JP2014065366A - Shift lever shift position notification device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately notify of a shift position of a shift lever even when a range-finding sensor has made a time-sequential change or the mounting position relative to the shift lever has been displaced.SOLUTION: A shift position notification device 5 stores (learns) in advance a value of an output voltage associated with each of shift positions of a shift lever 4 as a memory value. When inputting a value of an output voltage from a range-finding sensor 16, the shift position notification device identifies a current shift position using the stored memory values of the respective shift positions. If a decision is made that a memory value associated with any of the shift positions has to be corrected because the range-finding sensor 16 has made a time-sequential change or the mounting position relative to the shift lever 4 has been displaced, if adjoining ones of corrected decision domains for all the shift positions do not overlap, the memory values associated with all the shift positions are corrected.

Description

  The present invention relates to a shift position notification device that notifies a shift position of a shift lever that is movable in a predetermined direction.

  Conventionally, a configuration has been provided in which the behavior of a vehicle is switched by moving (switching) a shift lever to a plurality of shift positions such as a parking position, a reverse position, a neutral position, and a drive position. In this type of configuration, an operation error (misunderstanding) of the shift lever may cause a behavior that is not assumed by the user. For example, it may be assumed that the shift lever is moved to the drive position even though the shift lever is actually moved to the second position in order to apply the engine brake when going down a hill. Further, for example, it may be assumed that the shift lever is moved to the drive position even though the shift lever is actually moved to the neutral position, and the accelerator is operated (blank). Under such circumstances, a configuration for notifying the shift position of the shift lever by sound is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 03-28924 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 01-12924

  From Patent Documents 1 and 2, by providing sensors corresponding to all the shift positions, a configuration can be conceived in which, even when the shift lever is moved to any shift position, the shift position is notified by sound. However, in the configuration in which sensors are provided corresponding to all shift positions, there are problems such as an increase in the number of parts and a complicated configuration. There is also a problem that the shift lever cannot be applied (so-called retrofitting) to the existing configuration assembled to the case.

  Therefore, the applicant can appropriately notify all shift positions with sound without complicating the configuration, and as a shift position notification device that can be easily applied to the existing configuration, Patent application 2012-178215 was filed. In Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-178215, distance measurement means for measuring the distance to the shift lever is used. For example, the measurement values measured by the distance measurement means corresponding to each shift position when the shift position notification device is mounted are stored as stored values. In addition, the shift position of the shift lever is specified by comparing the measured value measured by the distance measuring unit thereafter with the stored value.

  However, in the method of specifying the shift position using such distance measuring means, for example, the distance measuring means changes over time, or the mounting position of the shift position notification device (the mounting position of the distance measuring means) with respect to the shift lever is vibrated. May cause the relationship between the stored value stored when the shift position notification device is mounted and the actual shift position to be lost, and it may be difficult to specify the shift position accurately. In this case, the secular change of the distance measuring means and the shift of the mounting position with respect to the shift lever affect all the shift positions, so it is necessary to correct the stored values corresponding to all the shift positions.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to determine the shift position of the shift lever using the distance measuring means that measures the distance to the shift lever. Even when the mounting position with respect to the shift lever changes or the shift position shifts, the shift lever shift position notification device can appropriately notify the shift position of the shift lever by correcting the stored values corresponding to all the shift positions. Is to provide.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the distance measuring means measures the distance to the shift lever that can move in a predetermined direction, and acquires a physical quantity corresponding to the measurement result. The storage means stores the physical quantity acquired by the distance measuring means corresponding to each shift position of the shift lever as a plurality of stored values. The shift position specifying means specifies the shift position of the shift lever based on the physical quantity acquired by the distance measuring means and a plurality of stored values stored in the storage means. The notification sound output control means causes the notification sound output means to output a notification sound that can specify the shift position of the shift lever specified by the shift position specification means. Here, when it is determined that at least one of the plurality of stored values stored in the storage unit needs to be corrected, the correction unit corrects all of the plurality of stored values stored in the storage unit.

  Accordingly, when it is determined that the distance measuring means changes with time or the mounting position with respect to the shift lever is shifted and it is necessary to correct the stored value corresponding to any shift position, the stored value corresponding to all the shift positions. By correcting this, the influence of the secular change of the distance measuring means and the shift of the mounting position with respect to the shift lever can be reflected on all stored values. From then on, the corrected storage value is used, and the shift position of the shift lever is specified based on the physical quantity acquired by the distance measuring means and the corrected stored value. The shift position of the shift lever can be appropriately notified without being affected by the displacement of the mounting position with respect to the lever (after being excluded).

Functional block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention The perspective view which shows the aspect with which the vehicle interior was mounted | worn The figure which shows a light emission part and a light-receiving part The figure which shows the relationship between the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor and the distance to the object A side view (a) and a plan view (b) schematically showing an aspect mounted in the passenger compartment The top view which shows typically the some aspect with which the vehicle interior was mounted | worn The figure which shows the relationship between the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor and the distance to the shift lever Flow chart showing storage processing of output voltage corresponding to shift position Flow chart showing shift position specifying process The figure which shows the determination area | region of each shift position Flowchart showing shift position notification processing Flow chart showing stored value correction processing The figure which shows the relationship between the non-correction area | region of a shift position, and a determination area | region The figure which shows the judgment area | region of the shift position before correction | amendment and after correction | amendment 14 equivalent diagram FIG. 14 equivalent view showing the second embodiment of the present invention FIG. 10 equivalent view showing the third embodiment of the present invention Figure 13 equivalent Figure 13 equivalent Figure 13 equivalent 14 equivalent diagram FIG. 10 equivalent diagram showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment applied to a shift lever disposed on a floor in a vehicle interior will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. As shown in FIG. 2, a center console 3 is installed between the driver's seat 1 (right-hand drive vehicle) and the passenger seat 2 in the passenger compartment of the automobile. A shift lever 4 for changing the shift position of the automatic transmission is provided upright on the upper surface portion 3 a of the center console 3. The shift position notifying device 5 of the shift lever 4 has a rectangular housing 6, and is located on the vehicle front side (instrument panel (not shown) side) as viewed from the shift lever 4 on the upper surface 3 a of the center console 3. Installed (installed).

