JP2001105922A - Transmission operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transmission operating device requiring a compact operation knob. SOLUTION: A select button 16 consists of a knob button 18 arranged to be movable in an operation knob 14 to the cross direction of the operation knob 4, a spring 20 for energizing the knob button 18 to the direction of extending a portion thereof from one end of the operation knob 14 in the cross direction, and a sleeve 22 arranged to be movable up and down in the operation knob 14, having the lower end connected to one end of an operation member and associated with the knob button via a moving direction changing mechanism 26. The moving direction changing mechanism 26 changes the thrusting movement of the knob button 18 into the upward movement of the sleeve 22, and a space portion 30 is formed in the operation knob 14 to allow the upward movement of the sleeve 22.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operating device for a transmission of an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an operation device for a transmission of this type, for example, those shown in FIGS.
-109560 or TOYOTA TOWNACE LITEACE
NOAH van repair manual October 1996 ". In the operating device of the transmission shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, 90 is a pipe-shaped select lever rotatably supported by the vehicle body, 92 is an operation knob provided at the tip of the select lever 90, and 94 is an operation knob. This is a select button provided on the knob 92. In the operation knob 92, a horizontal hole 92a extending in the width direction and a vertical hole 92b extending in the vertical direction so as to be orthogonal to the horizontal hole 92a are formed.
The select button 94 is provided with a knob button 96 provided in the lateral hole 92a so as to be movable in the width direction of the operation knob 92, and a knob button 96 which is also provided in the lateral hole 92a.
Spring 98 that urges in the direction protruding from one end in the width direction of
And One end of a wire cable 100 is connected to the knob button 96, and the other end of the wire cable 100 is routed inside the select lever 90 from the horizontal hole 92a through the vertical hole 92b. And is connected to a detent mechanism for restricting the rotation of the select lever 90.

[0003]

However, in order to route the wire cable 100 from the horizontal hole 92a in the operation knob 92 to the vertical hole 92b orthogonal to the horizontal hole 92a, the cable must have a minimum bending radius R. Is required between the horizontal hole 92a and the vertical hole 92b, which results in a problem that the length of the operation knob becomes longer and the operation knob becomes larger. When the operation device of the transmission is mounted on the steering column, it is necessary to prevent the horizontally long operation knob from interfering with the monitor, audio, and switches provided on the instrument panel 102, and can be freely arranged. There is a problem that the degree is restricted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transmission operating device capable of reducing the size of an operating knob.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 comprises a pipe-shaped select lever rotatably supported by a vehicle body and an operation lever provided at a tip of the select lever. A knob, a select button provided on the operation knob, and a detent routed inside the select lever, one end of which is connected to the select button, and the other end of which is on the base end side of the select lever to restrict the rotation of the select lever. An operation member connected to a mechanism, the operation device for a transmission, comprising: a knob button, wherein the select button is disposed within the operation knob so as to be movable in a width direction of the operation knob;
An urging means for urging the knob button in a direction in which a part thereof protrudes from one end in the width direction of the operation knob, and one end of the operation member is connected to the lower end of the operation member so as to be vertically movable within the operation knob. And a sleeve cooperating with the knob button via a moving direction converting mechanism. The moving direction converting mechanism converts the movement in the pressing direction of the knob button into the upward movement of the sleeve, while the sleeve in the operation knob. A space is formed to allow upward movement of the space.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the knob button and the sleeve according to the first aspect are arranged so as to intersect with each other in the operation knob, and the moving direction changing mechanism includes:
The knob button is provided at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0007] The invention described in claim 3 is claim 1 or 2.
The operation knob according to the present invention includes a hard skeletal member that accommodates the knob button and the sleeve, and a soft grip that swells from at least the upper surface of the skeletal member, and the space penetrates the upper surface of the skeletal member. And extending into the grip portion.

[0008] The invention described in claim 4 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
The operation member according to any one of the above, is a flexible operation cable, and the select lever is formed to be curved.

