JP6060941B2 - Vehicle shift device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle shift device for switching a shift range of a vehicle, and more particularly to a momentary vehicle shift device.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a shift device for a vehicle such as an automobile, a so-called electric lifter device that performs a shift by electrically detecting the position of a shift lever is known. The electric lifter device was often installed in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that do not have a mechanical transmission, but because there is no need for mechanical connection between the shift lever and the transmission, the design freedom is high. It is gradually being installed in a vehicle equipped with a mechanical transmission, for example, a conventional automobile using only an engine (internal combustion engine) as a power source.

  Since there is no restriction on the operation stroke of the shift lever, the mechanism called a momentary type is widely used from the viewpoint of achieving compactness and improving operability. For example, a momentary type electric lifter device changes the range of the transmission when the shift lever is moved in a predetermined direction from the home position where the shift lever stands upright, and then changes the range when the hand is released from the shift lever. The shift lever automatically returns to the home position while maintaining the above range. Such a momentary type electric lifter device may cause the range to be switched unexpectedly when a driver or another passenger's hand or baggage accidentally touches the shift lever (erroneous operation).

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, when the shift lever is operated from the home position in the first direction, the range is switched to the neutral range, and the lever position (neutral position) at that time is used as a starting point in another direction (second direction). ) Discloses a technique in which the range is switched to the travel range (drive range or reverse range) when the shift lever is operated. According to this configuration, even if an occupant accidentally touches the shift lever, the neutral range is selected and only the engine driving force transmission is cut off, and the range does not switch to the travel range. The effect can be minimized.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, when the shift lever is moved upward or downward from the home position by a short first distance to the first stopper, the range is switched to the neutral range, and the shift lever is first or upward from the home position. A technique is disclosed in which a range is switched to a travel range when a long second distance is moved to the second stopper by jumping over the stopper. According to this configuration, even if an occupant accidentally touches the shift lever, the shift lever stops at the first stopper and only the neutral range is selected, and the range does not switch to the travel range. The effect can be minimized.

  Also, in Patent Document 3, a button switch is provided on the shift lever, and when the button switch is pressed, the range is switched to the neutral range, and the shift lever is moved while the button switch is pressed. Then, a technique for switching the range to the traveling range is disclosed. According to this configuration, the range is not switched to the travel range unless the button switch pressing operation and the shift lever moving operation are performed at the same time, so that the travel range is selected against the driver's will. Can be prevented.

Japanese Patent No. 4373212 Japanese Patent No. 4009405 WO2011 / 090011 Publication

  Each of the above technologies is a technology that can ensure safety against erroneous operation, but each has the following problems to be solved.

  In the case of Patent Document 1, in order to select the travel range, the shift lever must be operated in the second direction after being operated in the first direction. The total stroke becomes longer. This is a factor that causes annoyance for a driver who wants to select a travel range quickly and easily. In addition, the range of movement of the shift lever is increased, leading to an increase in the size of the apparatus.

  The same applies to Patent Document 2. That is, in order to select the travel range, the shift lever must be moved by the long second distance by jumping over the first stopper, and the total stroke of the shift lever becomes long. This is a factor that causes annoyance for a driver who wants to select a travel range quickly and easily. In addition, the range of movement of the shift lever is increased, leading to an increase in the size of the apparatus. In addition, in order to select the neutral range, the shift lever must be securely stopped by the first stopper, and also in this respect, it is difficult to operate the shift lever quickly.

  In the case of Patent Document 3, in order to select the travel range, the shift lever must be moved while the button switch is pressed, and the lightness of lever operation is impaired. This is also a factor that causes annoyance for a driver who wants to select a travel range quickly and easily.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described situation in the momentary-type vehicle shift device, and can quickly and easily select a neutral range and a traveling range while ensuring safety against erroneous operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a shift device for a vehicle that can suppress an increase in size of the device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention enables an operation member operated by a driver and the operation member to be movable between a home position and a movement limit position away from the home position in a predetermined direction. A main body that supports and automatically returns the moved operating member to the home position, a gripping portion that is rotatably supported in the predetermined direction at the tip of the operating member, and the operating member and the gripping portion And a control means for controlling a range of a transmission mounted on the vehicle based on the operation of, when the operation member is moved from the home position to the movement limit position when the operation member is moved. A vehicle that switches a range to a neutral range, and further switches the range to a travel range when the gripping portion is rotated in the predetermined direction from that state. It is the use shift device.

  According to the present invention, in order to select the neutral range, the driver only needs to move the operation member from the home position to the movement limit position in a predetermined direction without pressing a button switch, for example. At this time, the operation member cannot move beyond the movement limit position, and reliably stops at the movement limit position, which facilitates quick movement operation of the operation member and improves operability.

  Further, in order to select the travel range, the driver only has to rotate the grip portion in a predetermined direction while the operation member is stopped at the movement limit position. At this time, since the rotation direction of the gripping part and the movement direction of the operation member are the same predetermined direction, the direction of movement operation of the operation member and the direction of rotation operation of the gripping part are aligned on a straight line. The operation can be quickly and easily rotated following the operation of moving the operation member.

  Further, since the movement range of the operation member is only between the home position and the movement limit position for selecting the neutral range, the movement range of the operation member is small, and the apparatus can be made compact.

  Moreover, even if the occupant inadvertently touches the operating member, the neutral range is selected and only the driving force transmission of the engine is cut off, so that safety against erroneous operation is ensured.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle shift device that can quickly and easily select a neutral range and a travel range while ensuring safety against an erroneous operation, and can further suppress an increase in the size of the device. The

  In the present invention, the force required to move the operating member from the home position to the movement limit position by applying a force to the gripping portion is F1, and the force is applied to the gripping portion to move the gripping portion in the predetermined direction. When the above-described force required for the pivoting operation is F2, it is preferable that F1 <F2.

  According to this configuration, when the driver holds the grip portion in his hand and applies a force in a predetermined direction to move the operation member, the grip portion can rotate with respect to the operation member during the movement operation. It is suppressed. Thus, the driver is aware of the operation sequence required when selecting the travel range, that is, the operation sequence in which the gripping part is rotated after the operation member is moved to the movement limit position, in particular, the addition or subtraction of force. It can be protected naturally. Therefore, the operability when selecting the travel range is improved.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that there is provided restriction means for restricting the rotation of the grip portion in the predetermined direction until the operation of the operation member from the home position to the movement limit position is completed.

