EP3387389A1

EP3387389A1 - Position detection device for a gear lever and gear selection device

Info

Publication number: EP3387389A1
Application number: EP16791599.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alexander KIRILENKO; Joachim Spratte
Original assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Current assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Priority date: 2015-12-10
Filing date: 2016-11-08
Publication date: 2018-10-17
Also published as: US20180364072A1; DE102015224906A1; CN108369114A; WO2017097518A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a position detection device (102) for a gear lever (100) of a vehicle, wherein the position detecting device (102) has a lighting range composed of a light source, a light conductor (106) and a light sensor, wherein the lighting range is designed to conduct light from the light source to the light sensor as a function of a position of the gear lever (100).

Description

Position sensing device for a shift lever and throttle selector

The present invention relates to a position detecting device for a shift lever for a vehicle and to a gear selector.

In a shift lever for a vehicle, position detection may be performed by using Hall sensors that detect a magnetic field of a permanent magnet of the shift lever.

Against this background, the present invention provides an improved position sensing device for a shift lever and an improved gear selection device for a vehicle according to the main claims. Advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description below.

There is provided a position detecting device for a shift lever of a vehicle, the position detecting device comprising a light path consisting of a light source, a light guide and a light sensor, the light path being adapted to light from the light source depending on a position of the shift lever to the light sensor to lead.

Under a shift lever, a selector lever for selecting a gear ratio of a vehicle transmission can be understood. A light source may be, for example, a light emitting diode. A light sensor may for example be a phototransistor. An optical fiber may be substantially transparent. Incorporated light can be conducted in the light guide by total reflection within the light guide. Through a frosted surface, light can be coupled out of the light guide. The light path may have an optical change by a change in position of the shift lever.

In the approach presented here, light, in particular infrared light, is used to detect the position of the shift lever. The light can have large fluctuations in intensity in a narrow space, whereby a sharp demarcation between individual positions can be achieved. An optical position detection can be carried out advantageously contactless. Light-based position sensing offers advantages over Hall sensors, which map a strength of a magnetic field in an electrical signal. Since the magnetic field is dependent on a distance to the permanent magnet, the signal has a gradual course. In order to detect a position, therefore, a limit value discrimination is performed. This is not necessary in the light-based position detection.

The light guide may be arranged relatively movable to the light source and the light sensor. In this way, the optical fiber can be made to move relative to the light source and the light sensor in response to movement of the shift lever. Generally speaking, at least one of the elements of the light path can be arranged to be movable relative to the other two elements of the light path. At least one of the elements of the light path may be coupled to the shift lever, so that the relative movement takes place during a movement of the shift lever.

The position detection device may comprise at least one further light path from a light source, the light guide and a light sensor, wherein the further light path is adapted to direct light from the light source depending on the position of the shift lever to the light sensor. The electrical signals of the light plugs can clearly each have a position assignable signal pattern. By a second light path can be made an unambiguous assignment of the position.

The further light path may comprise the same light source or the same light sensor as the light path. By multiple use, system complexity of the position detecting device can be reduced.

The light guide can be arranged between the light source and the light sensor. The light guide may be mechanically coupled to the shift lever. As a result, electrical components of the position detection device are fixed to the housing. Flexible electrical connections can be omitted. In the region of the light path, the light guide can have a first transmission region with a first transmission characteristic and at least a second transmission region with a second transmission characteristic. In a first position of the shift lever, the first transmission range between the light source and the light sensor may be arranged. In a second position of the shift lever, the second transmission range between the light source and the light sensor can be arranged. By different optical properties, for example, in the first position light with a high intensity on the

Light sensor fall, while in the second position with a low intensity falls on the light sensor. This makes a clear distinction between the positions possible.

In the region of the light path, the light guide can have a third transmission region with the first transmission characteristic and a fourth transmission region with the second transmission characteristic. In a third position of the shift lever, the third transmission range between the light source and the light sensor may be arranged. In a fourth position of the shift lever, the fourth transmission range between the light source and the light sensor may be arranged. Through multiple transmission ranges many signal patterns can be distinguished.

The first transmission region, the second transmission region, the third transmission region and the fourth transmission region may be arranged in a quadrangular shape. By a square shape, two axes of movement of the shift lever can be detected.

The light guide can have at least one further transmission region with a further transmission property in the region of the light path. In a further position of the shift lever, the further transmission range between the light source and the light sensor can be arranged. The further transmission region can be arranged between the first transmission region and the second transmission region. By three different optical properties, at least three positions can be reliably detected per light path. The transmission regions can be arranged in the form of a matrix on the light guide. Through a matrix form in rows and columns, a variety of positions can be detected.