  As an aspect with which the shift position alerting | reporting apparatus 5 is mounted | worn with the upper surface part 3a of the center console 3, there exist the aspect adhere | attached with an adhesive tape, the aspect fixed with a screw, etc., for example. The mode of being bonded by the adhesive tape has an advantage that it can be easily attached and detached while having an appropriate adhesive strength. On the other hand, the screwed mode requires an effort to attach and detach, but has an advantage that it can be securely fixed. The user (occupants including the driver) may select which mode to mount the shift position notification device 5 according to the usage pattern of the shift position notification device 5. That is, if there is a high possibility that the shift position notification device 5 will be used in another vehicle (for example, a private vehicle and a vehicle used for work, etc.) Adhere. On the other hand, if there is a low possibility of using the shift position notification device 5 in another vehicle, it is preferable to screw it with priority on reliable fixing.

  The shift lever 4 includes a grip portion 7 that can be gripped by the user, and a shaft portion 8 that supports the grip portion 7, and is movable linearly in the front-rear direction (predetermined direction) of the vehicle (operation). Possible). As shift positions at which the shift lever 4 can move, six positions are set from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle: a parking position, a reverse position, a neutral position, a drive position, a second position, and a low position. The user can move the shift lever 4 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle by holding the grip portion 7 and releasing the movement restriction (lock) by operating the lock release button 4a as necessary. The shift position of the lever 4 can be arbitrarily changed (shift change is possible). Further, on the upper surface portion 3a of the center console 3, nine and six character portions indicating "P", "R", "N", "D", "2", "L" corresponding to each shift position are provided. The window portion 10 is provided along the movement direction of the shift lever 4. The window portion 10 corresponding to the shift position where the shift lever 4 is moved is visually distinguished from the other window portions 10.

  The shift position notification device 5 is configured such that a power source (predetermined voltage power) is supplied from the cigarette lighter socket 11 by attaching a power source connection portion 12 to a cigarette lighter socket 11 serving as a vehicle-side power source installed in the passenger compartment of the automobile. It is supplied via the power line 13. That is, the shift position notification device 5 is turned on following the fact that the Acc switch is turned on and power is supplied from the vehicle battery (not shown) to the cigarette lighter socket 11. The shift position notification device 5 may be supplied with power from an Acc (accessory) switch or an IG (ignition) switch.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the shift position notification device 5 includes a first power supply unit (first regulator) 14, a second power supply unit (second regulator) 15, and a distance measuring sensor 16 (corresponding to distance measuring means). ), A microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 17, a speaker 18 (corresponding to a notification sound output means), and a setting switch 19. The first power supply unit 14 steps down the electric power of a predetermined voltage supplied from the cigarette lighter socket 11 via the power supply line 13 to the first constant voltage and supplies it to the distance measuring sensor 16 and the microcomputer 17. The second power supply unit 15 steps down the power of a predetermined voltage supplied from the cigarette lighter socket 11 via the power supply line 13 to a second constant voltage and supplies it to the speaker 18 with a built-in amplifier.

  The distance measuring sensor 16 operates using power of a first constant voltage supplied from the first power supply unit 14 as operating power. As shown in FIG. 3, the distance measuring sensor 16 includes a light emitting unit 20 and a light receiving unit 21, and irradiates infrared rays (light) from the light emitting unit 20 toward an object that is a detection target. The light (reflected light) reflected by is detected by a PSD (Position Sensitive Detector) of the light receiving unit 21, and a voltage signal (output voltage as a physical quantity) corresponding to the distance from the distance measuring sensor 16 to the object is output. FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 and the distance from the distance measuring sensor 16 to the object, and shows an example of the waveform of the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16. As can be seen from FIG. 4, in the range where the distance from the distance measuring sensor 16 to the object exceeds a predetermined distance (about 5 [cm] in FIG. 4), the distance from the distance measuring sensor 16 to the object becomes longer. As a result, the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 is lowered. That is, the distance from the distance measuring sensor 16 to the object and the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 have a corresponding relationship. The region (detection region) in which the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 decreases following the increase in the distance from the distance measuring sensor 16 to the object varies depending on the specifications of the distance measuring sensor 16.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the light emitting unit 20 and the light receiving unit 21 of the distance measuring sensor 16 are irradiated from the light emitting unit 20 so as to be on the extension line of the movement locus of the shift lever 4. Since the shift position notification device 5 is mounted so that the optical axis of the infrared light that follows the movement locus of the shift lever 4 and the detection target that irradiates the infrared light is the shift lever 4, the distance measuring sensor 16 is the shift lever 4. A voltage signal corresponding to the distance to is output. That is, when the shift lever 4 is moved by using the detection area of the distance measuring sensor 16, the distance from the distance measuring sensor 16 to the shift lever 4 changes, and the output voltage follows the change in the distance. Therefore, the shift position of the shift lever 4 can be detected by detecting the change in the output voltage.

  When the intensity of the reflected light from the shift lever 4 is weak (the light receiving level has not reached a predetermined level), a reflection member may be attached to the shift lever 4 to increase the reflectance. The light emitting unit 20 and the light receiving unit 21 may be mounted so as to be aligned in the horizontal direction, or the light emitting unit 20 and the light receiving unit 21 may be mounted so as to be aligned in the vertical direction (the same direction as the axial direction of the shaft unit 8). May be. Further, the distance measuring sensor 16 may be any sensor as long as it can measure the distance to the shift lever 4 and output a physical quantity indicating the measured distance to the microcomputer 17, for example, an ultrasonic wave or a radar. The sensor etc. which measure the round-trip time of light, such as, may be sufficient.

