JP2009270997A - Operation position detecting device and shifting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation position detecting device capable of improving resistance to noise and disturbance magnetic field irrespective of amount of travel of an object to be detected. <P>SOLUTION: This operation position detecting device includes a magnet 23 being movable among a plurality of predetermined positions set in the same plane and a magnetic resistance element 31 for outputting detection signals by corresponding to change of magnetic flux due to travel of the magnet 23. The magnet 23 is formed into a substantially cross shape as a whole and includes a shift direction extended part 23b and a select direction extended part 23c extended in the direction crossing the direction of its travel orthogonally and forming magnetic flux along the direction of its travel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation position detection device and a shift device using a magnetic detection element that detects a change in the direction of magnetic flux.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a shift device detects a shift position of a shift lever as an operation member operated by a user when switching a shift position (connection state) of an automatic transmission as an electric signal, and a vehicle based on the detection signal. There is a so-called by-wire system that electronically switches the connection state of the transmission. For such a shift device, for example, it is conceivable to detect the shift position of the shift lever using an operation position detection device as disclosed in Patent Document 1.

This operation position detection device includes a magnet formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and a magnetic detection element that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the direction of magnetic flux applied to itself. The magnet is magnetized in the axial direction, and forms a magnetic flux that wraps around from the surface on one side of the magnetization direction to the surface on the other side. When the magnet moves in one direction as the shift lever is operated, the direction of the magnetic flux applied to the magnetic detection element changes continuously. The shift device compares the value of the detection signal output from the magnetic detection element with a preset threshold value corresponding to the shift position of the shift lever, and detects the shift position of the shift lever based on the comparison result. .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-138501

  By the way, in this operation position detection device, when the difference in the value of the detection signal output from the magnetic detection element according to each position of the magnet is small, noise is superimposed on the detection signal from the magnetic detection element, or the magnetic detection element There is a concern that the detection signal from the magnetic detection element may change beyond the threshold due to the application of a disturbance magnetic field. Therefore, in order to stably detect the shift position of the shift lever, a sufficient difference in the value of the detection signal output from the magnetic detection element in a state where the shift lever is held at each shift position is ensured. It is necessary to improve the resistance to disturbance magnetic fields. On the other hand, there is still a high demand for miniaturization of in-vehicle devices mounted on the vehicle, and there is a demand for miniaturization of the shift device from the viewpoint of mounting on the vehicle.

  However, in the conventional operation position detection device, the detection signal output from the magnetoresistive element with the movement of the magnet shows a sine wave waveform, so in order to improve the resistance to noise and disturbance magnetic field, the shift lever is It is necessary to ensure a sufficient amount of magnet movement when operated between the shift positions. Accordingly, the space for moving the magnet in the operation position detection device becomes large, which hinders downsizing of the shift device using the operation position detection device. Note that such an operation position detection device is applied as an operation position detection device that detects an operation position of an operation member of an input device corresponding to an in-vehicle device other than the shift device or an input device corresponding to various devices other than the in-vehicle device. In this case, there are the same problems as described above.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation position detection device and a shift device that can improve resistance to noise and disturbance magnetic field regardless of the amount of movement of the detected object. There is to do.

  The invention according to claim 1 is provided so as to be movable between a plurality of predetermined positions in accordance with the operation of the operation member and is magnetized in a direction crossing the moving direction, and the movement of the detected body Magnetic detection means disposed between the predetermined positions adjacent to each other in the direction and outputting a detection signal corresponding to a change in magnetic flux accompanying movement of the detection target, and the detection target is based on the detection signal An operation position detecting device for detecting whether the magnetic detection means is located at the predetermined position on one side or the predetermined position on the other side in the moving direction, wherein the detected object is viewed from the magnetization direction. The gist of the invention is to have an extending portion that extends in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction and forms a magnetic flux along the moving direction.

  According to the present invention, a part of the magnetic flux emitted from one side of the magnetizing direction of the extending portion extending in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the detected object as viewed from the magnetizing direction of the detected object is Since it goes around to the other side in the magnetization direction of the extending portion along the moving direction of the detecting body, a magnetic flux is formed along the moving direction of the detected body. Therefore, the direction of the magnetic flux applied to the magnetic detection means changes greatly when the extended portion of the detection object moves from one side of the magnetic detection means to the other side. For this reason, the difference in the value of the detection signal when the detection target is arranged at each predetermined position can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to improve the resistance to noise and disturbance magnetic field regardless of the amount of movement of the detected object.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection object which is provided so as to be movable between a plurality of predetermined positions in accordance with the operation of the operation member and is magnetized in a direction intersecting the movement direction, and the movement of the detection object Magnetic detection means disposed between the predetermined positions adjacent to each other in the direction and outputting a detection signal corresponding to a change in magnetic flux accompanying movement of the detection target, and the detection target is based on the detection signal An operation position detecting device for detecting whether the magnetic detecting means is at the predetermined position on one side or the predetermined position on the other side in the moving direction, and the detected object is moved from the magnetization direction. As seen, the position shifted from the moving center of the detected object in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction and on both sides of the axis extending in the moving direction and passing through the moving center of the detected object, Provided so that it can move integrally with the object to be detected Re as its gist that the ferromagnetic material attracts the magnetic flux from flowing on the surface of the other side from the plane of the magnetizing direction one side of the body to be detected is included.

  According to the present invention, at a position where the magnetic flux that wraps around from the surface on the one side in the magnetization direction of the detected object to the other surface is shifted in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction by the ferromagnetic material. Therefore, when the moving center of the detected object moves from one side to the other side, the magnetic detection is performed because the moving center of the detected object moves toward the other side with the axis passing through the moving center of the detected object. The direction of the magnetic flux applied to the means changes greatly. For this reason, the difference in the value of the detection signal when the detection target is arranged at each predetermined position can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to improve the resistance to noise and disturbance magnetic field regardless of the amount of movement of the detected object.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the object to be detected is extended in a direction orthogonal to the movement direction of the object to be detected as viewed from the magnetization direction and forms a magnetic flux along the movement direction. The gist of the invention is to have an extending portion.

  According to the present invention, by obtaining the effects of claims 1 and 2, it is possible to increase the difference in the value of the detection signal when the detection target is disposed at each predetermined position. Therefore, it is possible to improve the resistance to noise and disturbance magnetic field regardless of the amount of movement of the detected object.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the detected object extends on both sides of the moving direction as viewed from the magnetization direction, and forms a second extending portion that forms a magnetic flux in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction. The gist is to further include

  According to the present invention, a part of the magnetic flux emitted from one side of the magnetizing direction of the second extending portion extending on both sides of the moving direction of the detected object as viewed from the magnetizing direction of the detected object is Since the second extending portion wraps around the other direction of the magnetization along the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the detection body, a magnetic flux in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the detected body is formed. Since the influence of the second extending portion on the magnetic detection means becomes larger than the influence of the other part of the detection target on the magnetic detection means as the detection target is separated from the magnetic detection means, the movement of the detection target The change in the magnetic flux applied to the magnetic detection means with respect to the amount is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the detection signal output from the magnetic detection means from gradually changing toward the threshold as the direction of the magnetic flux applied to the magnetic detection means with the movement of the detected object is reduced. It is possible to ensure a sufficient difference between the value and the threshold value, and it is possible to improve the resistance to noise and disturbance magnetic field regardless of the amount of movement of the detected object.