A device may be an electrical device that processes electrical signals, such as sensor signals, and outputs control signals in response thereto. The device may have one or more suitable interfaces, which may be formed in hardware and / or software. For example, in a hardware configuration, the interfaces may be part of an integrated circuit in which functions of the device are implemented. The interfaces may also be their own integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components. In a software training, the interfaces may be software modules that are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.

A gear selector device for a vehicle has, according to one embodiment, a shift lever and a said position detection device coupled to the shift lever. By using the position detecting device, a position of the shift lever can be detected.

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

1 is an illustration of a selector lever with a position detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 shows an illustration of a light conductor mechanically coupled to a selector lever according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

3 is an illustration of an electrical circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is an illustration of a position detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 5 shows a matrix representation of various detectable positions 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 an illustration of a selector lever 100 with a position detection device 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The selector lever 100 is part of a gear selector 104 for a vehicle. The selector lever 100 is movably mounted in the gear selector 104 via a ball joint in two axes. The position detection device 102 is a component of the gear selection device 104. The position detection device 102 is designed to map the movement of the selection lever 100 in an electrical signal. For this purpose, the position detection device 102 has a light path which leads from a light source through a light guide 106 to a light sensor. The light source and the light sensor are designed to be movable relative to the light guide 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the light guide 106 is movably mounted in the two axes in a housing 108 of the gear selector 104. The optical fiber 106 is mechanically coupled to the selector lever 100 so that the movement of the selector lever 100 is transmitted to the optical fiber 106. The light source and the light sensor are part of an electrical circuit 1 10, which is connected to the housing 108 of the gear selector 104.

The light guide 106 is here designed as a transparent, plate-shaped component made of a plastic, for example of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which has a breakthrough 1 12 as a receptacle for the selector lever 100. The optical waveguide 106 has an optical coding which is designed to guide light from the light source to the light sensor as a function of a relative position of the optical waveguide 106 to the electrical circuit 110. In other words, the optical fiber 106 has a position-dependent transmission characteristic. The light sensor thereby receives a position-dependent light intensity. The light intensity is detected and thus reflects the position of the light guide 106 and of the selector lever 100 coupled to the light guide 106.

2 shows an illustration of a light conductor 106 mechanically coupled to a selector lever 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The selector lever 100 and the light guide 106 essentially correspond to the components shown in FIG. In contrast to Fig. 1, the electrical circuit is not shown here, so as not to obscure the light guide 106. The light guide 106 has on a surface areas 200, 202, 204, which have different transmission properties. For example, the regions 200, 202, 204 have a different light transmission, a different refractive index and / or a different structure. Depending on the position of the light guide 106, the regions 200, 202, 204 are arranged in the light path.

In the first region 200 of the light guide 106 is polished bare. In the second region 202, the light guide 106 has a cutout or an opening. In the third region 204, the optical waveguide 106 has a roughened surface or an erosion structure.

In one embodiment, the regions 200, 202, 204 are arranged in two groups 206, 208. The first group 206 is assigned to a first light path. The second group 208 is associated with a second light path. The regions 200, 202, 204 are arranged differently in the groups 206, 208. This results in the first light path and the second light path at the same position of the light guide 106, a different transmission of light through the light guide 106th

3 shows an illustration of an electrical circuit 110 of a position detection device 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electrical circuit 1 10 essentially corresponds to the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 1. The electrical circuit 1 10 here has a first Light source 300, a second light source 302 and a light sensor 304 on. In this case, the first light source 300 and the light sensor 304 are associated with a first light path 306. The second light source 302 and the light sensor 304 are assigned to a second light path 308. The light paths 306, 308 thus have different light sources 300, 302 and a common light sensor 304. Here, the light sources 300, 302 are implemented as infrared LEDs.

In one embodiment, the electrical circuit 110 includes a first light source 300, a first light sensor, a second light source 302, and a second light sensor. In this case, the first light source and the first light sensor are associated with the first light path 306. The second light source 302 and the second

Light sensor are associated with the second light path 308.

The electrical circuit 110 has a multi-pole interface 310. The interface 310 has a plurality of pins via which electrical signals are provided for further processing.

An exemplary embodiment of an optoelectronic switching position detection by means of infrared is presented below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

In current circuit systems, the inserted switching positions, such as P, R, N, D are detected with a permanent magnet and a plurality of Hall sensors as magnetic position sensors.