  The microcomputer 17 includes a controller 22 (corresponding to a shift position specifying unit, a notification sound output control unit, and a correction unit) that is a microcomputer body that performs various controls, an A / D converter 23 that inputs a voltage signal from the distance measuring sensor 16, and data A non-volatile memory 24 for storage (corresponding to storage means) and a speech synthesizer 25 that synthesizes speech are included. The controller 22 executes a control program stored in advance to control the overall operation of the shift position notification device 5. When the voltage signal is input from the distance measuring sensor 16, the A / D converter 23 converts the input voltage signal from an analog signal to a digital signal and outputs it to the controller 22. The non-volatile memory 24 has a storage area capable of storing the relationship between the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 and the shift position of the shift lever 4 in a state where the shift position notification device 5 is mounted. The non-volatile memory 24 has a storage area capable of storing setting information of various flags including a stored value stored flag which will be described later.

  When the voice synthesis unit 25 receives a synthesis command from the controller 22, the voice synthesis unit 25 synthesizes voice according to the inputted synthesis command to generate a voice signal, and outputs the generated voice signal to the speaker 18. The speaker 18 is driven when a voice signal is input from the voice synthesizer 25, and utters a voice corresponding to the voice signal input from the voice synthesizer 25. The speaker 18 is provided on the upper surface portion 6a of the housing 6 so that the spoken voice can be easily heard by the user.

  The setting switch 19 is a switch that can be operated by the user, and outputs an operation detection signal to the controller 22 when a user operation is detected. The setting switch 19 is provided on the upper surface portion 6a of the housing 6 in the same manner as the speaker 18 so as to receive an operation from the user from the upper side. The setting switch 19 is preferably enabled on condition that the user presses and holds the button for a long time (an operation exceeding a predetermined continuous time) in order to prevent a user's erroneous operation. The setting switch 19 may be provided on the side surface of the housing 6.

  Here, the relationship between the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 and the shift position of the shift lever 4 will be described. The movement range of the shift lever 4 (the distance between “P (parking position)” and “L (low position)” which is the shift position at both ends) and the mounting position (shift position) of the shift position notification device 5 with respect to the shift lever 4 The distance from the notification device 5 to “P”, which is the nearest shift position, varies depending on the type of vehicle, the size and shape of the center console 3, and the like. Therefore, the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 differs depending on the movement range of the shift lever 4 and the mounting position of the shift position notification device 5 with respect to the shift lever 4. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mounting position of the shift position notification device 5 with respect to the shift lever 4 is the same, but the movement range of the shift lever 4 is different (a) and (b). Then, the difference in the output voltage increases as the distance from the distance measuring sensor 16 becomes longer (the shift position goes to “L”) ((a) in FIG. 7 is indicated by a solid line, (b) ) Is indicated by a broken line).

  Further, in the cases (a) and (c) in which the shift lever 4 is mounted on the shift lever 4 at different positions while the shift lever 4 has the same movement range, the shift lever 4 is output regardless of the distance from the distance measuring sensor 16. The voltage difference is substantially constant (in FIG. 7, (a) is indicated by a solid line and (c) is indicated by a one-dot chain line). Thus, even if the shift position of the shift lever 4 is the same, the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 is the movement range of the shift lever 4 and the mounting position of the shift position notification device 5 with respect to the shift lever 4, that is, the type of vehicle. Depends on the size and shape of the center console 3, etc. Under such circumstances, the relationship between the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 and the shift position of the shift lever 4 when the shift position notification device 5 is mounted as described above can be stored in the nonvolatile memory 24 (learnable). It has become.

Next, the operation of the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. The controller 22 of the microcomputer 17 performs processing related to the present invention when the shift position notification device 5 is in the power-on state.
(1) Output voltage storage process corresponding to shift position (2) Shift position specifying process (3) Shift position notification process (4) A stored value correction process is executed in parallel. Hereinafter, these processes will be sequentially described.

(1) Output Voltage Storage Process Corresponding to Shift Position When the controller 22 starts the output voltage storage process corresponding to the shift position, as shown in FIG. 8, whether or not the stored value stored flag is set. It is determined whether or not the stored value of the output voltage corresponding to each shift position (each shift position can be specified) is already stored in the nonvolatile memory 24 (step S11). If the controller 22 determines that the stored value of the output voltage corresponding to each shift position has already been stored in the nonvolatile memory 24 (step S11: YES), it determines whether or not the setting switch 19 has been pressed. Determination is made (step S12). If the controller 22 determines that the setting switch 19 has been pressed (step S12: YES), the controller 22 outputs a synthesis command to the speech synthesizer 25, and for example, causes the speaker 18 to utter a voice “Please park” (step S13). .

  On the other hand, if the controller 22 determines that the stored value of the output voltage corresponding to each shift position is not yet stored (not stored) in the non-volatile memory 24 (step S11: NO), the setting switch 19 is pressed. Without the above condition, a synthesis command is output to the voice synthesis unit 25, and for example, a voice “Please park” is uttered from the speaker 18 (step S13).

  Next, the controller 22 determines again whether or not the setting switch 19 has been pressed after uttering the voice “Please park” from the speaker 18 (step S14). If the setting switch 19 has been pressed, the controller 22 again. If determined (step S14: YES), the measured value “V” of the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 at that time is stored in the nonvolatile memory 24 as the stored value “Vp” of the output voltage of the parking position (step S15). That is, after the user confirms the voice “Please park” spoken from the speaker 18, if the shift lever 4 is not in the parking position, the user moves the shift lever 4 from the parking position to the parking position. If 4 is the parking position, the stored value “Vp” of the output voltage at the parking position can be stored in the nonvolatile memory 24 by maintaining the shift lever 4 at the parking position and pressing the setting switch 19.

