DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD:
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a shifter mechanism of a manual transmission vehicle. In particular, the described embodiments include to a shifter sleeve stopper arrangement for the shifter mechanism of a manual transmission vehicle.

BACKGROUND:

Generally manual transmission vehicles are provided with a cable shifter mechanism for gear shifting. The cable shifter mechanism includes a ball socket on transmission housing, and a shift lever. A sphere in the ball socket is rotatably supported to a shift control retainer. The shift lever includes a sphere which is selectively engaged with a head portion formed at a shift fork shaft. The shift lever is operated by being swung, so that a selecting operation for the shift fork shaft is performed and then, a shifting operation for the shift fork shaft is performed. Thus, a shift gate of the transmission is changed. In the shifter mechanism, loose feeling or free play of the shift lever occurs when being at a neutral position which is undesirable. This undesirable loose feelings or free play of the shift liver should be stopped from occurring as this would result in movement of the shift lever to shift gates due to vibrations in the vehicle.

FIG. 1 illustrates conventional shifter mechanism. The conventional shifter mechanism includes a spring selection mechanism having a pivot pin (P) mounted on shifter housing (7) along with spring (S) and bell crank bracket (B). Support is provided necessary location to rest legs of spring (S). Further, a Shift lever (6) is connected to ball joint and selection pin (SP). Ball joint is held in ball socket (5) which in-turn is mounted on shifter housing (7) through 3 to 4 locking lugs. Selection spring is connected to bell crank bracket (b), and legs of selection spring (S) also rest on selection pin.

While selecting the first gate, for example 1st/2nd gear the shift lever (6) moves towards right, which will move the selection pin (SP) connected to ball joint and push the bottom leg of spring (S). Top leg of selection spring will remain resting on fixed pin. Selection pin (SP) in-turn will also push down the ball crank bracket (B) to have selection travel of gearshift cable. This movement will lead to feel of selection effort at lever without transmission. Then, while selecting the second gate, for example 5th/Reverse gear, shift lever (6) moves towards left, which will move the selection pin (SP) connected to ball joint and push the top leg of spring (S). Bottom leg of selection spring (S) will remain resting on fixed pin. Selection pin (SP) in-turn will also push up the ball crank bracket (B) to have selection travel of gearshift cable. This movement will lead to feel of selection effort at lever without transmission.

According to a known structure of the shifter mechanism selection spring is provided on shifter to ensure neutral position of the shift lever and to avoid play of shift lever. However, the use spring leads to increase in selection effort, when shifter and cable assembly is connected to transmission. Basic characteristic of the selection spring is to gradually increase the load hence, at end of selection stroke when transaxle selection spring is exerting maximum load at same time selection spring will also exert high load. This leads to increase in selection effort by 5N to 7N depending on spring design. This leads to complain of high selection effort if transaxle spring is of high stiffness to have sufficient load to over-come sliding resistance of cable and shifter to bring them to neutral.

In light of foregoing discussion, it is necessary to develop a shifter mechanism to overcome the problems stated above.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE:
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a shift lever stopper arrangement for a shifter mechanism which restricts the free play of shift lever in neutral position.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a shift lever stopper arrangement for a shifter mechanism which facilitates gate selection in the transmission housing accurately, and with low selection effort.

SUMMARY:

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of system 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 a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle shift lever stopper arrangement for a shifter mechanism. The arrangement comprises a shift lever positioned in a shift socket of transmission housing. A plurality of flexible plates of predetermined configuration is removably mounted around the shift lever on the shift socket to restrict movement of the shift lever into shifting gates of the transmission housing. The plurality of flexible plates is configured to restrict the movement of shift lever when load on the shift lever is below a predetermined limit.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, there are four numbers of flexible plates are removably mounted on the shift socket.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of the flexible plates is configured as tapered cross section. The plurality of the flexible plates is tapered from first end, to second end. The flexible plates are fixed to ball socket at the first end, and the second end of the flexible plates projects inwardly from the first end. Further, the plurality of the flexible plates is configured to have a substantially flat edge towards the neutral gate, and a curved edge towards the shifting gates.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined limit of load depends on the vibrations in the transmission housing, and predetermined limit of load ranges from 3N to 8N.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of the flexible plates are made of a material selected form at least one of plastic material, composite material, and flexible metal. Further, the flexible plates are attached on the shift socket by a method selected form at least one of fastening method, clip lock method, and adhesive joining method.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure there is provided a shifter mechanism of a vehicle. The mechanism comprising a shift socket mounted on transmission housing. A shift lever having a first end and a second end, wherein second end of the shift lever is movably placed in the shift socket, and is configured to move into the shifting gates in the transmission housing for gear shifting. Further, the shifter mechanism includes shift lever stopper arrangement, comprising, a plurality of flexible plates of predetermined configuration are removably mounted around the shift lever on the shift socket to restrict movement of the shift lever into shifting gates of a transmission housing. The flexible plates are configured to restrict the movement of shift lever when load on the shift lever is below a predetermined limit.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first end of the shifter lever is provided with a shifter knob, and the second end of the shifter lever is provided with a spherical ball.

