JP4952541B2 - Range switching device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a range switching device for an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile.

  In general, in an automatic transmission for a vehicle, for example, when a driver operates a shift lever or the like installed near the driver's seat of the vehicle, a parking range (P), a reverse range (R), a neutral range (N ), Drive range (D), etc., so that the selected shift range is established (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In recent years, a range switching device is generally called a by-wire system. When a driver operates a shift lever or the like, the range position selected by the shift lever is detected by a sensor or the like, and this detection signal is used as a detection signal. Based on this, the state of the manual valve, which is a component of the hydraulic control device for shift range switching, and the state of the parking mechanism are changed.

  Here, the range switching device includes a detent mechanism for positioning the manual valve spool and the parking rod of the parking mechanism in stages, an actuator for driving the detent mechanism, and an actuator as necessary. And a control device for controlling.

  The detent mechanism includes a detent plate that pushes and pulls the spool and the parking rod by being tilted by the actuator, and a detent spring that holds a stop posture of the detent plate.

  A support shaft connected to the output shaft of the actuator is integrally attached to the detent plate, and a corrugated portion composed of a plurality of valleys and peaks corresponding to each rotation angle of the detent plate is attached to the detent plate. Is provided. The position of the bottom of each valley is associated with the range setting position of the spool of the manual valve.

  The detent spring is provided with a detent roller as an engaging portion that engages with any valley of the corrugated portion on the free end side thereof. When the detent spring engages the detent roller with the valley, the detent spring applies a biasing force to the detent plate so as to maintain the engaged state.

  The actuator includes an electric motor or the like and a speed reduction mechanism that decelerates the output of the motor and transmits it to the output shaft. Such actuators generally have play in the rotational direction (backlash, assembly error, etc.) between the rotor of the motor and the output shaft.

  Here, for reference, when the parking range P is requested, the detent plate is tilted by a predetermined angle, and the parking rod of the parking mechanism is pushed to the back, for example, in conjunction with the tilt of the detent plate. The output shaft is locked in a non-rotatable state.

  When the reverse range R, neutral range N, and drive range D are requested, the detent plate is tilted by a predetermined angle, and the parking rod is pulled forward, for example, in conjunction with the tilt of the detent plate. The output shaft of the automatic transmission is brought into a rotatable unlocked state, and the spool of the manual valve is displaced in the axial direction to engage or release the friction engagement elements such as the clutch and brake provided in the transmission mechanism of the automatic transmission. By doing so, the requested range is established.

  In any of the above situations, when the detent plate is stopped, the detent spring roller is engaged with the bottom of any valley of the corrugated portion of the detent plate, and the position of the detent plate is maintained. The

  By the way, such a range switching device inevitably has a play in the rotational direction (rattle) in the actuator, so that when the attitude of the detent plate is changed, the target rotation angle of the actuator motor and the detent are changed. There is a deviation from the actual rotation angle of the plate.

  Further, when the connection between the output shaft of the actuator and the support shaft of the detent plate is made by spline fitting, backlash (connection play) unavoidably exists in this connection portion. As the play in the power transmission path, it is necessary to add the connection play of the spline fitting portion to the internal play of the actuator described above.

  When there is such play in the power transmission path, the actual tilting operation of the detent plate is delayed for a period in which the play is reduced after the actuator is driven. Therefore, if the opening width of each valley of the detent plate is set narrow as in the conventional example, the detent roller cannot enter the valley corresponding to the required range due to the delay at the time of range switching. As a result, there is a concern that it will not be possible to switch to the required range as a result.

  With respect to such circumstances, in Patent Document 1, the play is detected, and the play is included in the control amount of the motor to enhance the position control of the detent plate.

In addition, a technique as shown in Patent Document 2 has been proposed. In the technique shown in Patent Document 2, the detent lever (corresponding to the detent plate) is tilted by the motor, and then the motor is braked at a predetermined braking position. The movement is entrusted to the urging force of the detent spring, and when the braking position deviates from the correct stop position, the correction braking position is set step by step to finely correct the driving of the motor.
JP 2006-322553 A JP 2007-107673 A

  In the conventional examples of Patent Documents 1 and 2, in order to perform range switching with certainty, complicated and highly accurate control is performed, so there is a concern that the control program becomes complicated.

  Furthermore, in the conventional example of Patent Document 2, there is no description or suggestion of specifying a position having a special meaning only by describing the braking position of the motor just before the command position. Moreover, there is no description or suggestion that the shape of the range groove (valley) of the detent lever is specified as a shape having a special meaning.

  The detent lever shape is usually the same as the detent lever itself used in the mechanically connected detent mechanism that connects the shift lever and detent lever with wires, etc. The optimized detent lever was not considered.

  By the way, in the detent lever used in the mechanically connected detent mechanism, the position of each range groove (valley) is determined according to the range setting position of the spool of the manual valve. Concerning the shape of the convex portion (mountain), emphasis is placed on making the operation feeling of the shift lever with respect to the driver good, and the opening of the valley is set to be relatively small with the top portion of the convex portion being a gentle curved shape. It has become. However, the parking range groove and the reverse range groove are spaced apart from each other and larger in opening width than the other range grooves.

  In view of such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to reliably perform range switching with relatively simple control in a by-wire range switching device used in an automatic transmission.

The present invention provides a detent mechanism for changing the state of a manual valve, which is a component of a hydraulic control device for range switching provided in an automatic transmission, an actuator for driving the detent mechanism, and the above-mentioned as required. A detent mechanism including a detent member that is displaced by the actuator and a positioning member that holds a stop posture of the detent member, and the detent member is a range switching device including a control device that controls the actuator. The positioning member has a plurality of valleys corresponding to each of the ranges to be switched and a corrugated portion made up of peaks between the valleys, and each valley has an asymmetric shape in which a bottom and a center are shifted. Has an engaging portion that engages with the valley bottom of the corrugated portion and generates an urging force that presses the engaging portion toward the valley bottom. Is a shall, said control device, during range switching, the center of the corresponding valley controls to stop the driving of the actuator in a position to reach the center of the engaging portion to the request range, as characterized by Yes.