  According to this configuration, the grip portion is restricted from rotating while the driver is moving the operation member. This reliably prevents the gripping portion from rotating during the movement of the operation member, thereby further improving the operability when selecting the travel range.

  In the present invention, the restricting means is located at a contact position where it comes into contact with the gripping portion so as to prevent the rotation of the gripping portion until the moving operation of the operation member is completed. When the operation is completed, it is preferable to include a regulating movable member that retracts from the contact position.

  According to this configuration, the restricting movable member is positioned at the contact position, thereby reliably restricting the gripping portion from rotating while the driver is moving the operation member. On the other hand, the regulation movable member is retracted from the contact position, so that the driver can reliably rotate the grip after the operation member moving operation is completed.

  In the present invention, the operation member includes a home position, a first movement limit position separated from the home position in the first direction, and a second position separated from the home position in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The gripping part is supported to be movable in the first direction and the second direction, and the control means is configured to move the operation member from the home position to the movement limit position. When the range is moved to the first movement limit position, the range is switched to the neutral range, and when the gripping portion is rotated in the first direction from that state, the range travels in the forward direction. When the operating member is moved from the home position to the second movement limit position, the range is switched to the neutral range, and further the state is When the part is operated to rotate the second direction, it is preferable that the switching to the reverse range is the traveling range of the backward above range.

  According to this configuration, the home position, the first movement limit position, and the second movement limit position are aligned, and the operation member is moved in the first direction and the second direction across the home position, By rotating the grip portion, the drive range and the reverse range can be reliably separated and selected.

  In the present invention, there are provided position detecting means for detecting that the operating member is at the movement limit position, and rotation detecting means for detecting that the gripping part has rotated in the predetermined direction, and the control is provided. The means switches the range to the neutral range when both the position detection means and the rotation detection means are in the non-detection state and the position detection means is in the detection state. When the detection state is changed, the range is switched to the traveling range, and when both the position detection unit and the rotation detection unit are in the detection state first from the non-detection state, It is preferable that the range is not switched at that time.

  According to this configuration, the operation of the operation member and the gripper is recognized and the range is controlled based on the detection results of the position detection unit and the rotation detection unit. In addition, when the detection order of the detection means is different, it is determined that the operation is incorrect, and erroneous range switching is avoided.

  In the momentary type vehicle shift device, the present invention can quickly and easily select a neutral range and a travel range while ensuring safety against erroneous operation, and further can suppress an increase in size of the device. Contributes to the improvement of reliability and commerciality of various types of vehicle shift devices.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the compartment front part of the vehicle to which the shift apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is a top view of the part by which the said shift apparatus was arrange | positioned in the center console of the said vehicle. It is the disassembled perspective view of the notch which looked at the said shift apparatus from the left back. It is the perspective view of a part notch which looked at the said shift apparatus from the left rear. It is the perspective view of a part notch which looked at the said shift apparatus from the right rear. It is a plane sectional view for demonstrating the detent mechanism employ | adopted as the said shift apparatus. It is a left longitudinal section for explaining operation when selecting the drive range of the above-mentioned shift lever, (a) is a state when a shift lever is in a home position, (b) is a shift lever tilting back. The state when operated, (c) shows the state when the knob is rotated backward. It is a left longitudinal section for explaining operation when selecting the reverse range of the above-mentioned shift lever, (a) is a state when a shift lever is in a home position, (b) is a shift lever tilting forward. The state when operated, (c) shows the state when the knob is rotated forward. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the said shift apparatus. It is a diagram for demonstrating the shift pattern of the said shift apparatus, Comprising: (a) is a shift pattern from a parking range, (b) is a shift pattern from a reverse range, (c) is a shift pattern from a neutral range, ( d) shows a shift pattern from the drive range. It is the figure which put together the shift pattern shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the range switching operation | movement which the controller of the said shift apparatus performs. It is the disassembled perspective view of the partial notch which looked at the shift apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention from the left rear. It is the perspective view of a part notch which looked at the said shift apparatus from the left rear. It is the perspective view of a part notch which looked at the said shift apparatus from the right front. It is a left longitudinal section for explaining operation when selecting the drive range of the above-mentioned shift lever, (a) is a state when a shift lever is in a home position, (b) is a shift lever tilting back. The state when operated, (c) shows the state when the knob is rotated backward. It is a left longitudinal section for explaining operation when selecting the reverse range of the above-mentioned shift lever, (a) is a state when a shift lever is in a home position, (b) is a shift lever tilting forward. The state when operated, (c) shows the state when the knob is rotated forward.

<First Embodiment>
(1) Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle compartment front portion of a vehicle according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an instrument panel 2 extending in the vehicle width direction is provided at the front part of the passenger compartment. A meter unit 3 is provided on the driver's seat side (left side in FIG. 1) of the instrument panel 2, and a steering handle 4 is provided behind the meter unit 3. A center console 5 is provided from the center in the vehicle width direction of the instrument panel 2 toward the rear of the vehicle, and the shift device 1 is provided on the center console 5.

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle uses only an engine (not shown) composed of an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine as a power source, and automatically shifts the driving force of the engine according to the vehicle speed, engine load, or the like. A stepped automatic transmission (AT) 50 (see FIG. 9) that transmits to the wheels is provided. As a range (shift range) of the automatic transmission 50, a neutral range in which the transmission of the driving force is cut off, a parking range in which the transmission of the driving force is cut and the output shaft is locked, and a direction in which the vehicle moves forward A drive range in which the driving force is transmitted (forward travel range) and a reverse range (reverse travel range) in which the driving force is transmitted in the direction in which the vehicle moves backward are provided. Here, the neutral range and the parking range are non-traveling ranges, and the drive range and reverse range are traveling ranges. The shift device 1 is operated by the driver to select a desired range from the plurality of ranges.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing an arrangement portion of the shift device 1 in the center console 5. 2 and other figures after FIG. 2, the arrow F indicates the front of the vehicle, and the arrow L indicates the left side of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shift device 1 includes a parking switch 8 and an indicator 9.

  The parking switch 8 is a push button switch, and is operated when the range is switched to the parking range. On the upper surface of the parking switch 8, there is provided a dial with a letter “P” representing the parking range. When the parking range is selected, the letter “P” is highlighted by a light source such as an LED. The The parking switch 8 has both a function as a switch for switching the range to the parking range and a function as an indicator for displaying that the parking range is selected.

