	US 7,412,907 B2
	Range recognition apparatus for automatic transmission
Takeshi Oohori, Kanagawa (Japan); Youhei Ishikawa, Kanagawa (Japan); Takuichiro Inoue, Kanagawa (Japan); and Hiroyasu Tanaka, Kanagawa (Japan)
Assigned to Jatco Ltd, Shizuoka (Japan)
Filed on Oct. 05, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/243,181.
Claims priority of application No. 2004-295000 (JP), filed on Oct. 07, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2006/0075839 A1, Apr. 13, 2006
Int. Cl. F16H 59/00 (2006.01); F16H 61/00 (2006.01); F16H 63/00 (2006.01); B60Q 1/00 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 74—335 [340/456]

15 Claims

1. A range recognition apparatus for an automatic transmission, comprising:

a range selector;

a first contact configured to generate a first range signal during a state of the range selector being within a first region;

a second contact configured to generate a second range signal during the state of the range selector being within a second region overlapping with the first region;

a third contact configured to generate a third range signal during the state of the range selector being within a third region apart from the first region and the second region; and

a controller connected for signal communication to the first contact and to the second contact, and configured to perform the following:

recognizing that a first forward drive range of the automatic transmission is selected, when the first range signal is present and the second range signal is absent;

recognizing that a second forward drive range of the automatic transmission is selected, when the first range signal is absent and the second range signal is present; and

recognizing that the first forward drive range is selected, when the first range signal and the second range signal are both present; and

determining that an abnormality is present, in case a first abnormal condition where the first range signal, the second range signal, and the third range signal are simultaneously present continues over a predetermined first period of time.