EP3230628A1

EP3230628A1 - Gearshift device for a vehicle transmission and method for determining a selector lever position in a gearshift device for a vehicle transmission

Info

Publication number: EP3230628A1
Application number: EP15794136.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vitali FRIBUS; Alexander KIRILENKO; Karsten Straßburg; Sascha TRÄNKNER; Ludger Rake
Original assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Current assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Priority date: 2014-12-12
Filing date: 2015-11-10
Publication date: 2017-10-18
Also published as: DE102014225665A1; US10544859B2; US20170321798A1; CN107002861B; WO2016091505A1; CN107002861A

Abstract

The invention relates to a gearshift device (100) for a vehicle transmission. The gearshift device (100) comprises a selector lever (112) for selecting a transmission position of the vehicle transmission, wherein the selector lever (112) is movable along at least one first shift gate and at least one second shift gate, a marking element (116) which is mechanically coupled to the selector lever (112) and has at least one first marking strip (128) assigned to the first shift gate and at least one second marking strip (130) assigned to the second shift gate, a guiding means (118) which is designed to guide the marking element (116) along the first marking strip (128) past a detection point, when the selector lever (112) is moved along the first shift gate, and to guide same along the second marking strip (130) past the detection point, when the selector lever (112) is moved along the second shift gate (312), and, finally, a detection means which is arranged at the detection point and is designed to provide a movement signal representing a movement of the first marking strip (128) and/or of the second marking strip (130) relative to the detection point in order to determine a position of the selector lever (112) in the first shift gate and/or the second shift gate.

Description

A vehicular transmission shift apparatus and method of determining a selector lever position in a vehicular transmission shift apparatus

The present invention relates to a shifting device for a vehicle transmission and to a method for determining a selector lever position in a shifting device for a vehicle transmission.

From JP 2008006872 a switching device is known, which has a camera for detecting position markings on a selector lever for an automatic transmission.

Against this background, the present invention provides a shifting device for a vehicle transmission and a method for determining a selector lever position in a shifting device for a vehicle transmission according to the main claims. Advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description below.

The approach presented here provides a switching device for a vehicle transmission, wherein the switching device has the following features:

a selector lever for selecting a gear position of the vehicle transmission, wherein the selector lever is movable along at least a first shift gate and a second shift gate;

a marking element mechanically coupled to the selector lever and having at least one first marking strip associated with the first switching groove and a second marking strip assigned to the second switching groove;

guide means adapted to guide the marker along the first marker strip past a detection location when the selector lever is moved along the first shift gate and to pass along the second marker strip at the detection location when the selector lever is moved along the second shift gate; and

a detection device which is arranged and formed at the detection point, in order to detect a movement of the first marking strip and / or the second positioning strip relative to the detection point representing movement signal for determining a position of the selector lever in the first shift gate and / or the second shift gate to provide.

Under a vehicle transmission, for example, an automatic transmission can be understood. A selector lever can be understood to mean a rod-shaped or knob-shaped element for actuating the switching device. For example, the selector lever can be arranged tiltable or pivotable in the switching device. Under a shift gate, a movement axis of the selector lever can be understood. For example, the switching device may have a detent which serves to move the selector lever to predetermined positions in the shift gates.

A marking element can be understood to mean an element with a flat or slightly curved marking surface on which the two marking strips can be applied. A marking strip can be understood to mean a linear or band-shaped marking area. For example, the marker strips can be formed by a juxtaposition of different individual markings.

A guide device can be understood as a device for guiding a movement of the marking element. The guide device can be embodied, for example, as a plate-shaped or frame-shaped element with at least one elongated hole or profile functioning as a guide rail, wherein the marking element can have at least one guide body which can be guided in the oblong hole or a counter profile which can be displaced along the profile.

A detection point can be understood as meaning a point at which the detection device and the marking device are arranged opposite one another, in order to enable detection of the marking strips by the detection device. The detection point can be predetermined for example by an installation position of the detection device. The detection device can be realized for example as an optical sensor. In particular, the detection device can be a sensor system from a computer mouse.

