JP3428061B2 - Shifting device for automatic transmission - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to selection of switching of a plurality of shift ranges under an automatic shift mode in an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle, switching between an automatic shift mode and a manual shift mode, and a manual shift mode. The present invention relates to a shift operating device for an automatic transmission, which includes a shift lever that is operated to perform a gear ratio control under a shift mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of shift ranges, for example, a parking range, a reverse range, a neutral range, a drive range, etc. in an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle are usually disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-157230. As described above, a shift lever arranged in the floor structure between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, or a shaft member supporting the steering wheel and rotating with the steering wheel is attached to the penetrating annular member. Then, the shift lever arranged near the steering wheel is operated to perform switching selection. In a vehicle equipped with such an automatic transmission, when the front seats including the driver's seat are designed for three passengers in particular, a seating space for passengers seated in the front seats is secured. From the viewpoint of the above, it is desirable that the shift lever is provided near the steering wheel.

With respect to the shift lever arranged in the vicinity of such a steering wheel, a driver operating the steering wheel can operate it with one of both hands attached to the steering wheel in order to operate the steering wheel. It is hoped that it will be positioned,
In such a case, the driver can switch between a plurality of shift ranges in the automatic transmission while reliably operating the steering wheel with both hands. Further, when such a shift lever arranged near the steering wheel is used, for a driver who is required to constantly visually check the surrounding environment of the vehicle while operating the steering wheel, the operation position There is also an advantage that the visual confirmation such as can be performed without significantly moving the line of sight.

Further, in an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle, the change of the gear ratio while the drive range is selected is, for example, the vehicle speed and the throttle opening of the vehicle equipped with the automatic transmission. In accordance with the preset shift characteristics that are represented by the shift diagram, not only the automatic shift mode that is automatically performed but also the change of the gear ratio under the selected drive range is performed according to the shift operation by the driver. The manual shift mode to be performed can be selectively set, so that the manual shift mode can be selectively arranged on the floor structure to switch a plurality of shift ranges under the automatic shift mode.
It has been proposed that a shift lever that is operated to perform switching between an automatic shift mode and a manual shift mode under a selected drive range and a gear ratio control under the manual shift mode is provided. .

Selection of switching of a plurality of shift ranges under the automatic shift mode, switching between the automatic shift mode and the manual shift mode under selection of the drive range, and
For vehicles with a shift lever that is operated to perform gear ratio control in the manual shift mode in the floor component, it was installed in the floor component to cover the base of the shift lever. A shift gate which is provided as a cutout portion in the floor console box member and through which the shift lever is inserted has an automatic shift mode gate portion and a manual shift mode gate portion connected thereto. Then, when the automatic shift mode is selected, the shift lever is operated by the driver,
The shift lever is displaced within the gate portion for the automatic shift mode, and when the manual shift mode is selected, the shift lever is operated by the driver to be displaced within the gate portion for the manual shift mode.

[0006]

As described above, the automatic transmission which is capable of selectively taking not only the automatic transmission mode but also the manual transmission mode is installed, and the automatic transmission for the automatic transmission is mounted. Operates to select multiple shift ranges under the mode, switch between automatic shift mode and manual shift mode under the selected drive range, and control gear ratio under the manual shift mode As for the vehicle equipped with the shift lever described above, it may be desirable that the shift lever is arranged in the vicinity of the steering wheel as described above. One of the challenges is how to arrange the shift gates that allow the holes to pass through. That is, since the space formed in the vicinity of the steering wheel in the passenger compartment of the vehicle is usually limited, the shift lever may be operated by the driver depending on the installation mode of the shift gate. The operation may be difficult to perform, and further, the driver may be erroneously operated.

