JP4935951B2 - Shift control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a shift control device in which shift position switching is realized by electrical control in accordance with a shift operation of a shift device mounted on a vehicle.

  An automatic transmission is adopted as one of transmissions mounted on a vehicle. In recent years, a shift operation position of a shift lever of a shift device is electrically detected by a shift detection sensor, and a shift motor is driven on the basis of this detection signal to switch a manual valve of an automatic transmission. , R (reverse), N (neutral), D (drive), etc., a so-called shift-by-wire shift control device has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a shift control device, since the shift lever of the shift device is not mechanically connected to the manual valve, the shift lever can be easily operated with a small operating force.

JP 2000-74211 A

  However, in such a shift control device, the shift lever of the shift device is easily operated with a small operating force, and therefore a continuous shift operation can be performed within a short predetermined time. Such a shift operation of the shift lever is detected, and a detection signal is continuously output from the shift detection sensor. The shift motor is frequently driven based on the continuous detection signals, and the durability of the shift motor is reduced. Further, due to a failure of the shift detection sensor of the shift device, a continuous detection signal may be output for one operation of the shift lever. Also in this case, the shift motor is frequently driven based on the continuous detection signal, and the durability of the shift motor is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shift control device that can prevent a reduction in durability of a shift motor that switches a shift position in accordance with a shift operation of the shift device. It is to provide.

In the following, means for achieving the above object and its effects are described.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the shift control device that changes the shift range by driving the detent plate by driving the shift motor in accordance with the shift operation of the shift device, the shift range is selected by the shift device. The shift range is prohibited from being changed when it has been made more than a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the shift control device to change the shift range by driving the detent plate by driving the shift motor in accordance with the shift operation of the shift device, two shift ranges different by the shift device Is alternately selected, the shift motor is driven in accordance with the shift operation in the initial stage, and the shift motor is inhibited from being driven in response to the shift operation in the middle.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the shift control device that changes the shift range by driving the detent plate by driving the shift motor in accordance with the shift operation of the shift device, the shift range is selected by the shift device. The shift range is prohibited from being changed when continuously performed.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the shift range is selected a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time, the driving of the shift motor is prohibited. According to the second aspect of the present invention, when two different shift ranges are alternately selected, the shift motor is driven in accordance with the shift operation at the initial stage, and the drive of the shift motor in accordance with the shift operation is prohibited in the middle. I am doing so. According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the shift range is continuously selected, the driving of the shift motor is prohibited. According to such a configuration of claims 1 to 3, it is possible to prevent the durability of the shift motor from being lowered.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the shift control device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the shift device includes a first shift operation means capable of selecting a drive position and a reverse position, and a parking device. And a second shift operation means capable of selecting a position.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the shift control device according to the fourth aspect, the first shift operation means is a shift lever, and the second shift operation means is a parking switch.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the shift control device according to claim 5, further comprising a return mechanism for returning the shift lever to its operation center position.

FIG. 3 is a layout view of a shift device in the first embodiment. The schematic block diagram which shows the vehicle carrying the automatic transmission concerning 1st Embodiment, and its shift control apparatus. Schematic of the principal part of the shift control apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the shift control process of 1st Embodiment. The time chart which shows an example of the shift control of 1st Embodiment. The time chart which shows an example of the shift control of 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the shift control process of 2nd Embodiment. The time chart which shows an example of the shift control of 2nd Embodiment. The time chart which shows an example of the shift control of 2nd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a shift control device for an automatic transmission will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a vehicle equipped with the automatic transmission according to the present embodiment and a shift control device thereof.
As shown in FIG. 2, the output shaft (not shown) of the engine 2 is connected to the torque converter 4. The torque converter 4 is a type of fluid coupling that transmits input rotation through a fluid (oil), and the rotation of the output shaft of the engine 2 is an automatic transmission (hereinafter referred to as “A / T”). 6 is transmitted.

  The hydraulic control unit 8 of the A / T 6 is provided with a position switching motor 10 as an actuator. The motor 10 is driven and controlled by an A / TECU 40 that controls the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic control unit 8 of the A / T 6. As shown in FIG. 3, an outer lever 12 that passes through the housing of the hydraulic control unit 8 is connected to an output shaft (not shown) of the motor 10. A detent plate 14 is integrally provided on the outer lever 12, and the detent plate 14 is connected to a manual valve 17 that switches a supply destination of the control hydraulic pressure. When the motor 10 is driven to rotate, the manual valve 17 is switched via the detent plate 14 to shift positions (ranges) such as P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral), and D (drive). Is switched.

