IMPROVED GEAR SHIFT UNIT MOUNTING AND CONSOLE

ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to gear shifting unit and console particularly it relates to interchangeability of fixing of gear shifting unit of manual transmission & gear shifting unit of automatic transmission on BIW floor along with console, which is required to enclose the said gear shifting unit. Also it relates to fixing of console on the gear shifting unit instead of floor.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Gear shifting assembly unit inside cabin is very important feature of vehicle control system, which enables the driver to select the driving modes as per road conditions.

In case of manual transmission gear shift system, driver has an option to select neutral, speed gears & reverse gear. For an automatic transmission gear shift system, driver has an option to select neutral, forward or reverse mode. In short both the shifting systems have different construction and mounting requirement on vehicle.

Since both the gear shifting unit arrangements are conceptually different, it requires different fixing arrangement on BIW floor which creates different variants of BIW for manual transmission & automatic transmission. This in turn increases the cost from complexity point of view.

Conventionally the console is fitted on BIW floor by special clips and brackets, which requires more number of parts, which adds to more cost.

OBJECTS OF THIS INVENTION

The main object of this invention is to provide Improved gear shift unit mounting and console assembly which can be mounted on BIW floor with common mounting arrangement & serves its all functions related to shifting.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide improved gear shift unit mounting and console assembly which is simple in construction and cost effective.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Improved gear shift unit mounting and console assembly for manual & automatic gear shifting mechanism in accordance with this invention, basically comprises of gear shifting housing which carries all mechanical linkages.

Manual gear shifting unit consist of the plastic molded housing. The housing consists of a first base surface which has holes for mounting on BIW floor. Also it consists of another second base surface supported by four ribs which in carries all linkages like gear shifter lever, bell crank lever, pivot pin & return spring. A locating hole is provided on top surface to locate the console & three lugs are provided on three sides with holes to clamp console on it. Also three extra holes are provided on housing to carry electrical cable clamps.

Similarly, the automatic gear shifting unit consists of plastic molded housing. The housing consists of a first base surface which has holes for mounting on BIW floor. Also it consists of second base surface supported by four ribs which carries all linkage like gear shift lever, pivot pin, lift & shift mechanism with interlock. A locating hole is provided on top surface to locate the console & three lugs are provided on three sides with holes to clamp console.

Both the gear shifting housings are designed such a way that that can be mounted on common mounting on floor of BIW. Hence interchangeability of the shifting

assemblies is achieved. Hence the complexity at all stages of manufacturing is eliminated. Also provision is made on the housing to accommodate fixing of same console which brings rationality in parts.

Improved console is dome shape envelope which covers the all mechanical linkages of gear shifter unit. It is also a plastic molded part which carries a locating pin on inner surface which locates the console in gear shifting housings. Three slots are provided on side faces which buts against housing for clamping. Flaps are provided to cover these slots after clamping the console so that the aesthetic view is not hampered.

Since the console gets directly clamped against gear shifting housing conventional brackets are eliminated which is cost effective.

BRIEF DESCRHPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig.1 shows BIW floor with mounting holes for gear shifting unit.

Fig.2 shows manual transmission gear shifting housing.

Fig.3 shows automatic transmission gear shifting housing.

Fig.4.a to 4.b shows console.

Fig-5. Shows manual transmission gear shifting housing with "C" clamps mounted thereon.

Fig6:- shows automatic transmission gear shifting housing with "C" clamps mounted thereon

Fig 7.a to 7.d:- Shows fixing of both gear shifting assy, on same BIW floor.

Fig 8: Location & alignment of console with both the gear shifting housings.

Fig-9: detail arrangement of fixing console with gear shifting housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of

illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same,

Referring to figs. 1 to 7

Improved gear shifting unit for manual transmission & automatic transmission in accordance with this invention basically comprises of different gear shifting housings & related mechanism.

Fig: - 1 shows the BIW floor which having 4 holes (a) to mount the gear shifting units.

As shown in Fig: -2 the housing of gear shifting unit for manual transmission is basically plastic molded component. It consists of a first base surface (b) with four holes. The pitching of the holes is exactly same as BIW floor. Entire gear shifting assembly gets bolted at these four holes. The housing has one more second base surface (c) at some height from first base surface (b) which is supported by four ribs. These ribs take all reaction forces generated during shifting. The second base surface has a hollow cylindrical lug (d) which locates the locating pin of console. The cross hole & bore on second base surface of gear shifting housing carries all gear shifting components like gear shift lever, bell crank lever, pivot pin & return spring. Three lugs (e) are provided on three sides of first base surface. As shown in the figure (5) "C" clamps (j) can be fitted on these lugs to clamps console. Three holes are provided on second base surface (c) & one on side rib to carry cable clamps which in support electrical wires.

As shown in Fig: - 3. The housing of Gear shifting unit for automatic transmission is basically plastic molded component. It consists of a first base surface which carries four holes (f). The pitching of the holes is exactly same as BIW floor. Entire gear shifting assembly gets bolted at these four holes. The housing has one more second base surface (g) at some height which is supported by four ribs. These ribs

take all reaction forces generated during shifting. The second base surface has a hollow cylindrical lug (h) which locates the locating pin of console. The cross hole on second base surface of gear shifting housing carries all gear shifting components like gear shift lever, pivot pin & lift-shift mechanism. Three lugs (i) are provided on three sides of first base surface. As shown in the figure (6) "C" clamps (j) can be fitted on these lugs to clamps console.

The features described in both housings are dimensionally same so that interchangeability of fixing either shifting assembly is achieved. Also the same console can be mounted on any of the gear shifting assembly.

As shown in Fig 4. a & 4.b a console, a plastic molded part, is designed for the manual & automatic gear shifting mechanism which covers the internal details of mechanism & gives better aesthetics to passenger compartment.

As shown in the fig (4.b) a locating pin with stopper (k) is provided. As shown in the fig 4. a the console carries 3 slots (1) with hole at three sides of the console. Three flaps (m) are provided on external surface of the slots.

As shown in the Fig: - 8 and Fig:-9, The locating pin with stopper (k) locates the console with gear shifter housing & aligns the holes given on three slots of console and three lugs of gear shifting housing. Three slots provided on console but against the "C clamp" (j) fitted on gear shifting housings. The console is clamped to gear shifting housing with help of pan screw (n) & "C clamp" (j).

Flaps (m) which can be bent are provided on the console. After tightening the pan screw (n) against slots (1) of console, are covered with flaps (m). This ensures that the interior aesthetics of the passenger cabin in maintained.

The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and altercations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.