  In a range switching device using such a detent mechanism, if there is play (for example, play in the rotational direction) in the power transmission path from the actuator to the detent member, the target drive amount (for example, target rotation angle) of the actuator and detent There will be a shift in the correlation with the actual movement amount (for example, the actual rotation angle) of the member. From this relationship, for example, the actual operation (for example, tilting) of the detent member is delayed for a period in which the play is reduced after the actuator is driven. If the opening width of each valley is set narrow like the detent lever used in the mechanically connected range switching device described in the conventional example, the valley corresponding to the required range due to the delay at the time of range switching. May not be able to engage with the engaging portion of the positioning member, and there is a concern that it will not be possible to switch to the requested range.

  For such a situation, in the above configuration of the present invention, when engaging with the engaging portion of the positioning member from the long side slope in the valley corresponding to the required range, the length of the long side slope is ensured long. Therefore, even if the operation delay of the detent member as described above occurs, the trough fits into the engaging portion.

  On the other hand, when engaging the engaging portion of the positioning member from the short side slope in the valley corresponding to the required range, the center of the valley is located on the far side in the displacement direction from the bottom. Even if the operation delay occurs, the valley comes to fit into the engaging portion.

  After the engagement portion is thus engaged in the valley, the bottom, which is the final engagement position of the valley, is caused by the self-propelling action of the detent member due to the biasing force of the positioning member and the slope of the slope of the valley. Displacement is induced to the position where the engaging portion exists, and the engaging portion is engaged.

  Thus, even if the operation delay occurs in the process of displacing the detent member by the actuator, it becomes possible to securely fit the valley corresponding to the required range to the engaging portion of the positioning member.

  In addition, the shape of the valley of the detent member is devised and only the drive stop target position for actuator control when the detent member is displaced is devised. The control program can be simplified, for example, the range can be switched reliably without fine correction.

Preferably, the control device may control the actuator to decelerate before the position where the center of the valley reaches the center of the engaging portion.

In this case, since the braking force is applied to the detent member before the position where the center of the valley reaches the center of the engaging portion , the inertial force of the detent mechanism can be sufficiently weakened.

  Thereby, after the actuator is actually driven and stopped, when the displacement bottom is guided toward the position where the bottom of the valley engages the engaging portion by the self-running action of the detent member by the biasing force of the positioning member, Overrun, in which the bottom of the valley goes beyond the position where the valley engages, is less likely to occur. If an overrun occurs, it takes time to return, but in this case, the return time can be reduced, so the total required to engage the bottom of the valley with the engaging portion. Time can be shortened.

Preferably, the opening width of each of the asymmetrical valleys is widened by expanding the long-side slope to the adjacent valley side.

  In this case, in short, since the opening width of each valley of the detent member is wider than that of the conventional example, the valley corresponding to the required range is engaged by the engaging portion even in the above-described relatively simple control. Easy to enter.

  Preferably, the range switching device includes an operation input unit that receives a human operation for selecting a shift range and outputs a signal corresponding to the selected range, and the control device includes the operation input unit. The target drive amount of the actuator can be set based on the output of.

  Here, a mode in which the actuator is driven by requesting range switching by a human operation is clarified.

  Preferably, the actuator tilts the detent member, and an electric motor that generates rotational power, and the rotational power generated by the motor can be decelerated to rotate coaxially and integrally with the support shaft of the detent member. And a speed reduction mechanism for outputting from an output shaft coupled to the motor.

  Thus, if the operation mode of the detent member, the power mode generated by the actuator, and the like are specified, the configuration of the range switching device can be clarified.

  Preferably, the range switching device includes a rotor angle detection unit that detects a rotation angle of the rotor of the motor, and an output angle detection unit that detects a rotation angle of the output shaft of the actuator, and the control device includes: The motor output torque is feedback-controlled based on the output of the rotor angle detection means, and the relative position between the waveform portion and the engagement portion of the detent member is determined based on the output of the output angle detection means. be able to.

  Here, in the case where a tilting type detent member is used, a mode for determining whether or not the center of the valley is engaged with the engaging portion after the detent member is tilted is specified.

  According to the present invention, in a by-wire range switching device used in an automatic transmission, it is possible to reliably perform range switching with relatively simple control.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 10 show an embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, prior to description of the portion to which the features of the present invention are applied, a schematic configuration of the range switching device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

  An automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile responds, for example, to parking in response to a driver manually operating a parking switch 11 or a shift lever 12 as an operation input means installed in the vicinity of a vehicle driver's seat. Range P, reverse range R, neutral range N, drive range D, etc. are established.

  The range switching device 1 of this embodiment is a so-called by-wire system, and the shift range (P, R, N, D) requested by the driver manually operating the parking switch 11 or the shift lever 12 or the like. ), The manual valve 20 for switching the range of the automatic transmission and the parking mechanism 30 are operated, and mainly includes a control device 40, a detent mechanism 50, and an actuator 60. ing.

  The parking switch 11 outputs a signal corresponding to the parking range P and a signal corresponding to the non-parking range each time a human pushing operation is performed. 9 are installed at predetermined positions.

  The parking switch 11 is a so-called toggle switch that switches between two states each time a human push operation is performed.

  The shift lever 12 is installed in the vicinity of the parking switch 11 in the shift base 9 and receives an appropriate signal from the shift sensor 13 (a signal corresponding to the neutral range N, a reverse range R, in response to a human tilting operation). , A signal corresponding to the drive range D, etc.) are output. The shift lever 12 and the shift sensor 13 correspond to the operation input means described in the claims.

