JP2010106943A - Range change-over device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a range change-over device achieving further reduction in size by shortening the interior of a casing in vertical and longitudinal directions. <P>SOLUTION: In the range change-over device 1A, an oblong hole 6b of a front end part 6B is curve-shaped in the turning range of an arm member 6 required for changing over at least shift ranges (P, R, N, D) to engage with a protruded portion 5c while maintaining an approximately vertical condition relative to the axial direction of a screw shaft 5a. While a front end portion 46B has a turning angle required for changing over the plurality of shift ranges, similar to the case of a linear arm member 46, the front end part 6B therefore shortens the axial displacement of a nut member 5b required for turning the curve-shaped arm member 6. Thus, the range change-over device 1A has a further reduce size. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a range switching device including a so-called shift-by-wire system that sets a shift range (for example, P, R, N, D) selected by a driver by operating a shift lever, for example, via an electrical signal.

  For example, the shift range of a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission is generally set by a driver operating a shift lever to move a manual valve to switch an oil path. At this time, a system of a range switching device that sets the shift range selected by the driver not via a mechanical wire or rod but via an electrical signal is known as a shift-by-wire (SBW) system. .

  In the range switching device using this shift-by-wire system, an electric motor is driven via an electric signal based on the operation of a shift lever, and the rotational force of the electric motor is converted into a linear motion by a transmission mechanism including a screw mechanism. A configuration is proposed in which this linear motion is converted to a rotational motion of a manual shaft via a lever member (see Patent Document 1). The rotational movement of the manual shaft is transmitted to the manual valve via a detent mechanism or the like, and the shift range is switched by operating the manual valve.

JP-T-2004-513307

  However, in the range switching device shown in Patent Document 1, the screw shaft of the screw mechanism and the rotating shaft of the electric motor are arranged coaxially, and the axial length is increased. For this reason, there is a problem that the range switching device is enlarged and the arrangement position is limited, and it is desired to make the range switching device compact. In order to solve this problem, for example, it may be possible to achieve compactness by devising the arrangement of parts such as the worm of the screw mechanism, the electric motor, and the lever member, but in that case also, the manual shaft is rotated. Since the lever member pivots (oscillates) largely around the base end portion, the casing covering the entire apparatus must be deformed, for example, by widening the passage portion of the tip end portion of the lever member, which increases the degree of freedom in casing design. Further ingenuity is necessary to increase it.

  Therefore, the present invention is devised, for example, by devising the configuration of the engaging portion between the nut member that moves in the axial direction on the screw member of the conversion mechanism corresponding to the screw mechanism and the tip end portion of the arm member corresponding to the lever member. It is an object of the present invention to provide a range switching device capable of further downsizing by shortening the vertical and horizontal directions in the casing.

The present invention according to claim 1 (see, for example, FIG. 1 to FIG. 4) includes a range selection means (2) for selecting a required shift range from a plurality of shift ranges (P, R, N, D). A motor (4) controlled based on the signal of
The motor (4) has a screw member (5a) that rotates in response to the rotation of the motor (4), and a nut member (5b) that can advance and retreat in the axial direction of the screw member (5a). A conversion mechanism (5) that converts force into driving force for linear motion;
An arm member (6) that receives the driving force of the linear motion converted by the converting mechanism (5) from the nut member (5b), converts it into a driving force of swinging motion, and transmits it to the range switching member (21); In the range switching device (1A, 1B) formed by housing the casing in the casing (10),
The arm member (6) is slidable on a base end (6A) that transmits the driving force of the swing motion to the range switching member (21) and a protrusion (5c) of the nut member (5b). An end portion (6B) formed with a long groove (6b) that engages and receives the driving force of the linear motion from the nut member (5b), and
The long groove (6b) is formed at least within the rotation range of the arm member (6) required for switching the plurality of shift ranges (P, R, N, D). The direction of the tangent line (L) in contact with the screw member (5a) is substantially curved with respect to the axial direction of the screw member (5a), and is formed in a curved shape that can be fitted to the protrusion (5c).
The range switching device (1A, 1B) is characterized by the above.

