JP2015054533A - Shift lever position determination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shift lever position determination device capable of preventing erroneous determination of an operation position of a shift lever.SOLUTION: A shift lever position determination device includes a main microcomputer 110 and a monitoring microcomputer 120, which receive sensor signals from a plurality of shift sensors 36a to 36d and determine a shift lever position by majority processing of a plurality of shift lever positions detected on the basis of the signals. When the main microcomputer lever position determined by the main microcomputer 110 and the monitoring microcomputer lever position determined by the monitoring microcomputer 120 do not match with each other and when at least of the shift lever positions detected in the monitoring microcomputer 120 matches with the main microcomputer lever position, a lever position after comparison output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 is matched with the main microcomputer lever position.

Description

  The present invention relates to a shift lever position determination device mounted on a vehicle or the like. In particular, the present invention relates to a measure for preventing erroneous determination of the shift lever position.

  Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an operation position of a shift lever operated by a driver (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “shift position”) is detected by a sensor, and the detected shift lever operation position is supported. 2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle equipped with a so-called shift-by-wire (SBW) type shift control device capable of obtaining a traveling state of a vehicle is known. Specifically, for example, in the case of a hybrid vehicle (a vehicle equipped with an engine and an electric motor as a driving force source), if the shift lever operation position determined based on the signal from the sensor is “D (drive)”, the vehicle Controls the engine and the electric motor so that the vehicle travels forward. Further, if the shift lever operation position determined based on the signal from the sensor is “R (reverse)”, for example, the electric motor is controlled so that the vehicle travels backward.

  In general, shift lever operation positions include “N (neutral)” and “B (engine brake)” in addition to “D (drive)” and “R (reverse)”. In addition, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a type provided with “M (home position)” as an operation position of the shift lever.

  In addition, as a SBW shift control device, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration including a plurality of shift range detection sensors (shift position switches) in order to increase the determination accuracy of the shift lever operation position. And in the thing of this patent document 2, when the shift lever operation position detected by each shift range detection sensor corresponds, the vehicle travels according to the shift lever operation position. On the other hand, when the shift lever operation positions detected by the respective shift range detection sensors do not coincide with each other, it is determined that a malfunction has occurred in the shift range detection sensor, and a detection abnormality is determined.

  Further, Patent Document 3 includes a plurality of control units (microcomputers (hereinafter simply referred to as “microcomputers”)) that receive input signals from the same sensor, and mutual comparison processing of control signals respectively obtained by these microcomputers. Is disclosed to detect anomalies. That is, the presence / absence of an abnormality can be detected by comparing control signals from microcomputers that should have substantially the same value if there is no abnormality.

JP 2010-223310 A JP 2009-2486 A JP-A-6-274361

  By the way, when using the technique of Patent Document 3 (a technique of using a plurality of microcomputers that receive input signals from sensors and comparing control signals obtained by these microcomputers with each other) for determining the shift lever operation position, If the technology of Patent Document 2 is applied to the processing when the outputs from the microcomputers (determined shift lever operation positions) do not match, it is determined that the detection is abnormal due to the mismatch of these outputs. become. For example, when two microcomputers are used, if the shift lever operation position determined by one microcomputer is "D position" and the shift lever operation position determined by the other microcomputer is "N position", it is detected. It is determined that there is an abnormality.

  By the way, there is a possibility that the shift lever operation positions determined by the respective microcomputers may be inconsistent even when the shift lever is in transition between adjacent shift positions. For example, when the shift lever is in transition between “D position” and “N position”, the shift lever operation position determined by one microcomputer becomes “D position” and is determined by the other microcomputer. The shift lever operating position may become “N position”.

  The reason why the outputs from the microcomputers do not match in this way is the variation of the microcomputers. For example, when the output from the sensor is an analog signal, an ADC error for converting the analog signal into a digital signal, and when the output from the sensor is a pulse output, a clock error or a pulse capture error can be cited.

  Thus, even if the outputs from the microcomputers do not match during the shift lever transition, if the shift lever operation position reaches a predetermined shift position (for example, D position) after that, The outputs match (for example, the outputs of both microcomputers match at the D position), and the shift lever operation position can be determined normally.

  However, when the technique of the above-mentioned patent document is applied to the determination of the shift lever operation position, the outputs from the microcomputers do not match even though the shift lever operation position can be normally determined as described above. Therefore, there is a possibility that the detection abnormality is erroneously determined.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shift lever position determination device capable of preventing erroneous determination of the shift lever operation position.

-Solution principle of the invention-
The solution principle of the present invention devised to achieve the above object is that one of the microcomputers determines the shift lever position by inputting the outputs from a plurality of sensors to each of the plurality of microcomputers. If there is even one position information in the other microcomputer, the shift lever position output from the other microcomputer is the same as the shift lever position determined by one microcomputer. To. Thereby, the shift lever positions determined by the microcomputers are made to coincide with each other.

-Solution-
Specifically, the present invention includes a plurality of sensors each outputting a signal corresponding to the position of the shift lever, and a plurality of shift lever positions detected in response to each signal received from each of the sensors. The first lever position determination unit that determines the most frequently detected shift lever position as the first lever position, and receives the signals from the sensors, and among the plurality of shift lever positions detected according to each of these signals And a second lever position determining unit that determines a frequently detected shift lever position as the second lever position. When the first lever position and the second lever position do not coincide with each other, a plurality of shift lever positions detected in response to signals from the sensors input to the second lever position determination unit When at least one of them coincides with the first lever position, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit is made coincident with the first lever position.

  Due to this specific matter, even if the first lever position and the second lever position do not coincide with each other, a plurality of shifts detected in response to each signal from each sensor input to the second lever position determination unit When at least one of the lever positions coincides with the first lever position, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit coincides with the first lever position. For this reason, even if a situation occurs in which the first lever position and the second lever position do not coincide with each other during the shift lever transition, it is not erroneously determined to be a detection abnormality due to this. In addition, since the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit matches the first lever position, the shift lever position used for vehicle control is set to the first lever position. Accordingly, the vehicle is controlled. That is, it is possible to accurately recognize the operation position of the shift lever and control the vehicle in accordance with it while preventing erroneous detection during the shift lever transition as a detection abnormality.

  In addition, when the first lever position and the second lever position do not coincide with each other, a plurality of shift lever positions detected in response to signals from the sensors input to the second lever position determination unit Is not the same as the first lever position, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit is the second lever position.

  In this case, the cause of the mismatch between the first lever position and the second lever position is not that the shift lever is in transition, but is considered to be caused by another cause (detection abnormality, etc.). The lever position output from the lever position determination unit is the second lever position, which is different from the first lever position output from the first lever position determination unit. As a result, when a detection abnormality or the like occurs, it can be accurately determined.

  More specifically, the operation position of the shift lever includes at least a forward position, a reverse position, and a neutral position of the vehicle, and any one of the operation positions can be selected. A neutral position is set between them. In this case, the first lever position is a forward position, the second lever position is a neutral position, and is detected according to each signal from each sensor input to the second lever position determination unit. When at least one of the plurality of shift lever positions is the forward movement position, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit is set as the forward movement position. The first lever position is a reverse position, the second lever position is a neutral position, and a plurality of signals detected in response to signals from the sensors input to the second lever position determination unit. When at least one of the shift lever positions is the reverse position, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit is set as the reverse position.

