JP2011221793A - Position detection device and shift lever device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a position detection device and a shift lever device in which erroneous determination hardly occurs in case of position detection even when a detection means breaks down.SOLUTION: Three MR elements are arranged in both the select direction and shift direction of a shift lever as a triple system. Also, when the position of the shift lever is determined according to the sensor output of the MR elements, the position of the shift lever is not determined only based on a value when the H/L output level of the MR elements is switched, but a current value after switching and a preceding value which is changed to the value are fetched as a set, and the operation position of the shift lever is determined from the output change combination.

Description

  The present invention relates to a position detection device and a shift lever device that detect the position of an operation member.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various position detection techniques (see Patent Documents 1, 2, etc.) for viewing a position when an article moves are developed. As this type of position detection device, for example, a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor is used, and whether the sensor signal output from these sensors takes the H level or the L level, that is, the sensor signal itself at that time is used. The position of the article is detected by looking only at what value is taken.

JP 2003-154868 A JP 2005-36837 A

  By the way, as one type of sensor failure, for example, there is voltage sticking that causes the sensor output to stick to the H level. When the position is determined only by the sensor value as described above, if the voltage fixation failure occurs in the sensor, for example, when the position detection device checks the position of the article, the sensor output is already at that time. Since it is switched to the H level, the H signal is output from the sensor even though the article is not operated. For this reason, there is a problem that the position is erroneously determined because the sensor outputs an incorrect sensor signal.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a position detection device and a shift lever device that can prevent erroneous determination in position detection even if a detection means fails.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, in the position detection device that detects the operation position of the operation member, when the operation member is operated, the relative position between the detection member and the detected member that moves relative to itself is determined. A detection means for detecting, an output change storage means for monitoring a change in the output level of the detection means from the start of position determination, and storing an output change combination before and after the change when the output level is switched; and the output The gist of the invention is that it includes position determination means for determining the position of the operation member based on the output change combination stored in the change storage means.

  According to this configuration, when determining the position of the operation member from the output signal of the detection means, the determination is not made based only on the value of the output signal, but the current value of the detection means and the previous value before changing to that value. Is set to determine the output change combination, and the operation position is determined from this output change combination. For this reason, if a voltage fixation failure occurs in which the output of the detection means sticks to H or L before the position determination, the position detection is not performed with the output signal output from the detection means at this time. It is possible to make it difficult to erroneously determine the operation position due to the failure of the means.

  In the present invention, at least three or more detection means are provided in the main and sub positions to take a fault response, and the position determination means confirms that at least two output levels of the detection means are switched simultaneously. Then, the gist is to determine that there is an operation.

  According to this configuration, since three or more detection units are provided, the position detection device can be a triple system or more. Therefore, even if one of the triple detection means breaks down, the remaining two detection means can accurately see the position of the operating member. It becomes possible to do.

  In the present invention, the operation member can be operated in two directions of a first operation direction and a second operation direction orthogonal to each other, and the detection means is provided in each of the first operation direction and the second operation direction. The position determination means detects the position in the first operation direction by the detection means on the first operation direction side, and determines the position in the second operation direction by the detection means on the second operation direction side. The gist is to detect.

  According to this configuration, since the present configuration is adopted in an apparatus in which the operation member is operated in two directions, the operation position in each direction can be more accurately determined even when the operation member moves in two directions. It becomes possible.

  In the present invention, the detection means takes a level change of at least two or more levels, and the position determination means outputs the detection means for a certain period of time while the operation member is operated in the same direction. The gist is to determine that the operation member is operated when it is confirmed that the level change of two or more levels satisfying the width is taken.

  According to this configuration, since it is determined that there is an operation only after the output of the detection means changes in two steps while satisfying a predetermined time width, the presence / absence of the operation is compared with the case where the presence / absence of the operation is determined by a simple change in H / L. It becomes possible to determine with high accuracy.

  According to the present invention, in the shift lever device that operates the shift lever to switch the shift position, when the shift lever is operated, the detection means that detects the relative position between the detected member that moves relative to itself, and the position The change in the output level of the detection means is monitored from the start of the determination, and when the output level is switched, the output change storage means for storing the output change combination before and after the change switching, and the output change storage means stored in the output change storage means The gist of the invention is that it includes position determining means for determining the position of the shift lever based on the output change combination.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to make it difficult to make an erroneous determination when detecting a position even if the detection unit fails.

Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the shift lever apparatus in one Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the operation position pattern of a shift lever. FIG. 5 is a layout diagram showing a layout pattern of MR elements. (A) is an equivalent diagram showing the circuit configuration of the MR element, (b) is a waveform diagram showing the output signal of the MR element. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a position detection apparatus. The position determination table figure used at the time of the position determination of a shift lever. The table | surface which shows the sensor output transition at the time of operating a shift lever to H-> N-> R. The table | surface which shows a sensor output transition at the time of returning a shift lever to R-> N-> H. The table | surface which shows a sensor output transition when one of the triple MR elements fails. The table | surface which shows a sensor output transition when two of the triple MR elements fail. (A) is a schematic diagram showing an operation mode of a shift lever in another example, (b) is a table summarizing MR element arrangement patterns and outputs at each position. (A) is the equivalent figure which shows the circuit structure of the MR element in another example, (b) is a wave form diagram which shows the output signal.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a vehicle position detection device and a shift lever device will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the shift lever device 20 is provided with a shift lever 3 that can be tilted in a substantially cross direction with respect to the device body 2. A select-side shaft portion 4 that allows the shift lever 3 to tilt in the device width direction (select direction S) is rotatably attached to the device body 2. Further, the lever body 5 of the shift lever 3 is pivotally supported on the select side shaft portion 4 by a shaft 6 so as to be tiltable in the apparatus depth direction (shift direction M). The shift lever 3 can be tilted in the select direction S with the select-side shaft portion 4 as an axis, and can be tilted in the shift direction M with the shaft 6 as an axis. The shift lever 3 corresponds to the operation member, the selection direction S corresponds to the first operation direction, and the shift direction M corresponds to the second operation direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shift lever 3 can be operated along the select direction S to a home position (H position) and a neutral position (N position). The shift lever 3 can be operated from the home position to the + position or the − position along the shift direction M, and can be operated from the neutral position to the reverse position (R position) or the drive position (D position). The + position is a position for raising the gear of the automatic transmission, and the-position is a position for lowering the gear of the automatic transmission. The shift lever 3 is a momentary type that automatically returns to the home position when the hand is released after being operated at each position.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the shift lever device 20 is provided with a position detection device 7 that detects an operation position of the shift lever 3. The position detection device 7 of this example uses an MR element (Magneto Resistive element) 1 as a sensor for viewing the position of the shift lever 3, and does not determine the position of the shift lever 3 only by the value of the sensor output. This is a device that determines the position of the shift lever 3 by setting the previous value before switching to the value and the current value that is the current sensor output as a set. The MR element 1 is a kind of magnetic sensor that performs sensing by a magnetoresistive effect (MRE). The MR element 1 constitutes detection means.

  In this case, the shift lever 3 is provided with a select-side magnet 21 that moves in the select direction S together with the shift lever 3 when the shift lever 3 is operated in the select direction S. The select-side magnet 21 is attached to the select-side shaft portion 4, for example, and is reciprocated in the arrow Ya direction in FIG. The select-side magnet 21 has an N pole on the front side in FIG. 3 and an S pole on the back side in FIG. The select side magnet 21 constitutes a member to be detected.

  The shift lever 3 is provided with a shift-side magnet 22 that moves in the shift direction M together with the shift lever 3 when the shift lever 3 is operated in the shift direction M. The shift-side magnet 22 is attached to, for example, the lever body 5 and is reciprocated in the arrow Yb direction in FIG. The shift-side magnet 22 has an N pole on the front side in FIG. 3 and an S pole on the rear side. Note that the shift-side magnet 22 constitutes a member to be detected.