  The indicator 9 displays a currently selected range other than the parking range. The indicator 9 has a dial in which characters “R” representing the reverse range, “N” representing the neutral range, and “D” representing the drive range are arranged in order from the front in the vicinity of the parking switch 8. When a reverse, neutral, or drive range is selected according to the operation of the main operation unit 7 to be described next, an “R” corresponding to the selected range is selected by a light source such as an LED. , “N”, or “D” are highlighted.

  In the present embodiment, the currently selected range is also displayed on the meter unit 3 (see FIG. 1). The meter unit 3 has a display section between, for example, a speedometer and a tachometer, and the display section displays “P”, “R”, “N”, “D” corresponding to the currently selected range. One of the characters is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shift device 1 further includes a main operation unit 7. The main operation unit 7 is operated when the range is switched to any of reverse, neutral, and drive other than the parking range.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the main operation portion 7 includes a shift lever (corresponding to an “operation member” of the present invention) 10 and a main body portion 20 that supports the shift lever 10 so as to be tiltable in the front-rear direction. Including.

  The shift lever 10 includes a lever portion 12 extending in the vertical direction, a columnar tilting shaft portion 13 provided at the lower end portion of the lever portion 12 and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a tilting shaft provided at the upper end portion of the lever portion 12. A column-shaped rotation shaft portion 14 that extends shorter in the vehicle width direction than the portion 13, a block body 15 provided at a position slightly below the intermediate portion of the lever portion 12, and a left side from the left side surface of the block body 15. A bar-shaped detent leg 16 projecting in the right direction and a bar-shaped sensor leg 17 projecting rightward from the right side surface of the block body 15.

  The main body 20 is provided on a housing 21 formed on the upper surface and front, back, left, and right side surfaces (the left side surface and the rear side surface are cut out in FIGS. 3 to 5), and on the inner surface of the left side surface of the housing 21. And a lever rotation angle sensor (corresponding to the “position detecting means” of the present invention) 29 provided on the right side surface of the housing 21 via an arcuate opening 25.

  An oval gate 22 extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the upper surface of the housing 21, and the lever portion 12 of the shift lever 10 is inserted through the gate 22. The block body 15 of the lever portion 12 is disposed inside the housing 21. Circular openings 23 are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the housing 21, and the left and right ends of the tilting shaft portion 13 of the shift lever 10 are rotatably fitted in the circular openings 23. Thereby, the shift lever 10 is supported by the main body part 20 via the tilting shaft part 13 so as to be tiltable in the front-rear direction.

  With the shift lever 10 supported by the main body 20, the detent leg 16 provided on the left side surface of the block body 15 and the detent guide member 24 provided on the left side surface of the housing 21 come into contact with each other. . The detent legs 16 are movable in the left-right direction with respect to the block body 15 and are always urged to the left by a compression spring (not shown) built in the block body 15. As is apparent from FIG. 5, the contact surface of the detent guiding member 24 with the detent leg 16 is formed as a partially concave spherical receiving surface 24a recessed leftward. The tip of the detent leg 16 is always pressed by the leftward biasing force of the compression spring.

  As shown by a solid line in FIG. 6, the detent leg portion 16 advances most from the block body 15 when it is in contact with the central portion (bottom portion of the concave spherical surface) of the spherical receiving surface 24 a. At this time, the compression spring stretches most and the urging force decreases. On the other hand, as shown by a chain line in FIG. 6, the detent leg 16 is retracted into the block body 15 as the distance from the center of the spherical receiving surface 24 a increases. At this time, the compression spring contracts and the urging force increases. Therefore, the retracted detent leg 16 is strongly pressed against the spherical receiving surface 24a, and the pressing force is converted into a force for returning the detent leg 16 to the center of the spherical receiving surface 24a. Therefore, when the operating force in the front-rear direction is not applied to the shift lever 10, the shift lever 10 is held at a position where the detent leg portion 16 is located at the center of the spherical receiving surface 24a. The position of the shift lever 10 at this time is referred to as “home position”. At the home position, the shift lever 10 is in a vertical position.

  When the shift lever 10 at the home position receives an operation force and tilts in the front-rear direction, the detent leg 16 is separated from the center of the spherical receiving surface 24a, and accordingly, the detent leg 16 is moved to the center of the spherical receiving surface 24a. Force to return to the part is generated. Therefore, when the operating force for the shift lever 10 is released, the shift lever 10 automatically returns to the home position. That is, the shift device 1 of this embodiment includes a main body 20 that supports the shift lever 10 so as to be tiltable in the front-rear direction and automatically returns the tilted shift lever 10 to the home position. Device.

  When the shift lever 10 tilts backward from the home position (corresponding to the “first direction” of the present invention) and the lever portion 12 contacts the rear end portion of the gate 22, the shift lever 10 exceeds the position. Cannot tilt backwards. The position of the shift lever 10 at this time is referred to as a “backward tilt limit position” (corresponding to the “first movement limit position” of the present invention). Similarly, when the shift lever 10 tilts forward (corresponding to the “second direction” of the present invention) from the home position, and the lever portion 12 contacts the front end portion of the gate 22, the shift lever 10 changes its position. Cannot tilt forward beyond. The position of the shift lever 10 at this time is referred to as “forward tilt limit position” (corresponding to “second movement limit position” of the present invention). That is, the shift lever 10 can be tilted between the home position and the rearward tilt limit position away from the home position, and between the home position and the forward tilt limit position away from the home position. Is possible.

  3 to 5, the sensor leg 17 provided on the right side surface of the block body 15 and the lever provided on the right side surface of the housing 21 in a state where the shift lever 10 is supported by the main body 20. The rotation angle sensor 29 is engaged. The lever rotation angle sensor 29 detects the rotation angle of the shift lever 10 when the shift lever 10 is tilted back and forth from the home position by detecting the position of the sensor leg 17.

  Assuming that the rotation angle of the shift lever 10 when the shift lever 10 is at the home position is zero, the rotation angle (rear limit angle) of the shift lever 10 when the shift lever 10 is at the rearward tilt limit position and the front The rotation angle (front limit angle) of the shift lever 10 at the tilt limit position is determined in advance. Therefore, when the rear limit angle is detected by the lever rotation angle sensor 29, it is detected that the shift lever 10 is at the rearward tilt limit position, and when the front limit angle is detected by the lever rotation angle sensor 29. It is detected that the shift lever 10 is at the forward tilt limit position. When it is detected that the shift lever 10 is at the rearward tilt limit position or the forward tilt limit position, the lever rotation angle sensor 29 is ON (detection state), and otherwise, it is OFF (non-detection state). It is.

