JP2007278720A - Position detector and shift device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a position detector capable of detecting the positions of detected bodies at a plurality of arbitrary places, using a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: A magnetic sensor module 11 has a plurality of sensor elements 16, that are mounted on the same substrate 15 and change in output level, according to the direction of a magnetic flux formed by a magnet in a shift lever as the detected body. Each sensor element 16 constitutes a plurality of element pairs T (T1-T5), two of which are used as one set, forming a full-bridge circuit, and outputs a plurality of binarized signals having value of "0" or "1". Then, based on the combination of the binarized signals output by each element pair T (T1-T5), a controller detects the position of the shift lever having the magnet, and detects shift operation input into the same shift lever. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a position detection device and a shift device.

  Conventionally, some shift devices have a plurality of shift modes for switching the connection state of the transmission. For example, the shift device described in Patent Document 1 switches a normal mode in which each position (D: drive, R: reverse, etc.) of an automatic transmission can be switched, and a transmission gear of each stage is switched sequentially (stepwise). It has two shift modes with possible manual mode. The shift pattern is set to H type corresponding to both the shift modes and the switching thereof.

  That is, in this shift device, the shift gate on which the shift lever is arranged is formed by the first and second gates corresponding to the two shift modes and extending substantially in parallel, and the third gate orthogonal to them. The shift lever is movably provided along these gates. Then, by detecting the movement and position of the shift lever along the first and second gates, the shift operation in each corresponding shift mode is detected, and the movement of the shift lever along the third gate is detected. Thus, a selection operation for switching between both shift modes is detected.

In addition, this shift device is configured to detect the position of the shift lever using a non-contact type sensor, thereby ensuring high reliability and reducing the number of sensors to reduce the cost. Specifically, this shift device is connected to a shift lever and swings in the extending direction of the first and second gates by the shifting operation, and in the extending direction of the third gate by the selecting operation. A second swing member that swings and two non-contact type rotation detection (position detection) sensors that respectively detect the swing of the first and second swing members are provided. The shift operation in each shift mode is detected by detecting the swing of the first member, and the select operation is detected by detecting the swing of the second member.
JP 2003-154869 A

  However, since the above-described conventional configuration requires a complicated mechanical configuration, the cost reduction effect is limited and downsizing is difficult. In addition, as long as a normal position detection sensor such as the above-described conventional example is used, at least two sensor modules are required for each shift lever movement direction. There is also a problem of end.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to use a position detection device capable of detecting the position of an object to be detected at an arbitrary plurality of locations with a simple configuration, and the same. It is to provide a shift device.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 includes a plurality of sensor elements that are arranged on the same plane and whose output level changes according to the direction of magnetic flux formed by the detected object. And a detecting means for detecting the position of the detected object based on a combination of a plurality of binarized signals generated based on the output level of each sensor element. .

  According to the above configuration, a plurality of positions can be detected without a complicated mechanical configuration, and each sensor element can be mounted on one sensor module. Therefore, it is possible to detect the position of the non-detecting body that moves on the plane with a simple configuration, thereby achieving miniaturization and cost reduction. And it can respond to various detection patterns by changing arrangement of each sensor element. In addition, high reliability can be ensured because the configuration is non-contact and has few movable parts.

The gist of the invention described in claim 2 is that each of the sensor elements includes a bridge circuit using a magnetoresistive element.
According to the said structure, the sensor element from which an output level changes with a simple structure according to a magnetic flux direction can be formed.

The gist of the invention described in claim 3 is that the detected body is provided with a magnetic body for forming a magnetic flux.
According to the above configuration, the direction of the magnetic flux on the plane on which each sensor element is arranged can be changed according to the position of the detected object.

  The gist of the invention described in claim 4 is that it comprises a second magnetic body that forms a pair with the magnetic body provided on the detected body at a position sandwiching a plane on which the sensor elements are arranged. .

