JP2006349447A - Position detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an appropriate detected signal from each sensor, without disposing a large substrate installation space for arranging a sensor, even when using two kinds of non-contact sensors having different detection characteristics. <P>SOLUTION: One substrate 16 with a predetermined thickness is installed on the opposite side to a shift lever 10 of a multipolar magnet plate 15, installed in the shift lever 10 at a predetermined distance from the multipolar magnet plate 15, ON/OFF sensors S1-S4 are arranged on the surface (surface on the multipolar magnet plate 15 side) of the substrate 16, and a linear sensor R is arranged on the rear surface (surface on the opposite side of the multipolar magnet plate 15) of the substrate 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a position detection device that detects a shift position and the like when a shift lever is moved.

  As a shift device for a transmission mounted on a vehicle, in recent years, a so-called by-wire type shift device that is advantageous in reducing the size of the device and reducing the operating force has been proposed. A by-wire type shift device detects a shift position when a driver operates a shift lever by a sensor, and an actuator based on the detection signal, for example, an automatic transmission (hereinafter referred to as AT). Switch the range. In other words, the AT range is switched by electrical control (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the shift device of Patent Document 1, shift is performed in accordance with the four shift positions (N (neutral), R (reverse), D (drive), + (shift up), and-(shift down)) of the shift lever. Four non-contact sensors having the same detection characteristics are arranged with a predetermined gap below the lower end of the lever.
JP 2001-341542 A (paragraphs [0025], [0078], FIG. 4, FIG. 12)

  By the way, in the sensor arrangement as in Patent Document 1, when a malfunction or the like occurs in any of the sensors and the detection signal (sensor signal) is not output, when the shift operation (shift position) is performed, The AT range corresponding to the shift position cannot be switched. For this reason, in order to provide redundancy, two or more sensors are arranged at each shift position, so that a detection signal can be surely output even if one sensor malfunctions. However, in this case, the number of sensors increases at least twice, which increases the cost.

  Therefore, in order to detect the shift position while ensuring redundancy with a small number of sensors, the detection characteristic is set so as to face the detected portion (for example, a magnet) provided at the lower end portion of the shift lever. A configuration in which two different types of non-contact sensors (for example, magnetic sensors) are arranged at a predetermined position is conceivable. However, when two types of non-contact sensors with different detection characteristics are used, each sensor is provided on a separate board so that an appropriate detection signal is output from each sensor with different detection characteristics. It is necessary to arrange them at appropriate detection positions along the downward direction of the shift lever, which requires a large board installation space.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides position detection that can obtain an appropriate detection signal from each sensor without providing a large board installation space for arranging the sensors even when two types of non-contact sensors having different detection characteristics are used. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to an operating means supported in a movable manner, a detected part that moves in conjunction with an operation of the operating means, and non-moving of the detected part. In a position detection apparatus including at least two types of detection units having different detection characteristics to be detected by contact, a single substrate having a predetermined thickness is provided at a predetermined distance from the detected unit, and the substrate One type of the detection unit of the two types of detection units is disposed on the surface of the detection unit side of the substrate, and the two types of detection units are disposed on the surface of the substrate opposite to the detection unit. The other type of detector is arranged.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, one type of the two types of detection units is provided on the surface of the detection unit side of the substrate having a predetermined thickness arranged at a predetermined distance from the detection unit. By arranging the detection unit and arranging the other type of detection unit of the two types of detection units on the surface of the substrate opposite to the detection target unit, the two types of detection units are arranged on separate substrates. Instead, an appropriate detection signal can be output from each of the two types of detection units according to the movement of the detected portion.

  The invention according to claim 2 uses a magnet as the detected portion, and arranges an ON / OFF sensor that outputs an ON / OFF signal according to a change in magnetic flux on the surface of the substrate on the magnet side. At least one linear sensor that outputs an output value corresponding to a change in magnetic flux is disposed on a surface of the substrate opposite to the magnet side.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the ON / OFF sensor is disposed on the surface of the substrate on the magnet side according to the detection characteristics, and the linear sensor is disposed on the surface opposite to the magnet of the substrate according to the detection characteristics. By arranging, an appropriate detection signal can be output according to the movement of the magnet from two types of ON / OFF sensors and linear sensors having different detection characteristics.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the operating means is a shift lever of a transmission for selecting one of a plurality of shift positions.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, one detection unit (ON / OFF sensor) disposed on the surface of the substrate to be detected (magnet) side and the opposite side of the substrate to be detected (magnet) side The shift position when the shift lever is operated can be detected based on the detection signal output in accordance with the movement of the magnet from the other detection unit (linear sensor) arranged on the surface.

