JP2012163161A - Range detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a range detecting device capable of reducing the number of systems of a detecting means and being miniaturized.SOLUTION: The range detecting device 1 has a fixed member 30, a movable member 20, an on/off signal output circuit, a linear signal output circuit, and a range determining means. The fixed member 30 is fixed to an automatic transmission 10. The movable member 20 can move along the fixed member 30 according to a range selected by a shift lever. The on/off signal output circuit outputs on/off signals according to the moving positions of the movable member 20. Further, the linear signal output circuit outputs linear signals proportional to the distance of the movable member 20 from the predetermined position. The range determining means determines the range selected by the shift lever based on at least one of an on/off signal voltage value and a linear signal voltage value.

Description

  The present invention relates to a range detection device for an automatic transmission.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a range detection device that detects a shift range of an automatic transmission, a device that detects a range based on a moving position of a movable member that reciprocates according to selection of the range is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a range is detected by a linear signal output unit that outputs a linear signal according to a moving position of a movable member that reciprocates according to selection of the range.

In Patent Document 2, a plurality of linear signal output means are provided in order to avoid the influence of the failure of the linear signal output means. Thereby, even if one linear signal output means fails, the range detection apparatus can operate normally.
Further, in Patent Document 3, a range is detected by a plurality of on / off signal output units that output an on / off signal according to a moving position of a movable member that reciprocates according to selection of the range.

JP 2002-104007 A Special table 2003-507670 gazette JP-A-2005-172118

  In the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the output characteristics of the linear signal vary depending on the individual, it is necessary to perform initial correction on the linear signal after the automatic transmission is assembled or when the vehicle is assembled. However, since learning correction such as origin correction cannot be performed after the vehicle is assembled, it is necessary to suppress changes in output characteristics due to environmental temperature changes, magnet demagnetization, and magnetic contamination intrusion, and the cost increases. .

In the invention described in Patent Document 3, the range is determined using a multi-system switching element. Therefore, since a multi-system detection element is required, a large number of detection elements, wirings, and accompanying electronic components are required, and the cost increases. Also. Since it is necessary to provide multi-system on / off signal output means, downsizing of the apparatus is hindered.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a range detection device that can reduce the number of systems of detection means and can be made compact.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the range detection device is provided in the automatic transmission and detects the range selected by the range selection means for selecting a range including forward, reverse, neutral, and parking. The range detection apparatus includes a fixed member, a movable member, an on / off signal output unit, a linear signal output unit, and a range determination unit. The fixing member is fixed to the automatic transmission. The movable member is movable along the fixed member according to the range selected by the range selecting means. The on / off signal output means outputs an on / off signal according to the moving position of the movable member. The linear signal output means outputs a linear signal proportional to the distance from the predetermined position of the movable member. The range determination unit determines the range selected by the range selection unit based on the on / off signal output from the on / off signal output unit and the linear signal output from the linear signal output unit.

In the present invention, both a linear signal output means for outputting a linear signal and an on / off signal output means for outputting an on / off signal are provided, and the range is determined. Thereby, the number of systems of a detection means can be reduced and a range detection apparatus can be reduced in size.
In addition, since the number of expensive linear signal output means can be reduced, the manufacturing cost of the range detection device can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 2, the on / off signal output means outputs either an on signal or an off signal when the range selection means selects the forward range or the reverse range, and the range selection means outputs the neutral range or the parking range. When is selected, the other of the on signal and the off signal is output.
Thus, the state where the engine can be started and the state where the engine cannot be started are determined by either the on signal or the off signal. Therefore, it can be determined whether or not the engine can be started based on the on / off signal.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the linear signal output means includes a first magnetism generating means that is provided on one of the fixed member and the movable member and whose magnetic field changes linearly along the reciprocating direction of the movable member, and the fixed member Or it is embodied by the structure including the 1st magnetism detection means which detects the change of the magnetic field of the 1st magnetism generation means provided in the other of the movable member by reciprocating movement of the movable member. The on / off signal output means is provided on one of the fixed member and the movable member, the second magnetism generating means changing the magnetic poles alternately along the reciprocating direction of the movable member, and the other of the fixed member and the movable member. The present invention is embodied by a configuration including a second magnetic detection unit that is provided and detects a change in the magnetic pole of the second magnetic generation unit due to the reciprocating movement of the movable member.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the first magnetic detection means is embodied by a Hall element. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the second magnetic detection means is embodied by a Hall element.

