JP2000318476A - Adjusting device for inclination angle of shift lever - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an adjusting device for the inclination angle of a shift lever capable of adjusting the inclinatinn angle of the shift lever using a simple configuration. SOLUTION: An adjusting device for the inclination angle of a shift lever is equipped with a cable 15 equipped with an outer cable 16 and an inner cable 17 inserted into the outer cable 16 and tying a transmission to a shift lever 12 and adjusting mechanisms 21 and 22 capable of adjusting the inclination angle 8 of the shift lever 12 by moving the end 15a on the lever 12 side of the cable 15 while the relative positioning of the outer cable 16 and inner cable 17 with each other is held unchanged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmission operation lever inclination angle adjusting device in which a transmission and a transmission operation lever are applied to a cable-type transmission operation unit in which a transmission cable (wire cable) is connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a gear change unit whose installation position can be adjusted has been developed in order to improve the getting on / off and operability of a driver. For example, 7-8
Japanese Patent No. 5973 discloses an electric contact type gear change unit capable of adjusting the position of a gear change lever.

The gear change unit includes a fixed support having a lower end fixed to an instrument panel cover or a floor panel, a movable support which is telescopically slidably fitted to an upper end of the fixed support, and a gear change lever. An electric contact type gear change box attached to the upper end of the movable column and a lock mechanism capable of fixing the movable column to a plurality of predetermined positions of the fixed column.

[0004] In this technique, a driver moves a movable support,
By fixing the fixed support at an arbitrary position, the position of the gear change lever (gear change box) can be adjusted so that the driver can easily operate the gear. When a driver gets on and off from the gear change unit side like a large bus, the gear change box (movable support)
By pulling the vehicle toward the fixed column, the driver can get on and off the vehicle without being disturbed by the gear change unit.

[0005]

However, in recent years,
There is a demand from the driver to adjust the tilt angle of the gear change lever according to the position of the driver's seat, the physique of the driver, the steering tilt angle, the preference, etc. However, in the above-described technology, the gear change lever is movable. Because of the structure of telescopic sliding on the fixed support via the support, only linear position adjustment can be performed, and such adjustment of the tilt angle of the gear change lever cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised in response to such a demand, and is directed to a transmission operation lever inclination angle adjusting device capable of adjusting the inclination angle of a transmission operation lever (gear change lever) with a simple configuration. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmission operating lever inclination angle adjusting device, wherein an adjusting mechanism includes an outer cable and an inner cable inserted into the outer cable, and a transmission and a shifting operating lever. The inclination angle of the gearshift operating lever is adjusted by moving the end on the gearshift operating lever side of the cable that connects the cable and the outer cable while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the outer cable and the inner cable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the transmission operation lever inclination angle adjusting device according to the first aspect, wherein the operation portion of the adjustment mechanism connected to the other of the rack and the pinion is operated by operating the operation portion. By moving one of the rack and the pinion coupled with the outer cable together with the outer cable, the inclination angle of the shift operation lever is adjusted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the actuator provided in the adjusting mechanism comprises at least one of a driver's seat position and a steering position. The pinion that meshes with the rack is driven based on the information from the control unit, and the inclination angle of the shift operation lever is adjusted.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows a shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. The shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device (hereinafter, also referred to as a lever inclination angle adjustment device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention operates the inclination angle θ of the change lever (shift operation lever) 12 shown in FIG. It is a device to adjust to an easy angle.

Here, a change lever assembly (hereinafter, also abbreviated as change lever assembly) 10 is installed on an instrument panel (hereinafter, also abbreviated as instrument panel) 1 or floor 4, as shown in FIG. FIG.
Is connected to a transmission-side transmission member (not shown) by a cable for cable 15 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a steering mechanism, and reference numeral 3 denotes a driver's seat (hereinafter, also referred to as a driver's seat or a seat). In addition, as shown in FIG.
6 and an inner cable 17 inserted into the outer cable 16. 1 and 2
In the figure, a portion corresponding to the change lever assembly 10 and a later-described change lever tilt angle adjusting device is provided with an ellipse of a chain line.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the change lever assembly 10 includes a change lever bracket 11 fixed to the instrument panel 1 and a change lever bracket 1
1 includes a change lever 12 attached via a change lever support pin (hereinafter simply referred to as a support pin) 11a so as to be tiltable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and a shift knob 12a attached to an upper end of the change lever 12. Have been. An arm 13 projects from a lower portion of the change lever 12, and a lower end 13 a of the arm 13 is connected to a transmission-side transmission member by an inner cable 17 of a cable for cable 15.

