JP2007290468A - Select assist device for automatic transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a select assist device for an automatic transmission, capable of simplifying the configuration thereof and restraining the cost thereof by eliminating the use of a park switch while ensuring a shift lock function equivalent to a conventional function. <P>SOLUTION: This select assist device includes: a potentiometer 25 for detecting an operation position of a select lever 2; a shift lock solenoid 36 for inhibiting the select lever 2 from shifting from a select state of a P-range position in any case other than lock release conditions restricting the operation when lock setting conditions are satisfied and a lock is made; and a control unit 22 which determines whether or not a detection result by the potentiometer 25 is at the P-range position and controls shifting of the shift lock solenoid 36 to a lock state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field of a selection assist device for an automatic transmission that assists a driver's select lever operating force in a vehicle equipped with the automatic transmission.

Conventionally, a select lever of an automatic transmission is mechanically connected to a manual valve of the automatic transmission via an operating force transmission means such as a rod or a cable. The operating force of the driver input to the select lever is transmitted to the manual valve via the operating force transmission means, and the range position is switched according to the operation amount (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
However, in this prior art, since the shape becomes large due to the length of the select lever, there are many restrictions on the installation place, and the degree of freedom in layout in the passenger compartment is low.

On the other hand, what uses what is called shift-by-wire technique in which the select lever and the manual valve are electrically connected is known. In this prior art, an actuator that operates a manual valve is provided, and the range position is switched by driving the actuator by changing the rotation operation of the select lever into an electric signal (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
However, in this prior art, the selection lever can be designed to be short by adopting an actuator, and the degree of freedom in layout is higher than that of the former prior art. However, since the select lever and the manual valve are not mechanically connected, the range cannot be switched during a failure.

  On the other hand, the range can be switched by mechanically connecting the select lever and the range position switching device, while the layout freedom can be expanded by downsizing the select lever, and the select lever operating force according to the requirements There is a select assist device for an automatic transmission capable of obtaining characteristics (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

In addition, a shift lock device that locks the P range position so that the selection operation cannot be performed by a solenoid, is unlocked by depressing the brake pedal, and allows operation from the P range position to another range position. Yes (see, for example, Patent Document 4).
By this shift lock device, it is possible to prevent unexpected movement of the vehicle when the select lever is operated unintentionally by the driver, due to creep specific to the automatic transmission or due to the driver stepping on the accelerator.
JP-A-9-323559 JP 2003-97694 A JP 2005-133797 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-266908

Conventionally, apart from the configuration of the automatic transmission select assist device, a park switch for detecting that the range position by the select lever is at the P range position has been provided.
The park switch detects that the select lever is in the P range position by an electrode or a detection piece.
However, this park switch complicates the structure of the downsized select lever portion, which increases the cost.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and the object thereof is to eliminate the park switch while securing the same shift lock function as the conventional one in the automatic transmission select assist device. An object of the present invention is to provide a selection assist device for an automatic transmission that can be simplified in configuration and cost can be suppressed.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the automatic transmission select assist device of the present invention, the select lever and the automatic transmission select position switching device are connected by a select operation force transmission system, and the select operation force transmission system includes An assist actuator for assisting a select operation force by a driver is provided, and in the select assist device of the automatic transmission including an assist control means for outputting a control command for changing the assist force to the assist actuator, the operation position of the select lever or Position detecting means for detecting the operating position of the select position switching device, and a shift that prevents the select lever from being moved from the selected state of the P range position except when the lock is released under a lock setting condition when the lock is set. A locking mechanism and the position detecting hand; Detection result of is characterized in that it comprises a P range position determining means for determining whether the P range position, a lock control means for controlling the transition to the locked state of the shift lock mechanism.

  In the present invention, in the select assist device for an automatic transmission, the park switch can be omitted while the shift lock function similar to the conventional one is secured, the configuration can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment for realizing a select assist device for an automatic transmission according to the present invention will be described based on examples.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of the automatic transmission apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main part showing the detailed structure of the assist actuator.

  The automatic transmission of the first embodiment includes a select mechanism unit 1, a control cable 8, an assist actuator 9, a control cable 18, an automatic transmission 19, and a control unit (assist force control means) 22. It is configured.