In view of the above point, the present invention provides an automatic transmission mode for an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle, which is capable of selectively taking not only an automatic transmission mode but also a manual transmission mode. A shift lever operated to switch a plurality of shift ranges, to switch between an automatic shift mode and a manual shift mode when a drive range is selected, and to perform a gear ratio control under the manual shift mode. However, the shift gate, which is placed near the steering wheel, allows the driver to easily operate the shift lever at each displacement position of the shift lever, and it is difficult for erroneous operation to occur. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gear shift operating device for an automatic transmission, which is provided as a setting for obtaining it.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a gear shift operating device for an automatic transmission according to a first aspect of the present invention has an annular shape in which a shaft member supporting a steering wheel of a vehicle is penetrated. Regarding an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle, which is connected to a member so as to be displaceable and expandable, and which can selectively take not only the automatic transmission mode but also the manual transmission mode, A shift lever that is operated to select a shift range, switch between an automatic shift mode and a manual shift mode, and control a gear ratio in the manual shift mode, and a connecting mechanism that connects the shift lever to an annular member. A cover forming member is formed as a cutout portion for covering the vehicle and a shift gate through which the shift lever penetrates is provided. A shift lever provided in the gate forming portion is operated in an automatic shift mode, the shift lever being provided with a lever extension / contraction mechanism configured to extend / contract substantially in the radial direction of the steering wheel. A first portion extending along the displacement direction of the shift lever,
A second portion extending substantially parallel to the first portion along a displacement direction of the shift lever operated in the manual shift mode at a position closer to the steering wheel than the first portion; And a second portion interconnecting the second portion and the second portion, and the lever extension mechanism is further operated to displace the shift lever along the second portion of the shift gate. Occasionally, it is configured to reduce the length of the shift lever as compared to when it is operated to displace along the first portion of the shift gate.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a gear shift operating device for an automatic transmission is connected to an annular member, through which a shaft member supporting a steering wheel of a vehicle is inserted, so as to be displaceable and extendable. For an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle that can be selectively operated not only in a mode but also in a manual shift mode, switching selection of a plurality of shift ranges under the automatic shift mode, automatic shift mode and manual It is formed as a cutout portion in a cover member that covers a shift lever that is operated to switch to a shift mode and a gear ratio control under a manual shift mode and a coupling mechanism that couples the shift lever to an annular member. A gate forming portion provided with a shift gate through which the shift lever penetrates;
In order to change the length of the shift lever, the shift lever provided with a lever expansion / contraction mechanism configured to expand / contract the shift lever substantially in the radial direction of the steering wheel is used. A first portion extending along the displacement direction of the shift lever operated in the speed change mode, and a displacement direction of the shift lever connected to the first portion and operated in the manual speed change mode. A second portion extending along the first side of the shift gate when the lever extension mechanism is operated to displace the shift lever along the second portion of the shift gate. It is configured to reduce the length of the shift lever as compared to when it is operated to displace along a portion.

[0010]

In the gear shift operation device for an automatic transmission according to the present invention constructed as described above, a shaft member for supporting a steering wheel of a vehicle is movably and expandably connected to an annular member penetrating the shaft member. The shift lever, which is arranged near the steering wheel, is displaced along the first portion of the shift gate to operate in the respective displacement positions. A plurality of shift ranges are selected for switching, and the shift gate is operated to be displaced from the first portion to the second portion or from the second portion to the first portion. As a result, the state in which the automatic shift mode and the manual shift mode are switched is set, and further, the shift gate is operated to be displaced along the second portion. Ri, the state in which the gear ratio control under the manual shift mode is carried out is taken. The shift lever, which is displaced along the first portion and the second portion of the shift gate by being interconnected with each other, is a driver in a limited space near the steering wheel. Can be operated easily and erroneous operation is unlikely to occur.

Moreover, when the shift lever is in a state where the gear ratio control is performed under the manual shift mode, and when the shift lever is in a state in which a plurality of shift ranges are selected for switching under the automatic shift mode. Compared to,
The length of the steering wheel is reduced in the radial direction, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the driver's hand operating the steering wheel from undesirably touching and operating the steering wheel by mistake.

[0012]

FIG. 2 shows an example of a shift operating device for an automatic transmission according to each of the first and second aspects of the present invention, together with an annular member on which it is arranged.

An annular member 1 shown in FIG. 2 is a steering wheel 2 arranged in front of a driver's seat in a vehicle compartment.
The shaft member 3 for supporting the is penetrated. A switch unit 5 accommodating a combination switch mechanism and a shift lever 10 are arranged at an end side portion of the annular member 1 on the steering wheel 2 side.
The combination switch mechanism operates a left-right direction indicator lamp, a headlamp, and the like. In addition, the shift lever 10 is mounted in a vehicle in which the steering wheel 2 is arranged, and can be selectively operated not only in the automatic shift mode but also in the manual shift mode. A plurality of original shift ranges, for example, a parking range (P range), a reverse range (R range), a neutral range (N range), and a drive range (D range) and a second range (S) that constitute a forward range. It is operated to perform switching selection between the range) and the low range (L range), switching between the automatic shift mode and the manual shift mode, and the gear ratio control under the manual shift mode.