  According to the present invention, one type of detection unit of the two types of detection units is arranged on the surface of the substrate having a predetermined thickness arranged at a predetermined distance from the detection unit. The other type of detection unit of the two types of detection units is arranged on the surface of the substrate opposite to the detection target unit. Accordingly, an appropriate detection signal can be output from each of the two types of detection units according to the movement of the detected unit without arranging the two types of detection units on separate substrates. Furthermore, even when two types of detection units having different detection characteristics are used, a single board can be used without using two boards, so that the board installation space can be reduced and the position detection device can be downsized. be able to.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment in which a position detection device according to the present invention is applied to a shift position detection device provided in a shift device of a transmission, and FIG. 2 shows the shift position detection device according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the shift position detection device according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a shift device 3 is electrically connected to an AT (automatic transmission) 1 via a control device (ECU) 2. The AT 1 is connected to the engine output shaft (not shown) of the engine 5 via the torque converter 4. The hydraulic control unit 6 of AT1 is provided with an electric actuator 6a for switching the range of AT1. The hydraulic control unit 6 and the electric actuator 6 a are driven and controlled based on a control signal from the control device 2.

  The control device 2 is electrically connected to a by-wire type shift device 3 provided in the passenger compartment, and corresponds to the shift position of a shift lever 10 (see FIG. 2) as an operation means of the shift device 3. A detection signal is input to the control device 2 from a shift position detection device 13 which will be described later. Based on the detection signal input from the shift position detection device 13 of the shift device 3, the control device 2 outputs a control signal to the hydraulic control unit 6 and the electric actuator 6a to drive and control them.

  In this embodiment, the shift range of AT1 has a P (parking) range, an R (reverse) range, an N (neutral) range, a D (drive) range, and an L (low) range. P range, R range, N range, D range, and L range are set in this order. When AT1 is selected for the N range, it is set to a neutral state in which the power transmission between the engine 5 side and the drive wheel (not shown) side of AT1 is cut off, and when it is selected for the P range, A neutral state in which power transmission between the engine 5 side and the drive wheel (not shown) side is cut off is set, and a parking lock mechanism (not shown) is activated to mechanically lock the output shaft 7 of AT1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shift device 3 is provided with a gate groove 9 for forming a shift pattern in the upper cover 8 a, and a shift lever 10 is inserted into the gate groove 9. The shift device 3 is installed on a floor (not shown) near the driver's seat, for example.

  The gate groove 9 includes a linear first gate groove 9a extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a second gate groove 9b formed from the front end (upper right side in FIG. 2) of the first gate groove 9a toward the right side. And a third gate groove 9c formed from the rear end (lower left side in FIG. 2) of the first gate groove 9a toward the left side, and the front end (upper right side in FIG. 2) of the first gate groove 9a. The vicinity is the N (neutral) position, the rear end of the first gate groove 9a (lower left side in FIG. 2) is the D (drive) position, the second gate groove 9b is the R (reverse) position, and the third gate groove 9c is Is the L (low) position. Around the gate groove 9, symbols “R”, “N”, “D”, and “L” are attached in accordance with the positions of R, N, D, and L, respectively. The R, N, D, and L positions of the gate groove 9 correspond to the R range, N range, D range, and L range of AT1, respectively.

  Further, a push button type P (parking) operation button 11 is provided on the front end side (upper right side in FIG. 2) of the upper cover 8a.

  In the case main body 8b of the shift device 3, a support mechanism (non-rotating mechanism) is provided that supports the shift lever 10 in a swingable manner along the gate grooves 9 (first gate groove 9a, second gate groove 9b, and third gate groove 9c). And the lever is released after operating the shift lever 10 to either the N position or the D position in the first gate groove 9a, thereby automatically moving to the neutral position (home position: hereinafter referred to as the H position) 12. A return mechanism (not shown) for returning is provided. At this time, even when the shift lever 10 is returned to the H position 12, AT1 is held in the N range or the D range.