  A shift knob (corresponding to a “gripping portion” of the present invention) 11 that is gripped by the driver when the shift lever 10 is operated is supported on the upper end portion of the shift lever 10 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the knob 11 is formed in an egg shape so that the driver can easily grasp it from above or from behind. The knob 11 includes a right half portion 11a and a left half portion 11b that are mirror images of each other, and the right half portion 11a is rotatably fitted to the right end portion of the turning shaft portion 14 of the shift lever 10 to the left. The half part 11b is rotatably fitted to the left end part of the turning shaft part 14 of the shift lever 10.

  A space 11x having a predetermined shape is formed in the lower portion of both halves 11a and 11b, and a right half torsion coil spring (hereinafter abbreviated as “right spring”) 26a and a left half torsion coil spring are formed in the space 11x. 26b (also abbreviated as “left spring”) is accommodated. That is, a right spring 26a and a left spring 26b are wound around the right portion and the left portion of the rotating shaft portion 14, respectively, and one arm of each spring 26a, 26b is formed in the upper portion of the lever portion 12. 12y (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8), and the other arm is fitted into a fitting hole 11y formed in the space 11x of the corresponding half part 11a, 11b. In this state, the right half portion 11a and the left half portion 11b are coupled to each other to form the knob 11. As a result, the knob 11 is supported by the shift lever 10 via the pivot shaft portion 14 so as to be pivotable in the front-rear direction. At this time, each spring 26a, 26b is accommodated in the space part 11x of the corresponding half part 11a, 11b. Moreover, the upper part of the lever part 12 penetrates the lower part of the space part 11x.

  Both springs 26a and 26b have the same specifications, and are housed in the space portion 11x in a natural state where they do not receive a torsional moment around the coil axis. Therefore, when an operating force in the front-rear direction is not applied to the knob 11, the knob 11 is held at a position where both springs 26a, 26b are in a natural state. The position of the knob 11 at this time is referred to as an “initial position”. In the initial position, the knob 11 is in a posture in which the axial direction coincides with the shift lever 10.

  As apparent from FIG. 3, when the knob 11 in the initial position receives the operating force and rotates backward, the right spring 26a is deformed in the rewinding direction in which the coil diameter increases, and the left spring 26b is Accordingly, an elastic restoring force that urges the knob 11 to the initial position before the turning operation is generated. Therefore, when the operating force on the knob 11 is released, the knob 11 naturally returns to the initial position. Similarly, when the knob 11 at the initial position receives an operating force and rotates forward, the right spring 26a is deformed in the winding direction in which the coil diameter decreases, and the left spring 26b is in the rewind direction in which the coil diameter increases. Accordingly, an elastic restoring force that urges the knob 11 to the initial position before the turning operation is generated. Therefore, when the operating force on the knob 11 is released, the knob 11 naturally returns to the initial position.

  A drive knob rotation sensor 31 and a reverse knob rotation sensor 32 (both correspond to the “rotation detection means” of the present invention) are built in the upper portion of the lever portion 12. Both sensors 31 and 32 are touch sensors, and the pressing portions 31 a and 32 a protrude rearward and forward from the rear surface and front surface of the upper portion of the lever portion 12.

  When the knob 11 is rotated rearward from the initial position and the rear surface of the inner wall portion of the knob 11 forming the space portion 11x comes into contact with the lever portion 12, the knob 11 cannot be rotated further rearward (FIG. 7C). reference). At this time, the pressing portion 31a of the drive knob rotation sensor 31 protruding rearward from the rear surface of the lever portion 12 is pressed by the rear surface of the inner wall portion of the knob 11, and the drive knob rotation sensor 31 is turned OFF (non-detected state). ) To ON (detection state). That is, it is detected that the knob 11 is rotated backward from the initial position. Similarly, when the knob 11 is rotated forward from the initial position and the front surface of the inner wall portion of the knob 11 forming the space portion 11x comes into contact with the lever portion 12, the knob 11 cannot be rotated further forward (FIG. 8). (See (c)). At this time, the pressing portion 32a of the reverse knob rotation sensor 32 protruding forward from the front surface of the lever portion 12 is pressed on the front surface of the inner wall portion of the knob 11, and the reverse knob rotation sensor 32 is turned off (non-detected state). ) To ON (detection state). That is, it is detected that the knob 11 is rotated forward from the initial position.

  FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of the shift lever 10 and the knob 11 when selecting a drive range, and FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of the shift lever 10 and the knob 11, respectively. In the figure, the driver holds the knob 11, applies a force to the knob 11, and moves the knob 11 back and forth, thereby tilting the shift lever 10 back and forth and rotating the knob 11 back and forth. Shall.

  FIGS. 7A and 8A show a default state in which the shift lever 10 is held at the home position and the knob 11 is held at the initial position. The shift lever 10 is in an upright posture at the center portion of the gate 22 extending in the front-rear direction, and the knob 11 is also in an upright posture because the axial direction of the knob 11 is the same.

  When the drive range is selected, the shift lever 10 is tilted backward from this state, and as shown in FIG. 7B, when the shift lever 10 comes into contact with the rear end of the gate 22, that is, the shift lever 10 Is tilted from the home position to the rearward tilt limit position, the lever rotation angle sensor 29 is turned on.

  Further, from this state, the knob 11 in the initial position is rotated backward, and when the rear surface of the inner wall of the knob 11 comes into contact with the rear surface of the shift lever 10 as shown in FIG. The knob rotation sensor 31 is turned on.

  On the other hand, when the reverse range is selected, the shift lever 10 is tilted forward from the state of FIG. 8A, and the shift lever 10 contacts the front end of the gate 22 as shown in FIG. 8B. In other words, when the shift lever 10 is tilted from the home position to the forward tilt limit position, the lever rotation angle sensor 29 is turned on.