The approach proposed here is based on the recognition that positions of a selector lever in a switching device can be detected using only a single sensor by different marker strips are guided past the sensor depending on the position of the selector lever. By such a simplified sensor, the manufacturing cost of the switching device can be reduced.

The switching device may include an evaluation device configured to use the motion signal to determine a speed of movement of the first marker strip, to determine a path traveled on the first marker strip using the velocity, and using the path to determine the position of the selector lever in the first marker strip first shift gate to determine. Additionally or alternatively, the evaluation device may be configured to determine a speed of movement of the second marking strip using the movement signal, to determine a path traveled on the second marking strip using the speed and, using the path, to determine the position of the selection lever in the second switching gate to investigate. The motion signal may include, for example, image information representing a portion of the respective marker strip, such as a sequence of markers on the marker strip, past the detection location in a particular time. By means of the image information, the speed with which the marking strip has been guided past the detection point, and by means of the speed a distance traveled thereby of the marking strip can be determined. By such an evaluation of the movement signal, a direction of movement of the selector lever can already be determined during the movement of the selector lever.

It is also advantageous if the first marker strip has a plurality of different markings for marking predetermined positions of the selector lever in the first shift gate. Additionally or alternatively, the second Marking strips have a plurality of different markers for marking predetermined positions of the selector lever in the second shift gate. Depending on the embodiment, the detection means may be configured to provide the motion signal using the markings on the first marker strip or the marks on the second marker strip. A marker can be a geometric shape, such as a square, a rectangle, or a circle. For clear distinction, the geometric shapes may be oriented in different directions or have different contrasts. Each marker may be associated with exactly one predetermined position of the selector lever. In addition, the marks of the first marking strip may be different from the marks of the second marking strip. The markings allow the use of an optical sensor as a detection device.

According to a further embodiment, the first marking strip may have a plurality of different-length spacing lines for marking a respective distance between the markings on the first marking strip. Additionally or alternatively, the second marker strip may have a plurality of different-length spacer lines for marking a respective distance between the marks on the second marker strip. Depending on the embodiment, the detection means may be configured to further provide the motion signal using the spacing lines on the first marking strip or using the spacing lines on the second marking strip. For example, the spacing lines may be arranged transversely to a respective main extension direction of the marking strips. The distance lines allow a precise detection of movements of the selector lever between two markings.

It is also advantageous if the first marking strip has a first mid-position marking for marking a middle position of the selector lever in the first shift gate and, additionally or alternatively, the second marker strip has a second mid-position marking for marking a middle position of the selector lever in the second shift gate. In this case, a respective length of the distance lines on the first marker strip represent a respective distance of the spacer lines to the first mid-position marker, and a respective length of the spacer lines on the second marker strip represent a respective distance of the spacer lines to the second mid-position marker. Under a middle position, for example, a rest or initial position of the selector lever can be understood. The mid-position markings can be designed in the same or a similar way as the markings. For example, the length of the spacer lines of a respective marker strip may increase from a distance line to a distance line from a respective middle position marker. This allows a quick and accurate calibration or reorientation of the detection device.

According to a further embodiment, the selector lever may be movably arranged along a changing lane for changing between the first shift lane and the second shift lane. The marking element can have a third marking strip assigned to the changing lane. Accordingly, the guide means may be configured to pass the marker along the third marker strip at the detection location as the selector lever is moved along the change track. The detection means may be configured to provide the movement signal representative of movement of the third marker strip relative to the detection location to determine a position of the selector lever in the change gear. Under a changing lane can be understood a different from the two shift gate movement axis of the selector lever. For example, the changing lane can be aligned essentially perpendicular to the first shift gate, to the second shift gate or to both shift lanes. For example, the selector lever can be moved by means of the changing lane between the middle position in the first shift gate and the middle position in the second shift gate. In this case, in the same way as the first and second marking strips, the third marking strip may have a plurality of differently long distance lines for marking a distance between the first and the second middle position markings. This embodiment enables the detection of positions and movements of the selector lever between the first and the second shift gate. Depending on the embodiment, the third marking strip may be aligned substantially perpendicular to the first marking strip, to the second marking strip or to both marking strips. Analogously to the two shift gates, the first marking strip and the second marking strip can be arranged substantially parallel to one another, for example. In this case, the third marking strip can be arranged substantially perpendicular to the first and the second marking strip, analogously to the changing gate. By means of an orthogonal arrangement of the marking strips, a correspondingly simple guide device can be used to guide the marking element.