  When the shift lever 10 is inserted into the second gate groove 9b at the R position and when the shift lever 10 is inserted into the third gate groove 9c at the L position, the detent mechanism (not shown) holds the position at that position. Is configured to do. This holding release can be performed by manually pushing the shift lever 10 back to the first gate groove 9a side. Note that the shift lever 10 is at the H position 12 when the P operation button 11 is pressed (parking).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a shift position detection device 13 for detecting a shift position (shift position) by a movement operation of the shift lever 10 is provided in the case main body 8 b of the shift device 3. Yes. As shown in FIG. 3, the shift position detection device 13 includes a rectangular multipolar magnet plate (magnet) 15 as a detected portion fixedly supported in the concave portion of the magnet support member 14, and a multipolar magnet plate 15. One substrate 16 made of a non-magnetic material having a predetermined rectangular shape and disposed downward (lower side in FIG. 3) so as to face the multi-pole magnet plate 15 and ON as two types of detection units / OFF sensor (in this embodiment, four ON / OFF sensors S1, S2, S3, S4 (see FIG. 4A)) and a linear sensor (in this embodiment, one linear sensor R (see FIG. 4A)) )).

  Four ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 (see FIG. 4A) as one type of detection unit are arranged at predetermined positions on the surface of the substrate 16 (the surface on the multipolar magnet plate 15 side). One linear sensor R (see FIG. 4A) as the other type of detection unit is disposed at a predetermined position on the back surface of the substrate 16 (the surface opposite to the multipolar magnet plate 15).

  As shown in FIG. 3, a lower end portion of the shift lever 10 is connected to a connecting portion 14 a provided on the upper surface of the magnet support member 14. The magnet support member 14 is slidably installed on the lower surface of the guide member 17, and the multi-pole magnet plate 15 fixed to the inside of the magnet support member 14 is a substrate according to the shift operation of the shift lever 10. 16 is movable in a parallel state. The connecting portion 14a is formed with a cylindrical hole (not shown) into which a spherical portion (not shown) provided at the lower end portion of the shift lever 10 is slidably inserted. 10 swings can be converted into parallel movement.

  4A is a diagram showing the arrangement positions of the ON / OFF sensor and the linear sensor in this embodiment, and FIG. 4B is the arrangement position of the N pole and the S pole of the multipolar magnet plate in this embodiment. FIG. 4C is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the multipolar magnet plate and each sensor at the H position of the shift lever in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the present embodiment, the ON / OFF sensors S1 and S2 are arranged close to each other along the vehicle width direction (left-right direction in the figure), and the ON / OFF sensor S3 is arranged in front of the ON / OFF sensor S1 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (vertical direction in the figure), and further, the ON / OFF sensor S4 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (vertical direction in the figure). On the other hand, it is arranged on the diagonally right front side of the ON / OFF sensor S2. Further, the linear sensor R is positioned on the diagonally right rear side of the ON / OFF sensor S4 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (the vertical direction in the figure), and the back surface of the substrate 16 (the side opposite to the multipolar magnet plate 15). On the surface).

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the multi-pole magnet plate 15 is such that one corner of each of the four quadrangular magnets 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d is almost in contact at one point clockwise as viewed from the substrate 16 side. Thus, it is bonded to the magnet support member 14 (see FIG. 3). Each of the plate-like and quadrangular magnets 15a to 15d is arranged so that the north pole, the south pole, the north pole, and the south pole face the substrate 16 side. 4C shows the magnets 15a to 15d of the multipolar magnet plate 15 when the shift lever 10 in the present embodiment is at the H position 12, and the sensors (ON) respectively disposed on the front and back surfaces of the substrate 16. / OFF sensors S1 to S4, the corresponding positional relationship with the linear sensor R).

  In this embodiment, four ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 and one linear sensor R are arranged at predetermined positions on the front surface and the back surface of the substrate 16, respectively, but this arrangement pattern is an example, The number and arrangement pattern of each of the ON / OFF sensors and the linear sensors are the arrangement patterns of N poles and S poles of a plurality of magnets (in this embodiment, four magnets 15a to 15d) constituting the multipole magnet plate 15. It can be arbitrarily set depending on the shift position of the shift lever 10 or the like.

  The ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 are well-known hall sensors of a switch operation type that output an ON / OFF signal according to the detected magnetic flux density of the N pole or S pole. An ON (= 1) signal is output when the N pole region of the pole magnet plate 15 is at the opposite position and the magnetic flux density of the N pole is strong. Also, OFF when the N-pole region of the multi-pole magnet plate 15 is not at the facing position (that is, when the S-pole region of the multi-pole magnet plate 15 is at the facing position) and the magnetic flux density of the N-pole is weak or almost zero. (= 0) A signal is output.