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 ACCOMPANYING FIGURES:

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:

FIG. 1 illustrates a layout of transmission housing of conventional shifter mechanism.

FIG. 2 illustrates a layout of transmission housing of the shifter mechanism of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of a ball socket of the shifter mechanism with integrated shift lever stopper arrangement according to 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 system illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

To overcome the problems stated in the background, the present disclosure provides an improved shifter mechanism with an integrated shift lever stopper arrangement. The shifter mechanism for the manual transmission vehicle comprises a shift socket mounted on transmission housing, a shift lever having a first end and a second end. The second end of the shift lever is movably placed in the shift socket, and is configured to move to the shifting gates in the transmission housing for gear shifting. The shifter mechanism further comprises a shift lever stopper arrangement configured around the shift lever on the shift socket to restrict the movement of the shift lever to shifting gates when the shift lever is in neutral position, and load on the shift lever is less than a predetermined amount of load. The shifter mechanism disclosed herein is a mechanism without selection spring, resulting in reduced selection effort at end of selection stroke and at same time keep shift lever in neutral by preventing neutral play of shift lever in lateral direction.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the shift lever stopper arrangement comprises plurality of flexible plates of predetermined configuration. The flexible plates are removably mounted on shift socket of the transmission housing around the shift lever. The flexible plates are configured as tapered cross section from first end to second end, wherein the first end of the flexible plates are connected to shift socket and the second end projects inwardly from the first ends ends. The flexible plates are configured to restrict movement of the shift lever to shifting gates in the transmission housing, if load on the shift lever is below predetermined limit. Further, the flexible plates are configured to have a substantially flat edge towards the neutral gate, and a curved edge towards the shifting gates, and the flexible plates are made of a material selected form at least one of plastic material, composite material, and any flexible metal.

Reference will now be made to figures which are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where ever possible referral numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates layout of transmission housing of the shifter mechanism (200). The shifter mechanism (200) includes the transmission housing (7) which will be fixed to a vehicle floor, and is configured as housing to accommodate all the components of the shifter mechanism (200). A shift socket (5) also referred as ball socket (7) is provided on top surface (7a) of the transmission housing (7) for accommodating a shift lever (6). Outer body of the shift socket (5) is configured in a circular form, whereas inner is configured in a hemi-sphere shape. The shift socket (5) is configured into neutral gate (N), and shifting gates (G1 and G2) to facilitate gear shifting in the shifter mechanism (200). Further, the shift lever (6) having a first end (6a) and a second end (6b) is provided in the shifter mechanism (200). The second end (6b) of the shift lever (6) comprises a spherical ball, and is movably placed in the shift socket (5), and the first end (6a) is provided with a shifter knob (not shown). The shift lever (6) is configured to move into the shifting gates (G1 and G2) in the transmission housing (7) for gear shifting, when the driver/user operates the shift lever (6).