The switch unit 5 is provided with a combination switch lever 7 arranged at a position operated by the right hand of the driver who operates the steering wheel 2.
Is attached. The combination switch lever 7 is operated to control the operation of the combination switch mechanism housed in the switch unit 5.

The shift lever 10 has a base portion 13A having one end portion formed by a connecting portion 12 and a main body portion 13B having an overall "V" shape and one end portion formed by a grip portion 14. The grip portion 14 is provided with a lock release button 15 that is pressed. As shown in FIG. 3, the shift lever 10 is supported by a base member 16 that is bolted to a portion of the annular member 1 that is on the right side of the steering wheel 2. The base member 16 is
A flat plate-shaped portion 1 extending in the direction along the central axis of the annular member 1.
6A, and projecting portions 16B and 16C which are provided so as to project from the side of the annular member 1 and are opposed to each other with the flat plate-shaped portion 16A interposed therebetween.
Of the protruding portions 16B and 16C, the switch unit 5
The annular member 1 is attached to the protruding portion 16C which is located close to
The pin member 17 extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the extending direction of the pin is arranged, and the actuator 19 provided with the engaging pin 18 extending in the same direction as the pin member 17 is arranged. It is arranged below the pin 18. Further, the protruding portion 16B has a central axis extending along the central axis of the annular member 1, and the bracket 21 provided at the tip portion is arranged at a position where the bracket 21 is opposed to the flat plate portion 16A. Are arranged. The bracket 21 provided on the rotating member 20 is provided with a bolt 22 extending in the vertical direction.

The connecting portion 12 of the base portion 13A of the shift lever 10 is fitted to the bolt 22. The base portion 13A of the shift lever 10 is aligned with the central axis of the annular member 1 as shown by the solid line in FIG. It is supposed to extend from the annular member 1 with central axes that are substantially orthogonal. That is, the base portion 13A of the shift lever 10 substantially extends in the radial direction of the steering wheel 2. The shift lever 10 having such a base portion 13A is supposed to be rotated about the rotation member 20 as a support shaft and about the bolt 22 as a support shaft. Further, the base portion 13A of the shift lever 10 is provided with a notch portion 24 and an elongated hole 26 extending along the central axis thereof at the other end side portion, and the main body portion 1 of the shift lever 10 is provided.
At the other end side portion of 3B, a rack 25 that is engaged with the cutout portion 24 provided in the base portion 13A is provided. The main body 13B has a notch 24 in which a rack 25 provided at the other end side is provided in the base 13A.
It is assumed that the other end side portion provided with the rack 25 is inserted into the base portion 13A so as to be slidable along. Further, inside the main body portion 13B, through the long hole 26 provided in the base portion 13A, the main body portion 13B
A rod 28 provided with an engagement pin 27 protruding from the inside to the outside and a coil spring (not shown) for urging the rod 28 in a direction to separate the rod 28 from the annular member 1 are housed. When the lock release button 15 arranged on the grip portion 14 of the shift lever 10 is pressed, the rod 28, together with the engaging pin 27, resists the biasing force of the coil spring housed in the main body portion 13B. You can move it in the direction you did.

A movable plate member 29 supported by the pin member 17 is disposed on the projecting portion 16C of the base member 16. The movable plate member 29 has a through hole 23 into which the engaging pin 18 provided on the actuator 19 is selectively engaged.
Has an end portion 29a provided with and an end portion 29b to which a cable 30 connected to the automatic transmission is attached, and extends in the vertical direction from the end portion 29a side to the end portion 29b side at the central portion thereof. Manual shift mode engagement hole 31A
And an engaging hole 31B for the automatic shift mode that extends from the engaging hole 31A for the manual shift mode in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the engaging hole 31A extends, and is positioned away from the steering wheel 2 from the engaging hole 31A for the manual shift mode. Is provided, and the base portion 13A of the shift lever 10 is inserted through the lever insertion hole portion formed by the manual shift mode engagement hole 31A and the automatic shift mode engagement hole 31B. There is. The engagement pin 18, which is selectively engaged with the through hole 23 provided in the movable plate member 29, is brought into the retracted state under the automatic shift mode, and the through hole 23 is formed.
Is disengaged with the movable plate member 29.
Is placed in a state in which it can rotate about the pin member 17 as a spindle.