The tilt of the change lever 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction (shift direction) and the vehicle lateral direction (select direction) is transmitted to the transmission via the inner cable 17 of the cable for cable 15. In the cable 15, the outer cable 16 functions as a guide for defining the shape of the inner cable 17. When the change lever 12 is operated, this operation force is input to the inner cable 17, and the inner cable 17 is connected to the outer cable 16. The main part of the transmission can be driven by moving in the outer cable 16 while being guided by the transmission.

The shift operation lever tilt angle adjusting device according to the present embodiment adjusts the position of the end 15a of the search cable 15 on the side of the change lever 12 by an adjusting mechanism including a pair of racks 21 and pinions 22. Thus, the change lever 12 can be tilted around the support pin 11a without affecting the transmission, so that the driver can adjust the tilt angle θ of the change lever 12 to an angle that is easy to operate. It can be adjusted.

Here, the lever tilt angle adjusting device will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the lever tilt angle adjusting device includes a pair of racks 21 and a pinion 22 that mesh with each other. In this embodiment, the rack 21 is provided substantially vertically, and when the pinion 22 rotates, it moves vertically in the figure.

Change lever 12 of outer cable 16
An outer cable bracket 23 is attached to the vicinity of the side end 16a via a support fitting 24, and the rack 21 is integrally attached to the outer cable bracket 23. On the other hand, the pinion 22 is rotatably supported on the vehicle body side and is connected to a tilt angle adjustment knob (operation unit) 22a. The tilt angle adjusting knob 22a is disposed near the driver's seat 3 as shown in FIG.

Therefore, when the driver manually operates the tilt angle adjusting knob 22a, the pinion 22 rotates and the rack 21 moves, whereby the outer cable attached to the rack 21 via the outer cable bracket 23 is moved. The end 16a of the 16 moves. At this time, the inner cable 17 inserted into the outer cable 16 moves together with the outer cable 16 along the outer cable 16 (that is, the outer cable 16 and the inner cable 17 maintain a relative positional relationship. The inner cable 1)
The change lever 12 connected to one end of the switch 7 via an arm 13 can be inclined in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body around the support pin 11a.

Thus, for example, as shown in FIG.
When the change lever 12 is in the neutral state, the change lever 12 can be tilted forward around the support pin 11a or forward (driver side) so that the driver can easily operate. ing. That is, for example, the standard position (B0 in FIG. 3)
(In a neutral state where the inclination angle θ is approximately 90 degrees), the driver manually operates the inclination angle adjustment knob 22a shown in FIG. 1 to rotate the pinion 22 in one direction to move the rack 21. And the rack 21 and the outer cable bracket 23 together with one end 16a of the outer cable 16 on the side of the change lever 12 support pin 1
1a (in FIG. 1, the direction in which the outer cable bracket 23 is lowered).

At this time, as described above, the relative positional relationship between the outer cable 16 and the inner cable 17 is maintained. Therefore, the lower end 13a of the arm 13 connected to the one end 15a of the inner cable 17 is pulled, and accordingly, the change lever 12 is tilted about the support pin 11a and tilted by Δθ1 toward the driver. (The state indicated by B2 in FIG. 3).

On the other hand, in the neutral neutral position (the state indicated by B0 in FIG. 3), the tilt angle adjusting knob 22a
Is rotated in the other direction to bring the outer cable bracket 23 closer to the support pin 11a (in FIG. 1,
When the outer cable bracket 23 is raised), the change lever 12 is tilted about the support pin 11a in response to this, so that the change lever 12 is tilted forward by an angle Δθ2 (state indicated by B1 in FIG. 3). Has become.

The tilt angle of the change lever 12 set in this way is maintained regardless of the range (or gear position) of the change lever 12 set. In other words, for example, when the change lever 12 is adjusted to incline forward by the angle Δθ2, the standard state in which the inclination angle is not adjusted regardless of the range (or gear position) of the change lever 12 is set. The change lever 12 is inclined forward by the angle Δθ2 as compared with the case where the same range is set in (the state where the change lever 12 is in the position indicated by B0 in FIG. 3 in neutral).

In order to incline the change lever 12, one end 1 on the change lever 12 side of the cable 15
Although 5a is displaced, such a displacement does not affect the other end (transmission side) of the cable for cable 15 to change the transmission gear stage. The rigging cable 15 has a sufficient flexure between the outer cable bracket 23 and the transmission-side transmission member. When the end 15a of the rigging cable 15 on the side of the change lever 12 is displaced, the state of the flexure changes. While absorbing the displacement of one end 15a, the other end of the cable for cable 15 connected to the transmission-side transmission member is not displaced. Normally,
The other end of the outer cable 16 (transmission side)
Is fixed, and only one end of the outer cable 16 (the outer cable bracket 23 side) can be moved by using the bending. Further, when one end of the outer cable 16 moves, one end of the inner cable 17 also moves along with this, and the outer cable 16 and the inner cable 17 move while maintaining the relative positional relationship. .