  The shift lever 12 is of a so-called momentary type, and as shown in FIG. 3, the neutral position N, reverse position R, drive position D, engine, starting from the home position H in the shift gate 9a of the shift base 9 It can be tilted to brake position B, and after tilting from home position H to neutral position N, reverse position R, drive position D, and engine brake position B, it automatically returns to home position H. It is like that.

  The shift sensor 13 outputs a signal corresponding to the neutral range N when the shift lever 12 is tilted to the neutral position N when the shift lever 12 is tilted laterally from the home position H. When the tilting operation is performed toward the reverse position R in the direction, a signal corresponding to the reverse range R is output, and when the tilting operation is performed from the neutral position N toward the backward driving position D, A corresponding signal is output, and a signal for applying the engine brake is output when the tilt operation is performed from the home position H toward the rear engine brake position B.

  The manual valve 20 is one of the components of a hydraulic control device that controls engagement operations of various brakes and clutches provided in a transmission mechanism portion of an automatic transmission (not shown).

  The hydraulic control device is generally known. In addition to the manual valve 20, the hydraulic control device includes a plurality of linear solenoid valves that control the engagement operations of the various brakes and clutches. In response to the operation, the manual valve 20 is operated to change the hydraulic oil supply path to each linear solenoid valve, thereby establishing a range corresponding to the operation.

  The manual valve 20 is a generally known spool valve type, and mainly includes a valve body 21 and a spool 22.

  The valve body 21 is fixed at an appropriate place in the automatic transmission case and has appropriate oil supply ports and discharge ports. The spool 22 is accommodated in the valve body 21 so as to be axially displaceable.

  The parking mechanism 30 switches the output shaft 2 of the automatic transmission to a non-rotatable locked state or a rotatable unlocked state, and mainly includes a parking gear 31, a parking lock pole 32, and a parking rod 33. It has a configuration.

  The parking gear 31 is externally fixed to the output shaft 2 of the automatic transmission so as to be integrally rotatable.

  The parking lock pole 32 is disposed in the vicinity of the parking gear 31 so as to be tiltable about one end side as a fulcrum. In the middle of the parking lock pole 32 in the longitudinal direction, a claw 32a that can be engaged or disengaged between the teeth of the parking gear 31 is provided. The parking lock pole 32 is always urged in a direction to be separated from the parking gear 31 by a spring (not shown).

  The parking rod 33 is disposed so as to be displaced to the front end side or the rear end side substantially parallel to the output shaft 2 of the automatic transmission.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front end of the parking rod 33 is connected to a detent plate 51 described below, and is pushed and pulled by the tilting operation of the detent plate 51.

  A taper cone 37 for tilting the parking lock pole 32 is provided at the rear end of the parking rod 33. The tapered cone 37 is pressed toward the parking gear 31 by a coil spring 38. The coil spring 38 is externally mounted on the parking rod 33, and one end thereof is received by a retaining ring 39 that is locked and fixed to the parking rod 33.

  The control device 40 controls the operation of the shift switching device 1 and is called, for example, SBW_ECU (Shift by Wire Electronic Control Unit).

  Although the SBW_ECU as the control device 40 is not shown in detail, it has a configuration including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a backup RAM, etc., as in a general ECU, and is used for engine control not shown. The ECU and the ECT_ECU for controlling the automatic transmission are connected to each other so that necessary information can be transmitted and received in both directions.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a parking switch 11, a shift sensor 13, a rotor angle detection means 14, an output angle detection means 15 and the like are connected to the control device 40 via an input interface (not shown). In addition, the actuator 60 and the like are connected via an output interface (not shown), and at least a shift process for switching the automatic transmission to the requested shift stage is executed by controlling the actuator 60 as necessary.

  In this embodiment, only the components related to the features of the present invention are connected to the control device 40, and descriptions and descriptions of components that are not directly related to the features of the present invention are omitted.

  Note that the rotor angle detection means 14 and the output angle detection means 15 have a conventionally known configuration (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and thus will be described briefly without omitting detailed illustrations and descriptions. These detection means 14 and 15 may have an appropriate configuration other than those described below.

  The rotor angle detecting means 14 detects the rotation angle of the rotor of the motor 61, and is a magnet installed on the outer periphery of the rotor or a magnetic pole magnetized alternately on the outer periphery of the rotor with the opposite polarity, and for magnetic detection. And a digital encoder that outputs a number of pulses corresponding to the amount of rotation of the rotor.

  The output angle detection means 15 detects the rotation angle of the output shaft 63 of the actuator 60, and is installed in a predetermined rotation angle range on the outer surface side of the output shaft 63, and the cross-sectional area gradually increases in one circumferential direction. And an analog magnetic sensor that detects a magnetic force of the magnet according to the rotation angle of the output shaft 63 and outputs a linear analog signal according to the detected magnetic force. For example, the analog magnetic sensor is called a neutral switch (NSW).

  The detent mechanism 50 positions the spool 22 of the manual valve 20 and the parking rod 33 of the parking mechanism 30 by stepwise pulling, and mainly includes a detent plate 51 and a support shaft (also referred to as a manual shaft) 52. And a detent spring 53.

  The detent plate 51 pushes and pulls the spool 22 of the manual valve 20 and the parking rod 33 of the parking mechanism 30 by being tilted by the actuator 60.

  The outer shape of the detent plate 51 is formed in a fan shape, and the detent plate 51 is fixed so as to be integrally rotatable in a state where the detent plate 51 and a separate support shaft 52 penetrate in an area that is a tilting center. ing.

  Specifically, for connection between the detent plate 51 and the support shaft 52, for example, a cylindrical boss portion (not shown) is provided at the tilting fulcrum portion of the detent plate 51, and the support shaft 52 is fitted into the inner hole of the cylindrical boss portion. For example, the connection is made by driving a spring pin or the like (not shown), but other forms may be used.