Further, a switch mounting member 32 is arranged in a portion of the movable plate member 29 near the manual shift mode engaging hole 31A. The switch mounting member 32 includes
Along the extending direction of the manual shift mode engagement hole 31A,
A shift mode switching switch 33, a shift ratio reducing switch 34, and a shift ratio increasing switch (a shift ratio increasing switch is not shown in the figure) are arranged. The shift mode switching switch 33 is attached to the movable plate member 29. The position is set so as to face the provided automatic shift mode engagement hole 31B. Then, such a shift mode switching switch 3
A motor 35 electrically connected to the motor 3 is disposed on the base portion 13A of the shift lever 10.

On the other hand, a plate-like member 37 having an engaging pin engaging portion 36 for engaging the engaging pin 27 of the rod 28 at its tip is attached to the protruding portion 16B of the base member 16. . The engagement pin locking portion 36 has a plurality of step portions 38 provided corresponding to a plurality of shift ranges of the automatic transmission. The engagement pin 27 is the lock release button 1 arranged on the grip portion 14 of the shift lever 10.
When 5 is not pressed, it is brought into engagement with the engagement pin engaging portion 36 as shown by the solid line in FIG. This prevents the shift lever 10 from moving from the operating position in which it is placed. When the lock release button 15 is pressed and the rod 28 is moved in the direction of approaching the annular member 1, the engagement pin 27, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. The engagement state with the locking portion 36 is released. As a result, the shift lever 10 is brought into a state in which it can be rotated about the rotation member 20 as a spindle. The engaging pin 27 is
Among the plurality of step portions 38 of the engagement pin locking portion 36, the one corresponding to the operation position where the shift lever 10 is placed is brought into contact with the engagement pin locking portion 36 to bring it into an engaged state with the engagement pin locking portion 36. Get burned.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base portion 13A of the shift lever 10, the base member 16, the actuator 19, the plate member 37 provided with the engagement pin locking portion 36, the movable plate member 29, and the like are annular members. 1 is housed in a steering column 40 arranged so as to penetrate therethrough. Therefore, the steering column 40 constitutes a cover member that covers the connecting mechanism that connects the shift lever 10 to the annular member 1 in a displaceable manner.

One side surface portion of the steering column 40 is a gate forming portion 40G, and the gate forming portion 40G is formed.
G includes a manual shift mode shift gate portion 41A and an automatic shift mode shift gate portion 41B which extend in the vertical direction and are arranged in parallel, and a manual shift mode shift gate portion 41A and an automatic shift mode shift gate portion 41A. 41B for connecting shift gate for connecting with 41B
And a shift gate 41 formed as a cutout portion through which the main body portion 13B of the shift lever 10 is inserted. In the shift gate 41 provided in the gate forming portion 40G, the manual shift mode shift gate portion 41A is located closer to the steering wheel 2 than the automatic shift mode shift gate portion 41B. And the shift lever 10
Is displaced along the automatic shift mode shift gate portion 41B of the shift gate 41 so as to take each displacement position, whereby the base portion 13A of the shift lever 10 is engaged with the movable plate member 29 for the automatic shift mode. The holes 31B are engaged with each other so that the selection of switching of a plurality of shift ranges in the automatic transmission is performed in the automatic shift mode.

When the shift lever 10 is operated to be displaced along the automatic shift mode shift gate portion 41B of the shift gate 41, the lock release button 15 provided on the shift lever 10 is pressed. Under operation, the shift lever 10 is caused to rotate along the automatic transmission mode shift gate portion 41B of the shift gate 41 about the rotation member 20 as a pivot. As a result, the shift lever 10 causes P, R, N, D, S in relation to the automatic shift mode shift gate portion 41B of the shift gate 41 in the gate forming portion 40G as the movable plate member 29 rotates. P labeled as L and L respectively
P range position to select range, R range to select R range
The range position, the N range position for selecting the N range, the D range position for selecting the D range, the S range position for selecting the S range, and the L range position for selecting the L range. The operating position is maintained by the engagement pin 27. Further, although not shown, the movable plate member 29 is provided with a plurality of range switches, and the range switches are each, for example, according to an operation position where the shift lever 10 is placed. The ON state causes the cable 30 attached to the end 29b of the movable plate member 29 to drive the hydraulic control system attached to the automatic transmission, whereby the automatic transmission operates. The shift range is switched according to the operation position of the shift lever 10.