  The “long groove” in the present invention is a broad concept including both a bottomless through hole shape and a bottomed groove shape.

According to the second aspect of the present invention (see, for example, FIGS. 2 to 4), the base end portion (6A) has a limit position (FIG. ) And the right end position in FIG. 4 (a), or the left end position in FIG. 2 (b) and FIG. 4 (b)), the side where the projection (5c) is located in the direction of the tangent (L). And
The curved shape of the long groove (6b) is curved so as to warp in a direction opposite to the advancing / retreating range of the nut member (5b) in a state where the nut member (5b) is located at the limit position. ,
It exists in the range switching apparatus (1A, 1B) of Claim 1.

According to a third aspect of the present invention (see, for example, FIGS. 2 to 4), the base end portion (6A) is perpendicular to the screw member (5a) in a state where the nut member (5b) is in the limit position. Arranged on the side where the protrusion (5c) is located in a different direction, and
The curved shape is an involute shape that curves so as to warp in a direction opposite to the advancing / retreating range of the nut member (5b) in a state where the nut member (5b) is located at the limit position.
It exists in the range switching apparatus (1A, 1B) of Claim 2.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention (see, for example, FIGS. 2 to 4), the curved shape of the long groove (6b) is the initial position of the arm member (6) corresponding to the parking range (P) (FIG. 3). The direction opposite to the rotation direction of the arm member (6) (for example, the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 3 (b)) when switching from the right end position of (b) to another shift range (R, N, D). It is an involute shape that curves to warp,
It exists in the range switching apparatus (1A, 1B) of Claim 2 or 3.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention (see, for example, FIGS. 2 to 4), the conversion mechanism (5) has both ends of the screw member (5a) supported by bearings (5d, 5d), and
The distal end portion (6B) is curved so as to follow the curved shape of the long groove (6b), and an outer peripheral portion (5d ′) in one (5d) located on the initial position side of the two bearings. , By avoiding the warped part (6c),
It exists in the range switching apparatus (1A, 1B) of Claim 4.

  In addition, although the code | symbol in the said parenthesis is for contrast with drawing, this is for convenience for making an understanding of invention easy, and has no influence on the structure of a claim. It is not a thing.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the long groove at the distal end portion of the arm member maintains a substantially vertical state with respect to the axial direction of the screw member within at least the rotation range of the arm member required for switching the plurality of shift ranges. Since it is configured in a curved shape that can be engaged with the protrusion, the rotation angle required for switching between the plurality of shift ranges is the same as in the case of a linear arm member at the distal end, but the present arm member with a curved end portion The amount of axial movement (stroke) of the nut member required for rotation of the nut member can be shortened compared to the case of a straight arm member at the tip portion, and the screw member in the casing can be obtained by the curved tip portion. It is possible to shorten the length of the arm member in the direction orthogonal to the direction. This makes it possible to shorten both the axial direction (width direction, left-right direction) and the direction orthogonal to the axis (up-down direction) in the casing, and thus shorten the up-down, left-right direction in the casing. Thus, the range switching device can be further downsized. Further, since the long groove engages with the protrusion while maintaining a substantially vertical state with respect to the axial direction of the screw member, the torque transmission efficiency is improved, and the transmission means between the motor and the motor and the conversion mechanism ( For example, it is possible to reduce the size of each speed reduction mechanism.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the proximal end portion is disposed on the side where the protruding portion in the tangential direction is located in a state where the nut member is at the limit position in the advance / retreat range, and the curved shape of the long groove Since the nut member is in a limit position and is bent so as to warp in the direction opposite to the advance / retreat range of the nut member, the load in the thrust direction is the center, and the radial direction is achieved via the screw member. It is possible to reduce the load acting in a distributed manner and to downsize a member (for example, a bearing) that rotatably supports both ends of the screw member.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the proximal end portion is disposed on the side where the projection portion is located in the direction perpendicular to the screw member in a state where the nut member is in the limit position, and the curved shape is the nut member Is in an involute shape that bends in a direction opposite to the advance / retreat range of the nut member in a state in which the nut is positioned at the limit position, so that the load in the thrust direction is the center and is distributed in the radial direction via the screw member. It is possible to reduce the load acting on the screw member and to reduce the size of a member (for example, a bearing) that rotatably supports both ends of the screw member.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the curved shape of the long groove warps in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the arm member when switching from the initial position of the arm member corresponding to the parking range to another shift range. Because it is a curved involute shape, it can always abut against the projection at the long groove part along the tangential direction of the involute, and the load in the thrust direction is the center, acting in a radial direction via screw members A member (for example, a bearing) that reduces the load and rotatably supports both ends of the screw member can be reduced in size.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the distal end portion of the arm member is curved so as to follow the curved shape of the long groove, and the outer peripheral portion of the bearing located on the initial position side is avoided by the warped portion. It is possible to use a larger size bearing with higher durability for the bearing located on the side.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, a schematic configuration of a range switching device to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a range switching device and peripheral mechanisms according to the present invention.

