JP2002276782A - Input device for automatic transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow change-over from an automatic gear change mode into a manual gear change mode with one-step operation and change-over to an intended gear stage. SOLUTION: This input device for an automatic transmission with a manual shift mode having an automatic shift mode and the manual shift mode comprises a shift lever having a drive range position 26 set for a forwarding mode, an up-shift position 27u set for a change gear on a high speed gear side, a down- shift position 27d set for a change gear on a low speed gear side and an automatic shift mode transfer position 25 for resetting from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode, return moving means for returning the shift lever, after operated to the automatic shift mode transfer position 25, when releasing operating force, and control means for changing the shift lever, when operated to the up-shift position 27u or the down-shift position 27d, into the manual shift mode and for changing it into the automatic shift mode, when operated to the automatic shift mode transfer position 25.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an input device for an automatic transmission having an automatic transmission mode and a manual transmission mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automatic transmission has a plurality of transmission gear trains.
The optimum gear position is automatically selected according to the driving situation. In an automatic transmission, an automatic transmission with a manual shift mode that allows a driver to select a desired shift speed under a drive range in which the vehicle is traveling forward is selected. Is being developed.

[0003] The provision of the manual shift mode makes it possible to cope with running in a situation that is not expected in a predetermined automatic shift pattern. Also, it can respond to diversifying driver requirements.

Various methods have been developed as means for switching from the automatic transmission mode to the manual transmission mode.
For example, as disclosed in JP-A-5-203020, a manual shift mode is selected by pressing a push button mounted on a shift lever.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 652/652, there is an example in which a dedicated gate for a manual shift mode is provided and the manual shift mode is set by operating a shift lever.

[0005] In the method of switching gears during the automatic gearshift mode, the gearshift in the manual gearshift mode and the manual gearshift are set as separate operations, and manual operation over at least two stages is required. Was needed.

[0006]

In order to allow the driver to arbitrarily change the gear during traveling in the automatic gearshift mode, the driver first switches from the automatic gearshift mode to the manual gearshift mode, and then shifts to the higher gear. It is necessary to perform an upshift to change the gear or a downshift to change the gear to a lower gear. As an operation method, a two-stage operation method in which the shift mode is switched by first moving the shift lever to a dedicated gate or the like and then the shift lever is operated to switch the shift speed has been adopted.

[0007] Therefore, when a sudden change in the traveling road surface requires rapid engine braking, or when a sudden increase in wheel drive torque is required due to a steep gradient that is not expected in an automatic shift pattern. There was a delay.

Further, in the input device of the automatic transmission, the driver who uses the manual transmission every day operates the automatic transmission because the arrangement of the various driving ranges is different from the shift pattern arrangement of the manual transmission. In doing so, it takes time to get used to operating the shift lever, which is an input device.

An object of the present invention is to switch from an automatic shift mode to a manual shift mode by one-step operation and to switch to an intended shift speed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an input device for an automatic transmission that can be operated by a driver using a manual transmission without feeling uncomfortable.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An input device for an automatic transmission according to the present invention is an input device for an automatic transmission having an automatic transmission mode for automatically switching a gear ratio and a manual transmission mode for manually switching a gear position. A drive range position for setting the automatic transmission to a forward traveling mode, an upshift position for setting a higher gear, and a lower gear for the automatic transmission. A shift lever having a downshift position to be set and an automatic shift mode shift position to set an automatic shift mode; and a shift lever when the operating force is released after the shift lever is operated to the automatic shift mode shift position. Return movement means for returning to the drive range position, and the shift lever moving the upshift position from the drive range position under the automatic shift mode. When the shift lever is operated to the downshift position, the automatic transmission is switched to the manual shift mode, and when the shift lever is operated from the drive range position to the automatic shift mode shift position under the manual shift mode, the automatic transmission is shifted. Control means for switching to a mode.

The input device for an automatic transmission according to the present invention is arranged such that the automatic shift mode transition position is located between a neutral range position where the automatic transmission is set to a neutral position and the drive range position, When the is operated from the neutral range position to the drive range position, the automatic transmission mode is selected by passing through the automatic shift mode shift position. Further, the drive range position is disposed between a neutral range position where the automatic transmission is set to a neutral position and the automatic shift mode shift position, and the shift lever is operated from the neutral range position to the drive range position. In this case, the manual shift mode is selected without passing through the automatic shift mode shift position. Further, a reverse range position for setting the automatic transmission to a reverse range is provided on a side opposite to the automatic shift mode shift position and the drive range position via the neutral position. Further, a reverse range position for setting the automatic transmission to a reverse range is provided on a side opposite to the neutral position via the automatic shift mode shift position and the drive range position.