According to the said structure, the magnetic flux which penetrates each sensor element can be strengthened, and a more highly accurate detection can be performed.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the object to be detected is provided so as to be movable between a plurality of predetermined positions set on a plane parallel to a plane on which the sensor elements are disposed. Is summarized in that the binarized signal combinations are arranged so as to have characteristics corresponding to the predetermined positions.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect the position at the set predetermined position with higher accuracy.
The invention according to claim 6 is based on the shift lever, the position detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shift lever is a detection target, and the detection position of the shift lever. The gist of the present invention is a shift device provided with a detecting means for detecting an input shift operation.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a shift device that can handle a wide variety of shift patterns with a simple configuration, a small size, and a low cost.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the position detection apparatus which can detect the position of the to-be-detected body in arbitrary several places with a simple structure, and a shift apparatus using the same can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the shift device 1 according to this embodiment includes a shift lever 2 to which a shift operation for switching a connection state of a transmission (not shown) is input, and an input by detecting the position of the shift lever 2. And a detecting device 3 for detecting the shifted operation.

  In the present embodiment, the shift device 1 includes a shift panel 5 having a modified H-type (h-type) shift gate 4, and the shift lever 2 extends along the shift gate 4 in the shift gate 4. It is provided so as to be movable between positions A to F (excluding positions D to be described later) set at a plurality of locations. In the present embodiment, the shift panel 5 is provided on a design surface L in the vicinity of a driver's seat (not shown) such as a center console and an instrument panel. And the detection apparatus 3 is provided in the back side of the shift panel 5, and the inner side of the said design surface L. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shift gate 4 includes first and second gates 7 and 8 that extend substantially in parallel, and a third gate 9 that connects the first and second gates 7 and 8. The first gate 7 located on the left side in the drawing has a length in the longitudinal direction that is about half that of the second gate 8. The third gate 9 extends from one end on the upper side of the first gate 7 in the direction substantially orthogonal to the first gate 7, and is connected to the second gate 8 at a substantially central portion of the second gate 8. It is connected.

  In the present embodiment, the upper end “2H” of the second gate 8 in the figure is the position A, and the connection point “2M” with the third gate 9 located at the center of the second gate 8 is the position B. The side end “2L” is set to position C. Further, the upper end of the first gate 7 in the figure and the connection point “1M” with the third gate 9 are set to the position E, and the lower end “1L” in the figure is set to the position F. In the present embodiment, the position E is set as the home position, and the shift lever 2 moves from the position E to each of the positions A to C and F by the shift operation, and then is again the position E which is the home position. It is comprised so that it may return to. The detection device 3 detects the shift operation input to the shift lever 2 by detecting the position of the shift lever 2 in any of the positions A to F.

  Further, as described above, in the shift gate 4 of the present embodiment, the first gate 7 is set shorter than the second gate 8, and the position A “2H” of the second gate 8 is included in the first gate 7. ", That is, the position D" 1H "indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 2 is not set. However, the detection device 3 itself is configured to be able to detect the position at the position D. For this reason, in the following description, this position D will be referred to in the same manner as other positions.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the detection device 3 includes a magnet 10 provided on a shift lever 2 as a detection target, and a magnetic sensor module 11 for detecting a change in magnetic flux formed by the magnet 10. And a detecting means for detecting a shift operation input to the shift lever 2 by detecting the position of the shift lever 2 based on the signal output of the magnetic sensor module 11 and a controller 12 as a detecting means.

  In this embodiment, the magnet 10 is fixed to the base end portion of the shift lever 2 inserted through the shift gate 4 and moves on the back side of the shift panel 5 as the shift lever 2 moves (see FIG. 1). Further, the magnetic sensor module 11 formed in a substantially flat plate shape is lower than the movement plane Q of the magnet 10 (the plane including the movement trajectory of the magnet 10 indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 3) (the lower side in FIG. The anti-shift lever side) is provided in parallel with the moving plane Q. Specifically, the magnetic sensor module 11 is disposed below the third gate 9 and at a position corresponding to an intermediate point between the first gate 7 and the second gate 8, that is, approximately the center of the H-type shift pattern. In the present embodiment, a counter magnet 13 that forms a magnetic flux between the magnet 10 provided on the shift lever 2 at a position further below the magnetic sensor module 11 and sandwiching the magnetic sensor module 11. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the magnetic sensor module 11 of the present embodiment is formed by a substrate 15 having a substantially square mounting surface R, a magnet 10 (and a counter magnet 13) mounted on the substrate 15. And a plurality of sensor elements 16 (16a to 16j) whose output levels change in accordance with the direction of the magnetic flux to be generated.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in this embodiment, each sensor element 16 has a pair of magnetoresistive elements (MRE) arranged on the substrate 15 at a predetermined sandwich angle (90 °). A bridge circuit (half bridge circuit) 18 is formed by connecting 17a and 17b. That is, the resistance value of the magnetoresistive element increases as the direction of the magnetic flux passing through the magnetoresistive element is closer to the current direction. Therefore, the output voltage (intermediate potential) at the output terminal Pout of the bridge circuit 18 is such that the magnetic flux direction at the position where the bridge circuit 18 is disposed as the sensor element 16 on the substrate 15 is parallel to the magnetoresistive element 17b on the ground side. The closer the value is, the higher the magnetic flux direction becomes, and the lower the magnetic flux direction becomes, the closer to the direction parallel to the power source side magnetoresistive element 17a (see FIG. 7).

