DE102009001376B4 - Actuator with starter switch - Google Patents

Abstract

Actuating device for selecting shift stages of a gear change transmission, the actuating device comprising a movable between at least two gear shift positions shift lever (1), wherein the shift lever (1) in a housing base (2) pivotally mounted and by means of an actuator from a shift lever non-use position, in the the shift lever is arranged sunk and is not available for operating the change gear, is movable into a shift lever use position, characterized in that the shift lever (1) upon actuation of the shift lever (1) in the shift lever non-use position for starting the vehicle engine and at Movement of the shift lever (1) from the shift lever use position is set in the shift lever non-use position for parking the vehicle engine.

Description

The invention relates to an actuating device for selecting shift stages of a gear change transmission, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Currently, in automobiles, the locking system is usually operated by means of an ignition key, usually designed as a wireless remote control. The ignition is on the other hand - in keys with beard - usually still by the fact that the key is inserted into the arranged on the dashboard ignition, and then by turning the ignition key in the ignition initially activates the ignition and then the engine is started.

In modern motor vehicles, however, increasingly beardless ignition keys are used, which no longer authorize by means of a mechanical beard, but by means of an integrated in the ignition key electronic identification transmitter relative to the vehicle. However, with the key bit it also eliminates the possibility of simple mechanical power transmission between the ignition key and ignition lock, which in particular can not be used without further activation of the ignition and the engine start the usual mechanical keys rotary motion or should not. For this reason, among other things, wrenches equipped with wrench key often in addition to a key holder - which has neither a power transmission function nor the multi-stage switch function of the conventional ignition more - provided a separate starter switch or starter button.

Here, after inserting the key in the key holder in the dashboard - which is the first step, the ignition system of the motor vehicle is activated - started by means of the start button as the second step of the engine. When the engine is running, however, the engine is switched off when pressure on the starter switch.

In other words, this means that in modern beardless key systems instead of the formerly uniform, multiple functions unifying control element "ignition" now often two separate modules or controls are necessary, namely on the one hand, the key holder for receiving and housing the beardless key, the key identification the vehicle and to activate the ignition, and on the other hand, the additional starter switch for actually starting and restarting the engine.

This is u. However, both from the point of view of ease of use and ergonomics not ideal. Regarding ease of use and ergonomics can be improved first of all, the replacement of a familiar and intuitive control element (mechanical ignition) by two separate modules or controls (on the one hand key holder and on the other hand starter switch).

In addition, the arrangement of each additional module and each additional switch, for example in the dashboard in terms of crash safety is fundamentally problematic, especially if assemblies or switches are located in the knee area of the driver, as is often the case with the key holder and the starter switch.

From the DE 100 59 678 A1 On the other hand, a vehicle starting system and method is known in which a gear selector is arranged for selecting gear steps of a gear change gear, and in addition to starting or stopping the vehicle engine. In this way, an additional operating element for starting or stopping the motor vehicle engine, such as an additional start button, initially omitted.

According to the teaching of this document from the prior art, however, the additional functionality of the gear selector is essentially represented simply by the gear selector receives an additional selectable, further shift stage in the transmission scheme. However, this additional selectable shift stage does not control a gear in the gear change transmission, but is used to start or stop the engine.

However, such an additional selectable shift speed in Gangschema unnecessarily complicates the gear scheme, especially since the function of starting or stopping the engine while driving is not needed at all and thus represents an unnecessary ergonomic ballast for the gear scheme of an actuator. In addition, it is often difficult in today's very compact gearshift transmission controls to provide additional gearshift positions for a shift lever to operate additional functions. Not least, this known from the prior art gear selector inherently no security against incorrect operations, especially against unintentional overshift or overpressure of lever positions, so that the additional switching stage in the circuit diagram unintentionally selected and the additional function could thus be triggered unintentionally, for example while driving.

With this background, it is the object of the present invention to provide an actuating device to provide for the selection of switching stages of a gear change transmission, with which the described disadvantages of the prior art can be overcome. In particular, the actuator should be simple and intuitive to use and structurally and structurally flexible and can be arranged. The actuator should also be able to take over another control or switching function, in particular the starting or stopping of the vehicle engine, so that may be omitted for this purpose previously required additional actuators. In this case, however, the smallest possible functional and ergonomic interference between the switching function for the switching stages of the gear change transmission and the additional switching function of the actuator arise so that incorrect operations are possible excluded.