The rack 21 and the pinion 22 include
A regulating unit (not shown) is provided, and the pinion 22 is not driven by an input from the rack 21 (that is, even if a force is applied to the rack 21, the rack 21 is restricted by the regulating unit and does not move). It has become. Therefore, for example, when the change lever 12 is switched from the neutral state to another range, the inner cable 17 connected to the lower end 13a of the arm 13 is moved together with the movement of the lower end 13a of the change lever 12 (arm 13). The outer cable 16 moves to move integrally with the inner cable 17. At this time, the outer cable 16 fixed to the rack 21 via the outer cable bracket 23 acts as a restricting means that works against this movement. Is prevented from moving by the movement restricting action. As such a movement restricting means, for example, a lock mechanism may be provided on the inclination angle adjusting knob 22a, and at the time of adjustment, the lock mechanism may be released to perform the adjustment.

That is, when the driver inclines the change lever 12 by a normal shift operation, the inner cable 17 moves together with the change lever 12, but the outer cable 16 fixed to the rack 21 is restricted by the above-described restricting means. The outer cable 16 functions as a fixed guide member, and the inner cable 17 passes through the outer cable 16.
In this way, the displacement of the one end 15a of the inner cable 17 on the side of the change lever 12 is transmitted to the other end of the transmission side, and a gear change is performed.

Since the shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, the rack 21 and the pinion can be connected to each other without changing the structure of the conventional change lever assembly. 22 and the simple structure of displacing the one end 15a on the change lever 12 side of the digging cable 15 using the
There is an advantage that the driving position according to the physique and preference of the driver can be obtained by adjusting the inclination angle θ of 2.

In the gearshift operating lever inclination angle adjusting device of this embodiment, the cable 15 is arranged vertically, but may be arranged horizontally as shown in FIG. In this case, the rack 21 and the pinion 22 are arranged so that the moving direction of the rack 21 is horizontal as shown in the drawing in order to change the position of the end 15a of the cable 15 placed horizontally. Whether the cable for cable movement 15 is placed vertically or horizontally may be selected as appropriate according to the situation in the vehicle interior.

As shown in FIG. 5, an actuator (for example, a motor such as a stepping motor) 35 may be provided in place of the inclination angle adjusting knob 22a, and the pinion 22 may be driven to rotate by this actuator 35. . In this case, the driver adjusts the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 by operating a switch (not shown) provided near the driver's seat 3 to control the operation, non-operation and rotation direction of the actuator 35. be able to.

Next, a shift operation lever tilt angle adjusting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following, the same members as those described in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The lever tilt angle adjusting device of the present embodiment is different from the lever tilt angle adjusting device of the first embodiment in that the tilt angle θ of the change lever 12 is adjusted according to the driving position such as the driver's seat position, steering position and angle. Is configured to be performed automatically.

That is, in the lever inclination angle adjusting device of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an actuator (for example, a motor such as a stepping motor) 35 that rotationally drives the pinion 22 is attached to the pinion 22. As described later, by controlling the actuator 35 according to the driving position, the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 is automatically adjusted. The actuator 35 is mounted on the vehicle body.

The outer cable bracket 23 is provided with a lever sensor 43 for detecting the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12. The adjustment of the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 by the actuator 35 is output from the lever sensor 43. Feedback control is performed based on the detected signal. The lever sensor 4
Numeral 3 detects or calculates the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 based on the position information of the outer cable bracket 23.

FIG. 6 shows the rack 21 and the pinion 2
2 and the main part around the actuator 35, only the transmission mechanism for inclining the change lever 12 and the pinion 22 and the structure of the change lever assembly 10 are the same as those of the first embodiment. The description is omitted because of the configuration (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 7, the steering mechanism 2 provided with the present lever inclination angle adjusting device is configured to be capable of tilt operation and telescopic operation (also referred to as telescopic operation).

That is, the steering mechanism 2 comprises an upper steering shaft 2b which can be adjusted in angle with respect to the vehicle.
And a lower steering shaft 2c having a fixed mounting angle with respect to the vehicle, and a joint 2d for connecting the two steering shafts 2b, 2c. By adjusting the inclination of the upper steering shaft 2b, the steering is performed. The inclination of the wheel (steering) 2a can be adjusted to an arbitrary inclination according to the driver's preference (tilt operation).

A shaft 2e having a spline is provided in the upper steering shaft 2b. The shaft 2e is configured to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the upper steering shaft 2b, and is also configured to be able to be fixed at an arbitrary advance and retreat position. By adjusting the advance and retreat position of the shaft 2e, the position of the steering wheel 2a can be adjusted by the driver. It can be adjusted to any position according to the user's preference (telescopic operation).