  Thus, when the support shaft 52 is rotated, the detent plate 51 rotates (or tilts) integrally therewith. The detent plate 51 and the support shaft 52 may be integrally formed.

  One end side in the axial direction of the support shaft 52 is connected to the output shaft 63 of the actuator 60 so as to be coaxial and integrally rotatable, and the other end in the axial direction of the support shaft 52 is not shown. The case 3 or the like is rotatably supported.

  The connection between the support shaft 52 of the detent plate 51 and the output shaft 63 of the actuator 60 is, for example, spline fitting. That is, a male spline (reference numeral omitted) is provided on the outer periphery on one end side of the support shaft 52, and a female spline (reference numeral on the inner peripheral surface of the lateral hole portion on the inner diameter side is provided on the output shaft 63 of the actuator 60. (Omitted) is provided. As a result, when the support shaft 52 is rotated by a predetermined angle in both forward and reverse directions by the actuator 60, the detent plate 51 is tilted.

  The front end of the spool 22 of the manual valve 20 is connected to a predetermined position of the detent plate 51 and the front end of the parking rod 33 of the parking mechanism 30 is connected to the predetermined position of the detent plate 51. Accordingly, when the detent plate 51 is tilted, the spool 22 of the manual valve 20 is displaced in the axial direction and the parking rod 33 is displaced in the axial direction.

  As for the connection form of the spool 22 to the detent plate 51, a pin 58 attached in parallel to the support shaft 52 at a predetermined position of the detent plate 51 is interposed between two disks provided on the outer end portion of the spool 22. I try to interpose it.

  Further, the parking rod 33 is connected to the detent plate 51 in such a manner that the front bent portion of the parking rod 33 is inserted into the through hole 59 provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the detent plate 51 and is then shown in the front bent portion. The snap ring, the locking pin, etc., which are omitted, are attached, or the tip bent portion is plastically deformed to prevent it from coming off.

  The detent plate 51 is tilted, for example, in four steps corresponding to the shift range selected by the shift lever 12 (for example, the parking range P, reverse range R, neutral range N and drive range D). Thus, the spool 22 of the manual valve 20 is displaced in four stages in the axial direction.

  For this purpose, a corrugated portion 54 is provided on the upper end side of the detent plate 51. Reference numeral 55 denotes a peak portion of the waveform portion 54, and reference numerals 56a to 56d denote valley portions. In the corrugated portion 54 in this embodiment, the shapes of the valleys 56a to 56d are asymmetric with respect to the bottom of the valley, and details thereof will be described later.

  The waveform section 54 has a number (four) of valleys 56a to 56d corresponding to the four shift ranges (parking range P, reverse range R, neutral range N and drive range D) of the shift lever 12. . As shown in FIG. 2, marks “P, R, N, D” are attached in the vicinity of the four valleys 56 a to 56 d in the detent plate 51.

  The detent spring 53 is for individually positioning and holding the four-stage tilting postures of the detent plate 51, and is composed of a strip-shaped plate spring having flexibility. It is the structure which supported so that rotation was possible.

  Although not shown in detail, the detent roller 57 has a hollow shape, a support shaft is inserted into the center hole thereof, and both axial ends of the support shaft are fixed to the forked portion of the detent spring 53.

  One end side of the detent spring 53 is fixed to the valve body 21 of the manual valve 20 in this embodiment. The detent roller 57 is engaged with any of the valleys 56a to 56d in the corrugated portion 54 of the detent plate 51. In this state, the detent spring 53 itself is slightly elastically deformed and warped. Thus, the detent roller 57 is pressed against the bottoms of the valleys 56a to 56d by the elastic restoring force of the detent spring 53, so that the engaged state is strengthened.

  However, in the state where the detent roller 57 of the detent spring 53 is engaged with the valleys 56a to 56d, the detent spring 53 itself can be installed so as to have a substantially straight natural posture.

  The actuator 60 drives the detent mechanism 50, and is not shown in detail, but an electric motor 61 as a rotational power generation unit, a speed reduction mechanism 62, and an output shaft 63 are connected in a case 64. It is configured to be stored in. The actuator 60 is an external type that is attached to a case of an automatic transmission with a bolt, for example.

  The motor 61 is, for example, a brushless SR (switched reluctance) motor that does not use a permanent magnet. Although not shown, the motor 61 is disposed on the same axis as the rotor that is rotatably supported and the rotation center of the rotor. It consists of a stator.

  Although not shown in detail, the speed reduction mechanism 62 is, for example, any one of a mechanism using a cycloid gear, a gear mechanism combining a plurality of gears, a planetary gear mechanism, and the like. An input member (not shown) of the speed reduction mechanism 62 is connected to a rotor (not shown) of the motor 61, and an output shaft 63 is integrally provided on an output member (not shown) of the speed reduction mechanism 62. Yes.

  A cylindrical boss 66 for exposing the end of the output shaft 63 to the outside is provided in a predetermined region of the case 64. The output shaft 63 is not in contact with the cylindrical boss portion 66, and the output shaft 63 is rotatable. The output shaft 63 is exposed to the outside from the opening of the cylindrical boss portion 66.

  Next, a basic operation of the range switching device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  In the first place, when the driver manually operates the parking switch 11 or the shift lever 12, any one of the automatic transmission parking range (P), reverse range (R), neutral range (N), drive range (D), etc. When is selected, the control device 40 recognizes the selected range position based on outputs from the parking switch 11 and the range position sensor 13.

  The control device 40 drives the output shaft 63 of the actuator 60 to rotate forward or backward in accordance with the recognized result, and rotates (tilts) the support shaft 52 and the detent plate 51 as appropriate.

