JP3687891B2 - Shift lever device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shift lever device that selects a travel range in a transmission of a vehicle, and more particularly to a shift lever device that can reduce installation space.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A shift lever device is used to select a travel range in a vehicle transmission. For example, in a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission such as a CVT (belt type continuously variable transmission) or a stepped automatic transmission with a fluid type torque converter, the driver is driven by a shift lever device (sometimes referred to as an “AT lever”). The travel range in the automatic transmission is selected.
The driving range in this automatic transmission includes a parking range (P range), a reverse range (R range), a neutral range (N range), a driving range (D range), a sports range (S range), and a low range (L range). and so on. The shift lever device includes a straight type in which the shift lever moves only in the front-rear direction and a gate type (see FIG. 2) in which the shift lever moves in the left-right direction in addition to the front-rear direction.
[0003]
For example, in the case of the shift lever device 51 (gate type) shown in FIG. 2A, the driver switches the position of the shift lever 52, so that the P range that is the travel range in the automatic transmission according to the position of the shift lever 52. , R range, N range, D range, S range, L range (total of 6 running ranges) can be selected arbitrarily. The display unit 53 displays a travel range in the automatic transmission corresponding to the position of the shift lever 52.
By the way, in addition to the six driving ranges, for example, a second range (two ranges) corresponding to the second gear in a manual transmission is used to enable engine braking and smooth start on a snowy road. I want to add as. In this case, the shift lever device 51 is provided with two ranges between the S range and the L range by extending the groove 54 in the vertical direction (downward) as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2C, the groove 54 is extended in the horizontal direction to shift the position of the L range in the horizontal direction, and two new ranges are provided between the S range and the L range.
Here, the shift lever device 51 is installed on a center console or an instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as “instrument panel”) in a vehicle interior, and this place is a place where various devices such as a car navigation device and a car audio device are installed. But there is. In the future, equipment related to ITS (next-generation transportation system) such as ETC system (automatic toll collection system) and VICS (road traffic information communication system) will be installed in the center console and instrument panel. The Therefore, it is desirable that the installation space for the shift lever device 51 is small.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the installation space of the shift lever device is substantially determined by the movable range (groove shape / length) of the shift lever. Therefore, if the groove 54 is extended in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction as described above, an installation space required for installing the shift lever device 51 becomes large (see FIG. 2). In order to reduce (reduce) the installation space, it is not necessary to extend the length of the groove 54 if the intervals of the respective travel ranges in the shift lever device 51 are increased, but this sacrifices operability and feeling. This is not preferable.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a shift lever device that can ensure operability even when the number of travel ranges and the like in a transmission is increased, and can realize space saving.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present inventors have intensively worked to complete the present invention. That is, the present invention is a shift lever device that selects a travel range in a transmission of a vehicle, and the shift lever device switches the position by sliding a groove according to a driver's operation, and the travel range in the automatic transmission is changed. a shift lever for selecting, displaying the traveling range shift lever is selected, provided along the groove a movable range of the shift lever, and to display corresponding to the position where the shift lever can take and parts, comprising.
In addition, a display for displaying a plurality of predetermined travel ranges among the travel ranges is provided at a predetermined position of the display unit, and an arbitrary travel range is selected at a position where the shift lever can select a plurality of travel ranges. As a selection switch that can be selected, a function display of a plurality of travel ranges that can be selected by the selection switch is displayed on one selection switch together with a display of the display unit that displays a position of the shift lever, and the shift When the lever is switched to a position corresponding to the predetermined position of the display unit, any one of the plurality of travel ranges is selected, and the selection switch is operable. Have.
[0006]
According to the shift lever device having this configuration, the travel range in the transmission can be selected by switching the position of the shift lever. In addition, when the shift lever is at a position corresponding to a predetermined position of the display unit (“multiple travel range selectable position” in the embodiment of the invention), the selection switch can be operated without switching the position of the shift lever. A plurality of predetermined driving ranges can be selected. Moreover, the selection switch also serves to display the travel range on the display unit. Therefore, the number of travel ranges can be increased without extending the groove or the display section, that is, without increasing the installation space of the shift lever device.
Note that the number of positions that the shift lever can take in the shift lever device is smaller than the number of travel ranges in the transmission. This small amount is supplemented by selecting the travel range with the selection switch.
Incidentally, in the present invention, a neutral range and a parking range (“N range” and “P range” in the embodiment of the invention) that do not transmit the driving force generated from the prime mover to the driving wheels are also included in the traveling range. Shall.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig.1 (a) is a perspective view of the front part which has appeared in the vehicle interior of the shift lever apparatus concerning this Embodiment. FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the display of the selection switch.
[0008]
The shift lever device (gate type) according to the present embodiment is used in a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. The part that appears in the passenger compartment of the shift lever device 1 is a front part 1f shown in FIG. A shift lever 2, a display unit 3, and a groove 4 are disposed on the front portion 1f. Furthermore, the display unit 3 is provided along the movable range (groove 4) of the shift lever 2, and a selection switch SSW capable of selecting a travel range is attached to the lower part of the display unit 3.