Further, the steering mechanism 2 is further provided with a tilt sensor 41 for detecting a tilt angle and a telescopic sensor 42 for detecting a telescopic amount, and in accordance with a detection signal output from these sensors 41 and 42. Thus, the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 is automatically adjusted. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the lever inclination angle adjusting device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the actuator 35 described above is connected to the controller 40,
The operation is controlled based on a control signal from the controller 40.

The vehicle is provided with various sensors 41 to 56 including the sensors 41 and 42 described above. These sensors 41 to 56 are all connected to the controller 40.
A control signal for the actuator 35 is set based on the detection information from each of the sensors 41 to 56.

With such a configuration, the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 can be adjusted according to the driving position such as the driver's seat position, steering position, and angle. Next, referring to FIG.
The control system of No. 5 will be described. The steering mechanism 2 includes a tilt sensor 4 for detecting a tilt angle as described above.
1 and a telescopic sensor 42 for detecting a telescopic amount
Is provided. Further, as described above, the outer cable bracket 23 has the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12.
Is provided.

Further, the driver's seat (driver's seat) 3
2 (see FIG. 2), a slide sensor 45, a reclining sensor 46, and a height sensor 47 capable of detecting a sliding position, a reclining angle, and a seat height of the seat 3, respectively, are provided. Further, a standard switch 48, a memory switch 49, a cancel switch 50, a stop switch 51, a position switch 52, and a manual switch 53 are provided near the driver's seat. The functions of these switches 48 to 53 will be described later.

On the vehicle side, there are provided an ignition switch 54 for detecting when the ignition is turned on, a vehicle speed sensor 55 for detecting the vehicle speed, and a door switch 56 for generating an on / off signal in conjunction with opening and closing of a driver's seat door. ing. Then, the above-described various sensors 41 to 56
A control signal for the actuator 35 is set by the controller 40 based on the information from the controller 35, and based on the control signal, the actuator 35 and the pinion 22 rotate by a predetermined amount so that the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 is adjusted. It has become.

In the second embodiment, the following plural modes are set for adjusting the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12. Hereinafter, each mode will be described. This is a mode in which the driver's intention is given the highest priority, in which the driver himself adjusts the setting of the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12. Here, the manual switch 53
Is operated, the actuator 35 operates until the stop switch 51 is operated regardless of the detection information from the sensors 41 to 47. That is, by operating the manual switch 53 by the driver, the change lever 12 can be independently adjusted to a desired inclination angle θ regardless of the seat position, the steering angle, and the like. Setting by Remote Control Key 57 The tilt angle θ of the change lever 12 is automatically adjusted by using the remote control key 57 for locking / unlocking the door. The door lock / unlock operation is recognized. When the door is locked by the remote control key 57, the controller 40 stores the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 immediately before the ignition is turned off.

Next, when the door is unlocked (unlocked) by the remote control key 57, the unlock by the remote control key 57 is recognized by the remote control key controller 58, and the previous change lever (immediately before the ignition is turned off) is changed. Twelve inclination angles θ are reproduced. Automatic setting to the standard position by the standard switch 48 The inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 is set to a standard angle set in the controller 40 in advance, and is interlocked with the seat position, the steering tilt angle and the telescopic operation amount. The inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 is automatically corrected from the standard position.

That is, when the standard switch 48 is operated, the change lever 12 is automatically adjusted to the most standard inclination angle θ according to the seat position and the steering angle and position. It has become so. Here, the tilt angle θ of the change lever 12 when the steering tilt angle, the telescopic operation amount, and the seat position are at a preset reference position are preset in the controller 40 (standard of the change lever 12). position). The controller 40 includes a tilt sensor 41, a telescopic sensor 42, a slide sensor 45, a reclining sensor 46, and a height sensor 47.
A map (not shown) or a calculation means for correcting the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 following the adjustment of the seat position and the steering mechanism with each piece of information as parameters is provided.

When the standard switch 48 is operated and the tilt angle of the steering, the telescopic operation amount, and the seat position are at the reference positions, the change lever 12 is set to the standard position as described above. . Further, when the steering operation is tilted or telescopically operated, or when the seat position is adjusted, the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 is automatically linked based on information from the sensors 41, 42, 45 to 47. It is supposed to be corrected. As a result, the change lever inclination angle θ reflects the driver's physique and preference.
Is set automatically.

In this manner, the change lever 1
Even if the driver adjusts the seat position or the steering mechanism after the inclination angle θ of 2 is set, each time,
The tilt angle θ of the change lever 12 is corrected in conjunction with these operations. For example, if the reclining angle of the seat 3 is manually adjusted after the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 is set by the operation of the standard switch 48 as described above, the controller 40 controls the steering and the seat position to adjust the driver's shoulder. The position, arm length, and the like are calculated (or estimated), and the change lever inclination angle θ suitable for the driver is set. Then, a control signal to the actuator 35 is set so as to obtain the change lever inclination angle θ, and the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 is automatically and interlocked and corrected. However, when the cancel switch 50 is operated, such an interlocking correction function is canceled. Setting by the memory switch 49 and the position switch 52 The memory switch 49 has a change lever inclination angle θ.
Is adjusted, and this state is stored. The position switch 52 is for reproducing the tilt angle θ stored by the memory switch 49.