  At this time, the crest 55 of the corrugated portion 54 of the detent plate 51 abuts against the detent roller 57, whereby the detent spring 53 is once elastically deformed upward, and the detent roller 57 is moved to the next trough (56a to 56d) in the corrugated portion 54. The detent plate 51 is positioned and held by the elastic restoring force (biasing force) of the detent spring 53.

  Due to the tilting of the detent plate 51, the spool 22 of the manual valve 20 is slid in the axial direction, and the manual valve 20 is switched to the selected range position among "P", "R", "N", and "D". It is done. As a result, the hydraulic control device (not shown) is appropriately driven to establish an appropriate shift stage in the automatic transmission.

  When the parking range P is selected, the manual valve 20 is switched to the “P” position, the parking rod 33 of the parking mechanism 30 is slid in the axial direction, and the pawl 32a of the parking lock pole 32 is moved to the parking gear. 31 is engaged. As a result, the output shaft 2 of the automatic transmission is brought into a locked state in which it cannot rotate.

  Further, when a range other than the parking range P is selected, the control device 40 drives the actuator 60 to rotate the support shaft 52 in a predetermined direction by a predetermined angle, thereby detent plate 51. Accordingly, the parking rod 33 and the taper cone 37 are slid in the axial direction in the opposite direction to the above, and the pushing-up force of the parking lock pole 32 by the taper cone 37 is released.

  As a result, the parking lock pole 32 is lowered downward, and the pawl 32a comes out from between the teeth of the parking gear 31, so that the output shaft 2 is brought into an unlocked state where the output shaft 2 can rotate. At the same time, the spool 22 of the manual valve 20 is displaced to the target position, and an appropriate hydraulic oil supply path is created in the hydraulic control device.

  By the way, in the above-described range switching device 1, if there is rotational play (backlash, assembly error, etc.) in the power transmission path from the actuator 60 to the detent plate 51, the actuator 60 is changed during the attitude change process of the detent plate 51. A phenomenon occurs in which the detent plate 51 is self-propelled without receiving the driving force. As another expression of this self-running phenomenon, it is also said that the detent roller 57 is sucked into the bottoms of the valleys 56a to 56d.

  Such a phenomenon will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 5 and 6, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, the shapes of the valleys 56 a to 56 d are symmetric with respect to the bottom as an example.

  If the detent plate 51 is tilted by one range in order to switch the detent plate 51 from the parking range P to the reverse range R, first, the detent roller 57 is moved from the trough 56a of the corrugated portion 54 of the detent plate 51 as shown in FIG. 55, when the motor 61 of the actuator 60 is started to be driven until the play α in the rotational direction existing in the power transmission path from the motor 61 to the detent plate 51 is filled. No driving force is transmitted to

  As shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, when the play α is clogged and the driving force of the motor 61 is transmitted to the detent plate 51, the detent plate 51 is tilted, and the detent roller 57 starts to rise from the valley 56a. In this upward process, since the detent roller 57 is pushed in the −F direction in FIG. 5, the detent spring 53 is elastically deformed and an elastic restoring force is accumulated.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, when the detent roller 57 starts to engage the valley 56b corresponding to the required range beyond the crest 55 of the corrugated portion 54, the accumulated elastic restoring force F of the detent spring 53 is obtained. As a result, the detent roller 57 is pressed to the valley side. Due to the urging force from the detent roller 57, the detent plate 51 is pushed forward in the tilting direction from the solid line in FIG. In the meantime, since the driving force of the motor 61 is not transmitted to the detent plate 51, the above-mentioned play α spreads again, and the detent roller 57 slides down the valley 56b corresponding to the required range.

  This phenomenon is called “self-running” of the detent plate 51 or “suction” of the detent roller 57. During this time, the rotation angle change of the detent plate 51 precedes the rotation angle change of the rotor of the motor 61. As shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 6, the bottom of the valley 56b corresponding to the required range reaches the center of the detent roller 57 and engages, while the packed play α spreads.

  For reference, the detent plate 51 is self-propelled in the process of tilting the detent plate 51 in the D → P direction from the self-propelled start position where the detent plate 51 begins to self-propel in the process of tilting the detent plate 51 in the P → D direction. The range up to the self-propelled starting position that starts to be referred to as the suction range.

  In short, the self-running start position can be said to be a position where the valleys 56a to 56d start to engage with the detent roller 57.

  Here, the part to which the feature of the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In short, in this embodiment, the shape of the waveform portion 54 of the detent plate 51 and the control mode of the actuator 60 when driving the detent mechanism 50 are devised.

First, as shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of valleys 56a to 56d in the corrugated portion 54 of the detent plate 51 have asymmetric shapes on both sides centered on the bottoms Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , and Y _D. It has become.

Specifically, each of the valleys 56a to 56d has different slope lengths on both sides around the bottoms Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , and Y _D , so that the suction ranges W _P , W _R, W _N, the central X _P of _{W D, X R, X N} , X D and the bottom _{Y P, Y R, Y N} , has a shape such as shifting a Y _D. Note that the bottoms Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , and Y _D are the deepest positions of the valleys.

Second, the controller 40, during range switching, intake range W _P of the valley (56a to 56d) corresponding to the request range, W _R, W _N, the central X _P of _{W D, X R, X N} , X Control is performed so that driving of the motor 61 of the actuator 60 is stopped at a position where _D reaches the center of the detent roller 57.

Specifically, the control unit 40, in order to drive the motor 61 of the actuator 60 with the range switching request, intake range W _P valleys 56a~56d corresponding to the requested range, W _R, W _N, the center of the W _D X _P , X _R , X _N , X _D are set to the drive stop target position of the motor 61 of the actuator 60 at a position where the center of the detent roller 57 is reached.