This object is achieved by an actuating device having the features of patent claim 1.

Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

In an initially known manner, the actuating device according to the present invention comprises a shift lever movably mounted in a housing base and movable between at least two gear shift positions. In this case, the shift lever is in itself also known manner by means of an actuator from a shift lever non-use position in a shift lever use position movable.

According to the invention, however, the actuating device is characterized in that the shift lever is set when operating the shift lever in its non-use position for starting the vehicle engine, and upon movement of the shift lever from its use position back to the non-use position for parking the vehicle engine.

This means, in other words, that in an actuator according to the invention, the starting of the engine in the simplest possible way can be done by the shift lever in its (with respect to the control of the gear change) non-use position is operated appropriately. According to the invention, the engine is switched off again by the shift lever being returned to its inoperative position.

This initially results in an advantageous combination of several functions in the shift lever itself. Because on the one hand can be done with the shift lever as usual, the choice of gear ratios or modes of the gear change transmission. On the other hand, however, a separate, additional device in the motor vehicle for starting or stopping the vehicle engine omitted, since this function can also be operated by the shift lever. The invention has the particular advantage that it is also clear at any time whether the vehicle engine is running and the vehicle is thus ready (namely on the basis of the shift lever visibly in the position of use), or whether the engine must first be started before driving (Namely based on the then resting in the non-use position switching lever).

As a result, comfort, ergonomics and safety in the cockpit of the motor vehicle can be increased, assemblies are saved or combined, space utilization and clarity in the cockpit are improved, and production and assembly costs as well as the associated costs can be saved.

The invention will be realized regardless of how the movement between the shift lever use position and the shift lever non-use position takes place. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the shift lever is set up for automatic, for example aktuatorischen movement in the shift lever use position as soon as an operation of the shift lever is in its non-use position.

This means that the shift lever does not have to be moved by the user from its non-use position to the use position, in order then to be able to select the shift stages of the gear change transmission with the shift lever. Rather, the operation of the shift lever in the shift lever non-use position by the user both the starting of the vehicle engine and the transfer of the shift lever from its non-use position to the use position automatically.

With this background, it is provided according to further preferred embodiments of the invention that the actuating unit of the actuator comprises a spring actuator or a motor actuator for moving the shift lever from the non-use position to the use position. These embodiments allow the shift lever to be activated with minimal effort or transferred to its position of use, e.g. B. by short pressure on the sunk in the non-use position, for example, shifter.

For an actuator with spring actuator must to deactivate the lever and the Transfer of the shift lever in the non-use position thus only the spring force of the spring actuator can be overcome, while in an actuating unit with a motor actuator, the shift lever for deactivation, for example, simply moved by hand in the non-use position.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the shift lever can be actively moved by means of the motor actuator of the actuator both from the non-use position to the use position and vice versa from the use position to the non-use position. In this embodiment, only a minimal amount of force required for activation as well as for deactivation of the shift lever, since the actual movement between position of use and non-use position takes place in both directions by the motor actuator.

The invention can first of all realize independently of how the shift lever is designed and / or designed, as long as the desired visual and / or tactile distinctness between the shift lever in the position of use and the shift lever in the non-use position is given. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the shift lever in its non-use position is positioned substantially flush with the housing base flush.

This results in particular a clearer appearance in the vehicle cockpit as soon as the shift lever has been moved to its non-use position. In addition, in this way, the freedom of movement of the occupants can be improved, and the risk of hanging on the lever when moving, for example, with extremities or clothing is reduced or eliminated.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the actuating device has a locking device for fixing the shift lever in its position of use relative to the non-use position. The executable for example as a ball catch detent thus generates a counter force in certain height when trying to move the shift lever from the use position in the non-use position, and thus turn off the engine.

In this way, unintentional stopping of the engine, in particular during driving, is prevented by the counterforce generated by the locking device providing the driver with tactile feedback that would override this counterforce of the engine. At the same time can be turned off at any time by overcoming the drag of the engine, for example, in emergencies, when waiting in front of railway barriers or the like.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating device is further characterized by at least one arranged on the shift lever and / or on the housing base display device. In each case, the display device displays context-sensitive only those actuation possibilities that are respectively available in the current position of the shift lever, ie in the use position or in the non-use position.