  Further, the distal end portion of the detent spring 16 is elastically pressed against the outer peripheral portion of the detent plate 14. The tip of the detent spring 16 is engaged with a range positioning detent groove 15 formed on the outer peripheral edge of the detent plate 14 to give a sense of moderation and position each range position of the A / T 6. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, a steering wheel 21 is provided on a steering column 20 in front of a driver seat 19 in a passenger compartment 18. A first shift device 22 for performing the A / T 6 shift operation is provided on the floor on the side of the driver's seat 19. Further, the driver's seat door 24 as a movable part is provided with a second shift device 26 for performing the A / T6 shift operation.

  The first shift device 22 and the second shift device 26 have the same configuration. Selection switches 29 and 30 for selecting the P position and the N position are provided on the operation panel 28. The shift lever 31 is provided so as to be tiltable along a cross-shaped guide groove 32 formed in the operation panel 28. An R position and a D position are set in the guide groove 32 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a − (shift down) position for selecting a forward travel position (3, 2, L) other than the D position in the lateral direction of the vehicle, and The + (shift up) position is set. The first shift device 22 and the second shift device 26 are provided with a first shift detection sensor 42 and a second shift detection sensor 44 that electrically detect the operation of the selection switches 29 and 30 and the selection operation of the shift lever 31. Yes. If the operating force is released even if the shift lever 31 is operated to any of the R position, D position, -position and + position along the guide groove 32, the shift lever 31 is moved by the function of the detent mechanism (not shown). Each time the guide groove 32 is returned to the operation center position at the intersection.

  In the vehicle according to the present embodiment, as an electronic control unit (ECU) that plays a role as the control system, an engine ECU (“E / GECU”) 38 that mainly controls the operation of the engine 2, A transmission ECU (“A / TECU”) 40 for controlling T6 is provided. Each ECU 38, 40 is electrically connected through an in-vehicle network line.

  The detection signal of the first shift detection sensor 42 of the first shift device 22 and the detection signal of the second shift detection sensor 44 of the second shift device 26 are input to the A / TECU 40. The A / TECU 40 is a read-only memory (ROM) in which a microcomputer is used, and programs necessary for various software processes related to the shift position switching of the A / T6 and the automatic switching of each gear position at the forward travel position are stored. A central processing unit (CPU) that executes the program and a writable memory (RAM) that temporarily stores variables necessary for the program are mainly configured.

  When the detection signal of the first shift detection sensor 42 and the detection signal of the second shift detection sensor 44 are simultaneously input in the operating state of the engine 2, the A / TECU 40 outputs the detection signal of the first shift detection sensor 42. Priority is given to drive control of the motor 10 based on the detection signal.

  Next, the shift control process executed by the A / TECU 40 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. This process is a process that is repeatedly executed periodically every preset short time.

  When this process is started, first, in step 100, it is determined whether or not a shift operation signal from the first shift device 22 or the second shift device 26 is input. If it is determined that a shift operation signal has been input, the process proceeds to step 110. If it is determined that a shift operation signal has not been input, this process is temporarily terminated. When a shift operation signal is input, a timer is started and a predetermined time TOFF is measured by the timer.

  In step 110, it is determined whether or not the same position signal is continuously input from the same shift device. If it is determined that the same position signal is continuously input, the process proceeds to step 180. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 120.

  In step 120, it is determined whether or not position signals different from the same shift device have been continuously input a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time TOFF. If a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step 150, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 130.

  In step 130, both the first shift device 22 and the second shift device 26 are activated. As a result, the detection signal of the first shift detection sensor 42 based on the shift operation of the first shift device 22 is processed as valid, and the detection signal of the second shift detection sensor 44 based on the shift operation of the second shift device 26 is processed. Treated as valid.

  In the next step 140, the detection signal based on the shift operation of the first shift device 22 is prioritized over the detection signal based on the shift operation of the second shift device 26. That is, when the detection signal of the first shift detection sensor 42 and the detection signal of the second shift detection sensor 44 are simultaneously input to the A / TECU 40, based on the detection signal based on the shift operation of the first shift device 22. The motor 10 is controlled to switch the position of A / T6.

  If it is determined in step 110 that the inputs are the same, the motor 10 is controlled so that the position corresponding to the detection signal is reached in step 180, and the manual valve 17 is switched. In the next step 190, even if the same position signal is inputted within the predetermined time TOFF, this is ignored and the position switched in step 180 is fixed.

  If it is determined in step 120 that the input is a continuous difference, it is determined in step 150 whether or not a predetermined number of detection signals include a P position signal or an N position signal. If a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step 170, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 160.