  Further, the first lever position is a neutral position, the second lever position is a forward position or a reverse position, and is detected according to each signal from each sensor input to the second lever position determination unit. When at least one of the plurality of shift lever positions is the neutral position, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit is set to the neutral position.

  With these configurations, during the shift lever transition between the forward position, the neutral position, and the reverse position, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit can be set according to the transition direction. For this reason, the shift range requested by the driver can be realized at an early stage.

  Further, when there are a plurality of shift lever positions detected most frequently among the plurality of shift lever positions detected in response to the signals from the respective sensors in the first lever position determination unit, the first lever The shift lever position determined by the position determination unit is undetermined. In this case, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit is also undetermined.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of shift lever positions that are detected most frequently among the plurality of shift lever positions detected according to the signals from the respective sensors in the second lever position determination unit, the second lever The lever position output from the position determination unit is matched with the first lever position.

  These give priority to the determination result in the first lever position determination unit which is the main lever position determination unit for changing the shift range. Accordingly, even if there are a plurality of shift lever positions detected most frequently among a plurality of shift lever positions detected in accordance with the signals from the sensors, the shift requested by the driver is required. A range can be set and reflected in the control of the vehicle.

  In the present invention, it is possible to prevent erroneously determining that there is a detection abnormality due to a mismatch between the first lever position and the second lever position during the shift lever transition.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the shift control apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a shift operation apparatus. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating operation of a shift lever. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a schematic configuration of a shift sensor, in which FIG. 4A is an R position, FIG. 4B is an N position, FIG. 4C is a D position, FIG. 4D is an M position, and FIG. (E) is a figure which shows the positional relationship of each sensor and a magnetic member when a shift lever is operated to each B position. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of shift lever position determination ECU. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position, and the lever position after a comparison. In the lever position determination process after comparison, when the monitoring microcomputer lever position coincides with the main microcomputer lever position, it is a flowchart showing respective processing procedures when it is at the M position and at the R position. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process sequence in case the monitoring microcomputer lever position is N position in the lever position determination process after a comparison. In the post-comparison lever position determination processing, when the monitored microcomputer lever position is the D position, the B position, or the Ex position, it is a flowchart showing respective processing procedures. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of shift lever position determination ECU which concerns on a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a shift lever position determination device according to the present invention is mounted on a hybrid vehicle including an engine and an electric motor as driving force sources.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a shift control device 10 mounted on a vehicle according to the present embodiment. The shift control device 10 includes an electronic control unit 20, a shift operation device 30, a transmission (electric continuously variable transmission) 40, a parking lock device 50, and the like. The shift control device 10 is configured as a shift-by-wire shift control device that switches the shift range of the transmission 40 by electrical control.

-Electronic control unit-
The electronic control unit 20 includes a so-called microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface, and the like, and performs signal processing according to a program stored in advance in the ROM while using a temporary storage function of the RAM. Thus, drive control such as hybrid drive control related to the motor (not shown) and the electric motor provided in the transmission 40, shift range switching control of the transmission 40 using a shift-by-wire system, and the like are executed.

Various signals listed below are supplied to the electronic control unit 20.
A shift sensor signal corresponding to the shift position PSH from the shift sensor 36 (see FIG. 4), which is a position sensor for detecting the operation position (shift position) PSH of the shift lever 32 provided in the shift operation device 30;
A P switch signal representing a switch operation in the P switch 34 that is operated by the driver to switch the shift range of the transmission 40 between the parking range (P range) and a non-P range other than the parking range;
A P position signal indicating an operating state of the parking lock in the parking lock device 50 for switching the shift range of the transmission 40 between the P range and the non-P range by operating or releasing the parking lock;
A power switch signal representing a switch operation in the vehicle power switch 80 for switching between an on state (vehicle power source ON) and an off state (vehicle power source OFF) operated by the driver;
A vehicle speed signal representing the vehicle speed V corresponding to the output rotational speed of the transmission 40 from the vehicle speed sensor 82;
-Brake operation signal indicating foot brake operation B _ON from the brake switch 84,
The electronic control unit 20 outputs various signals listed below.
-Engine output control command signal for controlling engine output,
A hybrid motor control command signal for commanding the operation of the electric motor in the transmission 40,
-Shift range switching control command signal for switching the shift range of the transmission 40,
A shift range display signal for operating the indicator (display device) 90 to display the shift range switching state in the transmission 40 and a parking lock display signal for displaying the parking lock state;
A P switching control command signal for commanding the operation of the parking lock device 50;
Specifically, the electronic control unit 20 includes a power control computer (hereinafter referred to as “PM-ECU”) 22, a hybrid control computer (hereinafter referred to as “HV-ECU”) 24, a parking control computer (hereinafter referred to as “PM-ECU”). 26, a shift lever position determination ECU 100 that receives the shift sensor signal and determines the operation position (shift range requested by the driver) of the shift lever 32. The shift lever position determination ECU 100 may be provided in the HV-ECU 24 or may be provided in the shift operation device 30.

  The PM-ECU 22 switches between the vehicle power ON and the vehicle power OFF based on a power switch signal from the vehicle power switch 80 operated by the user, for example. For example, when the PM-ECU 22 detects the input of a power switch signal when the vehicle power is OFF, the relay (not shown) for switching between the vehicle power ON and the vehicle power OFF is turned on to turn on the vehicle power. Further, when the PM-ECU 22 detects the input of a power switch signal in a situation where the vehicle speed V is less than the predetermined vehicle speed V ′ when the vehicle power is on, the PM-ECU 22 turns off the vehicle power by turning off the relay. When the P lock state signal input from the P-ECU 26 when the vehicle power is turned off is a signal indicating that the parking lock is being released in the parking lock device 50, the PM-ECU 22 Is operated to output a signal for setting the shift range to the P range to the P-ECU 26 (this operation is referred to as “auto P operation”).

In addition, the HV-ECU 24 controls the operation of the transmission 40, for example. For example, when the HV-ECU 24 detects an input of a brake operation signal indicating the foot brake operation B _ON when the PM-ECU 22 switches from the vehicle power supply OFF to the vehicle power supply ON, the hybrid system for enabling vehicle travel And a hybrid motor control command related to vehicle travel is output to the transmission 40 to control vehicle travel. Further, the HV-ECU 24 receives a shift lever position signal corresponding to the shift lever position determined by the shift lever position determination ECU 100, and outputs a shift range switching control command to the transmission 40 based on the shift lever position signal. The range is switched (the shift lever position determination operation in the shift lever position determination ECU 100 will be described later). Further, the HV-ECU 24 outputs a P switching signal for switching the shift range of the transmission 40 between the P range and the non-P range to the P-ECU 26 based on the P switch signal from the P switch 34. Further, the HV-ECU 24 outputs a display signal for displaying the state of the shift range to the indicator 90. The indicator 90 displays the shift range state based on the display signal output from the HV-ECU 24.

