US 7,490,528 B2
Park inhibit assembly for an electric transmission range selection system
Jack P. Koski, South Lyon, Mich. (US); Ryan M. Jenness, Ypsilanti, Mich. (US); Stephen W. Powell, South Lyon, Mich. (US); and Mark A. Vernacchia, Northville, Mich. (US)
Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit, Mich. (US)
Filed on Feb. 13, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/352,869.
Prior Publication US 2007/0191182 A1, Aug. 16, 2007
Int. Cl. F16H 59/00 (2006.01); F16H 61/00 (2006.01); F16H 63/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 74—336R  [74/473.21; 477/96; 477/186; 477/187; 192/219.5] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A transmission for a vehicle comprising:
an electronic transmission range selection system operable to shift a transmission range, including shifting from a Park mode to an Out-of-Park mode and from said Out-of-Park mode to said Park mode;
a selectively engageable park pawl mechanism operable to enforce said Park mode when engaged and to allow said Out-of-Park mode when disengaged;
a park inhibit assembly movable with said park pawl mechanism and operable to block the engagement of said park pawl mechanism when the vehicle is operating above a predetermined speed; and
wherein said park inhibit assembly includes a follower member movable with said park pawl mechanism along a first axis between an extended position, corresponding to said Out-of-Park mode, and a retracted position, corresponding to said Park mode;
wherein said park inhibit assembly includes an electro-mechanical device energizable and operable to move along a second axis, substantially perpendicular to said first axis, to engage said follower member when said follower member is in said extended position to block the engagement of said park pawl mechanism and de-energizable and operable to move along said second axis to disengage said follower member and allow said follower member to move along said first axis between said extended position and said retracted position.