  Further, from this state, the knob 11 at the initial position is rotated forward, and when the front surface of the inner wall of the knob 11 comes into contact with the front surface of the shift lever 10 as shown in FIG. The knob rotation sensor 32 is turned on.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, it is necessary to apply a force to the knob 11 to tilt the shift lever 10 from the home position to the rearward tilt limit position or the forward tilt limit position. As shown in FIGS. 7 (c) and 8 (c), the operation force F1 is greater than the operation force F2 required to apply a force to the knob 11 to rotate the knob 11 backward or forward from the initial position. Is also set to a small value (F1 <F2). Such setting includes the elastic restoring force of the right spring 26a and the left spring 26b that urges the knob 11 to the initial position, the urging force of the compression spring that presses the detent leg 16 against the spherical receiving surface 24a, and the spherical receiving surface 24a. This is possible by adjusting the curvature of the lens. Accordingly, the knob 11 is prevented from rotating backward or forward while the knob 11 is gripped and the shift lever 10 is tilted backward or forward.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, when the shift lever 10 comes into contact with the rear end portion or the front end portion of the gate 22, all the force applied to the knob 11 thereafter is applied to the knob 11. Used for backward or forward rotation. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 8C, only the knob 11 is further tilted backward or forward while the shift lever 10 is tilted rearward or forward.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system of the shift device 1. In the figure, the controller 60 is composed of a microcomputer including a well-known CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and corresponds to the “control means” of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the controller 60 is represented as an integral block. However, the controller 60 may be composed of a plurality of microcomputers provided separately on the vehicle body side and the automatic transmission 50 side, for example.

  The controller 60 detects whether or not a brake pedal (not shown) is depressed, in addition to the sensors 29, 31, and 32 of the meter unit 3, the parking switch 8, the indicator 9, and the main operation unit 7 described above. The brake sensor 42 and the shift actuator 50a of the automatic transmission 50 are electrically connected. The transmission actuator 50a of the automatic transmission 50 is, for example, a solenoid valve or the like that switches between engagement and disengagement of friction engagement elements such as a clutch and a brake built in the automatic transmission 50. That is, the controller 60 also has a function of controlling the shift operation of the automatic transmission 50 based on the operation state of the shift device 1.

  The controller 60 determines whether or not the parking switch 8 has been pressed according to a signal from a contact built in the parking switch 8. Further, in accordance with a signal from the lever rotation angle sensor 29, it is determined whether the shift lever 10 is tilted in the front or rear direction. Further, it is determined whether or not the knob rotation sensors 31 and 32 are pressed according to a signal from a contact built in the knob rotation sensors 31 and 32. Then, based on the operation state of the shift device 1 determined as described above, the controller 60 controls the range change of the automatic transmission 50 and the display control of the meter unit 3 and the indicator 9 (the currently selected range). And control to display warnings such as invalid operation).

  The controller 60 has a so-called shift lock function. That is, when it is confirmed that the brake pedal is not depressed on the basis of a signal from the brake sensor 42 when the currently selected range is the parking range, the controller 60 changes the other range from the parking range. Prohibits switching to the range.

  Under the control of the controller 60 as described above, in this embodiment, the shift pattern of the shift device 1 is set as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (d) and FIG.

  FIG. 10A shows a shift pattern when the current range is a parking range. In the figure, “P”, which is outlined in the center, indicates that the parking range is selected in the current default state where the shift lever 10 is held at the home position and the knob 11 is held at the initial position. It is shown that.

  “N” written in front of and behind “P” indicates that the range is switched to the neutral range when the shift lever 10 is tilted forward or backward from the home position to the tilt limit position. . “R” written in front of “N” in front of “N” is a range when the knob 11 is further rotated forward after the shift lever 10 is tilted forward. Indicates that the shift lever 10 is switched to the reverse range, and “D” written behind the “N” behind the “N” mark indicates that the knob 11 is further moved after the shift lever 10 is tilted backward. It shows that the range is switched to the drive range when it is rotated backward.

  In summary, the shift pattern when the current range is the parking range is as follows, as shown in the column “P” for “current range” in FIG.

-Tilt operation forward of the shift lever 10 → neutral range-Operation above + rotation operation of the knob 11-reverse range-Tilt operation backward of the shift lever 10-neutral range-Operation above-rear of the knob 11 Rotation operation to → Drive range

  FIG. 10B shows a shift pattern when the current range is the reverse range. In the figure, “R” indicated in white in the center indicates that the reverse range is selected in the current default state where the shift lever 10 is held at the home position and the knob 11 is held at the initial position. It is shown that.

  “N” written in front of and behind “R” indicates that the range is switched to the neutral range when the shift lever 10 is tilted forward or backward from the home position to the tilt limit position. . The “empty” indicated by the “Δ” mark in front of the front “N” indicates that even if the knob 11 is further rotated forward after the shift lever 10 is tilted forward. This indicates that the rotation operation is invalid. When the operation is invalid, the range is not switched and the current range (here, the reverse range) is maintained. Further, a message indicating that the operation is invalid is displayed on the display unit of the meter unit 3 (see FIG. 1). On the other hand, “D” written behind the “N” behind the “N” is the operation of tilting the shift lever 10 backward, and the knob 11 is further rotated backward. And the range is switched to the drive range.

  In summary, the shift pattern when the current range is the reverse range is as follows, as shown in the column “R” for “current range” in FIG.

-Tilt operation forward of the shift lever 10 → Neutral range-Operation above + rotational operation of the knob 11 → Invalid (reverse range maintenance)
-Rearward tilting operation of the shift lever 10 → Neutral range-The above operation + rearward turning operation of the knob 11-> Drive range

  FIG. 10C shows a shift pattern when the current range is a neutral range. In the figure, “N” indicated in white in the center indicates that the neutral range is selected in the current default state where the shift lever 10 is held at the home position and the knob 11 is held at the initial position. It is shown that.

  “N” written in front of and behind “N” means that the range is switched (maintained) to the neutral range when the shift lever 10 is tilted forward or backward from the home position to the tilt limit position. (The tilting operation is effective). “R” written in front of “N” in front of “N” is a range when the knob 11 is further rotated forward after the shift lever 10 is tilted forward. Indicates that the shift lever 10 is switched to the reverse range, and “D” written behind the “N” behind the “N” mark indicates that the knob 11 is further moved after the shift lever 10 is tilted backward. It shows that the range is switched to the drive range when it is rotated backward.

  In summary, the shift pattern when the current range is the neutral range is as follows, as shown in the column “N” for “current range” in FIG.

