DE102018215238A1 - Shift device for shifting a transmission of a vehicle and method for operating a shift device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a shifting device (100) for shifting a transmission of a vehicle. The shifting device (100) comprises a shift lever (102) which is pivotably mounted between a first shift position (108) and a second shift position (110) for sequentially changing a gear ratio of the transmission, and a locking device (112) with one between a blocking position and a release element movably mounted locking element (114) and an actuator (116) for moving the locking element (114), the locking element (114) blocking a pivoting movement of the shift lever (102) in the blocking position and releasing it in the release position. The switching device (100) further comprises a control device for controlling the actuator (116) as a function of a selected shift mode of the transmission.

Description

The present invention relates to a shifting device for shifting a transmission of a vehicle and a method for operating a shifting device.

Speed steps or modes of automatic transmissions can be set, for example, by rotating or swiveling levers, rotary, tip or pressure switches.

Against this background, the present invention provides an improved shifting device for shifting a transmission of a vehicle and an improved method for operating a shifting device according to the main claims. Advantageous configurations result from the subclaims and the following description.

The approach described here is based on the knowledge that a hand rest can be pivoted in a vehicle with an automatic transmission and can be blocked or released by an actuator depending on the selected operating mode of the automatic transmission. For example, the hand rest can be released by activating a sport mode using a suitable actuator. The palm rest can thus be used as a tip shift lever for sequential up or down shifting. This has the advantage that a manual transmission mode can be implemented without the use of additional control elements such as steering wheel switches or the like.

• einen Schalthebel, der zwischen einer ersten Schaltstellung und einer zweiten Schaltstellung zum sequenziellen Ändern einer Übersetzungsstufe des Getriebes schwenkbar gelagert ist;
• eine Verriegelungseinrichtung mit einem zwischen einer Blockierstellung und einer Freigabestellung bewegbar gelagerten Verriegelungselement und einem Aktor zum Bewegen des Verriegelungselementes, wobei das Verriegelungselement in der Blockierstellung eine Schwenkbewegung des Schalthebels blockiert und in der Freigabestellung freigibt; und
• eine Ansteuereinrichtung zum Ansteuern des Aktors in Abhängigkeit von einem gewählten Schaltmodus des Getriebes.

A shifting device for shifting a transmission of a vehicle is presented, the shifting device having the following features:

• a shift lever which is pivotally mounted between a first shift position and a second shift position for sequentially changing a gear ratio of the transmission;
• a locking device with a locking element movably mounted between a blocking position and a release position and an actuator for moving the locking element, the locking element blocking a pivoting movement of the shift lever in the blocking position and releasing it in the release position; and
• a control device for controlling the actuator as a function of a selected shift mode of the transmission.

A transmission can be understood to mean an automatic transmission or an automated manual transmission. For example, the transmission can choose between an automatic mode for automatically selecting gear ratios and a manual shift mode for manually shifting the gear ratios, i. H. for manual upshifting or downshifting of gears. A shift lever can be understood to mean, for example, a gear selector lever that is adjustably arranged in a selection gate. The shift lever can, for example, have a palm rest. The hand support surface can have, for example, a heating device which is used to warm a hand of a user of the switching device and / or to provide haptic feedback to the user.

The switching device can have automatic switch elements which serve to select the operating mode of the automatic transmission. The shift lever is preferably designed such that a user of the switching device can operate the automatic switch elements while the user's hand is in contact with the shift lever. A user can preferably place a hand on a hand support surface of the shift lever and operate the automatic switch elements with one finger of the hand. The automatic switch elements are thus preferably less than 10 centimeters from the shift lever, particularly preferably less than 6 centimeters. The automatic switch elements can be configured as pressure switches and / or toggle switches. Furthermore, it is conceivable to integrate the automatic switch elements in a touch-sensitive surface and / or touchscreen. Furthermore, the automatic switch elements can be designed as part of a rotary switch and / or rotary pressure switch.

For example, the gear ratio can be increased by moving the shift lever into the first shift position, which can also be referred to as an upshift, and reduced when the shift lever is moved into the second shift position, which can also be referred to as a downshift. The shift lever can be designed, for example, as a monostable tip lever for sequential shifting, i. that is, the shift lever assumes a stable middle position unless it is actively moved into the first or second shift position by a driver. For example, the gear ratio can be adjusted by tapping the shift lever forward, i. H. in the direction of travel, and by tapping the gear lever backwards, d. H. against the direction of travel.

A locking element can be understood to mean, for example, an adjustable stop or an articulated coupling rod or the like connected to the shift lever. For example, the actuator can be designed to translationally move the locking element and thus a pivoting range of the shift lever depending on to either release or block its distance from the locking element.