  The selection mechanism unit 1 has a selection lever 2 that is operated by a driver, and is provided, for example, in a center cluster 3 beside the driver's seat. At the upper end of the select lever 2, a select knob 4 is attached for the driver to hold during the select operation. The select lever 2 is rotated about the fulcrum shaft 5 and is set to 100 mm, which is 250 mm shorter than a conventional general select lever.

  A push-pull control cable 8 is connected to the lower end of the select lever 2 via a select lever joint 7. The control cable 8 is rotatably connected to the input lever 10 of the assist actuator 9 via the input lever joint 11. That is, the rotational movement of the select lever 2 is converted into a linear movement, and the operating force generated by the operation of the select lever 2 is transmitted to the input lever 10.

  The input lever 10 is connected to an output lever 13 via an output shaft 12 that is rotatably provided. The output shaft 12 is provided with a worm gear 14 that meshes with a motor output shaft 16 of an electric motor 15 having a speed reduction mechanism.

  A push-pull control cable 18 is connected to the output lever 13 via an output lever joint 17. The control cable 18 is connected to the control arm 20 of the automatic transmission 19. That is, the rotational movement of the output lever 13 is converted into a linear movement by the control cable 18, and the combined force of the driver's operating force and the driving force of the electric motor 15 is transmitted to the control arm 20 of the automatic transmission 19.

  The output shaft 12 is provided with a torque sensor (input operation force detection means) 21 that detects distortion (twist) generated between the input lever 10 and the worm gear 14. The operation force signal detected by the torque sensor 21 is amplified by an amplification amplifier (not shown) and transmitted to the control unit 22 via the wire harness 23. Based on the detection signal of the torque sensor 21, the operation force in the select lever operation can be estimated.

  A contact 24 for position detection is attached and fixed to the worm gear 14. The contactor 24 rotates integrally with the worm gear 14 and makes electrical contact with a carbon resistor printed on a substrate (not shown), thereby outputting a voltage signal corresponding to the stroke angle of the select lever 2 to the control unit 22. . The contactor 24 and the carbon resistance constitute a potentiometer (operation position detecting means) 25.

  The potentiometer 25 detects the stroke angle of the select lever 2 at any time using the angle when the select lever 2 is stopped at the P range position and the L range position as the base point angle.

  The control unit 22 sets a target assist force based on the detected stroke angle of the select lever 2 and the operation force of the driver, and performs PWM control on the output of the electric motor 15.

Next, the shift lock mechanism will be described.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a schematic structure of the shift lock mechanism.
An engagement groove 201 is provided in a part of the select lever 2 that rotates around the fulcrum shaft 5. The engaging groove 201 is formed in a long groove shape along the longitudinal direction of the select lever 2, and the position pin 202 moves up and down in the engaging groove 201. The position pin 202 moves downward in FIG. 3 when a knob button 401 provided on the select knob 4 is pressed. Therefore, when the knob button 401 is pressed, the position pin 202 is lowered and the engagement with the detent gate 191 of the automatic transmission 19 is released. Match.

  A shift lock solenoid 36 is provided at a position facing the engagement groove 201. When the shift lock solenoid 36 is not in operation, the lock pin 361 protrudes to the outside by an urging structure with a built-in elastic body so that the position pin 202 cannot be lowered. On the other hand, at the time of operation, the lock pin 361 is retracted so as to be accommodated therein by the built-in electromagnet structure of the coil, and the position pin 202 can be lowered.

Next, a circuit configuration related to shift lock will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the circuit components related to the shift lock and the main components in the first embodiment.

An IGN power source 33 and a battery power source 34 are input to the control unit 22 as power sources, and are grounded by a ground terminal portion 35.
The control unit 22 receives a selection operation position (operation angle) from the potentiometer 25 and an operation torque from the torque sensor 21, calculates an assist force to be output, and outputs the assist force to the motor 15 of the assist actuator 9. A drive control output corresponding to the assist force is performed.

Next, the collector side of the transistor 221 in the control unit 22 is used as an output, and a shift lock solenoid 36, a stop lamp switch 37, and a gate output 38 for lighting the stop lamp are connected in series to the output.
The meaning of this series connection indicates that the shift lock solenoid 36 is activated when both of the control-side transistor 221 and the stop lamp switch 37 are turned on.
The stop lamp switch 37 is turned on when the brake is depressed.

  Next, the operation will be described.