  In the apparatus main body 2, a set of select-side MR element groups 10 that detect the magnetic field of the select-side magnet 21 are provided in the magnetic field region of the select-side magnet 21. The select-side MR element group 10 of this example has three select-side MR elements 10a to 10c, that is, one set in a triple system so that position detection can be continued even if one MR element fails. Is formed. These select-side MR elements 10a to 10c are arranged in a straight line along the direction orthogonal to the select direction S, that is, the shift direction M so that the magnetic field radiated from the select-side magnet 21 is applied in the same direction. Yes. The select-side MR elements 10a to 10c constitute detection means.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the select-side MR elements 10a to 10c (same for other MR elements) are composed of a circuit (bridge circuit) in which four magnetoresistors are assembled in a bridge shape. Is output as a sensor signal Sout. As shown in FIG. 4B, the select-side MR elements 10a to 10c output a sensor signal Sout in which the output voltage changes in an AC waveform (sine wave) in accordance with a change in the magnetic field applied to itself. To do. The sensor signal Sout is, for example, a signal in which one cycle takes 180 degrees. For example, if the sensor signal Sout takes a value of “0” or more, “H (High)” is detected, and if the value is less than “0”, “L (Low)” is detected. The sensor signal Sout corresponds to the output signal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the select-side MR elements 10 a to 10 c of the present example use a vertical line in which the sensor output H and L are switched by the magnetic field (magnetic field direction) of the select-side magnet 21 as an output determination boundary line La. Then, the output determination boundary line La is arranged to take a direction orthogonal to the selection direction S. The select-side MR elements 10a and 10b are arranged so that the H / L direction of the output is inverted with respect to the arrow Ya, and the select-side MR element 10c is arranged in the same arrangement direction as 10b.

  In the apparatus main body 2, two sets of shift-side MR element groups 11 and 12 that detect the magnetic field of the shift-side magnet 22 are provided in the magnetic field region of the shift-side magnet 22. The first shift side MR element group 11 and the second shift side MR element group 12 of this example are arranged side by side along the shift direction M. In the case of this example, a group on one side (reverse position and + position) in the shift direction M is the first shift-side MR element group 11, and a group on the other side (drive position and -position) in the shift direction M is the first group. The 2-shift side MR element group 12 is assumed. Therefore, the first shift side MR element group 11 determines whether or not the shift lever 3 is in the reverse position or the + position, and determines whether or not the shift lever 3 is in the drive position or the − position. Watch in group 12.

  Each of the shift-side MR element groups 11 and 12 is a triple layer composed of three MR elements so that the position can be detected continuously even if one of the shift-side MR element groups 10 fails. Formed in the system. In the case of this example, the first shift-side MR element group 11 is formed of three first shift-side MR elements 11a to 11c. These first shift-side MR elements 11a to 11c are arranged in a straight line along the direction orthogonal to the shift direction M, that is, the select direction S so that the magnetic field radiated from the shift-side magnet 22 is applied in the same direction. Has been. The first shift side MR elements 11a to 11c constitute detection means.

  The first shift-side MR elements 11a to 11c in this example output the output determination boundary line Lb when a line in the left-right direction where the sensor output H and L are switched by the magnetic field (magnetic field direction) of the shift-side magnet 22 is used. The determination boundary line Lb is arranged to take a direction orthogonal to the shift direction M. The first shift-side MR elements 11a and 11b are arranged so that the H / L direction of the output is inverted with respect to the arrow Yb, and the first shift-side MR element 11c is arranged in the same direction as 11b.

  The second shift-side MR element group 12 is also formed of three second shift-side MR elements 12a to 12c so that the output takes a triple system. These second shift-side MR elements 12a to 12c are arranged in a straight line along the direction orthogonal to the shift direction M, that is, the select direction S so that the magnetic field radiated from the shift-side magnet 22 is applied in the same direction. Has been. The second shift side MR elements 12a to 12c constitute detection means.

  The second shift-side MR elements 12a to 12c of this example output the output determination boundary line Lc when a line in the left-right direction where the sensor output H and L are switched by the magnetic field (magnetic field direction) of the shift-side magnet 22 is used. The determination boundary line Lc is arranged to take a direction orthogonal to the shift direction M. The second shift side MR elements 12a and 12b are arranged so that the H / L direction of the output is inverted with respect to the arrow Yb, and the second shift side MR element 12c is the same direction as 12b.

