JP2006224763A - Shift lever device of automatic shift in automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shift lever device of an automatic shift in an automobile which can appropriately detect the position of "D, S, S+, S-" by reducing the number of switches to two, and has a smaller mounting space for the switches. <P>SOLUTION: A switch operation member 40 operating two switches SW1 and SW2 are connected to a shift lever 20, and the switch operation member operates two switches as follows. When the shift lever is at an automatic shift position (D), the two switches SW1 and SW2 are made to be in a nonoperating state. When the shift lever is at a shift ratio maintaining position (S), the two switches SW1 and SW2 are made to be in an operating state. When the shift lever is at a shift up position (S+), the up side switch SW1 is made to be in the operating state, and the down side switch SW2 is made to be in the nonoperating state. When the shift lever is at the shift down position (S-), the up side switch SW1 is made to be in the nonoperating state, and the down side switch SW2 is made to be in the operating state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile, and more particularly to a shift lever device having an operation function in an M / T mode.

Conventional vehicles have a stepped (such as a 4-speed automatic transmission) or a stepless (such as a CVT) automatic transmission (hereinafter referred to as A) that automatically changes the gear ratio according to the driving state of the vehicle and the operation state of the driver. / T) or manual transmission (hereinafter referred to as M / T) that changes the gear ratio by the driver's operation is generally mounted.
A / T does not require a speed change operation by the driver (especially an accelerator operation synchronized with a clutch operation requiring an operation technique), and the driver can drive the vehicle only by operating the accelerator and the steering. It is popular.
M / T requires a driver to perform a clutch operation and an accelerator operation that require relatively high operation techniques, and has recently been installed in some vehicles (sports type vehicles, etc.).

  In recent years, a vehicle having an M / T mode having an operation function of an M / T sense while being A / T is also widespread. In this type of vehicle, the driver shifts up to a gear ratio arbitrarily selected from the A / T mode that does not require a gear shifting operation and a gear ratio that is set in advance only by operating the shift lever from the driver. An M / T mode (sequential mode) capable of downshifting can be selected. In the M / T mode, the driver can shift up or down only by operating the shift lever. Like the conventional M / T, the driver can adjust the engine speed by operating the delicate half-clutch or operating the accelerator. Thus, it is possible to very easily perform a speed change operation necessary for sporty running or the like.

In this type of shift lever device having an M / T mode operation function, the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1 uses a simple configuration and a D shift range that is a position for switching the shift link to the M / T mode. A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile that can be held in a vehicle has been proposed.
JP 2004-130931 A

FIG. 9 shows an example of a conventional shift lever device.
Conventionally, in a shift lever device having an M / T mode operation function, as shown in FIG. 9, the gear ratio maintaining position (“S” position in FIG. 2) in the M / T mode shift groove MMT is shifted up. The position (“S +” position in FIG. 2), the shift down position (“S−” position in FIG. 2), and the automatic transmission position (“D” position in FIG. 2) in the A / T mode shift groove MAT are detected. Therefore, three switches SW10, SW20, and SW30 are used. Conventionally, as shown in the example of FIG. 9B, the switch operating member 80 connected to the shift lever 20 is used to switch the “D” position (in the A / T mode shift groove MAT including the “D” position). The switches SW10 to SW30 are all in a non-operating state (for example, an open state) in the “D” position or “D”, and the switch SW10 is in an operating state (for example, a short circuit) in the “S” position. State), the switches SW10 and SW20 are in the operating state at the “S +” position, and the switches SW10 and SW30 are in the operating state at the “S−” position. The position of the shift lever is detected by determining the state of the switches SW10 to SW30 by the control means.
Thus, conventionally, the position of “D, S, S +, S−” is detected using three switches, and a relatively large switch mounting space is required.
The present invention was devised in view of these points, and is equipped with a switch that can appropriately detect the positions of “D, S, S +, S−” by reducing the number of switches to two. It is an object of the present invention to provide a shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile with a smaller space.