[Assist control action]
In the select assist device of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment, the operation position of the select lever is read by the potentiometer 25 to set the detent characteristic, that is, the characteristic of the required operation torque with respect to the operation position. And

  Next, the operation torque input to the select lever 2 is detected by the torque sensor 21, the assist force is calculated so as to compensate for the deviation between the target torque and the detected torque, and the assist actuator 9 is operated.

As a result, the operation can be performed with a light operation, and a more ideal operation feeling can be obtained.
Further, since the assist force is applied by the assist actuator 9, the select lever can be shortened and the select portion can be downsized.

  In addition to this, the select lever 2 and the automatic transmission 19 are connected by a cable as in the conventional case, and the range position is switched by operating the select lever, although it becomes heavy as an operation at the time of failure. Can do.

[Shift lock processing]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of shift lock processing in the select assist device of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment, and each step will be described below.

  In step S11, the detection result of the potentiometer 25 is the P range position. That is, it is determined whether or not the detected voltage is in the voltage range (X1 to X2 volts) determined as the P range position. If the detected voltage is within the range of the P range position, the process proceeds to step S12. If there is, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S <b> 12, grounding processing of the shift lock solenoid 36 of the control unit 22 is performed as preparation for the operation of the shift lock solenoid 36.

  In step S13, it is determined whether or not the stop lamp switch 37 is on. If the stop lamp switch 37 is on, the process proceeds to step S14, and if the stop lamp switch 37 is off, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S14, energization is performed to activate the shift lock solenoid 36.

  In step S15, the state where the grounding process of the shift lock solenoid 36 of the control unit 22 is not performed is maintained.

  In step S16, the shift lock solenoid 36 is kept in an inoperative state, that is, a non-energized state is maintained.

[When using a park switch]
FIG. 6 shows a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 when a park switch is used.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration in the case where the circuit configuration portion related to the shift lock and the park switch of the main configuration portion are used in the first embodiment.
In FIG. 6, a park switch 39 is provided between the shift lock solenoid 36 and the ground terminal of the control unit 22.
As a result, the park switch 39 detects that it is in the P range position. The park switch 39 detects the select lever 2 or a related one by applying an electrode or a detection lever.

[Shift lock control without using a park switch]
In the select assist device for the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment, the P range position is determined by the process of step S11 based on the output value of the potentiometer 25 without using a park switch.

Based on this determination, the base of the transistor 221 is turned on. Further, the depression of the brake pedal is input to the stop lamp switch 37 by the brake information 40 and turned on.
Accordingly, when the brake pedal condition is established at the P range position, both the transistor 221 and the stop lamp switch 37 are turned on, and the shift lock solenoid 36 is activated.
Moreover, the above conditions include that the IGN power supply is turned on.

  When the vehicle is left at the P range position during normal parking, the shift lock solenoid 36 is deactivated by turning off the IGN power, and the lock pin 361 is engaged with the engagement groove 201 of the select lever 2 by the internal elastic body biasing force. And the select lever 2 becomes inoperable (see FIG. 3B).

  From this state, the driver gets into the vehicle, starts the engine (IGN power is turned on), and steps on the brake while the P range position is maintained. In FIG. 4, the transistor 221 is turned on and the stop lamp switch 37 is turned on. Thus, the shift lock solenoid 36 is activated.

  When the shift lock solenoid 36 is actuated, the lock pin 361 is pulled in by the electromagnetic force of the coil in which the lock pin 361 is built, so that the engagement between the lock pin 361 and the engagement groove 201 of the select lever 2 is released, and the shift knob 4 is provided. When the knob button 401 is pressed, the position pin 202 is lowered, and the select lever 2 can be moved in the R range direction.

  Therefore, since the shift lock solenoid 36 can perform its function under the same conditions as in the prior art using the detection result of the operation position by the potentiometer 25 necessary for assist force control, the park switch is omitted without impairing the function. can do.

Next, the effect will be described.
In the automatic transmission select assist device of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The select lever 2 has a projection amount of about 150 mm less than the conventional select lever, and the select lever 2 and the control arm 20 are connected via control cables 8 and 18. The degree of freedom of the interior layout of the vehicle is greater than that of the product, and the select lever 2 can be set at an arbitrary position in the vehicle interior such as an instrument panel.
Further, since the select lever 2 and the control arm 20 are mechanically connected by the control cables 8 and 18, the driver can manually switch the range position even when the assist actuator 9 or the control unit 22 fails.