In the present invention, when the automatic transmission operates the shift lever to the upshift position or the downshift position in the automatic shift mode, the manual shift mode is set and the shift operation is manually operated. be able to. On the other hand, when the shift lever is operated to the automatic shift mode shift position in the manual shift mode, the automatic transmission is switched from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a driver's seat of a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, a console 8 arranged on the floor of a vehicle is provided with an input device 9 for a driver to operate an automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. The instrument display unit 11 includes a travel range display unit 12 showing a travel pattern in the automatic shift mode, a gear position display unit 13 showing a travel selection gear in the manual shift mode,
Further, a speed change display section 14 is provided for indicating a running selection gear switching state in the manual shift mode.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the input device 9 of the automatic transmission with a manual shift mode according to one embodiment of the present invention. A shift knob 16 is fixed to one end of the shift lever 15, and a fulcrum member 17 is fixed to the other end.
A fulcrum member 17 is rotatably supported by a universal support member 19 fixed to the input device fixing member 18. Operation Guide 2
The guide hole 21 is provided with a guide hole 21 that can restrict the movement of the shift lever 15, and the operation guide 20 is fixed to the input device fixing member 18 through the shift lever 15 in the guide hole 21. With such a device, the shift knob 16
By operating the shift lever 15, the shift lever 15 can be moved along the guide hole 21 with the fulcrum member 17 as a fulcrum, and various operations of the shift lever 15 described later can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the guide hole 21 and various input positions at each position of the guide hole in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, L1 and L2 which are parallel to each other and extend in the traveling direction of the vehicle, respectively.
And the shift lever 15 moves along an operation line composed of L3 and L3 orthogonal to L2. On L1, a parking range position selected when parking, that is, a P range position 22, a reverse range position selected when reversing, that is, an R range position 23, and a neutral range selected when the transmission is set to a neutral state. A position, that is, an N range position 24, and an automatic shift mode shift position 25 selected for the automatic shift mode are set. On L2, a drive range position or D range position 26 selected when traveling forward, an upshift position 27u selected when shifting to a higher gear side as a manual shift mode, and a low speed as a manual shift mode. A downshift position 27d that is selected when the gear is shifted to the gear side is set.

L1 and L2 are parallel to each other and offset by a certain amount. Further, by moving the shift lever 15 along L3 between the automatic shift mode shift position 25 and the D range position 26, the shift lever 15 can be freely operated on L1 and L2.

An operation guide 20 is provided at a P range position 22, an R range position 23, and an N range position 24 on L1.
Is provided with a positioning device (not shown), and when the shift lever 15 is operated, the operating force is released at each range position to be held at each range position. On the other hand, when the operating force is released while the shift lever 15 is operated to the automatic shift mode shift position 25, the shift lever 15 is automatically returned to the D range position 26 by the return moving means. Similarly, when the operating force is released in a state where the shift lever 15 is operated and moved to the upshift position 27u and the downshift position 27d, the shift lever 15 is automatically returned to the D range position 26 by the return moving means.

As shown in FIG. 2, inside the input device 9, a D range inducing lever 30 whose one end is rotatably supported by the input device fixing member 18 is provided as a return moving means. One end of the D range guiding lever 30 is rotatably supported by a fulcrum shaft 34, and a connecting member 32 having a washer 31 is attached to the other end, and a compression coil spring 33 is attached to the connecting member 32. I have. Therefore, N
When the shift lever 15 is operated from the range position 24 to the automatic shift mode shift position 25, the operation force on the shift lever 15 causes the D range induction lever 30 to rotate about the fulcrum shaft 34 while contracting the compression coil spring 33. . When the operation force on the shift lever 15 is released at the automatic shift mode shift position 25, the shift lever 15 automatically moves to the D range position 26 due to the repulsive force of the compression coil spring 33. When the shift lever 15 is operated from the D range position 26 to the automatic shift mode shift position 25, the operation can be performed by applying an operating force to the shift lever 15 in a direction against the repulsive force of the compression coil spring 33. When the operating force is released at that position, the shift lever 15
Is returned to the D range position 26.

