JP2918962B2 - Shift lever for automatic transmission for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To secure retainability of a steering wheel during travel and improve steerability, by providing an operation portion at a position where the changeover operation of travel ranges including at least an advance drive range becomes possible by means of the finger tips of an operator whose hand is on the steering wheel. CONSTITUTION:An operation portion (a fin) 68 is provided at a position where the changeover operation of travel ranges including at least an advance drive range becomes possible by means of the finger tips of an operator whose hand is on a steering wheel 56. As a result, at the time of a travel range changeover action, the changeover action can be performed without detaching the hand from the steering wheel 56, and the retainability of the steering wheel 56 during travel is secured.

Description

The present invention relates to a shift lever for an automatic transmission for a vehicle,
In particular, the present invention relates to a shift lever in which a shift lever is disposed on a side surface of a steering column so that a shift operation can be performed without releasing a hand from a steering wheel.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-115731, a vehicular automatic transmission is provided with a shift lever as a speed change operating means that is operated by a driver's hand to switch a traveling range. It has. Then, by moving the shift lever to a desired travel range position, the driver switches the valve position of the hydraulic valve to switch to a desired travel range.

The shift lever of such an automatic transmission includes a floor type provided on a floor panel between a driver's seat and a passenger's seat, and a column type provided on a side surface of a steering column.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such conventional shift levers of automatic transmissions, when switching the traveling range, the driver once releases his / her hand from the steering wheel and shifts to the shift lever. Then, this will be moved. That is,
In order to perform a gearshift operation, one hand must be released from the steering wheel.During that time, one-handed operation of holding the steering wheel with one hand, even for a short time, will result in kickback from turning and wheels. In some cases, for example, the holding performance of the steering wheel becomes insufficient. Further, since the floor type shift lever is erected on the floor surface, it is likely to be an obstacle.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a shift lever of an automatic transmission for a vehicle, which allows a vehicle to travel while ensuring the holding performance of a steering wheel when performing a shift operation.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a shift lever provided on a side surface of a steering column can be operated while holding a steering wheel. And
The specific means are as follows.

In the invention according to claim (1), the range switching command is output to control means for controlling an actuator for switching the traveling range of the vehicle to at least one of the neutral range and the forward drive range based on the range switching command. A shift lever of an automatic transmission, which is disposed on an outer peripheral side surface of a steering column, is attached to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in a vehicle width direction from the outer peripheral side surface of the steering column, and rotates around the rotation axis. A lever body having a stroke contact type switch for switching a range switching command to be output to the control means, and an operation of rotating the lever body on a steering wheel side of an outer peripheral surface of the lever body. Fins are provided for contacting the fingers of the driver, the fins being provided on the side edges of the steering wheel. Is arranged at a position where the driving range including at least the forward drive range can be changed and operated by the driver's finger, and the position of the fin in the forward drive range is smaller than the position in the other travel ranges. The structure is closest to the steering wheel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the shift lever of the automatic transmission for a vehicle according to the first aspect, the actuator sets a travel range of the vehicle to one of a parking range, a reverse range, a neutral range, and a forward drive range. And a restricting means for restricting the switching operation to the parking range and the reverse range by performing two operations of moving the lever body in the rotation axis direction and rotating around the rotation axis. The configuration is provided.

(Operation) With the above configuration, in the invention according to claim (1), the fin is provided at a position where the driving range including at least the forward drive range can be switched by the driver's finger on the steering wheel. Thus, the switching operation of the traveling range can be performed without releasing the hand from the steering wheel, and the holding property of the steering wheel during traveling is ensured. At this time, the position of the fins in the forward drive range is closest to the steering wheel as compared with the positions in the other travel ranges, so that the operability to the frequently used forward drive range is improved.

In the invention according to claim (2), the operation of switching to the parking range and the reverse range is performed by two operations of moving the lever body in the rotation axis direction and rotating the lever body around the rotation axis. The switching to the parking range and the reverse range in an easy manner is prevented.

(Example) Hereinafter, a shift lever of a vehicular automatic transmission according to an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The shift lever in this example is, as shown in FIG.
The switching operation of the traveling range of the automatic transmission 12 is configured to be able to be performed electrically with a light operating force, and the automatic transmission 12 transmits the driving force of the engine 14 to the driving wheels. Is configured. Here, the automatic transmission 12 is a commonly used type including a hydraulic valve 16 for switching a traveling range, and the configuration thereof is well-known, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