A control device can be understood to mean an electrical device that processes sensor or switching signals and outputs control and / or data signals as a function thereof. The control device can have an interface which can be designed in terms of hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware configuration, the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains a wide variety of functions of the device. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are separate, integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components. In the case of software-based training, the interfaces can be software modules which are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.

According to one embodiment, the actuator can be implemented as an electromagnetic actuator. For example, the actuator can be designed as a linear actuator. This enables a precise and reliable adjustment of the locking element with a small space requirement.

According to a further embodiment, the switching device can have a resetting device for applying a restoring force to the shift lever, by means of which the shift lever is returned to an initial position starting from the first shift position and / or the second shift position. For example, the locking device can be designed to block the shift lever in the starting position. As a result, the shift lever can be implemented as a monostable tip lever.

For example, the resetting device can be designed to set the shift lever as the starting position by applying the restoring force to a middle position located between the first shift position and the second shift position. This enables ergonomic operation of the shift lever.

It is advantageous if the resetting device has a latching element coupled or couplable with the shift lever, a latching plate for guiding movement of the latching element between the first switching position, the second switching position and the starting position and a spring element for pressing the latching element against the latching plate. A latching element can be understood to mean, for example, a pin, bolt or spherical element. A locking plate can be understood to mean a plate-shaped element with a selection alley for guiding the locking element. A spring element can be understood to mean, for example, a compression spring or another energy-storing element for providing the restoring force. With this embodiment, the reset device can be provided with little effort and low costs.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the latching plate can have a latching profile with a depression assigned to the starting position, a first elevation assigned to the first switching position and a second elevation assigned to the second switching position. The first elevation and the second elevation can each form a transition into the deepening. The locking element can be slidably arranged or arranged in the locking profile. This can ensure that the shift lever reliably returns to the starting position, in particular to the middle position.

The shift lever can, for example, have a pivotably mounted rod and a hand rest element attached to the rod. The locking element can be designed as a stop displaceable against the rod. A hand rest element can be understood to mean, for example, a handle knob, a lever handle, a hand rest or the like. This embodiment allows the switching device to be implemented with particularly simple means.

According to one embodiment, the latching element can be coupled or can be coupled to a free end of the rod by means of the spring element. As a result, a switching force required to move the shift lever can be kept as low as possible.

The switching device can also have a switch element for selecting the switching mode. The switch element can be arranged on the shift lever or can be arranged. A switch element can be understood to mean, for example, a pressure or toggle switch. For example, the switch element can be arranged in the region of a (lateral) thumb support surface of the shift lever. For example, the manual shift mode of the transmission can be activated by actuating the switch element, and the control device can be designed to control the actuator in response to the activation of the manual shift mode such that the locking element releases the shift lever. The manual switching mode can be deactivated again, for example, by actuating the switch element again, wherein the control device can be designed to control the actuator in response to the deactivation of the manual switching mode such that the locking element blocks the switching lever again. This allows the Comfort when operating the switching device can be increased.

It is also advantageous if the shift lever is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis in the installed state of the switching device, said pivot axis being oriented essentially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This enables a particularly ergonomic operation of the switching device.

• Einlesen eines Schaltersignals von einer Schnittstelle zu einem Schalterelement zum Wählen des Schaltmodus; und
• Ausgeben eines Ansteuersignals zum Ansteuern des Aktors unter Verwendung des Schaltersignals.

The approach presented here finally creates a method for operating a switching device according to one of the above embodiments, the method comprising the following steps:

• Reading a switch signal from an interface to a switch element for selecting the switching mode; and
• Outputting a control signal for controlling the actuator using the switch signal.

Also advantageous is a computer program product with program code, which can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and is used to carry out the method according to one of the above-described embodiments when the program is on a computer or a device is performed.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Schaltvorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung der Schaltvorrichtung aus 1 in der Draufsicht;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Ansteuereinrichtung einer Schaltvorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung; und
• 4 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben einer Schaltvorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Erfindung.

The invention is explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 2nd a schematic representation of the switching device 1 in top view;
• 3rd a schematic representation of a control device of a switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
• 4th a flowchart of a method for operating a switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and acting in a similar manner, and a repeated description of these elements is omitted.

1 shows a schematic representation of a switching device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The switching device 100 for shifting a transmission of a vehicle, such as an automatic transmission or an automated manual transmission, comprises a shift lever 102 by a front panel 104 is passed through and at a storage location 106 about a pivot axis 107 pivotable between a first switching position 108 and a second switch position 110 is stored for sequentially changing a gear ratio of the transmission. The two switch positions 108 , 110 are indicated with dashed lines. For example, a gear ratio by swiveling the shift lever once 102 in the first switch position 108 shifted up by one gear ratio and by swiveling the gear lever once 102 in the second switch position 110 downshifted by one gear ratio.

