US Patent 7469614 Electronic actuated shifter for automatic transmissions

A shifter mechanism includes a shifter lever movable along a shift path and a detent plate movable with the shifter lever along the shift path and forming a detent profile defining a plurality of gear positions. A pawl is movable between a locking position wherein the pawl engages the detent profile to lock the shifter lever in one of the plurality of gear positions and an unlocking position wherein the shifter lever is movable along the shift path between the plurality of gear positions. A pivotable detent lever carries the pawl over an arcuate path between the locking position and the unlocking position. A linear actuator is operatively coupled to the detent lever to selectively pivot the detent lever. The pawl preferably includes a roller that engages the detent profile when the pawl is in the locking position.