The gist of the invention described in claim 5 is that the object to be detected is formed symmetrically with respect to a center line orthogonal to the moving direction as seen from the magnetization direction.
According to the present invention, since the magnetic flux symmetric with respect to the center line perpendicular to the moving direction is formed around the detected object as viewed from the magnetization direction of the detected object, the substantially central portion in the moving direction of the detected object is The detection signal output from the magnetic detection means changes greatly before and after passing through the magnetic detection means. That is, the timing at which the detection signal changes greatly with the movement of the detection target and the timing at which the center of the detection target passes through the magnetic detection means substantially coincide. Therefore, it becomes possible to grasp from the shape of the detected body the timing at which the detection signal greatly changes with the movement of the detected body, and the design of the operation position detecting device becomes easy.

The gist of the invention described in claim 6 is that the object to be detected is formed symmetrically with respect to a center line along the moving direction as seen from the magnetization direction.
According to the present invention, magnetic fluxes that are symmetric with respect to the center line along the moving direction and the center line orthogonal to the moving direction are formed around the detected object when viewed from the magnetization direction of the detected object. Therefore, when the object to be detected moves in two directions orthogonal to each other, the state in which the object to be detected is held on one side or the other side of the magnetic detection means in the movement direction is stable. Can be detected.

The gist of the invention described in claim 7 is that a plurality of the magnetic detection means are provided along the moving direction of the detected object.
According to the present invention, based on detection signals from a plurality of magnetic detection means, the position of the detected object can be detected stepwise in a plurality of locations along the moving direction.

  The invention according to claim 8 includes an operation member operated to a plurality of operation positions set along the shift gate, and an operation position detection device that detects an operation position of the operation member, and detects the operation position. A shift device that switches a connection state of a transmission of a vehicle based on a detection result of the device, the gist of which includes the operation position detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

  According to the present invention, the shift device can be downsized by obtaining the same operation as that of the first aspect.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the operation position detection apparatus and shift apparatus which can improve the tolerance with respect to noise or a disturbance magnetic field irrespective of the moving amount | distance of a to-be-detected body can be obtained.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a by-wire type shift device that switches a connection state of an automatic transmission of a vehicle by electric control will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the shift device 1 is installed on a steering column 2 on which a steering wheel W is installed. The shift device 1 includes a shift lever 3 as an operation member protruding from the opening 2a on the left side surface of the steering column 2, and a shift device main body 4 disposed in the steering column 2 so as to correspond to the opening 2a. And. The base end portion of the shift lever 3 is supported by the shift device main body 4, and an operation knob 3 a that is gripped by the driver is formed at the distal end portion. The operation knob 3a is provided with a parking switch 3b.

  The shift lever 3 includes a shift panel 5 fixed to the steering column 2 so as to cover the opening 2a. The shift lever 3 is provided so as to be movable between shift positions set at a plurality of positions in the shift gate 6 along the shift gate 6 formed in the shift panel 5. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the shift gate 6 is a T-type, and the first gate 6 a extends in the vertical direction (hereinafter referred to as the shift direction) along the circumferential direction of the steering column 2. And a second gate 6b extending from a substantially central portion of the first gate 6a to the vehicle front side in a direction orthogonal to the first gate 6a (hereinafter referred to as a select direction). The length of the second gate 6b is about half that of the first gate 6a. The shift direction corresponds to the first direction, and the select direction corresponds to the second direction.

  In the present embodiment, the position A corresponding to the end of the second gate 6b on the vehicle front side is the neutral position “T”, the position B where the second gate 6b and the first gate 6a intersect is the neutral position “N”, The position C corresponding to the upper end of the first gate 6a is set to the reverse position “R”, and the position D corresponding to the lower end of the first gate 6a is set to the drive position “D”. The shift lever 3 is elastically held at the neutral position A by the shift device main body 4. When the operation force is released after the shift lever 3 is operated from the neutral position A to each of the shift positions B to D, the shift lever 3 returns to the neutral position A again. Return. The driver grasps the operation knob 3a and pulls the shift lever 3 toward the driver side, operates the neutral lever A from the neutral position A, and then moves the shift lever 3 to the upper reverse position C or the lower drive. Operate to position D.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the shift device main body 4 includes a case 7 fixed inside the steering column 2. The case 7 is formed in a substantially box shape that opens to the front side of the vehicle, and forms a lower case 7a of the case 7 on the vehicle rear side (steering wheel W side), and the lower case 7a on the vehicle front side of the lower case 7a. The upper case 7b is formed in a substantially box shape that opens to the rear side of the vehicle and is fixed so as to cover the opening. The lower case 7a and the upper case 7b are formed by magnesium die casting. As shown in FIG. 4, a connector portion 8 is provided at a lower right side (lower left side in FIG. 4) in the case 7 when viewed from the driver's seat side. The connector portion 8 has a bottomed rectangular tube shape that opens to the outside of the case 7 and protrudes toward the vehicle front side through an opening portion 7c provided in a lower portion of the upper case 7b. The connector portion 8 is provided with a connector terminal 8a in a manner derived from the bottom surface.

Next, a support structure for the shift lever 3 provided in the case 7 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped block 11 extending along the axial direction of the shift lever 3 is provided integrally with the shift lever 3 at the base end portion of the shift lever 3. The block 11 is supported by the case 7 via a bracket 12 having a substantially rectangular tube shape that opens in the left-right direction.

  Specifically, the block 11 is inserted into the bracket 12 in the left-right direction. The block 11 is formed with an insertion hole 11a having a circular cross section in the shift direction. The insertion hole 11 a is provided in a portion on the left side (right side in FIG. 5) from the center of the block 11. On the upper and lower walls 12a and 12b of the bracket 12, through holes 12c having a circular cross section are provided. Each through-hole 12c is provided in a portion corresponding to the insertion hole 11a in a state where the block 11 is accommodated in the bracket 12. The first rotating shaft 13 is inserted through the block 11 from the lower side in the figure in a state where the insertion hole 11a and the through hole 12c are arranged in the bracket 12 so as to coincide with each other. The first rotating shaft 13 is fixed to the insertion hole 11 a of the block 11 and is rotatably supported by the through hole 12 c of the bracket 12. Therefore, the block 11 (shift lever 3) is rotatable in the select direction about the first axis L1 that is the central axis of the first rotation shaft 13 with respect to the bracket 12 (see FIG. 6).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, a stopper portion 11 b that protrudes to the rear side of the vehicle is provided on the rear side surface of the block 11 on the right side (left side in FIG. 6) of the first rotating shaft 13. For this reason, the stopper portion 11b abuts on the inner surface of the rear wall portion 12d of the bracket 12, thereby causing the block 11 to move toward the rear side of the vehicle around the first rotation shaft 13 (counterclockwise in FIG. 6). ) Is restricted. Further, a notch 12e is formed in a right portion of the wall portion on the front side (the upper side in FIG. 6) of the bracket 12. Therefore, the block 11 is allowed to rotate in the vehicle front side (clockwise direction in FIG. 6) about the first axis L1.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a substantially cylindrical second rotating shaft portion 12 f extending to the rear side of the vehicle is erected on the left side (right side in FIG. 6) of the rear outer surface of the bracket 12. The second rotation shaft portion 12f is formed such that its central axis intersects the first axis L1 that is the central axis of the first rotation shaft 13 at a right angle. Further, an arcuate convex portion 12g having an arc shape centering on the second axis L2 is formed on the rear outer side surface of the bracket 12 on the right side (left side in FIG. 6) of the second rotating shaft portion 12f. Yes. On the other hand, a bearing concave portion 7e having a circular cross section corresponding to the second rotating shaft portion 12f is formed in the bottom portion 7d on the rear side of the case 7 (lower case 7a). Further, an arc-shaped concave portion 7f having a wider range than the arc-shaped convex portion 12g is formed at a portion corresponding to the arc-shaped convex portion 12g in the bottom portion on the front side of the case 7 (upper case 7b). Then, in a state where the upper case 7b and the lower case 7a are fixed to each other, the second rotary shaft portion 12f and the arc-shaped convex portion 12g are supported by the bearing concave portion 7e and the arc-shaped concave portion 7f, respectively. It is supported so as to be rotatable in the shift direction about the second axis L2 that is the central axis of the portion 12f (see FIG. 5).