As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the first invention of the present invention is a shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile as described in claim 1.
The shift lever device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1 comprises an A / T mode shift groove and an M / T mode shift groove, and the shift lever is an automatic shift position in the A / T mode shift groove. The operation mode of the automatic transmission can be changed from the A / T mode to the M / T mode by moving the shift lever from the A / T mode to the M / T mode shift position in the M / T mode shift groove. The operation mode of the automatic transmission can be changed from the M / T mode to the A / T mode by moving the automatic transmission position to the automatic transmission position. The gear ratio maintaining position for maintaining the gear ratio corresponding to the current gear and the gear ratio of the automatic transmission from the gear ratio corresponding to the current gear or the current gear to the first gear side or the first gear side The shift-up position for instructing the change to the gear ratio corresponding to the gear, and the gear ratio of the automatic transmission from the gear ratio corresponding to the current gear or the current gear to the one-speed low-speed gear or the first-speed low-speed gear A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile having a shift-down position for instructing a change to a gear ratio corresponding to.
The shift lever device includes two switches, an up-side switch and a down-side switch, and the conduction state and the open state in the up-side switch and the down-side switch change depending on the operation state and non-operation state of the switch.
The shift lever is connected to a switch operating member for operating the two switches, and the switch operating member operates the two switches as follows.
(1) When the shift lever is at the automatic shift position, the two switches are set to the non-operating state.
(2) When the shift lever is in the gear ratio maintaining position, both switches are set to the operating state.
(3) When the shift lever is in the upshift position, the up side switch is set to the operating state and the down side switch is set to the non-operating state.
(4) When the shift lever is in the shift down position, the up side switch is set to the non-operating state, and the down side switch is set to the operating state.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile as described in claim 2.
The shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 2 is the shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the up-side switch and the down-side switch are not operated. Is equipped with a normally open terminal that is in an open state and in a short-circuited state during operation, and further detects whether the normally open terminal of each of the two switches is in a shorted state or an open state. Control means capable of detecting the state is provided.
Then, the control means detects the position of the shift lever as follows.
(1) When the normally open terminals of both the up side switch and the down side switch are in the open state indicating the non-operating state, it is detected that the position of the shift lever is the automatic shift position.
(2) When the normally open terminals of both the up-side switch and the down-side switch are in a short circuit state indicating the operation state, it is detected that the position of the shift lever is the gear ratio maintaining position.
(3) The position of the shift lever is the shift-up position when the normally open terminal in the up-side switch is in the short-circuit state indicating the operating state and the normal open terminal in the down-side switch is in the open state indicating the non-operating state. Is detected.
(4) The position of the shift lever is the shift-down position when the normally open terminal in the up-side switch is in the open state indicating the non-operating state and the normal open terminal in the down-side switch is in the short-circuit state indicating the operating state. Is detected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile as set forth in the third aspect.
A shift lever device for an automatic transmission according to claim 3 is the shift lever device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, wherein the up-side switch and the down-side switch are not operated. Has both a normally open terminal that is open and short-circuited when operated, and a normally closed terminal that is short-circuited and not open when the switch is not operated, and Control means capable of detecting an operating state or a non-operating state of the switch by detecting a short circuit state or an open state between the normally open terminal and the normally closed terminal of each of the two switches is provided.
Then, the control means detects the position of the shift lever as follows.
(1) When the normally open terminals of both the up-side switch and the down-side switch are in the open state indicating the non-operating state and the both normally closed terminals are in the short-circuit state indicating the non-operating state, the position of the shift lever is Detects the automatic shift position.
(2) When the normally open terminals of both the up-side switch and the down-side switch are in the short-circuit state indicating the operating state, and both the normally-closed terminals are in the open state indicating the operating state, the position of the shift lever is the gear ratio. The maintenance position is detected.
(3) The normally open terminal in the up-side switch is in a short-circuit state indicating an operating state, the normally closed terminal is in an open state indicating an operating state, and the normally open terminal in the down-side switch is in an open state indicating a non-operating state. It is detected that the position of the shift lever is the shift-up position when the normal close terminal is in a short-circuit state indicating a non-operation state.
(4) The normally open terminal in the up-side switch is in the open state indicating the non-operating state, the normally closed terminal is in the short-circuited state indicating the non-operating state, and the normally open terminal in the down-side switch is in the short-circuited state indicating the operating state. When the normally closed terminal is in the open state indicating the operation state, it is detected that the position of the shift lever is the shift down position.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile as set forth in the fourth aspect.
The shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 4 is the shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 3, wherein the control means includes both a normally open terminal and a normally closed terminal. Is determined to be abnormal if the switch is detected to be open or short-circuited continuously for a predetermined abnormality determination time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile as set forth in the fifth aspect.
The shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 5 is the shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
Then, after detecting that both switches are in the operating state, the control means detects that the up-side switch is in the operating state and the down-side switch is in the non-operating state. Is determined to have been instructed.
When the control means detects that both switches are in the operating state and then detects that the up-side switch is in the non-operating state and the down-side switch is in the operating state, the driver requests a downshift. Is determined to have been instructed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile as set forth in the sixth aspect.
The shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 6 is the shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 5, wherein both of the switches are in an operating state. When it is detected that the up-side switch is in the operating state and the down-side switch is in the non-operating state, and then it is detected that both of the two switches are in the operating state, the driver It is determined that the request is instructed.
After detecting that both switches are in the operating state, it is detected that the up-side switch is in the non-operating state and the down-side switch is in the operating state, and then both the two switches are in the operating state. When this is detected, it is determined that a downshift request has been instructed by the driver.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile as set forth in the seventh aspect.
A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 7 is the shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the control means includes two switches. After detecting that both are in the operating state, the driver requests a shift-up when the up-side switch is in the operating state and the down-side switch is in the non-operating state for a predetermined operation determination time. It is determined that it has been instructed.
In addition, after detecting that both switches are in the operating state, the operation is performed when the up-side switch is in the non-operating state and the down-side switch is in the operating state for a predetermined operation determination time. It is determined that a shift down request is instructed by the person in charge.