  In the magnetic sensor module 11 of the present embodiment, five pairs of full bridge circuits are formed by the element pairs T (T1 to T5) including two sensor elements 16 as one set. Each element pair T inputs the output voltage of the two sensor elements 16 constituting each element pair T to a comparator (not shown), thereby a plurality of two elements having a value of “0” or “1”. The digitized signal S is generated. In the present embodiment, the binarized signal S having a value of “0” is generated when the output voltage difference between the two is “negative”.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, each sensor element 16 is provided at the periphery of the mounting surface R having a substantially square shape, and at the intermediate portions between the corner portions 15 r_a to 15 r_d and the sides 15 s_a to 15 s_d. In particular, two sensor elements 16 are provided in the middle of the sides 15s_a and 15s_c located on the first and second gates 7 and 8 sides, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the first element pair T1 is constituted by the sensor element 16a provided at the corner portion 15r_a in the position A direction and the one sensor element 16b provided at the intermediate portion of the side 15s_a located on the second gate 8 side. A second element pair T2 is formed by the other sensor element 16c provided at the intermediate portion and the sensor element 16d provided at the corner portion 15r_b in the position C direction. Further, the third element pair T3 is formed by the sensor element 16e provided at the intermediate portion between the sensor element 16e provided at the corner portion 15r_d in the position D direction and the side 15s_c located on the first gate 7 side. A fourth element pair T4 is formed by the other sensor element 16g provided on the sensor element 16g and the sensor element 16h provided on the corner portion 15r_c in the position F direction. A fifth element pair T5 is formed by the sensor elements 16i and 16j provided at the intermediate portions of the sides 15s_b and 15s_d.

  In the present embodiment, each sensor element 16 has a combination of binarized signals S1 to S5 output from each element pair T (T1 to T5) constituting each position A (2H) as shown in FIG. The arrangement angle (and the connection with the sensor element 16 forming a pair) is set so as to have characteristics according to ˜F (1F).

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9F, the magnetic flux distribution on the plane including the mounting surface R of the substrate 15 on which each sensor element 16 is disposed has the movement plane Q as the shift lever 2 moves. It changes at every position where the moving magnet 10 is present, that is, at each shift position, whereby the direction of magnetic flux at the position where each sensor element 16 is arranged also changes. As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, the first and third element pairs T1 and T3 are output when the shift lever 2 is at positions A and D, respectively. Is configured to be “1”. Similarly, the second and fourth element pairs T2 and T4 are configured so that the binary signals S2 and S4 output from the second and fourth element pairs T2 and T4 are “1” when in the positions C and F, respectively. T5 is configured such that when the shift lever 2 is at the first gate 7, the output binarized signal S5 is “1”.

  The controller 12 is provided with the magnet 10 based on the output signals of the element pairs T (T1 to T5) input as the signal output of the magnetic sensor module 11, that is, the combinations of the binarized signals S1 to S5. The position of the shift lever 2 is detected, and thereby the shift operation input to the shift lever 2 is detected.

  For example, among the binarized signals S1 to S5 output from each element pair T (T1 to T5), only the binarized signal S5 output from the fifth element pair T5 is “1” because the shift lever 2 Is only at position E (1M), which is the home position. Therefore, when only the binarized signal S5 is “1”, it can be determined that the shift lever 2 is in the position E, that is, there is no input of the shift operation. Similarly, the binarized signals S1 and S3 output from the first and third element pairs T1 and T3 are “1”, the binary signals output from the second and fourth element pairs T2 and T4, and the fifth element pair T5. The combination in which the control signals S2, S4, S5 are “0” is only when the shift lever 2 is in the position A (2H). Therefore, in such a combination, it can be determined that the shift lever 2 is in the position A.