The holding members 35 and 36 are provided inside the input device 9.
Are fixed to the input device fixing member 18, and the two D range guide members 37u and 37d are
It is slidably held in two directions. The two D range guiding members 37u and 37d are connected to the upshift position 27u on L2.
And the downshift position 27d. Holding members 35, 36 and D range guiding members 37u, 3
7d, compression coil springs 38u, 38d are provided, and the D range guiding members 37u, 37d are provided with holding members 3
Stoppers 40 that abut against 5, 36 to limit the forward limit position
Is provided.

The shift lever 15 moved to the D range position 26 is held between the two D range guide members 37u and 37d at the D range position 26. When operating the shift lever 15 to the upshift position 27u or the downshift position 27d in this state, the compression coil spring 3
Shift lever 15 in a direction against the repulsive force of 8u, 38d.
Apply operating force to When the operating force on the shift lever 15 is released in the upshift position 27u or the downshift position 27d, the shift lever 15 is returned to the D range position 26 by the repulsive force of the compression coil springs 38u and 38d. As described above, after the shift lever 15 is operated to any one of the automatic shift mode shift position 25, the upshift position 27u, and the downshift position 27d, as shown by the arrow in FIG. Will be moved to

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the operation of the automatic transmission. The control circuit includes a P range switch 42 corresponding to the P range position 22, a R range position 2
R range switch 43 corresponding to 3, N range position 24
Range switch 44 corresponding to the automatic shift mode shift position 25, D range switch 46 corresponding to the D range position 26, and upshift switch 47 corresponding to the upshift position 27u.
u, and a downshift switch 47d corresponding to the downshift position 27d.

When the shift lever 15 is operated to a predetermined position, a signal is output from a corresponding switch. The signal output from the switch is input to the automatic transmission control device 50 as control means, and is output to the traveling range display unit 12, the shift position display unit 13, and the shift position switch display unit 14. The output signal from the automatic transmission control device 50 is input to the automatic transmission main body 51, and information signals such as the ATF temperature and the vehicle speed are also output from the automatic transmission main body 51 and input to the automatic transmission control device 50.

The automatic transmission main body 51 drives an actuator (not shown) in response to an output signal from the automatic transmission control device 50 to drive various valves (not shown) in the hydraulic circuit.
Is controlled, and various kinds of friction engagement devices (not shown) are driven to constantly shift. The automatic transmission body 51
By inputting information such as the ATF temperature and the vehicle speed to the automatic transmission control device 50, the signal output from the automatic transmission control device 50 is corrected.

In FIG. 3, when the shift lever 15 is operated in each of the P range position 22, the R range position 23, and the N range position 24, a signal is sent from the switch corresponding to the operated range to the automatic transmission control device 50. Is output.
Next, the vehicle can be controlled to each of the P range position 22, the R range position 23, and the N range position 24 by a signal output from the automatic transmission control device 50 to the automatic transmission main body 51.

When the shift lever 15 is operated to the automatic shift mode shift position 25 on L1 via the N range position 24, a signal is output from the automatic shift mode switch 45 to the automatic transmission control device 50, and the traveling mode is changed to the automatic shift mode. Mode. Even if the driver releases his hand at this position, the shift lever 1 is moved to the D range position 26 by the D range inducing lever 30.
5 moves automatically. In this state, the gear position is automatically switched in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle, and forward traveling in a preset pattern becomes possible.

In this state, when the driver shifts to the manual shift mode in which the driver himself selects a shift speed and runs, he operates the shift lever 15 from the D range position 26 to the upshift position 27u or the downshift position 27d.

At the time of an upshift to increase the gear by one step,
The shift lever 15 is operated to the upshift position 27u. The shift lever 15 is operated, and a signal is output from the upshift switch 47u to the automatic transmission control device 50.
Next, when a signal is output to the automatic transmission main body 51, the shift mode is changed to the manual shift mode, and the shift speed is increased by one. Even when a downshift is performed to lower the gear by one gear, the shift gear can be switched in the manual shift mode by operating the shift lever 15 to the downshift position 27d.

As described above, the D range position 26 is always held during forward running, and the upshift position 27u or the downshift position 27d is operated by one operation of the shift lever 15.
In this case, the operation shifts to the manual shift mode, and the shift speed can be switched. The shift from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode is also possible by operating the shift lever 15 to the automatic shift mode shift position 25 by one operation.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the guide hole 21 and various input positions at each position of the guide hole according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the automatic transmission mode is prioritized in the case shown in FIG. 3, whereas the manual transmission mode is prioritized.

