阅读说明：本技术 带辅助旋钮的旋转式换档器 (Rotary gear shifter with auxiliary knob ) 是由 R·W·哈里斯 G·M·克莱普 J·博内威尔 于 2019-06-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种提供用于选择车辆变速箱的档位的车辆换档器。车辆换档器包含：基座,其配置为安装到车辆的中央地板控制台；第一旋转旋钮,其设置在基座上并且绕轴线可旋转；以及第二旋转旋钮,其定位在基座上和第一旋转旋钮下方,并且绕与第一旋转旋钮相同的轴线可旋转,其中第一旋转旋钮和第二旋转旋钮其中一个的旋转导致车辆变速箱的档位的选择,并且第一旋转旋钮和第二旋转旋钮的其中另一个的旋转为第二功能提供输入。(A vehicle shifter is provided for selecting a gear of a vehicle transmission. The vehicle shifter includes: a base configured to mount to a center floor console of a vehicle; a first rotation knob provided on the base and rotatable about an axis; and a second rotation knob positioned on the base and below the first rotation knob and rotatable about the same axis as the first rotation knob, wherein rotation of one of the first and second rotation knobs causes selection of a gear of the vehicle transmission and rotation of the other of the first and second rotation knobs provides input for a second function.)

1. A vehicle shifter for selecting a gear of a vehicle transmission, the vehicle shifter comprising:

a base configured to mount to a center floor console of a vehicle;

a first rotation knob positioned on the base and rotatable about an axis; and

a second rotation knob positioned on the base and below the first rotation knob and rotatable about the same axis as the first rotation knob,

wherein rotation of one of the first and second rotation knobs selects a gear for the vehicle transmission and rotation of the other of the first and second rotation knobs provides an input for a second function.

2. The vehicle shifter of claim 1, wherein the second function is one of drive system control and infotainment system control.

3. The vehicle shifter of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the base includes:

a forward facing face; and

a first pair of input buttons disposed on the forward facing surface.

4. The vehicle shifter of claim 3, wherein the base further comprises:

a gear selection display disposed on the forward facing face.

5. The vehicle shifter of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the base includes:

a forward facing face; and

a gear selection display disposed on the forward facing surface.

6. The vehicle shifter of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the base includes:

a forward facing face; and

a drive system selects a display disposed on the forward facing surface.

7. The vehicle shifter of claim 3, wherein the base includes:

a rearward face; and

a second pair of input buttons disposed on the rearward face.

8. The vehicle shifter of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the second rotation knob functions as a scroll wheel for displaying a list of available selections on a display screen of a scrolling infotainment system when rotated.

9. The vehicle shifter of claim 8, wherein the second rotation knob is configured to select one of the possible selections when depressed.

10. A vehicle shifter for selecting a gear of a vehicle transmission, the vehicle shifter comprising:

a base configured to mount to a central floor console of a vehicle;

a first rotation knob positioned on the base and rotatable about an axis; and

a second rotation knob positioned on the base and below the first rotation knob and rotatable about the same axis as the first rotation knob,

wherein rotation of the first rotary knob selects a gear for the vehicle transmission and rotation of the second rotary knob provides an input for a second function, wherein the second function is one of drive system control and infotainment system control.

11. The vehicle shifter of claim 10, wherein the base includes:

a forward facing face; and

a gear selection display disposed on the forward facing face.

12. The vehicle shifter of claim 11, wherein the base further comprises:

a first pair of input buttons disposed on the forward facing surface.

13. The vehicle shifter of any one of claims 11-12, wherein the base further comprises:

a drive system selects a display disposed on the forward facing surface.

14. The vehicle shifter of any one of claims 12-13, wherein the base includes:

a rearward face; and

a second pair of input buttons disposed on the rearward face.

15. The vehicle shifter of any one of claims 10-14, wherein the second rotation knob functions as a scroll wheel for displaying a list of available selections on a display screen of a scrolling infotainment system when rotated.

16. The vehicle shifter of claim 15, wherein the second rotation knob is configured to select one of the possible selections when depressed.