The switching device can also be provided with a housing bottom part, a housing insert disposed in the housing insert and a crosspiece. The crosspiece may be pivotally mounted in the housing insert to move the selector lever between the first shift gate and the second shift gate. The selector lever may be pivotally mounted in the crosspiece to be moved along the first shift gate or the second shift gate. Further, the crosspiece may be mechanically coupled to the guide means to change a position of the guide means relative to the detection point when moving the selector lever between the first shift gate and the second shift gate. By such a modular construction, the switching device can be assembled or disassembled with little effort.

In this case, a main extension plane of the marking element can be arranged substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the selector lever. In this way, a space requirement of the switching device can be reduced.

The approach described herein further provides a method for determining a selector lever position in a vehicle transmission shifting device, the shifting device comprising a selector lever for selecting a gear position of the vehicle transmission, a selector lever mechanically coupled to a marker, guide means, and detection means located at a detection location, wherein the selector lever is movable along at least a first shift gate and a second shift gate and the marking lever ment has at least one first marking strip assigned to the first switching gate and a second marking strip assigned to the second switching gate, the method comprising the following steps:

Passing the marker member at the detection location by the guide means, the marker member being passed along the first marker strip as the selector lever is moved along the first shift gate and passing along the second marker strip as the selector lever is moved along the second shift gate; and

Providing, by means of the detection means, a motion signal representing movement of the first marker strip and / or the second marker strip relative to the detection point to determine a position of the selector lever in the first shift gate and / or the second shift gate.

Finally, the approach proposed here provides for the use of a computer mouse sensor as detection device in a switching device according to one of the embodiments described here. Computer mouse sensor technology can be understood to mean optical sensor technology as used in laser mice or optical mice. Through the use of such available in large quantities and correspondingly inexpensive sensors, the manufacturing cost of the switching device can be significantly reduced.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2a, 2b are schematic representations of a switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of various selector lever positions in a switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 shows a schematic illustration of a marking element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 5 shows a schematic representation of a detection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

6 is a flow chart of a method for determining a selector lever position in a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and similarly acting, wherein 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.

According to this embodiment, the vehicle gear shift apparatus 100 includes a housing bottom portion 102 and a frame-like housing insert 104 fixedly connected to the housing bottom portion 102. The housing bottom part 102 serves, for example, for fastening the switching device 100 to a vehicle body. In the housing insert 104, a crosspiece 106 is rotatably mounted about a cross-piece axis 108. The crosspiece 106 has a central cross-section recess 110, through which a selector lever 12 is guided for selecting a gear position of the vehicle transmission. The selector lever 1 12 is rotatably mounted about a selector lever axis 1 14 in the Kreuzstückausnehmung 1 10. By way of example, in FIG. 1, the crosspiece axis 108 and the selector lever axis 14 are substantially perpendicular to one another.

By tilting movements about the crosspiece axis 1 14, the selector lever 1 12 between different shift gates, as described in more detail below, are moved. By tilting movements about the selector lever axis 108, the selector lever 1 12 can be moved between predetermined switching points in each case a shift gate, such as by means of a detent. The selector lever 1 12 is mechanically coupled to a carriage as a marking element 1 1 6. The marking element 1 16 essentially has a rectangular shape and is arranged displaceably in a frame-like guide device 1 18 along a displacement axis 120. By way of example, the displacement axis 120 points in the same direction as the crosspiece axis 1 14. The guide device 1 18 is attached to an outer surface of the housing insert 104. In this case, the marking element 1 1 6 is arranged in the guide device 1 18 such that a main extension plane of the marking element 1 16 is aligned substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis 121 of the selector lever 1 12. The guide device 1 18 has a holding element 122 into which an arm 124 integrally formed on the crosspiece 106 engages. The arm 124 serves to raise or lower the guide device 1 18 and thus the marking element 1 1 6 when moving the selector lever 1 12 about the cross-piece axis 1 14 transverse to the displacement axis 120, as shown in detail below with reference to FIG.