  In step 170, the motor 10 is controlled to switch the manual valve 17 to the P position or the N position and fix it. Here, although depending on the speed of the vehicle, the P position is given priority particularly when the vehicle is stopped.

In step 160, the current shift position is fixed, and any shift operation signal input within the predetermined time TOFF is ignored.
5 and 6 show an example of the A / T6 shift control.

FIG. 5 shows an example of control when the same position signal is continuously input from the same shift device.
As shown in FIG. 5, in a state where the A / T6 shift position is an arbitrary position, for example, when the first shift device 22 is operated and the D position signal is input at the timing t1, the timer is started and the predetermined time TOFF is reached. Is counted and a counter is activated.

  If the D position signal is continuously input from the first shift device 22 within the predetermined time TOFF, the number of signals is counted by the counter. However, since the D position signal is continuous, the actual determination is maintained at the D position at the timing t1, and the motor 10 is controlled based on the determination result.

FIG. 6 shows an example of control when different position signals are continuously input from the same shift device.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the actual determination position is an arbitrary position, for example, when the first shift device 22 is operated and the D position signal is input at timing t2, the timer is started and the predetermined time TOFF is measured. And a counter is started.

  When the R position signal and the D position signal are alternately and continuously input from the first shift device 22 within the predetermined time TOFF, the number of signals is counted by the counter. Each time the shift signal is input within the predetermined time TOFF, the actual determination is switched to the D, R, D, and R positions.

  If four signals are counted by the counter within the predetermined time TOFF at the timing t2, the shift signal is not accepted and is ignored. Control of the motor 10 is performed based on the determination result.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
Since the first shift device 22 and the second shift device 26 are easily operated with a small operating force, a continuous shift operation is also performed within a short predetermined time, and the first shift device 22 and the second shift device 26 continue from the shift detection sensor based on the continuous shift operation. Detection signal is output. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the same position signal is continuously input from the same shift device, the control of the motor 10 is executed based only on the first shift signal. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the durability of the motor 10 and the hydraulic control unit 8 from being lowered.

  Similarly, when different position signals are continuously input from the same shift device, and when a predetermined number of shift signals are input within a predetermined time, the motor 10 is controlled based on a detection signal exceeding the predetermined number of times. Is not done. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the durability of the motor 10 and the hydraulic control unit 8 from being lowered.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the first embodiment, when a predetermined number of detection signals are input within a predetermined time from the same shift device, the motor 10 is not controlled based on the detection signals exceeding the predetermined number. In this embodiment, when a predetermined number of detection signals are input from the same shift device within a predetermined time, the failure of the shift device is determined.

In the present embodiment, the system configuration of the vehicle on which the automatic transmission is mounted and the shift control device thereof are the same as in the first embodiment.
A shift control process executed by the A / TECU 40 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is a process that is repeatedly executed periodically every preset short time.

  When this process is started, first, in step 200, it is determined whether or not a shift operation signal from the first shift device 22 or the second shift device 26 is input. If it is determined that a shift operation signal has been input, the process proceeds to step 210. If it is determined that a shift operation signal has not been input, this process is temporarily terminated. When a shift operation signal is input, a timer is started and a predetermined time TOFF is measured by the timer.

  In step 210, it is determined whether or not the same position signal is continuously input from the same shift device. If it is determined that the same position signal is continuously input, the process proceeds to step 250, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 220.

  In step 220, it is determined whether or not position signals different from the same shift device have been continuously input a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time TOFF. If a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step 250, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 230.

  In step 230, both the first shift device 22 and the second shift device 26 are activated. As a result, the detection signal of the first shift detection sensor 42 based on the shift operation of the first shift device 22 is processed as valid, and the detection signal of the second shift detection sensor 44 based on the shift operation of the second shift device 26 is processed. Treated as valid.

  In the next step 240, the detection signal based on the shift operation of the first shift device 22 is prioritized over the detection signal based on the shift operation of the second shift device 26. That is, when the detection signal of the first shift detection sensor 42 and the detection signal of the second shift detection sensor 44 are simultaneously input to the A / TECU 40, based on the detection signal based on the shift operation of the first shift device 22. The motor 10 is controlled to switch the position of A / T6.

  In step 250, it is determined that the shift device having the same continuous input or the different continuous input is failing, the shift device is deactivated, and the detection signal based on the shift operation of the shift device is processed as invalid.

In the following step 260, only the other shift device is activated, and the detection signal based on the shift operation of that shift device is processed as valid.
8 and 9 show an example of the A / T6 shift control.

FIG. 8 shows an example of control when the same position signal is continuously input from the same shift device.
As shown in FIG. 8, in a state where the actual determination position is an arbitrary position, for example, when the first shift device 22 is operated and the D position signal is input at timing t4, the timer is started and the predetermined time TOFF is measured. And a counter is started.