  Therefore, the shift lever 3 rotates in the select direction about the first axis L1 along the shift gate 6 with respect to the case 7, and the shift direction about the second axis L2 orthogonal to the first axis L1. It rotates in the circumferential direction of the steering column. Further, as described above, since the rotation of the block 11 with respect to the case 7 with respect to the case 7 around the first rotating shaft 13 is restricted, the vehicle in the select direction around the first axis L1 of the shift lever 3 is restricted. The rotation to the front side is restricted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a detent pin holding portion 14 that opens to the opposite side to the shift lever 3 is recessed at the right end (left side in FIG. 5) of the block 11. The detent pin holding portion 14 is formed in a circular cross section, and a linear linear groove portion 14a extending along the axial direction is recessed in the inner peripheral surface thereof. In the detent pin holding part 14, a spring 15 and a detent pin 16 are arranged in order from the bottom side of the detent pin holding part 14.

  One end of the spring 15 is held by a spring holding portion 14 b provided at the bottom of the detent pin holding portion 14, and the other end is held by a holding recess 16 a provided at the end surface of the detent pin 16. The detent pin 16 is always urged in a direction protruding from the detent pin holding portion 14 by the elastic force of the spring 15.

  A portion of the detent pin 16 where the spring holding portion 14 b is provided is formed in a circular cross section having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the detent pin holding portion 14. The detent pin 16 is in a state in which the stopper portion 11b of the block 11 is in contact with the inner surface of the rear wall portion 12d of the bracket 12, and the center axis of the detent pin 16 is the first axis L1 and the second axis L2. Are held by the detent pin holding part 14 so as to be orthogonal to them at the intersection of the two. On the outer peripheral surface of the portion where the spring holding portion 14 b is provided in the detent pin 16, a linear linear convex portion 16 b extending along the axial direction of the detent pin 16 is provided. The detent pin 16 is held by the detent pin holding portion 14 in a state in which the linear convex portion 16b is disposed in the linear groove portion 14a. Thereby, the rotation of the detent pin 16 with respect to the block 11 is restricted. The detent pin 16 is held so as to be slidable in the axial direction with respect to the block 11.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a fitting portion 16c having a circular cross section having a smaller outer diameter than the portion where the spring holding portion 14b is provided at the distal end side (left side in FIG. 5) of the detent pin 16. Is provided. The distal end surface 16d of the fitting portion 16c is formed in a hemispherical shape protruding toward the distal end side, and a quadrangular prism-like shape extending along the axial direction of the detent pin 16 is formed at a portion corresponding to the top of the distal end surface 16d. A connecting portion 16e is provided.

  The fitting portion 16c is inserted into the guide recess 17a of the detent 17 fixed to the bottom 7d of the case 7, and slidably contacts the bottom surface 17b of the guide recess 17a. The connecting portion 16e is inserted into a guide hole 17c provided in the bottom surface 17b of the guide recess 17a, and a portion on the tip side protrudes to the opposite side of the bracket 12 of the detent 17 through the guide hole 17c. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the guide recess 17 a is formed in a substantially T shape when viewed from the detent pin 16 side, and extends in the shift direction along the rotation direction around the second axis L <b> 2 of the shift lever 3. A shift direction guide portion 18a that extends, and a select direction guide portion 18b that extends rearward from the substantially central portion of the shift direction guide portion 18a along the rotational direction around the first rotation shaft 13 of the shift lever 3. I have. The guide hole 17c is substantially T-shaped like the guide recess 17a.

  The bottom surface 17b of the guide recess 17a is closer to the center of the shift direction guide portion 18a as shown in FIG. 8, and further toward the tip side (rear side) of the select direction guide portion 18b as shown in FIG. 11 is inclined so as to be separated from 11.

  Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the shift lever 3 is operated from the neutral position A to the neutral position B in the select direction, and the end of the block 11 opposite to the shift lever 3 is in the first rotation. When rotating forward about the shaft 13, the fitting portion 16c of the detent pin 16 is displaced in the displacement direction of the inner end portion of the block 11 along the selection direction guide portion 18b. At this time, as the fitting portion 16c is displaced in the displacement direction of the inner end portion of the block 11 along the selection direction guide portion 18b, the tip surface 16d of the fitting portion 16c contacts the bottom surface 17b of the guide concave portion 17a. And the distance between the blocks 11 gradually decreases. For this reason, the detent pin 16 is displaced to the side of the block 11 entering the detent pin holding portion 14 against the urging force of the spring 15. When the operating force is released in this state, the fitting portion 16c of the detent pin 16 is blocked by the elastic force of the spring 15 from the portion where the tip surface 16d of the fitting portion 16c contacts the bottom surface 17b of the guide recess 17a. 11 is moved along the select direction guide portion 18b to the tip end portion of the select direction guide portion 18b so that the distance to the head 11 increases. As a result, the shift lever 3 returns to the neutral position A.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the shift lever 3 is further operated from the neutral position B to the reverse position C or drive position D in the shift direction, and the block 11 rotates downward or upward about the second axis L2. Then, the fitting portion 16c of the detent pin 16 is displaced in the displacement direction of the inner end portion of the block 11 along the shift direction guide portion 18a. At this time, as the fitting portion 16c is displaced along the shift direction guide portion 18a in the displacement direction of the inner end portion of the block 11, the front end surface 16d of the fitting portion 16c comes into contact with the bottom surface 17b of the guide concave portion 17a. The distance between the part and the block 11 is gradually reduced. For this reason, the detent pin 16 is displaced to the side of the block 11 entering the detent pin holding portion 14 against the urging force of the spring 15. When the operating force is released in this state, the fitting portion 16c of the detent pin 16 is blocked by the elastic force of the spring 15 from the portion where the tip surface 16d of the fitting portion 16c contacts the bottom surface 17b of the guide recess 17a. 11 is moved along the shift direction guide portion 18a to a position where the shift direction guide portion 18a and the select direction guide portion 18b cross each other, and further moved to the distal end portion of the select direction guide portion 18b. To do. As a result, the shift lever 3 returns to the neutral position A. That is, when the detent pin 16 elastically supported by the spring 15 and the guide recess 17a of the detent 17 hold the shift lever 3 in the neutral position A and the operating force to the shift lever 3 is released, the same shift is performed. A return mechanism for returning the lever 3 to the neutral position A is configured.

  When the shift lever 3 is operated from the neutral position A to the reverse position C and the drive position D, the shift lever 3 passes through the neutral position B of the shift gate 6, and the detent pin 16 is selected with the shift direction guide portion 18a. Get over the corner between the direction guide 18b. For this reason, the driver can obtain a sense of moderation when operating the shift lever 3. In other words, the detent pin 16 elastically supported by the spring 15 and the guide recess 17a of the detent 17 constitute a moderation mechanism that provides an operational feeling when operating the shift lever 3 at each shift position.