  Whether the P-ECU 26 operates the parking lock by controlling the driving of the parking lock device 50 in order to switch the shift range between the P range and the non-P range based on the P switching signal from the HV-ECU 24, for example. Or let it be released. Further, the P-ECU 26 determines whether or not the shift range of the transmission 40 is the P range or the non-P range based on the P position signal indicating the parking lock operating state from the parking lock device 50, and the determination is made. The result is output to PM-ECU 22 as a P lock state signal.

-Shift operation device-
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the shift operation device 30 as a switching device that switches a plurality of types of shift ranges in the transmission 40 by an artificial operation. The shift operating device 30 is a momentary type operating element that is disposed, for example, in the vicinity of the driver's seat and is operated to a plurality of shift positions PSH. That is, the shift operating device 30 includes a shift lever 32 as an automatic return type operating element that automatically returns to the original position (initial position) when the operating force is released. Further, the shift operating device 30 of the present embodiment includes a momentary type P switch 34 as a separate switch in the vicinity of the shift lever 32 for parking locking with the shift range of the transmission 40 as a parking range (P range).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shift lever 32 has three shift positions PSH arranged in the front-rear direction or the up-down direction, that is, the vertical direction of the vehicle, that is, an R position (R position), an N position (N position), and a D position (D Position), and M position (M position) and B position (B position) arranged in parallel with each other. The operation position of the shift lever 32 is detected by the shift sensor 36, and the shift range required by the driver is determined by the shift lever position determination ECU 100 based on the operation position signal (shift sensor signal) from the shift sensor 36. It is like that. The shift lever 32 can be operated in the vertical direction between the R position, the N position, and the D position, and can be operated in the vertical direction between the M position and the B position. And the M position can be operated in a horizontal direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 (schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the shift lever 32), the shift operation device 30 includes a first groove 35a to a fourth groove that allow the shift lever 32 to move. 35d.

  The position at which the shift lever 32 located at the M position reaches the end (lower end) along the first groove 35a is the operation position of the B position. At this time, the shift lever 32 is operated in the direction indicated by the arrow A.

  The position at which the shift lever 32 reaches the end (right end) along the second groove 35b is the N-position operation position. At this time, the shift lever 32 is operated in the direction indicated by the arrow B.

  The position at which the shift lever 32 reaches the end (right end) along the second groove 35b and further reaches the end (upper end) along the third groove 35c is the operation position of the R position. At this time, the shift lever 32 is operated in the direction indicated by the arrow C.

  The position at which the shift lever 32 reaches the end (right end) along the second groove 35b and further reaches the end (lower end) along the fourth groove 35d is the operation position of the D position. At this time, the shift lever 32 is operated in the direction indicated by the arrow D.

  The P switch 34 is, for example, a momentary push button switch, and outputs a P switch signal to the HV-ECU 24 every time the user performs a push operation. For example, when the P switch 34 is pressed when the shift range of the transmission 40 is in the non-P range, the HV-ECU 24 is satisfied if a predetermined condition such as the foot brake is depressed and the vehicle is stopped is satisfied. The P-ECU 26 sets the shift range to the P range based on the P switching signal from The P range is a parking range in which a power transmission path in the transmission 40 is interrupted, and parking lock is executed by the parking lock device 50 to mechanically prevent rotation of the drive wheels.

  The M position of the shift operating device 30 is the initial position (home position) of the shift lever 32, and even if the driver is shifting to a shift position PSH (R, N, D, B position) other than the M position, When the shift lever 32 is released, that is, when there is no external force acting on the shift lever 32, the shift lever 32 returns to the M position by a mechanical mechanism such as a spring. When the shift operation device 30 is shifted to each shift position PSH, the HV-ECU 24 switches to a shift range corresponding to the shift position PSH after the shift operation based on the shift position PSH (position signal). The current shift position PSH, that is, the state of the shift range of the transmission 40 is displayed on the indicator 90.

  Explaining each shift range, the R range selected when the shift lever 32 is shifted to the R position is a reverse travel range in which a driving force for moving the vehicle backward is transmitted to the drive wheels. Further, the neutral range (N range) selected by shifting the shift lever 32 to the N position is a neutral range for setting a neutral state in which the power transmission path in the transmission 40 is interrupted. The D range selected when the shift lever 32 is shifted to the D position is a forward travel range in which the driving force for moving the vehicle forward is transmitted to the drive wheels. For example, when the shift range is the P range, the HV-ECU 24 moves to a predetermined shift position PSH (specifically, the R position, the N position, or the D position) for releasing the vehicle movement prevention (parking lock). If it is determined that the shift operation has been performed, a P switching signal for releasing the parking lock is output to the P-ECU 26. The P-ECU 26 outputs a P switching control command signal for releasing the parking lock to the parking lock device 50 based on the P switching signal from the HV-ECU 24 to release the parking lock. Then, the HV-ECU 24 switches to the shift range corresponding to the shift position PSH after the shift operation.

  Further, the B range selected by the shift lever 32 being shifted to the B position is a decelerating advance in which the engine braking effect is exhibited in the D range by, for example, generating a regenerative torque in the electric motor and the rotation of the drive wheels is decelerated. It is a travel range (engine brake range). Therefore, the HV-ECU 24 invalidates the shift operation even if the shift lever 32 is shifted to the B position when the current shift range is a shift range other than the D range, and only shifts to the B position when the shift lever 32 is in the D range. The shift operation is enabled. For example, even if the driver shifts to the B position when in the P range, the shift range is maintained as the P range.

  In the shift operation device 30 of the present embodiment, when the external force acting on the shift lever 32 is lost, the shift operation device 30 is returned to the M position, so that the shift range being selected cannot be recognized simply by viewing the shift position PSH of the shift lever 32. . For this reason, the indicator 90 is provided at a position that is easy for the driver to see, and is displayed on the indicator 90 even when the shift range being selected is the P range.

-Shift sensor-
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the shift sensor 36, and shows a positional relationship between the magnetic member 36e that moves in accordance with the operation of the shift lever 32 and the sensors 36a to 36d.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the shift sensor 36 includes first to fourth four sensors 36a to 36d (for example, a magnetic sensor such as a Hall IC having a Hall element). These sensors 36a to 36d are arranged at predetermined intervals along a direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4) in which the R position, N position, and D position, which are the operation positions of the shift lever 32, are arranged. .

  On the other hand, the magnetic member 36e is arranged so as to face these four sensors 36a to 36d, and the relative position with respect to each sensor 36a to 36d is changed in conjunction with the operation of the shift lever 32. .

  Specifically, the magnetic member 36e has a first magnetic region M1 having an N pole on the upper side and an S pole on the lower side, and a first magnetic region M1 having an S pole on the upper side and an N pole on the lower side. And two magnetic regions M2.

  When the operation position of the shift lever 32 is in any one of the R position, the N position, and the D position, the four sensors 36a to 36d all face the first magnetic region M1 of the magnetic member 36e. . When the operation position of the shift lever 32 is at the R position (see the position of the magnetic member 36e shown in FIG. 4A), when the operation position of the shift lever 32 is at the N position (FIG. 4B). When the operation position of the shift lever 32 is at the D position (see the position of the magnetic member 36e shown in FIG. 4C), the magnetic member 36e for each of the sensors 36a to 36d is referred to. , And the influence of the magnetic force of the magnetic member 36e on the sensors 36a to 36d is also different. Each of the sensors 36a to 36d outputs a shift sensor signal (voltage signal or the like) corresponding to the shift position in accordance with the magnetic force received by each of the sensors 36a to 36d, and the magnetic member 36e is positioned as shown in FIG. When the magnetic member 36e is at the position shown in FIG. 4B, the shift sensor signal corresponding to the N position is shown when the magnetic member 36e is at the position shown in FIG. ), A shift sensor signal corresponding to the D position is output. These signals are analog signals such as voltages.