[0009] The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
The movement direction conversion mechanism according to any one of the above, is a cam mechanism having a cam shape.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is necessary to bend the operation member with a small radius of curvature in order to convert the movement in the pressing direction of the knob button into the upward movement of the sleeve by the movement direction conversion mechanism. Therefore, the length of the operation knob in the width direction can be reduced. By this movement direction conversion mechanism, the knob button can be disposed so as to be movable in the width direction of the operation knob, so that one end of the knob button is not disposed on the upper surface of the operation knob, and one end of the knob button is disposed on the upper surface of the operation knob. Erroneous operation can be suppressed as compared with the case of disposing. Furthermore, a space is formed in the operation knob to allow the sleeve to move upward, so that when an occupant comes into contact with the operation knob at the time of an abnormality such as a collision, or when a large load such as luggage is loaded from the upper surface of the knob button. When this acts, this space can absorb the impact.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the knob button and the sleeve are arranged so as to intersect within the operation knob, so that the length of the operation knob in the width direction is provided. The dimensions can be smaller.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, the rigidity of the operation knob itself can be maintained by the skeletal member, while the soft grip portion swelling from the upper surface. When the occupant touches the operation knob at the time of an abnormality such as a collision, or when a large load such as luggage is applied from the upper surface of the knob button, the grip portion and the space portion are further deformed by the Shock can be reliably absorbed.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of any one of the first to third aspects, the operation member routed inside the select lever is an operation cable, and the select lever is curved. By doing so, the degree of freedom in installing the operation device of the transmission in the vehicle can be improved, and the transmission can be installed so as not to interfere with the surrounding monitors and switches.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, since the moving direction conversion mechanism is a cam mechanism, it has a simple and reliable configuration. The movement of the knob button in the pressing direction can be converted into the upward movement of the sleeve.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of a transmission operating device according to the present invention.

In the figure, an operating device for this transmission is mounted on a steering column 40, and a main body member 10 is mounted on the steering column 40 via a bracket 42, and a pipe-shaped select lever is mounted on the main body member 10. 12 are supported so as to be relatively rotatable. The select lever 12 has a pipe shape including a straight portion 12a penetrating the main body member 10 and a bent portion 12b bent substantially in an L shape from the straight portion 12a. Further, an operation knob 14 is provided.

A horizontal hole 14a and a vertical hole 14b are formed inside the operation knob 14, and these holes 14a, 14b are formed.
A select button 16 is provided in b. The select button 16 is located in the side hole 14a of the operation knob 14,
A knob button 18 movably arranged in the width direction of the operation knob 14;
A spring 20 (biasing means) for biasing the operating knob 14 in a direction protruding from one end in the width direction of the lateral hole 14a of the operation knob 14.
And a sleeve 22 disposed in the vertical hole 14b so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The sleeve 22 includes the knob button 18 and a moving direction changing mechanism 26 described below.
Has been linked through.

As shown in FIG. 4, the knob button 18 is formed with through holes 18a penetrating up and down, and two opposing side walls of the knob button 18 are provided with cam shapes extending obliquely from below. A cam groove 18b is formed. One sleeve 22 has an upper end inserted into the through hole 18a of the knob button 18 and a cam projection 22 engaging with the cam groove 18b from the side wall of the sleeve 22.
a is protrudingly provided. Thus, the knob button 18 and the sleeve 22 are arranged so as to intersect in the operation knob 14, and when the knob button 18 moves in the width direction of the operation knob 14 in the lateral hole 14a, the cam protrusion 2 engaged with the cam groove 18b.
2a moves up and down, and accordingly, the sleeve 22 moves up and down. As described above, the cam groove 18b and the cam projection 22a constitute the moving direction conversion mechanism 26 that cooperates the knob button 18 and the sleeve 22 and converts the widthwise movement of the knob button 18 into the vertical movement of the sleeve 22. .

The operation knob 14 is, specifically, a knob button 1
A skeletal member 27 made of a hard material such as polyacetal resin for accommodating the sleeve 4 and the sleeve 22;
And a soft grip portion 28 made of a soft material such as urethane resin. A through hole 27a is formed in the upper surface of the skeleton member 27, and the grip portion 28 swelling from the upper surface of the skeleton member 27 has the through hole 27a.
A space 30 communicating with a is formed. The through hole 27a and the space 30 are sized so that the upper end of the sleeve 22 can be stored when the sleeve 22 moves upward. This is for allowing the sleeve 22 to move upward.

One end 24a of an operation cable 24, which is an operation member, is connected to the lower end 22b of the sleeve 22.
The operation cable 24 is flexible, and the other end 24b is inserted through the inside of the select lever 12, and the detent body 33 shown in FIG.
Linked to The detent body 33 is rotatably attached to the main body member 10, and the detent gate 3
The concave and convex grooves 3 constituting the detent pattern formed in 4
4a is always urged in the direction of engagement. A detent mechanism is constituted by the detent body 33 and the detent gate 34. When the detent mechanism is engaged with each other, the rotation of the select lever 12 is prevented, while the operation cable 24 is pulled to rotate the detent body 33. The detent body 33 and the detent gate 34 are disengaged from each other, whereby the rotation of the select lever 12 is allowed. The select lever 12 is further provided with a select position determining lever 36. The select position determination lever 36 has a pin 38 attached to one end thereof, and the pin 38 has a shift cable (not shown).
And the other end of the shift cable is connected to an automatic transmission (not shown).

The operation of the thus configured transmission operating device will be described below.