When the shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 1 is used, an automatic transmission position, a transmission ratio maintaining position, a shift-up position, and a shift-down are obtained by a combination of an operation state and a non-operation state of two switches. The position can be detected appropriately.
As a result, a shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile can be realized with a smaller switch mounting space.

  According to the shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 2, the automatic transmission position, the transmission ratio maintaining position, and the shift are detected by detecting a short circuit state and an open state of a switch having a normally open terminal. The up position and the shift down position can be detected appropriately.

  According to the shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 3, a switch having both a normally open terminal and a normally closed terminal is used, and both the normally open terminal and the normally closed terminal are short-circuited. By detecting the state and the open state, it is possible to more reliably detect the automatic transmission position, the transmission ratio maintaining position, the upshifting position, and the downshifting position.

According to the shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 4, a switch having both a normally open terminal and a normally closed terminal is used, and states that conflict with each other depending on the operation state (one is short-circuited). If it is in the state, the other should be in the open state), and if both are short-circuited or open, it is determined as abnormal if it continues for a certain period of time.
Thereby, even if abnormality, such as a disconnection or a short circuit, has generate | occur | produced in the inside of a switch or the wiring of a switch and a control means, abnormality can be determined appropriately.

According to the shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 5, it is possible to prevent the following erroneous determination.
For example, if the shift lever is moved from the automatic gear shift position to the gear ratio maintaining position due to variations in the switch structure, etc., the two switches do not transition to the operating state at exactly the same time, but after one of them transitions to the operating state Also, a case where the other transitions to the operating state with a delay may be considered. In this case, there is a possibility that a shift-up position or a shift-down position is determined (erroneous determination) even though neither a shift-up operation nor a shift-down operation is performed. After confirming that both switches are in the operational state once, it is determined that the request for upshifting or downshifting has been instructed when only one of them is in the operational state. It can be prevented appropriately.

  According to the shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 6, after confirming that both of the two switches are in an operating state, only one of them is in an operating state. Then, when the two switches are both in the operating state, it is possible to appropriately prevent the erroneous determination by determining that the request for upshifting or downshifting has been instructed.

  According to the shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 7, after confirming that both of the two switches are in an operating state with respect to claim 5, only one of them is in an operating state. By determining that a request for upshifting or downshifting has been instructed when the state has been maintained for a certain period of time (operation determination time), the erroneous determination can be appropriately prevented.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external view (perspective view) in an embodiment of a shift lever device 10 of the present invention.
● [Overall configuration of shift lever device 10 (FIG. 1)]
The shift lever device 10 is provided with an A / T mode shift groove MAT and an M / T mode (sequential mode) shift groove MMT. Then, by moving the shift lever 20 to a predetermined position along the A / T mode shift groove MAT or the M / T mode shift groove MMT, the driver can select a desired shift mode or the like.
The shift lever device 10 is provided with a switch BOX 30. The switch BOX 30 is provided with a switch capable of detecting that the shift lever 20 has been moved to a predetermined position in the M / T mode shift groove MMT.

● [Shift Position in A / T Mode Shift Groove MAT and M / T Mode Shift Groove MMT (FIG. 2)]
Next, the shift positions in the A / T mode shift groove MAT and the M / T mode shift groove MMT will be described with reference to FIG.
The A / T mode shift groove MAT is provided in the A / T region MA. For example, positions “P”, “R”, “N”, “D”, and “2” are set.
The M / T mode shift groove MMT is provided in the M / T region MM. For example, positions of “S”, “S +”, and “S−” are set.