A control means 10 is connected to the hydraulic valve 16 of the automatic transmission 12, and the control means 10 electrically controls the hydraulic valve 16 in accordance with the operation of the shift lever 18, which is a feature of the present invention. And an electric traveling range switching device 20 for switching the traveling range by driving the vehicle. The range switching device 20 includes a drive motor 22 capable of reversible rotation, a rotary arm 26 fixed to a drive shaft 24 of the drive motor 22 and having a predetermined radius, and a tip of the rotary arm 26 and a hydraulic valve.
The control unit 30 includes a connection wire 28 connecting the drive motor 16 and a control unit 30 that controls the drive state of the drive motor 22 based on a range switching command output from the shift lever 18. The shift lever 18, which is a feature of the present invention, for outputting a range switching command to the control unit 30 of the range switching device 20 configured as described above, will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 2, the shift lever 18 of the automatic transmission is disposed on the left outer peripheral side of a steering column 58 on which a steering wheel 56 is rotatably mounted, in the vehicle interior. The shift lever 18 is constituted by a so-called stroke contact type switch, more specifically, a rotary type switch rotatably mounted around a rotation axis extending along the vehicle width direction.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the position of the shift lever 18 is such that the driver sitting on the driver's seat can move the steering wheel 56 in the substantially neutral position (ie, the position where the rotation angle is 0 °). When holding the left and right outer peripheral parts with both hands and looking forward, the spokes 56b and 56
The shift lever 18 is set so that the shift lever 18 can be visually recognized through the space between c. The steering wheel 56 also has a three-spoke type to ensure this visibility, specifically, three spokes 56a, 56b, and 56c arranged at 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00. It has been.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the wiper operation lever 62 is set above the left side of the steering column 58, and the shift lever 18 is set below the left side of the steering column 58. Is set to In other words, the wiper operation lever 62 and the shift lever 18 are disposed so as to be vertically separated from each other with the center line C in the height direction of the steering column 58 as a boundary.

As shown in FIG. 5, the shift lever 18 has an annular mounting ring 64 integrally fixed to the left side surface of the steering column 58 and an axis extending through the mounting ring 64 in the vehicle width direction. A lever body 66 pivotally supported so as to be rotatable around and capable of being pushed in along the axial direction, and integrally protruded from the outer periphery of the lever body 66 so as to extend radially outward; A fin 68 as an operation part extending substantially over the entire length direction, and a state in which the fin 68 stands upward at a right angle to the fin 68 at an end of the fin 68 on the steering column 58 side (that is, extends along the circumferential direction). (In a protruding state).

As is apparent from FIG. 5, a hold button 72 is provided at the right end of the front end surface of the fin 68 in the drawing, and a switching mode of the traveling range in the automatic transmission is provided at the innermost portion of the side surface of the pushing portion 70. Mode switching buttons 74 are provided. When the hold button 72 is not depressed, a normal shift change state is defined. When the hold button 72 is depressed, the hold button 72 is fixed to the third speed in the forward drive range and to the second speed in the forward second speed range. . When the mode switching button 74 is not pressed, the mode of switching the traveling range in the automatic transmission is defined as a power mode (suitable for mountain road traveling) emphasizing sticky driving feeling.
It is stipulated in the Econo mode (suitable for city driving) with emphasis on economy.

On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface of the above-described mounting ring 64, "P" indicating the parking range, "R" indicating the reverse range, "N" indicating the neutral range, "D" indicating the forward drive range, and the second forward speed range "2" which indicates
Alphanumeric characters of "1" indicating the speed range are sequentially drawn in a clockwise direction when the mounting ring 64 is viewed from the left. In the shift lever 18, when the lever main body 66 rotates, a range switching command for defining a traveling range set according to the rotational position is transmitted to the control unit.
30 to the output
A range switching command is output so as to achieve the running range represented by the alphanumeric characters located just beside 68. That is, the fin 68 also functions as an index indicating the currently set traveling range.

Here, as shown, "N", "D", "2",
The positions of “1” are arranged in series at equal intervals at a narrow interval d ₁ , but the “R” position is different from the “N” position by an interval d ₂ wider than the interval d _1. arranged in a separated state, "P" position is arranged in a state of being spaced apart at small intervals d ₁ described above for "R" position. Also,
As shown in FIG. 3, the positions of “N”, “D”, and “2” are set with the “D” position in the center when the driver sitting in the driver's seat looks at the front. It is arranged at a position where it can be seen directly. In this way, when the operation of switching the travel range between the neutral range “N”, the forward drive range “D”, and the forward second speed range “2” is executed, which travel range is currently set is determined as follows. The alphanumeric characters "N", "D",
By reading "2", it can be instantly recognized, and the driver can switch the traveling range with confidence.

On the other hand, as is clear from FIG. 3, in the direct viewing state, the alphabetic characters "R" and "P" cannot be seen. As a result, although the details will be described later, the lever range is simply changed from the neutral range “N” to the reverse range “R”.
It is set so that it cannot be operated only by rotating the 66, and cannot be operated unless the lever body 66 is pushed in the axial direction. Therefore, mechanically, the neutral range "N", the drive range "D", and the forward second speed range "2"
The reverse range “R” is never set in a state where the lever body 66 is rotated in order to freely switch the range between the two. By not being able to see "R" and "P", it is psychologically assured that there is no need to worry about entering the reverse range "R" from the neutral range "N". The travel range can be freely switched between the neutral range "N", the drive range "D", and the second forward speed range "2".

Next, regarding the internal structure of the shift lever 18, the sixth
This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 6, a lever body 66 of the shift lever 18 is provided.
Has a shaft portion 66b integrally formed with an outer flange portion 66a at an inner end portion and extending along the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body. The shaft portion 66b is mounted so as to be rotatable around its own central axis and prohibited from moving in the axial direction. Also, this outer flange portion 66a
A contact rod 66c is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the inner surface of the steering column 58 in a state of extending in the axial direction, that is, to extend toward the surface of the steering column 58.