When the driver presses a part of the knob button 18 of the operation knob 14 to change the range, the knob button 18 is pressed to the left in FIG.
Via 6, the sleeve 22 moves to the upper space 30. Thus, one end 24a of the operation cable 24 is pulled into the operation knob 14, and the other end 2a of the operation cable 24
The detent body 33 connected to 4b rotates and the engagement with the detent gate 34 is released. By rotating the operation knob 14 and the select lever 12 in this state, a desired range can be selected, and the select position determining lever 3 attached to the select lever 12 can be selected.
The rotation of 6 is connected to the automatic transmission through a shift cable and shifted to the selected range.

As described above, the cam groove 18b and the cam projection 2
By the movement direction conversion mechanism 26 constituted by 2a,
In order to convert the movement of the knob button 18 in the pressing direction to the upward movement of the sleeve 22, the length in the width direction of the operation knob 14 can be reduced (see FIG. 3). In particular, since the knob button 18 and the sleeve 22 are arranged so as to intersect within the operation knob 14, the length of the operation knob 14 in the width direction can be further reduced.

Since the knob button 18 can be arranged in the width direction of the operation knob 14 by the movement direction conversion mechanism 26, there is no need to arrange the knob button 18 on the upper surface of the operation knob 14, and the knob button 18 is arranged on the upper surface. Erroneous operation can be suppressed as compared with the case. Since the movement direction conversion mechanism 26 is configured by the cam groove 18b and the cam protrusion 22a, the movement of the knob button 18 in the pressing direction can be converted into the upward movement of the sleeve 22 with a simple and reliable configuration.

Since the operation knob 14 is provided with a space 30 for allowing the sleeve 22 to move upward, the occupant may come into contact with the operation knob 14 in the event of an abnormality such as a collision, or the upper surface of the knob button 14 When a large load such as luggage acts on the space, the space 30 can absorb the impact. In particular, the stiffness of the operation knob 14 itself is
7, while the space 30 extends into the soft grip 28 bulging from the upper surface, the grip 28 and the space 30 are deformed to more reliably absorb the impact. can do.

Since the flexible operation cable 16 is routed inside the select lever 12, and the select lever 12 is formed in a curved shape, the degree of freedom in installing the transmission operating device in the vehicle is improved. It can be installed so that it does not interfere with surrounding monitors and switches.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, other than the sleeve 22, the knob button 18, and the like, an arbitrary part constituted by a single part can be constituted by a plurality of parts.

Next, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention in which the moving direction changing mechanism is modified.
In the drawing, the same members as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this example, a U-shaped knob button 4
4, a through hole 44 a penetrating vertically is formed, and a cam groove 44 b extending obliquely from above is formed on two opposing side walls of the knob button 44. One sleeve 22 passes through a through hole 44a of the knob button 44, and a cam projection 22a protruding from a side wall of the sleeve 22 is engaged with the cam groove 44b. Cam groove 4
4b and the cam projection 22a constitute a moving direction conversion mechanism 46.

In the second embodiment, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. If the operation cable 24 and the detent body 33 are not yet adjusted before the assembly, the sleeve 22 can be relatively easily moved to the space 30. The grip portion 44 is indicated by a broken line 44 in FIG.
It becomes possible to engage with the sleeve 22 in the inside 8. At this time, if the chamfered portion 44c is provided, the cam protrusion 22a
It is more preferable because the sleeve 22 can be pushed upward by contact with the sleeve 22.

Next, FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the present invention in which the moving direction changing mechanism is modified.
In the figure, the same members as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

One side 52a of an L-shaped lever member 52 as viewed from the side is in contact with an end of the knob button 50 in the side hole 14a opposite to the opening of the side hole 14a. The knob button 50 is biased by a spring 54 (biasing means) via the 52a in a direction protruding from one end in the width direction on the opening side of the lateral hole 14a. Lever member 52
Is rotatably mounted in the operation knob 14 by a pivot pin 56 at a corner which is an intersection of the one side 52a and the other side 52b. The sleeve 58 passes through a through hole 50 a formed in the knob button 50, and the other side 52
b is a step surface 58a provided on the sleeve 58 and facing downward.
Is in contact with The movement direction conversion mechanism 59 is configured by the lever member 52.

Also in this embodiment, the knob button 50
When the lever member 52 is pressed to the left in FIG. 7, the lever member 52 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 7 around the pivot pin 56, and the other side portion 52b of the lever member 52 becomes the step surface 58a of the sleeve 58.
Push up. Thus, the sleeve 58 moves to the upper space 30, the one end 24a of the operation cable 24 is drawn into the operation knob 14, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Next, FIG. 9 is a view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention in which the moving direction conversion mechanism is modified. In the figure, the same members as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The knob button 60 has a through hole 60a through which the sleeve 64 penetrates, and a plate bent on an end face 60b facing the opening side of the lateral hole 14a so as to draw a substantially arc shape when viewed from the side. One end of the member 62 is in contact. On the other hand, the other end of the plate member 62 is in contact with a step surface 64a formed on the sleeve 64 and facing downward. The middle part of the plate member 62 is the operation knob 1
The sliding member 27 is slidable on the skeleton member 27 in the inside 4, and the plate member 62 constitutes a moving direction changing mechanism 66.