  Note that the first element pair T1 and the third element pair T3, and the second element pair T2 and the fourth element pair T4 have the same signal output pattern, but this is the binarized signal S1. , S2, S3, and S4, the positions with small output voltage differences (positions indicated by “(0)” in the figure) are complemented to improve the determination accuracy.

Next, the position detection processing procedure by the controller will be described.
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the controller 12 first determines whether or not the binary signal S5 output from the fifth element pair T5 is “1” (step 101), and the value is “1”. (Step 101: YES), it is subsequently determined whether or not the binarized signals S1, S3 output from the first and third element pairs T1, T3 are “1” (step 102). .

  Next, in this step 102, when the binarized signals S1 and S3 are “0” (step 102: NO), the controller 12 subsequently outputs the binary values output from the second and fourth element pairs T2 and T4. It is determined whether or not the digitized signals S2 and S4 are “1” (step 103). When the binarized signals S2 and S4 are “1” (step 103: YES), it is determined that the shift lever 2 is in the position F (1L) (step 104), and the value is “0”. (Step 103: NO), it is determined that the shift lever 2 is in the position E (1M) (step 105). Although not possible with the shift device 1 of the present embodiment, if it is determined in step 102 that the binarized signal S5 is “1” (step 102: YES), the shift lever 2 is in the position D (1H). It determines with a thing (step 106).

  If it is determined in step 101 that the binarized signal S5 is “0” (step 101: NO), the controller 12 subsequently outputs the binary values output by the first and third element pairs T1 and T3. It is determined whether or not the digitized signals S1 and S3 are “1” (step 107). If the binarized signals S1 and S3 are “1” (step 107: YES), it is determined that the shift lever 2 is in the position A (2H) (step 108).

  On the other hand, if the binarized signals S1 and S3 are “1” in step 107 (step 107: NO), the controller 12 subsequently binarizes the second and fourth element pairs T2 and T4. It is determined whether or not the signals S2 and S4 are “1” (step 109). When the binarized signals S2 and S4 are “1” (step 109: YES), it is determined that the shift lever 2 is in the position C (2L) (step 110), and the value is “0”. (Step 109: NO), it is determined that the shift lever 2 is in the position B (2M) (step 111).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained.
(1) The magnetic sensor module 11 is a plurality of sensors that are mounted on the same substrate 15 and whose output level changes according to the direction of magnetic flux formed by the magnet 10 provided on the shift lever 2 that is the detection target. Element 16 is provided. Each sensor element 16 forms a plurality of element pairs T (T1 to T5) by forming a full bridge circuit by combining two elements, and each of the sensor elements 16 has a binary signal having a value of “0” or “1”. S is output. The controller 12 detects the position of the shift lever 2 provided with the magnet 10 based on the combination of the binarized signals S (S1 to S5) output from each element pair T (T1 to T5). Thus, the shift operation input to the shift lever 2 is detected.

  According to the above configuration, a single magnetic sensor module 11 can detect a plurality of positions and does not require a complicated mechanical configuration. Therefore, it is possible to detect the position of the non-detecting body (shift lever) that moves on the plane with a simple configuration, thereby reducing the size and cost of the product. In addition, high reliability can be ensured because the configuration is non-contact and has few movable parts.

  (2) Each sensor element 16 is configured by a bridge circuit (half bridge circuit) 18 formed by connecting a pair of magnetoresistive elements 17a and 17b arranged on the substrate 15 at a predetermined sandwich angle (90 °). Is done. With such a configuration, it is possible to form the sensor element 16 whose output level changes according to the magnetic flux direction with a simple configuration.

  (3) The magnet 10 is provided in the shift lever 2 which is a to-be-detected body. Thereby, according to the position of the shift lever 2, the magnetic flux direction on the board | substrate 15 with which each sensor element 16 is arrange | positioned can be changed.

  (4) A counter magnet 13 that is paired with the magnet 10 is provided at a position where the magnetic sensor module 11 is sandwiched between the magnet 10. Thereby, the magnetic flux which penetrates each sensor element 16 can be strengthened, and more highly accurate detection can be performed.

  (5) Each sensor element 16 has a combination of binarized signals S1 to S5 output by each element pair T (T1 to T5) constituting each sensor element 16 according to each position A (2H) to F (1F). The arrangement angle (and connection with the paired sensor elements 16) is set so as to have characteristics. With such a configuration, position detection at each shift position can be performed with higher accuracy.