As shown in FIG. 5, L4, L6, L7, and L9 which are parallel to each other and extend in the traveling direction,
The shift lever 15 moves along an operation line of L5 orthogonal to L4, L6, and L7, and L8 orthogonal to L7, L9. A P range position 60 and an N range position 61 are set on L4, and a D range position 62, an up shift position 63u, and a down shift position 63d are set on L6. The automatic shift mode shift position 64 is set on L7, and R is set on L9.
A range position 65 is set.

L4, L6, L7 and L9 are parallel to each other and are offset by a certain amount. Further, the shift lever 15 moves along L5 where the D range position 62 and the automatic shift mode shift position 64 are located.
The shift lever 15 moves freely on L6 and L7. The shift lever 15 moves between the automatic shift mode shift position 64 and the R range position 65 after passing through L8 connecting L7 and L9.

When the shift lever 15 is operated at the intersection of L4 and L5 or the automatic shift mode shift position 64, the shift lever 15 is returned to the D range position 62 by applying a spring force toward the D range position 62. Means are provided on the input device 9. Similarly, the upshift position 63u
Alternatively, when the shift lever 15 is operated to the downshift position 63d, the shift lever 15 is returned to the D range position 62 by the return moving means.

A key-shaped gate 66 formed by L7 to L9 for preventing erroneous operation is provided between the automatic shift mode shift position 64 and the R range position 65. Therefore, when selecting the R range position 65, the shift lever 15 is operated to pass through the key gate 66.

P range position 60 and N range position 61
When the shift lever 15 is operated to the intersection of L4 and L5 through this operation, and the shift lever 15 is released in this state, the shift lever 15 is automatically moved to the D range position 62.
In this state, the shift lever 15 is moved to the upshift position 63.
When operated to u, the gear shifts up, and when operated to the downshift position 63d, the gear shifts down.

When the shift lever 15 is operated from the D range position 62 to the automatic shift mode shift position 64, the traveling mode is switched from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode. In this state, when the shift lever 15 is operated to the upshift position 63u or the downshift position 63d, the mode is switched to the manual shift mode.

When selecting the R range position 65, the shift lever is operated to move to the R range position 65 through a key-shaped gate 66 for preventing erroneous operation.

In this embodiment, the manual transmission mode is mainly used unless the automatic transmission mode is consciously selected, and the R range position 65 is displaced from the operation line of the other range position. A close operation feeling can be obtained. Switching to the manual shift mode or the automatic shift mode can be performed by operating the shift lever 15 once, and the shift speed in the manual shift mode and the manual shift mode can be switched by operating the shift lever 15 once. It becomes possible.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the guide hole 21 and various input positions at each position of the guide hole according to another embodiment of the present invention. The key type shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. The operation of the gate 66 is released by the push button 70. FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view of the erroneous operation prevention mechanism by the push button 70.

As shown in FIG. 7, the shift lever 15
A push button 70 is slidably provided on the shift knob 16 provided at one end of the shift knob 16. A lever shaft 71 is fixed inside the shift knob 16, and a substantially L-shaped lever 72 is provided.
Is rotatably provided on the lever shaft 71 with one end thereof in contact with the push button 70. A rod support shaft 73 is fixed inside the shift lever 15, and a rod 75 having a slide hole 74 at one end is slidably installed through the rod support shaft 73 through the slide hole 74. In the shift knob 16, the other end of the lever 72 and the other end of the rod 75 are rotatably connected. Operation guide 20 for shift lever 15
A stopper hole 76 is provided at a position adjacent to the stopper shaft 77, and a stopper shaft 77 and a hook 78 are fixed inside the shift lever 15. A stopper 79 is rotatably provided on the stopper shaft 77 so as to protrude from the stopper hole 76, and a compression coil spring 80 is stretched over one end of the stopper 79 and the hook 78.

The operation guide 20 between the automatic shift mode shift position 81 and the R range position 82 shown in FIG. 6 is provided with a stopper 83 as shown in FIG. The stopper portion 83 of the operation guide 20 and the stopper 79 of the shift lever 15 interfere with each other and prohibit the operation of the shift lever 15.

Push button 7 provided on shift knob 16
0, the lever 72 pivots and the rod 75 is pushed down, whereby the one end of the stopper 79 is pushed down by the rod 75, and the stopper 79 pivots to move the stopper 79 of the shift lever 15. It is stored inside. When the pressing operation of the push button 70 is released, the compression coil spring 80 hung between the hook 78 and the stopper 79 is contracted, and the stopper 79 is pushed out of the shift lever 15 to push the push button 70 to the initial position. Push back. When the push button 70 is pressed, the stopper 79 is housed inside the shift lever 15.
3, the shift lever 15 can be operated.