On a side facing away from the guide device 1 18 marking surface 126 of the marking element 1 1 6 a first marker strip 128 and a second marker strip 130 are exemplarily applied, which are shown here schematically as lines and extend substantially parallel to the displacement axis 120. For example, the first marker strip 128 serves to mark switching points in a first shift gate and the second marker strip 130 to mark shift points in a second shift gate of the circuit device 100. Depending on the number of shift gates of the shift device 100, the marker element 16 can also contain more than two marker strips 128 , 130.

Opposite the marking surface 126, a printed circuit board 132 is arranged, which carries a sensor electronics for detecting the marking strips 128, 130. The marking element 1 1 6 thus acts as a sensor surface for the sensor electronics. According to one exemplary embodiment, the sensor electronics are the sensors of a computer mouse, as described in more detail below. The printed circuit board 132 is realized with a recess 133 through which the arm 124 and the Pass through retaining element 122. For example, the arm 124 may thus be made longer than a distance between the crosspiece 106 and the circuit board 132.

As already mentioned, the marking element 1 1 6 when moving the selector lever 1 12 about the cross-piece axis 1 14 is raised or lowered transversely to the displacement axis 120. In this case, the marking element 1 1 6 is shifted depending on the direction of movement such that either the first marker strip 128 or the second marker strip 130 is located in a detection range of the sensor electronics. For example, the first marker strip 128 is in the detection area when the selector lever 1 12 is positioned in the first shift gate, and the second marker strip 130 in the detection area when the selector lever 1 12 is positioned in the second shift gate.

When moving the selector lever 1 12 about the selector shaft 108, d. H. along one of the two shift gates, the marking element 1 1 6 is moved parallel to the displacement axis 120. Accordingly, when the selector lever 12 is moved along the first shift gate, the first marker strip 128 passes the detection area and the second marker strip 130 passes the detection area when the selector lever 12 is moved along the second shift gate.

The sensor electronics are designed to detect the respective movements of the marking strips 128, 130 corresponding to a switching movement of the selector lever 12 relative to the detection area. By a corresponding evaluation of the movements detected by the sensor electronics, an accurate position of the selector lever 12 in the shift lanes can now be determined.

Depending on the embodiment, the housing bottom portion 102, the housing insert 104, the selector lever 1 12, the crosspiece 106, the marking element 1 1 6 or the guide means 1 18 may be made by injection molding to save weight and manufacturing costs. According to one embodiment, a circuit 100 having the structure shown in FIG. 1 comprises a sensor of an optical mouse for switching position recognition in an automatic transmission. In this case, the selector lever 1 12, also called shift lever, by means of a detent and a housing which includes the crosspiece 106, movable between defined shift lever positions.

If the selector lever 1 12 moves within a shift gate, the marking surface 126, which runs in a guide 1 18, relative to the movement of the selector lever 1 12 carried in one direction. If the selector lever 1 12 is switched back and forth between the lanes, so an altitude of the guide 1 18 changes, as seen in Fig. 2a. For example, the marking surface 126 may be moved two-dimensionally between two rows and a total of eight positions according to the selector lever positions shown in FIG.

For switching lever position detection by means of the optical mouse sensor, the marking surface 126 may be marked with unique symbols, such as by printing or punching the marking surface 1 26. Using such markings, the system can be calibrated and the sensors are reoriented after an undervoltage.

When the selector lever 12, and thus the marking surface 126, is moved, the permanently installed optical mouse sensor system opposite the marking surface 126 records images of the marking surface 126. Based on the recorded images, the sensor system evaluates a movement of the marking surface 126. If the voltage is interrupted in the meantime, the position of the marking surface 126 can be uniquely determined on the basis of a direction of movement and the markings.

