Protecting a shift lever assembly from spilled liquids

摘要

A shift lever device enables liquid such as drinking water or the like to be smoothly drained to the outside when liquid is accidently spilled on the device. The shift lever device has a housing that includes a side wall where a drain is formed. In one embodiment, the upper surface of the housing includes a projecting portion in the form of a rib for guiding liquid spilled on the housing to the drain of the side wall. Alternatively, the device includes a liquid guard roof overhanging from an upper edge of an aperture of the side wall of the housing for guiding spilled liquid into the drain. The shift lever device may also include a liquid escaping gap being provided at a bearing potion of the housing by which a slide cover is slidably supported; a liquid receiving gutter for receiving the liquid drained from the liquid escaping portion; and a drainage hole in the side wall of the housing, whereby the drained liquid is guided to a place outside of the interior of the housing.