When the shift lever 10 is placed in the D range position as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, the body portion 13B of the shift lever 10 is located at a position corresponding to the connecting shift gate portion 41C of the shift gate 41. To be placed. Under this condition, when the lock release button 15 provided on the shift lever 10 is pressed, the rotation operation of the shift lever 10 with the bolt 22 as a pivot causes the connecting shift gate portion 41C of the shift gate 41. It is possible within the range regulated by. Then, the shift lever 10 in the D range position is rotated about the bolt 22 as a pivot, and the automatic shift mode shift gate portion 41B moves from the automatic shift mode shift gate portion 41B to the manual shift mode along the connecting shift gate portion 41C of the shift gate 41. When the operation for displacing to the shift gate portion 41A for the vehicle is performed, the base portion 13A of the shift lever 10 is engaged with the automatic shift mode engagement hole 31 provided in the movable plate member 29.
It is moved from B to the engagement hole 31A for the manual shift mode, and as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.
The protrusion 42 provided on the side portion is brought into contact with the shift mode switching switch 33, and the shift mode switching switch 3
3 is turned on.

When the shift mode switch 33 is turned on, the automatic transmission is switched from the automatic shift mode to the manual shift mode, and the actuator 19 is projected to the engaging pin 18 provided on it. In the operating state where the state is taken, the engaging pin 18 is engaged with the through hole 23 provided in the movable plate member 29,
The rotation of the movable plate member 29 to which the cable 30 is attached is restricted. In this way, under the condition that the shift mode switching switch 33 is turned on and the rotation of the movable plate member 29 is restricted, the hydraulic control system in the automatic transmission is arranged in the vicinity thereof. Further, for example, the electric actuator, which is a motor, brings about a state of being driven according to the operation of the shift lever 10.

An operation for displacing the shift lever 10 along the connecting shift gate portion 41C of the shift gate 41 from the automatic shift mode shift gate portion 41B to the manual shift mode shift gate portion 41A is performed.
When the shift lever 10 is switched from the automatic shift mode to the manual shift mode, the base portion 13A of the shift lever 10 is engaged with the manual shift mode engagement hole 31A, and
The body portion 13B is placed in the shift gate portion 41A of the shift gate 41 for the manual shift mode,
The entire main body portion 13B provided with the grip portion 14 is placed in the automatic shift mode shift gate portion 41B of the shift gate 41 under the automatic shift mode as shown by the solid line in FIG. In comparison, Figure 1
As shown by the alternate long and short dash line, the position is close to the steering wheel 2. Then, the shift lever 10 placed in the manual shift mode shift gate portion 41A is rotated about the rotary member 20 as a support shaft and displaced along the manual shift mode shift gate portion 41A. Is performed, the switch 34 for reducing the gear ratio and the switch for increasing the gear ratio are appropriately turned on to selectively reduce or increase the gear ratio in the automatic transmission under the manual gear shift mode. The condition that is carried out is taken.

As described above, the shift lever is supported by the base member 16 attached to the annular member 1 and rotates about the rotating member 20 as a spindle and about the bolt 22 as a spindle. 10, the grip portion 14 forming one end portion of the main body portion 13B is placed at a position where a driver operating the steering wheel 2 can easily operate it with his / her left hand while keeping both hands attached to the steering wheel 2.
Moreover, the shift gate 4 provided in the gate forming portion 40G configured by one side surface portion of the steering column 40
Since the shift gate portion 41A for the manual shift mode and the shift gate portion 41B for the automatic shift mode in No. 1 are arranged in parallel in the up-and-down direction, a plurality of shift ranges can be selected for switching under the automatic shift mode. operation,
In addition, the operation for performing the gear ratio control in the manual gear shift mode is easily and smoothly performed by the driver. Furthermore, in the gate forming portion 40G, the shift gate portion 41A for the manual shift mode in the shift gate 41 is more than the shift gate portion 41B for the automatic shift mode in the shift gate 41 than the steering wheel 2.
Since the shift lever 10 is positioned close to the driver, the driver who puts his / her hands on the steering wheel 2 by the shift lever 10 in the manual shift mode in which the gear ratio is changed according to the operation of the shift lever 10 by the driver. Will be placed in a position where it can be operated quickly and reliably by its left hand, which is accompanied by excellent operability.