  The range switching device 1A is configured to be attachable to, for example, an automatic transmission (for example, a multistage automatic transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT)) mounted on a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the range switching device 1A generates a control signal S2 based on a shift signal (electrical signal) S1 from a shift lever (range selection means) 2 for selecting a shift range by a driver. A control means 3, a motor 4 (see FIG. 2) controlled based on a control signal S2 from the control means 3, and a conversion mechanism 5 (see FIG. 2) for converting the rotational motion of the motor 4 into a linear motion. The rotation angle of the arm member 6 (see FIG. 2) that converts the linear motion converted by the conversion mechanism 5 into a swinging motion and the rotation angle of the manual shaft 18 that is rotationally driven (rotational motion) by the arm member 6. A range position detection sensor 11 (see FIG. 2) that detects the position of a spool (range switching member) 21 of the manual valve 20 to be described later is provided. The motor 4, the conversion mechanism 5, the arm member 6, and the range position detection sensor 11 are housed in a predetermined arrangement state in the same casing 10.

  The automatic transmission is roughly provided with a hydraulic control device (valve body) 9 for hydraulically controlling a transmission mechanism (not shown), a parking mechanism 8, and a detent mechanism 7. The detent mechanism 7, A manual shaft 18 connected to the detent mechanism 7 is disposed outside a casing of an automatic transmission (not shown). The spool 21 is disposed in the valve body 9 of the automatic transmission, and the parking mechanism 8 is housed in a casing of the automatic transmission (not shown).

  The shift lever 2 displays shift ranges (not shown) of the P (parking) range, R (reverse) range, N (neutral) range, and D (drive) range of the automatic transmission. The shift lever 2 is directly operated by the driver and is configured to select one range from the above-described shift ranges. Then, a shift signal S1 corresponding to the selected range is generated. As the range selection means, any device other than the shift lever 2 can be used as long as it can reflect the driver's intention, that is, can generate the shift signal S1 corresponding to the shift range selected by the driver. For example, a shift button, a shift switch, a voice input device, or the like may be employed.

  The control means 3 generates a control signal S2 based on the shift signal S1 generated by the shift lever 2, and controls the rotation of the motor 4 by the control signal S2. Further, the control means 3 receives a detection signal from a range position detection sensor 11 that detects the position of the spool 21. Based on the detection signal, the control means 3 controls the rotation direction of the motor 4 and the start / stop timing of the rotation. Thus, the control means 3 controls the control means for controlling the operation of the spool 21 by the motor 4 based on the shift signal S1 from the shift lever 2 to switch the shift range, that is, a control for controlling a so-called shift-by-wire system (SBW). Is a unit. Further, although the control means 3 is shown as being arranged outside the casing 10 in FIG. 1, it may be arranged inside the casing 10.

  On the other hand, the detent mechanism 7 includes a detent lever 26, a detent spring 27, and a roller 28. The detent lever 26 is a plate-like member, and the manual shaft 18 is fitted to the bearing portion 30. The detent lever 26 is swingably supported by a casing of an automatic transmission (not shown) via the manual shaft 18. A long hole 31 is formed in one end of the detent lever 26 (the lower end in FIG. 1), and the long hole 31 is connected to the tip of the connecting shaft 24 connected to the spool 21. The hook part 25 is engaged.