[0009]
The shift lever 2 switches its position by sliding the groove 4 in accordance with the operation of the driver, and thereby selects a travel range in the automatic transmission. The driving range in the automatic transmission according to the present embodiment includes a parking range (P range), a reverse range (R range), a neutral range (N range), a driving range (D range), a sports range (S range), and a second range. (2 ranges) and low range (L range).
However, the shift lever 2 can take six positions, and the positions of the 2 range and the L range are the same position.
[0010]
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), as an independent display on the display unit 3, the shift lever 2 displays “P” and “2” R ranges indicating that the (1) P range is selected. “R” indicating selection, (3) “N” indicating selection of the N range, (4) “D” indicating selection of the D range, and (5) S range. “S” is displayed to indicate that the switch is selected, but as an independent display, “2” indicating that the shift lever 2 has selected the 2 range and the shift lever 2 has selected the L range. There is no indication of “L”.
Instead, the display unit 3 has a display of “2 · L” indicating that either the driving range of (6) 2 range or L range can be selected under the display of “S”. (See FIG. 1 (b)). The display of “2 · L” is displayed on a selection switch SSW described later.
[0011]
That is, in the shift lever device 1 according to the present embodiment, the positions that the shift lever 2 can take are “P”, “R”, “N”, “D”, “S” with reference to the display on the display unit 3. ”And“ 2 · L ”. In the present embodiment, the position “2 · L” is referred to as a multiple travel range selectable position.
The indication “2 · L” is displayed on the push button portion (head) of the selection switch SSW which is a push button type switch. That is, the display (function display) of the selection switch SSW also serves as the display of the display unit 3 that displays the position of the shift lever 2. Thereby, it is not necessary to provide the selection switch SSW and the display on the display unit 3 separately, and space saving can be realized. Further, the position of the shift lever 2 can be visually confirmed.
[0012]
This selection switch SSW can be operated only when the shift lever 2 is at a position where multiple travel ranges can be selected (“2 · L” position). When the switch is in a position other than "", it does not operate even if the selection switch SSW is pressed. On the other hand, when the selection switch SSW is in an operable state, that is, when the shift lever 2 is in the “2 · L” position, if the selection switch SSW is pressed once, for example, the automatic transmission of the automatic transmission in which the L range has been selected. The traveling range is selected by switching to the two ranges. When the selection switch SSW is pressed again, the L range is selected this time. By pressing the selection switch SSW, the 2 range and the L range are alternately selected. However, both the driving ranges of the 2 range and the L range are not selected at the same time, and one of the driving ranges is always selected.
Incidentally, the selection switch SSW is greatly different from the conventional economy mode switch, overdrive switch, and the like in its installation location and role.
[0013]
In addition, when the driver switches the shift lever 2 from the other position to the “2 · L” position, which of the two ranges or the L range is preferentially selected (hereinafter referred to as “priority driving range”). However, the L range may always be selected as the priority travel range. Alternatively, two ranges may always be selected as the priority travel range. In addition, the travel range selected when the shift lever 2 was in the “2 · L” position last time is stored, and this time when the shift lever 2 is switched to the “2 · L” position next time. The stored travel range may be selected as the priority travel range. Further, the priority traveling range may be determined according to the vehicle speed or the like. Furthermore, it is good also as not setting a priority traveling range (at random). Alternatively, a reservation function is also provided in the selection switch SSW so that the travel range selected when the shift lever 2 is switched to the “2 · L” position next time can be reserved by the selection switch SSW. You may leave it.
That is, when the shift lever 2 is switched to the “2 · L” position by the driver's operation, either the 2 range or the L range is selected as indicated by “2 · L” on the selection switch SSW. Just do it.
[0014]
In this way, even if the selection switch SSW is attached to the shift lever device 1, the selection switch SSW also serves as a display of the display unit 3 that is originally required, so the area (installation space) of the front portion 1f of the shift lever device 1 is small. It will never grow. Conversely, since it is not necessary to extend the groove 4 even if the number of traveling ranges is increased, the installation space for the shift lever device 1 can be reduced.
On the other hand, since it is not necessary to extend the groove 4 even when the number of travel ranges is increased, the installation space can be reduced as compared with the conventional shift lever device. . The selection switch SSW is a simple switch and is very small compared to the entire shift lever device 1. Therefore, the shift lever device 1 is not enlarged by attaching the selection switch SSW.
[0015]
In the present embodiment, signals (not shown) indicating the state of the shift lever 2 and the state of the selection switch SSW are respectively transmitted to an ECU (electronic control unit) (not shown), and the ECU is in the travel range in the automatic transmission. Is converted into a control signal for selecting and transmitted to the automatic transmission (not shown), and the travel range is selected in the automatic transmission.