  On the other hand, when the operation position of the shift lever 32 is in either the M position or the B position, the four sensors 36a to 36d are all facing the second magnetic region M2 of the magnetic member 36e. When the operation position of the shift lever 32 is at the M position (see the position of the magnetic member 36e shown in FIG. 4D), when the operation position of the shift lever 32 is at the B position (FIG. 4E). In each case, the relative position of the magnetic member 36e with respect to each sensor 36a to 36d is different, and the influence of the magnetic force of the magnetic member 36e on each sensor 36a to 36d is also different. Each of the sensors 36a to 36d outputs a shift sensor signal (such as a voltage signal) corresponding to the shift position in accordance with the magnetic force received by each of the sensors 36a to 36d, and the magnetic member 36e is positioned as shown in FIG. When the magnetic member 36e is at the position shown in FIG. 4E, a shift sensor signal corresponding to the B position is output. These signals are also analog signals such as voltages.

  Since analog signals corresponding to the operation position of the shift lever 32 are output from the sensors 36a to 36d, during the shift operation of the shift lever 32 between the positions, The analog signal corresponding to the shift position before the operation gradually changes from the analog signal corresponding to the shift position after the operation.

-Transmission and parking lock device-
The transmission 40 configured as an electric continuously variable transmission is a hybrid system including a first motor generator that mainly functions as a generator, a second motor generator that mainly functions as an electric motor, a power split mechanism, a reduction mechanism, and the like. I have. Since this hybrid system is known as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-224313 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-103593, description thereof is omitted here. Further, since the parking lock device is also known in the same manner (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-230713), description thereof is omitted here.

-Shift lever position determination ECU-
Next, the shift lever position determination ECU 100 as the shift lever position determination device that is a characteristic part of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the shift lever position determination ECU 100. As shown in FIG. 5, the shift lever position determination ECU 100 includes a main microcomputer (first lever position determination unit) 110 which is a main microcomputer for changing the shift range, and a monitoring microcomputer (second lever position determination unit). Two types of microcomputers 120 and 120 are provided, and the shift range requested by the driver is determined based on the shift lever position determined by each of the microcomputers 110 and 120. Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the shift lever position determination ECU 100 will be described.

  First, the main microcomputer 110 will be described. The main microcomputer 110 includes first to fourth AD converters 111a to 111d, first to fourth lever position converters 112a to 112d, a majority decision determination unit 113, a timer processing unit 114, and the like.

  Each of the AD converters 111a to 111d receives outputs (shift sensor signals; analog signals) from the corresponding sensors 36a to 36d, and converts the analog signals received from the sensors 36a to 36d into digital signals. is there. That is, the first AD converter 111a converts the shift sensor signal (analog signal) from the first sensor 36a into a digital signal. The second AD converter 111b converts the shift sensor signal (analog signal) from the second sensor 36b into a digital signal. The third AD converter 111c converts the shift sensor signal (analog signal) from the third sensor 36c into a digital signal. The fourth AD converter 111d converts the shift sensor signal (analog signal) from the fourth sensor 36d into a digital signal. Since these converted signals are digital signals corresponding to the shift lever operation position, if the shift lever operation position is in transition between the shift positions, the shift position before the operation is in the middle of the transition. The digital signal corresponding to the above is switched to the digital signal corresponding to the shift position after the operation.

  The lever position converters 112a to 112d receive outputs (digital signals) from the corresponding AD converters 111a to 111d, and the digital signals received from the AD converters 111a to 111d are transmitted to the lever positions of the shift lever 32. It converts to a signal. That is, the first lever position converter 112a converts the output signal from the first AD converter 111a into a lever position signal for the shift lever 32. The second lever position converter 112 b converts the output signal from the second AD converter 111 b into a lever position signal for the shift lever 32. The third lever position converter 112 c converts the output signal from the third AD converter 111 c into a lever position signal for the shift lever 32. The fourth lever position converter 112d converts the output signal from the fourth AD converter 111d into a lever position signal for the shift lever 32. Since these converted signals are also digital signals according to the shift lever position, when the operation position of the shift lever 32 is in the transition between the shift positions, the shift before the operation is performed during the transition. The lever position signal corresponding to the position is switched to the lever position signal corresponding to the shift position after the operation.

  The majority decision determination unit 113 receives the lever position signals from the lever position converters 112a to 112d, and performs a majority decision process of these lever position signals to determine the lever position (hereinafter referred to as “main microcomputer lever position”) as the determination information of the main microcomputer 110. Decide). That is, the lever position signals (four lever position signals) from the first to fourth lever position converters 112a to 112d are received, and the largest lever position signal (for example, three matching lever positions) among these lever position signals. Signal) is determined as the main microcomputer lever position determined by the main microcomputer 110. This main microcomputer lever position corresponds to the first lever position in the present invention. In the case shown in FIG. 5, the lever position signal from the first to third lever position converters 112a to 112c is the D position, and the lever position signal from the fourth lever position converter 112d is the N position. Is shown. In this case, the majority decision determining unit 113 determines the main microcomputer lever position determined by the main microcomputer 110 as the D position, and outputs the main microcomputer lever position to the timer processing unit 114.

  The timer processing unit 114 waits for a predetermined time after receiving the information on the main microcomputer lever position from the majority decision determining unit 113, and determines the main microcomputer lever position when the information on the main microcomputer lever position continues. Then, an output signal corresponding to the information of the main microcomputer lever position is output.

  Next, the monitoring microcomputer 120 will be described. The monitoring microcomputer 120 includes first to fourth AD converters 121a to 121d, first to fourth lever position converters 122a to 122d, a majority decision determination unit 123, a lever position comparison unit 125, a timer processing unit 124, and the like. I have.

  The configurations and signal processing operations of the AD converters 121a to 121d, the lever position converters 122a to 122d, the majority decision determination unit 123, and the timer processing unit 124 are substantially the same as those of the main microcomputer 110 described above. Is omitted.

  The monitoring microcomputer 120 is characterized in that the lever position comparison unit 125 is provided. The lever position comparison unit 125 includes information on lever positions (hereinafter referred to as “monitoring microcomputer lever positions”) determined by the majority processing in the majority determination unit 123, and lever position signals from the lever position converters 122a to 122d. The main microcomputer lever position information output from the majority decision determination unit 113 of the main microcomputer 110 is input. The monitoring microcomputer lever position corresponds to the second lever position in the present invention.

  When the main microcomputer lever position received from the main microcomputer 110 and the monitoring microcomputer lever position received from the majority decision determination unit 123 of the monitoring microcomputer 120 match, the lever position comparison unit 125 determines the lever position. Is output to the timer processing unit 124 as a post-comparison lever position (a lever position output from the second lever position determination unit in the present invention).