  The spool 21 is a spool in the manual valve 20 disposed in the valve body 9 and has, for example, lands 21a, 21b, and 21c in order from the left side in FIG. The spool 21 is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction (arrow A1-A2 direction in FIG. 1). By moving in the axial direction, the oil passage (not shown) in the valve body 9 is switched, A predetermined shift range is set. That is, it is configured to be able to move to the P position corresponding to the P range, the R position corresponding to the R range, the N position corresponding to the N range, and the D position corresponding to the D range.

  Further, range grooves a, c, e, and g are provided as four switching regions in order from the left in the figure at the other end of the detent lever 26 (upper end in FIG. 1). . Projections b, d, and f are formed between the range grooves a, c, e, and g. The range grooves a, c, e, and g roughly correspond to the P position, the R position, the N position, and the D position of the spool 21 in this order. Here, “roughly” means that the range grooves a, c, e, and g are areas having a width (switching areas). The detent spring 27 is constituted by a substantially long plate-like member, and as shown in FIG. 1, a base end portion 32 is fixed to the upper portion of the valve body 9, and a bifurcated portion 33 is formed at the tip thereof. Yes. A roller 28 is rotatably supported between the tips of the bifurcated portion 33. The entire detent spring 27 acts as a leaf spring, and a roller 28 supported rotatably at the tip of the detent spring 27 is pressed against the inclined surfaces of the range grooves a, c, e, and g of the detent lever 26, thereby detent lever 26. Is positioned and held accurately.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the swinging operation of the detent lever 26 and the movement operation of the spool 21 in the directions of arrows A1-A2 are interlocked, that is, the rotational position of the manual shaft 18 and the spool 21. The position of the spool 21 is not directly controlled on the basis of the one-to-one correspondence with the position of the spool 21, but the spool 21 is controlled by accurately controlling the rotation angle (rotation angle) of the manual shaft 18. It controls with high accuracy.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the parking mechanism 8 includes a parking rod 34 whose base end is bent in an L shape and is rotatably engaged with the other end of the detent lever 26 described above, and a distal end of the parking rod 34. A conical wedge 35 which is loosely fitted to the side and movable, a flange 36 fixed to the parking rod 34 and a spring 37 contracted between the wedge 35, and a lower side of the front end side of the parking rod 34 And a swingable parking pole 40 between which the wedge 35 is inserted and removed. The parking pole 40 is disposed so as to be swingable in a substantially vertical direction about a shaft 41 on the base end side, and on the upper side with respect to a parking gear 42 fixed to an output shaft (not shown) of the automatic transmission. A hook 43 that can be engaged and disengaged is projected.

  Next, the shift range switching operation will be briefly described as an example of switching from the P range to the R range. In the P range, the roller 28 of the detent mechanism 7 is disposed in the range groove a in FIG. When the shift lever 2 is switched from the P range to the R range by the driver, a shift signal S1 corresponding to this is input to the control means 3. Then, the motor 4 of the range switching device 1A is rotationally driven by the control means 3, and the detent lever 26 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 via the manual shaft 18, whereby the spool 21 is moved to the arrow A1. As the roller 28 moves in the direction, the roller 28 enters the range groove c from the range groove a over the convex portion b. When the detection angle of the range position detection sensor 11 reaches a value corresponding to switching from the P range to the R range, the control unit 3 stops driving the motor 4. When the motor 4 is stopped, the detent lever 26 is slightly rotated by the biasing force of the roller 28 based on the elastic force of the detent spring 27. By this rotation, the roller 28 is accurately positioned and held in the range groove c. As a result, the spool 21 located at the position corresponding to the P range is accurately arranged at the position corresponding to the R range, thereby achieving switching from the P range to the R range. Note that the switching operation between other shift ranges is also substantially the same as described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the range position detection sensor 11 corresponding to the stop position of the R range (for example, a recess in the range groove c) without using the biasing force of the roller 28 based on the elastic force of the detent spring 27. It is also possible to use the detected angle as a target angle and control the stop of driving of the motor 4 by feedback control to perform positioning accurately.