Next, the operation position detection device 20 as position detection means for detecting the shift position as the operation position of the shift lever 3 configured as described above will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a magnet holder 21 is connected to the tip of the detent pin 16. The magnet holder 21 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape, and intersects the axial direction of the detent pin 16 by a slider 22 fixed to the right side (left side in FIG. 6) of the detent 17 at the bottom 7d of the case 7. It is supported so as to be movable along the plane direction.

  The magnet holder 21 has a detent pin insertion hole 21a. A substantially cylindrical detent pin connection portion 21b is provided around the detent pin insertion hole 21a on the surface of the magnet holder 21 on the detent pin 16 side. An engaging member 21c is fixed to the distal end side portion of the detent pin connecting portion 21b so as to cover the opening. The engagement member 21c is provided with an engagement hole 21d at a portion corresponding to the detent pin insertion hole 21a. The engaging hole 21d is formed in a square shape corresponding to the connecting portion 16e of the detent pin 16, and the connecting portion 16e extends along the engaging hole 21d in a state where the rotation with respect to the engaging member 21c is restricted. It is inserted so as to be displaceable in the axial direction. The connecting portion 16e of the detent pin 16 is inserted through the engagement hole 21d. For this reason, the detent pin 16 engages with the magnet holder 21 in the direction along the moving plane Q. Accordingly, when the shift lever 3 is operated and the connecting portion 16e of the detent pin 16 is displaced, the magnet holder 21 is displaced in the displacement direction in the direction along the moving plane Q.

  A magnet holding portion 21 e is provided on the surface of the magnet holder 21 opposite to the detent pin 16. A magnet 23 as a detected body constituting the operation position detection device 20 is fixed to the magnet holding portion 21e.

  A magnetic sensor module 24 that constitutes the operation position detection device 20 is provided at a portion of the bottom 7 d of the case 7 opposite to the shift lever 3 of the slider 22. The magnetic sensor module 24 is mounted on a substrate 30 formed in a substantially square plate shape. The substrate 30 is fixed to the case 7 (lower case 7a) via the slider 22. The magnetic sensor module 24 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape and is provided in parallel with the moving plane Q of the magnet 23.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the magnet 23 includes a base portion 23a formed in a substantially cylindrical shape when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q, and an extending portion extending from the base portion 23a to both sides in the shift direction. The shift direction extending portion 23b and a select direction extending portion 23c as a second extending portion extending from the base portion 23a to both sides in the select direction are formed, and are formed in a substantially cross shape as a whole. Each shift direction extending portion 23b and select direction extending portion 23c are formed such that center lines M1 and M2 extending along the extending direction are orthogonal to each other at the center of the base portion 23a. The shift direction extending portion 23b and the select direction extending portion 23c are formed so that the extending lengths from the base portion 23a are equal. That is, the magnet 23 is formed symmetrically with respect to the center line M1 along the select direction and the center line M2 along the shift direction when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the movement plane Q. The magnet 23 is magnetized in a direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q. The magnet 23 has an S pole on the magnetic sensor module 24 side and an N pole on the opposite side (see FIG. 12B).

  As shown in FIG. 12 (a), the magnetic sensor module 24 is a package of four magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 as magnetic detection means together with their peripheral circuits. Is formed. The magnetic sensor module 24 is provided so that the left-right direction in FIG. 12A is the select direction, and the up-down direction in FIG. 12A is the shift direction. Further, in the case 7, the center position of the magnetic sensor module 24 and the center M (in this case, the movement center) M of the magnet 23 when the shift lever 3 is disposed at the neutral position A coincide with each other. Are arranged to be. The magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 are arranged so as to make a pair with a movement center (movement locus of the center M) when the magnet 23 moves. That is, the first to fourth magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 are provided at the corners of the lead frame 30a formed in a substantially square plate shape, respectively. Specifically, the first magnetoresistive element 31 is provided at the upper left corner in FIG. 12A, and the second magnetoresistive element 32 is provided at the lower left corner in FIG. The resistive element 33 is provided at the upper right corner in FIG. 12A, and the fourth magnetoresistive element 34 is provided at the lower right corner in FIG. 12A. In the first to fourth magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, the distance between the first to fourth magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 adjacent to each other in the select direction or the shift direction is longer than the length of the magnet 23 in the select direction or the shift direction. Is also arranged to be smaller.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the magnet 23 is viewed from the direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q, and the shift direction extending portion 23b extending from the base portion 23a to both sides of the shift direction and the base portion 23a to both sides of the select direction. And a select direction extending portion 23c that extends, and is magnetized in a direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q. A part of the magnetic flux emitted from one side of the magnetizing direction of the shift direction extending portion 23b extending from the base 23a on both sides in the shift direction is moved to the other side of the magnetizing direction of the shift direction extending portion 23b along the select direction. And wrap around. For this reason, the magnetic flux along the select direction is applied to each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 by the shift direction extending portion 23 b of the magnet 23. Further, a part of the magnetic flux emitted from one side of the magnetizing direction of the select direction extending portion 23c extending from the base portion 23a on both sides of the select direction is part of the magnetizing direction of the select direction extending portion 23c along the shift direction. In order to go around, the magnetic flux in the shift direction is applied to each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 by the select direction extending portion 23c of the magnet 23. Each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 is provided with a combined magnetic field of a magnetic field formed by the shift direction extending portion 23b of the magnet 23 and a magnetic field formed by the select direction extending portion 23c. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the third magnetoresistive element 33 in the upper right region and the second magnetoresistive element in the lower left region with respect to the central axis of the magnet 23. 32 is applied with a magnetic field in the direction along the arrow A1 direction. A magnetic field in the direction along the arrow A2 is applied to the first magnetoresistive element 31 in the upper left region and the fourth magnetoresistive element 34 in the lower right region with respect to the central axis of the magnet 23. Is done. That is, the direction of the magnetic flux applied by the magnet 23 is determined from the center M in two regions that are paired across the moving center of the magnet 23 in the plane Q1 including the detection surfaces 31a to 34a of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34a. Also, the region on one side in the moving direction is different from the region on the other side.

  Further, the magnet 23 is formed symmetrically with respect to the center line M1 along the select direction as viewed from the direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q, and is also formed symmetrically with respect to the center line M2 along the shift direction. Therefore, a magnetic flux (magnetic field) symmetric with respect to the center lines M1 and M2 along the shift direction and the select direction is formed around the magnet 23 when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q of the magnet 23.

  Each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 is configured as a so-called MR sensor in which, for example, four magnetoresistors are connected in a bridge shape. The resistance value of the magnetoresistive changes according to the applied magnetic field (more precisely, the direction of the magnetic flux). Each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 is binarized by inputting the midpoint potential of the bridge-shaped circuit described above to a comparator (not shown). In the present embodiment, each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 has a maximum value (peak) when the direction of the magnetic flux applied to the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 forms an angle of 45 degrees counterclockwise with respect to the axis extending in the shift direction. When an angle of 45 degrees is made clockwise with respect to the axis extending in the shift direction, an analog signal having a minimum value (bottom) and a period of 180 degrees is output. Accordingly, each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 has a minimum value (bottom) when the magnetic flux along the arrow A1 direction in FIG. 12A is applied, and conversely in the arrow A2 direction in FIG. 12A. The maximum value (peak) is taken when the magnetic flux along is applied. A comparator (not shown) compares the midpoint potential output from each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 with a preset threshold value TH and binarizes it. In the present embodiment, the midpoint potential when a magnetic flux in the direction along the shift direction or the select direction is applied to each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 is preset as the threshold TH (see FIG. 17). ). The comparator compares the midpoint potential of each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 with a preset threshold TH, and outputs an H level detection signal when the midpoint potential is greater than the threshold TH. When the potential is smaller than the threshold value TH, an L level detection signal is output. That is, each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 outputs a detection signal binarized depending on whether the center M of the magnet 23 is on one side or the other side of each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 in the moving direction.