This results in the sense of ergonomics and safety actuation further simplification of the user interface of the motor vehicle by namely - in the non-use position or in the retracted or lowered position of the shift lever - in the vicinity of the shift lever only a symbol for starting the engine and / or Moving out of the shift lever is displayed. By contrast, in the environment of the shift lever - when this is in its position of use - only the available switching stages of the gear change transmission, and possibly a symbol for stopping the engine or for retracting the shift lever displayed.

According to a further embodiment, the actuating device further comprises an additional actuating element arranged on the shift lever or on the housing base, for example a pushbutton, for activating the parking brake. Since the parking brake is engaged in the non-use position of the shift lever anyway, either manually due to the operation of the auxiliary actuator, or in the other case by the auto-P function of the gear change transmission (at the latest when leaving the vehicle), the additional actuator can, for example, the front be arranged on the shift lever or at another point of the shift lever, which is hidden in the non-use position or in the retracted position of the shift lever, so as to make the complexity of the user interface as low as possible and the actuator as clear as possible.

The invention is first of all realized independently of which circuit diagram of the actuator is based. A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, however, provides that the shift lever for selecting a first shift stage of the gear change transmission - starting from a monostable shift lever home position - is deflectable in a first shift direction up to an end stop at a first unstable shift lever position, wherein the shift lever for selecting at least one further shift stage of the gear change transmission - starting from a previous shift position - in at least one further shift direction to the end stop at a further unstable shift lever position is deflected. The formation of the end stops as unstable shift lever positions leads to the fact that the shift lever returns to its monostable shift lever home position after each actuation.

This means in other words that the shift lever must be deflected to each selection of one of the shift speeds of the gear change gear each up to a switch stage specific stop, either directly from the monostable shift lever home position, or, starting from the monostable shift lever home position on the stop at a first unstable shift lever position, and then changing direction to the stop at another unstable shift lever position. It must therefore be changed at each switching between arbitrary switching stages of the gear change the deflection of the shift lever.

This embodiment also has the particular advantage that each shift stage of the gear change transmission with an associated, own end stop corresponds to a shift lever position. As a result, the user the intuitive assignment of the shift lever positions is facilitated to the associated switching stages of the gear change transmission, and it is particularly excluded that the shift lever is over-ridden and unintentionally several switching stages are overshoots. Switching errors can be largely eliminated in this way.

In this case, the first shift direction and the first unstable shift lever position preferably correspond to the neutral position of the gear change transmission. At the same time the shift lever for stopping the vehicle engine or to spend in the shift lever non-use position - starting from the monostable shift lever home position - must be moved in a different direction from the first switching direction, another switching direction. As a result, in principle, different directions of movement are required depending on whether you want to change between different stages of the gear change, or whether the engine should be turned off.

Also, this embodiment is in the service of eliminating erroneous operations of the shift lever and the intuitive operability. Due to the fact that the first switching direction and the first unstable shift lever position are assigned to the neutral position of the gear change transmission, there is also the advantage that shifting operations between different drive-transmitting operating states of the gear change transmission always initially proceed via the shift lever position corresponding to the neutral position. As a result, the risk of incorrect operation of the gear change transmission is further reduced, even independently of any additional electronic security circuit present.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrative drawings. Showing:

1 a schematic sketch representation of an embodiment of an actuator according to the present invention with the shift lever in non-actuated position;

2 in a 1 corresponding representation of the embodiment according to 1 with the shift lever in the operating position;

3 in schematic representation of the circuit diagram for the actuator according to 1 and 2 ;

4 in a 1 and 2 corresponding representation of a further embodiment of the actuating device according to the invention in the non-actuated position;

5 in a 1 . 2 and 4 corresponding representation of the embodiment according to 4 in the operating position;

6 in a 1 . 2 . 4 and 5 corresponding representation of a further embodiment of the actuating device according to the invention in the non-actuated position; and

7 in a 1 . 2 . 4 . 5 and 6 corresponding representation of the embodiment according to 6 in the operating position.