  The first shift side MR element group 11 and the second shift side MR element group 12 are arranged symmetrically in the shift direction M. The MR elements 10a, 11a, and 12a are main-positioned MR elements, and the MR elements 10b, 10c, 11b, 11c, 12b, and 12c are sub-positioned MR elements. Further, in these MR element groups 11 and 12, the center of the surface on which the cross hairs are on the paper surface of FIG. 3, that is, the center of the front surface of the paper surface is the magnetic sensitive surface.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the position detection device 7 is provided with a shift ECU 23 as a control unit of the position detection device 7. The shift ECU 23 is connected to the select-side MR elements 10a to 10c, the first shift-side MR elements 11a to 11c, and the second shift-side MR elements 12a to 12c. The shift ECU 23 determines the position of the shift lever 3 based on the sensor outputs input from the MR elements 10a to 10c, 11a to 11c, and 12a to 12c, and sends it to another ECU that requires the operation position of the shift lever 3. The position determination result is output.

  The memory 24 of the shift ECU 23 stores a position determination table 25 used when determining the position of the shift lever 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the position determination table 25 of this example is a table including the output change combination of the MR element 1 as a determination parameter. The position determination table 25 constitutes position determination means.

  The memory 24 also includes a select register 26 that stores the sensor output state of the select-side MR element group 10, a first shift register 27 that stores the sensor output state of the first shift-side MR element group 11, A second shift register 28 for storing the sensor output state of the 2-shift-side MR element group 12 is provided. These registers 26 to 28 store the current value of the sensor output of each MR element 1 forming a set, the previous value before taking the current value, and the like. Note that the registers 26 to 28 constitute output change storage means.

  The shift ECU 23 is provided with an output change storage unit 29 that stores the output change combinations of the MR elements 1 in the registers 26 to 28. When the H / L of the sensor output of the MR element 1 is switched, the output change storage unit 29 updates the current values of the registers 26 to 28 if the value after the switching does not change for a certain time or more. The values that have been taken so far are stored in the registers 26 to 28 as previous values. The output change storage unit 29 stores the output change combination of the select-side MR element group 10 in the select register 26, stores the output change combination of the first shift-side MR element group 11 in the first shift register 27, and The output change combination of the 2-shift-side MR element group 12 is stored in the second shift register 28. The output change storage unit 29 constitutes an output change storage means.

  The shift ECU 23 is provided with a position determination unit 30 that determines the operation position of the shift lever 3 with reference to the position determination table 25 based on the values held in the registers 26 to 28. When the new output change combination is updated, the position determination unit 30 checks the sensor output on the side of the select side and the shift side where the output change has not occurred, and the output change of one sensor and the other sensor change. The operation position of the shift lever 3 is determined based on the output value. The position determination unit 30 determines whether the shift lever 3 is in the left or right position from the sensor output on the select side, and at which position of the upper, middle, and lower positions the shift lever 3 is based on the sensor output on the shift side. Determine if there is.

  The position determination unit 30 determines the operation position in the selection direction S with the select side MR elements 10a to 10c as one unit, and confirms that at least two of the three select side MR elements 10a to 10c are switched simultaneously. Then, it is recognized that there is an operation. The term “simultaneously” here includes a slight time difference in a broad sense. The position determination unit 30 determines the determination position when the shift lever 3 operated from the neutral position returns to the original neutral position via the operation position. It is also the same on the shift direction M side that it is determined that there is an operation when two or more sensor outputs are simultaneously switched. The position determination unit 30 constitutes a position determination unit.

Next, the operation of the position detection device 7 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, as shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the shift lever 3 is operated from the home position to the neutral position to the reverse position in a state where no failure has occurred in the MR element 1. When the shift lever 3 is at the home position, the sensor outputs of all the MR elements 10a to 10c, 11a to 11c, and 12a to 12c are “L”. For this reason, “L” is stored in all the three registers 26 to 28 as the current value. When the position determination unit 30 confirms that the current values of all the registers 26 to 28 are “L” regardless of the output change combination, the position determination unit 30 determines that the shift lever 3 is at the home position, and determines this position as the lever operation position. Recognized as a reference position for determination.

  When the shift lever 3 is operated from the home position to the neutral position, all three outputs of the select side MR elements 10a to 10c change from “L” to “H”. In this case, since it is assumed that the MR element 1 has not failed, three sensor outputs of the select-side MR elements 10a to 10c are switched simultaneously. Therefore, since the position determination unit 30 confirms that two or more sensor outputs of the three select-side MR elements 10a to 10c are switched simultaneously, it determines that the lever operation in the select direction S is in operation.