  Next, the configuration of the range switching device 1A according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 shows the range switching device 1A with the cover (not shown) removed. FIG. 2 (a) is a front view showing the arm member 6 in the P range, and FIG. 2 (b). These are front views which show the state which has the arm member 6 in D range. 3 shows the rotation state of the arm member step by step. FIG. 3 (a) is a front view showing the rotation state of the arm member 46 which is the basis of the present invention, and FIG. It is a front view which shows the rotation state of the arm member 6 which concerns on invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the casing 10 includes a casing body 10a fixed to the automatic transmission, and a cover (not shown) that covers the casing body 10a from above. Yes. In the casing body 10a, the motor 4, the conversion mechanism 5, and the range position detection sensor 11 are arranged in this order from the upper part to the lower part. Further, the range position detection sensor 11 includes a base end portion of the arm member 6. 6A is connected.

  The motor 4 includes a cylindrical main body 4a, an output shaft 4b provided so as to protrude to one end side (right side in FIG. 2) of the main body 4a, power supply, and control from the control means 3 And a motor terminal portion (not shown) for inputting the signal S2. As the motor 4, for example, a direct current motor having a permanent magnet is used, and its rotation direction, rotation time, and rotation timing are controlled by the control means 3.

  A transmission gear 12a is fixed to the output shaft 4b of the motor 4 so as to rotate integrally. The transmission gear 12a meshes with the transmission gear 12b. The transmission gear 12b is fitted to a transmission shaft 13 fixed to the casing 10 so as to be rotatable. The transmission gear 12b has an outer diameter larger than that of the transmission gear 12a, and a transmission gear 12c having a small outer diameter is integrally fixed to the transmission gear 12b on the conversion mechanism 5 side at the center of the transmission gear 12b. ing. The transmission gear 12c meshes with a transmission gear 12d having an outer diameter larger than that of the transmission gear 12c, and the transmission gear 12d is integrally rotated with the screw shaft (screw member) 5a of the conversion mechanism 5. It is fixed to the screw shaft 5a. Thereby, the rotational driving force of the output shaft 4b of the motor 4 is decelerated by the transmission gear train (deceleration mechanism) 12 composed of these transmission gears 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and transmitted to the screw shaft 5a.

  The conversion mechanism 5 employs a sliding screw in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, the sliding screw as the conversion mechanism 5 includes a screw shaft 5a that is rotationally driven by a motor 4, and a nut member that is engaged with the screw shaft 5a so as to be axially movable. 5b. The screw shaft 5a is rotatably supported with respect to the main body 14, that is, with respect to the casing 10, via bearings 5d and 5d positioned and supported at both ends of the main body 14 of the conversion mechanism 5.

  Moreover, the nut member 5b is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body 14 has a guide groove 5e formed along the axial direction of the screw shaft 5a (the left-right direction in FIG. 2A) on the front side (the front side in FIG. 2A). Yes. On the front side of the nut member 5b (the front side of the sheet of FIG. 2A), a protruding portion 5c that slidably passes through the guide groove 5e is formed so as to protrude, and the protruding portion that passes through the guide groove 5e. A long hole (long groove) 6b of the arm member 6 is slidably engaged (fitted) with 5c. The conversion mechanism 5 having such a structure is configured to convert the rotational motion by the motor 4 into linear motion by the nut member 5b that moves forward and backward in the axial direction so as not to rotate with the rotation of the screw shaft 5a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, the arm member 6 is slidably engaged with a base end portion 6A for transmitting the driving force of the swing motion to the spool 21 and a projection portion 5c formed on the nut member 5b. In addition, it has a distal end portion 6B formed with a long hole 6b that receives a driving force for linear motion from the nut member 5b.