The “D” position (the position in the A / T mode shift groove MAT including the “D” position, and the “D” position or “D” hereinafter refers to the position) refers to the vehicle running state and the driver. This is an automatic transmission position that automatically changes the gear ratio of the automatic transmission according to the accelerator depression amount.
The “S” position is a gear ratio maintaining position for maintaining the gear ratio of the automatic transmission at the current gear (in the case of a stepped transmission) or the gear ratio (in the case of a continuously variable transmission) corresponding to the current gear. .
The “S +” position instructs to change the gear ratio of the automatic transmission from the current gear or the gear ratio corresponding to the current gear to the gear ratio corresponding to the first gear or the first gear. Shift up position.
The “S-” position indicates that the transmission ratio of the automatic transmission is changed from the gear ratio corresponding to the current gear or the current gear to the gear ratio corresponding to the first-stage low-speed gear or the first-stage low-speed gear. This is the downshift position.
When the driver moves the shift lever 20 to the “S +” position or the “S−” position and opens the shift lever 20, the shift lever 20 moves to the “S” position. At positions other than the “S +” position and the “S−” position (positions P, R, N, D, 2, and S), even if the shift lever 20 is released, it remains in that position.
Note that the description of the “P” position, the “R” position, the “N” position, and the “2” position is omitted.

● [Configuration for detecting each position of D, S, S +, S− (FIG. 3)]
Next, a configuration in which each shift position of D, S, S +, and S− can be detected by the two switches SW1 and SW2 will be described with reference to FIG. In the conventional shift lever device, detection is performed using three switches SW10 to SW30 as shown in FIG. 9, but in the shift lever device 10 shown in the present embodiment, detection is performed using two switches SW1 and SW2. Is possible.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the shift lever device 10 is provided with a switch SW1 (hereinafter referred to as an up-side switch SW1) and a switch SW2 (hereinafter referred to as a down-side switch SW2). 20 is connected to a switch operating member 40 for operating the two switches. The switch operation member 40 may be formed on a part of the shift lever 20.
In each switch, when the operation unit SW1a is opened (non-operated), the C terminal and Nop terminal (normally open terminal) are opened, and the C terminal and Ncl terminal (normally closed terminal) are short-circuited. Become. Further, when the operation unit SW1a is pushed in (operation state), the C terminal and the Nop terminal are short-circuited, and the C terminal and the Ncl terminal are opened.
As the switch, a switch having both the above-described normal open terminal and normal close terminal may be used, or a switch having only one of the normal open terminal and the normal close terminal may be used.

As shown in FIG. 3B, when the shift lever 20 is in the “D” position, the switch operating member 40 sets both the up-side switch SW1 and the down-side switch SW2 to the non-operating state.
When the shift lever 20 is in the “S” position, the switch operating member 40 sets both the up-side switch SW1 and the down-side switch SW2 to the operating state.
When the shift lever 20 is in the “S +” position, the switch operating member 40 sets the up-side switch SW1 to the operating state and sets the down-side switch SW2 to the non-operating state.
When the shift lever 20 is in the “S−” position, the switch operating member 40 sets the up-side switch SW1 to the non-operating state and the down-side switch SW2 to the operating state.

● [Connection between control means and switch (Fig. 4)]
Next, an example of connection between the control means 50 capable of detecting the state of the up-side switch SW1 and the down-side switch SW2 and each terminal of the switch will be described with reference to FIG. For example, the control means 40 is a unit that controls an engine, a transmission, or the like, and components other than those shown are omitted.
The control means 50 is provided with a CPU 51. The Nop terminal of the up-side switch SW1 is connected to the CPU 51 via the terminal SW1-Nop, and the terminal SW1-Nop is connected to the potential Vcc via the resistor R1. Hereinafter, the Ncl terminal of the up-side switch SW1, the Nop terminal and the Ncl terminal of the down-side switch SW2 are similarly connected. The C terminal is connected to the reference potential GND.
With this connection, the CPU 51 can detect whether the Nop terminal and the Ncl terminal of the up-side switch SW1 and the Nop terminal and the Ncl terminal of the down-side switch SW2 are each in a short-circuit state or an open state. is there.