  As shown in FIG. 13, each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 is connected to the connector terminal 8 on the vehicle side based on the connection of the connector portion 8 to the connector on the vehicle side. Are individually connected to a controller 35 as detection means. The parking switch 3b is electrically connected to the controller 35 based on the connection of the connector portion 8 to the vehicle-side connector, like the magnetoresistive element 31.

  Specifically, the controller 35 is a computer unit including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown). Based on the combination of the detection signals S1 to S4 output from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, the controller 35 has The position of the magnet 23 is detected, and the position of the shift lever 3 is detected. The controller 35 detects a pressing operation of the parking switch 3b based on the operation signal S5 output from the parking switch 3b. And the controller 35 switches the connection state of the automatic transmission of the vehicle which is not shown based on the detection result of the pressing operation.

  Further, the controller 35 determines whether the change in the detection signal of each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 is due to the operation of the shift lever 3 or due to a disturbance such as noise, from the detection signals ( Judgment is made based on a combination of binarized signals. If it is determined that the change in the detection signal is not caused by the shift lever 3, the controller 35 outputs a control signal to the automatic transmission to switch the connection state of the automatic transmission to neutral.

Next, the operation of the shift device configured as described above will be described.
The magnet 23 of the present embodiment includes a shift direction extending portion 23b extending from the base portion 23a to both sides in the shift direction, and a select direction extending portion 23c extending from the base portion 23a to both sides in the select direction. Magnetized in the orthogonal direction. Since the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 are arranged so as to make a pair with the movement center (movement locus of the center M) when the magnet 23 is moved, the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 are moved along with the movement of the magnet 23. The direction of the magnetic flux applied to the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 that form a pair with the movement center interposed therebetween changes. The first to fourth magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 output a binarized signal having a value corresponding to the position of the center M of the magnet 23.

  For example, when the shift lever 3 is in the neutral position A, the center M of the magnet 23 is between the first magnetoresistive element 31 and the third magnetoresistive element 33 in the select direction as shown in FIG. It is arranged at a position P5 between the third magnetoresistive element 33 and the fourth magnetoresistive element 34 in the direction. In this case, the detection signal S1 of the first magnetoresistance element 31 is H level, the detection signal S2 of the second magnetoresistance element 32 is L level, the detection signal S3 of the third magnetoresistance element 33 is L level, and the fourth magnetoresistance element The detection signal S4 34 becomes H level.

  When the shift lever 3 is operated to the neutral position B, the center M of the magnet 23 is in front of the first magnetoresistive element 31 and the second magnetoresistive element 32 in the select direction and is third in the shift direction. It arrange | positions in the position P2 between the magnetoresistive element 33 and the 4th magnetoresistive element 34. FIG. In this case, the detection signal S1 of the first magnetoresistance element 31 is L level, the detection signal S2 of the second magnetoresistance element 32 is H level, the detection signal S3 of the third magnetoresistance element 33 is L level, and the fourth magnetoresistance element The detection signal S4 34 becomes H level.

  When the shift lever 3 is operated to the reverse position C, the center M of the magnet 23 is in front of the first magnetoresistive element 31 and the second magnetoresistive element 32 in the select direction and is second in the shift direction. The magnetoresistive element 32 and the fourth magnetoresistive element 34 are disposed at a position P3 below. In this case, the detection signal S1 of the first magnetoresistive element 31 is L level, the detection signal S2 of the second magnetoresistive element 32 is L level, the detection signal S3 of the third magnetoresistive element 33 is L level, and the fourth magnetoresistive element The detection signal S4 of 34 becomes L level.

  When the shift lever 3 is operated to the drive position D, the center M of the magnet 23 is in front of the first magnetoresistive element 31 and the second magnetoresistive element 32 in the select direction and is the first in the shift direction. The magnetoresistive element 31 and the third magnetoresistive element 33 are disposed at a position P1 above. In this case, the detection signal S1 of the first magnetoresistance element 31 is H level, the detection signal S2 of the second magnetoresistance element 32 is H level, the detection signal S3 of the third magnetoresistance element 33 is H level, and the fourth magnetoresistance element The detection signal S4 34 becomes H level.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 15, the combinations of the detection signals (binarized signals) S1 to S4 output from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 are different at the positions A to D of the shift lever 3, respectively. Therefore, the controller 35 can detect the operation position of the shift lever 3 based on the combination of detection signals from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34.

  Further, when the shift lever 3 is operated to each position, the detection signals S1 to S4 of the two magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 among the four magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 change. For this reason, for example, when the shift lever 3 is in the neutral position A, detection of one of the detection signals S1 to S4 output from each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 due to failure of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, noise, or the like. When only the signals S1 to S4 change, the controller 35 may determine that the change of the detection signal is not due to the operation of the shift lever 3 based on the detection signals from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34. become able to. When determining that the change in the detection signal is not due to the operation of the shift lever 3, the controller 35 switches the connection state of the automatic transmission to neutral. Thus, the shift device 1 operates on the safe side. For this reason, for example, when the detection signal of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 changes due to a failure of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 or a detection error due to noise or the like, the shift position is erroneously determined and the transmission is inadvertently switched. Can be prevented.

  Further, all combinations of the detection signals S1 to S4 output from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 are different for each position of the magnet 23 at a plurality of locations in the select direction and the shift direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, when the magnets 23 are arranged at seven positions, the combinations of the detection signals S1 to S4 output from the first to fourth magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 are different. Therefore, the controller 35 stores the positions P1 to P7 of the magnet 23 in association with the combinations of the detection signals S1 to S4 from the first to fourth magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 corresponding to the positions P1 to P7. Thus, the operation position of the shift lever 3 can be set at a maximum of seven locations. In addition, by selecting the position of the magnet 23 corresponding to the operation position in accordance with the operation pattern of the shift lever 3 from among these seven places (P1 to P7), it is limited to only the T type as in the present embodiment. It is possible to deal with a plurality of types of operation patterns such as h-type, H-type, and cross shape.

  By the way, the 1st-4th magnetoresistive elements 31-34 output the detection signals S1-S4 binarized based on the preset threshold value TH. Then, the controller 35 determines the position of the shift lever 3 based on the combination of the binarized detection signals S1 to S4. For this reason, for example, when the difference between the values of the detection signals (midpoint potentials) output from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 according to the positions P1 to P7 of the magnet 23 is small, noise is superimposed or a disturbance magnetic field is generated. Since the detection signal (midpoint potential) is likely to change beyond the threshold value TH by being applied, the detection signals S1 to S4 are inverted, and the shift position of the shift lever 3 is erroneously determined. Is concerned. Therefore, in order to stably detect the shift position of the shift lever 3, detection signals (midpoint potentials) output from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 in a state where the magnet 23 is held at the respective positions P1 to P7. It is desirable that a sufficient difference between the value and the threshold value is secured. That is, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 16, the change in the detection signal (midpoint potential) when the magnet 23 moves from one side of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 to the other side in the moving direction is steep. Further, even when the moving center M of the magnet 23 moves on one side or the other side beyond the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, the value of the detection signal (midpoint potential) is kept constant over a wide range. It is desirable to output such a detection signal (ideal potential).