Since the Hall sensors are highly susceptible to tolerances or have a narrow tolerance field, problems can occur with larger tolerance chains to detect a clearly precise switching position. In addition, only a low resolution can be achieved due to soft magnetic transitions.

According to an embodiment presented here, a detection of the individual switching positions by means of infrared light takes place. This offers the advantages over visible light that sensor 304 is less susceptible to stray light that could enter circuit 108 from the outside. For sensing different switching positions, two infrared emitting diodes (IRED) 300, 302 and an infrared (IR) sensor 304 are used. The diodes 300, 302 are operated differently pulsed, so that the sensor 304 receives two different signals. The diodes 300, 302 and the sensor 304 can be positioned on the printed circuit board 110 as shown in FIG.

By means of a light guide 106, the signals of the diodes 300, 302 are conducted to the sensor 304. Areas 200, 202, 204 can be applied to this light guide 106, as a result of which the infrared light is reflected to the sensor 304 in a wide variety of ways. By way of example, the light guide 106 has three different reflection geometries 200, 202, 204 for reflecting the light. For example, the light guide has a polished (glossy) surface 200. For example, an erosion structure may be applied to certain regions 204 and, if appropriate, openings 202 may be integrated as a supplement. Depending on the arrangement of these reflection geometries 200, 202, 204 to the diodes 300, 302, 2 ^Λ 3 different signals can be detected, which can then be assigned to specific circuit positions.

For six switching positions, some variants for the positioning of the reflection geometries 200, 202, 204 are listed by way of example. The arrangement of these reflection geometries 200, 202, 204 can be varied. Other deviating reflection geometries 200, 202, 204 may also be attached to the light guide 106.

Alternatively or additionally, for example, intentional air inclusions or laser effects can be integrated directly into the light guide volume as reflection geometries 200, 202, 204 in the light guide 106. This allows the light to be controlled in a more targeted manner or completely blocked in certain areas.

According to one embodiment, prisms or optically active elements are formed on the light guide 106, which can also control the light in a targeted manner. This can save costs, as different contours can be realized directly in a tool.

4 is an illustration of a position detection apparatus 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The position detection device 102 substantially corresponds to the position detection device shown in FIG. In contrast to the optical waveguide illustrated in FIG. 2, the optical waveguide 106 here has five regions 200, 202, 204, 400, 402 with different transmission properties. The areas 200, 202, 204 with the bare surface, the recess and the finely roughened surface essentially correspond to the areas in FIG. 2. In the area 400, the surface is roughly structured by an erosion structure. In the area 402 polished to high gloss or mirrored. The areas 200, 202, 204, 400, 402 are grouped like a matrix. The various regions 200, 202, 204, 400, 402 can be present multiple times in a row and / or column.

The electrical circuit 1 10 has here, in contrast to FIG. 3, a first

Light sensor 404, a second light sensor 406 and a common light source 408 on. In this case, the light source 408 and the first light sensor 404 are assigned to the first light path. The light source 408 and the second light sensor 406 are associated with the second light path.

The light guide 106 is here parallel spaced from a printed circuit board of the electrical circuit 1 10 arranged. The light sensors 404, 406 are arranged so that a characteristic light pattern results per relative position of the light guide 106 to the electrical circuit 110. The received light image is evaluated in the electrical circuit 110 and compared with stored light images. Through the comparison, the received light image is assigned to the relative position and the relative position is mapped in a position signal.

In order to generate more signals, different erosion structures can also be applied. The difference between finer and slightly rougher erosion The structure, based on the reflection of the light, results in a modification of the received signal.

In one embodiment, a diode 408 and, for example, two or more diodes 404, 406 or transistors 404, 406 may be employed as receivers. With the diode 408, the light is permanently coupled into the light guide 106 and coupled as before at certain areas 200, 202, 204, 400, 402 by Erodierstrukturen and / or recesses on the receivers 404, 406 to detect different switching positions can. Due to two receivers 404, 406 can be dispensed with differently pulsed diodes 408, which makes the structure easier.

5 shows a matrix representation of various detectable positions according to an embodiment of the present invention. The various positions are shown with reference to the position detection device 102 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The position detection device 102 is configured to resolve six different positions of the selector lever. In this case, the first light source 300 is assigned to the first group 206. The second light source 302 is assigned to the second group 208.