Then, after the drive of the motor 61 is stopped (energization is stopped), the self-running action of the detent plate 51 (or the suction action of the detent roller 57) due to the biasing force of the detent spring 53 and the inclination of the slopes of the valleys 56a to 56d is used. Then, displacement is induced so that the detent roller 57 is engaged with the bottoms Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , and Y _D of the valleys 56a to 56d that are the final engagement positions.

As for the detent plate 51 presented in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the bottoms Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , Y _D of the plurality of valleys 56 a to 56 _d in the corrugated portion 54 are the spool 22 of the manual valve 20. The opening widths of the valleys 56a to 56d are set to different sizes.

  In addition, the long side slopes in the valley 56c corresponding to the neutral range N and the valley 56d corresponding to the drive range D are set longer by being expanded toward the adjacent valleys 55b and 56c.

  As described above, the valley 56c corresponding to the neutral range N and the long side slope in the valley 56d corresponding to the drive range D are extended and lengthened, so that the valley 56b corresponding to the reverse range R and the neutral range N are supported. The short side slope in the valley 56c is shortened.

  However, in total, the opening widths of the valley 56c corresponding to the neutral range N and the valley 56d corresponding to the drive range D are, for example, symmetrical with respect to the bottom as shown in FIGS. Compared to it is wider.

Since such a detent plate 51 is used, as shown in FIG. 7, the bottoms Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , Y of the valleys 55a, 55b, 55c, 56d corresponding to the ranges P, R, N, D are shown. Suction ranges W _P , W _R , W _N from the central angles θ _PR , θ _RN , θ _ND between _D and the bottoms Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , Y _D of the valleys 56a to 56d to the valleys 56a to 56d the central X _P of _{W D, X R, X N} , the rotation angle of up to _{X D θ PRX, θ RNX,} θ NDX, θ DNX, θ NRX, for the theta _RPX in advance controller 40 in the memory as a constant value It is assumed that

However, the constant value is a value that takes into account at least manufacturing variations of the detent plate 51. Further, the rotation angle theta _YP bottom Y _P valleys 56a corresponding to the parking range P of the detent plate 51 is a reference point, that the zero point on the control.

  Next, the operation of the range switching device 1 to which the features of the present invention are applied will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is processing by the control device 40. For example, when the driver operates the parking switch 11 or the shift lever 12, the parking range (P), reverse range (R), neutral range (N), drive An entry is made when a range change request is recognized based on a signal output from the parking switch 11 or the shift sensor 13 when any of the ranges (D) or the like is selected.

  First, in step S1, it is determined whether the requested range is the same as the current range. Here, the current range temporarily stored in the internal memory of the control device 40 is read and compared with the recognized requested range.

  At this time, if they are the same, there is no need to switch the range, so an affirmative determination is made in step S1 and the process exits this flowchart. On the other hand, if they are different, it is necessary to switch the range. Therefore, a negative determination is made in step S1, and the process proceeds to subsequent steps S2 and S3.

  By repeating these steps S2 and S3, the detent plate 51 is tilted by driving the motor 61 of the actuator 60 to establish the required range recognized at the time of entry.

Specifically, first, in step S2, when driving the motor 61 with the range switching request, intake range W _P valleys 56a~56d corresponding to the requested range, W _R, W _N, the center of the W _D X _P , X _R , X _N , and X _D are set to the drive stop target position of the motor 61 and the drive of the motor 61 is started to tilt the detent plate 51. In step S2, the target rotation angle of the detent plate 51 necessary for tilting from the current range to the required range is checked, and the energization voltage to the motor 61 is set based on the target rotation angle, and energization is started. The energization voltage value to the motor 61 corresponding to the target rotation angle of the detent plate 51 is stored in advance in the internal memory of the control device 40, and the energization voltage value is set based on the value.

In the subsequent step S3, it is checked whether or not the detent plate 51 has been tilted to the drive stop target position of the motor 61. That is, here, based on the output voltage (detected rotation angle) input from the output angle detection means 15, the centers of the suction ranges W _P , W _R , W _N , and W _D of the valleys 56a to 56d corresponding to the required range. It is determined whether X _P , X _R , X _N , and X _D have reached the center of the detent roller 57. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the output voltage value (detected rotation angle) of the output angle detection means 15 matches the drive stop target voltage value (target rotation angle) of the motor 61. As shown in FIG. 9, the rotation angles θ _P , θ _R , θ _N , θ _D , θ _XP , θ _XR , θ _XN , θ _XD of the detent plate 51 and the output of the output angle detection means 15 The voltage values (detection rotation angles) V _P , V _R , V _N , V _D , V _XP , V _XR , V _XN , and V _XD have an associated relationship, and the output of the output angle detection means 15 The rotation angle of the detent plate 51 can be recognized based on the voltage value.

  Here, if they match, an affirmative determination is made in step S3, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S4.

In this step S4, it is checked whether or not the detent plate 51 has been tilted to the final engagement position. That is, here, based on the output voltage value (rotation angle) of the output angle detection means 15, whether or not the bottoms Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , Y _{D of} the valleys 56 a to 56 _d have reached the center of the detent roller 57. Determine whether.

  If it has reached, an affirmative determination is made in step S4 and the process exits this flowchart. If it has not reached, a negative determination is made in step S4, and a fixed time elapses in subsequent steps S5 and S6. Wait for.

  In short, in steps S5 and S6, the induction by the self-running action of the detent plate 51 (or the suction action of the detent roller 57) by the urging force by the detent spring 53 and the inclination of the slopes of the valleys 56a to 56d is normally performed. We are examining whether or not.

Incidentally, when the guidance by the self-running action is completed within a normal time, the detent roller 57 is engaged with the bottoms Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , Y _D of the valleys 56a to 56d corresponding to the required range in the detent plate 51. It will be done.