  On the other hand, when the main microcomputer lever position received from the main microcomputer 110 and the monitoring microcomputer lever position received from the majority decision determination unit 123 of the monitoring microcomputer 120 do not match, the lever position comparison unit 125 executes the following processing. .

  That is, it is determined whether at least one of the four lever position information (the lever position signals from the lever position converters 122a to 122d) matches the main microcomputer lever position. The lever position is output to the timer processing unit 124 as the compared lever position. In the case shown in FIG. 5, the lever position signal from the first lever position converter 122a is the D position, and the lever position signals from the second to fourth lever position converters 122b to 122d are the N position. Is shown. In this case, since the lever position signal (D position) from the first lever position converter 122a coincides with the main microcomputer lever position, the lever position comparison unit 125 uses this lever position as a post-comparison lever position for timer processing. The data is output to the unit 124.

  On the other hand, if there is no coincidence, for example, the monitoring microcomputer lever position determined by the majority process in the majority determination unit 123 of the monitoring microcomputer 120 is output to the timer processing unit 124 as a post-comparison lever position. A method for determining the post-comparison lever position will be described later.

  The main microcomputer lever position determined by the main microcomputer 110 and the monitoring microcomputer lever position determined by the monitoring microcomputer 120 are other than the positions “R”, “N”, “D”, “M”, and “B” described above. Also includes “Ex” and “U” positions. “Ex” is a position when it is determined that the position is other than the positions “R”, “N”, “D”, “M”, and “B” due to the influence of noise or the like. “U” is a position that is set in a situation where the majority determination units 113 and 123 have the same number of different lever position signals and the largest number of lever position signals cannot be obtained as a single signal. That is, it is a case where the lever position cannot be determined by inputting two different lever position signals out of the four lever positions input to the majority decision determination units 113 and 123.

-Lever position determination after comparison-
Next, a post-comparison lever position determination process executed in the lever position comparison unit 125 of the shift lever position determination ECU 100 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position and the compared lever position. 7 to 9 are flowcharts showing a procedure of post-comparison lever position determination processing. That is, by determining the post-comparison lever position according to the processing procedure of this flowchart, the relationship between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position and the post-comparison lever position as shown in FIG. 6 is defined.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 7, first, in step ST1, it is determined whether or not the main microcomputer lever position matches the monitoring microcomputer lever position. If the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position coincide with each other and if YES is determined in step ST1, the process proceeds to step ST2, and the monitoring microcomputer lever position is set as the comparison lever position, and the process returns. For example, when the shift lever 32 is operated from the “N position” to the “D position” and the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position are both “D position”, the compared lever position Is set to “D position”. In this case, since the outputs from the microcomputers 110 and 120 coincide at the “D position”, the HV-ECU 24 that has received these signals controls the transmission 40 so that the vehicle travels forward. Further, when the shift lever 32 is operated from the “N position” to the “R position” and the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position are both “R position”, the post-comparison lever position Is set to “R position”. In this case, since the outputs from the microcomputers 110 and 120 coincide at the “R position”, the HV-ECU 24 receiving these signals controls the transmission 40 so that the vehicle travels backward.

  If the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position do not coincide with each other and if NO is determined in step ST1, the process proceeds to step ST3 to determine whether or not the monitoring microcomputer lever position is the “M position”. .

  If the monitoring microcomputer lever position is “M position” and YES is determined in step ST3, the process proceeds to step ST4, and the main microcomputer lever position is any of “R position”, “N position”, and “D position”. It is determined whether or not there is.

  If the main microcomputer lever position is one of “R position”, “N position”, and “D position”, and YES is determined in step ST4, the process proceeds to step ST5, and the lever position after comparison is set to “M position”. Set to "" and return. For example, when the main microcomputer lever position is “D position” but the monitoring microcomputer lever position is “M position”, the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position are not matched. Indicates that the shift lever 32 is not transitioning between adjacent shift positions but that some abnormality has occurred, and the post-comparison lever position is different from the main microcomputer lever position “M position (monitoring microcomputer Lever position) ”, and the main microcomputer lever position output from the main microcomputer 110 and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 are set to be different.

  On the other hand, if the main microcomputer lever position is not “R position”, “N position”, or “D position” and NO is determined in step ST4, the process proceeds to step ST6, where the main microcomputer lever position is set as the post-comparison lever position. Set and return. For example, when the main microcomputer lever position is "B position", the cause of the mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position is between adjacent shift positions (in this case, "M position" and " It is considered that the shift lever 32 is in transition (for example, during transition from “M position” to “B position”) between the “B position” and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120. The position is matched with the position of the main microcomputer lever output from the main microcomputer 110. As a result, an erroneous determination is made to determine that there is a detection abnormality due to a mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position (the shift lever 32 is in a transition state). To prevent.

  In this case, the main microcomputer lever position may be “Ex” or “U”. In these cases as well, the main microcomputer lever position (“Ex” or “U”) is changed to the lever after comparison. It will be set as the position.

  If it is determined in step ST3 that the monitoring microcomputer lever position is not "M position" but NO, the process proceeds to step ST7, and it is determined whether or not the monitoring microcomputer lever position is "R position".

  If the monitored microcomputer lever position is “R position” and YES is determined in step ST7, the process proceeds to step ST8, and the main microcomputer lever position is one of “M position”, “D position”, “B position”, and “Ex”. It is determined whether it is either.

  If the main microcomputer lever position is any one of “M position”, “D position”, “B position”, and “Ex”, and YES is determined in step ST8, the process proceeds to step ST9, and the post-comparison lever position is set. Set to “R position” and return. For example, if the main microcomputer lever position is "D position" but the monitoring microcomputer lever position is "R position", the cause of the mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position Indicates that the shift lever 32 is not transitioning between adjacent shift positions but that some abnormality has occurred, and the compared lever position is different from the main microcomputer lever position “R position (monitoring microcomputer Lever position) ”, and the main microcomputer lever position output from the main microcomputer 110 and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 are set to be different.

  On the other hand, if the main microcomputer lever position is not “M position”, “D position”, “B position”, or “Ex”, and NO is determined in step ST8, the process proceeds to step ST10, where the main microcomputer lever position is “N”. It is determined whether or not it is “position”.

  If the main microcomputer lever position is “N position” and YES is determined in step ST10, the process proceeds to step ST11. In step ST11, the sensors 36a to 36d are normal, and at least one of the lever position signals (sensor signals) from the lever position converters 122a to 122d in the monitoring microcomputer 120 is “N position (main microcomputer). It is determined whether or not "lever position)". Here, the determination as to whether or not each of the sensors 36a to 36d is normal is a known method such as whether or not the voltage value of the signal output from each of the sensors 36a to 36d is within a predetermined range set in advance. This is done by a judgment method.

  If these conditions are satisfied and YES is determined in step ST11, the process proceeds to step ST12, the post-comparison lever position is set to “N position”, and the process returns. That is, the post-comparison lever position is matched with the main microcomputer lever position. This is because the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position are mismatched because the shift lever 32 is located between adjacent shift positions (in this case, between the “R position” and the “N position”). Since it is considered that the transition is in progress (for example, transition from the “R position” to the “N position”), the post-comparison lever position matches the main microcomputer lever position, and the main microcomputer 110 output from the main microcomputer 110 The lever position and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 are matched. As a result, an erroneous determination is made to determine that there is a detection abnormality due to a mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position (the shift lever 32 is in a transition state). To prevent.