  Next, the controller 22 outputs a synthesis command to the voice synthesizer 25, and for example, causes the speaker 18 to utter a voice “Please reverse” (step S16). For example, the controller 22 determines again whether or not the setting switch 19 has been pressed after uttering a voice “Please reverse” from the speaker 18 (step S17), and determines again that the setting switch 19 has been pressed. (Step S17: YES), the measured value “V” of the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 at that time is stored in the nonvolatile memory 24 as the stored value “Vr” of the output voltage at the reverse position (Step S18). That is, after confirming the voice “Please reverse” uttered from the speaker 18, the user moves the shift lever 4 from the parking position to the reverse position and presses the setting switch 19 to output the reverse position. The stored value “Vr” of the voltage can be stored in the nonvolatile memory 24.

  In the same manner, the controller 22 subsequently utters, for example, “please set to neutral”, “set to drive”, “set to second”, and “set to low” from the speaker 18 in sequence. When it is determined that the setting switch 19 is pressed each time, the measured value “V” of the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 at that time is stored as the stored value “Vn” of the output voltage at the neutral position and the stored value “Vn” of the output voltage at the drive position. The non-volatile memory 24 sequentially stores “Vd”, the stored value “V2” of the output voltage at the second position, and the stored value “Vl” of the output voltage at the low position (steps S19 to S30). That is, the user sequentially confirms the voices uttered from the speaker 18, and then sequentially moves the shift lever 4 to the neutral position, the drive position, the second position, and the low position, and depresses the setting switch 19 each time. The stored value “Vn” of the output voltage at the neutral position, the stored value “Vd” of the output voltage at the drive position, the stored value “V2” of the output voltage at the second position, and the stored value “Vl” of the output voltage at the low position are nonvolatile. The data can be sequentially stored in the memory 24.

  Then, the controller 22 sets a stored value stored flag (step S31), and returns to step S11. In this embodiment, the case where the stored value stored flag is set when the stored values of the output voltages of all shift positions are sequentially stored is exemplified. However, for example, the user did not press the setting switch 19. When the stored values of output voltages at some shift positions are stored, but the stored values of output voltages at the remaining shift positions are not stored, the stored value stored flag is not set. A stored value stored flag may be provided for each shift position.

(2) Shift position specifying process When the controller 22 starts the shift position specifying process, as shown in FIG. 9, the measured value “V” of the output voltage is output from the distance measuring sensor 16 to a predetermined sampling period (for example, 4 [milliseconds]. ] Cycle) is determined (step S41). If the controller 22 determines that the measured value “V” of the output voltage has been input from the distance measuring sensor 16 (step S41: YES), the input measured value “V” of the output voltage and the output voltage at each shift position. Are compared with the determination areas based on the stored values “Vp”, “Vr”, “Vn”, “Vd”, “V2”, “Vl”, and the measured value “V” of the output voltage input from the distance measuring sensor 16. Is determined to be within the determination region of any shift position, the shift position corresponding to the determination region is specified (steps S42 to S53), and the process returns to step S41.

In this case, the controller 22 calculates and stores a value obtained by multiplying each stored value by a constant (constant) as a determination area. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the controller 22 uses Vp ± Vp × kp% (kp is a predetermined constant) as a parking position determination area, and Vr ± Vr × kr% (kr is a predetermined constant). Is a reverse position determination region, Vn ± Vn × kn% (kn is a predetermined constant) is a neutral position determination region, Vd ± Vd × kd% (kd is a predetermined constant) is a drive position determination region, V2 ± V2 × k2% (k2 is a predetermined constant) is used as a second position determination area, and V1 ± V1 × kl% (k1 is a predetermined constant) is calculated and stored as a low position determination area. Controller 22 is Vp−Vp × kp% ≦ V ≦ Vp + Vp × kp%
If it is determined that the shift lever 4 is in the parking position,
Vr−Vr × kr% ≦ V ≦ Vr + Vr × kr%
If it is determined that the shift lever 4 is in the reverse position,
Vn−Vn × kn% ≦ V ≦ Vn + Vn × kn%
If it is determined that the shift lever 4 is in the neutral position,
Vd−Vd × kd% ≦ V ≦ Vd + Vd × kd%
If it is determined that the shift lever 4 is in the drive position,
V2−V2 × k2% ≦ V ≦ V2 + V2 × k2%
If it is determined that the shift lever 4 is in the second position,
Vl−Vl × kl% ≦ V ≦ Vl + Vl × kl%
If it is determined that the shift lever 4 is in the low position, it is determined.

(3) Shift position notifying process As shown in FIG. 11, when starting the shift position notifying process, the controller 22 determines whether or not the shift lever 4 is in the parking position (step S61). If the controller 22 determines that the shift lever 4 is at the parking position (step S61: YES), the measured value “V” of the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 changes from the parking position determination area to the determination area other than the parking position. It is determined whether or not the shift lever 4 has changed from the parking position (step S62). When the controller 22 determines that the shift lever 4 has changed from the parking position (step S62: YES), the controller 22 outputs a synthesis command to the voice synthesizer 25 and starts to utter the notification voice corresponding to the changed shift position ( Step S63). At this time, the controller 22 maintains the output level of the speaker 18 at a predetermined level (other than zero), thereby allowing the user to listen to the notification sound.

  Next, the controller 22 continues to determine whether or not the shift position of the shift lever 4 has changed after starting the utterance of the notification voice (step S64), and determines whether or not the utterance of the notification voice has ended. Determination is made (step S65). If the controller 22 determines that the shift position of the shift lever 4 has changed before determining that the utterance of the notification voice has ended (step S64: YES), the controller 22 interrupts the utterance of the notification voice during the utterance. Then (step S66), the process returns to the above-described step S63, and the utterance of the notification voice corresponding to the shift position after the change is started. On the other hand, if the controller 22 determines that the utterance of the notification voice has ended before determining that the shift position of the shift lever 4 has changed (step S65: YES), the controller 22 returns to step S61.