Specifically, in step S5, the timer T in the control device 40 is activated, and in step S6, the timer T waits for time-up. At this time, it is examined whether or not the count value of the timer T is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value T1. This threshold value T1 is the time required for the bottoms Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , Y _D of the valleys 56a to 56d of the detent plate 51 to normally reach the center of the detent roller 57 by the induction by the suction action. Is previously determined by experiments and the like, and is set empirically from the results.

Here, when the timer T expires, an affirmative determination is made in step S6, and in step S7, based on the output voltage value (rotation angle) of the output angle detection means 15, the bottom Y _{P of the} valleys 56a to 56d. , Y _R , Y _N , Y _D are determined whether or not they reach the center of the detent roller 57.

  Here, if it has reached, it means that the posture change of the detent plate 51 has been successfully performed, so an affirmative determination is made in step S7, and this flowchart is exited. However, if it has not reached, it means that the posture of the detent plate 51 has not been changed normally, so a negative determination is made in step S7, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S8.

  In this step S8, it is checked whether or not the count value of the timer T started in step S5 has become equal to or greater than the second threshold value T2. Here, it is confirmed that a failure phenomenon has occurred in which the posture of the detent plate 51 cannot be changed normally due to some abnormality.

The threshold value T2 is set to a value obtained by adding an appropriate time to the threshold value T1. In the first place, when the above-described failure phenomenon occurs, it is considered that the bottoms Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , Y _{D of} the valleys 56a to 56d do not reach the center of the detent roller 57 even if a relatively long time has elapsed. Therefore, it is preferable that the added value is not set to a value larger than necessary so as not to take too much time to detect the occurrence of the failure phenomenon.

  Then, when the count value of the timer T becomes equal to or greater than the second threshold value T2, an affirmative determination is made in step S8, the occurrence of the failure phenomenon is confirmed in the subsequent step S9, and the timer T is set in the subsequent step S10. Reset. Thereafter, the process exits this flowchart.

  In step S9, the vehicle driver may be notified that the failure phenomenon has occurred. Although not shown in the figure, for example, a buzzer provided in the vehicle compartment may be sounded or an appropriate message may be displayed on the display unit in the meter panel, the display panel of the navigation system, or the like. .

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the operation when switching from the parking range P to the neutral range N will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, in order to push up the detent roller 57 indicated by the solid line with the long side slope of the valley 56a corresponding to the parking range P in the detent plate 51, as shown in FIG. The motor 61 is controlled to be accelerated. As a result, the detent plate 51 is tilted and the valley 56 b corresponding to the reverse range R is engaged with the detent roller 57.

  Thereafter, when the detent roller 57 climbs from the trough 56b corresponding to the reverse range R to the trough 56c corresponding to the neutral range N, the motor 61 is accelerated again.

Thus, when the detent roller 57 reaches the self-running start position of the valley 56c corresponding to the neutral range N, the motor 61 is decelerated and controlled as shown in FIG. Thus, it means that the inertial force accompanying the tilting of the detent plate 51 is weakened, while slowly tilting the detent plate 51, the center X _N of the suction range W _N valleys 56c corresponding to the neutral range N is, detent roller It is displaced to a position facing the center of 57.

The central X _N valleys 56c reaches the position facing the center of the detent roller 57 stops driving the motor 61. As a result, although the detent plate 51 is not driven by the motor 61, the detent plate 51 is tilted by receiving a biasing force (suction torque) by the detent spring 53 as shown in FIG. Thus, the bottom Y _N which is the final engagement position reaches a position facing the center of the detent roller 57. At this position, since the urging force by the detent spring 53 becomes zero, the detent plate 51 also stops tilting.

Thus, when the detent plate 51 is tilted from the parking range P side toward the drive range D side, the valleys 56a to 56d corresponding to the required range are engaged with the detent roller 57 from the long side slope. It becomes like this. In this case, since the distances from the centers X _P , X _R , X _N , and X _{D of} the valleys 56a to 56d to the opening edge are long, the play of the power transmission path from the motor 61 to the detent plate 51 is reduced. Even if the operation delay of the detent plate 51 occurs due to the presence, the valleys 56 a to 56 d are fitted into the detent roller 57.

Conversely, when the detent plate 51 is tilted from the drive range D side toward the parking range P side, it has not been described in detail, but contrary to the above description of the operation, the trough 56a corresponding to the required range. At -56d, the detent roller 57 is engaged from the short side slope. In this case, the center X _P of the valley _{56a~56d, X R, X N,} X D is the bottom base _{Y P, Y R, Y N} , because positioned in the displacement direction inner side than the Y _D, the operation of the detent plate 51 Even if the delay occurs, the valleys 56 a to 56 d are fitted into the detent roller 57.

  In any case, even if the operation delay occurs in the process of displacing the detent plate 51 by the actuator 60, the valleys 56a to 56d corresponding to the required range can be reliably engaged with the detent roller 57.

  In short, in the embodiment to which the present invention is applied, in the range switching device 1 configured such that the self-running phenomenon of the detent plate 51 by the detent spring 53 inevitably occurs, the shapes of the valleys 56a to 56d of the detent plate 51 In addition, only the drive stop timing of the actuator 60 for control at the time of range switching is devised, so that the trough 56a corresponding to the required range is simpler than the conventional example. The detent roller 57 can be reliably engaged with 56d.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, All the deformation | transformation and application included in the range equivalent to the claim and the said range are possible. Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described as examples.

  (1) The range switching device 1 described in each of the above embodiments is used by being incorporated in a front engine / rear drive (FR) type, a front engine / front drive (FF) type, or other types of automatic transmissions. . Further, the automatic transmission is not limited to a stepped type or a stepless type. Furthermore, it can be incorporated not only in an automatic transmission but also in a manual transmission that does not use a torque converter.