  In the present embodiment, the magnet 23 has a shift direction extending portion 23b extending in the shift direction from the base portion 23a, and the magnetic flux emitted from one side in the magnetization direction of the shift direction extending portion 23b. A part of the magnetic flux travels along the select direction to the other side of the magnetizing direction of the shift direction extending portion 23b, so that a magnetic flux is formed along the select direction. The magnet 23 has a select direction extending portion 23c extending in the select direction from the base portion 23a, and a part of the magnetic flux emitted from one side of the magnetizing direction of the select direction extending portion 23c is Since the magnet 23 wraps around the other side of the magnetizing direction of the select direction extending portion 23c along the shift direction of the magnet 23, a magnetic flux is formed along the shift direction. Each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 is provided with a combined magnetic field of a magnetic field formed by the shift direction extending portion 23b of the magnet 23 and a magnetic field formed by the select direction extending portion 23c. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, when the magnet 23 moves from one side of each magnetoresistive element 31 to 34 along the select direction to the other side, the direction of the magnetic flux applied to each magnetoresistive element 31 to 34 is It changes a lot. Further, when the magnet 23 moves from one side of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 to the other side along the shift direction, the direction of the magnetic flux applied to the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 changes greatly. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 17, compared with the magnet 41 having a circular cross section (columnar shape) and the magnet 42 having a quadrangular cross section (square columnar shape), the magnet 23 has each magnetoresistive element 31 to 31 in the moving direction. 34, the change in the detection signal (middle point potential) relative to the amount of movement of the magnet 23 when moving from one side to the other side increases, and the magnet 23 is arranged at each position P1 to P7 as the shift lever 3 is operated. In this case, the difference in the value of the detection signal (midpoint potential) increases.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, when the magnet 23 moves in the select direction and the shift direction extending portion 23b is separated from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, the select direction extending portion 23c for each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 is provided. Is greater than the influence of the shift direction extending portion 23b on each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 17, the moving center M of the magnet 23 moves when it moves beyond the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 as compared with the magnet 41 having a circular cross section or the magnet 42 having a square cross section. The change of the magnetic flux given to each magnetoresistive element 31-34 with respect to the movement amount of the magnet 23 becomes small. Further, when the magnet 23 moves in the shift direction and the select direction extending portion 23c is separated from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, the influence of the shift direction extending portion 23b on each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 is affected by each magnetoresistive element. This is larger than the influence of the extending portion 23c in the select direction on the elements 31 to 34. Therefore, even in this case, the moving center M of the magnet 23 moves beyond the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 as compared with the magnet 41 having a circular cross section shown in FIG. The change of the magnetic flux given to each magnetoresistive element 31-34 with respect to the moving amount | distance of the said magnet 23 at the time of doing becomes small. Accordingly, the direction of the magnetic flux applied to each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 as the magnet 23 moves is such that the detection signal (midpoint potential) output from each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 gradually approaches the threshold value. Even when the moving center M of the magnet 23 is moved on one side or the other side beyond the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, the value of the detection signal (middle point potential) is reduced. It is kept constant over a wide range. That is, as the magnet 23 moves, the detection signal (midpoint potential) output from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 approaches the ideal detection signal (ideal potential) indicated by the solid line in FIG. Therefore, the shift position of the shift lever 3 can be detected stably.

Next, the operational effects of the above embodiment will be described below.
(1) The magnet 23 includes a shift direction extending portion 23b extending from the base portion 23a in the shift direction and a select direction extending portion 23c extending in the select direction. A part of the magnetic flux emitted from one side of the magnetizing direction of the shift direction extending portion 23b and the select direction extending portion 23c extending in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the magnet 23 when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q Moves around to the other side of the magnetizing direction of the shift direction extending portion 23b along the moving direction of the magnet 23, so that the movement of the magnet 23 is performed by the shift direction extending portion 23b and the select direction extending portion 23c of the magnet 23. A magnetic flux along the direction is applied to each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34. For this reason, when the shift direction extending portion 23b of the magnet 23 moves from one side of each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 to the other side, the direction of the magnetic flux applied to each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 changes greatly. Therefore, the difference in the value of the detection signal (midpoint potential) when the magnet 23 is arranged at each position can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to improve the resistance to noise and disturbance magnetic field regardless of the movement amount of the magnet 23.

  (2) Since the magnet 23 includes a shift direction extending portion 23b and a select direction extending portion 23c extending from both sides of the moving direction when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q, the moving center of the magnet 23 is provided. When M moves beyond each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, a magnetic flux in a certain direction is applied to each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 regardless of the movement of the magnet 23. Accordingly, the change in magnetic flux applied to the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 with respect to the movement amount of the magnet 23 is reduced. Therefore, when the moving center M of the magnet 23 moves beyond the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, the detection signals (midpoint potentials) output from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 gradually approach the threshold value TH. And the difference between the value of the detection signal (midpoint potential) and the threshold value TH can be sufficiently secured. Therefore, this also makes it possible to improve the resistance to noise and a disturbance magnetic field regardless of the amount of movement of the magnet 23.

  (3) Since the magnet 23 is formed symmetrically with respect to the center line M1 along the select direction and the center line M2 along the shift direction when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q, the periphery of the magnet 23 As seen from the direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q of the magnet 23, a magnetic flux symmetrical with respect to the center line M1 along the select direction and the center line M2 along the shift direction is formed. For this reason, the detection signal (midpoint potential) output from each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 greatly changes before and after the central portion in the moving direction of the magnet 23 passes through each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34. That is, the timing at which the detection signal (midpoint potential) changes greatly with the movement of the magnet 23 and the timing at which the center of the magnet 23 passes through the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 substantially coincide with each other. Therefore, it becomes possible to grasp from the shape of the magnet 23 the timing at which the detection signal (midpoint potential) changes greatly with the movement of the magnet 23, and the design of the operation position detection device 20 becomes easy.

  (4) When the magnet 23 moves in two directions orthogonal to each other, the magnet 23 is held on one side or the other side of each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 in the moving direction regardless of the moving direction. Can be detected stably. For this reason, it becomes possible to cope with a plurality of types of operation patterns, and versatility is improved.

  (5) Since a plurality of each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 are provided along the moving direction of the magnet 23, the position of the magnet 23 is determined based on the detection signals S1 to S4 from the plurality of magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34. Can be detected step by step at a plurality of locations along the moving direction.

  (6) A support mechanism (such as a bracket 12) for supporting the shift lever 3 and a return mechanism (spring 15, detent pin 16, detent 17) are provided side by side in the axial direction of the shift lever 3, thereby achieving concentration. Therefore, the shift device 1 can be further downsized.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the shape of the magnet and a yoke (ferromagnetic material) are attached to the magnet.

  As shown in FIG. 18A, the detected object 50 includes a yoke 51 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q, and a magnet 52 provided inside the yoke 51. And. The yoke 51 and the magnet 52 are integrally formed by a mold member 53 made of a nonmagnetic material provided therebetween.

  The yoke 51 is formed by laminating a plurality of plate-like magnetic plates 51a made of a magnetic material in the axial direction. When viewed from the direction perpendicular to the moving plane Q, the yoke 51 has an annular annular portion 51b and a tip from the annular portion 51b. Are provided with four extending portions 51c protruding so as to face radially inward. When viewed from the direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q, the extending portion 51c is approximately 45 ° with respect to the center lines M1 and M2 along the moving direction (shift direction and select direction) from the inner peripheral surface 51d of the annular portion 51b. It extends in an inclined direction. That is, the extension 51c is a position shifted from the movement center M of the detected object 50 in the direction orthogonal to the movement direction when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the movement plane Q, and extends in the movement direction. They are provided at positions on both sides of an axis (in this case, center lines) M1 and M2 passing through the moving center M of the detection target 50.