  When the output change storage unit 29 confirms that the state in which the sensor outputs of the select-side MR elements 10a to 10c are switched to “H” continues for a certain period of time, the output change storage unit 29 sets the current value of the select register 26 to “L” To "H". In addition, when the current value is updated, the output change storage unit 29 stores “L” of the current value stored so far in the selection register 26 as a previous value. As a result, the selection register 26 stores the combination of the previous value “L” and the current value “H”, that is, “L → H” as the output change combination on the selection side.

  When the position determination unit 30 determines that the lever operation lever is operated in the selection direction S, the position determination unit 30 checks the values held in the first shift register 27 and the second shift register 28. The position determination unit 30 determines the position of the shift lever 3 from the position determination table 25 based on the output change combination of the select register 26 and the current values of the shift registers 27 and 28. At this time, the position determination unit 30 acquires the current value of “L” from both the shift registers 27 and 28, and acquires the output change combination of “L → H” from the select register 26. Determined to be in neutral position.

  Subsequently, when the shift lever 3 is operated from the neutral position to the reverse position, all of the first shift-side MR elements 11a to 11c change from “L” to “H”. At this time, the position determination unit 30 confirms that the sensor outputs of the three first shift-side MR elements 11a to 11c are switched at the same time. Therefore, the position determination unit 30 recognizes that no failure has occurred in these 11a to 11c, and shifts. It is determined that the lever 3 has been operated in the shift direction M.

  When the output change storage unit 29 confirms that the state in which the sensor outputs of the first shift-side MR elements 11a to 11c are switched to “H” continues for a certain period of time, the output change storage unit 29 obtains the current value of the first shift register 27 Update from “L” to “H”. Further, when the current value is updated, the output change storage unit 29 holds the current value “L” stored so far in the first shift register 27 as a previous value. As a result, the first shift register 27 stores the combination of the previous value “L” and the current value “H”, that is, “L → H” as the shift-side output change combination.

  When the position determination unit 30 determines that there is a lever operation in the shift direction M, the position determination unit 30 checks the current value of the select register 26 and the current value of the second shift register 28. Then, the position determination unit 30 determines the position of the shift lever 3 from the position determination table 25 based on the output change combination of the first shift register 27 and the current values of the select register 26 and the second shift register 28. judge. At this time, the position determination unit 30 acquires the output change combination of “L → H” from the first shift register 27, acquires the current value of “L” from the second shift register 28, and selects the select register 26. Therefore, it is determined that the shift lever 3 is in the reverse position.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the shift lever 3 is returned from the reverse position to the neutral position to the home position in a state where no failure has occurred in the MR element 1. When the shift lever 3 moves from the reverse position to the neutral position, the sensor outputs of the first shift-side MR elements 11a to 11c change from “H” to “L”. At this time, since the position determination unit 30 confirms that all the sensor outputs of the three first shift-side MR elements 11a to 11c are switched, the position determination unit 30 recognizes that the lever operation is performed in the shift direction M. Then, the output change storage unit 29 stores the output change combination of “H → L” in the first shift register 27.

  When the output change combination of the first shift register 27 is updated, the position determination unit 30 checks the current values of the other registers 26 and 28. Then, the position determination unit 30 acquires the output change combination of “H → L” from the first shift register 27, acquires the current value of “L” from the second shift register 28, and outputs the current value of “L” from the select register 26. Since the current value of “H” is acquired, it is determined that the shift lever 3 is in the neutral position.

  When the shift lever 3 moves from the neutral position to the home position, the sensor output of the select-side MR elements 10a to 10c changes from “H” to “L”. At this time, since the position determination unit 30 confirms that all the sensor outputs of the three select-side MR elements 10a to 10c are switched, it recognizes that there is a lever operation in the select direction S. Then, the output change storage unit 29 stores the output change combination of “H → L” in the select register 26.