  If the D position signal is continuously input from the first shift device 22 within the predetermined time TOFF, the number of signals is counted by the counter. Each time the shift signal is input within the predetermined time TOFF, the actual determination is D, D, D, D position.

When five signals are counted by the counter within the predetermined time TOFF at timing t5, the failure of the first shift device 22 is determined.
FIG. 9 shows an example of control when different position signals are continuously input from the same shift device.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in a state where the actual determination position is an arbitrary position, for example, when the first shift device 22 is operated and the D position signal is input at timing t6, the timer is started and the predetermined time TOFF is measured. And a counter is started.

  When the R position signal and the D position signal are alternately and continuously input from the first shift device 22 within the predetermined time TOFF, the number of signals is counted by the counter. Each time the shift signal is input within the predetermined time TOFF, the actual determination is the D, R, D, R position.

When four signals are counted by the counter within the predetermined time TOFF at timing t7, the failure of the first shift device 22 is determined.
According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, when the same position signal is continuously input from the same shift device, the failure of the shift device can be determined, and the shift device is made inactive. Therefore, since the motor 10 is not controlled based on the detection signal of the shift device determined to be a failure, the durability of the motor 10 and the hydraulic control unit 8 can be prevented from being lowered.

  Similarly, when different position signals are continuously input from the same shift device, the failure of the shift device can be determined, and this shift device is made inactive. Therefore, since the motor 10 is not controlled based on the detection signal of the shift device determined to be a failure, the durability of the motor 10 and the hydraulic control unit 8 can be prevented from being lowered.

The embodiment can be modified as follows.
-In 1st Embodiment, you may make it change predetermined time TOFF or the predetermined frequency | count that a detection signal is input continuously according to the combination of the position signal input for every position or continuously.

  In each of the above embodiments, the driving of the motor 10 based on the shift operation of the first shift device 22 may be prohibited when the vehicle door (driver's seat door 24) is open and when a collision is detected.

In each of the above embodiments, the second shift device 26 may be provided on the steering column 20.
In each of the above embodiments, the A / T 6 is controlled by driving the position switching motor 10 as an actuator based on the detection signals of the first shift detection sensor 42 and the second shift detection sensor 44 based on the operation of the shift lever 31. However, the gear position may be switched by driving and controlling a shift solenoid valve built in the A / T 6.

  In the above embodiment, the shift control device of the automatic transmission is embodied, but the shift control device of the transmission is configured to switch the shift position or the gear ratio of the transmission by electrically detecting the shift operation of the shift device. It may be embodied. For example, the present invention may be embodied in a manual transmission that performs a manual shift, a manual transmission that includes an automatic transmission mode, or a shift control device for a continuously variable transmission.

Next, other technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiments will be described below.
The shift control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the operation member of the shift device moves between an operation center position and a plurality of operation positions set in different directions around the operation center position. A shift control device that is a shift lever that can be provided and returns to the operation center position by a return mechanism. According to this configuration, since the plurality of operation positions of the shift lever are assigned to the plurality of positions, a desired position can be easily and reliably selected by lever operation, and the shift operability can be improved. it can.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 6 ... Automatic transmission, 10 ... Motor for position switching, 17 ... Manual valve, 22 ... 1st shift device, 24 ... Driver's seat door, 26 ... 2nd shift device, 31 ... Shift lever, 40 ... A / TECU, 42, 44... Shift detection sensor.

Claims (6)

In the shift control device that changes the shift range by driving the detent plate by driving the shift motor according to the shift operation of the shift device,
The shift control device, wherein when the shift range is selected by the shift device a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time, change of the shift range is prohibited. In the shift control device that changes the shift range by driving the detent plate by driving the shift motor according to the shift operation of the shift device,
When two different shift ranges are alternately selected by the shift device, the shift motor is driven in response to the shift operation in the initial stage, and the drive of the shift motor in response to the shift operation is prohibited in the middle. A shift control device. In the shift control device that changes the shift range by driving the detent plate by driving the shift motor according to the shift operation of the shift device,
When the shift range is continuously selected by the shift device, change of the shift range is prohibited. In the shift control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The shift device includes a first shift operation unit that can select a drive position and a reverse position, and a second shift operation unit that can select a parking position. The shift control device according to claim 4, wherein
The shift control device, wherein the first shift operation means is a shift lever, and the second shift operation means is a parking switch. The shift control device according to claim 5, wherein
A shift control device further comprising a return mechanism for returning the shift lever to its operation center position.

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