When the memory switch 49 is operated when the ignition is turned on, the change lever inclination angle θ at this time is automatically stored in the controller 40. When the ignition switch is turned on again and the position switch 52 is operated thereafter, the change lever inclination angle θ stored by the memory switch 49 last time is automatically reproduced. Change lever inclination angle interlocking operation at the time of getting on and off In the lever inclination angle adjusting device of the second embodiment, the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 is set at the time of getting off the vehicle to improve the getting on and off from the passenger seat side. It is designed to tilt as far as possible without hindrance. In this case, when the controller 40 determines that the ignition is off and the key is removed based on the detection information from the ignition switch 54, an operation control signal is set to the actuator 35, and the change lever 12 is tilted to the maximum. It has become.

When the door is locked by the remote control key 57, similarly to the setting by the remote control key 57, the controller 40 stores the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 immediately before the ignition is turned off at this time. It has become. Next time, when the door is unlocked (unlocked) by the remote control key 57, the remote control key controller 58 recognizes the unlocking by the remote control key 57, and after the driver gets on the vehicle, this time (just before the ignition is turned off) (1) The inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 is reproduced.

In each mode except for the manual mode described above, the adjustment, storage and reproduction of the tilt angle θ of the change lever 12 are controlled such that the operation of the actuator 35 is controlled based on the detection information from the lever sensor 43. During adjustment or reproduction, the change lever 12 is controlled based on information from the lever sensor 43.
When it is detected that the inclination angle θ has reached a predetermined angle, the controller 40 outputs an operation stop signal to the actuator 35.

By the way, in each of the modes (1) to (4), a control priority is set. Here, the description will be made in the order of priority. 1. Operation by manual switch 53 2. Stop by the stop switch 51 3. Playback operation to the stored change lever inclination angle θ 4. Change lever tilt angle θ storage operation (only when the adjustment function is stopped) 5. Standard angle setting operation of change lever inclination angle θ 6. Corrective interlocking operation for steering and seat position Linked operation when getting on and off.

The following prohibition / stop conditions are provided for each of the above-mentioned modes of the adjustment of the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12, and one of the following conditions is set.
If at least one of the conditions is satisfied, the control is prohibited before the automatic adjustment of the inclination angle θ, and the control is stopped during the automatic adjustment. 1. 1. The vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed (for example, 3 km / h). 2. Manual switch 53 is on. 3. Failure is detected by fail-safe function. 4. During automatic adjustment, receive other change lever inclination angle adjustment control commands. The stop switch 51 is turned on. These conditions are mainly for safety considerations.
1. The control is prohibited (or stopped) based on the detection information from the vehicle speed sensor 55. Also, 2. If the manual switch 53 is turned on, it is determined that the driver intends to adjust the inclination angle θ of the change lever by himself / herself, and another automatic adjustment is prohibited (or stopped).

Also, 3. 3. When any failure is detected by a fail-safe function provided in the vehicle, automatic adjustment is prohibited or stopped in consideration of safety. When another control command is input to the controller 40 during the automatic adjustment, the automatic adjustment is stopped because an unpredictable operation may occur. Further, 5. Is to prohibit (or stop) the control on the assumption that the driver wants to stop the automatic adjustment.

Since the shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, the operation in each mode to will be described below. First, the operation during the manual operation will be briefly described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, the control starts when the ignition switch 54 is turned on. Then, step S82
If it is determined that the manual switch 53 has been operated, the actuator 35 is driven according to the operation of the manual switch 53 in step S83. If it is determined in step S82 that the manual switch 53 has not been operated, the process returns.

Thus, the adjustment of the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 is adjusted according to the driver's preference. Next, an example of the operation of automatically storing and reproducing the change lever inclination angle θ by the remote control key 57 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, control is started when unlocking (unlocking) of the door is detected. Then, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the unlocking is performed by the remote control key 57.
8 to determine. If it is determined by the remote control key 57, the process proceeds to step S3, where the reproduction operation to the change lever inclination angle θ when the door was previously locked by the remote control key 57 is performed, and then the process proceeds to step S4. If it is not unlocked by the remote control key 57, the process directly proceeds to step S4.

Then, the ignition switch 54 is turned on in step S4, the driver again adjusts the angle and position of the change lever 12 in step S5, and if the ignition is turned off in step S6, then the door lock operation is performed in step S7. Is determined. If the door lock operation has not been performed,
Proceeding to step S8, when the ignition switch 54 is turned on again, the process returns to step S5.