The parking range “P”, the reverse range “R”, the neutral range “N”, and the forward drive are provided on the surface of the steering column 58 facing the outer flange 66a along the rotation locus of the contact rod 66c. Contact points XP, XR, XN, XD, X ₂ , X ₁ corresponding to range “D”, forward second speed range “2”, and forward first speed range “1”
Is attached so as to be able to contact the contact rod 66c. These contacts XP, XR, XN, XD, X ₂ , and X ₁ are arranged at positions corresponding to the display positions of the English numerals that respectively display the traveling ranges drawn on the outer periphery of the mounting ring 64.

Here, each of the contacts XP, XR, XN, XD, X ₂ , and X ₁ is connected to the control unit 30. Thus, in the shift lever 18, the contact X with which the contact rod 66c is in contact is provided.
From P, XR, XN, XD, X ₂ , and X ₁ , a corresponding range switching command is output to control unit 30.

On the other hand, the lever main body 66 includes a moving portion 66d movably attached to the shaft portion 66b along the axial direction. That is, the moving portion 66d has a through hole 66e along the axial direction.
When the shaft 66b passes through the through hole 66e and is taken out, the moving portion 66d
It will be supported movably along the extension direction of 6b. Here, the above-mentioned fins 68 are integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the moving portion 66d. In addition, this moving unit 66
The inner end of d is set to have a smaller diameter than the outer end,
It is set so as to be housed in the ring-shaped mounting ring 64 described above.

A locking nut 66f for prohibiting the moving part 66d from being taken out is screwed to the outer end of the shaft part 66b. On the other hand, a coil spring 66g is interposed between the moving portion 66d and the outer flange portion 66a.
6d is always urged outward by the urging force of this coil spring 66g, and as long as no external force acts on it, it comes into contact with the above-mentioned locking nut 66f to elastically hold its position. Have been. In this way, the lever body 66 is normally urged outward, and is pushed inward in the axial direction via the pushing portion 70 described above,
The lever body 66 can be pushed inward in the axial direction against the urging force of the coil spring 66g.

The above-described locking nut 66f is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the moving portion 66d.
A recess 66h for accommodating the lock nut 66f is provided, and a blind plate 66i for closing the recess 66h to cover the locking nut 66f is mounted.

The shift lever 18 is provided with a restricting means referred to in the present invention, and this restricting means accurately controls the rotational drive at each traveling range position when switching the traveling range by rotating the lever body 66. Detent mechanism 76 for stopping
When switching from the neutral range "N" to the reverse range "R" and switching between the reverse range "R" and the parking range "P", the switching cannot be performed merely by rotating the lever body 66. The lever body 66
And a restricting mechanism 78 such that the switching operation cannot be performed unless the switch is pushed inward along the axial direction.

Due to the detent mechanism 76 and the regulating mechanism 78, the outer end of the mounting ring 64 described above extends to approximately the middle of the small diameter portion of the moving portion 66d. For this reason, the outer end has a gap G between itself and the end face of the step portion that defines the large diameter portion of the moving portion 66d.
Is formed, but the axial length of the gap G is set slightly longer than the axial pushing amount of the moving portion 66d described later. Here, the regulating mechanism 78 has a guide groove 80 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting ring 64, and the outer end portion is fitted into the guide groove 80 and guided.
One guide pin 82 is elastically attached to the moving portion 66d so as to be able to advance and retreat.

As shown in FIG. 7, the guide groove 80 is formed just between the first forward speed range “1” and the parking range “P”. Due to the engagement, the lever body 66 is prohibited from rotating beyond the first forward speed range “1” and the parking range “P”. Here, the detent mechanism 76 described above is
As shown in FIG. 6, the parking range "P", the reverse range "R", the neutral range "N", the forward drive range "D", Detent holes 76P, 76R, corresponding to the forward second speed range "2" and the forward first speed range "1", respectively.
76N, 76D, 76 ₂ and 76 ₁ are provided.
P, 76R, 76N, 76D, 76 ₂ are 1 along the circumferential direction of the mounting ring 64
It is set to be located on the axis l0 of the book. The bottom surfaces of the detent holes 76P, 76R, 76N, 76D, 76 ₂ and 76 ₁
As shown, the first depth from the inner peripheral surface of the mounting ring 64
Only h ₁ is set at a position entering radially outwardly.

Further, as shown in a state in which the circumferential shape is developed on a plane in the lower part of FIG. 6, the guide groove 80 extends in the circumferential direction from the forward second speed range “2” to the neutral range “N”. a linear groove 80a formed linearly along l0, and a first horizontal groove 80b extending axially inward from the neutral range "N" at the upper end of the linear groove 80a.
An inclined groove portion 80c extending obliquely with respect to the circumferential direction l0 from the inner end of the first lateral groove portion 80b to the retreat range "R", and a second axial portion extending inward in the axial direction from the retreat range "R". Lateral groove
80d, a third lateral groove 80e extending inward in the axial direction from the parking range "P", and the second and third lateral grooves 8
A first connecting groove 80f extending along the circumferential direction l0 so as to connect the inner ends of 0d and 80e to each other;
At the lower end of 0a, a fourth lateral groove 80g extending inward in the axial direction from the forward second speed range “2”, and the fourth lateral groove 80g
And a second connecting groove 80h extending from the inner end to the first speed range “1” in the circumferential direction l0 along the circumferential direction l0.