  The magnet 52 is formed in a columnar shape having a diameter smaller than the distance between the tips of the extending portions 51 c opposed to each other in the radial direction of the yoke 51, and the end portion on the magnetic sensor module 24 side is the mold member 53. It is held by the mold member 53 in a state of protruding from (see FIG. 18B). The magnet 52 is provided so that the center of the magnet 52 and the center of the yoke 51 coincide with each other when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q. The magnet 52 is magnetized in a direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q. The magnet 52 has an S pole on the magnetic sensor module 24 side (right side in FIG. 18B) and an N pole on the opposite side.

  A part of the magnetic flux that circulates from the surface on the one side in the magnetization direction of the magnet 52 to the surface on the other side is moved from the position where the extending portion 51c of the yoke 51 is provided, that is, from the moving center M of the detected object 50. The position is shifted in a direction perpendicular to the direction and extends toward the movement direction and is drawn to positions on both sides of the axes M1 and M2 passing through the movement center M of the detection target 50. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 19, the magnetic flux applied to each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 when the detected object 50 moves from one side of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 along the select direction to the other side. The direction changes greatly. Further, when the detected object 50 moves from one side of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 to the other side along the shift direction, the direction of the magnetic flux applied to the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 changes greatly. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 19, the detected object 50 moves from one side of each magnetoresistive element 31 to 34 to the other side in the moving direction as compared with the magnet 41 having a circular cross section (columnar shape). The detection signal (midpoint potential) changes with respect to the amount of movement of the detected object 50 when the detected object 50 is moved, and the detected signal 50 is disposed at each position P1 to P7 as the shift lever 3 is operated. The difference in the value of (midpoint potential) increases.

  In addition, the magnetic flux that circulates from the surface on one side in the magnetization direction of the magnet 52 to the surface on the other side along the moving direction of the detected object 50 by the extending portion 51 c of the yoke 51 is the moving center M of the detected object 50. To a position shifted in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction, and drawn to the positions on both sides of the axes M1 and M2 extending in the moving direction and passing through the moving center M of the detected object 50. Therefore, as compared with the magnet 41 having a circular cross section, each magnetoresistive element 31 with respect to the movement amount of the detected object 50 when the moving center M of the detected object 50 moves beyond the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34. The change of the magnetic flux given to -34 becomes small. Therefore, the detection signal (midpoint potential) output from each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 is gradually approached to the threshold value with respect to the direction of the magnetic flux applied to each of the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 as the detected object 50 moves. Even when the moving center M of the detected object 50 is moved on one side or the other side beyond the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, the detection signal (midpoint potential) is suppressed. ) Value is kept constant over a wide range. That is, the detection signal (midpoint potential) output from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 as the detected object 50 moves approaches the ideal detection signal (ideal potential) indicated by the solid line in FIG. Therefore, the shift position of the shift lever 3 can be detected stably.

Next, the operational effects of the above embodiment will be described below.
(1) The magnetic flux that wraps around from the surface on one side of the magnetization direction of the detection target 50 to the other side by the yoke 51 is shifted from the movement center M of the detection target 50 in the direction orthogonal to the movement direction. Therefore, when the movement center M of the detected object 50 moves from one side to the other side of the first to fourth magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, the movement center M is attracted to the positions on both sides of the movement center M in the movement direction. The direction of magnetic flux applied to the first to fourth magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 changes greatly. For this reason, the difference of the value of the detection signal when the detected object 50 is arranged at each predetermined position can be increased. Therefore, regardless of the amount of movement of the detected object 50, the resistance to noise and disturbance magnetic field can be improved.

  (2) When the moving center M of the detected object 50 moves beyond the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, a magnetic flux in a certain direction is applied to the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 regardless of the movement of the detected object 50. Will be granted. Accordingly, the change in magnetic flux applied to the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 with respect to the amount of movement of the detected object 50 is reduced. For this reason, when the moving center M of the detected object 50 moves beyond the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34, the detection signals (midpoint potentials) output from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 gradually become the threshold value TH. It is possible to secure a sufficient difference between the value of the detection signal (midpoint potential) and the threshold value TH by suppressing the change in the approaching direction. Therefore, this also makes it possible to improve the resistance to noise and disturbance magnetic fields.

In addition, you may change this Embodiment as follows.
The detection object 60 may be configured by combining the magnet 23 of the first embodiment and the yoke 51 of the second embodiment. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, the shift direction extending portion 23 b and the select direction extending portion 23 c of the magnet 23 are respectively disposed between the extending portions 51 c of the yoke 51. According to such a configuration, the operation of the first embodiment and the operation of the second embodiment can be obtained. Therefore, as in the first and second embodiments, it is possible to increase the difference in the value of the detection signal when the detected object 60 is arranged at each position, and the amount of movement of the detected object 60 Regardless, it is possible to improve the resistance to noise and disturbance magnetic field.

  -In the said 1st Embodiment, although the magnet 23 formed in the substantially cross shape was used, the shape of the magnet 23 is not limited to such an aspect. For example, the magnet may be formed in a diamond shape or a square shape and moved in a direction along the diagonal. In this case, the top of the magnet corresponds to the extended portion or the second extended portion, respectively.

  In the first embodiment, the shift direction extending portion 23b and the select direction extending portion 23c are formed so that their extending lengths from the base portion 23a are equal, but the shift direction extending portion 23b And the extension length from the base 23a of the selection direction extension part 23c may differ.

  In the first embodiment, the magnet 23 having the shift direction extending portion 23b and the select direction extending portion 23c extending in a direction orthogonal to each other from the base portion 23a is used, but the shift direction extending portion 23b and the select A magnet having only one of the direction extending portions 23c may be used.

  In the first embodiment, the shift direction extending portion 23b and the select direction extending portion 23c of the magnet 23 are integrally formed with the base portion 23a. For example, as shown in FIG. The base portion 71 and the extended portion 72 may be formed of separate members, and they may be integrally formed by a mold member 73 made of a nonmagnetic material. In this case, for example, as shown in parentheses in FIG. 21A, the magnetic sensor module 24 side of the base 71 may be the S pole, and the magnetic sensor module 24 side of each extension 72 may be the N pole. That is, the magnetization directions of the base 71 and the extending portion 72 may be reversed.

  In the second embodiment, the yoke 51 is provided with the annular portion 51b. For example, as shown in FIG. 21 (b), the annular portion 51b is omitted and viewed from the magnetizing direction of the magnet 52, Positions shifted from the movement center M of the detection object 80 in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction and extending on the movement direction and passing through the movement center M of the detection object 80 on both sides of the axis M1, M2 Each of the ferromagnetic bodies 81 may be provided, and they may be integrally formed by a mold member 82 made of a nonmagnetic material.

  In the first embodiment, the magnet 23 is formed symmetrically with respect to the center line M1 along the select direction and the center line M2 along the shift direction, but this is not a limitation. For example, although the shift direction extending portion 23b and the select direction extending portion 23c are provided on both sides of the base portion 23a, the shift direction extending portion 23b and the select direction extending portion 23c may be provided only on one side of the base portion 23a. Good. In the second embodiment, the detection target 50 is formed symmetrically with respect to the center line M1 along the select direction and the center line M2 along the shift direction. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. For example, although four extending portions 51c are provided on the yoke 51, three may be provided, or two may be provided at positions that are not targeted with respect to the center lines M1 and M2.