  When the position determination unit 30 updates the output change combination of the select register 26, the position determination unit 30 checks the current values of the shift registers 27 and 28. Since the position determination unit 30 acquires the current value of “L” from the two shift registers 27 and 28 and acquires the output change combination of “H → L” from the select register 26, the shift lever 3 Is determined to be at the home position.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that a failure (voltage Hi fixation) occurs in one of the first shift side MR element groups 11, for example, where the sensor output (voltage) is fixed at the H level. Here, an example in which the first shift-side MR element 11a has failed in the voltage Hi will be described. When the voltage Hi failure occurs in the first shift-side MR element 11a, the sensor output of the first shift-side MR element 11a is fixed at the H level when the failure occurs. As a result, only the H level sensor signal Sout is output from the first shift side MR element 11a.

  At this time, in the first shift-side MR element group 11, the sensor output of one of the three MR elements 11a to 11c is switched from “L” to “H”. However, in the case of this example, if at least two sensor outputs of the three MR elements 11a to 11c in the triple system are not switched at the same time, a determination process that does not recognize that there is a lever operation is performed. Even if only one element 11a fails, it is not determined that there is a lever operation due to this failure. Therefore, the output change storage unit 29 does not update the current value of the select register 26 but holds it as “L” as it is.

  If the shift lever 3 is operated from the home position to the neutral position in this failure state, no failure has occurred on the select side, so the sensor outputs of the three select side MR elements 10a to 10c have no problem. Switch from “L” to “H”. Therefore, the position determination unit 30 acquires the current value of “L” from the two shift registers 27 and 28 and acquires the output change combination of “L → H” from the select register 26. 3 is determined to be in the neutral position.

  When the shift lever 3 is operated from the neutral position to the reverse position, since the first shift-side MR element 11a is broken on the shift side, the remaining two shift-side MR elements 11b and 11c are changed from “L”. Changes to “H”. At this time, the position determination unit 30 confirms that the sensor outputs of the two shift-side MR elements 11b and 11c are switched from “L” to “H”, so that it is recognized that the shift lever 3 has been operated in the shift direction M. To do. Therefore, the output change storage unit 29 stores the output change combination “L → H” in the first shift register 27.

  When the output change combination of the first shift register 27 is updated, the position determination unit 30 checks the current values of the other registers 26 and 28. Then, the position determination unit 30 acquires the output change combination of “L → H” from the first shift register 27, acquires the current value of “L” from the second shift register 28, and outputs the current value of “L” from the select register 26. Since the current value of “H” is acquired, it is determined that the shift lever 3 is in the reverse position. Therefore, even if one of the three first shift side MR elements 11a to 11c forming the triple system fails, the lever position is determined without erroneous determination.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that a voltage Hi failure has occurred in two of the first shift side MR element groups 11. Here, an example will be described in which the first shift-side MR elements 11a and 11b have a voltage Hi failure with a predetermined time difference while the shift lever 3 is at the home position. If the first shift side MR element 11a fails first, the sensor output of the first shift side MR element 11a is fixed at the H level at the time of the failure. However, in the case of this example, if at least two sensor outputs of the three first shift-side MR elements 11a to 11c do not change at the same time, it is not determined that there is a lever operation. Not.

  Subsequently, if the first shift side MR element 11b is fixed at the voltage Hi, the sensor output of the first shift side MR element 11b is fixed at the H level at that time. However, as described above, if at least two sensor outputs of the first shift side MR elements 11a to 11c do not change at the same time, it is not determined that there is an operation. Therefore, even in this failure, it is not determined that there is a lever operation. Therefore, even if the first shift-side MR elements 11a and 11b fail with a predetermined time difference, it is not erroneously determined that there is an operation.

  When the shift lever 3 is operated from the home position to the neutral position in this failure state, no failure has occurred on the select side, so all three select side MR elements 10a to 10c are changed from "L" to "H". Change. Therefore, the position determination unit 30 acquires the current value of “L” from the two shift registers 27 and 28, and acquires the output change combination of “L → H” from the select register 26. It is determined that the lever 3 is in the neutral position.

  When the shift lever 3 is operated from the neutral position to the reverse position, at this time, only the first shift side MR element 11c among the three first shift side MR elements 11a to 11c is operating normally. Only the sensor output of the first shift side MR element 11c is switched from "L" to "H". For this reason, the position determination unit 30 confirms that the output level of only one of the three first shift-side MR elements 11a to 11c changes, so it is not determined that there is a lever operation, and the current shift position, In other words, the neutral position is maintained.