[Detection of each position of D, S, S +, S− and determination of shift up / shift down request (FIG. 5, first determination method)]
Next, an example of “detection of each position (shift position) of D, S, S +, S− and determination of shift up / shift down request (first determination method)” by the CPU 51 using the flowchart shown in FIG. explain. The processing shown in FIG. 5 is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 10 ms intervals), for example.
In the first determination method shown in FIG. 5, there is a shift-up request at the time of transition from the “S” position to the “S +” position (or “S−” position) and then to the “S” position (or It is determined that there is a downshift request.
In steps S10 to S17, it is determined which of “D, S, S +, S−” the current position of the shift lever 20 is.
In step S10, the previous determination position (D, S, S +, S-) is stored in the previous position, and the process proceeds to step S11. Note that the shift position stored at the current position at this time (before the current position is updated) is the previous determination position.
In step S11, it is determined whether or not the up-side switch SW1 is in a non-operating state. If it is in the non-operation state (Yes), the process proceeds to step S12. If it is not in the non-operation state (No), the process proceeds to step S13. The “non-operation state” means that when the up-side switch SW1 has both the Nop terminal and the Ncl terminal, the Nop terminal is in an open state and the Ncl terminal is in a short-circuit state, and the up-side switch SW1 is in a Nop terminal. Nop terminal is in an open state, and when the up-side switch SW1 has only an Ncl terminal, the Ncl terminal is in a short circuit state.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not the down switch SW2 is in a non-operating state. When it is in the non-operation state (Yes), the process proceeds to step S14, and when it is not the non-operation state (No), the process proceeds to step S15. The “non-operation state” can be determined in the same manner as described above.
In step S14, the “D” position is stored in the current position, and the process proceeds to step S20.
In step S15, the "S-" position is stored in the current position, and the process proceeds to step S20.
In step S13, it is determined whether or not the down switch SW2 is in a non-operating state. When it is in a non-operation state (Yes), the process proceeds to step S16, and when it is not a non-operation state (No), the process proceeds to step S17. The “non-operation state” can be determined in the same manner as described above.
In step S16, the “S +” position is stored in the current position, and the process proceeds to step S20.
In step S17, the “S” position is stored in the current position, and the process proceeds to step S20.

After step S20, it is determined whether or not there is an upshift request (S +) or a downshift request (S−) from the driver. For example, when the shift lever 20 is moved from the “D” position to the “S” position due to variations in the structure of the switches, the two switches do not transition to the operating state at exactly the same timing, and one of them shifts to the operating state. After that, it may be considered that the other changes to the operation state with a delay. In this case, when the shift lever 20 is moved from “D” to “S”, for example, the up-side switch SW1 is temporarily in the operating state and the down-side switch SW2 is in the non-operating state, and thereafter the up-side switch SW1. And the down-side switch SW2 are both operated. In this case, there is a possibility that the driver erroneously determines that there has been a request for upshifting (although only “D” has been changed to “S”) although he / she does not want to upshift. This erroneous determination is prevented after step S20.
In the determination of the shift position of “D, S, S +, S−” in steps S10 to S17, if the same shift position is continued for a predetermined time (for example, continued for 50 ms), it is determined that the shift position is the current shift position. It may be.

In step S20, it is determined whether or not the current position and the previous position are different shift positions. If it is a different shift position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S21. If it is not a different shift position (No, that is, the same position is maintained), the process ends.
In step S21, the shift position stored one time before the transition is stored two times before the transition, and the process proceeds to step S22.
In step S22, the shift position stored in the previous position is stored one transition before, and the process proceeds to step S23.
In step S23, it is determined whether or not the current position is the “S” position. If it is the “S” position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S24, and if it is not the “S” position (No), the process ends.

In step S24, it is determined whether or not the “S” position is two times before the transition. If it is the “S” position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S25, and if it is not the “S” position, the process ends.
In step S25, it is determined whether or not the previous transition is the “S +” position. If the position is “S +” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S27. If the position is not “S +” (No), the process proceeds to step S26.
In step S27, it is determined that “upshift request is present” and the process ends.
In step S26, it is determined whether or not the previous transition is the "S-" position. If it is the “S-” position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S28, and if it is not the “S-” position (No), the process is terminated.
In step S28, it is determined that “shift down is requested” and the process is terminated.

[Detection of each position of D, S, S +, S− and determination of shift up / shift down request (FIG. 6, second determination method)]
Next, an example of “detection of each position (shift position) of D, S, S +, S− and determination of shift up / shift down request (second determination method)” by the CPU 51 using the flowchart shown in FIG. explain. The processing shown in FIG. 6 is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 10 ms intervals), for example.
Steps S10 to S17 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 5, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. 5, 6, and 7, the same step number is described in the step that is the same process.
In the second determination method shown in FIG. 6, there is a shift-up request at the time of transition from the “S” position to the “S +” position (from the “S” position to the “S”, as compared with the first determination method shown in FIG. It is determined that there is a downshift request at the time of transition to the “−” position. Thereafter, the determination is faster than the first determination method in which detection is performed until the position returns to the “S” position.