According to the invention which concerns on Claim 6, it is further provided with the start possibility determination means which determines whether start of an engine is possible.
The range determining means determines the range selected by the range selecting means based on the linear signal output by the linear signal output means, and the start possibility determining means is for starting the engine based on the on / off signal output by the on / off signal output means. Determine whether or not.
Thereby, the range can be accurately detected by detecting the range based on the linear signal. Further, the reliability of the start signal can be improved by determining whether or not the engine can be started based on the on / off signal. Furthermore, the detection of the range and the determination of whether or not the engine can be started can be performed, and the number of detection elements, the wiring, and the number of associated electronic components can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the change in the linear signal output from the linear signal output means and the change in the on / off signal output from the on / off signal output means are compared, and the range determined by the change in the linear signal and the on / off signal are determined. In the case where the range determined by the change does not match, it further includes a failure determination unit that determines that the failure of the on / off output unit or the failure of the linear output unit.
Thereby, it is possible to immediately determine the failure of the linear signal output means or the on / off signal output means and save the time required for the failure detection.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the failure determination means outputs an on / off signal when the linear signal output by the linear signal output means changes due to the movement of the movable member and the on / off signal output by the on / off signal output means does not change. Judged as failure of the means.
According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the failure determination means is linear when the ON / OFF signal output from the ON / OFF signal output means changes and the linear signal output from the linear signal output means does not change due to the movement of the movable member. It is determined that the signal output means has failed.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when it is determined by the failure determination means that the on / off signal output means has failed, the start permission determination means determines whether the engine can be started based on the linear signal output from the linear signal output means. to decide.
As a result, even if the on / off signal output means fails, it is possible to determine whether or not the engine can be started based on the linear signal output from the linear signal output means, so that the engine start is not affected. .

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the shift control availability determination means for determining whether or not the automatic transmission can be controlled is further provided.
The shift control enable / disable determining means permits control of the automatic transmission when outputting a signal corresponding to the forward or reverse range output by the on / off signal output means.
Thereby, even when the linear signal output means is out of order, the control of the automatic transmission is not affected.

According to the invention of claim 12, the value of the linear signal output by the linear signal output means is corrected based on the value of the linear signal at the boundary position between the ON region and the OFF region of the ON / OFF signal output by the ON / OFF signal output device. Correction means for further comprising.
As described above, since the value of the linear signal output by the linear signal output means can be corrected, it is caused by temperature change, demagnetization of the magnet, and adhesion of magnetic contamination inside the automatic transmission after the vehicle is assembled. Changes in the output characteristics of the linear signal output means can be corrected. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the range detection device can be increased.

1 is a perspective view of the inside of an automatic transmission to which a range detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Sectional drawing of the range detection apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. The circuit diagram of the range detection apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the magnetization pattern of the movable part of the range detection apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the output characteristic of the range detection apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the procedure of the correction | amendment process of one Embodiment of this invention. The characteristic view which shows the initial stage correction | amendment of the range detection apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. The characteristic view which shows learning correction | amendment of the range detection apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. The characteristic view which shows learning correction | amendment of the range detection apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(One embodiment)
A range detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. The range detection apparatus 1 of this embodiment is applied to an automatic transmission of an automobile.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the range detection device 1 is attached to an automatic transmission 10 of an automatic transmission. The automatic transmission 10 has a hydraulic switching valve (hereinafter referred to as “manual valve”) 12. When the vehicle occupant selects a shift range (shift stage) and operates a shift lever as a range selection means (not shown), the operating force to the shift lever is automatically transmitted via the cable 13, the link mechanism 14, and the detent lever 15. It is transmitted to the manual valve 12 of the transmission 10. When the manual valve 12 is reciprocated by the operating force, the oil passage in the automatic transmission 10 is switched. As a result, the supply of the line pressure hydraulic oil to a plurality of friction elements (clutch or brake) of the automatic transmission (not shown) is controlled, and the plurality of friction elements are engaged in a combination having a selected shift range. As a result, the shift stage of the automatic transmission is switched to the shift range selected by the vehicle occupant.