A locking device 112 acts as a switch lock for the gear lever 102 . The locking device 112 is designed to the shift lever 102 depending on a selected shift mode of the transmission to block or release. For this purpose, the locking device comprises 112 a locking element 114 that between a blocking position in which the gear lever 102 through the locking element 114 is blocked, and a release position in which the shift lever 102 is unlocked and accordingly between the two switch positions 108 , 110 is pivotable, is arranged movably. In 1 is the locking element 114 shown in the blocking position. To adjust the locking element 114 includes the locking device 112 an actuator 116 , for example an electromagnetic actuator. The actuator 116 is particularly a linear actuator for moving the locking element 114 along a displacement axis 117 educated. Actuation of the actuator 116 takes place, for example, by evaluating a driver input with regard to the shift mode of the transmission. For example, the actuator 116 trained to the locking element 114 to move into the release position when the driver input represents an activation of a manual shift mode for manual shifting of the transmission, also called a sport mode. The actuator moves in reverse 116 the locking element 114 back to the blocking position if the driver input represents a deactivation of the manual shift mode.

According to the in 1 The embodiment shown corresponds to the blocking position of a middle position of the shift lever 102 between the two switch positions 108 , 110 .

In addition, the switching device comprises 100 a reset device 118 to act upon of the shift lever 102 with a restoring force through which the shift lever 102 with every swiveling into the first switch position 108 or second switch position 110 back to a starting position, here the middle position. The gear lever 102 is thus implemented as a monostable tip lever.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the reset device comprises 118 a locking element 120 , for example in the form of a locking pin that has a spring element 122 , approximately in the form of a compression spring, with a free end of a rod-shaped shaft 124 of the shift lever 102 is mechanically coupled. The locking element 114 acts against the shaft 124 . Opposite the locking element 120 is a profiled locking plate 126 for guiding a movement of the locking element 120 arranged. The locking element 120 is by one of the spring element 122 applied spring force against the locking plate 126 pressed.

To easily reset the shift lever automatically 102 To allow in the middle position is the locking plate 126 exemplary with one of the first switching positions 108 assigned first survey 128 and one of the second switch positions 110 assigned second survey 130 shaped, each of which is lowered into a recess 132 pass over. The deepening 132 is between the two surveys 128 , 130 arranged. The locking element 120 is movable in the surveys 128 , 130 and deepening 132 arranged. That of the spring element 122 applied spring force thus acts as the aforementioned restoring force for resetting the latching element 120 into the recess 132 and thus to reset the shift lever 102 in the middle position.

One by the two surveys 128 , 130 and the deepening 132 formed cross section of the locking plate 126 is shaped similar to the contour of a curly bracket, for example 1 evident.

According to one embodiment, the locking plate 126 made from one or more appropriately shaped pieces of sheet metal.

According to the in 1 shown embodiment has the shift lever 102 at a second end of the shaft 124 a hand rest element that acts as a lever handle 134 with a palm rest for laying on one hand. On the palm rest element 134 is a switch element 136 arranged to select the shift mode of the transmission, ie to activate or deactivate the manual shift mode. For example, the switch element 136 realized as a push button, the manual switching mode when the switch element is pressed 136 is activated and in the non-pressed state of the switch element 136 is deactivated. The switch element 136 is here exemplarily labeled with the letter S for "sport mode".

It when the switch element is particularly advantageous 136 , as in 1 shown by way of example on a side surface of the hand rest element 134 , for example on a thumb side of the hand rest element 134 , is arranged.

According to one embodiment, the pivot axis is 107 in the installed state of the switching device 100 aligned transversely to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, so that the transmission by pivoting the shift lever 102 is upshiftable in the direction of travel and by swiveling the shift lever 102 can be downshifted in a direction opposite to the direction of travel.

According to one embodiment, the shift lever 102 as a toggle lever with an electronic push button switch as a switch element 136 realized. This eliminates the need for additional switches for manually shifting the transmission, for example on a steering column of the vehicle.

The palm rest element 134 is by the electromagnetic actuator 116 unlocked, for example, when the driver by operating the switch element 136 switches to a sport mode. By unlocking the hand rest element 134 Can be used as a monostable 1x1 tip lever with short shift travel, by means of which the gearbox can be shifted up or down manually. If the sport mode is switched off again, the shift lever also becomes 102 or the palm rest element 134 locked again.

The gear lever 102 has different combinations of buttons depending on the embodiment and is arranged at different locations in the vehicle depending on the vehicle type.

2nd shows a schematic representation of the switching device 100 out 1 in the top view. You can see the palm rest element 134 with the switch element integrated on the side 136 in the form of a push button. The switching device 100 points in addition to the switch element 136 several automatic switch elements 200 to select different speed levels of the (automatic) transmission, such as P , R , N , D , on. Similar to the switch element 136 are, for example, the automatic switch elements 200 realized as push buttons. According to this embodiment, the automatic switch elements 200 in the front panel 104 the switching device 100 built-in.