The shifter mechanism (200) further comprises a shift lever stopper arrangement (300) [best shown in FIG. 3] configured on the ball socket (5), around the shift lever (6) to restrict the movement of the shift lever (6) to shifting gates (G1 and G2) in the transmission housing (7), if load on the shift lever (6) is below predetermined limit. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predetermined limit of load depends on the vibrations in the transmission housing, and ranges from about to 3N about to 8N depending on the type of vehicle and type of gear box. The shift lever stopper arrangement (300) comprises a plurality of flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) of predetermined configuration. The flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) are configured on the shift socket, around the shift lever (1) to prevent the free play of shift lever (6) in neutral position (N). The plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) are flexible in nature and avoid the travel of shift lever (1) when the load on the shift lever (6) is below a predetermined limit ensure free play requirement, and allow the movement of the shift lever (6) when the load exceeds predetermined limit. This mechanism might not require the use of selection spring and fixed pin, which was a necessary requirement in conventional arrangement.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a detailed view of a ball socket (5) with integrated shift lever stopper arrangement (300). As shown in FIG. 3 the shift lever stopper arrangement (300) includes four numbers of flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) configured on the shift socket (5), around the shift lever (1) to prevent the free play of shift lever (6) in neutral position (N). Each of the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) is configured as tapered cross section form first end (1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a) to the second end (1b, 2b, 3b, and 4b). The first end (1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a) of the flexible plates (1-4) is removably attached to the ball socket (5), and the second end (1b, 2b, 3b, and 4b) will project inwardly from the first ends (1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a). The tapered cross section of the flexible plates (1-4) is configured such that the amount force required to move the shift lever form neutral gate (N) to either one of shifting gates (G1 and G2) decreases gradually first ends (1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a) to the second ends (1b, 2b, 3b and 4b) of the flexible plates (1-4), and allows the shift lever (6) to move to the shifting gates (G1 or G2) when the shift lever is contacts with the second ends (1b, 2b, 3b, 4b) of the flexible stoppers (1-4) once the load on the shift lever (6) exceeds predetermined limit.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible plates (1-4) are configured to have a substantially flat edge towards the neutral gate (N), and a curved edge towards the shifting gates (G1 and G2). The flat edge in the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) makes the contact with the shift lever (6) when it is neutral position (N), and prevents it to move to shifting gates (G1 and G2) when load on the shift lever (6) is less than the predetermined limit. Once, the load exceeds predetermined limit the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) allows the movement of shift lever (6) to the shifting gates (G1 or G2). Further, the curved edge in the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) makes the contact with the shift lever (6) when it is shifting gates (G1 or G2), and allows the movement of shift lever to the neutral gate (N) or to the next shifting gate with less selection force. In an alternative embodiment, the flexible plates (1-4) can be configured to have a substantially flat edge towards both of the neutral gate (N), and the shifting gates (G1 and G2). In an exemplary embodiment the length of the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) can be altered to achieve desired predetermined resistance by the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) to the movement of the shift leaver (6). In an exemplary embodiment the tapered design of the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) can be altered to achieve desired predetermined resistance by the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) to the movement of the shift leaver (6). In an exemplary embodiment the tapered surface area of the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) can be altered to achieve desired predetermined resistance by the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) to the movement of the shift lever (6).

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible plates are made of a material such as but not limiting to plastic material, composite material, and any flexible metal, metal or metal insert in plastic. The flexible plates (1, 2, 3, and 4) provide low free play in lateral direction when shift lever (6) in neutral and reduce contribution of shifter in selection effort at end of selection travel.

Further, the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) can be mounted onto the ball socket (5), or can also be integrated with the ball socket (5). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) can be mounted by a method such as but not limiting to fastening method, clip lock method, and adhesive joining method. As an exemplary method, the flexible plates (1, 2, 3, and 4) are configured in a form of circular plate with inwardly extending flexible plates (1, 2, 3, and 4), which can be placed on the ball socket (5). Then, the circular plate can be held onto the ball socket (5) by the use of clip such as but not limiting to Circlip. In another exemplary embodiment, the flexible plates (1, 2, 3, and 4) can be joined to the ball socket (5) by the use of fasteners such as but not limiting to screw, rivet, nut and bolt. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the flexible plates (1, 2, 3, and 4) can formed integral with the ball socket (5) during production of transmission housing.

As an example, in the following paragraphs the shifter mechanism (200) with an integrated shift lever stopper arrangement (300) of the present disclosure is explained with the 5+R transmission mechanism of the vehicle. However, the same mechanism can be employed in other types of gear boxes such as but limiting to 4+R, 6+R, and any other gear box which known in the art without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

In the 5+R type of transmission mechanism, while selecting the 1st/2nd gear i.e. shifting gate G1, the shift lever (6) moves towards left, which will move the selection pin (not shown) connected to ball joint (not shown), and push the flexible plates (1 and 4). The selection pin will in-turn push the ball crank bracket (not shown) downwards to have selection travel of gearshift cable (not shown). After certain travel the shift lever (6) will not remain in contact with stopper flexible plates (1 and 4), and hence selection load at shift lever (6) will reduce to zero till end of selection stroke without transmission. When shifter and cable are connected to transmission, transmission selection spring will push the bell crank lever through gearshift cable. When shift lever (6) comes in contact with flexible plates (1 and 4) after certain travel, the curved profile of flexible plates (1 and 2) guides the shift lever (6) to come to neutral position (N) without exerting excessive load. In an exemplary embodiment the first end (1a) is a larger surface area end of the tapered design of the flexible plates (1, 2, 3 and 4) as compared the second end (1b), which is used to join the flexible plates to the ball socket (5).