  In the long hole 6b, the direction of the tangent L where the long groove 6b comes into contact with the protruding portion 5c is within the screw shaft 5a within the rotation range of the arm member 6 required for switching at least four shift ranges (P, R, N, D). It is comprised in the curved shape which can be engaged with the projection part 5c, maintaining a substantially perpendicular state with respect to the axial direction. Further, the base end portion 6A has a limit position (the right end position in FIG. 2 (a) and FIG. 4 (a) described later, or FIG. 2 (b) and FIG. b) is located (arranged) so that the projection 5c in the direction of the tangent line L is located, and the long groove 6b has a curved shape in which the nut member 5b is located at the limit position. In a state where the nut member 5b is located, the nut member 5b is bent so as to warp in the opposite direction. That is, the base end portion 6A is positioned (disposed) so as to be close to the side on which the projection portion 5c is located in the direction perpendicular to the screw shaft 5a in a state where the nut member 5b is in the limit position, and is curved. The shape is an involute shape that curves so as to warp in a direction opposite to the advancing / retreating range of the nut member 5b in a state where the nut member 5b is located at the limit position.

  That is, the curved shape of the long hole 6b is the arm member when the arm member 6 corresponding to the P range is switched from the initial position (the right end position in FIG. 3B) to another shift range (R, N, D). 6 has an involute shape that curves so as to warp in a direction opposite to the rotational direction 6 (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3B). Further, the tip portion 6B is curved so as to follow the curved shape of the long hole 6b, and is a bearing located on the initial position side of the bearings 5d and 5d that rotatably support both ends of the screw shaft 5a. The outer peripheral portion 5d 'in 5d is avoided by the warping portion 6c.

  In the present embodiment, the “initial position” means a position where the arm member 6 is along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the screw shaft 5a. However, the initial position is opposite to the P range. You may make it show the position of the state rotated to the D range side which is the side.

  In the present embodiment, a bottomless through-hole-like long hole 6b is formed in the tip portion 6B as the “long groove” according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the front side of the tip portion 6B (FIG. It is also possible to form a bottomed groove shape that bulges to the front side of (a).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, a key-like through hole 6a is formed in the base end portion 6A, and the through hole 6a has a back side of the casing body 10a (see FIG. 2A). In the state where one end portion of the manual shaft 18 inserted through the insertion hole 10d (see FIG. 1) formed on the back side of the paper surface is non-rotatably fitted, the front side (see FIG. 2A) The male screw portion protruding toward the front side of the drawing is fastened and fixed by a nut 16 (see FIG. 2A) screwed to the male screw portion. The manual shaft 18 is configured to be swingable with respect to the casing 10 in such a state that one end thereof is non-rotatably fitted to the through hole 6a. It has become.

  The range position detection sensor 11 is disposed at a connection portion between the manual shaft 18 and the base end portion 6A. As the nut member 5b moves in the axial direction of the screw shaft 5a, the arm member 6 swings with the manual shaft 18 as a reference (rotation fulcrum) on the distal end portion 6B side. 18, and the rotation angle of the shaft 18 is detected by the range position detection sensor 11.

  That is, in the range position detection sensor 11, as shown in FIG. 2A, a manual shaft 18 serving as a central axis of the swinging operation of the arm member 6 is penetrated on the base end portion 6A side of the arm member 6. The arm member 6 is configured to output a voltage corresponding to the swing angle of the arm member 6, that is, the rotation angle of the manual shaft 18. Further, the range position detection sensor 11 has a wiring sensor terminal portion 11a for outputting a voltage corresponding to the rotation angle of the manual shaft 18, and the control means 3 is manually operated from the sensor terminal portion 11a. The angle of the shaft 18 is output as a signal. This angle signal is used for feedback control for the amount of drive rotation of the motor 4 in the control means 3, that is, the drive / stop of the motor 4 is controlled by the angle detection result of the manual shaft 18 by the range position detection sensor 11. .

  The range position detection sensor 11 can be composed of a potentiometer, but is not limited to this, and any sensor can be used as long as it can output an electrical signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the manual shaft 18. You can also.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the long hole 6b of the tip end portion 6B is at least within the rotation range of the arm member 6 required for switching between a plurality of shift ranges (P, R, N, D). It is configured in a curved shape that can be engaged with the protrusion 5c while maintaining a substantially vertical state with respect to the axial direction. For this reason, the rotation angle required for switching between the plurality of shift ranges is the same as that of the case where the distal end portion 46B is a straight arm member 46 (see FIG. 3A), but the distal end portion 6B is a curved arm. The axial movement amount (stroke) of the nut member 5 b required for the rotation of the member 6 can be shortened as compared with the case of the arm member 46.