  More specifically, when the controller 22 determines that the shift lever 4 has been moved to the reverse position, for example, the controller 22 starts uttering a notification sound “reverse, lowering”, and the shift lever 4 is moved to the neutral position. For example, when the shift lever 4 is determined to have been moved to the drive position, for example, the utterance of the notification voice “drive, go forward” is started and the shift is started. When it is determined that the lever 4 has been moved to the second position, for example, the utterance of the notification sound “second, proceed forward” is started, and when it is determined that the shift lever 4 has been moved to the low position, for example, “low, proceed forward”. The utterance of the notification voice “Masu” is started. The voice uttered in the shift position notification process including the voice “reverse, descending backward” is a notification sound that can specify the shift position.

  In this case, for example, when the user sequentially moves the shift lever 4 from the parking position to the drive position via the reverse position and the neutral position, the shift lever 4 moves relatively quickly (this is a quick operation), and the speech If the operation of moving the shift lever 4 to the next shift position is performed before the utterance of the informing voice is terminated, the utterance of the informing voice is interrupted, for example, “reverse, backward”, “newt”, A notification voice that was interrupted in the middle of “drive, go ahead” is uttered. On the other hand, when the movement of the shift lever 4 is relatively slow (slow operation), and the operation of moving the shift lever 4 to the next shift position after the utterance of the informing voice is finished, The notification voice that can specify the next shift position is not uttered.

  When the controller 22 determines that the shift lever 4 has changed from the parking position to another shift position as described above, the controller 22 is not limited to uttering a notification sound for notifying the shift position after the change. When it is determined that is a parking position, for example, a notification voice “parking, parking” may be uttered. That is, when the shift lever 4 is in the parking position immediately after the user gets on or when the user moves the shift lever 4 to the parking position in order to get off, for example, “parking, parking”. Utters the notification voice. In addition, the user may be able to select a male voice, a female voice, a chime, a buzzer, etc. as the notification voice to be uttered.

(4) Stored Value Correction Process As shown in FIG. 12, when the controller 22 starts the stored value correction process, whether or not the measured value “V” of the output voltage is input from the distance measuring sensor 16 at a predetermined sampling period. Is determined (step S71). If the controller 22 determines that the measured value “V” of the output voltage has been input from the distance measuring sensor 16 (step S71: YES), the input measured value “V” of the output voltage and the output voltage at each shift position. Are compared with the determination areas based on the stored values “Vp”, “Vr”, “Vn”, “Vd”, “V2”, “Vl”, and the measured value “V” of the output voltage input from the distance measuring sensor 16. Is in the determination region of any shift position (step S72).

  When the controller 22 determines whether or not the measured value “V” of the output voltage input from the distance measuring sensor 16 is within the determination region of any shift position (step S72: YES), the controller 22 inputs from the distance measuring sensor 16. It is determined whether or not the measured value “V” of the output voltage is outside the non-correction area in the determination area (step S73). When the controller 22 determines that the measured value “V” of the output voltage input from the distance measuring sensor 16 is outside the non-correction area in the determination area (step S73: YES), the determination of each shift position is performed thereafter. Correct the area as necessary.

  In this case, as described above, the controller 22 sets each shift position determination area as described above, and a value obtained by multiplying each stored value by a constant (constant) is an uncorrected area for each shift position. It is set as. Specifically, the controller 22 sets Vp ± Vp × kp_cor% (kp_cor is a predetermined constant) as a non-correction area of the parking position, and Vr ± Vr × kr_cor% (kr_cor is a predetermined constant) as a non-correction of the reverse position. Vn ± Vn × kn_cor% (kn_cor is a predetermined constant) as a non-correction region at a neutral position, Vd ± Vd × kd_cor% (kd_cor is a predetermined constant) as a non-correction region at a drive position, and V2 ± V2 × k2_cor% (k2_cor is a predetermined constant) is set as a non-correction region at the second position, and Vl ± Vl × kl_cor% (kl_cor is a predetermined constant) is set as an uncorrected region at the low position. FIG. 13 illustrates the non-correction region at the reverse position. The relationship between the non-correction region at the reverse position and the determination region at the reverse position is kr_cor <kr. Therefore, the non-correction region at the reverse position <the reverse position. It is a judgment area. The same applies to shift positions other than the reverse position.

  Here, for example, if the use period of the shift position notification device 5 of the shift lever 4 is short and the distance measuring sensor 16 has not changed over time or the mounting position on the shift lever 4 has not shifted, the output voltage from the distance measuring sensor 16 The measured value “V” is a value close to the stored value “Vp”, “Vr”, “Vn”, “Vd”, “V2”, “Vl” of the output voltage at any shift position, The possibility of going outside is very low. On the other hand, if the shift position notification device 5 of the shift lever 4 is used for a long time and the distance measuring sensor 16 has changed over time or the mounting position on the shift lever 4 has shifted due to vibration or the like, the output from the distance measuring sensor 16 The measured value “V” of the voltage is a value far from the stored value “Vp”, “Vr”, “Vn”, “Vd”, “V2”, “Vl” of the output voltage at any shift position, and is not corrected. May be out of range.

  When the controller 22 determines that the measured value “V” of the output voltage input from the distance measuring sensor 16 is within the determination region of any shift position but outside the non-correction region (step S73: YES), it is set in advance. The timer is allowed to count a predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds) (step S74), and it is determined whether the timer has counted up (the count value has reached a value corresponding to the predetermined period) ( Step S75). In other words, the controller 22 determines whether or not the period during which the measured value “V” of the output voltage input from the distance measuring sensor 16 is outside the non-correction region reaches a predetermined period, whereby the output from the distance measuring sensor 16 is output. It is determined whether or not the phenomenon that the voltage measurement value “V” is outside the non-correction region is temporary.