-Tilt operation forward of the shift lever 10 → neutral range-Operation above + rotation operation of the knob 11-reverse range-Tilt operation backward of the shift lever 10-neutral range-Operation above-rear of the knob 11 Rotation operation to → Drive range

  FIG. 10D shows a shift pattern when the current range is the drive range. In the figure, “D”, which is outlined in the center, indicates that the drive range is selected in the current default state where the shift lever 10 is held at the home position and the knob 11 is held at the initial position. It is shown that.

  “N” written in front of and behind “D” indicates that the range is switched to the neutral range when the shift lever 10 is tilted forward or backward from the home position to the tilt limit position. . “R” written in front of “N” in front of “N” is a range when the knob 11 is further rotated forward after the shift lever 10 is tilted forward. Indicates switching to the reverse range. On the other hand, the “empty” indicated by the “Δ” mark behind the rear “N” indicates that the knob 11 is further rotated backward after the shift lever 10 is tilted backward. This indicates that the rotation operation is invalid. When the operation is invalid, the range is not switched and the current range (here, the drive range) is maintained. Further, a message indicating that the operation is invalid is displayed on the display unit of the meter unit 3 (see FIG. 1).

  In summary, the shift pattern when the current range is the drive range is as follows, as shown in the column “D” for “current range” in FIG.

-Tilt operation forward of the shift lever 10 → neutral range-Operation above + rotation operation of the knob 11-reverse range-Tilt operation backward of the shift lever 10-neutral range-Operation above-rear of the knob 11 Rotation operation to → Invalid (Driving range maintenance)

  Note that regardless of the current range, when only the knob 11 is rotated back and forth while the shift lever 10 is held at the home position, the rotation operation is invalidated.

  If it is desired to switch from a range other than the parking range to the parking range, the parking switch 8 is pressed without using the shift lever 10. That is, when the parking switch 8 is pressed when the current range is one of the reverse, neutral, and drive ranges, the range switches to the parking range by itself.

  As a summary, the range switching operation performed by the controller 60 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This range selection operation starts from a default state in which the shift lever 10 is held at the home position and the knob 11 is held at the initial position. In this default state, the lever rotation angle sensor 29, the drive knob rotation sensor 31, and the reverse knob rotation sensor 32 are all OFF (non-detection state).

  In step S1, the controller 60 determines whether or not the knob rotation sensors 31 and 32 are switched from OFF to ON (detection state). That is, it is determined whether the knob 11 has been rotated backward or forward from the initial position prior to the tilting operation of the shift lever 10. As a result, if YES, the process returns (operation invalid), and if NO, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the controller 60 determines whether or not the lever rotation angle sensor 29 has been switched from OFF to ON. That is, it is determined whether or not the shift lever 10 has been tilted from the home position to the rearward tilt limit position or the forward tilt limit position. As a result, the process proceeds to step S3 if YES, and returns if NO.

  In step S3, the controller 60 switches the range to the neutral range, and proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the controller 60 determines whether or not the drive knob rotation sensor 31 has been switched from OFF to ON. That is, after the shift lever 10 is tilted from the home position to the rear tilt limit position, it is determined whether or not the knob 11 is further rotated rearward from the initial position. As a result, when YES, the process proceeds to step S5, and when NO, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S5, the controller 60 switches the range to the drive range and returns (drive range selection complete).

  In step S6, the controller 60 determines whether or not the reverse knob rotation sensor 32 has been switched from OFF to ON. That is, after the shift lever 10 is tilted from the home position to the forward tilt limit position, it is determined whether or not the knob 11 is further rotated forward from the initial position. As a result, if YES, the process proceeds to step S7, and if NO, the process returns (neutral range selection complete).

  In step S7, the controller 60 switches the range to the reverse range and returns (reverse range selection complete).

(2) Operation As described above, the shift device 1 according to the first embodiment includes the shift lever 10 that is operated by the driver, and the shift lever 10 at the front position away from the home position and the home position in the front-rear direction. A main body 20 that supports the tilting position between the tilting limit position and the rearward tilting limit position and that automatically returns the tilted shift lever 10 to the home position, and the upper end of the shift lever 10 in the front-rear direction. A shift knob 11 that is rotatably supported and a controller 60 that controls the range of the automatic transmission 50 mounted on the vehicle based on the operation of the shift lever 10 and the knob 11 are provided. The controller 60 switches the range to the neutral range when the shift lever 10 is tilted from the home position to the forward tilt limit position or the backward tilt limit position, and from that state, the knob 11 is moved back and forth. When the rotary operation is performed, the range is switched to the travel range.

  According to this configuration, in order to select the neutral range, the driver only needs to tilt the shift lever 10 from the home position to the tilt limit position in the front-rear direction. At that time, the shift lever 10 cannot be tilted beyond the tilt limit position, and is surely stopped at the tilt limit position, so that the shift lever 10 can be easily tilted and the operability is improved.

  Further, in order to select the travel range, the driver only has to rotate the knob 11 in the front-rear direction while the shift lever 10 is stopped at the tilt limit position. At this time, since the turning direction of the knob 11 and the tilting direction of the shift lever 10 are the same in the front-rear direction, the tilting operation direction of the shift lever 10 and the rotating operation direction of the knob 11 are aligned in a straight line. 11 can be quickly and easily rotated following the tilting operation of the shift lever 10.

  Furthermore, since the tilting range of the shift lever 10 is only between the home position and the tilting limit position for selecting the neutral range, the tilting range of the shift lever 10 can be small, and the device 1 can be made compact.

  Moreover, even if the occupant accidentally touches the shift lever 10, the neutral range is selected and only the driving force transmission of the engine is cut off, so that safety against erroneous operation is ensured.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to quickly and easily select the neutral range and the traveling range while ensuring safety against an erroneous operation, and further, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the device 1. Is provided.

  In the present embodiment, the tilting operation force required to tilt the shift lever 10 from the home position to the tilt limit position by applying a force to the knob 11 is F1, and the knob 11 is applied by applying a force to the knob 11. When the rotation operation force necessary for the rotation operation in the front-rear direction is F2, F1 <F2.