In step S20, it is determined whether or not the current position and the previous position are different shift positions. If the shift position is different (Yes), the process proceeds to step S22. If the shift position is not different (No, that is, the same position is maintained), the process is terminated.
In step S22, the shift position stored in the previous position is stored one transition before, and the process proceeds to step S24A.
In step S24A, it is determined whether or not the previous transition is the “S” position. If it is the “S” position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S25A. If it is not the “S” position (No), the process ends.
In step S25A, it is determined whether or not the current position is the “S +” position. If the position is “S +” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S27. If the position is not “S +” (No), the process proceeds to step S26A.
In step S27, it is determined that “upshift request is present” and the process ends.
In step S26A, it is determined whether or not the current position is the “S−” position. If it is the “S-” position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S28, and if it is not the “S-” position (No), the process is terminated.
In step S28, it is determined that “shift down is requested” and the process is terminated.

[Detection of each position of D, S, S +, S− and determination of shift up / shift down request (FIG. 7, third determination method)]
Next, an example of “detection of each position (shift position) of D, S, S +, S− and determination of shift-up / shift-down request (third determination method)” by the CPU 51 using the flowchart shown in FIG. explain. The processing shown in FIG. 7 is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 10 ms intervals), for example.
Steps S10 to S17 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 5, and thus description thereof will be omitted. Steps S30 and subsequent steps different from those in FIG. 5 will be described. 5, 6, and 7, the same step number is described in the step that is the same process.
In the third determination method illustrated in FIG. 7, the position before the transition is the “S” position and the “S +” position (or “S−” position) is different from the first determination method illustrated in FIG. 5. It is determined that there is a shift-up request (or a shift-down request) when the predetermined time has continued.

In step S30, it is determined whether or not the current position and the previous position are different shift positions. If the shift position is different (Yes), the process proceeds to step S31. If the shift position is not different (No, that is, the same position is maintained), the process proceeds to step S32.
In step S31, the shift position stored in the previous position is stored one transition before, and the process proceeds to step S31A.
In step S31A, the current position continuation counter is cleared and the process ends.
In step S32, the current position continuation counter is counted up and the process proceeds to step S33.
In step S33, it is determined whether or not the previous transition is the “S” position. If it is the “S” position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S34. If it is not the “S” position (No), the process ends.

In step S34, it is determined whether or not the current position continuation counter has reached an operation determination time (for example, 100 ms). If reached (Yes), the process proceeds to step S35, and if not reached (less than or greater than the operation determination time) (No), the process ends.
In step S35, it is determined whether or not the current position is the “S +” position. If the position is “S +” (Yes), the process proceeds to step S37. If the position is not “S +” (No), the process proceeds to step S36.
In step S37, it is determined that “upshift request is present” and the process is terminated.
In step S36, it is determined whether or not the current position is the “S−” position. If it is the “S-” position (Yes), the process proceeds to step S38. If it is not the “S-” position (No), the process ends.
In step S38, it is determined that “shift down is requested” and the process is terminated.

● [Judgment of switch disconnection abnormality or short circuit abnormality (Fig. 8)]
When the switch having both the Nop terminal (normally open terminal) and the Ncl terminal (normally closed terminal) is used for the up side switch SW1 and the down side switch SW2, disconnection abnormality or short circuit is caused by the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. Abnormalities can be detected. When the Nop terminal is short-circuited, the Ncl terminal should be open, and when the Nop terminal is open, the Ncl terminal should be short-circuited. However, as shown in FIG. 3, both the Nop terminal and the Ncl terminal can be opened for a short time (for example, about 10 ms) in the middle of reaching the operation state by gradually pushing the operation unit SW1a of the switch SW1 from the non-operation state. Therefore, it is determined as abnormal when the Nop terminal and the Ncl terminal are both short-circuited or opened for a predetermined time (for example, about 100 ms).
The “determination of switch disconnection abnormality or short-circuit abnormality” processing shown in FIG. 8 is performed by “detection of each position of D, S, S +, S− and determination of upshift / downshift request” processing shown in FIGS. If at least one of the up-side switch SW1 or the down-side switch SW2 is determined to be abnormal, fail-safe processing such as fixing to the “D” position is performed without performing the processing shown in FIGS. It is preferable. The processing shown in FIG. 8 is executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 10 ms intervals), for example.