In addition, a potentiometer 25 that detects the operation position of the select lever 2 and a shift lock that prevents the select lever 2 from being moved from the selected state of the P range position when the lock setting condition is established and the lock is released except for a lock release condition that restricts the operation. Since the control unit 22 for determining whether the detection result of the solenoid 36 and the potentiometer 25 is in the P range position and controlling the shift lock solenoid 36 to be in the locked state is provided, While ensuring the same shift lock function, the park switch can be omitted, the configuration can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.
(Other embodiments)

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the configuration of another example of the select assist device for the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment.
In another example of the first embodiment, the selection unit 100, the assist actuator 200, the controller 22, the control cable 400, and the automatic transmission 19 are the main components.
The select unit 100 includes a select lever 2, a select knob 4, a first rotating unit 130 (corresponding to a first connecting member), a check mechanism unit 1400, a worm wheel 160, and a second rotating unit 170 (corresponding to a second connecting member). ), A cable mounting lever 180 and a fulcrum shaft 190.

  The select lever 2 is provided at a position where it can be operated from the driver's seat, and a select knob 4 is attached to the tip of the select lever 2 for a driver to hold during the select operation. The select lever 2 is attached to the first rotating part 130, and the first rotating part 130 is rotated around the fulcrum shaft 190. As a result, the select lever 2 can be rotated. The select lever 2 is set to 100 mm which is 250 mm shorter than the conventional general select lever.

Further, the fulcrum shaft 190 is provided with a second rotating portion 170 that is rotatable. The second rotating unit 170 is coaxial with the first rotating unit 130, but has a structure capable of relative rotation.
A worm wheel 160 is provided on one end side of the second rotating portion 170, and a cable attachment lever 180 is provided on the opposite side of the worm wheel. The end of the control cable 400 is attached to the cable attachment lever 180 and the opposite end is attached to the control arm 20 of the automatic transmission 19.
In the first rotating unit 130 and the second rotating unit 170 that can rotate relative to the same rotating shaft (fulcrum shaft 190), the first rotating unit 130 has a play having a predetermined length in the circumferential direction. A groove 131 is provided. The second rotating part 170 is provided with a protrusion 171 so as to be positioned in the play groove 131. Accordingly, the relative rotation between the first rotating unit 130 and the second rotating unit 170 is within a range in which the protrusion 171 can move between the play grooves 131. (The idle groove 131 of the first rotating portion 130 and the protrusion 171 of the second rotating portion 170 constitute an idle connecting mechanism that is a relative displacement allowable connecting mechanism.)

The assist actuator 200 is an electric motor. A worm 210 is provided on the output shaft of the assist actuator 200 and the worm wheel 160 is engaged to form a worm gear. The assist actuator 200 rotates the second rotating unit 170. .
Further, the fulcrum shaft 190 includes a position sensor 60 that includes a position sensor that detects a stroke angle of the first rotating unit 130 with respect to the fixed member and a position sensor that detects a stroke angle of the second rotating unit 170 with respect to the fixed member. Is provided.
That is, the position sensor 60 outputs the difference between the detected value of the operation position and the detected value of the operating position as a relative displacement amount. The operating position is output separately and used for drive control of the shift lock solenoid 36.

  Further, a check mechanism unit 140 is provided on the opposite side of the first rotating unit 130 to the select lever 2. The check mechanism unit 1400 includes a pin 141 that protrudes from the first rotating unit 130 toward the outer peripheral side, and a groove 142 that engages with the pin 141. Although not shown in detail, the pin 141 has a structure in which the tip is biased by a spring in the protruding direction from the inside. The tip of the pin 141 is engaged with the groove 142. The groove part 142 is wave-shaped so as to form a valley part 142a corresponding to five ranges (P, R, N, D, and L). ). The check mechanism unit 1400 holds the selected select position, and prevents an unintended range select input due to, for example, vibration of the vehicle without any operation.

  The control unit 22 (corresponding to the assist control means) sets a command value for the assist actuator 200 based on the detected relative position, and performs PWM control on the output duty ratio of the electric motor.