  (2) In the above embodiment, in steps S3, S4 and S7 in FIG. 8, the output of the output angle detection means 15 for detecting the rotation angle of the output shaft 63 of the actuator 60 is used. The rotor angle detecting means 14 for detecting the rotor angle of the motor 61 can be used, and although not shown, the detent angle detecting means for detecting the rotation angle of the support shaft 52 of the detent plate 51. It is also possible to provide and use the output of it.

  This detent angle detection means omits detailed illustration and explanation. For example, a magnet that is installed in a predetermined rotation angle range on the outer surface side of the support shaft 52 of the detent plate 51 and whose cross-sectional area gradually increases in one circumferential direction. And a linear output Hall IC, which detects the magnetic force of the magnet according to the rotation angle of the support shaft 52 and outputs a linear analog signal according to the detected magnetic force.

(3) In the above embodiment, the intervals between the bottoms Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , Y _{D of the} valleys 56 a to 56 d in the corrugated portion 54 of the detent plate 51 are set by the spool 22 of the manual valve 20. Since it is set corresponding to the position, it is necessary to change it by changing the range setting position by the spool 22. Therefore, the intervals between the bases Y _P , Y _R , Y _N , and Y _D are arbitrary.

(4) In the above embodiment, the range switching processing by the control unit 40, the suction range W _P valleys 56a~56d corresponding to the requested range, W _R, W _N, the central X _P of W _D, X _R, Although the example where the position where X _N and X _D reach the center of the detent roller 57 is set as the drive stop target position of the motor 61 is given, the opening of the valleys 56a to 56d corresponding to the requested range It is also possible to set the center of the width as the drive stop target position.

Incidentally, the suction range _{W P, W R, W N} , the central X _P of _{W D, X R, X N} , and X _D, the center of the opening width of the valley 56a~56d is sometimes coincide, suction Depending on the setting of both end positions (self-running start positions) of the ranges W _P , W _R , W _N , and W _D , there may be differences.

It is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of one embodiment of a range change device concerning the present invention. The neutral range N is shown in the side view of the range switching device of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows each range position of the shift lever used for the range switching apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the element connected to the control apparatus in the range switching apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the generation | occurrence | production reason of the self-propelled action of a detent plate, and has shown the mode when a detent roller goes up in the tilting process of a detent plate. It is a figure for demonstrating the generation | occurrence | production reason of the self-propelled action of a detent plate, and has shown the mode when a detent roller falls in the tilting process of a detent plate. The corrugations of the detent plate of the range switching apparatus according to the present invention is a side view schematically showing. It is a flowchart used for operation | movement description of the range switching apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the rotation angle for every range of the detent plate shown in FIG. 7, and the output voltage of an output angle detection means. It is a time chart used for operation | movement description of the range switching apparatus which concerns on this invention, (a) is a development view of the waveform part of a detent plate, (b) is a graph which shows the output torque of the motor of an actuator, (c) is based on a detent spring. The graph which shows suction torque (self-running torque of a detent plate) is shown.

Explanation of symbols

1 Range switching device
11 Parking switch (operation input means)
12 Shift lever (operation input means)
13 Shift sensor (operation input means)
14 Rotor angle detection means
15 Output angle detection means
20 Manual valve
22 Manual valve spool
30 Parking mechanism
33 Parking rod
40 Control device
50 detent mechanism
51 Detent plate (detent member)
52 Spindle of detent plate
53 Detent spring (positioning member)
54 Corrugated part of detent plate
55 Corrugated Mountain
56a Valley corresponding to the corrugated parking range P
56b Valley corresponding to the reverse range R of the waveform section
56c Valley corresponding to the neutral range N of the waveform section
56b Valley corresponding to drive range D of waveform section
57 Detent roller (engagement part)
60 Actuator
61 Actuator motor
62 Actuator deceleration mechanism
63 Actuator output shaft

Claims (6)

A detent mechanism for changing the state of a manual valve that is a component of a hydraulic control device for range switching provided in an automatic transmission, an actuator for driving the detent mechanism, and controlling the actuator as required A range switching device comprising a control device,
The detent mechanism includes a detent member that is displaced by the actuator, and a positioning member that holds the detent member in a stopped posture,
The detent member has a corrugated portion composed of a plurality of valleys corresponding to each range to be switched and a mountain between the valleys, and each valley has an asymmetric shape in which a bottom and a center are shifted from each other. And
The positioning member has an engaging portion that engages with the valley bottom of the corrugated portion, and generates a biasing force that presses the engaging portion toward the valley bottom.
The range switching device is characterized in that, at the time of range switching, the control device controls to stop driving of the actuator at a position where the center of the valley corresponding to the required range reaches the center of the engaging portion. The range switching device according to claim 1, wherein
The range switching device according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the actuator to decelerate before the position where the center of the valley reaches the center of the engaging portion. In the range switching device according to claim 1 or 2,
The range switching device according to claim 1, wherein the opening width of each of the asymmetrical valleys is widened by expanding the long-side slope to the adjacent valley side. In the range switching apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3,
The operation input means for receiving a human operation for selecting the shift range and outputting a signal corresponding to the selected range is provided.
The range switching device, wherein the control device sets a target drive amount of the actuator based on an output of the operation input means. In the range switching apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 4,
The actuator tilts the detent member, and is connected to an electric motor that generates rotational power and to the support shaft of the detent member so that the rotational power generated by the motor is decelerated and coaxially and integrally rotatable. And a speed reduction mechanism for outputting from the output shaft. In the range switching device according to claim 5,
Rotor angle detection means for detecting the rotation angle of the rotor of the motor, and output angle detection means for detecting the rotation angle of the output shaft of the actuator,
The control device feedback-controls the output torque of the motor based on the output of the rotor angle detection means, and determines the relative position between the waveform portion of the detent member and the engagement portion based on the output of the output angle detection means. A range switching device characterized by that.

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