In step S50, it is determined whether or not the Nop terminal of the up-side switch SW1 is in a short circuit state. If it is short-circuited (Yes), the process proceeds to step S51. If not short-circuited (No), the process proceeds to step S52.
In step S51, the current up-side Nop is stored in a short-circuit state, and the process proceeds to step S53.
In step S52, the up-side Nop is stored in the open state and the process proceeds to step S53.
In step S53, it is determined whether or not the Ncl terminal of the up-side switch SW1 is in a short circuit state. If it is short-circuited (Yes), the process proceeds to step S54. If not short-circuited (No), the process proceeds to step S55.
In step S54, the current up-side Ncl is stored in a short-circuit state, and the process proceeds to step S56.
In step S55, it is stored in the up-side Ncl this time, and the process proceeds to step S56.

In step S56, it is determined whether or not the state (short circuit or open) currently stored in the up side Nop is the same as the state stored in the up side Ncl this time. If they are the same (Yes), the process proceeds to step S57A, and if they are not the same (No), the process proceeds to step S57B.
In step S57B, the up side continuation counter is cleared and the process proceeds to step S59B.
In step S59B, the abnormality determination of the up-side switch SW1 is canceled (determined as normal), and the process proceeds to step S60.
In step S57A, the up side continuation counter is counted up and the process proceeds to step S58.
In step S58, it is determined whether or not the up-side continuation counter is longer than an abnormality determination time (for example, 100 ms). If it is equal to or longer than the abnormality determination time (Yes), the process proceeds to step S59A, and if it is less than the abnormality determination time (No), the process proceeds to step S60.
In step S59A, it is determined that the up-side switch SW1 is abnormal, and the process proceeds to step S60.

  Note that steps S50 to S59B are processes related to the down-side switch SW2 while steps S60 to S69B are processes related to the down-side switch SW2, and the description thereof is omitted.

The shift lever device of the automatic transmission in the automobile of the present invention is not limited to the appearance, configuration, determination method, etc. described in the present embodiment, and various changes, additions, and deletions can be made without changing the gist of the present invention. Is possible.
For example, the detection of each position of “D, S, S +, S−” and the determination process of the upshift / downshift request are not limited to the processes in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Alternatively, the short abnormality determination process is not limited to the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.
Further, the above (≧), the following (≦), the greater (>), the less (<), etc. may or may not include an equal sign.
The numerical values used in the description of the present embodiment are examples, and are not limited to these numerical values.

1 is an external view (perspective view) of an embodiment of a shift lever device 10 for an automatic transmission in an automobile of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the shift position in A / T mode shift groove MAT and M / T mode shift groove MMT. It is a figure explaining the structure which can detect each position of D, S, S +, and S- by two switches SW1 and SW2. It is a figure which shows the example of a connection with the control means 50 which can detect the state of up side switch SW1, and down side switch SW2, and each terminal of a switch. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the detection (1st determination method) of the detection of each position of D, S, S +, and S-, and a shift up / shift down request | requirement. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the detection (2nd determination method) of the detection of each position of D, S, S +, and S-, and a shift up / shift down request | requirement. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the detection (3rd determination method) of the detection of each position of D, S, S +, and S-, and a shift up / shift down request | requirement. It is a flowchart explaining the example of determination of disconnection abnormality or short circuit abnormality of up side switch SW1 and down side switch SW2. It is a figure explaining the conventional structure which detects each position of D, S, S +, and S- by three switches SW10, SW20, and SW30.

Explanation of symbols

10 Shift lever device 20 Shift lever 30 Switch BOX
40 Switch operation member 50 Control means MAT A / T mode shift groove MMT M / T mode shift groove MA A / T area MM M / T area SW1 Up side switch SW2 Down side switch SW1a Operation part

Claims (7)