The extension length of each of the first to third lateral groove portions 80b, 80d, and 80e is defined as the above-described axial pushing amount of the lever main body 66, and these extension lengths are the same. Set to length. By configuring the guide groove 80 in this manner, the traveling range is switched from the first forward speed range “1” to the neutral range “N”, and the reverse range “R” is switched to the second forward speed range “2”. The switching operation of the traveling range toward the vehicle is performed simply by rotating the lever body 66.
It can be executed only by the operation. However, the switching of the traveling range from the neutral range "N" to the parking range "P", the switching of the traveling range between the parking range "P" and the reverse range "R", and the second forward speed range "2" The switching operation of the travel range up to the first forward speed range “1” requires two operations of rotating the lever body 66 once while pushing the lever body 66 along the axial direction every time the vehicle passes each range.

As a result, only by the above-described pivoting operation of the lever body 66, the traveling range is switched from the neutral range “N” to the reverse range “R”, and between the reverse range “R” and the parking range “P”. The switching operation of the traveling range becomes impossible, and it is surely prevented that these switching operations are performed carelessly, so that the reliability of the switching operation of the traveling range is ensured.

As shown in FIG. 7, the depth of the guide groove 80 from the inner peripheral surface of the mounting ring 64 between the forward second speed range “2” and the neutral range “N” is equal to the above-described detent hole 76.
P, 76R, 76N, 76D, 76 2, 76 1 of the second depth h which is set slightly shallower than the first depth h ₁ which defines each depth from the inner peripheral surface of the mounting ring 64 ₂ while the guide groove 80 between the second forward speed range “2” and the first forward speed range “1” and the guide groove between the neutral range “N” and the parking range “P”. The depth of 80 is the second
It is set to have a shallower third depth h ₃ than the depth h ₂ of the.

As a result, as is clear from FIG. 7, the first forward speed range “1”, the reverse range “R”, and the parking range “P”
Detent hole 76 ₁ each in, 76R, substantial depth of 76P (= h ₁ -h ₃₎ is neutral range "N", the forward drive range "D", the forward second speed range in the "2" each of detent holes 76N, 76D, 76 deeper than the substantial depth of _2.

Thus, in this embodiment, in each travel range set position, detent holes 76P of the guide pin 82 corresponding, 76R, 76N, by fitting the 76D, 76 _2, 76 _1,
The operation stop position is detented, and the driver can check the stop state of the lever body 66 operated by the driver by feeling based on the detent feeling.

Further, according to this embodiment, the forward first speed range “1”,
When the reverse range “R” and the parking range “P” are set respectively, the rotation starting force required to start rotating the lever body 66, the neutral range “N”, the forward drive range “D”, and the forward A large force is required as compared with the rotation starting force required to start rotating from the state in which the second speed range “2” is set. In other words, the driver can freely switch the traveling range between the neutral range “N”, the forward drive range “D”, and the second forward speed range “2” with a small rotation starting force. On the other hand, the forward first speed range "1",
When the setting state of the reverse range “R” and the parking range “P” is switched to another driving range, a strong rotation starting force is required to escape from the corresponding deep detent holes 76 ₁ , 76R, and 76P. Attention is drawn to whether this switching operation needs to be performed, and a malfunction is prevented beforehand.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the guide pin 82 fitted in the guide groove 80 is formed by a pin body 82a having a rounded protruding end and an outer flange portion 82b at a substantially central portion in the axial direction. It is formed integrally. In addition, the guide pin 82 is fitted into a concave portion 84 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the moving portion 66d.
It is mounted with the inside part inserted from 2b.
Here, the recess 84 has, in the opening, a recess main body 84a having a larger diameter than the outer flange portion 82b described above,
Formed in the opening of this recess body 84a, the outer flange 8
2b, and a small-diameter inner flange portion 84b set so as to be inserted exactly. That is, the recess 84 is formed by a stepped hole having a narrow opening.

Within this recess 84, the pin
A locking ring 86 having an opening formed in the center thereof through which an inner portion of the outer flange portion 82b of the 82a is inserted is housed. On the other hand, in the recess 84, a first coil spring 88 abutting against the inner end surface of the guide pin 82 and biasing the guide pin 82 in a direction protruding from the recess 84 is provided. A second coil spring 90 that comes into contact with the inner surface and urges the inner flange portion 84b so as to press it against the step portion is housed independently of each other.

Here, as shown in FIG.
There the detent holes 76P, 76R, 76N, in 76D, 76 _2, 76 state its position is locked enters the _1, in other words, the tip of the guide pin 82, the depth from the inner peripheral surface of the mounting ring 64 H ₁
The outer flange portion 82b of the guide pin 82 is moved from the locking ring 86 abutting on the step portion (h ₁ -h
₂ ) It is set to be separated by the distance of. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the guide groove 80 between the forward second speed range “2” and the neutral range “N” is obtained.
In the state where the tip of the guide pin 82 is in contact with the bottom of
Each detent hole 76N, from the state fitted into 76D, 76 _2, (h ₁
−h ₂ ) is pushed inward in the radial direction of the lever body 66.