  Since the ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 cannot stably output an ON / OFF signal corresponding to the strength of the magnetic flux density as they move away from the multipolar magnet plate 15 (magnets 15a to 15d), It arrange | positions at the surface side (surface at the side of the multipolar magnet plate 15) of the board | substrate 16 so that it may adjoin with respect to the multipolar magnet plate 15. FIG.

  The linear sensor R is a known Hall sensor that outputs an output voltage corresponding to the detected magnetic flux density of the N pole or S pole of the magnet. In this embodiment, the N pole region of the multipole magnet plate 15 is When in the opposite position, an H (high) signal is output in response to outputting an output voltage (high output voltage) equal to or higher than the first threshold voltage. In addition, when the multipole magnet plate 15 is located at an almost opposite position on the boundary between the N-pole region and the S-pole region, the output voltage is in a predetermined range that is lower than the first threshold voltage and higher than the second threshold voltage. In response to outputting (medium output voltage), an M (medium) signal is output, and when the N pole region of the multi-pole magnet plate 15 is not at the facing position (that is, the S pole region is at the facing position). When the output voltage (low output voltage) is lower than the second threshold voltage, an L (low) signal is output.

  Thus, the linear sensor R in the present embodiment can output three different signals of H signal, M signal, and L signal according to the value of the output voltage.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, when the shift position of the shift lever 10 is the H position (see FIGS. 2 and 4C) 12, each detection signal (from the ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 and the linear sensor R ( The ON / OFF sensors S1 and S4 output an OFF (= 0) signal, the ON / OFF sensors S2 and S3 output an ON (= 1) signal, and the linear sensor R output an M signal. The control device 2 can recognize the shift position as the H position 12 based on these input detection signals. Similarly, when the shift position of the shift lever 10 is each of R, N, D, and L positions other than the H position, the position of the multipolar magnet plate 15 that moves according to the shift operation of the shift lever 10 is the same. Correspondingly, predetermined detection signals are output from the sensors (ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4, linear sensor R) to the control device 2, respectively. Accordingly, the control device 2 can recognize the shift position when the shift lever 10 is shifted.

  Thus, in this embodiment, each detection signal (ON (= 1) signal, OFF (= 0) signal) output from the four ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 and one linear sensor R are output. Each shift position (R, N, H, D, L) can be reliably detected while ensuring redundancy by each detection signal (H signal, M signal, L signal).

  By the way, the linear sensor R linearly outputs an output voltage corresponding to the strength of the magnetic flux density of the N pole of the detected multipole magnet plate 15 (magnets 15a to 15d) in the present embodiment. The detection characteristics vary depending on the distance L (referred to as a gap hereinafter) L (see FIG. 3) between the surface 15 and the surface of the linear sensor R.

  FIG. 5 shows the detection characteristics (A in the figure) in the present embodiment in which a linear sensor R is arranged on the back surface (the surface opposite to the multipolar magnet plate 15) of the substrate 16 so that the gap L becomes large. The detection characteristic (B in the figure) in the comparative example is shown in which this linear sensor R is arranged on the surface of the substrate 16 at the same position (the surface on the multipolar magnet plate 15 side) so that the gap L is reduced. FIG. 5 shows an example of detection characteristics when the shift lever 10 is shifted from the N position to the D position via the H position 12 along the first gate groove 9a (see FIG. 2) of the gate groove 9. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the case of this embodiment in which the linear sensor R is arranged on the back surface (surface opposite to the multipolar magnet plate 15) of the substrate 16 so that the gap L is increased, the detection characteristics ( A) in the figure changes with a gentle gradient before and after the H position. In the detection characteristic (A in the figure) in the present embodiment, the output voltage becomes higher than the second threshold voltage (V1 in the figure) at the switching point P1, and the output voltage becomes the first threshold voltage (V1 in the switching point P2). It becomes higher than V2) in the figure.

  On the other hand, in the case of the comparative example in which the linear sensor R is disposed on the surface of the substrate 16 (the surface on the multipolar magnet plate 15 side) so that the gap L is reduced, as shown in FIG. B) changes with a steep slope before and after the H position. As a result, the output voltage becomes higher than the second threshold voltage (V1 in the figure) at the switching point P1 ', and the output voltage becomes higher than the first threshold voltage (V2 in the figure) at the switching point P2'.

  As is apparent from the results shown in FIG. 5, in the case of the comparative example in which the linear sensor R is arranged on the surface of the substrate 16 (the surface on the multipolar magnet plate 15 side) and the gap L is reduced (detection characteristic B in FIG. 5). The distance between the switching point P1 ′ and the switching point P2 ′ before and after the H position is reduced, and the detection range for the H position is reduced. Therefore, in the case of this detection characteristic B, when the shift lever 10 is at the H position, even if the shift lever 10 is slightly moved, the output voltage becomes lower than the second threshold voltage (V1) or When the threshold voltage (V2) is higher than 1, the shift position at this time cannot be stably detected.