On the other hand, when the door lock operation is performed, the remote controller key controller 58 determines whether the door lock is performed by the remote controller key 57 or not. If it is determined by the remote control key 57, the process proceeds to step S9, and in step S10, the change lever tilt angle θ when the ignition is turned off (the change lever tilt angle θ in step S5) is stored corresponding to the keyless code of the remote control key 57. , Then return. If the door is locked by operating a normal key or a door lock knob, the process proceeds to step S11, and the change lever tilt angle θ
Returns without memorizing. Then, the next time the door is unlocked by the remote control key 57, the reproduction operation to the change lever inclination angle θ stored this time is performed.

Next, an example of the operation when the standard switch 48 automatically sets the change lever inclination angle θ will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the control starts when the ignition switch 54 is turned on. When the slide adjustment of the seat is performed in step S22, it is determined in step S23 whether the standard switch 48 has been operated. If the standard switch 48 has not been operated, the routine returns.

If it is determined in step S23 that the standard switch 48 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S23.
At 24, information from the tilt sensor 41, the telescopic sensor 42, the slide sensor 45, the reclining sensor 46, and the height sensor 47 is input to the controller 40.
Then, in step S25, each of the above sensors 41, 4
The target inclination angle of the change lever 12 is calculated based on the detection information from 2, 45 to 47. Next, step S
Proceeding to 26, the information from the lever sensor 43 is fetched, and the driving amount of the actuator 35 is calculated based on the information in step S27. Then, a control signal for driving the actuator 35 is output, and
In step S28, the actuator 35 is driven.

Thus, the change lever 12 is adjusted to the target inclination angle. Step S22 described above may be omitted. Step S22 is not limited to the seat slide adjustment, but may be a reclining adjustment of the seat or a telescopic operation of the steering,
The driving position may be adjusted by combining these.

Next, an example of an operation for correcting the interlocking of the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 when a seat reclining operation or the like is performed after the reproduction operation of the change lever inclination angle θ or after the automatic setting of the standard angle will be described. This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the control starts when the ignition switch 54 is turned on.
Then, when the cancel switch 50 is turned on in step S32, the process proceeds to step S33. Here, it is assumed that when the cancel switch 50 is on, the interlocking correction is permitted, and when the cancel switch 50 is off, the interlocking correction function is cancelled.

In step S33, it is determined whether the operation is a storage operation, a reproduction operation, or a standard setting. In other words, in this step S33, the tilt angle θ of the change lever 12 is kept stored, the stored tilt angle θ is reproduced, or the standard switch 48 is set to the standard tilt angle θ. It is determined whether the state has been performed. If at least one of the states is applicable, the process proceeds to step S34. If it is determined that the state is not any, the process returns.

If the process has proceeded to step S34, it is determined whether or not the reclining of the seat has been adjusted. If the reclining has been adjusted, the process proceeds to step S35, and if not, the process returns. In step S35, similarly to step S24 described above, the tilt sensor 4
1, information from the telescopic sensor 42, the slide sensor 45, the reclining sensor 46, and the height sensor 47 is input to the controller 40.

Then, in step S36, the target inclination angle of the change lever 12 is calculated based on the detection information from the sensors 41, 42, 45 to 47. Also,
In step S37, information from the lever sensor 43 is fetched, and then, in step S38, the driving amount of the actuator 35 is calculated based on the information. Then, a control signal for driving the actuator 35 is output, and the actuator 35 is driven in step S39.

Thus, the change lever 12 is adjusted in conjunction with the seat reclining operation or the like. Step S34 described above is not limited to the seat reclining adjustment, but may be a sliding adjustment of the seat, a telescopic operation of the steering, or a driving position adjustment in which these are combined.

Although not reflected in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, when the cancel switch 50 is turned on (that is, the interlock correction is permitted), if any one of the following conditions is satisfied, the change lever 12 is turned off. The interlocking correction operation of the inclination angle θ is stopped or canceled. 1. 1. When the ignition switch 54 is turned off. 2. When the adjustment range of the change lever inclination angle θ is out of the memorable range. 3. When the manual switch 53 is operated. Next, an example of the operation of storing and reproducing the change lever inclination angle θ by the memory switch 49 and the position switch 52 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. .

First, the storage operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13. Control starts when the ignition switch 54 is turned on. Then, it is determined in step S42 whether the manual switch 53 is off. If the manual switch 53 is on,
Since the setting by the manual switch 53 (manual mode) has the highest priority, the process returns through the route of NO.