If the controller 22 determines that the timer has counted up (step S75: YES), that is, if the controller 22 determines that the phenomenon that the measured value “V” of the output voltage is outside the non-correction region is not temporary, the distance measuring sensor 16 The correction coefficient is calculated on the basis of the measured value “V” of the output voltage input from the current value and the stored value of the current output voltage corresponding to the shift position determined to be outside the non-correction region (step) S76) Using the calculated correction coefficient, a new stored value corresponding to each shift position is calculated (step S77). More specifically, the controller 22 determines that the period during which the measured value “V” of the output voltage input from the distance measuring sensor 16 is within the reverse position determination area but outside the non-correction area has reached a predetermined period. When the determination is made, the measured value of the current output voltage input from the distance measuring sensor 16 is “V (n)”, the stored value of the current output voltage at the reverse position is “Vr (n)”, and the correction coefficient is “α ”, The correction factor is
α = (V (n) −Vr (n)) / Vr (n)
Calculate with the following formula.

Then, the controller 22 stores the stored values of the current output voltage at each shift position except the reverse position as “Vp (n)”, “Vn (n)”, “Vd (n)”, “V2 (n)”. , “Vl (n)”, and the stored values of the new output voltages at the respective shift positions are “Vp (n + 1)”, “Vr (n + 1)”, “Vn (n + 1)”, “Vd (n + 1)”, “ When V2 (n + 1) "and" Vl (n + 1) ", the storage value of the new output voltage at the parking position is
Vp (n + 1) = Vp (n) + α × Vp (n)
Calculate the memory value of the new output voltage at the reverse position
Vr (n + 1) = Vr (n) + α × Vr (n) = V (n)
Calculate the stored value of the new output voltage at the neutral position by
Vn (n + 1) = Vn (n) + α × Vn (n)
Calculate the memory value of the new output voltage at the drive position,
Vd (n + 1) = Vd (n) + α × Vd (n)
Calculate the stored value of the new output voltage at the second position,
V2 (n + 1) = V2 (n) + α × V2 (n)
Calculate the memory value of the new output voltage at the low position by
Vl (n + 1) = Vl (n) + α × Vl (n)
Calculate with the following formula.

  Next, the controller 22 calculates a determination region corresponding to the stored value of the new output voltage at each shift position calculated in this way (step S78), and based on the calculated determination region for each shift position. It is determined whether or not adjacent determination areas after correction overlap for all shift positions (step S79). If the controller 22 determines that the adjacent determination areas after correction do not overlap for all shift positions (step S79: NO), the controller 22 updates (overwrites) the calculated output voltage storage value to the nonvolatile memory 24. (Step S80). That is, as shown in FIG. 14, for example, the controller 22 determines that the corrected reverse position determination area and the corrected neutral position determination area do not overlap, and similarly, all the shift positions are corrected. If it is determined that the adjacent determination areas do not overlap, the stored value of the calculated output voltage is updated in the nonvolatile memory 24.

  On the other hand, if the controller 22 determines that adjacent corrected determination areas overlap for any shift position (step S79: YES), notification information that prompts the user to correct the mounting position of the shift position notification device 5 It is determined whether or not the setting is to notify (step S81). That is, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, the controller 22 determines that the corrected reverse position determination area and the corrected neutral position determination area overlap, and the corrected adjacent position is corrected for any shift position. If it is determined that the matching determination areas overlap, it is determined whether or not the setting is to notify notification information that prompts the user to correct the mounting position of the shift position notification device 5.

  When the controller 22 determines that the setting is to notify the notification information that prompts the user to correct the mounting position of the shift position notification device 5 (step S81: YES), for example, a voice saying “Please correct the mounting position”. Is uttered from the speaker 18 (step S82). That is, if the adjacent determination areas after correction for any shift position overlap, the controller 22 updates the calculated output voltage stored value to the nonvolatile memory 24. Since it is impossible to specify the shift position in the area where the determination areas overlap, the notification of the notification information prompts the user to correct the mounting position of the shift position notification device 5.

  On the other hand, if the controller 22 determines that the notification information that prompts the user to correct the mounting position of the shift position notification device 5 is not set (step S81: NO), the stored value of the calculated output voltage is stored in the nonvolatile memory. The process returns to step S71 described above without updating to 24.

In addition, after permitting the timer to count (step S74), the controller 22 determines that the measured value “V” of the output voltage input from the distance measuring sensor 16 before the timer counts up is a determination region for any shift position. If it is determined that it is not within (move from the determination area to outside the determination area) (step S72: NO), or is not outside the non-correction area within the determination area (moved from outside the non-correction area to the non-correction area). If it is determined (step S73: NO), it is determined whether the timer is being counted (step S83). If it is determined that the timer is being counted (step S83: YES), the timer is stopped (counter). (Step S84), and the process returns to Step S71 described above. In the above description, the case where the measured value “V” of the output voltage input from the distance measuring sensor 16 is outside the non-correction area in the reverse position determination area has been described. The same applies to the case where it is outside the non-correction area.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the output voltage value corresponding to each shift position of the shift lever 4 is stored (learned) as a stored value in advance, and the output voltage is output from the distance measuring sensor 16. When the value is input as a measured value, the current shift position is specified using the stored value of each shift position stored. When it is determined that the distance measurement sensor 16 changes over time or the mounting position with respect to the shift lever 4 is shifted and it is necessary to correct the stored value corresponding to any shift position, the corrected position is corrected for all shift positions. If adjacent determination areas do not overlap, the stored values corresponding to all the shift positions are corrected.