17. A vehicle shifter for selecting a gear of a vehicle transmission, the vehicle shifter comprising:

a base configured to mount to a center floor console of a vehicle;

a first rotation knob positioned on the base and rotatable about an axis; and

a second rotation knob positioned on the base and below the first rotation knob and rotatable about the same axis as the first rotation knob,

wherein rotation of the first rotary knob selects a gear for the vehicle transmission and rotation of the second rotary knob provides an input for a second function, wherein the second rotary knob serves as a scroll wheel for displaying a list of available selections on a display screen of the infotainment system when rotated, and wherein the second rotary knob is configured to select one of the possible selections when depressed.

18. The vehicle shifter of claim 17, wherein the first rotation knob includes a cylindrical shaft extending downwardly along the axis, the vehicle shifter further including a spacer having a disc-shaped upper end and a hub extending downwardly therefrom, the hub having a cylindrical shape and a central bore disposed therethrough for receiving the cylindrical shaft of the first rotation knob to support the first rotation knob such that the first rotation knob can rotate relative to the spacer.

19. The vehicle shifter of claim 18, wherein the second rotation knob includes a central aperture sized to receive the hub of the spacer such that the second rotation knob can rotate about the hub.

20. The vehicle shifter of claim 19, wherein a space is provided between an inner surface of the central bore of the second rotation knob and an outer surface of the hub of the spacer such that the second rotation knob can be depressed radially inward from at least one direction.

Technical Field

The embodiments described below relate generally to vehicle shifters and, more particularly, to rotary shifters.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle shifter for selecting a gear of a vehicle transmission is provided. The vehicle shifter includes: a base configured to mount to a center floor console of a vehicle; a first rotation knob provided on the base and rotatable about an axis; and a second rotation knob positioned on the base and below the first rotation knob and rotatable about the same axis as the first rotation knob, wherein rotation of one of the first and second rotation knobs causes selection of a gear of the vehicle transmission and rotation of the other of the first and second rotation knobs provides an input for a second function.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle shifter for selecting a gear of a vehicle transmission is provided. The vehicle shifter includes: a base configured to mount to a center floor console of a vehicle; a first rotation knob provided on the base and rotatable about an axis; and a second rotation knob positioned on the base and below the first rotation knob and rotatable about the same axis as the first rotation knob, wherein rotation of the first rotation knob results in selection of a gear of the vehicle transmission, and rotation of the second rotation knob provides an input for a second function, wherein the second function is one of drive system control and infotainment system control.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle shifter for selecting a gear of a vehicle transmission is provided. The vehicle shifter includes: a base configured to mount to a center floor console of a vehicle; a first rotation knob provided on the base and rotatable about an axis; and a second rotation knob positioned on the base and below the first rotation knob and rotatable about the same axis as the first rotation knob, wherein rotation of the first rotation knob results in selection of a gear of the vehicle transmission and rotation of the second rotation knob provides input for a second function, wherein the second rotation knob serves as a scroll wheel for scrolling through a list of possible selections on a display screen of the infotainment system when rotated, and wherein the second rotation knob is configured to be depressed to select one of the possible selections.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle shifter according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle shifter according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of actuation of a button of the vehicle shifter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the actuation of a button and depression of a second rotation knob of the vehicle shifter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotation of a second rotation knob of the vehicle shifter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rotation of the first rotation knob of the vehicle shifter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the knob subassembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 for use in a vehicle shifter;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the knob sub-assembly shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a first cross-sectional view of the knob subassembly shown in FIG. 7 along line IX-IX; and

FIG. 10 is a second cross-sectional view of the knob subassembly shown in FIG. 7 taken along line IX-IX.

Detailed Description

For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the apparatus as oriented in fig. 1. It is to be understood, however, that the apparatus may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a shifter 10 for selecting gears of a vehicle transmission. Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the shifter 100. With respect to both embodiments, shifter 10/100 includes a base 12 configured to be mounted to a vehicle center floor console, a first rotation knob 22 disposed on base 12 and rotatable about an axis, and a second rotation knob 24 disposed on base 12 and below first rotation knob 22 and rotatable about the same axis as first rotation knob 22. Rotation of one of the first and second rotation knobs 22, 24 causes selection of a gear position of a vehicle transmission (not shown), and rotation of the other of the first and second rotation knobs 22, 24 provides an input for a second function. Such a second function may be the control of the infotainment system or drive system selection of the vehicle.