While selecting the 5th/reverse gear i.e. shifting gate G2, the shift lever (6) moves towards left, which will move the selection pin (not shown) connected to ball joint and push the flexible plates (2 and 3). Selection pin will in-turn push the ball crank bracket (not shown) upwards to have selection travel of gearshift cable. After certain travel, the shift lever (6) will not remain in contact with flexible plates (2 and 3), hence the selection load at shift lever (6) will reduce to zero till end of selection stroke without transmission. When shifter and cable are connected to transmission, transmission selection spring will push the bell crank lever (not shown) through gearshift cable. When shift lever (6) comes in contact with flexible plate (2 and 3) after certain travel, the curved profile of flexible plate (2 and 3) guides the shift lever (6) to come to neutral position (N) without exerting excessive load. One skilled in the art can envisage the shape of the profiles of the stopper plates can be varied to meet the objective and suit the requirements.

It is to be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Advantage:
The present disclosure provides a shift lever stopper arrangement for a shifter mechanism which is simplified and cost effective mechanism to precisely and accurately select gears while driving vehicle keeping selection effort low.

The present disclosure provides a shift lever stopper arrangement for a shifter mechanism which has plurality of stopper plates/lugs positioned on the around the shift lever to avoid the free play of the shift lever.

The present disclosure provides a shift lever stopper arrangement for a shifter mechanism which provides a self-contained mechanism to precisely select the gate and improve gate identification.

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.”

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:
Reference Number Description
200 Shift lever stopper arrangement
300 Shifter arrangement
1, 2,3 and 4 Flexible plates
1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a First ends of the flexible plates
1b, 2b, 3b, and 4b Second ends of the flexible plates
5 Ball socket
6 Shift lever
6a and 6b First end and second end of the shift lever
7 Transmission housing
S Selection Spring
P Pivot pin
B Bell crank Bracket
SP Selection Pin
G1 and G2 Shifting gates
N Neutral Gate

,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A vehicle shift lever stopper arrangement (300) for a shifter mechanism (200), said arrangement (300) comprising:
a shift lever (6) positioned in a shift socket (5) of a transmission housing (7); and
a plurality of flexible plates (1-4) of predetermined configuration are removably mounted around the shift lever (6) on the shift socket (5) to restrict movement of the shift lever (6) into shifting gates (G1 and G2) of a transmission housing (7),
wherein, the plurality of flexible plates (1-4) are configured to restrict the movement of the shift lever (6) when load on the shift lever (6) is below a predetermined limit.

2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein four numbers of flexible plates (1-4) are removably mounted on the shift socket (5).

3. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of the flexible plates (1-4) are configured as tapered cross section.

4. The arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of the flexible plates (1-4) are tapered from first ends (1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a), to second ends (1b, 2b , 3b, and 4b).

5. The arrangement as claimed in claims 1 and 4, wherein the flexible plates are fixed to ball socket (5) at the first ends (1a, 2a, 3a, and 4a), and the second ends (1b, 2b , 3b, and 4b) of the flexible plates (1-4) projects inwardly from the first ends (1a, 2a ,3a, and 4a).

6. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of the flexible plates (1-4) are configured to have a substantially flat edge towards the neutral gate (N), and a curved edge towards the shifting gates (G1 and G2).

7. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined limit of load depends on the vibrations in the transmission housing (7).

8. The arrangement as claimed in claims 1 and 7, wherein the predetermined limit of load ranges from 3N to 8N.

9. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of the flexible plates (1-4) are made of a material selected form at least one of plastic material, composite material, and flexible metal.

10. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of the flexible plates (1-4) are attached on the shift socket (5) by a method selected form at least one of fastening method, clip lock method, and adhesive joining method.

11. A shifter mechanism (200) of a vehicle, said mechanism comprising:
a shift socket (5) mounted on a transmission housing (7);
a shift lever (6) having a first end (6a) and a second end (6b), wherein second end (6b) of the shift lever (6) is movably placed in the shift socket (5), and is configured to move into the shifting gates (G1 and G2) in the transmission housing (7) for gear shifting;
characterized in that,
a shift lever stopper arrangement (300), comprising:
a plurality of flexible plates (1-4) of predetermined configuration are removably mounted around the shift lever (6) on the shift socket (5) to restrict movement of the shift lever (6) into shifting gates (G1 and G2) of a transmission housing (7),
wherein, the plurality of flexible plates (1-4) are configured to restrict the movement of shift lever (6) when load on the shift lever (6) is below a predetermined limit.

12. The mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first end (6a) of the shifter lever (6) is provided with a shifter knob.

13. The mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second end (6b) of the shifter lever (6) is provided with a spherical ball.

14. A gear box comprising a shifter mechanism as claimed in claim 11.