  Thereby, the influence of the secular change of the distance measuring sensor 16 and the displacement of the mounting position with respect to the shift lever 4 can be reflected on all stored values. Thereafter, by using the corrected stored value and specifying the shift position of the shift lever 4 based on the measured value input from the distance measuring sensor 16 and the corrected stored value, the aging of the distance measuring sensor 16 is determined. The shift position of the shift lever 4 can be appropriately notified without being affected by the change or the displacement of the mounting position with respect to the shift lever 4 (after being excluded).

  Further, although it is determined that the stored value corresponding to any shift position needs to be corrected, if adjacent determination areas after correction overlap for any shift position, the memory corresponding to all shift positions is stored. Since the values are not corrected, a situation (malfunction) in which the shift position cannot be specified in a region where adjacent determination regions overlap each other can be avoided.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The first embodiment is configured to correct the stored values of all the shift positions at the same rate, while the second embodiment is configured to correct the stored values of all the shift positions at different rates.

That is, the controller 22 sets the correction ratio coefficients of the respective shift positions to “βp”, “βr”, “βn”, “βd”, “β2”, “βl”, and outputs the output voltage input from the distance measuring sensor 16. When the measured value “V” is outside the non-correction area in the reverse position determination area,
Store the new output voltage stored at the parking position.
Vp (n + 1) = Vp (n) + α × (βp / βr) × Vp (n)
Calculate the memory value of the new output voltage at the reverse position
Vr (n + 1) = Vr (n) + α × (βr / βr) × Vr (n) = V (n)
Calculate the stored value of the new output voltage at the neutral position by
Vn (n + 1) = Vn (n) + α × (βn / βr) × Vn (n)
Calculate the memory value of the new output voltage at the drive position,
Vd (n + 1) = Vd (n) + α × (βd / βr) × Vd (n)
Calculate the stored value of the new output voltage at the second position,
V2 (n + 1) = V2 (n) + α × (β2 / βr) × V2 (n)
Calculate the memory value of the new output voltage at the low position by
Vl (n + 1) = Vl (n) + α × (βl / βr) × Vl (n)
Calculate with the following formula.

In this case, since the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16 is asymptotic, the controller 22
βp>βr>βn>βd>β2> βl
The correction ratio coefficient of each shift position is set so as to satisfy the following relationship.

  Then, the controller 22 calculates a determination area corresponding to the stored value of the new output voltage at each shift position calculated in this way, and thereafter performs the same processing as in the first embodiment. In this case, the stored value corresponding to all the shift positions can be accurately corrected by setting the correction ratio coefficient of each shift position according to the characteristics (output characteristics) of the output voltage of the distance measuring sensor 16. .

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the same part as above-mentioned 1st Embodiment, and a different part is demonstrated. In the first embodiment, a value obtained by multiplying each stored value by a constant (constant) is calculated as a determination area for each shift position. In the third embodiment, an intermediate value of each stored value is used. Is a boundary between the determination areas of the respective shift positions.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the controller 22 uses (Vp + Vr) / 2 as the boundary of the determination region between the parking position and the reverse position, and (Vr + Vn) / 2 as the boundary of the determination region between the reverse position and the neutral position. Vn + Vd) / 2 is a boundary between the neutral position and the drive position, (Vd + V2) / 2 is a boundary between the drive position and the second position, and (V2 + Vl) / 2 is a distance between the second position and the low position. Set as the boundary of the judgment area.

In this case, the controller 22
V> (Vp + Vr) / 2
If it is determined that the shift lever 4 is in the parking position,
(Vp + Vr) / 2 ≧ V> (Vr + Vn) / 2
If it is determined that the shift lever 4 is in the reverse position,
(Vr + Vn) / 2 ≧ V> (Vn + Vd) / 2
If it is determined that the shift lever 4 is in the neutral position,
(Vn + Vd) / 2 ≧ V> (Vd + V2) / 2
If it is determined that the shift lever 4 is in the drive position,
(Vd + V2) / 2 ≧ V> (V2 + Vl) / 2
If it is determined that the shift lever 4 is in the second position,
(V2 + Vl) / 2 ≧ V
If it is determined that the shift lever 4 is in the low position, it is determined.

  Further, the controller 22 sets the non-correction area of each shift position as follows, for example. As shown in FIG. 18, the controller 22 sets Vr + {(Vp−Vr) / 2} × k1 (k1 is a predetermined value) for the reverse position, for example, as shown in FIG. ) Is set as an upper limit, and an area having Vr − {(Vr−Vn) / 2} × k2 (k2 is a predetermined constant) as a lower limit is set as an uncorrected area at the reverse position. The same applies to the shift positions other than the reverse position where both the upper limit and the lower limit of the determination area are set.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the controller 22 sets Vp + {(Vp−Vr) / 2} × k3 (k3 is a predetermined constant) as the upper limit for the parking position where only the lower limit of the determination area is set. In addition, an area having a lower limit of Vp − {(Vp−Vr) / 2} × k3 is set as a non-correction area of the parking position. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 20, the controller 22 sets Vl + {(V2−Vl) / 2} × k4 (k4 is a predetermined constant) as the upper limit for the low position where only the upper limit of the determination area is set. In addition, a region having a lower limit of Vl − {(V2−Vl) / 2} × k4 is set as a low position non-correction region.

  The controller 22 performs the stored value correction processing described in the first embodiment based on the determination region and the non-correction region of each shift position set in this way. In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, the controller 22 sets, for example, a corrected reverse position determination area and a corrected neutral position determination area. Note that the controller 22 may set the non-correction area of each shift position according to the calculation procedure described in the first embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the same part as above-mentioned 1st Embodiment, and a different part is demonstrated. The first embodiment is configured to set the determination area and the non-correction area corresponding to all the shift positions, but the fourth embodiment corresponds to the determination area and the non-correction corresponding to several shift positions. It is the structure which sets an area | region collectively.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7 described in the first embodiment, the voltage range in which the shift position can be determined becomes narrower as the shift position moves to the drive position, the second position, and the low position. Therefore, in order to ensure a sufficient shift position determination region, the controller 22 moves to the second position or the low position as shown in FIG. 22 (the shift position where the vehicle behavior is the same). It is determined that That is, the controller 22 stores one stored value for the drive position, the second position, and the low position, sets a determination area and an uncorrected area for the one stored value, and performs a stored value correction process.