For protection against contamination, the switching device may have a cleaning device which is designed to dust off the marking surface 126 at least in the detection region by means of a soft material, for example immediately before and after image acquisition. Figures 2a and 2b are schematic diagrams of a switching device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The switching device 100 corresponds to the switching device described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 a shows a rear view of the switching device 100, from which it can be seen that the printed circuit board 132 and the guide device 1 18 are arranged substantially parallel to one another. The arm 124 and the guide device 1 18 are arranged one above the other. A running below the arm 124 outer edge of the guide means 1 18 has a bent obliquely in the direction of the printed circuit board 132 projection which is guided through the recess of the printed circuit board 132 and acts as the holding element 122.

The arm 124 and the holding member 122 are movably connected to each other via a positive connection. For this purpose, a projecting beyond the circuit board 132 end of the retaining element 122 is formed as a bracket 200. A free end of the arm 124 has two fingers 202 which engage around the retaining clip 200 in a form-fitting manner.

For example, the arm 124 is disposed approximately at a height with a cross point of the cross axis and the selector lever axis. Depending on the embodiment, a longitudinal axis of the arm 124 may be aligned substantially parallel or obliquely to the selector lever axis, as in FIG. 2a. By way of example, the longitudinal axis of the arm 124 in a middle position of the selector lever 12 shown in FIG. 2 a is substantially perpendicular to a main extension plane of the guide device 1 18.

As already described with reference to FIG. 1, the arm 124 is either raised or lowered when moving the selector lever 1 12 about the cross-piece axis depending on the direction of movement. Accordingly, an altitude of the guide means 1 18 changes relative to the printed circuit board 132 and thus to the sensor electronics located thereon. The directions of movement of the selector lever 1 12 and the guide device 1 18 are each marked with arrows. In Fig. 2b, the switching device 100 is rotated relative to Fig. 2a by 90 degrees, so that the guide means 1 18 and slidably guided therein marking element 1 16 are shown in a front view. Possible directions of movement of the marking element 1 1 6 along the displacement axis and the selector lever 1 12 about the selector lever axis are marked with arrows.

According to this embodiment, the guide device 1 18 is designed with a U-shaped profile as a first guide rail 204 and a groove as a second guide rail 206. The guide rails 204, 206 each extend parallel to the displacement axis. In this case, the first guide rail 204 extends along an outer edge of the guide device 1 18 facing the housing bottom part 102. The second guide rail 206 is arranged at a distance from the first guide rail 204.

The marking element 1 1 6 has a wider rectangular area and a narrower rectangular area. The wider area comprises the marking surface 126 with the two marking strips 128, 130 and is slidably guided in the second guide rail 206 by means of a suitably shaped guide body, which is arranged on a side of the marking element 1 1 6 opposite the marking surface 126. The narrower area faces the housing bottom part 102. An outer edge of the narrower region facing the housing bottom part 102 is displaceably guided in the first guide rail 204.

The narrower area is formed with a pin which is not visible in FIG. 2b and which is passed through a slot 208 located between the guide rails 204, 206 in the marking element 11 and thus points in the direction of the selector lever 12. For example, the pin is mechanically coupled via at least one joint with the selector lever 1 12.

3 shows a schematic representation of various selector lever positions in a shifting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The selector lever positions are divided into two groups: on the one hand in a main lane 300 with four main lane positions 302, 304, 306, 308 and a Hauptgassenmittelstellung 310, on the other in a side lane 312, here a manual lane, with two Nebengassenpositionen 314, 316 and a Nebengassenmittelstellung 318. In addition, the selector lever via a changing lane 320 between the two middle positions 310, 318 are moved back and forth.

For example, the minor lane positions 314, 31 6 for manually shifting the vehicle transmission and the main lane positions 302, 304, 306, 308 for selecting various automatic driving stages of the vehicle transmission, such as P, R, N or D, serve the Hauptgassenmittelstellung 310 a stable position of the selector lever and the Nebengassenmittelstellung 318 can represent a monostable position of the selector lever.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a marking element 1 1 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The marking element 1 1 6 is, for example, a marking element, as described with reference to the preceding figures. 4 shows a plan view of the marking surface 126 of the marking element 1 1 6. The two marking strips 128, 130 are arranged substantially parallel to one another. For example, the first marker strip 128 of the main gate shown in FIG. 3 and the second marker strip 130 are associated with the minor gate shown in FIG. 3 of the switching device. The first marking strip 128 comprises four main lane markings 402, 404, 406, 408, each associated with one of the main lane positions, and a first mid-position mark 410 representing the main lane center position. Accordingly, the second marker lane 130 comprises two minor lane markers 414, 41 6, each one of the Associated with Nebengas- senschaltpositionen, as well as the Nebengassenmittelstellung corresponding second mid-position marker 418.