As shown in FIG. 2, the range detection device 1 includes a movable member 20, a fixed member 30, a substrate 40, and the like.
The movable member 20 is formed of a mixed material of resin and magnetic material such as a plastic magnet. The movable member 20 includes a plate-like flat plate portion 21 and an engagement pin 22 protruding from one surface of the flat plate portion 21. The surface of the flat plate portion 21 opposite to the engaging pin 22 is partially magnetized (see FIG. 1). In the present embodiment, two portions of the surface of the flat plate portion 21 opposite to the engagement pin 22 are magnetized. Hereinafter, the two magnetized portions are referred to as a first magnetized portion 211 and a second magnetized portion 212, respectively (see FIG. 1). The first magnetized portion 211 and the second magnetized portion 212 correspond to “first magnetism generating means” and “second magnetism generating means” recited in the claims. The magnetizing patterns of the first magnetized portion 211 and the second magnetized portion 212 will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the engagement pin 22 can be engaged with an engagement portion 121 of the manual valve 12 of the automatic transmission 10. Therefore, when the manual valve 12 reciprocates, the movable member 20 can move in conjunction with the reciprocation. Hereinafter, the reciprocating direction of the movable member 20 is the x direction, the direction of the straight line in the x direction and the direction of the straight line perpendicular to the surface 311 is the z direction, Let the direction be the y direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing member 30 is attached to the automatic transmission 10. Specifically, the fixing member 30 is fixed to the automatic transmission 10 by a bolt or the like (not shown). At this time, the fixing member 30 can be easily positioned and fixed with respect to the automatic transmission 10 by matching the positioning pins 34 of the fixing member 30 with the positioning grooves 111 of the automatic transmission 10.

  The fixing member 30 is formed of resin, for example, and has a plate portion 31 and a recess 32 as shown in FIG. The plate part 31 has a surface 311 facing the first magnetized part 211 and the second magnetized part 212 of the movable member 20. The concave portion 32 is formed on the surface opposite to the surface 311 of the plate portion 31.

  The plate portion 31 has two rail portions 33 protruding from the surface 311. The two rail portions 33 are formed along the edge portions of the plate portion 31, respectively. Rail grooves 331 extending parallel to the surface 311 are formed on the surfaces of the two rail portions 33 facing each other. On the other hand, protrusions 23 corresponding to the rail grooves 331 are formed on both side surfaces of the flat plate portion 21 of the movable member 20. The movable member 20 can reciprocate in a state in which the two protrusions 23 are slidably fitted in the rail grooves 331 of the fixed member 30 so as to be parallel to the surface 311 of the plate portion 31. That is, the fixed member 30 supports the movable member 20 so as to be movable in parallel with respect to the plate portion 31.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the substrate 40 is disposed in the recess 32 so as to be substantially parallel to the plate portion 31 of the fixing member 30. Here, “substantially parallel” means that the substrate 40 does not need to be strictly parallel to the plate portion 31 and may be substantially parallel.

A first magnetic detection element 41, a second magnetic detection element 42, an A / D conversion circuit 43, and a TCU 44 are mounted on the substrate 40.
The first magnetic detection element 41 and the second magnetic detection element 42 are Hall elements. The first magnetic detection element 41 and the second magnetic detection element 42 are soldered to the substrate 40 by, for example, SMT (Surface Mount Technology).

  The first magnetism detecting element 41 and the second magnetism detecting element 42 are arranged such that the first magnetism detecting element 41 and the second magnetism detecting element 42 are the first magnetization of the movable member 20 in a state where the substrate 40 is disposed in the recess 32. It is mounted on the substrate 40 so as to have a position corresponding to the position of the part 211 and the second magnetized part 212 (see FIG. 3). Here, the circuit including the first magnetic detection element 41, the first magnetizing unit 211, the A / D conversion circuit 43, and the like corresponds to a “linear signal output unit” in the claims, and is hereinafter referred to as “linear”. It is called a “signal output circuit”. The circuit including the second magnetic detection element 42, the second magnetizing unit 212, the A / D conversion circuit 43, and the like corresponds to an “on / off signal output unit” in the claims, and hereinafter referred to as an “on / off signal”. This is called “output circuit”.