1 shows in highly schematic representation of an embodiment of an actuator according to the present invention. Especially in conjunction with 2 can be seen in the figures a schematically executed shift lever or selector lever 1 for controlling the switching stages of a gear change transmission, which in the illustration according to 1 completely submerged in a console 2 of the motor vehicle is located. This may be, for example, the dashboard or arranged between the front seats console.

In the fully retracted position according to 1 gets on one of the shifters 1 arranged display 3 not the schematic, but only a symbol for the engine start is displayed. This makes it clear to the driver that the shift lever 1 in this operating state of the motor vehicle is not yet available for operating the gear change transmission, but that initially only the function of the engine start is given In addition, the operator in this embodiment, in addition to the shift lever 1 with an arrow 4 symbolically indicated that the shift lever 1 when you first press the console 2 will drive out.

Will thus the shift lever 1 according to 1 operated, so depressed, for example, with the finger, this leads first to start the engine, if the driver has previously legitimized, for example, by having inserted or inserted the ignition key in a corresponding Zündschlüsselaufnahme.

Immediately after the engine starts, the gearshift lever moves 1 according to 2 spring loaded or actuated from the console 2 out and is thus in the position according to 2 spent. At the same time, in this embodiment of the invention, the display representation changes on the display 3 the shift lever to the with the shift lever moved out 1 now changed functionality of the shift lever 1 reflect.

Because the shift lever 1 in the extended position according to 2 now the operation of the gear change transmission is now the corresponding circuit diagram 5 on the display of the shift lever 1 displayed. Likewise, this changes next to the shift lever 1 arranged symbol which in 1 according to reference number 4 the retraction of the shift lever 1 indicated, and it is instead a symbolized schematic diagram in the same place 6 displayed with the possible switching directions.

A possible circuit diagram for an actuating device according to the invention is in 3 shown. The position of the shift lever designated "X" stands for the monostable rest position of the shift lever 1 , in which the shift lever 1 automatically returns from all other switching positions (eg spring-loaded). Starting from the monostable rest position "X", the shift lever 1 Thus, first drawing-related to the left in the position marked "N" for "neutral position" are deflected. If the shift lever is moved to position "N" and then released, the shift lever returns to the monostable rest position "X", and the neutral position or idling is engaged in the transmission.

Will the shifter 1 However, moved to position "N" and not released from there, but - with change of direction - in one of the other two lever positions "R" or "D" moves before it is released again, so in the transmission is not about the neutral position or ., the idle, but directly the switching stage "R" or "D", in which the lever was released.

A circuit diagram according to 3 has in connection with the actuator according to the invention thus the decisive advantage that a rupture / overpressure of the shift lever 1 , or an undesired switching over of several switching stages is excluded in that between different gear steps always a change of direction in the operation of the shift lever 1 must be made, and also in that the gear shift is triggered only when the shift lever 1 is released in the relevant desired position and returns to the monostable rest position "X".

In this way, thus a particularly intuitive and safe operation of the gear change transmission is achieved, are virtually ruled out in the wrong operations.

When stopping the motor vehicle finally the engine stop is characterized in that the shift lever 1 , starting from its monostable rest position "X", is pushed forward in the switching position "S" for "Stop". As a result, on the one hand the vehicle engine is turned off, and on the other hand at the same time the shift lever 1 in his console 2 sunk (cf. 1 ), in turn, the display of the circuit diagram according to 2 to "Engine start" according to 1 replaced. The sinking of the shift lever 1 in the console 2 can be done by manual force, or active actuation, for example, by a servo motor.

In addition, in order to avoid accidental parking of the vehicle engine, for example while driving, the actuator may still have a locking device between the lever positions "X" and "S" as "STOP", so that an increased manual force is necessary to the shift lever 1 to move from its monostable position "X" to the lever position "S" as "STOP". However, by overriding the counterforce of the locking device, the engine can still be parked immediately in any situation, which may be necessary, for example, in emergencies.

Other embodiments are in the 4 to 7 shown. The embodiment according to 4 and 5 also has a frontal on the lever arranged button 8th for actuating the parking lock. The button 8th is frontally arranged in this embodiment, in order to simplify the user interface only in the operating position of the shift lever 1 to be visible. This arrangement makes sense, since modern gearboxes or automatic transmissions are equipped with an auto-P function in which the parking brake - for example, when stopping the engine or when leaving the vehicle - is automatically inserted anyway, if the driver has forgotten.