During this pushing operation, the outer flange portion 82b only comes into contact with the locking ring 86 and does not push it inward. As a result, the pushing force required for this pushing operation may be a force that opposes the urging force of the first coil spring 88 that engages only with the guide pin 82.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8C, between the neutral range "N" and the parking range "P" and between the forward second speed range "2" and the forward first speed range "1". With the tip of the guide pin 82 in contact with the bottom surface of the guide groove 80, the lever is moved by a distance of (h ₁ −h ₃ ) from the state of being fitted into each of the detent holes 76P, 76R, 76N, 76D, 76 ₂ and 76 _1. The main body 66 is pushed inward in the radial direction. Here, as is apparent from the above description, since (h ₁ −h ₃ )> (h ₁ −h ₂ ), the outer flange portion is required for this pushing operation.
82b comes into contact with the locking ring 86 and pushes it further inward.

As a result, the pushing force required for the pushing operation is the force against the urging force of the first coil spring 88 engaging with the guide pin 82 and the force of the second coil spring 90 engaging with the locking ring 86. It is necessary to have a force that opposes the total bias with the power.

Thus, according to this embodiment, when the lever body 66 is rotated to switch the travel range between the forward second speed range “2” and the neutral range “N”, the guide pin 80 and the guide groove The contact force with the first coil spring 88 is defined only by the force opposing the first coil spring 88, so that the turning operation force can be relatively small.

However, when the travel range is switched between the neutral range “N” and the parking range “P” and between the forward second speed range “2” and the forward first speed range “1”, the guide pin 82 and the guide pin 82 The contact force with the groove 80 is the first
And the force opposing the urging force of the second coil springs 88 and 90, and a large rotating operation force is required. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, it is also given magnitude to the rotating operation force, the above-mentioned detent holes 76P, 76R, 76N, 76D, 76 2, 76 1 of the depth of the lever body 66 due to the difference of the Along with the difference in the rotation starting force from the stop position, attention is drawn to the necessity of actually performing this switching operation, and erroneous operation is reliably prevented.

The shift lever 18 configured as described above is mounted on the left side surface of the steering column 58 as described above. In detail, the operation state shown in FIG.
That is, in a state in which the driver hangs on the armrests 92 equipped with both elbows and holds both hands in a relaxed position while holding the steering wheel 56 at the so-called 8:20 position, as shown in FIG. The middle finger of the left hand is extended, and a fin 68 located in a range from the first forward speed range “1” to the neutral range “N” is provided at a position where the middle finger can be reached.

In other words, assuming that the turning radius of the left middle finger is l ₁ and the turning radius of the fin is l ₂ in the above-described state, the turning trajectory of the tip of the middle finger and the forward first speed range “1” to the neutral range “1” as the rotational locus of the tip of the fins 68 intersect located in the range of up to N "and the distance l ₃ between the left hand grip position of the rotation center and the steering wheel 56 of the shift lever 18 is defined . That is, l ₃ is defined in a range where the following inequality (1) is satisfied.

l ₃ <l ₁ + l ₂ (1) By defining the equation (1) as described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the tip of the fin 68 in the forward drive range “D” is obtained. And steering wheel
Distance l ₆ between the 56 is set to 110 mm.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when the distance between the tip and the steering wheel 56 of the fin 68 in the reverse range "R" and l _4, the distance l ₄ the following inequality (2) is satisfied In this embodiment, it is set to 130 mm.

l ₄ ≧ l ₁ (2) Here, the interval between the neutral range “N” and the reverse range “R” as described above is defined so as to satisfy the above inequality (2). ing.

Thus, in this embodiment, the shift lever 18
Is set, the driver should hold the steering wheel 56 with both hands, extend the middle finger of the left hand, and hit the fin 68 of the shift lever 18 from above or below. , The lever body 66 can be freely and instantaneously switched between the forward first speed range “1” and the neutral range “N”. As a result, the switching of the running range during running can be performed while holding the steering wheel 56 with both hands, and the holding performance of the steering wheel is reliably ensured.

In this embodiment, even when the middle finger is extended with the left hand gripping the steering wheel 56, the retreat range “R” is out of the operable range of the fin 68, so the neutral range “N” is set. Switching operation to the reverse range “R” becomes impossible. As a result, during forward running, the fin 68 is hit by the middle finger to freely change the running range from the forward first speed range “1” to the neutral range “N”, and the reverse range is erroneously set. The situation in which "R" is set is reliably avoided, and the certainty of the switching operation of the traveling range is ensured in combination with the above-described requirement for the two operations.

Further, in order to switch to the reverse range “R” or the parking range “P”, the left hand must be released from the steering wheel 56, so the switching to the reverse range “R” or the parking range “P” is required. Movement is suppressed psychologically, retreat range "R"
Alternatively, a malfunction is prevented beforehand in the operation of switching to the parking range “P”, and the reliability of the operation of switching the traveling range is ensured from this viewpoint as well.

Here, as shown in FIG.
Is above the shift lever 18 and a distance l ₅
It is arranged to be located only behind. Therefore, when operating the wire operation lever 62, it is necessary to change the grip position on the steering wheel 56 of the left hand from a so-called 8 o'clock position to a so-called 10 o'clock position. That is, an operation pivot range with rotation radius l ₂ of the shift lever 18,
The operation rotation range at the rotation radius of the wire operation lever 62 is
Will be different from each other.