According to this embodiment, the markings of the two marker strips 128, 130 are shown as divergent geometric shapes, such as circles, squares or rectangles. By way of example, in FIG. 4, the secondary lane marker 414 has a shape of the main lane marker 402, which 4, a shape of the main lane mark 404 and the second middle position mark 418 have a shape of the first middle position mark 410. In this case, the secondary lane markings 414, 416 and the second middle position marking 418, in contrast to the main lane markings 402, 404, 406, 408 and the first middle position mark 410, are each shown only as an outline, so that a contrast results between the two marking strips 128, 130.

The two mid-position markings 410, 418 also form the ends of a third marking strip 420, which represents the change alley described with reference to FIG. The third marker strip 420 is substantially perpendicular to the two marker strips 128, 130, resulting in an H-shaped arrangement.

The three marking strips 128, 130, 420 each have a plurality of differently long spacer lines 422, which are each arranged between two markings of each marking strip at a uniform distance from each other. By way of example, in FIG. 4 four spacing lines 422 each are arranged between two markings, with the exception of the two center position markings 410, 418, between which only three spacing lines 422 are present. The spacing lines 422 are substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the marking strip to which they each belong.

Here, a respective length of the spacer lines 422 on the first marker strip 128 corresponds to a respective distance of these spacer lines to the first mid-position marker 410 and a respective length of the spacer lines 422 on the second marker strip 130 a respective distance of these spacer lines to the second mid-position marker 418. In Fig. 4 Distance lines 422 of the two marker strips 128, 130 starting from a respective mid-position marker in both directions increasingly longer. The spacer lines 422 of the third marker strip 420 become progressively longer from the first mid-position marker 410. The marks and spacing lines of the three marker strips 128, 130, 420 may be detected at a detection location 424 where the sensor electronics on the printed circuit board face the marking surface 126. The detection point 424 corresponds, for example, to the detection range described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the marker 16 is positioned in the guide device such that the first mid-position marker 410 is located at the detection location 424. By way of example, the first middle position marking 410 is located in the beam path of a light beam emitted by the sensor electronics for scanning the marking surface 126.

5 shows a schematic representation of a detection device 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The detection device 500 is, for example, sensor electronics, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The detection device 500 comprises a light source 502 for emitting a light beam 504, here an LED, an LED lens 506 for directing the light beam 504 to the detection point 424 on the marking surface 126 and a sensor lens 508 arranged opposite the marking surface 126 for steering one at the detection point 424 reflected light beam into a sensor 510, which is designed to use the reflected light beam to generate a motion signal 512 representing a movement of the marking surface 126 relative to the detection point 424 and to send it to an evaluation device 514. The evaluation device 514 is shown here schematically next to the sensor 510. In reality, the evaluation device 514 can be implemented as a separate unit from the detection device 500 or as a component of the detection device 500, for example the sensor 510. The evaluation device 514 is designed to determine a position of the selector lever in the switching device using the movement signal 512.

According to one embodiment, the detection device 500 is a sensor of a computer mouse, wherein the marking surface 126 acts as a kind of mouse pad. Depending on the embodiment of the computer mouse sensor system, the light source 502 is either one LED or a laser diode. The light reflected from the marker surface 126 is collimated by the sensor lens 508 and directed into a miniature camera 51 6 of the sensor 510. The mini-camera 516 is designed to send image information as movement signal 512 to the evaluation device 514, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), which receives the image information in the form of a gray scale image. The evaluation device 514 converts the image information into speeds and calculates, from the velocities, motion data in the form of Δχ and Ay values, which represent a distance traveled by the marking element along at least one detected marking strip. Based on this distance, a shift position of the selector lever can now be determined.

