US 11,913,540 B2
Selector lock for a vehicle that includes a motor operated pawl lock
Glenn Clapp, Grand Haven, MI (US); Nicholas Spitler, Grand Haven, MI (US); Daniel Kushner, Ada, MI (US); and Kristopher Alan Harrington, Hudsonville, MI (US)
Assigned to GHSP, Inc., Holland, MI (US)
Filed by GHSP, Inc., Holland, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/095,086.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/300,184, filed on Jan. 17, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0228325 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. F16H 59/10 (2006.01); F16H 59/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16H 59/105 (2013.01) [F16H 59/0217 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A selector interface for a vehicle, the selector interface comprising:
a selecting member that is operable between a plurality of selector positions;
a base that includes a plurality of steps that correspond to the plurality of selector positions, respectively;
a pawl actuator that includes a pawl that is operable in an engaging direction toward the plurality of steps and a release direction that opposes the engaging direction, the pawl having a rack and a pinion gear that is rotationally operated by a motor, wherein the motor selectively and rotationally operates the pinion gear to actuate the pawl relative to the plurality of steps; and
an interface coupled with the selecting member that actuates the motor, wherein operation of the motor operates the pawl relative to the plurality of steps and allows the pawl actuator to be manipulated relative to the base to align the pawl with a step of the plurality of steps, wherein the base includes a neutral lock position defined within an opposing surface of the base that opposes the plurality of steps, wherein selective activation of the motor in the release direction operates the pawl away from the plurality of steps to engage the opposing surface and to locate the pawl within the neutral lock position.