As described above, the shift lever 10 placed in the manual shift mode shift gate portion 41A of the shift gate 41 provided in the gate forming portion 40G.
However, when the lock release button 15 is pressed, the bolt 22 is rotated about the pivot shaft, and the manual shift mode shift gate portion 41A moves from the manual shift mode shift gate portion 41A along the coupling shift gate portion 41C. Part 41
When the shift lever 10 is operated so as to be displaced to B, the base portion 13A of the shift lever 10 moves into the engagement hole 3 for the manual shift mode.
1A to the engagement hole 31B for automatic shift mode
Then, the shift mode switching switch 33 is turned off. As a result, the manual shift mode is switched to the automatic shift mode, and the actuator 19 is placed in an operating state in which the engagement pin 18 provided therein is pulled into the retracted state, and the engagement pin 18 moves. The engagement state with the through hole 23 provided in the is released. As a result, the cable 30
The movable plate member 29 to which the
With the rotation of the rotation member 20 as a support shaft, the pin member 1
The hydraulic control system attached to the automatic transmission is returned to the state of being driven by the cable 30 in place of the electric actuator while being rotated about the spindle 7.

Further, in the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the motor 3 arranged on the base portion 13A of the shift lever 10 is used.
The output shaft of No. 5 is provided with a gear 44 that meshes with the rack 25 arranged on the main body 13B of the shift lever 10.
Then, the cutout portion 24 provided in the base portion 13A of the shift lever 10, the rack 25 provided in the main body portion 13B of the shift lever 10 and engaged with the cutout portion 24, the shift mode switching switch 33, and the rack 25. A lever expansion / contraction mechanism is configured by the motor 35 or the like provided with the gear 44 that meshes. The lever expansion / contraction mechanism includes a body 13B of the shift lever 10 and a base 13 of the shift lever 10.
Sliding along its central axis with respect to A, that is, substantially,
The steering wheel 2 is allowed to slide in the radial direction. In addition, the base portion 13 of the shift lever 10
A coil spring (not shown) for urging the main body 13B in the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 2 (X direction) is arranged in A, and the coil spring and the main body 13B are provided. The gear 44 that meshes with the rack 25 thus formed prevents the body portion 13B from being undesirably displaced with respect to the base portion 13A.

Thus, the shift lever 10 is placed within the manual shift mode shift gate portion 41A, which is positioned closer to the steering wheel 2 than the automatic shift mode shift gate portion 41B, and as described above, thereby. In addition, the driver who puts his / her both hands on the steering wheel 2 is placed at a position where he / she can quickly and surely operate it with his left hand, which is excellent in operability and automatically responds to the operation. When the hydraulic control system attached to the transmission is driven by an electric actuator, and the operating force is relatively small, the length is smaller than the reference length. The steering wheel 2 is brought into the state and brought close to the steering wheel 2 in the radial direction as well. In such a situation, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the driver's left hand with both hands on the steering wheel 2 touches the shift lever 10 undesirably, and a situation in which the shift lever 10 is erroneously operated is prevented.

Further, the shift lever 10 is placed in the shift gate portion 41B for the automatic shift mode which is separated from the steering wheel 2 by the shift gate portion 41A for the manual shift mode, and the automatic transmission is operated in accordance with the operation. When the hydraulic control system attached to the is brought into a state of being driven by the cable 30, and when a relatively large operating force is required, the length thereof is returned to the reference length in the extended state. To be As a result, a driver who operates the steering wheel 2 can operate the shift lever 10 with his / her left hand with his / her hands attached to the steering wheel 2.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, in the shift operating device of the automatic transmission according to the present invention, the shaft member supporting the steering wheel of the vehicle can be displaced and expanded / contracted to the annular member penetrating the shaft member. A shift lever connected to the steering wheel and arranged near the steering wheel, for example, in a shift gate provided in a steering column that is a cover member that covers a portion of the annular member to which the shift lever is connected. By displacing along the first portion and operating to take each displacement position,
A state is set in which a plurality of shift ranges are selected and switched under the automatic shift mode, and the shift gate is switched from the first portion to the second portion or from the second portion to the first portion. By being operated to displace to a part,
The automatic transmission mode and the manual transmission mode are switched to each other, and further, the shift gate is operated so as to be displaced along the second portion, so that the gear ratio control is performed under the manual transmission mode. The shift lever, which is placed along the steering wheel, is kept in the vicinity of the steering wheel when the shift lever is in the state in which it is carried out and the first portion and the second portion of the shift gate are interconnected. In the space, the driver can easily
In addition, the operation can be reliably performed, and the erroneous operation is unlikely to occur.