Also in this embodiment, the knob button 60
9, the plate member 62 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 9, and the other end of the plate member 62 pushes up the step surface 64 a of the sleeve 64. Thus, the sleeve 64 moves to the upper space 30, the one end 24a of the operation cable 24 is pulled into the operation knob 14, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIGS. 10 to 11 are views showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The previous embodiment described the operating device of the transmission mounted on the steering column,
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in the fifth embodiment, the present invention can be similarly applied to an operating device of a floor-mounted transmission. In this embodiment, since the internal structure of the operation knob, which is a feature of the present invention, is the same as that of the first embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

One end 70a of an operation rod 70, which is an operation member, is connected to the sleeve 22 of the operation knob 14. At the other end 70b of the operation rod 70, a detent pin 72 is integrally provided to protrude. The detent pin 72 is
It protrudes from a lateral opening 74 a provided in the select lever 74 and is constantly urged by a spring 78 in a direction in which it engages with an uneven groove 76 a forming a detent pattern formed in a detent gate 76.

The same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained in the transmission operating device having the above-described structure. In particular, in this embodiment, since there is a high possibility that a load is placed from above the operation knob 14, it is more effective to absorb the impact by the space 30 and the grip 28.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a main part of a first embodiment of a transmission operating device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an overall view of a transmission operating device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation knob of an operation device of the transmission of FIG. 1 together with an instrument panel.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the movement direction conversion mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a main part of a second embodiment of a transmission operating device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the movement direction conversion mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a main part of a third embodiment of the transmission operating device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a movement direction conversion mechanism of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a main part showing a fourth embodiment of the transmission operating device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a main part showing a fifth embodiment of the transmission operating device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a detent mechanism according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a main part of a conventional transmission operating device.

13 is a diagram showing an operation knob of the operation device for the transmission of FIG. 12 together with an instrument panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Select lever 14 Operation knob 16 Select button 18 Knob button 18b Cam groove 20 Spring (biasing means) 22 Sleeve 22a Cam protrusion 24 Operation cable (operation member) 24a One end 24b Other end 26 Moving direction conversion mechanism 27 Skeletal member 28 Grasping part 30 Space 33 Detent body 34 Detent gate 34a Uneven groove 44 Knob button 44b Cam groove 46 Moving direction conversion mechanism 50 Knob button 52 Lever member 52a One side 52b Other side 54 Spring (biasing means) 58 Sleeve 59 Moving direction conversion mechanism 60 Knob button 62 Plate member 64 Sleeve 66 Moving direction conversion mechanism 70 Operating rod (operating member) 70a One end 70b Other end 72 Detent pin 74 Select lever 76 Detent gate 76a Uneven groove

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Ryoichi Fujiwara 2028 Washizu, Kosai-shi, Shizuoka Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd. 3D040 AA03 AA39 AB01 AC03 AC07 AC29 AC59 3J052 AA18 GA02 GA12 GA21 LA01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A pipe-shaped select lever rotatably supported by a vehicle body, an operation knob provided at a tip of the select lever, a select button provided on the operation knob,
An operation member arranged inside the select lever, one end connected to the select button, and the other end connected to a base end side of the select lever and connected to a detent mechanism for restricting rotation of the select lever. In the operation device of the machine, the select button is disposed within the operation knob so as to be movable in the width direction of the operation knob, and the select button is moved in a direction in which a part of the knob button projects from one end in the width direction of the operation knob. A biasing means for biasing, and a sleeve disposed movably in the up and down direction within the operation knob, one end of an operation member connected to a lower end thereof, and linked with the knob button via a movement direction conversion mechanism. A space for allowing the upward movement of the sleeve in the operation knob, while the movement direction conversion mechanism converts the movement in the pressing direction of the knob button into the upward movement of the sleeve. The operation device for a transmission, wherein a transmission is formed. 2. The operation of the transmission according to claim 1, wherein the knob button and the sleeve are arranged so as to intersect in the operation knob, and the movement direction changing mechanism is provided at a longitudinally intermediate portion of the knob button. apparatus. 3. The operation knob includes a hard skeletal member for accommodating the knob button and the sleeve, and a soft grip portion swelling from at least an upper surface of the skeletal member. The operating device for a transmission according to claim 1, wherein the operating device extends through the grip portion and extends into the grip portion. 4. The operation member according to claim 1, wherein the operation member is a flexible operation cable, and the select lever is curved.
The operating device for a transmission according to any one of the above. 5. The operating device for a transmission according to claim 1, wherein the moving direction conversion mechanism is a cam mechanism having a cam shape.