  On the other hand, in the case of this embodiment (detection characteristic A in FIG. 5) in which the linear sensor R is arranged on the back surface of the substrate 16 (the surface opposite to the multipolar magnet plate 15) to increase the gap L, the H position The interval between the switching point P1 and the switching point P2 before and after is sufficiently large, and the detection range for the H position is widened. Therefore, in the case of the detection characteristic A, when the shift lever 10 is at the H position, even if the shift lever 10 moves slightly, the output voltage becomes equal to or lower than the second threshold voltage (V1), or the first The threshold voltage (V2) is not exceeded, and the shift position at this time can be detected stably and reliably. The thickness of the substrate 16 (predetermined thickness) and the distance (predetermined distance) between the multipolar magnet plate 15 and the substrate 16 are the detection characteristics of the ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 and the linear sensor R, It is set appropriately so as to obtain the detection characteristic A of FIG. 5 according to the shape and the like.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 are output so that appropriate detection signals are output to the ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 and the linear sensor R having different detection characteristics. It is arranged on the surface of the substrate 16 (the surface on the multipolar magnet plate 15 side) so that the distance (interval) with the multipolar magnet plate 15 is small, and the linear sensor R is arranged with a distance (interval) with the multipolar magnet plate 15. ) Is arranged on the back surface of the substrate 16 (the surface opposite to the multipolar magnet plate 15) so as to be large. Thus, even when two types of sensors having different detection characteristics (in this embodiment, the ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 and the linear sensor R) are used, one substrate 16 can be used without using two substrates. Can do. Thereby, the board installation space is reduced, and the shift position detection device 13 (shift device 3) can be downsized.

  In this embodiment, two types of sensors having different detection characteristics (ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 and linear sensor R in this embodiment) are arranged on the front and back surfaces of one substrate, respectively. Two types of sensors with different detection characteristics (in this embodiment, with respect to the multi-pole magnet plate 15 provided at the lower end of the shift lever 10 than when two types of sensors with different characteristics are arranged on separate substrates, respectively. The ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 and the linear sensor R) can be easily held at a predetermined interval with high accuracy. Therefore, stable detection signals can be output from two types of sensors having different detection characteristics (in this embodiment, the ON / OFF sensors S1 to S4 and the linear sensor R).

The schematic block diagram which shows embodiment which applied the position detection apparatus which concerns on this invention to the shift position detection apparatus provided in the shift apparatus of the transmission. The schematic perspective view which shows the shift apparatus provided with the shift position detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a shift position detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the arrangement position of the ON / OFF sensor and linear sensor which are each arrange | positioned on the surface and back surface of a board | substrate, (b) is an example of the arrangement position of the N pole and S pole of a multipolar magnet board. FIG. 6C is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the multipolar magnet plate and each sensor at the H position of the shift lever. The figure which shows a detection characteristic when a linear sensor is each arrange | positioned to the back surface and surface of a board | substrate.

Explanation of symbols

1 AT (automatic transmission)
2 Control device 3 Shift device 5 Engine 10 Shift lever (operating means)
13 Shift position detector (position detector)
15 Multi-pole magnet plate (detected part)
16 Substrate S1 to S4 ON / OFF sensor (one type of detector)
R linear sensor (the other type of detector)

Claims (3)

An operating means supported movably, a detected part that moves in conjunction with the operation of the operating means, and at least two types of detecting parts that have different detection characteristics for detecting the movement of the detected part in a non-contact manner. In the position detecting device provided,
A single substrate having a predetermined thickness with a predetermined distance from the detection unit is provided, and one type of the two types of detection units is provided on a surface of the substrate on the detection unit side. A detection unit is arranged, and the other type of detection unit of the two types of detection units is arranged on the surface of the substrate opposite to the detection target unit.
A position detecting device characterized by that. A magnet is used as the detected part, an ON / OFF sensor that outputs an ON / OFF signal according to a change in magnetic flux is disposed on the magnet side surface of the substrate, and the surface of the substrate opposite to the magnet side is disposed. At least one linear sensor that outputs an output value corresponding to a change in magnetic flux is arranged in
The position detection device according to claim 1. The operation means is a shift lever of a transmission that selects any one of a plurality of shift positions.
The position detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

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