As shown in FIG. 4, the A / D conversion circuit 43 is connected to the first magnetic detection element 41 and the second magnetic detection element 42, and the analog output from the first magnetic detection element 41 and the second magnetic detection element 42. The signal is converted into a digital signal and output to the TCU 44.
The TCU 44 is a microcomputer that controls the automatic transmission, and includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The TCU 44 controls the automatic transmission, and also acts as a range determination unit 441, a failure determination unit 442, a startability determination unit 443, a shift control permission determination unit 444, and a correction unit 445.
A terminal 45 inserted through the board 40 and soldered on the surface opposite to the board 31 is inserted and mounted on the board 40 (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a sealing material 60 is filled in the recess 32 of the fixing member 30. As a result, the sealing material 60 covers the substrate 40, the first magnetic detection element 41, and the second magnetic detection element 42. Therefore, even when the range detection device 1 is installed in the automatic transmission in an oil-impregnated state as in this embodiment, the substrate 40, the first magnetic detection element 41, and the second magnetic detection element are exposed to the hydraulic oil. Can be prevented. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the substrate 40, the first magnetic detection element 41, and the second magnetic detection element are corroded by the hydraulic oil, and the wiring on the substrate 40 is caused by magnetic contamination such as metal powder in the hydraulic oil. A short circuit can be prevented.

  The sealing material 60 is made of a resin such as epoxy. The sealing material 60 is in a liquid state when filling the recess 32 and is cured with the passage of time. In the present embodiment, the sealing material 60 is colored in a dark color such as black.

Next, the magnetization patterns of the first magnetized portion 211 and the second magnetized portion will be described with reference to FIG.
The state which looked at the surface at the side of the fixing member 30 of the flat plate part 21 from the z direction of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing only the surface of the flat plate portion 21 of the movable member 20 on the side of the fixed member 30 in order to avoid the drawing from becoming complicated.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the surface of the flat plate portion 21 on the side of the fixing member 30 is magnetized at two locations with a predetermined interval in the y direction. The two magnetized portions are a first magnetized portion 211 and a second magnetized portion 212, respectively. The first magnetized portion 211 and the second magnetized portion 212 are provided so as to extend in the x direction, respectively. In FIG. 5, the first magnetized portion 211 is provided on the flat plate portion 21 by being magnetized so that the left side is the S pole and the right side is the N pole and the magnetic force changes linearly in the x direction. The second magnetized portion 212 is provided on the flat plate portion 21 by being magnetized so that the N pole and the S pole are alternately arranged in the order of N pole, S pole, N pole, and S pole in the x direction. Yes.

  Further, as described above, the first magnetic detection element 41 and the second magnetic detection element 42 are mounted on the substrate 40 so as to be in positions corresponding to the positions of the first magnetized portion 211 and the second magnetized portion 212, respectively. Has been. Thereby, the 1st magnetism detecting element 41 and the 2nd magnetism detecting element 42 can detect magnetism of the 1st magnetized part 211 and the 2nd magnetized part 212, respectively.

Next, output characteristics of the first magnetic detection element 41 and the second magnetic detection element 42 will be described with reference to FIG.
For example, when the movable member 20 moves from the position shown in FIG. 5 along the x direction in the figure, the first magnetism detecting element 41 and the second magnetism detecting element 42 are the first magnetized portion 211 and the second magnetized part, respectively. It moves along the x direction so as to overlap the magnetic part 212. FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the relative movement distance between the movable member 20 and the fixed member 30 and the change in the output voltage of the first magnetic detection element 41 and the second magnetic detection element 42 at this time. Here, a change in the signal detected by the first magnetic detection element 41 is represented by a line s1, and a change in the signal detected by the second magnetic detection element 42 is represented by a line s2. As shown in FIG. 6, the line s1 has a linear characteristic that is proportional to the relative movement distance between the movable member 20 and the fixed member 30, and s2 has an on / off characteristic that switches between predetermined voltages Vout0 and 0. Hereinafter, the voltage value corresponding to the signal detected by the first magnetic detection element 41 is referred to as “linear signal voltage value”, and the voltage value corresponding to the signal detected by the second magnetic detection element 42 is “on / off signal voltage value”. That's it.

  The voltage values at the three intersections of the line s1 and the line s2 are Vout1, Vout2, and Vout3, respectively. Then, Vout1 is a linear signal voltage value at the switching point L1 when the movable member 20 changes from the P range to the R range. Vout2 is a linear signal voltage value at the switching point L2 when the movable member 20 changes from the R range to the N range. Vout3 is a linear signal voltage value at the switching point L3 when the movable member 20 changes from the N range to the D range.