The base 12 may include a forwardly facing surface 13 that is inclined and faces generally upwardly and a rearwardly facing surface 14 that is also inclined and faces generally upwardly. A first pair of input buttons 15 may be provided on the forward facing face 13 along with a gear selection display 17. A second pair of input buttons 16 may optionally be provided on the rearward face 14. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the first pair of input buttons 15 and the optional second pair of input buttons 16 may provide menus for controlling the infotainment system and/or the navigation system of the vehicle by depressing one of these buttons. In this case, when rotated as shown in FIG. 5, the second rotary knob 24 may be used as a scroll wheel for scrolling through a list of possible selections on a display screen (not shown) of the infotainment system. As described further below, the secondary knob 24 may be pressed as shown in fig. 4 to select one of the possible selections.

As shown in FIG. 2, the shifter 100 can include a drive system selection display 102 that graphically illustrates drive system selection (i.e., two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, etc.).

The first rotation knob 22 may be rotated as shown in fig. 6 to select a gear position. The selected gear may be highlighted in the gear selection display 17.

The base 12 may further include accent features 18 and 19, which may be chrome or translucent material, that are backlit to provide an illumination accent.

The knob sub-assembly 20 including the first and second rotation knobs 22 and 24 is structured as shown in fig. 7-10. The first rotation knob 22 includes a cylindrical shaft 34 extending downwardly along the central axis a. A recess 36 is provided at the lower end of the cylindrical shaft 34.

The knob sub-assembly 20 further includes a spacer 26 having a disc-shaped upper end 37 and a hub 40 extending downwardly therefrom. The hub 40 has a cylindrical shape with an annular groove formed at a lower end thereof. A central bore 38 is provided through the disc-shaped upper end 37 and the hub 40 for receiving the cylindrical shaft 34 of the first rotation knob 22. The spacer 26 thus supports the first rotation knob such that the rotation knob 22 can be rotated relative to the spacer 26.

The second rotation knob 24 includes a central aperture 44 sized to receive the hub 40 of the spacer 26 such that the second rotation knob 24 can rotate about the hub 40. The second rotation knob 24 may also include a recess 46 at its lower end for receiving a portion of the base 12.

Knob sub-assembly 20 may further include a washer 28 mounted about the lower end of hub 40. The washer supports the lower end of the second rotary knob 24 and is held in place by a retaining clip 30 that snaps into place within a groove 42 in the lower end of the hub 40. The retainer ring 32 is configured to be secured in a groove 36 in the shaft 34 of the first rotary knob 22.

Using the structure shown in fig. 7-10, the first and second rotation knobs 22 and 24 may be rotated about the same central axis a. By providing some space between the inner surface of the bore 44 of the second rotation knob and the outer surface of the hub 40 of the spacer 26, the second rotation knob 24 can be depressed radially inward from at least one direction as shown in fig. 4. Further, the opening in the base 12 that engages the recess 46 may be slightly oval to provide the ability for the second rotation knob 24 to move from side to side rather than from front to back. Alternatively, the opening in the base 12 may be circular and the recess 46 may be oval rather than circular.

While the first rotation knob 22 has been disclosed above as being used for gear selection, the second rotation knob 24 may alternatively be used for gear selection, and the first rotation knob 22 may provide a second function.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the configuration of the devices and other components described are not limited to any particular material. Other exemplary embodiments of the devices disclosed herein may be formed from a variety of materials, unless otherwise described.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all its forms, coupled/coupled, etc.) generally means that two components (electrical or mechanical) are directly or indirectly connected to each other. Such engagement may be fixed in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any other intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body, or with the two components alone. Unless otherwise specified, such engagement may be permanent in nature, or may be removable or releasable in nature.

The construction and arrangement of the elements of the apparatus shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or other elements of the connectors or systems may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or components of the system may be constructed of any of a variety of materials, in any of a variety of colors, textures, and combinations that provide sufficient strength or durability. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this innovation. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for purposes of illustration and not for limitation, the scope of the invention being defined by the claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.