In another example of this embodiment, the first rotating unit 130 and the second rotating unit 170 are engaged with each other while having an allowable play amount, and the assist actuator 200 causes the movement of the first rotating unit 130 by the operation of the select lever 2. By making the movement of the second rotating unit 170 follow, in the normal state, the same operation as the shift-by-wire is performed.
Further, at the time of failure, if the select lever 2 is operated beyond the position range of the non-connected state, there is no movable amount, that is, play amount in the operation direction, and the connected state is reached via the control cable 400. The control arm 20 of the automatic transmission 19 can be operated by the operating force.

In this automatic transmission select assist device, the output of the position sensor that detects the operating position of the assist actuator 200 is used for the P range position determination when the shift lock solenoid 36 is controlled. Since other configurations relating to the shift lock are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
Also in the select assist device of the automatic transmission of such another example, the park switch can be omitted while the shift lock mechanism is operated similarly.

(Other embodiments)
The embodiment of the present invention has been described based on the first embodiment and other examples of the first embodiment. However, the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the gist of the present invention. Any design change within a range that does not deviate from the above is included in the present invention.
For example, in the first embodiment, the torque sensor 21 is used as the input operation force detection means for detecting the input operation force of the select lever 2. However, the input operation is performed based on the supply current value to the electric motor 15, the rotation speed of the electric motor 15, and the like. It is good also as a structure which estimates force.

In the first embodiment, the configuration in which the select lever 2 and the control arm 20 of the automatic transmission 19 are connected by the control cables 8 and 18 is shown. However, the operation force transmitting means for transmitting the operation force of the select lever 2 to the control arm 20 is arbitrary. It is good also as a structure using a rod or linkage.
The shape and size of the select lever 2 are arbitrary, and may be a switch shape that can be operated with a fingertip. In addition, the target operation reaction force characteristic is also changed to a characteristic that provides good operation characteristics according to the shape of the select lever 2.

In the embodiment, the output portion of the shift lock solenoid is a lock pin that is directly engaged and is configured to be directly engaged with a part of the select lever. However, it may be via another mechanism.
Further, the shift lock mechanism may be one that locks by a motor.
In the embodiment, the transistors in the control unit are turned on and off, but other elements and switches may be used.

1 is a side view illustrating a configuration of an automatic transmission according to a first embodiment. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the detailed structure of an assist actuator. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of a shift lock mechanism. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating circuit configurations of a circuit configuration portion and main configuration portions related to shift lock in the first embodiment. Each step will be described below with reference to a flowchart showing a flow of shift lock processing in the select assist device of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure at the time of using the circuit switch part relevant to the shift lock in Example 1, and the park switch of a main component part. It is a side view which shows the structure of the other example of the selection assistance apparatus of the automatic transmission of Example 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 select mechanism 2 select lever 3 center cluster 4 select knob 5 fulcrum shaft 7 select lever joint 8 control cable 9 assist actuator 10 input lever 11 input lever joint 12 output shaft 13 output lever 14 worm gear 15 electric motor 16 motor output shaft 17 output Lever joint 18 Control cable 19 Automatic transmission 20 Control arm 21 Torque sensor 22 Control unit 23 Wire harness 24 Contactor 25 Potentiometer 33 IGN power supply 34 Battery power supply 35 Ground connection terminal part 36 Shift lock solenoid 361 Lock pin 37 Stop lamp switch 38 Gate Output unit 39 Park switch 40 Brake information input unit 100 Select unit 130 First rotating unit 1 1 play groove 140 check mechanism 141 pin 142 groove 160 worm wheel 170 second rotating portion 171 projecting 180 cable mounting lever 190 pivot shafts 200 assist actuator 210 worm 400 control cable

Claims (1)

The select lever and the select position switching device of the automatic transmission are connected by a select operation force transmission system, and the select operation force transmission system is provided with an assist actuator that assists the driver with the select operation force. In a select assist device for an automatic transmission comprising an assist control means for outputting a control command for changing force,
Position detecting means for detecting an operating position of the select lever or an operating position of the select position switching device;
A shift lock mechanism that prevents the select lever from moving from the selected state of the P range position, except for unlocking conditions that limit the operation, when locked as a lock setting condition;
P range position determination means for determining whether the detection result by the position detection means is a P range position;
Lock control means for controlling the shift of the shift lock mechanism to the locked state;
A selection assist device for an automatic transmission.

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