In addition, you may change this embodiment as follows.
In the present embodiment, the shift lever 2 is provided with a magnet 10 as a magnetic material, and a counter as a second magnetic material that forms a pair with the magnet 10 at a position where the magnetic sensor module 11 is sandwiched between the magnet 10 and the shift lever 2. A magnet 13 is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only one of the two magnetic bodies may be a magnet, and the other may be iron or the like. Further, when the shift lever 2 is provided with a magnet, the second magnetic body may not be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the shift device 1 has a modified H-type (h-type) shift pattern. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to an H-type shift pattern or a more complicated shift pattern. It should be noted that the configuration of the present embodiment can be applied as it is to the H-type shift pattern, and the sensor elements 16 may be arranged in other shift patterns so as to correspond to the set detection positions.

  In the present embodiment, five sets of full bridge circuits are formed by the element pairs T (T1 to T5) including the two sensor elements 16 as a set, and the outputs of the two sensor elements 16 constituting each of the element pairs T A plurality of binarized signals S having a value of “0” or “1” are generated by inputting a voltage to the comparator. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the binarized signal S may be generated by comparing the output of each sensor element 16 with a threshold value.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the first element pair T1 and the second element pair T2, by providing the third element pair T3 and the fourth element pair T4 having the same signal output pattern, the binarized signal is Positions with small output voltage differences during generation (positions indicated by “(0)” in the figure) are complemented to improve the determination accuracy. However, the position detection of the H-type shift pattern as in the present embodiment is possible without providing the third element pair T3 and the fourth element pair T4 (or the first element pair T1 and the second element pair T2). .

  The magnetoresistive element (MRE) used for the sensor element 16 may be AMR (Anisotropic Magnetic Resistance) or GMR (Giant Magnetic Resistance). In addition, a Hall element or the like may be used as long as the output level changes according to the direction of the magnetic flux.

  In the present embodiment, the magnetic sensor module 11 is disposed below the third gate 9, at a position corresponding to the midpoint between the first gate 7 and the second gate 8, that is, the center of the H-type shift pattern. However, the arrangement position is not limited to this.

The schematic block diagram of a shift apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows schematically the relationship between a shift gate and a shift position. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of a detection apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a detection apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of a magnetic sensor module, and arrangement | positioning of each sensor element. (A) (b) The schematic block diagram of a sensor element. The graph which shows the relationship between a magnetic flux direction and the output level of a sensor element. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a shift position and the output of each element pair. (A)-(f) Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship of the magnetic flux distribution in the plane containing the mounting position of each sensor element and a shift position. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of a position detection.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Shift apparatus, 2 ... Shift lever, 3 ... Detection apparatus, 4 ... Shift gate, 7 ... 1st gate, 8 ... 2nd gate, 9 ... 3rd gate, 10 ... Magnet, 11 ... Magnetic sensor module, 12 ... Controller, 13 ... Counter magnet, 15 ... Substrate, 16 (16a-16j) ... Sensor element, 17a, 17b ... Magnetoresistive element, 18 ... Bridge circuit, T (T1-T5) ... Element pair, A-F ... Position, S (S1 to S5): binarized signal, Q: moving plane, R: mounting surface.

Claims (6)

A plurality of sensor elements which are arranged on the same plane and whose output level changes according to the direction of magnetic flux formed by the detection object;
And a detecting unit that detects a position of the detected object based on a combination of a plurality of binarized signals generated based on output levels of the sensor elements. The position detection device according to claim 1,
Each sensor element includes a bridge circuit using a magnetoresistive element,
A position detection device comprising: In the position detection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The detected body is provided with a magnetic body for forming a magnetic flux;
A position detection device characterized by the above. In the position detection device according to claim 3,
A position detection apparatus comprising: a second magnetic body that is paired with a magnetic body provided on the detected body at a position sandwiching a plane on which the sensor elements are disposed. In the position detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The detected object is provided so as to be movable between a plurality of predetermined positions set on a plane parallel to a plane on which the sensor elements are disposed.
Each of the sensor elements is disposed so that a combination of the binarized signals has a characteristic corresponding to each of the predetermined positions. A shift lever,
The position detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the shift lever is a detection object.
Detection means for detecting a shift operation input based on a detection position of the shift lever;
A shift device comprising:

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