  On the other hand, when the sensors 36a to 36d are not normal, or in the monitoring microcomputer 120, all of the lever position signals (sensor signals) from the lever position converters 122a to 122d are “N position (main microcomputer lever position)”. If not, NO is determined in step ST11 and the process proceeds to step ST13. In this step ST13, the post-comparison lever position is set to “R position” and the process returns. For example, even if the main microcomputer lever position is “N position” and the monitoring microcomputer lever position is “R position”, the sensors 36 a to 36 d are not normal, When all the lever position signals (sensor signals) from the lever position converters 122a to 122d are not “N position (main microcomputer lever position)”, the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position do not match. The reason is that the shift lever 32 is not transitioning between adjacent shift positions, but that some abnormality has occurred, and the post-comparison lever position is different from the main microcomputer lever position “R position”. (Monitoring microcomputer lever position) ”and output from the main microcomputer 110 That sets the main microcomputer lever position and the comparative post-lever position which is output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 different.

  If it is determined in step ST10 that the main microcomputer lever position is not "N position" but NO, the process moves to step ST14, the main microcomputer lever position is set as the post-comparison lever position, and the process returns. For example, when the main microcomputer lever position is “U”, the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 is also set to “U”.

  If it is determined in step ST7 that the monitored microcomputer lever position is not “R position” but NO, the process proceeds to step ST15 (FIG. 8), and it is determined whether or not the monitored microcomputer lever position is “N position”.

  If the monitoring microcomputer lever position is “N position” and YES is determined in step ST15, the process proceeds to step ST16, and the main microcomputer lever position is any one of “M position”, “B position”, and “Ex”. It is determined whether or not.

  If the main microcomputer lever position is any one of “M position”, “B position”, and “Ex”, and YES is determined in step ST16, the process proceeds to step ST17, and the lever position after comparison is set to “N position”. Set to and return. For example, if the main microcomputer lever position is "B position" but the monitoring microcomputer lever position is "N position", the cause of the mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position The shift lever 32 is not in the transition between adjacent shift positions, but some abnormality has occurred, and the post-comparison lever position is different from the main microcomputer lever position “N position (monitoring microcomputer Lever position) ”, and the main microcomputer lever position output from the main microcomputer 110 and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 are set to be different.

  On the other hand, if the main microcomputer lever position is neither “M position”, “B position”, or “Ex” but a NO determination is made in step ST16, the process proceeds to step ST18, and the main microcomputer lever position is the “R position”. It is determined whether or not.

  If the main microcomputer lever position is the “R position” and YES is determined in step ST18, the process proceeds to step ST19. In this step ST19, the sensors 36a to 36d are normal, and at least one of the lever position signals (sensor signals) from the lever position converters 122a to 122d in the monitoring microcomputer 120 is “R position (main microcomputer). It is determined whether or not "lever position)".

  If these conditions are satisfied and YES is determined in step ST19, the process proceeds to step ST20, the post-comparison lever position is set to “R position”, and the process returns. That is, the post-comparison lever position is matched with the main microcomputer lever position. This is because the main microcomputer lever position does not coincide with the monitoring microcomputer lever position because the shift lever 32 is located between adjacent shift positions (in this case, between the “N position” and the “R position”). This is considered to be because the transition is in progress (for example, from the “N position” to the “R position”), so that the post-comparison lever position matches the main microcomputer lever position, and the main microcomputer 110 output from the main microcomputer 110 The lever position and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 are matched. As a result, an erroneous determination is made to determine that there is a detection abnormality due to a mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position (the shift lever 32 is in a transition state). To prevent.

  On the other hand, when the sensors 36a to 36d are not normal, or in the monitoring microcomputer 120, all of the lever position signals (sensor signals) from the lever position converters 122a to 122d are “R position (main microcomputer lever position)”. If not, NO is determined in step ST19 and the process proceeds to step ST21. In this step ST21, the post-comparison lever position is set to “N position” and the process returns. For example, even if the main microcomputer lever position is “R position” and the monitoring microcomputer lever position is “N position”, the sensors 36 a to 36 d are not normal or the monitoring microcomputer 120 If all of the lever position signals (sensor signals) from the lever position converters 122a to 122d are not "R position (main microcomputer lever position)", the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position do not match. The reason is that the shift lever 32 is not transitioning between adjacent shift positions, but that some abnormality has occurred, and the post-comparison lever position is different from the main microcomputer lever position “N position”. (Monitoring microcomputer lever position) ”and output from the main microcomputer 110 That sets the main microcomputer lever position and the comparative post-lever position which is output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 different.

  In step ST18, if the main microcomputer lever position is determined to be NO instead of the "R position", the process proceeds to step ST22 to determine whether or not the main microcomputer lever position is the "D position".

  If the main microcomputer lever position is “D position” and YES is determined in step ST22, the process proceeds to step ST23. In this step ST23, the sensors 36a to 36d are normal, and at least one of the lever position signals (sensor signals) from the lever position converters 122a to 122d in the monitoring microcomputer 120 is “D position (main microcomputer). It is determined whether or not "lever position)".

  If these conditions are satisfied and YES is determined in step ST23, the process proceeds to step ST24, the post-comparison lever position is set to “D position”, and the process returns. That is, the post-comparison lever position is matched with the main microcomputer lever position. This is because the main microcomputer lever position does not coincide with the monitoring microcomputer lever position because the shift lever 32 is located between adjacent shift positions (in this case, between the “N position” and the “D position”). Since it is considered that the transition is in progress (for example, transition from “N position” to “D position”), the post-comparison lever position matches the main microcomputer lever position, and the main microcomputer output from the main microcomputer 110 The lever position and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 are matched. As a result, an erroneous determination is made to determine that there is a detection abnormality due to a mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position (the shift lever 32 is in a transition state). To prevent.

  On the other hand, when the sensors 36a to 36d are not normal, or in the monitoring microcomputer 120, all of the lever position signals (sensor signals) from the lever position converters 122a to 122d are “D position (main microcomputer lever position)”. If not, NO is determined in step ST23 and the process proceeds to step ST25. In this step ST25, the post-comparison lever position is set to “N position” and the process returns. For example, even when the main microcomputer lever position is “D position” and the monitoring microcomputer lever position is “N position”, the sensors 36 a to 36 d are not normal, When all lever position signals (sensor signals) from the lever position converters 122a to 122d are not "D position (main microcomputer lever position)", the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position do not match. The reason is that the shift lever 32 is not transitioning between adjacent shift positions, but that some abnormality has occurred, and the post-comparison lever position is different from the main microcomputer lever position “N position”. (Monitoring microcomputer lever position) ”and output from the main microcomputer 110 That sets the main microcomputer lever position and the comparative post-lever position which is output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 different.

  In step ST22, if the main microcomputer lever position is determined to be NO instead of the "D position", the process proceeds to step ST26, where the main microcomputer lever position is set as the post-comparison lever position, and the process returns. For example, when the main microcomputer lever position is “U”, the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 is also set to “U”.