For example, the miniature camera 51 6 has a resolution of 1 6 χ 16 to 30 χ 30 pixels. The sensor 510 can record and evaluate on average, for example, 1500 frames per second.

6 shows a flow chart of a method 600 for determining a selector lever position in a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method may, for example, be carried out using a switching device as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. In this case, the marking element is guided past the detection point in a method step 602 by means of the guide device. More specifically, in step 602, the marker is passed along the first marker strip at the detection location when the selector lever is moved along a first shift gate of the switching device represented by the first marker strip, and past the detection mark along the second marker strip as the selector lever moves along one the second marker strip represented second shift gate of the switching device is moved. In a further method step 604, a motion signal is provided by means of the detection device, which represents a movement of the first marker strip or a movement of the second marker strip or a movement of both the first and the second marker strip relative to the detection point. In an optional evaluation step 606, the motion signal can be evaluated to a position of the selector lever in the first shift gate or to determine the second shift gate, for example by means of an evaluation device described above with reference to FIG. 5.

The embodiments described and shown in the figures are chosen only by way of example. Different embodiments may be combined together or in relation to individual features. Also, an embodiment can be supplemented by features of another embodiment.

Furthermore, method steps according to the invention can be repeated as well as carried out in a sequence other than that described.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises a "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, this can be read so that the embodiment according to one embodiment, both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment, either only the first Feature or only the second feature.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

100 switching device

102 housing bottom part

104 housing insert

106 cross piece

108 crosspiece axis

1 10 crosspiece recess

1 12 selector lever

1 14 selector lever axle

1 1 6 marking element

1 18 management device

120 displacement axis

121 longitudinal axis

122 holding element

124 arm

126 marking surface

128 first marker strip

130 second marker strip

132 circuit board

133 recess

200 headband

202 fingers

204 first guide rail

206 second guide rail

208 slot

300 main street

302 first main street position

304 second main street position

306 third main street position

308 fourth main street position

310 main lane center position

312 Nebengasse first sidestring position

second minor street position

Side alleys center position

change lane

first main street mark

second main street mark

third main street mark

fourth main street mark

first middle position mark

first secondary road markings

second secondary lane marking

second middle position mark

third marker strip

distance lines

registration office

detector

light source

beam of light

LED lens

sensor lens

sensor

motion signal

evaluation

Mini camera

Method for determining a selector lever position

Passing the marking element

Providing the motion signal

Evaluation of the motion signal

Claims

claims

1 . Switching device (100) for a vehicle transmission, wherein the switching device (100) has the following features:

a selector lever (1 12) for selecting a gear position of the vehicle transmission, wherein the selector lever (1 12) along at least a first shift gate (300) and a second shift gate (312) is movable;

a marking element (1 1 6) mechanically coupled to the selector lever (1 12) and comprising at least one first marker strip (128) associated with the first selector gate (300) and a second marker strip (130) associated with the second selector gate (312);

guide means (1 18) adapted to guide the marker (16) along the first marker strip (128) past a detection location (424) as the selector lever (12) is moved along the first shift gate (300), and to pass along the second marker strip (130) at the detection location (424) when the selector lever (1 12) is moved along the second shift gate (312); and

detection means (500) disposed at the detection location (424) and configured to detect a movement signal (512) representative of movement of the first marker strip (128) or the second marker strip (130) relative to the capture point (424) to determine a position of the selector lever (1 12) in the first shift gate (300) or the second shift gate (312) provide.

2. Switching device (100) according to claim 1, characterized by an evaluation device (514) which is designed to determine a speed of movement of the first marking strip (128) or the second marking strip (130) using the movement signal (512), using the speed to determine a path traveled on the first marker strip (128) or the second marker strip (130), and using the path, determine the position of the selector lever (1 12) in the first shift gate (300) or the second shift gate (312) to investigate.