Moreover, when the shift lever is in a state where the gear ratio control is performed under the manual shift mode, and when the shift lever is in a state in which a plurality of shift ranges are selected for switching under the automatic shift mode. Compared to,
The length of the steering wheel is reduced in the radial direction, which prevents the driver's hand operating the steering wheel from being unintentionally touched and erroneously operated under the manual shift mode.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a shift operating device for an automatic transmission according to the present invention together with an annular member on which the shift operating device is arranged.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view provided for explaining a configuration of a shift lever and its periphery in the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view provided for explaining a configuration of a shift lever and its periphery in the example shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view provided for explaining the operation of the shift lever in the example shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 annular member 2 steering wheel 10 shift lever 13A base 13B body 14 Grip part 15 Lock release button 20 Rotating member 22 volts 29 Movable plate member 30 cables 31A Manual shift mode engagement hole 31B Automatic shift mode engagement hole 33 Gear change mode switch 34 Gear ratio reduction switch 40 steering column 40G gate formation part 41 shift gate 41A Shift gate part for manual shift mode 41B Shift gate part for automatic shift mode 41C shift gate part for connection

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-89065 (JP, A) JP-A-5-38971 (JP, A) JP-A-61-157442 (JP, A) Actual Kaihei 5-19727 (JP , U) Actual development Sho 58-117510 (JP, U) Actual development Sho 62-154525 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60K 20/00-20/08 F16H 59/00-59/12 G05G 1/00-25/04

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A shaft member for supporting a steering wheel of a vehicle is connected to a penetrating annular member so as to be displaceable and expandable and contractible so that not only an automatic shift mode but also a manual shift mode can be selected. Selection of switching of a plurality of shift ranges under the automatic shift mode, switching between the automatic shift mode and the manual shift mode, and the automatic shift mounted on the vehicle. The shift lever is operated to perform the gear ratio control in the above, and is formed as a cutout portion in the cover member that covers the connecting mechanism that connects the shift lever to the annular member. A first portion extending along a displacement direction of the shift lever operated in a speed change mode, closer to the steering wheel than the first portion; The second portion, which extends substantially parallel to the first portion along the displacement direction of the shift lever operated in the manual shift mode, and the first portion and the second portion. And a gate forming portion provided with a shift gate including a third portion interconnecting the shift lever and the shift lever in order to change the length of the shift lever.
The bar substantially in the radial direction of the steering wheel
It is supposed to extend and contract along the
Displacement along the second part of the shift gate
When operating the
Compared to when operated to displace along the first part
Lever expansion machine that reduces the length of the shift lever
And a gear shift operation device for an automatic transmission. 2. A shaft member for supporting a steering wheel of a vehicle is movably and extensiblely coupled to an annular member penetrating therethrough so that not only an automatic shift mode but also a manual shift mode can be selectively set. Selection of switching of a plurality of shift ranges under the automatic shift mode, switching between the automatic shift mode and the manual shift mode, and the automatic shift mounted on the vehicle. The shift lever is operated to perform the gear ratio control in the above, and is formed as a cutout portion in the cover member that covers the connecting mechanism that connects the shift lever to the annular member. The first portion extending along the displacement direction of the shift lever operated under the speed change mode, and being connected to the first portion,
To change a gate forming part of the shift gate is provided comprising the extension building the second portion along a displacement direction of the shift lever that is operated under the manual shift mode, the length of the shift lever In order to
The bar substantially in the radial direction of the steering wheel
It is supposed to extend and contract along the
Displacement along the second part of the shift gate
When operating the
Compared to when operated to displace along the first part
Lever expansion machine that reduces the length of the shift lever
And a gear shift operation device for an automatic transmission.