As a result, in this embodiment, when the fin 68 of the shift lever 18 is knocked up from below and the range is switched from the second forward speed range “2” to the forward drive range “D”, for example, Even if is swung upward, there is no operation of the wire operation lever 62, and the reliability of the operation is ensured. Further, by pushing down the wire operating lever 62 from above, for example, in the case of setting the intermittent wiper mode, even if this pushing-down operation is too vigorous and the finger is swung down, the fin 68 of the shift lever 18 is not moved. Since there is no fear of touching, the driver can operate the wiper operation lever 62 with ease.

Further, in this embodiment, in the shift lever 18, as shown in FIG. 12, the reverse range "R" is a distance l from the vertical line V which is on the outer peripheral surface of the lever body 66 and is in contact with the steering wheel 56. Fins 68 located ₈ ahead
Stipulated by In other words, the reversing range “R” means that the lever main body 66 rotates via the fins 68 to a position where the knee that has entered while standing between the shift lever 18 and the steering wheel 56 can never reach. Is set as specified by In other words, the reverse range “R” is located at a position to which a condition set at a position beyond the knee as described herein is added in addition to the condition represented by the above inequality (2). Has been established.

That is, in the normal driving posture, the knee of the left foot never reaches the shift lever 18, as shown by the solid line in FIG. If you do not have a seat belt,
Based on the sudden acceleration acting on itself, the body is pushed forward as a whole, so that the knee of the driver's left foot is moved between the shift lever 18 and the steering wheel 56 as shown by the dashed line in FIG. There is a possibility that the posture of standing in is forcibly achieved. When the knee is standing, the fin 68 of the shift lever 18 is pushed upward by the knee, and the lever body 66 is moved from the forward drive range “D” to the reverse range “R”. This causes a situation in which the robot is forcibly rotated.

In this case, as described above, the switching from the forward drive range “D” to the neutral range “N” is performed only by the turning operation of the lever body 66, but the reverse range “ To the "R", the switching operation is not performed merely by rotating the lever body 66, and the lever body 66 must be once pushed inward in the axial direction and then rotated. Is required. For this reason, in a normal kneeling state,
Only when the guide pin 82 abuts on the end wall defining the first lateral groove portion 80b of the guide groove 82, the lever body 66 is held at the position defining the neutral range "N" and is switched to the retreat range "R". It cannot be done.

However, at the time of a head-on collision or sudden braking as described above, the above-described standing state of the knee is achieved with a strong force, and in some cases, the guide pin 82 moves over the above-described end wall with a strong force. Therefore, there is a possibility that the lever body 66 may rotate so that the retreat range “R” is unintentionally set.

As a result, for example, when sudden braking is applied,
Assuming that the shift lever 18 is rotated from the neutral range “N” by the standing knee and is forcibly switched to the reverse range “R” only by the rotating operation, the vehicle is temporarily stopped by the brake and then moved to the reverse range “ Based on the setting of "R", the retreat operation is subsequently started.

However, in this embodiment, as described above, since the retreat range “R” is set at a position where the standing knee cannot reach, even if the sudden acceleration acts on the driver, the knee stands. Even in the worst case, only the neutral range "N" is set, and the reverse range "R" is never set, and a safe driving state is ensured.

As shown in FIG. 14, in order to allow the driver to take an optimal steering wheel 56 gripping posture, the steering wheel 56 has an axial direction as shown by a two-dot chain line. A so-called telescopic mechanism that can slide and a so-called tilt mechanism that can move up and down as shown by a dashed line are provided although not shown in detail. Here, in this embodiment, for example, when the telescopic mechanism operates, only the steering wheel 56 moves back and forth along the axial direction from the steering column 58, and when the tilt mechanism operates, only the steering wheel 56 operates. Steering column
Instead of moving up and down from 58, the steering column 58 is also set to move integrally with the steering wheel 56.

As a result, in this embodiment, the relative positional relationship between the shift lever 18 and the steering wheel 56 is always kept constant, for example, whether the steering wheel 56 is telescopic or tilted, using both hands as described above. The switching operation of the traveling range while holding the steering wheel 56 is reliably executed.

A description will be given of a driving range switching operation performed by a driver in a vehicle including the shift lever 18 configured as described above.

First, in a state where the parking range “P” is set by the shift lever 18 and the vehicle is stopped, the driver opens the door (not shown) and enters the vehicle interior, and as shown in FIG. While sitting down, depress the brake pedal (not shown), and turn the ignition switch (not shown) with the right hand to start the engine. After that, instead of gripping the steering wheel 56 with the left hand, the lever body 66 of the shift lever 18 is squeezed, and this is pushed inward in the axial direction against the urging force of the coil spring 66g. The guide pin 82 comes out of the detent hole 76P corresponding to "P",
Of the first connecting groove 80f, and the pushing operation is stopped. After this, the lever body
By pivoting 66 downward, the guide pin 82 slides in the first connecting groove 80f, reaches the inner end of the second lateral groove 80d, and stops rotating.

Thereafter, by releasing the pushing force of the lever body 66, the biasing force of the coil spring 66g causes the lever body 6 to move.
The guide pin 82 is displaced axially outward as a whole, and the guide pin 82 slides in the second lateral groove 80d to fit into the detent hole 76R corresponding to the retreat range "R" and stop. In this way, the reverse range “R” is switched and set.