  Here, an example in which the shift lever 3 is operated from the home position to the reverse position via the neutral position has been described, but the same operation mode is employed when the shift lever 3 is operated to another position. Details are omitted.

  As described above, in this example, when the position of the shift lever 3 is determined based on the sensor output of the MR element 1, it is not determined based only on the value when the H / L output level of the MR element 1 is switched. The operation position of the shift lever 3 is determined based on the output change before and after switching, that is, the output change combination in which the current value and the previous value are set. For this reason, for example, if a voltage fixation failure has occurred in the MR element 1 before the start of the determination of the lever operation position, the shift lever 3 is not determined to be operated due to a voltage level change due to this element failure. Therefore, when a failure occurs in the MR element 1, it is possible to determine this element failure, so that it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of the operation position.

  Further, three MR elements 1 are provided in each of the select direction S and the shift direction M to form a triple system, and if at least two sensor outputs of these three MR elements 1 are switched simultaneously, the lever operation is performed. judge. Therefore, even if one of the three MR elements 1 in the triple system breaks down, it is possible to correctly determine the operation position of the shift lever 3 as long as the other two continue to operate normally. .

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When determining the position of the shift lever 3 based on the sensor output of the MR element 1, it is not determined only by the value of the MR element 1, but the current value of the MR element 1 and the value before changing to that value. A combination of the previous value and the output change combination is determined, and the lever operation position is determined from the output change combination. For this reason, if voltage sticking has occurred in the MR element 1 before the lever position determination, the position determination is not performed with the sensor signal Sout output from the MR element 1 at this time. It can be made difficult to occur.

  (2) A total of three MR elements 1 (one main and two sub) are provided to make the position detection device 7 a triple system, and at least two sensor outputs of these three MR elements 1 are switched simultaneously. It is determined that the shift lever 3 is operated. Therefore, even if one of the triple MR elements 1 breaks down, it is possible to see the position with the remaining two MR elements 1, so that one MR element 1 can be dealt with. .

  (3) Since the position detection device 7 of this example is employed in the shift lever device 20 in which the shift lever 3 can be operated in the cross direction, even if the shift lever 3 moves in the cross direction as in this example, The operation position in each direction can be accurately determined.

(4) Since the operation position of the shift lever 3 is determined by the binary value H / L, the lever operation position can be determined by a digital method instead of an analog method.
(5) Since the shift lever 3 is a momentary type, the shift lever 3 can be automatically returned to the home position before the operation if the hand is released from the shift lever 3 after tilting the shift lever 3.

Note that the embodiment is not limited to the configuration described so far, and may be modified as follows.
The position determination of the shift lever 3 is not limited to being performed using the MR element 1 that takes an output change of only one stage of H and L. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a shift lever is used by using an MR element 1a (also referred to as a so-called eight-way MR sensor) whose sensor output changes in two steps as L → M (Middle) → H. The operation position of 3 may be determined. Note that two MR elements 1a shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b) are formed in a double system by being provided with a symmetrical arrangement.

  As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the MR element 1a includes a pair of bridge circuits 61 and 62 whose sensor output phases are shifted from each other by ¼ period (¼ wavelength). If both outputs 61 and 62 take “H”, “H”, if one of the sensor outputs takes “H” and the other takes “L”, then “M” and if both outputs take “L”, It is an element determined as “L”. The MR element 1a constitutes detection means.

  In this case, since it is determined that the shift lever 3 has been operated only after the sensor output of the MR element 1 has changed in two steps, the shift lever is more accurately compared to, for example, simply looking at the change in H / L of the sensor output. 3 can be determined. In addition, since the probability of erroneously determining the operation position is reduced, the number of elements does not increase excessively even when the MR element 1a is arranged in a redundant system as a countermeasure against failure. Furthermore, if the number of MR elements 1a can be reduced, the number of harnesses that connect the MR elements 1a and the shift ECU 23 can be reduced.

-Both the select side and the shift side may determine the position by the output change combination.
The shift lever 3 is not limited to a tilt type that tilts about a shaft, and may be a slide type that reciprocates in a linear direction along a rail, for example.