As shown in FIG. 6, the R range position 82
Is selected, the shift lever 15 is operated along the operation line L10 provided straight in the vehicle traveling direction while pressing the push button 70 for preventing erroneous operation from the automatic shift mode shift position 81 to operate the R range. The position 82 can be guided.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, shift lever 1
The shift lever 15 may be operated and moved in the horizontal direction without tilting the shift lever 5, and the operation lines of the shift lever 15 may not be parallel to each other and may not be linear. The input device 9 may be a column shift type in which the shift lever 15 is provided in the steering column, instead of a floor shift type in which the shift lever 15 is provided in the console 8. Further, the automatic transmission of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be a continuously variable automatic transmission with a manual transmission mode in which the gear ratio is automatically controlled steplessly. Nor.

[0046]

As described above, in the present invention, the switching from the automatic transmission mode to the manual transmission mode during forward traveling and the switching of the gear position in the manual transmission mode can be quickly performed by one shift lever operation. Can be. Switching from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode can also be performed by one shift lever operation.

If the driver does not intentionally set the manual transmission mode, the automatic transmission mode is prioritized, and the transmission is switched to the manual transmission mode by switching to the manual transmission mode. In addition, when the driver does not intentionally set the automatic transmission mode, the manual transmission mode is prioritized, and an operation feeling similar to that of a manual transmission can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a driver seat of a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between guide holes of an operation guide and various range positions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the automatic transmission main body.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a guide hole of an operation guide and various range positions according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between guide holes of an operation guide and various range positions according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view of an erroneous operation prevention mechanism using a push button.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8 console 9 input device 15 shift lever 16 shift knob 17 fulcrum member 20 operation guide 21 guide hole 22 P range position 23 R range position (reverse range position) 24 N range position (neutral range position) 25 automatic shift mode transition position 26 D range Position (drive range position) 27u Upshift position 27d Downshift position 30 D range induction lever (returning means) 50 Automatic transmission control device (control means) 51 Automatic transmission main body 60 P range position 61 N range position (neutral range) Position) 62 D range position (drive range position) 63u upshift position 63d downshift position 64 automatic shift mode shift position 65 R range position (reverse range position) 66 key gate 81 automatic shift mode shift position 82 R range position (reverse range position) 83 Stopper

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An input device for an automatic transmission having an automatic transmission mode for automatically switching a gear ratio and a manual transmission mode for manually switching a gear position, the input device being provided movably in a vehicle, A drive range position for setting the transmission to the forward drive mode, an upshift position for setting the higher gear, a downshift position for setting the lower gear, and a shift from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode. A shift lever having an automatic shift mode shift position to be returned, and return moving means for returning the shift lever to the drive range position when an operating force is released after the shift lever is operated to the automatic shift mode shift position. The shift lever is moved from the drive range position to the upshift position and the downshift position in the automatic shift mode. Control means for switching the automatic transmission to a manual transmission mode when the automatic transmission is operated, and switching to the automatic transmission mode when the shift lever is operated from the drive range position to the automatic transmission mode transition position under the manual transmission mode. An input device for an automatic transmission, comprising: 2. The input device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, wherein the automatic transmission mode transition position is located between a neutral range position where the automatic transmission is set to a neutral position and the drive range position. An input device for an automatic transmission, wherein when the shift lever is operated from the neutral range position to the drive range position, the automatic transmission mode is selected by passing through the automatic shift mode shift position. 3. The input device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, wherein the drive range position is arranged between a neutral range position where the automatic transmission is set to a neutral position and the automatic shift mode transition position. An input device for an automatic transmission, wherein when the shift lever is operated from the neutral range position to the drive range position, a manual shift mode is selected without passing through the automatic shift mode shift position. . 4. The input device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, wherein the input device is opposite to the automatic shift mode shift position and the drive range position via the neutral position. An input device for an automatic transmission, wherein a reverse range position for setting the automatic transmission to a reverse range is provided. 5. The input device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, wherein the input device is opposite to the neutral position via the automatic shift mode transition position and the drive range position. An input device for an automatic transmission, wherein a reverse range position for setting the automatic transmission to a reverse range is provided.