Here, the control of the TCU 44 such as range determination, failure determination, start permission determination, shift control permission determination, and correction will be described with reference to FIG.
(Range judgment)
In the present embodiment, the range determination unit 441 of the TCU 44 determines the range based on the linear signal voltage value.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the linear signal voltage value is 0 or more and Vout 1 or less, the range determination unit 441 determines that it is the P range.
When the linear signal voltage value is larger than Vout1 and smaller than Vout2, the range determination unit 441 determines that the R range.
When the linear signal voltage value is not less than Vout2 and not more than Vout3, the range determination unit 441 determines that the N range.
When the linear signal voltage value is larger than Vout3, the range determination unit 441 determines that the D range.

(Startability judgment)
In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the engine can be started by the startability determination unit 443 of the TCU 44.
In the case of this embodiment, when the on / off signal voltage value is Vout0, the start possibility determination unit 443 determines that the engine can be started. When the on / off signal voltage value is 0, the start possibility determination unit 443 determines that the engine cannot be started.

(Failure judgment)
In this embodiment, the failure determination means 442 of the TCU 44 determines that the linear signal output circuit has failed or the on / off signal output circuit has failed.

In this embodiment, a failure in the linear signal output circuit or a failure in the on / off signal output circuit is determined by comparing the change in the linear signal voltage value with the change in the on / off signal voltage value.
More specifically, for example, when the linear signal voltage value changes due to the relative movement between the movable member 20 and the fixed member 30 and the on / off signal voltage value does not change, it is determined that the on / off signal output circuit is faulty. Further, for example, when the on / off signal voltage value changes due to the relative movement between the movable member 20 and the fixed member 30 and the linear signal voltage value does not change, it is determined that the linear signal output circuit is faulty.

  Here, when the failure determination unit 442 determines that the on / off signal output circuit has failed, the start permission determination unit 443 determines whether the engine can be started based on the linear signal voltage value. More specifically, when the linear signal voltage value is Vout1 or less, or Vout2 or more and Vout3 or less, the start permission determination unit 443 determines that the engine can be started. When the linear signal voltage value is larger than Vout1 and smaller than Vout2, or larger than Vout3, the start permission determination unit 443 determines that the engine cannot be started.

(Determining whether or not gear change control is possible)
In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the shift control can be performed by the shift control permission determination unit 444 of the TCU 44.
In the case of this embodiment, when the linear signal voltage value is larger than Vout1 and smaller than Vout2, or larger than Vout3, the shift control availability determination unit 444 determines that shift control can be performed. Further, when the linear signal voltage value is Vout1 or less, or Vout2 or more and Vout3 or less, the shift control availability determination means 444 determines that the shift control cannot be performed.

  Here, when the failure determination means 442 determines that the linear signal output circuit has failed, the shift control availability determination means 444 determines whether the shift control can be performed based on the on / off signal voltage value. More specifically, when the on / off signal voltage value is Vout0, the shift control permission determination unit 444 determines that the shift control cannot be performed. Further, when the on / off signal voltage value is 0, the shift control availability determination unit 444 determines that the shift control can be performed.

(Correction control)
In the present embodiment, correction control is performed by the correction unit 445 of the TCU 44. Next, correction control according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a procedure for performing initial correction of the range detection device 1 and learning correction after the vehicle is assembled. As shown in FIG. 7, the initial correction is performed by driving the movable member 20 after the assembly of the range detection device 1 is completed. When the movable member 20 and the fixed member 30 move relative to each other, as shown in FIG. 8, a line s3 representing a change in the linear signal voltage value and a line s2 representing a change in the on / off signal voltage value are obtained.

  At this time, the linear signal voltage value at the switching point L1 when the movable member 20 changes from the P range to the R range is defined as Vout4. Further, the linear signal voltage value at the switching point L2 when the movable member 20 changes from the R range to the N range is Vout5. A linear signal voltage value at the switching point L3 when the movable member 20 changes from the N range to the D range is defined as Vout6.

  In the present embodiment, the correction unit 445 performs offset correction and gain correction on the linear signal voltage value using two of Vout4, Vout5, and Vout6. Then, the line s3 representing the change in the linear signal voltage value is corrected to the line s1. The correction unit 445 writes the corrected value in the ROM of the TCU 44.