  According to this configuration, when the driver holds the knob 11 in his / her hand and tilts the shift lever 10 by applying force in the front-rear direction, the knob 11 rotates with respect to the shift lever 10 during the tilting operation. It is suppressed. As a result, the driver is aware of the operation sequence required when selecting the travel range, that is, the operation sequence in which the knob 11 is rotated after the shift lever 10 is tilted to the tilt limit position, in particular the addition or subtraction of force. Can be protected naturally. Therefore, the operability when selecting the travel range is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the shift lever 10 is supported so as to be tiltable between a home position, a rearward tilt limit position separated backward from the home position, and a forward tilt limit position separated forward from the home position. The knob 11 is supported so as to be pivotable rearward and forward, and the controller 60 switches the range to the neutral range when the shift lever 10 is tilted from the home position to the rearward tilt limit position. Further, when the knob 11 is rotated backward from that state, the range is switched to the drive range, and when the shift lever 10 is tilted from the home position to the forward tilt limit position, When the range is switched to the neutral range, and the knob 11 is rotated forward from that state, the label is It is intended to switch the di a reverse range.

  According to this configuration, the home position, the rearward tilt limit position, and the forward tilt limit position are aligned, and the shift lever 10 is tilted to the rear and front across the home position, and the knob 11 is rotated. Thus, the drive range and the reverse range can be reliably separated and selected.

  In the present embodiment, a lever rotation angle sensor 29 that detects that the shift lever 10 is at the tilt limit position, and knob rotation sensors 31 and 32 that detect that the knob 11 is rotated in the front-rear direction. When the lever rotation angle sensor 29 is turned on from the state in which the lever rotation angle sensor 29 and the knob rotation sensors 31 and 32 are all OFF (YES in step S2), The range is switched to the neutral range (step S3), and when the knob rotation sensors 31, 32 are turned on from that state (YES in steps S4 and S6), the range is switched to the travel range (step S5, S5). S7), the lever rotation angle sensor 29 and the knob rotation sensors 31 and 32 are all turned off, and then the knob rotation sensors 31 and 32 are turned on first. When turned ON are those (YES in step S1), the does not perform switching of the range is at that time (operation disable the return).

  According to this configuration, the operation of the shift lever 10 and the knob 11 is recognized and the range is controlled based on the detection results of the lever rotation angle sensor 29 and the knob rotation sensors 31 and 32. In addition, when the detection order of the sensors 29, 31, and 32 is different, it is determined that the operation is incorrect, and erroneous range switching is avoided.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 13 to 17 correspond to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8, respectively. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Only the characteristic part is demonstrated using the same code | symbol for the component same as or similar to 1st Embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, in order to prevent the knob 11 from rotating during the tilting operation of the shift lever 10, the tilting operation force F1 required for tilting the shift lever 10 from the home position to the tilt limit position is used. In addition, although the rotation operation force F2 required to rotate the knob 11 in the front-rear direction is set to a large value (F1 <F2, see FIGS. 7 and 8), in this second embodiment, the shift lever It is characterized in that a restriction mechanism (corresponding to “restricting means” of the present invention) 80 that restricts the rotation of the knob 11 in the front-rear direction until the tilting operation from the 10 home position to the tilt limit position is completed is a feature. . In this case, the restriction mechanism 80 is positioned at a contact position where the control mechanism 80 contacts the knob 11 so as to prevent the rotation of the knob 11 until the tilting operation of the shift lever 10 is completed. When the tilting operation is completed, the outer cylinder rear half part 72a and the outer cylinder front half part 72b (both corresponding to the “regulating movable member” of the present invention) are provided. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the restriction mechanism 80 includes a plate member 70 attached to the lower surface of the block body 15 of the lever portion 12 of the shift lever 10. Front and rear end portions of the plate member 70 project forward and rearward from the front and rear side surfaces of the block body 15, and coil springs 71 are attached to the front and rear end portions of the projecting plate member 70 so as to extend vertically. Yes. A guide groove 15a is formed on the front and rear side surfaces of the block body 15 so as to extend in the vertical direction, and an outer cylinder rear half 72a and an outer cylinder front half 72b having a protrusion 73 that can be engaged with the guide groove 15a are provided. The lever part 12 is assembled. That is, the outer cylinder half portions 72a and 72b are mirror images of each other, and the lever portion 12 is moved from the front and the rear while the coil spring 71 is compressed from above while the protrusion 73 is engaged with the guide groove 15a of the block body 15. Opposite each other with a gap in between.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, with the shift lever 10 supported by the main body 20, the outer cylinder halves 72 a and 72 b are inserted through the gate 22 formed on the upper surface of the housing 21 from below. Block it. Both halves 72 a and 72 b are always urged upward by a compressed coil spring 71, and an upper portion thereof protrudes upward from the upper surface of the housing 21 through the gate 22. The rear surface of the rear half portion 72a and the front surface of the front half portion 72b are formed as curved surfaces whose central portions in the left-right direction bulge backward and forward, respectively, and the curved surfaces are formed at the rear end portion and the front end portion of the oval gate 22. In agreement with the circular arc shape, the rear end portion and the front end portion of the gate 22 are always in line contact by the upward biasing force of the coil spring 71.

  The outer cylinder halves 72a and 72b are formed in a tapered shape that is narrower forward and backward in the upper portion in a state of being opposed to each other, and the upper end portion is a small-diameter cylindrical portion that extends in the vertical direction, and below the space portion 11x of the knob 11 It has rushed into the part. The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion is in surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the lever portion 12 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and the outer peripheral surface slides in the vertical direction on the inner peripheral surface of the inner wall portion of the knob 11 forming the space portion 11x. Surface contact is possible.

  The outer cylinder halves 72 a and 72 b are urged upward by the coil spring 71, and the urging force is received at the rear end portion and the front end portion of the gate 22. The curved surfaces of the outer cylinder halves 72a and 72b that are in line contact with the ends of the gate 22 are inclined toward the lever portion 12 toward the upper portion in a side view due to the tapered shape. Therefore, the outer cylinder halves 72a and 72b receive the reaction force from the end of the gate 22 and are pressed against the lever 12 side. The specifications of the half halves 72a and 72b and the coil springs 71 and 71 are the same. Therefore, the outer cylinder half portions 72a and 72b press the shift lever 10 from the front and rear through the cylindrical portion with the same force. Therefore, when the operating force in the front-rear direction is not applied to the shift lever 10, the shift lever 10 is held at the home position in the upright posture at the center of the gate 22 extending in the front-rear direction.