The MR element 1 is not limited to taking a plurality of multiple systems, and may be a simple single system.
The H / L distribution of the sensor output of the MR element 1 is not limited to the shift ECU 23 side, and the element itself may directly output a binary signal of H or L.

The MR element 1 is not limited to an element that outputs an AC waveform signal with a period of 180 degrees, and an element with a period of 360 degrees or 90 degrees may be adopted.
The detecting means is not limited to the MR element 1, but may be, for example, a GMR (Giant Magneto Registance) or a Hall element.

The detection means is not limited to a magnetic sensor, and may be, for example, an optical sensor.
The combination of H / L in the position determination table 25 can be appropriately changed according to the arrangement direction of the MR element 1 and the magnetic field direction of the magnets 21 and 22.

The lever operation position is not limited to the method of specifying the operation position with reference to the position determination table 25, and various determination methods can be adopted.
The storage location of the output change combination (current value, previous value) is not limited to the registers 26 to 28, and may be EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), for example.

The shift lever 3 is not limited to one that can be operated in the cross direction, and may be operable only in a straight line direction, for example.
The operation pattern of the shift lever 3 is not limited to the uppercase letter “H”, and may be, for example, the lowercase letter “h” reversed left and right.

The magnets 21 and 22 are not attached to the shift lever 3 side and the MR element 1 is not attached to the apparatus main body 2 side, and this combination may be reversed.
The mounting destination of the position detection device 7 is not limited to the shift lever device 20 and may be other devices or devices in which the operation member is movable.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects.
(A) In any one of claims 1 to 4, the plurality of sets of detection means arranged in the operation direction of the operation member are arranged in a point-symmetrical direction with respect to the middle of both.

  (B) In any one of claims 1 to 4 and the technical idea (A), the detection means outputs a first detection circuit that outputs an output signal having an AC waveform in accordance with a change in magnetic field, and the first detection circuit. And a second detection circuit whose output phase is shifted by ¼ period, and a signal having a level change of two or more stages by the combination of H and L of the outputs of the pair of detection circuits is output signal Output as.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MR element which comprises a detection means, 1a ... MR element which comprises a detection means (eight-way type), 3 ... Shift lever as an operation member, 7 ... Position detection apparatus, 10a-10c ... Select side which comprises a detection means MR element, 11a to 11c: first shift side MR element constituting detection means, 12a to 12c ... second shift side MR element constituting detection means, 20 ... shift lever device, 21, 22 ... as detected members Magnets 25... Position determination table constituting position determination means 26 to 28. Registers constituting output change storage means 29 29 Output change storage section constituting output change storage means 30. Position constituting position determination means Determination unit, S: select direction as the first operation direction, M: shift direction as the second operation direction, Sout: sensor signal as the output signal.

Claims (5)

In the position detection device that detects the operation position of the operation member,
Detecting means for detecting a relative position between the operating member and a detected member that moves relative to the operating member;
An output change storage means for monitoring a change in the output level of the detection means from the start of position determination, and storing the output change combination before and after the change switching when the output level is switched;
A position detection device comprising: position determination means for determining the position of the operation member based on the output change combination stored in the output change storage means. At least three or more detection means are provided in the main and sub positions in order to deal with failures.
The position detection device according to claim 1, wherein the position determination unit determines that there is an operation when it is confirmed that at least two output levels of the detection unit are switched simultaneously. The operation member can be operated in two directions of a first operation direction and a second operation direction orthogonal to each other,
The detection means is provided in each of the first operation direction and the second operation direction,
The position determination means detects the position in the first operation direction by the detection means on the first operation direction side, and detects the position in the second operation direction by the detection means on the second operation direction side. The position detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The detection means has a level change of at least two steps or more,
The position determination means operates the operation member when confirming that the output of the detection means changes in two or more levels satisfying a certain time width in the process in which the operation member is operated in the same direction. The position detection device according to claim 1, wherein the position detection device is determined to be present. In the shift lever device that switches the shift position by operating the shift lever,
Detection means for detecting a relative position between the shift lever and the detected member that moves relative to the detection lever;
An output change storage means for monitoring a change in the output level of the detection means from the start of position determination, and storing the output change combination before and after the change switching when the output level is switched;
A shift lever device comprising: a position determination unit that determines a position of the shift lever based on the output change combination stored in the output change storage unit.

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