The learning correction of the range detection device 1 is performed by operating the shift lever after starting the engine after the range detection device 1 is assembled to the automatic transmission and then assembled to the vehicle.
When the shift lever is operated in the order of P range, R range, N range, and D range after the engine starts, as shown in FIG. 9, a line s4 representing a change in linear signal voltage value, and an on / off signal voltage value A line s2 representing the change of is obtained.

  At this time, at the switching point L1 when changing from the P range to the R range, at the switching point L2 when changing from the R range to the N range, and at the switching point L3 when changing from the N range to the D range, the linear signal The voltage values are Vout7, Vout8, and Vout9, respectively. Here, the correction unit 445 performs offset correction and gain correction on the linear signal voltage value using two of Vout7, Vout8, and Vout9. Then, the line s4 representing the change in the linear signal voltage value is corrected to the line s1.

In the case of the present embodiment, the learning correction of the range detection device 1 is also performed after the vehicle is stopped and before the engine is stopped.
When the shift lever is operated in the order of the D range, N range, R range, and P range after the vehicle stops, as shown in FIG. 10, the line s5 representing the change in the linear signal voltage value, and the on / off signal voltage value A line s2 representing the change is obtained.

  At this time, at the switching point L3 when changing from the D range to the N range, at the switching point L2 when changing from the N range to the R range, and at the switching point L1 when changing from the R range to the P range, the linear signal The voltage values are Vout10, Vout11, and Vout12, respectively. Here, the correction unit 445 performs offset correction and gain correction on the linear signal voltage value using two of Vout10, Vout11, and Vout12. Then, the line s5 representing the change in the linear signal voltage value is corrected to the line s1.

  In the present embodiment, the range is detected based on the linear signal voltage value by the linear signal output circuit and the on / off signal voltage value by the on / off signal output circuit. Thereby, the number of detection systems can be reduced and the range detection apparatus 1 can be reduced in size.

In this embodiment, the range determination unit 441 determines the range based on the linear signal voltage value, and the start permission determination unit 443 determines whether the engine can be started based on the on / off signal voltage value. For this reason, the accuracy of range detection can be improved by detecting the range based on the linear signal voltage value. Further, by determining whether or not the engine can be started based on the on / off signal voltage value, it is not necessary to perform software processing on the start signal. Therefore, the reliability of the start signal can be increased.
Further, by controlling the detection of the range and the determination of whether or not the engine can be started with different systems, the number of detection elements, wiring, and the number of associated electronic components can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. .

  In this embodiment, a change in the linear signal voltage value and a change in the on / off signal voltage value are compared to determine whether the linear signal output circuit has failed or the on / off signal output circuit has failed. Thereby, it is possible to immediately determine the failure of the linear signal output circuit or the on / off signal output circuit, and to save the time required for failure detection.

  In this embodiment, when the failure determination unit 442 determines that the on / off signal output circuit has failed, the start permission determination unit 443 determines whether the engine can be started based on the linear signal voltage value. As a result, even if the on / off signal output circuit fails, the engine start is not affected.

  In the present embodiment, when the failure determination unit 442 determines that the linear signal output circuit has failed, the shift control availability determination unit 444 determines whether shift control can be performed based on the on / off signal voltage value. Thereby, even if the linear signal output circuit is out of order, the control of the automatic transmission is not affected.