Here, when the vehicle is moved backward, the vehicle is moved backward by releasing the brake pedal and depressing the accelerator pedal in a state where the reverse range “R” is set. On the other hand, when moving the vehicle forward, the guide pin 82 slides in the inclined groove 80c by grasping the lever body 66 again with the left hand and rotating downward, so that the first lateral groove 80b Then, the lever body 66 is biased outward in the axial direction by the urging force of the coil spring 66g, and the guide pin 82 slides in the first lateral groove 80b. It fits into the detent hole 76N corresponding to the neutral range "N" and stops. Thus, the neutral range “N” is switched and set.

In the state where the neutral range “N” is set in this way, the driver puts the elbows of both hands on the armrests 92, respectively, holds the so-called 8:20 direction position of the steering wheel 56, and takes a driving posture. . As described above, the operation of switching the traveling range between the neutral range "N" and the forward second speed range "2" can be performed simply by hitting the fin 68 and rotating the lever body 66. Things. Accordingly, the driver extends the middle finger of the left hand while holding the steering wheel 56 with both hands, and further taps the fins 68 from the set position of the neutral range "N". With this knock-down operation, the guide pin 82 comes out of the detent hole 76N corresponding to the neutral range "N" lightly, slides in the linear groove portion 80a, and moves in the detent hole 76D corresponding to the forward drive range "D". And stop. In this way, the drive range “D” is switched and set.

With the forward drive range "D" set in this way, the driver releases his / her foot from the brake pedal and depresses the accelerator pedal, whereby the vehicle is driven forward with the automatic transmission being shifted.

Thereafter, when switching to the neutral range "N" with the vehicle stopped at an intersection or the like, the driver extends the middle finger of the left hand while holding the steering wheel 56 with both hands, and By hitting the fin 68 from below, the guide pin 82 comes out of the detent hole 76D corresponding to the drive range "D" lightly, slides in the linear groove portion 80a, and corresponds to the detent corresponding to the neutral range "N". It fits into the hole 76N and stops. In this way, the neutral range “N” is switched and set.

On the other hand, during forward traveling, for example, when a long downhill is applied and engine braking is required, the driver extends the middle finger of the left hand while holding the steering wheel 56 with both hands, and By knocking down 68 from above, the guide pin 82 comes out of the detent hole 76D corresponding to the drive range "D" lightly, slides in the linear groove 80a, and moves forward in the second speed range "2".
And fitted in the detent hole 76 ₂ corresponding stops. In this way, the forward second speed range “2” is switched and set.

In addition, during forward running, for example, when a sharp downhill is applied and strong engine braking is required, the driver holds the steering wheel 56 with both hands,
Stretched left hand middle finger, guide the pushing portion 70 of the shift lever 18 by pushing it axially inwardly against the biasing force of the coil spring 66 g, from the detent hole 76 ₂ corresponding to the forward second speed range "2" The pin 82 comes out, and the fourth lateral groove 8
The pressing operation is stopped by sliding inside 0g and reaching the upper end of the second connecting groove 80h. Thereafter, by rotating the fin 68 downward with the middle finger that has pushed the pushing portion 70, the guide pin 82 slides in the second connecting groove 80h and moves forward.
Fitted to stop the detent hole 76 ₁ for defining the speed range "1". In this way, the forward first speed range “1” is switched and set.

As described above, by setting the forward first speed range “1”, a strong engine brake is achieved. However, if such a strong engine brake is set by an erroneous operation during high-speed running, stable running will be achieved. May be impaired. For this reason, in this embodiment, as described above, when switching from the second forward speed range “2” to the first forward speed range “1”, the left hand is still holding the steering wheel 56. , Two operations of pushing and rotating are required, and
The first forward speed range “1” is not set only by rotating the 68.

As a result, the first forward speed range “1” can be easily switched between the second forward speed range “2” and the neutral range “N” while the running range switching operation is being performed with a light operating force. While being prevented from being set,
Special attention is required to switch from the second forward speed range "2" to the first forward speed range "1", effectively preventing the first forward speed range "1" from being switched by mistake. Will be done.

That is, in this embodiment, while the vehicle is traveling forward, the driver maintains the state in which the steering wheel 56 is gripped with both hands while moving the traveling range forward 2.
When changing between the speed range "2" and the neutral range "N", simply extend the middle finger of the left hand and tap the fin 68 of the shift lever 18 from above or below to rotate the lever body 66. By doing so, it is possible to perform the switching operation of the traveling range in such forward traveling without leaving the left hand from the steering wheel 56, that is, in a state where the steering wheel 56 is grasped with both hands, Retention will be achieved to a high degree.

When switching from the second forward speed range “2” to the first forward speed range “1”, the middle finger of the left hand is extended to push the pusher 70 of the shift lever 18 once in the axial direction, and then By turning the lever body 66 by strongly hitting the upper part 68, the strong engine brake is applied without releasing the left hand from the steering wheel 56, that is, while holding the steering wheel 56 with both hands. Therefore, the operability of the operation of the steering wheel 56 can be similarly achieved to a high degree.