The parking lock can be in this embodiment, either by depressing the shift lever 1 in his sinking in the console 2 insert (via the auto P function of the gearbox, at the latest when leaving the vehicle), or manually by pressing the button 8th ,

To indicate the parking lock status, the embodiment according to 4 and 5 furthermore, one display symbol each 9 which is lit or activated when the parking lock is engaged, and is deactivated or not visible when the parking lock is applied.

Another embodiment is in the 6 and 7 shown. In this embodiment, the actuating and display element for the parking brake is in an example illuminable button 10 united, which on the console 2 is arranged. Thus, in this embodiment, the parking lock can be operated regardless of whether the shift lever 1 in the operating position according to 7 , or in the non-actuarial position according to 6 sunk in the console 2 located.

As a result, it is clear that thanks to the invention, an actuator especially for shift-by-wire operated speed change gearbox is created on motor vehicles, which is easy and intuitive to use and the design and design particularly large freedoms allowed. In this case, the actuator according to the invention combines in a cost-saving manner the task of controlling the gear change transmission with a further control or switching function, in particular with the start-stop control of the motor vehicle engine, which accounts for this hitherto additionally required actuators. The actuator according to the invention reduces the risk of incorrect operation, reduces the complexity of the user interface of the motor vehicle and also allows an increase in the freedom of movement space for the vehicle occupants with the engine stopped.

The invention thus makes a significant contribution to improving the ergonomics, safety and operability of motor vehicles, especially with regard to the application in the operation of automatic gearboxes or automated manual transmissions.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

selector

2

console

3

Motor launch icon

4

Activation Symbol

5, 6

Wiring diagram icon

7

switching scheme

8th

Parking lock operation

9

Parking lock icon

10

Parking lock operation

P, R, N, D, S, X

Shift lever positions, shift directions

Claims (11)

Actuating device for selecting switching stages of a gear change transmission, the actuating device comprising a shift lever movable between at least two gear shift positions (US Pat. 1 ), whereby the shift lever ( 1 ) in a housing base ( 2 ) is pivotally mounted and by means of an actuator from a shift lever non-use position, in which the shift lever is arranged sunk and is not available for operating the gear change, is movable into a shift lever use position, characterized in that the shift lever ( 1 ) upon actuation of the shift lever ( 1 ) in the shift lever non-use position for starting the vehicle engine and when moving the shift lever ( 1 ) is set from the shift lever use position to the shift lever non-use position for parking the vehicle engine. Actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the shift lever ( 1 ) is set to automatically move to the shift lever use position upon operation of the shift lever in the shift lever non-use position. Actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating unit a spring actuator for movement of the shift lever ( 1 ) from the non-use position into the position of use. Actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating unit is a motor actuator for moving the Shift lever ( 1 ) from the non-use position into the position of use. Actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating unit is a motor actuator for moving the shift lever ( 1 ) from the non-use position to the use position and back covers. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the shift lever ( 1 ) in the shift lever non-use position in the housing base ( 2 ) is arranged substantially flush sunk. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a locking device for fixing the shift lever ( 1 ) in the position of use relative to the non-use position Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by at least one on the shift lever ( 1 ) and / or on the housing base ( 2 ) display device ( 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 ), wherein the display device ( 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 ) shows context-sensitive only those actuation possibilities, which in the current position of the shift lever ( 1 ) Are available. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by a on the shift lever ( 1 ) or on the housing base ( 2 ) arranged additional actuator for activating a parking brake of the gear change transmission. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the shift lever ( 1 ) for selecting a first shift stage (N) of the gear change transmission, starting from a monostable shift lever home position (X), in a first shift direction to an end stop at a first unstable shift lever position (N) is deflectable, and for selecting at least one further shift stage ( R, D) of the gear change transmission, starting from a previous shift position (N) in at least one further switching direction to the end stop at a further unstable shift lever position (R, D) is deflected. Actuating device according to claim 10, characterized in that the first shift direction and the first unstable shift lever position (N) correspond to the neutral position (N) of the gear change transmission, wherein the shift lever ( 1 ) for stopping the vehicle engine and / or for moving into the shift lever non-use position, starting from the monostable shift lever basic position (X) in one of the first shift direction (N) different further shift direction (S) is movable.

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