, but not limited to, steel alloy. The shift pin (302) is connected to the shift
cable (not shown) in order to facilitate transfer of load from lower to higher gear
positions or vice-versa.
The axel lever selector (304) is engaged with the pivot ball sub assembly (106)
and enables selection of appropriate gear position during the operating conditions.
Preferably, the axel lever selector (304) is made up of, but not limited to, metal or
polymeric material.
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Figure 4 is an isometric view of the shifter box (116) as shown in fig. 1. The details
of the shifter box (116) have already been discussed above and the same is not
recited here for sake of brevity.
Figure 5 is an isometric view of the fixation shaft (112) as shown in fig. 1. The
details of the fixation shaft (112) have already been discussed above and the
same is not recited here for sake of brevity.
Figure 6 is an isometric view of the bell crank (114) as shown in fig. 1. The details
of the bell crank (114) have already been discussed above and the same is not
recited here for sake of brevity.
Figure 7 is an isometric view of the spring (118) as shown in fig. 1. The spring
(118) is provided between head of the fixation shaft (112) and one of the sides of
the shift box (116). Preferably, the spring is made of any material having elastic
properties. The spring (118) facilitates a flexible engagement of the fixation shaft
(112) with the socket liner (110) and the shifter box (116). In other words, the
presence of the spring (118) helps in achieving the desired looseness in the
assembly (100).
Figure 8-11 shows an isometric view, front view, top view and rear view of the
socket liner (110) as shown in fig. 1. The socket liner (110) includes an integral
arm (202) extending laterally from one side of said socket liner (110) and at least
two locking positions (204, 206) provided on the periphery of the other side of said
socket liner (110). The integral arm (202) is, preferably, having a shape of a spoon
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and facilitates perfect fixation of the pivot ball sub assembly (106) within the
socket liner (110) and also retains the fixation shaft (112). Further, the at least two
locking positions (204, 206) prevent the socket liner to come out during operating
conditions. Preferably, the at least two locking positions (204, 206) may have snap
lock or latch or any other preferred locking mechanisms.
Figure 12 is an exploded view of the socket liner (104) engagement section of the
transmission shifter assembly (100). As shown, the pivot ball sub assembly (106)
is guided within the socket liner (110). Further, the socket liner (110) is engaged
with the fixation shaft (112) by virtue of the integral arm (202) of the socket liner
(110). Besides engaging the socket liner (110) the fixation shaft (112) also
engages the bell crank (114) with the socket liner (110). Therefore, there is no
need of separate engaging means for engaging the bell crank (114) and the
socket liner (110) with the shifter box (116), thereby reduction in number of parts
and complexity of the whole structure has been minimized. Further, this
arrangement is easy to assemble and can be dis-engaged easily for repair and/or
replacement of parts.
Further, during the assembly, the fixation shaft (112) compresses the socket liner
(110) by virtue of the integral arm (202) of the socket liner (110). This state of
compression at the integral arm (202) of the socket liner (110) generates reverse
tension at the lock position (204) and the lock position (206) of the socket liner
(110). Such assembly keeps the pivot ball sub assembly (106) properly guided
within the socket liner (110). Thereby, increases the life of transmission shifter
assembly (100) in terms of overall looseness of the assembly (100) during the full
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life cycle of the automobile and provide additional benefit of preventing socket
liner (110) to come out during operating condition.
The above-mentioned novel transmission shifter assembly besides providing
flexibility to assemble, enables easy installation of the assembly at remote
location. Further, the repair and replacement of parts is made easier due to the
disclosed arrangement.
Due to the introduction of the fixation shaft in the assembly, the requirement of a
separate engaging means each for socket liner and the bell crank has been
eliminated.
The exemplary implementation described above is illustrated with specific shapes,
dimensions, and other characteristics, but the scope of the invention includes
various other shapes, dimensions, and characteristics. For example, the particular
shape of the socket liner, and could be of appropriate sizes for any particular
combination of various parts of the transmission shifter. Also, rather than
polymeric materials the pivot ball, socket liner, bell crank etc. may be made of
other material of having similar and/or enhanced properties. Also, the components
as described above could be manufactured in various other ways and could
include various other materials, including various other plastics and also various
metals.
Similarly, the exemplary implementations described above include specific
examples of shift lever, socket liner, pivot ball, shifter box, base etc. but any other
13
appropriate parts, alone or in combination, could be employed. Further, the above
exemplary implementations describes specific sequence of process for
assembling the transmission shifter, but a wide variety of other such sequences of
assembly could be used within the scope of the invention, including additional
steps, omitting some steps, or performing process in a different order.
Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the
art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles
associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to
other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be provided
broadest scope consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features
disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on
to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit
and scope of the present invention and appended claims.
14

0/^lCii i^4L
CbT.8 14
30 l^?R
We claim:
1. A transmission shifter assembly (100) for a vehicle, the assembly (100)
comprising:
a shift lever (104), transferable between gear engaging positions, includes
a pivot ball sub assembly (106)
a base (108) to be mounted on to the vehicle
a shifter box (116) attached to said base (108)
a socket liner (110)
a fixation shaft (112)
wherein said socket liner (110) pivotally engaging said pivot ball sub
assembly (106)
wherein said fixation shaft (112) engaging said socket liner (110) with
said shifter box (116).
2. The transmission shifter assembly (100) for a vehicle as claimed in claim
1, wherein said socket liner (110) includes an integral arm (202) extending
laterally from one side of said socket liner (110) and at least two locking positions
(204, 206) provided on other side of the periphery of said socket liner (110).
3. The transmission shifter assembly (100) for a vehicle as claimed in claim
2, wherein said integral arm (202) is having a shape of a spoon.
15
w.o;^-^^^''
,f"S! "1 ^
4. The transmission shifter assembly (100) for a vehicle as claimed in claim
1, wherein said fixation shaft (112) is configured to engage the socket liner (110) in
compressed form during the assembly of the shifter box (116).
5. A method of assembling a transmission shifter assembly for a vehicle,
the method comprising the steps of:
providing a base configured for mounting on to the vehicle, said base
having at least one bell crank
providing a shift lever configured to move between plurality of gear
engaging positions
engaging a shifter box with said base, said shifter box having a socket
liner configured to pivotally engaging a pivot ball sub assembly of said shift lever
providing a fixation shaft, said fixation shaft is configured to engage said
socket liner with said shifter box
wherein assembling said socket liner with said shifter box said fixation
shaft compresses one side of said socket liner and creates reverse tension at at
least two locking positions on other side of the periphery of said socket liner.
6. The method of assembling a transmission shifter assembly for a vehicle
as claimed in claim 1, wherein said socket liner is configured to hold the pivot ball
sub assembly
16
7.
3Q APR 2^"*
The method of assembling a transmission shifter assembly for a vehicle
as claimed in claim 1, wherein said socket liner is configured to receive load from
a shift knob of said shift lever.
8. The method of assembling a transmission shifter assembly for a vehicle
as claimed in claim 7, wherein said socket liner is configured to transfer the load to
at least one bell crank of said base.