  With this configuration, the shift position can be specified while enhancing the resistance to disturbances such as noise and vibration (and strengthening), and the aging of the distance measuring sensor 16 with respect to all stored values. It is possible to reflect the influence of the change and the shift of the mounting position with respect to the shift lever 4. In FIG. 22, the method of using the intermediate value of each stored value as the boundary of the determination region has been described for the case where the drive position is determined when moved to the second position or the low position. Similarly, a method in which a value obtained by multiplying a constant (constant) is used as the determination region may be determined as the drive position when the position is moved to the second position or the low position.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
Some of the plurality of embodiments may be combined.
The distance measuring sensor is not limited to the configuration provided integrally with the shift position notification device, and the distance measurement sensor may be provided separately from the shift position notification device. With this configuration, the size of the shift position notification device can be reduced, and even if the space for mounting the shift position notification device is not secured near the shift lever, only the distance measurement sensor is mounted. If the space to be obtained is secured, the shift position of the shift lever can be appropriately notified by mounting the distance measuring sensor in the vicinity of the shift lever. In addition, the speaker may be provided separately from the shift position notification device, or the distance measurement sensor and the speaker may be provided separately from the shift position notification device.

Further, the shift position notification device is not limited to the configuration in which the shift lever is mounted on the vehicle front side of the shift lever, and the shift position notification device may be mounted on the vehicle rear side of the shift lever.
Not only the configuration applied to the shift lever arranged on the floor in the passenger compartment, but also the configuration applied to the shift lever arranged on the instrument panel and the shift lever arranged on the steering column The configuration may be applied. In that case, by providing the distance measurement sensor separately from the shift position notification device, even if there is not enough space for mounting the shift position notification device, a space for mounting only the distance measurement sensor is secured. If so, a distance measuring sensor may be mounted near the shift lever. In addition, when applied to a shift lever arranged on the floor in the passenger compartment, the shift position notification device does not need to be mounted on the center console, as long as it can measure the distance to the shift lever. It may be attached to any part.

  The shift position notification device is not limited to the configuration in which the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the distance measuring sensor are on the extension line of the movement locus of the shift lever. For example, the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the distance measuring sensor may be reflected by the reflecting member and then reflected by the shift lever. In this case, the stored value can be corrected even when the reflecting member or the like is displaced.

  A rotary encoder is used as the distance measuring means, and one end side of the cord (string) is fixed to the shift lever and the other end side is fixed to the encoder disk, and the encoder disk follows the change of the shift position of the shift lever. The shift position may be specified by utilizing the fact that the rotation angle changes. In this case, the stored value can be corrected even when the rotary encoder, code, etc. have changed over time.

  In the drawings, 4 is a shift lever, 5 is a shift lever shift position notifying device, 6 is a distance measuring sensor (ranging means), 18 is a speaker (notification sound output means), and 22 is a controller (shift position specifying means, notification sound). Output control means, correction means) 24 is a non-volatile memory (storage means).

Claims (5)

Distance measuring means (16) for measuring a distance between the shift lever (4) movable in a predetermined direction and acquiring a physical quantity according to the measurement result;
Storage means (24) for storing physical quantities acquired by the distance measuring means (16) corresponding to respective shift positions of the shift lever (4) as a plurality of stored values;
Shift position specifying means (22) for specifying the shift position of the shift lever (4) based on the physical quantity acquired by the distance measuring means (16) and a plurality of stored values stored in the storage means (24). )When,
Notification sound output control means (22) for outputting a notification sound capable of specifying the shift position of the shift lever (4) specified by the shift position specifying means (22) from the notification sound output means (18). In the shift position notification device for the shift lever,
When it is determined that at least one of the plurality of stored values stored in the storage unit (24) needs to be corrected, all of the plurality of stored values stored in the storage unit (24) are stored. A shift position notifying device for a shift lever, comprising correction means (22) for correcting. In the shift lever shift position notification device according to claim 1,
In the shift position specifying means (22), the physical quantity acquired by the distance measuring means (16) is within a determination area corresponding to any one of a plurality of stored values stored in the storage means (24). A shift position of the shift lever (4) is specified,
The correction means (22) is a non-correction area in a determination area in which the physical quantity acquired by the distance measurement means (16) corresponds to one of a plurality of stored values stored in the storage means (24). The shift lever shift is characterized in that it is determined that at least one of a plurality of stored values stored in the storage means (24) needs to be corrected when a period outside is continued for a predetermined period. Position notification device. In the shift lever shift position notification device according to claim 1 or 2,
The correction means (22) corresponds to a determination area corresponding to one corrected stored value and another corrected stored value for all of the plurality of stored values stored in the storage means (24). When the determination area does not overlap, all of the plurality of stored values stored in the storage means (24) are corrected, and the determination area corresponding to one corrected stored value and another corrected stored value A shift lever notifying device for a shift lever, wherein any of a plurality of stored values stored in the storage means (24) is not corrected when the determination region corresponding to is overlapped. In the shift lever shift position notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The shift position notifying device for a shift lever, wherein the correction means (22) corrects a plurality of stored values stored in the storage means (24) at the same correction ratio. In the shift lever shift position notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The shift position notifying device for a shift lever, wherein the correction means (22) corrects a plurality of stored values stored in the storage means (24) at different correction ratios.

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