  In the first and second embodiments, as the operation position detection device 20 that detects the shift position of the shift lever 3 based on the combination of the detection signals S1 to S4 output from the plurality of magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34. Although embodied, it is not limited to such an aspect. For example, the operation in one direction of the shift lever 3 may be embodied as an operation position detection device that detects a detection signal output from one magnetoresistive element and a preset threshold value.

  In the first and second embodiments, the binarized signal obtained by binarizing the detection signals output from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 by the comparator is input to the controller 35. The detection signals output from the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 may be binarized.

  In the first and second embodiments, the four magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 are integrally configured as one package, but the four magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 that are individually packaged may be used. .

  In the first and second embodiments, the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 are arranged on the same plane, but the present invention is not limited to such a mode. For example, it may be provided on the front side and the back side of the substrate 30.

  In the first and second embodiments, the gaps between the magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 are arranged so as to be constant. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode, and is appropriately changed according to the shift pattern. May be.

In the first and second embodiments, four magnetoresistive elements 31 to 34 are used. However, the number of magnetoresistive elements can be appropriately changed as long as the number is two or more.
In the first and second embodiments, when the shift lever 3 is in the neutral position, the center M of the magnet 23 and the center position of the magnetic sensor module 24 are provided to coincide with each other. For example, when the shift lever 3 is in the neutral position, the center M of the magnet 23 and the center position of the magnetic sensor module 24 may be provided so as to coincide with each other.

  In the first and second embodiments, the magnet 23 is magnetized in the direction orthogonal to the moving plane Q. However, if the magnet 23 is magnetized in the direction intersecting the moving plane Q, it is not necessarily orthogonal to the moving plane Q. It does not have to be.

In the first and second embodiments, the magnetic sensor module 24 side of the magnet 23 is the S pole and the opposite side is the N pole. However, the magnet 23 may be magnetized in the opposite direction.
In the first and second embodiments, the magnetic sensor module 24 is fixed to the slider 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode, and may be fixed to the case 7, for example.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the shift pattern is embodied in the shift device 1 having the T type, but for example, the shift pattern is embodied in the shift device 1 having the h pattern, the H shape, and the cross shape. Also good.

  In the first and second embodiments, the parking switch 3b is provided on the shift lever 3 of the shift device 1. However, for example, a parking switch may be provided on the instrument panel or the like.

  -In the said 1st and 2nd embodiment, although embodied in the column shift apparatus, you may actualize in the shift apparatus provided in a floor shift apparatus, a center console, an instrument panel, etc. Moreover, you may materialize in the input device corresponding to various vehicle equipment other than the shift apparatus 1, and the input device corresponding to apparatuses other than vehicle equipment.

The perspective view which shows the arrangement | positioning aspect of a shift apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows schematically the relationship between a shift gate and a shift position. The schematic perspective view of a shift apparatus. The top view which looked at the shift apparatus main body from the vehicle front side. Sectional drawing of a part of shift apparatus main body. EE sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FF sectional view taken on the line of FIG. GG sectional view taken on the line of FIG. The enlarged view of a part of shift device main body. Sectional drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of a shift apparatus. Sectional drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of a shift apparatus. (A) is a top view of a magnetic sensor module and a magnet, (b) is a side view for demonstrating the positional relationship of a magnetic sensor module and a magnet. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a shift apparatus. The top view for demonstrating the effect | action of an operation position detection apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the position of a magnet, and the combination of the detection signal output from each magnetoresistive element. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the moving amount | distance of the magnet of this Embodiment, and the detection signal (midpoint electric potential) output from a magnetoresistive element. Explanatory drawing which showed the relationship between the movement amount of a magnet, and the detection signal (midpoint electric potential) output from a magnetoresistive element for every shape of a magnet. (A) is a top view of the magnetic sensor module and the detection target of the second embodiment, and (b) is a side view for explaining the positional relationship between the detection target and the magnetic sensor module of the second exemplary embodiment. Figure. Explanatory drawing which showed the relationship between the amount of movement of the to-be-detected body and magnet of 2nd Embodiment, and the detection signal (midpoint potential) output from a magnetoresistive element for every to-be-detected body and magnet. The top view of the to-be-detected body of another example. (A) And (b) is a top view of the to-be-detected body of another example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Shift apparatus, 3 ... Shift lever as operation member, 6 ... Shift gate, 20 ... Operation position detection apparatus, 23, 70 ... Magnet as detected body, 50, 60, 80 ... Detected body, 23b ... Extension Shift direction extension part as an installation part, 23c ... Select direction extension part as a second extension part, 31-34 ... First to fourth magnetoresistive elements as magnetic detection means, 51 ... Yoke (ferromagnetic Body), 72 ... extension part, 81 ... ferromagnetic body, M ... movement center, M1, M2 ... center line, P1 to P7 ... position, S1 to S4 ... detection signal (binarization signal).

Claims (8)

A detected body that is provided so as to be movable between a plurality of predetermined positions in accordance with the operation of the operation member and is magnetized in a direction crossing the moving direction;
Magnetic detection means arranged between the predetermined positions adjacent to each other in the moving direction of the detection object, and outputting a detection signal corresponding to a change in magnetic flux accompanying the movement of the detection object, and based on the detection signal An operation position detecting device for detecting whether the detected object is at the predetermined position on one side of the magnetic detection means or the predetermined position on the other side in the moving direction;
The operating position detecting device, wherein the detected object has an extending portion that extends in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction when viewed from the magnetization direction and forms a magnetic flux along the moving direction. . A detected body that is provided so as to be movable between a plurality of predetermined positions in accordance with the operation of the operation member and is magnetized in a direction crossing the moving direction;
Magnetic detection means arranged between the predetermined positions adjacent to each other in the moving direction of the detection object, and outputting a detection signal corresponding to a change in magnetic flux accompanying the movement of the detection object, and based on the detection signal An operation position detecting device for detecting whether the detected object is at the predetermined position on one side of the magnetic detection means or the predetermined position on the other side in the moving direction;
The object to be detected is located at a position shifted from the movement center of the object to be detected in a direction orthogonal to the movement direction as viewed from the magnetization direction, and extends in the movement direction, and the movement center of the object to be detected. A ferromagnetic body that is provided so as to be able to move integrally with the detected body at positions on both sides across the axis passing through the magnetic body and attracts the magnetic flux that wraps around from the surface on one side in the magnetization direction to the surface on the other side is attached. An operation position detecting device characterized by comprising:   The object to be detected has an extending part that extends in a direction orthogonal to the movement direction of the object to be detected and forms a magnetic flux along the movement direction when viewed from the magnetization direction. The operation position detection device according to claim 2.   The detection object further includes a second extending portion that extends on both sides of the moving direction when viewed from the magnetization direction and forms a magnetic flux in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction. Item 4. The operation position detection device according to any one of Items 1 to 3.   5. The operation position detection device according to claim 1, wherein the object to be detected is formed symmetrically with respect to a center line orthogonal to the moving direction when viewed from the magnetization direction. .   The operation position detection device according to claim 5, wherein the object to be detected is formed symmetrically with respect to a center line along the movement direction when viewed from the magnetization direction.   The operation position detection device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the magnetic detection units are provided along a moving direction of the detection target. An operation member that is operated at a plurality of operation positions set along a shift gate, and an operation position detection device that detects an operation position of the operation member, and based on a detection result of the operation position detection device, A shift device for switching a connection state of a transmission,
A shift device comprising the operation position detection device according to claim 1.

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