If the manual switch 53 is off, the flow advances to step S43 to determine whether the memory switch 49 is on. If the memory switch 49 is on, the process proceeds to step S44. If the memory switch 49 is off, the process returns via the NO route. Then, in step S44, it is determined whether or not the position switch 52 is on. If the position switch 52 is on, the process proceeds to step S45,
If it is off, return.

Then, in step S45, the lever sensor 4
The driving amount of the actuator 35 is calculated in step S46. Then, a control signal for driving the actuator 35 is output. The reproduction operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 14. Control starts when the ignition switch 54 is turned on. Then, in step S52, it is determined whether the manual switch 53 is off. If the manual switch 53 is turned on, as described above, the manual mode has the highest priority, and therefore, the process returns through the NO route.

If the manual switch 53 is off,
Proceeding to step S53, it is determined whether the position switch 52 is on. If the position switch 52 is off, the process returns as it is. If the position switch 52 is on, the process proceeds to step S54 and the subsequent steps, and the tilt angle θ of the change lever 12 stored by the memory switch 49 is reproduced. That is, in this case, first, in step S54, a drive signal for driving the actuator 35 is read from the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 stored by the previous operation of the memory switch 49, and then in step S55, each actuator is read. 35 is driven by a predetermined phase. Then, by such an operation, the stored inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 is reproduced.

Next, an example of the change lever inclination angle interlocking operation at the time of getting on and off the vehicle will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15. First, when the unlocking (unlocking) of the door is detected, the control starts. . Then, in step S62, the remote controller key controller 58 determines whether or not the unlocking is performed by the remote controller key 57. If it is by remote control key 57, step S
63, the change lever inclination angle θ when the door was previously locked with the remote control key 57 after the driver got on the vehicle.
Is performed. If it is not unlocked by the remote control key 57, the process directly proceeds to step S64.

Then, in step S65, the driver's door is closed, and in step S66, the ignition switch 5 is turned on.
4 is turned on, the driving position such as the driver's seat position is adjusted in step S67, and then the ignition switch 54 is turned off in step S68,
When the key is removed in step S69, the change lever tilt angle θ is tilted to the maximum in a direction that does not hinder getting on and off in step S70. Step S67 may be omitted.

Thereafter, it is determined in step S71 whether or not the door lock operation has been performed. If the door lock operation has not been performed, the process returns to step S64, and thereafter, the routine of steps S64 to S71 is repeated. On the other hand, when the door lock operation is performed, the door lock is controlled by the remote control key controller 58.
7 is determined. If it is determined by the remote control key 57, steps S72 to S73
The change lever inclination angle θ at the time of ignition off is stored in correspondence with the keyless code of the remote control key 57. If the door is locked by operating a normal key or a door lock knob, the process proceeds to step S74.
The routine returns without storing the change lever inclination angle θ.

As described above in detail, according to the shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as the second embodiment of the present invention,
In addition to the advantages of the first embodiment, there is an advantage that the inclination angle θ of the change lever 12 can be automatically adjusted according to the position of the driver's seat, the physique of the driver, the steering position, the preference, and the like. The lever inclination angle adjusting device according to the second embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the tilt angle θ of the change lever 12 is controlled in conjunction with both the driver's seat position and the steering position, but is linked with one of the driver's seat position and the steering position. Alternatively, it may be controlled.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the rigging cable 15 is disposed vertically, but may be disposed horizontally. In this case, the rack 21 and the pinion 22 are disposed so that the moving direction of the rack 21 is horizontal as in the first embodiment, in order to change the position of the end 15a of the cable 15 placed horizontally. (See FIG. 4). Also,
The shift operation lever tilt angle adjusting device of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in each of the above embodiments, the pinion 22 is attached to the vehicle body, and the rack 21 is attached to the outer cable 16. However, the rack 21 is attached to the vehicle body, and the pinion 22 is attached to the outer cable 16. You may. In this case, for example, an actuator may be attached to the outer cable 16 and the pinion 22 may be attached to a drive shaft of the actuator. As a result, the pinion 22 is driven to rotate by the actuator, so that the pinion 22 moves on the rack 21 fixed to the vehicle body, and the outer cable 16 moves integrally with the pinion 22 (actuator). . In addition,
The pinion 22 may be manually rotated.

Further, instead of the rack 21 and the pinion 22, an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the lever inclination angle by a pair of screws and nuts may be formed. In this case, one of the screw and the nut may be attached to the vehicle body so as to be rotatable and restrict the movement in the axial direction, and the other of the screw and the nut may be fixed to the outer cable 16. Thus, one of the screw and the nut is rotated manually or by an actuator, and the outer cable 16 is moved together with the other of the screw and the nut.

A worm may be used instead of the pinion 22, and the rack 21 may be formed with teeth that mesh with the worm. In this case, for example, the outer cable 16 is moved together with the rack 21 by attaching the worm to the vehicle body so as to be rotatable and restricting the movement in the axial direction, and rotating the worm manually or by an actuator. .