  If it is determined in step ST15 that the monitored microcomputer lever position is not “N position” but NO, the process proceeds to step ST27 (FIG. 9) to determine whether or not the monitored microcomputer lever position is “D position”.

  If the monitored microcomputer lever position is “D position” and YES is determined in step ST27, the process proceeds to step ST28, where the main microcomputer lever position is one of “M position”, “R position”, “B position”, and “Ex”. It is determined whether it is either.

  If the main microcomputer lever position is any one of “M position”, “R position”, “B position”, and “Ex”, and YES is determined in step ST28, the process proceeds to step ST29, and the post-comparison lever position is set. Set to “D position” and return. For example, if the main microcomputer lever position is "R position" but the monitoring microcomputer lever position is "D position", the cause is that the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position do not match. Indicates that the shift lever 32 is not transitioning between adjacent shift positions but that some abnormality has occurred, and the compared lever position is different from the main microcomputer lever position “D position (monitoring microcomputer Lever position) ”, and the main microcomputer lever position output from the main microcomputer 110 and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 are set to be different.

  On the other hand, if the main microcomputer lever position is not “M position”, “R position”, “B position”, or “Ex” and NO is determined in step ST28, the process proceeds to step ST30, and the main microcomputer lever position is “N”. It is determined whether or not it is “position”.

  If the main microcomputer lever position is “N position” and YES is determined in step ST30, the process proceeds to step ST31. In this step ST31, the sensors 36a to 36d are normal, and at least one of the lever position signals (sensor signals) from the lever position converters 122a to 122d in the monitoring microcomputer 120 is “N position (main microcomputer). It is determined whether or not "lever position)".

  If these conditions are satisfied and YES is determined in step ST31, the process moves to step ST32, the post-comparison lever position is set to “N position”, and the process returns. That is, the post-comparison lever position is matched with the main microcomputer lever position. This is because the main microcomputer lever position does not coincide with the monitoring microcomputer lever position because the shift lever 32 is located between adjacent shift positions (in this case, between “D position” and “N position”). This is considered to be because the transition is in progress (for example, from the “D position” to the “N position”), so that the post-comparison lever position matches the main microcomputer lever position, and the main microcomputer output from the main microcomputer 110 The lever position and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 are matched. As a result, an erroneous determination is made to determine that there is a detection abnormality due to a mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position (the shift lever 32 is in a transition state). To prevent.

  On the other hand, when the sensors 36a to 36d are not normal, or in the monitoring microcomputer 120, all of the lever position signals (sensor signals) from the lever position converters 122a to 122d are “N position (main microcomputer lever position)”. If not, NO is determined in step ST31 and the process proceeds to step ST33. In this step ST33, the post-comparison lever position is set to “D position” and the process returns. For example, even if the main microcomputer lever position is “N position” and the monitoring microcomputer lever position is “D position”, the sensors 36 a to 36 d are not normal, When all the lever position signals (sensor signals) from the lever position converters 122a to 122d are not “N position (main microcomputer lever position)”, the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position do not match. The reason is that the shift lever 32 is not transitioning between adjacent shift positions, but that there is some abnormality, and the post-comparison lever position is different from the main microcomputer lever position “D position”. (Monitoring microcomputer lever position) ”and output from the main microcomputer 110 That sets the main microcomputer lever position and the comparative post-lever position which is output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 different.

  If it is determined in step ST30 that the main microcomputer lever position is not "N position" but NO, the process proceeds to step ST34, where the main microcomputer lever position is set as a post-comparison lever position, and the process returns. For example, when the main microcomputer lever position is “U”, the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 is also set to “U”.

  If it is determined in step ST27 that the monitored microcomputer lever position is not "D position" but NO, the process proceeds to step ST35, where it is determined whether or not the monitored microcomputer lever position is "B position".

  If the monitored microcomputer lever position is “B position” and YES is determined in step ST35, the process proceeds to step ST36, where the main microcomputer lever position is “R position”, “N position”, “D position”, or “Ex”. It is determined whether it is either.

  If the main microcomputer lever position is any one of “R position”, “N position”, “D position”, and “Ex”, and YES is determined in step ST36, the process proceeds to step ST37, and the post-comparison lever position is set. Set to “B position” and return. For example, if the main microcomputer lever position is "D position" but the monitoring microcomputer lever position is "B position", the cause of the mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position Indicates that the shift lever 32 is not transitioning between adjacent shift positions but that some abnormality has occurred, and the compared lever position is different from the main microcomputer lever position “B position (monitoring microcomputer Lever position) ”, and the main microcomputer lever position output from the main microcomputer 110 and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 are set to be different.

  On the other hand, if the main microcomputer lever position is not “R position”, “N position”, “D position”, or “Ex”, and NO is determined in step ST36, the process proceeds to step ST38, and the main microcomputer lever position is compared. Set as lever position and return. For example, when the main microcomputer lever position is “M position”, the cause of the mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position is between adjacent shift positions (in this case, “M position” and “ It is considered that the shift lever 32 is in transition (for example, during transition from “B position” to “M position”) between the “B position” and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120. The position is matched with the position of the main microcomputer lever output from the main microcomputer 110. As a result, an erroneous determination is made to determine that there is a detection abnormality due to a mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position (the shift lever 32 is in a transition state). To prevent.

  In this case, the main microcomputer lever position may be “U”. In this case, however, the main microcomputer lever position (“U”) is set as the post-comparison lever position.

  If it is determined in step ST35 that the monitored microcomputer lever position is not “B position” but NO, the process proceeds to step ST39 to determine whether or not the monitored microcomputer lever position is “Ex”.

  If the monitored microcomputer lever position is “Ex” and YES is determined in step ST39, the process proceeds to step ST40, and the main microcomputer lever position is “R position”, “N position”, “D position”, or “B position”. It is determined whether it is either.

  If the main microcomputer lever position is any one of “R position”, “N position”, “D position”, and “B position” and YES is determined in step ST40, the process proceeds to step ST41, and the post-comparison lever position Set to “Ex” and return. This is because if the monitoring microcomputer lever position is “Ex”, the main microcomputer lever position does not match the monitoring microcomputer lever position because some abnormality has occurred. The position is set to “Ex (monitoring microcomputer lever position)” different from the main microcomputer lever position, and the main microcomputer lever position output from the main microcomputer 110 and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 are different. Set.

  On the other hand, if the main microcomputer lever position is not “R position”, “N position”, “D position”, or “B position” and NO is determined in step ST40, the process proceeds to step ST42, and the main microcomputer lever position is compared. Set as the rear lever position and return. For example, when the main microcomputer lever position is “M position”, the post-comparison lever position is also set to “M position”, and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 is the main microcomputer lever output from the main microcomputer 110. Match the position. This prevents an erroneous determination that determines that there is a detection abnormality due to a mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position.

  If it is determined in step ST39 that the monitored microcomputer lever position is not “Ex” but NO, the process proceeds to step ST43, the main microcomputer lever position is set as the post-comparison lever position, and the process returns. For example, when the main microcomputer lever position is “U”, the post-comparison lever position is also “U”, and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 is changed to the main microcomputer lever position output from the main microcomputer 110. Match. This prevents an erroneous determination that determines that there is a detection abnormality due to a mismatch between the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position.