3. Switching device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first marking strip (128) has a plurality of different markings (402, 404, 406, 408, 410) for marking predetermined positions (302, 304, 306, 308, 310) of the selector lever (1 12) in the first shift gate (300) and / or the second marker strip (130) a plurality of different markings (414, 416, 418) for marking predetermined positions (314, 31 6, 318) of the selector lever ( 1 12) in the second shift gate (312), wherein the detection means (500) is adapted to move the movement signal (512) using the markers (402, 404, 406, 408, 410) on the first marker strip (128) and / or the markers (414, 416, 418) on the second marker strip (130).

4. Switching device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first marking strip (128) has a plurality of differently long spacer lines (422) for marking a respective distance between the markings (402, 404, 406, 408, 410) on the first Marker strip (128) and / or the second marker strip (130) has a plurality of differently long spacer lines (422) for marking a respective distance between the markers (414, 41 6, 418) on the second marker strip (130), wherein the detection device ( 500) is configured to further provide the motion signal (512) using the spacing lines (422) on the first marker strip (128) and / or the spacer lines (422) on the second marker strip (130).

5. Switching device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first marking strip (128) has a first middle position marking (410) for marking a middle position (310) of the selector lever (1 1 2) in the first shift gate (300) and / or the second marker strip (130) has a second mid-position marker (418) for marking a mid-position (318) of the selector lever (1 12) in the second shift gate (312), wherein a respective length of the spacer lines (422) on the first marker strip (128) represents a respective distance of the spacer lines (422) to the first mid-position marker (410) and / or a respective length of the spacer lines (422) on the second marker strip (130) represents a respective distance of the spacer lines (422) to the second mid-position marker (418).

6. Switching device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the selector lever (1 12) along a changing lane (320) for changing between the first shift gate (300) and the second shift gate (312) is movably arranged, wherein the Marking element (1 16) has a third marking strip (420) associated with the changing gate (320), wherein the guiding device (1 18) is designed to move the marking element (1 1 6) along the third marking strip (420) at the detection point (424). when the selector lever (12) is moved along the changing track (320), and wherein the detecting means (500) is adapted to detect the movement signal (512) representing movement of the third marking strip (420) relative to the detection point (424) Determining a position of the selector lever (1 12) in the exchange gate (320) provide.

7. Switching device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the third marking strip (420) is aligned substantially perpendicular to the first marking strip (128) and / or to the second marking strip (130).

8. Switching device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a housing bottom part (102), a in the housing bottom part (102) arranged housing insert (104) and a crosspiece (106) which is pivotally mounted in the housing insert (104), to move the selector lever (1 12) between the first shift gate (300) and the second shift gate (312), wherein the selector lever (1 12) is pivotally mounted in the crosspiece (106) to move along the first shift gate (300) and or the second shift gate (312) to be moved, and wherein the crosspiece (106) is mechanically coupled to the guide means (1 18) to move the selector lever (1 1 2) between the first shift gate (300) and the second Shift gate (312) to change a position of the guide means (1 18) relative to the detection point (424).

9. Switching device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a main extension plane of the marking element (1 16) is arranged substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (121) of the selector lever (1 12).

A method (600) for determining a selector lever position in a vehicle transmission shift device (100), wherein the shift device (100) includes a selector lever (12) for selecting a gear position of the vehicle transmission, a marker mechanically coupled to the selector lever (12) (1 1 6), a guide means (1 18) and arranged at a detection point (424) detecting means (500), wherein the selector lever (1 12) along at least a first shift gate (300) and a second shift gate (312) movable and the marking element (1 1 6) has at least one first marking strip (128) associated with the first switching gate (300) and a second marking strip (130) assigned to the second switching gate (312), the method (600) comprising the following steps:

Passing (602) of the marking element (1 1 6) at the detection point (424) by means of the guide device (1 18), wherein the marking element (1 1 6) along the first marking strip (128) is passed when the selector lever (1 12) is moved along the first shift gate (300), and is passed along the second marker strip (130) when the selector lever (1 12) along the second shift gate (312) is moved; and

Providing (604), by means of the detection means (500), a movement signal (512) representing movement of the first marker strip (128) or the second marker strip (130) relative to the capture point (424) to a position of the selector lever (1 12) in the first one Shift gate (300) and / or the second shift gate (312) to determine.

1 1. Use of a computer mouse sensor as detection device (500) in a switching device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9.