  That is, the rotation angles of the arm member 46 and the arm member 6 necessary for switching to the P range, the R range, the N range, and the D range in FIGS. 3A and 3B are the same. The movement position (stroke) of the projection 5c on the axis of the screw shaft 5a is different. The center position of the protrusion 5c in the P range in FIG. 3B is the same as that in FIG. 3A, but each center of the protrusion 5c in the R range, N range, and D range in FIG. 3B. The positions are closer to the initial position side (P range side) than the center positions of the protrusions 5c in the R range, N range, and D range in FIG. In addition, the code | symbol C in FIG.

  Further, as can be understood from FIG. 4A described later, the arm member 6 of the present embodiment has a curved shape at the distal end portion 6B, so that the arm member 6 in the direction perpendicular to the screw shaft 5a in the casing 10 can be obtained. The length of the arm member 6 is shorter than that of the linear arm member 46.

  Thus, both the axial direction in the casing 10 (left-right direction in FIG. 2A) and the direction orthogonal to the axis (up-down direction in FIG. 2A) can be shortened. That is, the upper end surface 10b in the casing body 10a is shortened as much as possible downward, and the left end surface 10c in the casing body 10a is shortened as much as possible in the right direction, and the vertical and horizontal directions of the casing 10 are shortened. As a result, the range switching device 1A is further reduced in size. Further, since the long hole 6b is engaged with the protrusion 5c while maintaining a substantially vertical state with respect to the axial direction of the screw shaft 5a, the efficiency in torque transmission is improved, and the motor 4 and the motor 4 and the conversion mechanism 5 are improved. The transmission gear train 12 that is a transmission means between the two can be reduced in size.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the curved shape of the long hole 6b changes from the initial position of the arm member 6 corresponding to the P range (right end position in FIG. 3B) to another shift range (R, N, D). The arm member 6 has an involute shape that curves so as to warp in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the arm member 6 when switching to. For this reason, it can always contact | abut with the protrusion part 5c in the elongate hole part along the tangential direction (up-down direction of FIG.3 (b)) of an involute, Therefore, the load of a thrust direction becomes a center and it passes through the screw shaft 5a. It is possible to reduce the load acting in a distributed manner in the radial direction, and to downsize the bearings 5d and 5d that rotatably support both ends of the screw shaft 5a.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the distal end portion 6B of the arm member 6 is curved so as to follow the curved shape of the long hole 6b, and the outer peripheral portion 5d ′ of the bearing 5d positioned on the initial position side (FIG. )) Is avoided by the warped portion 6c, it is possible to use a larger size bearing with higher durability for the bearing 5d located on the initial position side.

  Next, a modified example in which the range switching device 1A of the above-described embodiment is partially modified will be described with reference to FIG. 4, but this modified example is compared with the embodiment shown in FIGS. Although the positions of the motor 4 and the conversion mechanism 5 are reversed and the arm member 6 is slightly lengthened accordingly, there are functionally common components. ing. FIG. 4 shows the range switching device 1B of this modification example with the cover (not shown) removed, and FIG. 4A is a front view showing the state in which the arm member 6 is in the P range. FIG. 2B is a front view showing a state where the arm member 6 is in the D range.

  That is, in this modification, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the conversion mechanism 5 is disposed on the upper end surface 10b side in the casing body 10a, and the base end portion 6A of the arm member 6 and the conversion mechanism are arranged. The motor 4 is disposed between the motor 5 and the motor 5. Accordingly, the distal end portion 6B of the arm member 6 is extended to the conversion mechanism 5 side, and the long hole 6b is slidably engaged with the projection portion 5c of the conversion mechanism 5. The transmission gear train 12 that transmits the driving force of the motor 4 to the conversion mechanism 5 is opposite in the positional relationship to that in FIG. 2, but the function is the same.