On the other hand, in the case of retreating from the forward running, after once setting the neutral range “N” by the above-described operation, the left hand is separated from the steering wheel 56, and the pushed-in portion 70 is pushed by the separated middle finger to the coil spring 66g.
Urges inward in the axial direction against the urging force of. By this pushing operation, the guide pin 82 comes out of the detent hole 76N corresponding to the neutral range "N", slides in the first lateral groove 80b, reaches the lower end of the inclined groove 80c, and stops the pushing operation. After that, by hitting the fin 68 upward, the guide pin 82 slides in the inclined groove portion 80c, reaches the upper end thereof, and fits into the detent hole 76R corresponding to the retreat range "R". Stop. In this way,
The reverse range “R” is switched and set.

In addition, from the reverse range “R” to the parking range “P”
Is achieved by executing an operation that is exactly the reverse of the operation of switching from the parking range “P” to the reverse range “R”.

That is, in a conventional vehicle, regardless of whether the transmission is a manual transmission type, an automatic transmission type, a type equipped with a column shift lever, or a type equipped with a floor shift lever, a shift in manual shifting is performed. When performing a running range switching operation in operation or automatic shifting, the left hand must be moved away from the steering wheel 56, and a so-called one-handed driving state occurs, and the holding performance of the steering wheel 56 is reduced. Although inadequate, in this embodiment, this problem was solved all at once, and in switching operation of the driving range, the left hand was not separated from the steering wheel 56, in other words, the steering wheel 56 was gripped with both hands. This switching operation can be performed in the state as it is, dramatically improving the holding performance of the steering wheel 56 A new driving operation will be achieved.

Further, according to this embodiment, the shift lever 18 for switching the shift range is set so as to be attached to the left side surface of the steering column 58, and a front wheel drive system is adopted. As a result, the floor between the driver's seat and the passenger seat can be formed substantially flat, and the space around the driver's seat is enlarged. In this way, a comfortable driving situation is naturally achieved, in combination with the fact that the environment in the vehicle compartment can take a relaxed driving posture with the elbows of both arms resting on the armrests 92, respectively. It will be.

The shift lever 18 in the present embodiment is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the vehicle width direction from the side surface of the steering column 58, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the steering lever 56 is gripped. As long as the position is operable, the arrangement position and the rotation axis direction can be appropriately set.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects are exhibited.

In the invention of claim (1), the switching operation of the traveling range can be performed without releasing the hand from the steering wheel, so that the holding performance of the steering wheel during traveling and the improvement of the steering performance can be achieved. . In addition, the operability of the shift lever can be improved by easily performing the operation to the forward drive range that is frequently used.

In the invention according to claim (2), the switching operation to the parking range and the reverse range is performed by two operations, thereby preventing the switching to the parking range and the reverse range from being performed carelessly. The certainty of the switching operation of the traveling range is ensured, and the driver's sense of security is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 14 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a control means, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior, and FIG. 3 is an arrangement of a shift lever. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the operation state of the shift lever in the passenger compartment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the shift lever. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the shift lever, FIG. 7 is a view showing the depth shape of the guide groove, FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the pressed state of the guide pin, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a difference in operating force of the shift lever when switching, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an operating state of the shift lever, FIG. 11 is a side view thereof, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a state in which the driver's knees are standing, and FIG. 14 is a side view around the steering wheel showing a case where the telescopic mechanism and the tilt mechanism are operated. 18 ... Shift lever 56 ... Steering wheel 58 ... Steering column 66 ... Lever body 68 ... Fin (operation part) "N" ... Neutral range "P" ... Parking range "R" ... Reverse range

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hidemi Aoki 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture Inside the Mazda Corporation (72) Kunihiko Matsumura 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Inside (72) Inventor Masato Sato 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshiaki Kazuki 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda (56) references Patent Sho 58-136522 (JP, A) JP Akira 59-40959 (JP, A) JitsuHiraku Akira 62-63783 (JP, U) (58 ) investigated the field (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B60K 20/00-20/08 F16H 59/00-59/12 H01H 25/06 H01H 21/00 B60K 37/06

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A shift of an automatic transmission for outputting a range switching command to control means for controlling an actuator for switching a traveling range of a vehicle to at least one of a neutral range and a forward drive range based on a range switching command. A lever, which is disposed on an outer peripheral side surface of the steering column, is rotatably mounted around a rotation axis extending in the vehicle width direction from the outer peripheral side surface of the steering column, and performs the control by rotating around the rotation axis. A lever body provided with a stroke contact type switch for switching a range switching command output to the means, and a driver's finger for rotating the lever body is provided on the steering wheel side of an outer peripheral surface of the lever body. Fins are provided in contact with each other, and the fins The fin is located at a position where the driving range including at least the forward drive range can be changed and operated by the finger of the diver, and the position of the fin in the forward drive range is closest to the steering wheel as compared with the position in the other travel ranges. A shift lever for an automatic transmission for a vehicle, comprising: 2. The shift lever of an automatic transmission for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said actuator sets a travel range of the vehicle to a parking range, a reverse range,
It is configured to switch between the neutral range and the forward drive range, and the switching operation to the parking range and the reverse range is performed by two operations of moving the lever body in the rotation axis direction and rotating operation around the rotation axis. A shift lever for an automatic transmission for a vehicle, comprising a restricting means for restricting the operation to be performed.