In a first position of the selector lever, the selector lever is in a basic position. The selector lever is deflected neither in the first axis nor in the second axis. Thus, the optical fiber mechanically coupled to the selector lever is also deflected neither in the first axis nor in the second axis. In the first position, a roughened area of the first group 206 is arranged in front of the first light source 300. In front of the second light source 302, a section of the second group 208 is arranged.

In a second position, the selector lever is deflected in the first axis in one direction and not deflected in the second axis. In this case, a blank area of the first group 206 and a region of the second group 208 roughened in front of the second light source 302 are arranged in front of the first light source 300. In a third position, the selector lever is deflected in the opposite direction in the first axis and not deflected in the second axis. In this case, in front of the first light source 300, the roughened region of the first group 206 and in front of the second light source 302 a bare region of the second group 208 is arranged.

In a fourth position, the selector lever is not deflected in the first axis and laterally deflected in the second axis. In this case, a blank area of the first group 206 is arranged in front of the first light source 300 and the section of the second group 208 in front of the second light source 302.

In a fifth position, the selector lever is deflected in the first axis in the direction and laterally deflected in the second axis. In this case, a cutout of the first group 206 is arranged in front of the first light source 300 and a blank region of the second group 208 in front of the second light source 302.

In a sixth position, the selector lever is deflected in the opposite direction in the first axis and laterally deflected in the second axis. In each case, a roughened region is arranged in front of the first light source 300 and the second light source 302.

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 shifter

102 position detection device

104 gear selector device

106 light guide

108 housing

1 10 electrical circuit

1 12 breakthrough

200 first area

202 second area

204 third area

206 first group

208 second group

300 first light source

302 second light source

304 light sensor

306 first light path

308 second light path

310 interface

400 fourth area

402 fifth area

404 first light sensor

406 second light sensor

408 light source

Claims

claims

A position detecting device (102) for a shift lever (100) for a vehicle, said position detecting device (102) comprising a light path (306) consisting of a light source (300), a light guide (106) and a light sensor (304), wherein the light path (306) is configured to direct light from the light source (300) to the light sensor (304) depending on a position of the shift lever (100).

A position detecting device (102) according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber (106) is disposed relatively movably with the light source (300) and the light sensor (304).

3. position detection device (102) according to one of the preceding claims, with at least one further light path (308) from a light source (302), the light guide (106) and a light sensor (304), wherein the further light path (308) is adapted to To direct light from the light source (302) to the light sensor (304) depending on the position of the shift lever (100).

4. Position detecting device (102) according to claim 3, wherein the further light path (308) comprises the same light source (408) or the same light sensor (304) as the light path (306).

A position sensing device (102) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light pipe (106) is disposed between the light source (300) and the light sensor (304) and is mechanically coupled to the shift lever (100).

6. Position detecting device (102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide (106) in the region of the light path (306, 308) has a first transmission region (200) with a first transmission characteristic and at least a second transmission region (202) with a second transmission characteristic wherein, in a first position of the shift lever (100), the first transmission region (200) between the light source (300) and the light sensor (304) is arranged and in a second position of the shift lever (100), the second transmission region (202) between the light source (300) and the light sensor (304) is arranged.

7. Position detecting device (102) according to claim 6, wherein the light guide (106) in the region of the light path (306, 308) has a third transmission region (204) with the first transmission characteristic and a fourth transmission region (400) with the second transmission characteristic in a third position of the shift lever (100), the third transmission region (204) is arranged between the light source (300) and the light sensor (304), and in a fourth position of the shift lever (100), the fourth transmission region (400) between the light source (300 ) and the light sensor (304) is arranged.

The position detecting device (102) according to claim 7, wherein said first transmission region (200), said second transmission region (202), said third transmission region (204) and said fourth transmission region (400) are arranged in a quadrangular shape.

9. position detection device (102) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide (106) in the region of the light path (306, 308) at least one further transmission region (402) having a further transmission property, wherein in a further position of the shift lever (100 ) the further transmission region (402) is arranged between the light source (300) and the light sensor (304).

10. Position detecting device (102) according to claim 9, wherein the further transmission region (402) between the first transmission region (200) and the second transmission region (202) is arranged.

11. Position detecting device (102) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the transmission regions (200, 202, 204, 400, 402) are arranged in the form of a matrix on the light guide (106).

12. A gear selector device (104) for a vehicle, wherein the gear selector device (104) has a shift lever (100) and a position detection device (102) coupled to the shift lever (100) according to one of the preceding claims.