  The above is the post-comparison lever position determination process in the present embodiment. In this post-comparison lever position determination process, if the main microcomputer lever position output from the main microcomputer 110 matches the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120, the lever position is set as described above. Accordingly, the control of the vehicle (control of the transmission 40) is performed by the HV-ECU 24.

  On the other hand, if the main microcomputer lever position output from the main microcomputer 110 and the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120 do not match, it is determined that there is a detection abnormality, and the MIL ( A warning lamp) is lit to alert the driver, and abnormality information may be written in a diagnosis provided in the electronic control unit 20, or the main microcomputer lever position may be "N position" or "M position". ”, The main microcomputer lever position may be prioritized over the post-comparison lever position, and the control according to the main microcomputer lever position (control of the transmission 40) may be performed by the HV-ECU 24. Not limited to these, the control when the main microcomputer lever position and the compared lever position do not match is appropriately set.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when at least one of the four lever position information (the lever position signals from the lever position converters 122a to 122d) in the monitoring microcomputer 120 matches the main microcomputer lever position. The lever position is set as the post-comparison lever position. As a result, the post-comparison lever position is matched with the main microcomputer lever position. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination that a detection abnormality occurs when the main microcomputer lever position and the monitoring microcomputer lever position do not match due to the shift lever 32 being in transition. .

  In this case, since the main microcomputer lever position output from the main microcomputer 110 matches the post-comparison lever position output from the monitoring microcomputer 120, the shift lever position used for vehicle control is the main position. The microcomputer lever position is set, and the vehicle is controlled according to the main microcomputer lever position. In other words, during the shift of the shift lever 32 between adjacent shift positions, it is possible to accurately recognize the operation direction of the shift lever 32 while preventing erroneous detection of detection abnormality. The vehicle can be controlled accordingly.

(Modification)
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the shift lever position determination ECU 100 according to the modification. Here, only differences from the above-described embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the monitoring microcomputer 120 in this modification is provided with an abnormality determination processing unit 126. The abnormality determination processing unit 126 receives a range request signal (post-comparison lever position) from the timer processing unit 124 of the monitoring microcomputer 120 and a range request signal (main microcomputer lever position) from the timer processing unit 114 of the main microcomputer 110, respectively. Is done.

  Then, when the range request signal from the timer processing unit 124 of the monitoring microcomputer 120 matches the range request signal from the timer processing unit 114 of the main microcomputer 110, the abnormality determination processing unit 126 determines the shift lever position. A normal signal is output to the HV-ECU 24 on the assumption that this determination is normally made.

  On the other hand, if the range request signal from the timer processing unit 124 of the monitoring microcomputer 120 and the range request signal from the timer processing unit 114 of the main microcomputer 110 do not match, the abnormality determination processing unit 126 determines the shift lever position. An abnormal signal is output to the HV-ECU 24 assuming that the determination cannot be made normally.

  That is, in this modification, the shift lever position determination ECU 100 determines whether the determination of the shift lever position is normal and outputs it to the HV-ECU 24. Other configurations and signal processing operations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

-Other embodiments-
In the embodiment and the modification described above, the case where the shift lever position determination device according to the present invention is mounted on a hybrid vehicle including an engine and an electric motor as a driving force source has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to conventional vehicles (vehicles equipped with only an engine as a driving force source). That is, the configuration of the power train is not particularly limited as long as the shift position is set by detecting the operation position of the shift lever 32 with a sensor. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a transmission (so-called AMT: Automated Manual Transmission) that includes an actuator that is linked to a driver's operation of a shift lever and performs a shift operation using this actuator.

  In the embodiment and the modification, the case where the present invention is applied to the shift operation device 30 in which the R position, the N position, and the D position are arranged in a row and the M position and the B position are provided in parallel therewith has been described. . The present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to a shift operation device in which the R position, N position, D position, and B position are arranged in a line.

  The present invention is applicable to a device that is mounted on a vehicle and that determines an operation position of a shift lever provided in a shift operation device.

32 Shift lever 36 Shift sensors 36a to 36d Sensor 100 Shift lever position determination ECU (shift lever position determination device)
110 Main microcomputer (first lever position determination unit)
111a to 111d AD converter 113 Majority determination unit 120 Monitoring microcomputer (second lever position determination unit)
121a to 121d AD converter 123 Majority determination unit 125 Lever position comparison unit

Claims (6)

A plurality of sensors each outputting a signal corresponding to the position of the shift lever;
A first lever position determination unit that receives a signal from each sensor and determines a shift lever position that is detected most frequently among a plurality of shift lever positions detected according to each of the signals as a first lever position;
A second lever position determination unit that receives a signal from each of the sensors and determines a shift lever position that is detected most frequently among the plurality of shift lever positions detected according to each of the signals as a second lever position; ,
Among the plurality of shift lever positions detected according to the signals from the sensors input to the second lever position determination unit when the first lever position and the second lever position do not match. The shift is characterized in that when at least one of the first lever positions matches the first lever position, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit is made to match the first lever position. Lever position determination device. In the shift lever position determination device according to claim 1,
All of the plurality of shift lever positions detected in response to the signals from the sensors input to the second lever position determination unit when the first lever position and the second lever position do not match. Is not coincident with the first lever position, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit is set as the second lever position. In the shift lever position determination device according to claim 1 or 2,
The operation position of the shift lever includes at least a forward position, a reverse position, and a neutral position of the vehicle, and any one of the operation positions can be selected, and a neutral position is set between the forward position and the reverse position. Has been
The first lever position is a forward position, the second lever position is a neutral position, and a plurality of shift levers are detected in response to signals from the sensors input to the second lever position determination unit. When at least one of the positions is the forward position, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit is set as the forward position,
The first lever position is a reverse position, the second lever position is a neutral position, and a plurality of shift levers detected in response to signals from the sensors input to the second lever position determination unit When at least one of the positions is a reverse position, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit is set to the reverse position. In the shift lever position determination device according to claim 1 or 2,
The operation position of the shift lever includes at least a forward position, a reverse position, and a neutral position of the vehicle, and any one of the operation positions can be selected, and a neutral position is set between the forward position and the reverse position. Has been
The first lever position is a neutral position, the second lever position is a forward position or a reverse position, and a plurality of signals are detected in response to signals from the sensors input to the second lever position determination unit. When at least one of the shift lever positions is a neutral position, the lever position output from the second lever position determination unit is set to the neutral position. In the shift lever position determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When there are a plurality of shift lever positions detected most frequently among the plurality of shift lever positions detected in response to the signals from the sensors in the first lever position determination unit, the first lever position determination is performed. The shift lever position determination device is characterized in that the shift lever position determined in the section is undecided, and in this case, the lever position output from the second lever position determination section is also undecided. In the shift lever position determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When there are a plurality of shift lever positions detected most frequently among the plurality of shift lever positions detected according to the signals from the respective sensors in the second lever position determination unit, the second lever position determination A shift lever position determination device characterized in that a lever position output from the unit coincides with the first lever position.

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