  In the present embodiment, the correction unit 445 performs initial correction and learning correction on the linear signal voltage value. Thereby, after the vehicle is assembled, it is possible to correct changes in the output characteristics of the first magnetic detection element 41 due to temperature changes, demagnetization of magnets, adhesion of magnetic contamination inside the automatic transmission, and the like. Therefore, the detection accuracy and reliability of the range detection apparatus 1 can be improved.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the first magnetic detection element and the second magnetic detection element are provided on the fixed member, and the first magnetized part and the second magnetized part are provided on the movable member. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the first magnetic detection element and the second magnetic detection element may be provided on the movable member, and the first magnetized part and the second magnetized part may be provided on the fixed member.
In the above embodiment, the TCU is mounted on the substrate. On the other hand, in other embodiments, the TCU may be arranged away from the substrate.
In the embodiment described above, the range determination unit determines the range based on the linear signal voltage value. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the range may be determined based on a combination of the linear signal voltage value and the on / off signal voltage value.
In the above embodiment, the first magnetic detection element and the second magnetic detection element are Hall elements. On the other hand, in other embodiments, the first magnetic detection element and the second magnetic detection element are, for example, an IC chip on which a Hall element, MRE (magnetoresistive element), GMR (magnetoresistive element), or the like is mounted. It is good also as being.
The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be applied to various embodiments without departing from the gist thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Range detection apparatus 10 ... Automatic transmission 20 ... Movable member 21 ... Flat plate part 30 ... Fixed member 41 ... 1st magnetic detection element (1st magnetic detection means)
42 ... 2nd magnetic detection element (2nd magnetic detection means)
44 ... TCU (control unit)
211 ... 1st magnetizing part (1st magnetism generation means)
212 ... 2nd magnetized part (2nd magnetism generation means)
441 ... Range determination means 442 ... Failure determination means 443 ... Startability determination means 444 ... Shift control availability determination means 445 ... Correction means

Claims (12)

A range detection device that is provided in an automatic transmission and detects a range selected by range selection means for selecting a range including forward, reverse, neutral, and parking,
A fixing member fixed to the automatic transmission;
A movable member movable along the fixed member in accordance with the range selected by the range selecting means;
An on / off signal output means for outputting an on / off signal according to the movement position of the movable member;
Linear signal output means for outputting a linear signal proportional to the distance from the predetermined position of the movable member;
A range determination unit that determines a range selected by the range selection unit based on an on / off signal output by the on / off signal output unit and a linear signal output by the linear signal output unit;
A range detection apparatus comprising: The on / off signal output means includes:
When a forward range or a reverse range is selected by the range selection means, one of an on signal and an off signal is output,
The range detection device according to claim 1, wherein when the neutral range or the parking range is selected by the range selection unit, the other of the on signal and the off signal is output. The linear signal output means includes a first magnetism generating means provided on one of the fixed member or the movable member and in which a magnetic field changes linearly along a reciprocating direction of the movable member, and the fixed member or the movable member. Including a first magnetic detection means for detecting a change in the magnetic field of the first magnetic generation means due to the reciprocating movement of the movable member,
The on / off signal output means includes a second magnetism generating means that is provided on one of the fixed member or the movable member, and whose magnetic poles change alternately along the reciprocating direction of the movable member, and the fixed member or the movable member. 3. The range detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second magnetic detection unit that is provided on the other side of the member and detects a change in the magnetic pole of the second magnetic generation unit due to the reciprocating movement of the movable member.   The range detection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first magnetic detection unit is a Hall element.   The range detection apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second magnetic detection means is a Hall element. The engine further comprises startability determination means for determining whether the engine can be started,
The range determination means determines the range selected by the range selection means based on the linear signal output by the linear signal output means,
The range detection device according to claim 1, wherein the start permission determination unit determines whether the engine can be started based on an on / off signal output from the on / off signal output unit.   The change of the linear signal output from the linear signal output means and the change of the on / off signal output from the on / off signal output means are compared, and the range determined by the change of the linear signal and the range determined by the change of the on / off signal. The range detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a failure determination unit that determines that the failure of the on / off output unit or the failure of the linear output unit is not matched.   The failure determination means is configured to detect a failure of the on / off signal output means when the linear signal output from the linear signal output means changes due to the movement of the movable member and the on / off signal output from the on / off signal output means does not change. The range detection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the determination is performed.   The failure determination means is configured such that when the movable member moves, the on / off signal output from the on / off signal output means changes, and the linear signal output from the linear signal output means does not change. The range detection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the determination is performed.   When it is determined by the failure determination means that the on / off signal output means has failed, the start permission determination means determines whether the engine can be started based on a linear signal output from the linear signal output means. The range detection apparatus according to claim 8. A shift control propriety judging means for judging whether or not the automatic transmission can be controlled;
10. The range detection according to claim 9, wherein when the signal corresponding to the forward or reverse range output by the on / off signal output unit is output, the shift control availability determination unit allows control of the automatic transmission. apparatus.   The apparatus further comprises correction means for correcting the value of the linear signal output by the linear signal output means based on the value of the linear signal at the boundary position between the ON area and the OFF area of the ON / OFF signal output by the ON / OFF signal output means. The range detection device according to claim 1, wherein

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