  According to this modification, the stroke of the nut member 5b required to rotate the arm member 6 having the curved tip portion can be shortened as compared to the linear arm member, and the tip portion 6B has a curved shape. The length of the arm member 6 in the direction orthogonal to the screw shaft 5a in the casing 10 can be shortened as compared with the linear arm member 46, and the vertical and horizontal directions of the casing 10 can be shortened to further increase the range switching device 1B. It is possible to achieve substantially the same effects as in the previous embodiment, such as being able to achieve compactness. Further, in this modification, the arm member 6 is made longer than the previous embodiment, and the torque applied to the conversion mechanism 5 is reduced by the lever principle, so that the motor 4 can be downsized. The effect of is obtained. 4A and 4B, the distal end portion 46B of the linear arm member 46 is indicated by a broken line. Reference numeral 46b in the drawing is a long hole formed in the tip 46B.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the range switching devices 1A and 1B are attached to the automatic transmission has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the hydraulic range is not switched as in a hybrid vehicle. Of course, it may be used as a switching device.

The figure which shows typically the range switching apparatus and peripheral mechanism which concern on this invention. The range switching apparatus of the state which removed the cover is shown, (a) is a front view which shows the state in which an arm member exists in P range, (b) is a front view which shows the state in which an arm member exists in D range. The rotation state of the arm member is shown stepwise, (a) is a front view showing the rotation state of the arm member that is the basis of the present invention, and (b) is the rotation state of the arm member according to the present invention. FIG. The range change apparatus of this modification of the state which removed the cover is shown, (a) is a front view which shows the state in which an arm member exists in P range, (b) is the front which shows the state in which an arm member exists in D range Figure.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B Range switching device 2 Range selection means (shift lever)
4 Motor 5 Conversion mechanism 5a Screw member (screw shaft)
5b Nut member 5c Protruding part 5d Bearing 5d 'Outer peripheral part 6 Arm member 6b Long groove (long hole)
6c Warping part 6A Base end part 6B End part 10 Casing 21 Range switching member (spool)
N, D shift range (neutral range, drive range)
P, R shift range (parking range, reverse range)

Claims (5)

A motor controlled based on a signal from a range selection means for selecting a required shift range from among a plurality of shift ranges;
A conversion mechanism for converting a rotational driving force of the motor into a driving force of a linear motion, having a screw member that rotates in response to the rotation of the motor, and a nut member that can advance and retreat in the axial direction of the screw member;
In a range switching device in which a casing is housed with an arm member that receives the driving force of the linear motion converted by the conversion mechanism from the nut member and converts the driving force into a driving force of a swinging motion and transmits the driving force to the range switching member. ,
The arm member is slidably engaged with a base end portion that transmits the driving force of the swing motion to the range switching member, and a protrusion of the nut member, and the driving force of the linear motion is generated from the nut member. And a tip portion formed with a long groove to be received, and
The long groove is in a state in which the direction of the tangent line where the long groove contacts the protrusion is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the screw member, at least within the rotation range of the arm member required for switching the plurality of shift ranges. It is configured in a curved shape that can be fitted to the protrusion while maintaining,
A range switching device characterized by that. The base end portion is disposed on the side where the protrusion in the direction of the tangent is located in a state where the nut member is at a limit position in the advance / retreat range thereof, and
The curved shape of the long groove is curved so as to warp in a direction opposite to the advance / retreat range of the nut member in a state where the nut member is located at the limit position.
The range switching device according to claim 1. The base end portion is disposed on a side where the projection portion is located in a direction perpendicular to the screw member in a state where the nut member is in the limit position, and
The curved shape is an involute shape that curves so as to warp in a direction opposite to the advance / retreat range of the nut member in a state where the nut member is located at the limit position.
The range switching device according to claim 2. The curved shape of the long groove is an involute shape that curves so as to warp in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the arm member when switching from the initial position of the arm member corresponding to a parking range to another shift range.
The range switching device according to claim 2 or 3. The conversion mechanism has both ends of the screw member supported by bearings, and
The distal end portion is curved so as to follow the curved shape of the long groove, and an outer peripheral portion on one side of the two bearings located on the initial position side is avoided by the warped portion.
The range switching device according to claim 4.

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