An A / T mode shift groove and an M / T mode shift groove are provided, and the shift lever is moved from the automatic shift position in the A / T mode shift groove to the speed ratio maintaining position in the M / T mode shift groove. The operation mode of the automatic transmission can be changed from the A / T mode to the M / T mode, and the operation mode of the automatic transmission is changed to M by moving the shift lever from the transmission ratio maintaining position to the automatic transmission position. / T mode can be changed to A / T mode,
The M / T mode groove has a gear ratio maintaining position for maintaining the gear ratio of the automatic transmission at the current gear or a gear ratio corresponding to the current gear, and the gear ratio of the automatic transmission at the current gear or the current gear. To the current gear or the current gear, and the shift-up position for instructing the change to the gear ratio corresponding to the first gear or the first gear, and the gear ratio of the automatic transmission. A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile, having a shift down position for instructing a change from a corresponding gear ratio to a gear ratio corresponding to a gear on the first-stage low-speed side or a gear ratio on the first-stage low-speed side,
The shift lever device has two switches, an up switch and a down switch,
The conduction state and the open state of the up side switch and the down side switch change according to the operation state and non-operation state of the switch,
A switch operating member for operating the two switches is connected to the shift lever,
The switch operation member
If the shift lever is in the automatic shift position, set both switches to the non-operating state,
When the shift lever is in the gear ratio maintaining position, set both switches to the operating state.
When the shift lever is in the upshift position, set the up side switch to the operating state and the down side switch to the non-operating state.
When the shift lever is in the shift down position, the up side switch is set to the non-operating state and the down side switch is set to the operating state.
A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile. A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 1,
The up-side switch and the down-side switch have a normally open terminal that is open when the switch is not operated and short-circuited when operated, and the normally open terminal of each of the two switches Provided with a control means capable of detecting the operation state or non-operation state of the switch by detecting the open state,
The control means
When the normally open terminals of both the up side switch and the down side switch are in the open state indicating the non-operating state, it is detected that the position of the shift lever is the automatic shift position,
When the normally open terminals of both the up-side switch and the down-side switch are in a short-circuit state indicating the operation state, it is detected that the position of the shift lever is the gear ratio maintaining position,
When the normally open terminal on the up-side switch is in a short-circuit state indicating an operating state and the normally-open terminal on the down-side switch is in an open state indicating a non-operating state, it is detected that the shift lever is in the upshift position. ,
When the normally open terminal on the up side switch is in the open state indicating the non-operating state and the normal open terminal on the down side switch is in the short circuit state indicating the operating state, it is detected that the position of the shift lever is the shift down position. ,
A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile. A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 1,
The up side switch and the down side switch are normally open terminals that are open when the switch is not operated and shorted when operated, and are shorted when the switch is not operated and open when operated. It has both a normally closed terminal, and detects the operating state or non-operating state of the switch by detecting the short circuit state or the open state between the normally open terminal and the normally closed terminal of each of the two switches. With possible control means,
The control means
When the normally open terminals of both the up side switch and the down side switch are in the open state indicating the non-operating state, and both the normally closed terminals are in the short circuit state indicating the non-operating state, the position of the shift lever is the automatic shift position. Is detected,
When the normally open terminals of both the up-side switch and the down-side switch are in a short-circuit state indicating the operating state and both the normally-closed terminals are in the open state indicating the operating state, the shift lever is in the gear ratio maintaining position. Detect that there is
The normally open terminal in the up side switch is in a short circuit state indicating an operating state and the normally closed terminal is in an open state indicating an operating state, and the normal open terminal in the down side switch is in an open state indicating a non-operating state and is normal. When the close terminal is in a short-circuit state indicating a non-operation state, it is detected that the position of the shift lever is the shift-up position,
The normally open terminal in the up-side switch is in an open state indicating a non-operating state and the normally closed terminal is in a short-circuit state indicating a non-operating state, and the normal open terminal in the down-side switch is in a short-circuit state indicating an operating state; Detecting that the position of the shift lever is the downshift position when the normally closed terminal is in the open state indicating the operation state;
A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile. A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to claim 3,
The control means
A switch in which both the normally open terminal and the normally closed terminal are detected to be open or short-circuited continuously for a predetermined abnormality determination time is determined to be abnormal.
A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile. A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The control means
After detecting that both switches are in the operating state, when it is detected that the up-side switch is in the operating state and the down-side switch is in the non-operating state, it is determined that the driver has requested a shift-up request. And
After detecting that both switches are in the operating state, when it is detected that the up-side switch is in the non-operating state and the down-side switch is in the operating state, it is determined that a downshift request has been instructed by the driver. To
A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile. A shift lever device for an automatic transmission according to claim 5,
The control means
After detecting that both switches are in the operating state, it is detected that the up-side switch is in the operating state and the down-side switch is in the non-operating state, and then that both switches are in the operating state. When detected, it is determined that the driver has requested a shift-up request,
After detecting that both switches are in the operating state, it is detected that the up-side switch is in the non-operating state and the down-side switch is in the operating state, and then the two switches are both in the operating state. When detected, it is determined that a request for downshifting is instructed by the driver.
A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile. A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The control means
After detecting that both switches are in the operating state, when the up-side switch is in the operating state and the down-side switch is in the non-operating state for a predetermined operation determination time, the driver Determine that a request for upshifting has been issued,
After detecting that both switches are in the operating state, when the up-side switch is in the non-operating state and the down-side switch is in the operating state for a predetermined operation determination time, the driver Determining that a downshift request has been instructed;
A shift lever device for an automatic transmission in an automobile.

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