[0016]
Hereinafter, the operation of the shift lever device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. It is assumed that the priority travel range is 2 ranges.
When the driver wants to set the travel range of the automatic transmission to the S range, the travel range can be set to the S range by switching the position of the shift lever 2 to the “S” position according to the display on the display unit 3. Similarly, if you want the D range, place it in the “D” position. If you want the N range, place it in the “N” position. If you want the R range, place it in the “R” position. If you want the P range. The position of the shift lever 2 is switched to the position “P” according to the display on the display unit 3. In this manner, by operating the shift lever 2, the five travel ranges of “S”, “D”, “N”, “R”, and “P” can be arbitrarily selected in the automatic transmission.
[0017]
Next, when the driver wants to select the two ranges, the position of the shift lever 2 is switched to the position “2 · L”, which is a position where a plurality of travel ranges can be selected, according to the display on the display unit 3. Here, since the priority traveling range is two ranges as described above, the two ranges are selected immediately when the shift lever 2 is switched to the “2 · L” position.
Subsequently, when the driver wants to select the L range, the position of the shift lever 2 is left as it is, and the selection switch SSW attached to the display unit 3 and labeled “2 · L” is pressed once. Then, the traveling range is switched from the 2 range to the L range. Thereby, the L range is selected. If it is desired to select two ranges again from the L range, the selection switch SSW may be pressed again. Each time the selection switch SSW is pressed, the 2 range and the L range are alternately selected on the condition that the shift lever 2 is in the “2 · L” position.
When the driver switches the shift lever 2 from the position “2 · L” to the position “S”, for example, the S range is selected.
In this way, the driver can freely select the desired travel range by the shift lever 2 and the selection switch SSW.
[0018]
The shift lever device of the present invention described above is not limited to the embodiment of the present invention described above, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of achieving the object and effect of the present invention.
For example, the shift lever device of the present invention can be applied not only to an automatic vehicle equipped with a CVT or a stepped automatic transmission with a fluid torque converter, but also to a semi-automatic vehicle with only a clutch.
The shift lever device described in the embodiment of the present invention is a gate type, but can naturally be applied to a straight type shift lever device. The selection switch is not limited to a push button type, and a lever type, a slide type, a rotary type, and the like can be appropriately selected and used.
Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the travel ranges that can be selected at the multiple travel range selectable positions are the two ranges and the L range, but instead of this, the selectable travel ranges may be the N range and the P range. Moreover, you may make the driving range which can be selected into three, D range, S range, and 2 ranges. Alternatively, the D range may be set to the normal D range and the economy mode, and the travel range that can be selected at a plurality of travel range selectable positions may be set to the D range and the economy mode.
In the embodiment of the invention, only one position where a plurality of travel ranges can be selected is provided, but a plurality of positions may be provided. In this case, a selection switch also serving as a display is provided according to the number of positions where a plurality of travel ranges can be selected.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
According to the shift lever device of the present invention, since it is not necessary to extend the groove even if the number of travel ranges in the transmission is increased, the installation space can be reduced compared to the conventional shift lever device having the same number of travel ranges. it can. In addition, since it is not necessary to close intervals between the travel ranges in the shift lever device, operability and feeling can be ensured.
In the shift lever device of the present invention, the selection switch for selecting the travel range also serves as a display on the display unit. Therefore, unlike a conventional overdrive switch or the like, it is not necessary to secure a special installation space in the center console or the instrument panel when the selection switch is provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A is a perspective view of a front portion of a shift lever device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of a selection switch.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front portion appearing in a passenger compartment of a shift lever device in a conventional example. (A) Before increasing the number of driving ranges, (b) Example of extending the number of driving ranges by extending the grooves in the vertical direction, (c) Example of increasing the number of driving ranges by extending the grooves in the horizontal direction Respectively.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Shift lever device 2 Shift lever 3 Display section 4 Groove SSW selection switch (also serves as display section display)

Claims (1)

A shift lever device for selecting a travel range in a vehicle transmission,
The shift lever device switches a position by sliding a groove in accordance with an operation of a driver, selects a travel range in the automatic transmission, and the travel range selected by the shift lever is connected to the shift lever. provided along the groove is movable range, and a display unit for displaying in response to the position where the shift lever can take, a selection switch attached to the display unit, including,
A display for displaying a plurality of predetermined travel ranges among the travel ranges is provided at a predetermined position of the display unit, and this display is used to select an arbitrary travel range at a position where the shift lever can select a plurality of travel ranges. As a selection switch capable of displaying a function display of a plurality of travel ranges selectable by the selection switch on one selection switch, and also displaying the display unit displaying the position of the shift lever ,
When the shift lever is switched to a position corresponding to a predetermined position of the display unit, any one of the plurality of travel ranges is selected, and the selection switch is operable. A shift lever device characterized by that.

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