In each embodiment, the change lever 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes a structure in which only the inclination angle of the vehicle body in the front-rear direction (shift direction) can be adjusted, but a structure in which only the inclination angle of the vehicle body in the width direction (selection direction) can be adjusted, or the front-rear direction and width of the vehicle body It is good also as a structure which can adjust the inclination angle of both directions. Further, the transmission to which the lever inclination angle adjusting device of the present invention is applied may be any of an automatic transmission and a manual transmission, as long as the transmission is a cable-type shift operation unit that connects the transmission and the shift operation lever with a cable. The mechanism of the transmission is not limited at all.

[0076]

As described above in detail, according to the shift operating lever inclination angle adjusting device according to the first aspect, the end of the cable for connecting the transmission and the shift operating lever on the shift operating lever side is adjusted by the adjusting mechanism. By moving the section while maintaining the relative positional relationship between the outer cable and the inner cable, the inclination angle of the speed change operation lever connected to the cable can be adjusted. Therefore, there is an advantage that the inclination angle of the shift operation lever can be adjusted with a simple configuration in which an adjusting mechanism is simply added to the conventional shift operation lever mounting structure. In addition, there is also an advantage that a driving position according to the physique and preference of the driver can be obtained.

According to the shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device of the second aspect, the operating portion connected to the other of the rack and the pinion of the adjusting mechanism is operated to switch one of the rack and the pinion connected to the outer cable. The tilt angle of the shift operation lever connected to the cable is adjusted by moving the shift operation lever together with the outer cable.
Therefore, the inclination angle of the shift operation lever can be adjusted with a simple configuration, and the driving position according to the physique and preference of the driver can be obtained, similarly to the shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device according to the first aspect. There are advantages.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the actuator attached to the adjusting mechanism drives the pinion based on information from at least one of the driver's seat position and the steering position. There is an advantage that the inclination angle of the shift operation lever can be automatically adjusted according to at least one of the driver's seat position and the steering position. Another advantage is that a driving position according to the physique and preference of the driver can be automatically obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a configuration of a shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a vehicle interior provided with a shift operation lever according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a shift of a shift operation lever to a neutral position by adjusting a shift operation lever inclination angle according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic side view showing a portion X2 in FIG. 2 ( However, only the change lever assembly is shown).

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a configuration of a modified example of the shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a main configuration of a modified example of the shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a main configuration of a shift operation lever adjusting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a steering mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram for explaining functions of a shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart for explaining the operation of a shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart for explaining the operation of a shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an example of a flowchart for explaining the operation of a shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an example of a flowchart for explaining an operation of the shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an example of a flowchart for explaining the operation of the shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an example of a flowchart for explaining the operation of the shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an example of a flowchart for explaining the operation of the shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device as the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 2 steering mechanism 2a steering wheel (steering) 3 driver's seat, driver's seat, seat 12 change lever (shift operation lever) 15 search cable 15a one end of search cable (end of search cable on shift operation lever side) 16 Outer cable 17 Inner cable 21 Rack (adjustment mechanism) 22 Pinion (adjustment mechanism) 22a Inclination angle adjustment knob (operation unit) 35 Actuator (motor) θ Inclination angle of speed change operation lever

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) G05G 7/10 G05G 7/10 A F-term (Reference) 3D036 AA03 GD01 GD05 GD09 GG15 GH05 GH16 3D040 AA02 AC07 AC24 AC29 AE05 AF07 AF26 3J067 AA01 AB01 AB06 BA01 BB07 BB20 CA21 CA24 DA07 DA08 DA12 DA42 DA52 DB32 FB66 3J070 AA03 BA26 CC04 CC23 CC45 DA01

Claims (3)

[Claims] An outer cable, an inner cable inserted into the outer cable, a cable for connecting a transmission and a shift operation lever, and an end of the cable for the shift operation lever on the outer side of the outer cable. A shift operating lever tilt angle adjustment, comprising: an adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the tilt angle of the shift operating lever by moving the cable while maintaining a relative positional relationship between the cable and the inner cable. apparatus. 2. The adjusting mechanism comprises an operating portion, a pair of racks and a pinion that mesh with each other, and one of the rack and the pinion is connected to the outer cable, and the rack and the pinion are connected to each other. The other is connected to the operation unit, and the operation of the operation unit causes the rack and the pinion to move together with the outer cable. The shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device according to claim 1. 3. The adjusting mechanism includes a pair of racks and pinions that mesh with each other, and an actuator that can drive the pinions, wherein the actuator is based on information from at least one of a driver's seat position and a steering position. 2. The shift operation lever inclination angle adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the shift operation lever is configured to drive the pinion.