According to an alternative embodiment, the switch element 136 like the automatic switch elements 200 in the front panel 104 built-in.

3rd shows a schematic representation of a control device 300 a switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example the one previously based on the 1 and 2nd described switching device 100 . The control device 300 is designed to control the actuator of the switching device. This is the control device 300 via a suitable interface 302 , such as a vehicle bus, is coupled to the switch element of the switching device. A processing unit 304 the control device 300 is trained to by the interface 302 a switch signal provided when the switch element is actuated 306 read in, which, depending on the switch positions of the switch element, represents either the activation or deactivation of the manual switching mode. The processing unit 304 returns using the switch signal 306 a control signal 308 to control the actuator depending on the by the switch signal 306 represented switch position.

4th shows a flow chart of a method 400 for operating a switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The procedure 400 can, for example, by means of 3rd described control device 300 be carried out. In a first step 410 read the switch signal from the interface to the switch element. In a second step 420 the control signal for controlling the actuator is output using the switch signal.

The exemplary embodiments described and shown in the figures are selected only as examples. Different exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another completely or with regard to individual features. An exemplary embodiment can also be supplemented by features of a further exemplary embodiment.

Furthermore, method steps according to the invention can be repeated and carried out in a different order than that described.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises a “and / or” link between a first feature and a second feature, this can be read in such a way that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature and according to a further embodiment either only the first Feature or only the second feature.

Reference list

100

Switching device

102

Gear lever

104

Front panel

106

Depository

107

Swivel axis

108

first switch position

110

second switch position

112

Locking device

114

Locking element

116

Actuator

117

Displacement axis

118

Reset device

120

Locking element

122

Spring element

124

shaft

126

Locking plate

128

first survey

130

second survey

132

deepening

134

Palm rest element

136

Switch element

200

Automatic switch elements

300

Control device

302

interface

304

Processing unit

306

Switch signal

308

Control signal

400

Method for operating the switching device

410

Reading step

420

Step of spending

Claims (13)

Shift device (100) for shifting a transmission of a vehicle, the shift device (100) having the following features: a shift lever (102) which can be pivoted between a first shift position (108) and a second shift position (110) for sequentially changing a gear ratio of the transmission is stored; a locking device (112) with a locking element movably mounted between a blocking position and a release position (114) and an actuator (116) for moving the locking element (114), the locking element (114) blocking a pivoting movement of the shift lever (102) in the blocking position and releasing it in the release position; and a control device (300) for controlling the actuator (116) as a function of a selected shift mode of the transmission. Switching device (100) according to Claim 1 , in which the actuator (116) is implemented as an electromagnetic actuator. Switching device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, with a resetting device (118) for loading the shift lever (102) with a restoring force, by means of which the shift lever (102) starting from the first shift position (108) and / or the second shift position (110 ) is returned to a starting position. Switching device (100) according to Claim 3 , in which the resetting device (118) is designed to set the shift lever (102) as the starting position by applying the resetting force to a middle position between the first shift position (108) and the second shift position (110). Switching device (100) according to Claim 3 or 4th , in which the resetting device (118) has a latching element (120) coupled or couplable with the shift lever (102), a latching plate (126) for guiding a movement of the latching element (120) between the first switching position (108) and the second switching position (110 ) and the starting position and a spring element (122) for pressing the locking element (120) against the locking plate (126). Switching device (100) according to Claim 5 , in which the locking plate (126) has a locking profile with a recess (132) assigned to the starting position, a first elevation (128) assigned to the first switching position (108) and a second elevation (130) assigned to the second switching position (110), wherein the first elevation (128) and the second elevation (130) each form a transition into the depression (132) and the latching element (120) can be moved or arranged in the latching profile. Switching device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the switching lever (102) has a pivotably mounted rod (124) and a hand rest element (134) fastened to the rod (124), the locking element (114) acting as a against the rod ( 124) slidable stop is formed. Switching device (100) according to Claim 7 in combination with Claim 5 or 6 , in which the latching element (120) is coupled or can be coupled to a free end of the rod (124) by means of the spring element (122). Switching device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, with a switch element (136) for selecting the switching mode, wherein the switch element (136) is arranged or can be arranged on the shift lever (102). Switching device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the switching lever (102) in the installed state of the switching device (100) is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis (107) which is oriented essentially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Method (400) for operating a switching device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (400) comprises the following steps: Reading (410) a switch signal (306) from an interface (302) to a switch element (136) for selecting the switching mode; and Outputting (420) a drive signal 308) for driving the actuator (116) using the switch signal (306). Computer program, which is set up according to the steps of the method (400) Claim 11 execute and / or control. Machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program according Claim 12 is saved.

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