  When the shift lever 10 in the home position receives an operating force and tilts in the front-rear direction, the distance between the lever portion 12 and the end of the gate 22 decreases on the tilted side, and increases on the opposite side. Therefore, the outer cylinder half part 72a or 72b is pushed downward along the lever part 12 while further compressing the coil spring 71 on the inclined side, and accordingly, the urging force of the coil spring 71 increases, and on the opposite side, the outer cylinder half The half portion 72b or 72a is pushed upward along the lever portion 12 by the urging force of the coil spring 71, and the coil spring 71 is extended accordingly and the urging force is reduced. Therefore, when the operating force for the shift lever 10 is released, the shift lever 10 automatically returns to the home position. Thus, in the present embodiment, the detent leg 16 and the detent guide member 24 used to hold the shift lever 10 in the home position in the first embodiment are not employed.

  FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory diagram of the shift lever 10 and the knob 11 when selecting a drive range, and FIG. 17 is an operation explanatory diagram of the shift lever 10 when selecting a reverse range, respectively. In the figure, the driver holds the knob 11, applies a force to the knob 11, and moves the knob 11 back and forth, thereby tilting the shift lever 10 back and forth and rotating the knob 11 back and forth. Shall.

  FIGS. 16A and 17A show a default state in which the shift lever 10 is held at the home position and the knob 11 is held at the initial position. The shift lever 10 is in an upright posture at the center portion of the gate 22 extending in the front-rear direction, and the knob 11 is also in an upright posture because the axial direction of the knob 11 is the same. At this time, the upper end portions (cylindrical portions) of the outer cylinder half portions 72a and 72b urged upward by the coil spring 71 enter the lower portion of the space portion 11x of the knob 11, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion is the space described above. It is in surface contact with the inner peripheral surface of the inner wall portion of the knob 11 forming the portion 11x. In this state, even if a force is applied to the knob 11, the knob 11 is in contact with the cylindrical portion, so that the rotation is prevented. In other words, the force applied to the knob 11 is not used for the rotation of the knob 11 but is used for the tilting of the shift lever 10. Therefore, the positions of the outer cylinder halves 72a and 72b where the upper ends of the outer cylinder halves 72a and 72b protrude into the space 11x of the knob 11 correspond to the “contact position” of the present invention.

  When the drive range is selected, the shift lever 10 is tilted backward from the state shown in FIG. As described above, since the upper ends of the outer cylinder halves 72a and 72b protrude into the space 11x of the knob 11, all the force applied to the knob 11 is used for tilting the shift lever 10, and the knob 11 is turned. Since it does not move, the shift lever 10 is tilted backwards well.

  On the other hand, because of this tilting, the distance between the lever portion 12 and the rear end portion of the gate 22 is shortened on the rear side of the shift lever 10, so the outer cylinder rear half portion 72 a is the rear surface (curved surface) and the rear end portion of the gate 22. And is pushed down along the lever portion 12 while sliding. Further, since the distance between the lever portion 12 and the front end portion of the gate 22 is increased on the front side of the shift lever 10, the outer cylinder front half portion 72b is in sliding contact with the front end portion of the gate 22 on the front surface (curved surface). 12 is pushed upward along the line 12.

  As the shift lever 10 tilts backward, the rear half 72a moves downward. Finally, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), the upper end of the outer cylinder rear half 72a extends from the space 11x of the knob 11. Pull out (withdraw from the contact position). That is, the outer cylinder rear half part 72a is retracted from the contact position, and in this state, the force applied to the knob 11 is not transmitted to the shift lever 10, so that the shift lever 10 cannot tilt further forward, and the shift is performed at this time. The backward tilting operation of the lever 10 is completed. Therefore, the position of the shift lever 10 when the upper end portion of the outer cylinder rear half portion 72a comes out of the space 11x of the knob 11 is also the rearward tilt limit position, and the shift when the shift lever 10 is in the rearward tilt limit position. The turning angle of the lever 10 is also the rear limit angle. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the shift lever 10 is tilted from the home position to the rearward tilt limit position, the lever rotation angle sensor 29 is turned on and the range is switched to the neutral range.

  After the shift lever 10 is tilted to the rearward tilt limit position, the knob 11 at the initial position where the contact with the outer cylinder rear half portion 72a is released is rotated backward by the force applied to the knob 11. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16C, when the rear surface of the inner wall portion of the knob 11 comes into contact with the rear surface of the shift lever 10, the drive knob rotation sensor 31 is turned on and the range is switched to the drive range.

  When the reverse range is selected, the shift lever 10 is tilted forward from the state shown in FIG. As described above, since the upper ends of the outer cylinder halves 72a and 72b protrude into the space 11x of the knob 11, all the force applied to the knob 11 is used for tilting the shift lever 10, and the knob 11 is turned. Since it does not move, the shift lever 10 is tilted forward in a favorable manner.

  On the other hand, because of this tilt, the distance between the lever portion 12 and the front end portion of the gate 22 is shortened on the front side of the shift lever 10, so It is pushed down along the lever portion 12 while in contact. Further, since the distance between the lever portion 12 and the rear end portion of the gate 22 becomes longer on the rear side of the shift lever 10, the outer cylinder rear half portion 72a is in sliding contact with the rear end portion of the gate 22 on the rear surface (curved surface). It is pushed upward along the lever portion 12.

  As the forward tilt of the shift lever 10 progresses, the downward movement of the front half 72b proceeds. Finally, as shown in FIG. 17B, the upper end of the outer cylinder front half 72b extends from the space 11x of the knob 11. Pull out (withdraw from the contact position). That is, the outer cylinder front half part 72b is retracted from the contact position, and in this state, the force applied to the knob 11 is not transmitted to the shift lever 10, so the shift lever 10 cannot tilt further forward, and the shift is performed at this time. The forward tilting operation of the lever 10 is completed. Therefore, the position of the shift lever 10 when the upper end portion of the outer cylinder front half 72b comes out of the space 11x of the knob 11 is also the forward tilt limit position, and the shift when the shift lever 10 is at the forward tilt limit position is also performed. The turning angle of the lever 10 is also the front limit angle. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17B, when the shift lever 10 is tilted from the home position to the forward tilt limit position, the lever rotation angle sensor 29 is turned on and the range is switched to the neutral range.

  After the shift lever 10 is tilted to the forward tilt limit position, the force applied to the knob 11 causes the knob 11 at the initial position where the contact with the outer cylinder front half 72b is released to rotate forward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17C, when the front surface of the inner wall portion of the knob 11 comes into contact with the front surface of the shift lever 10, the reverse knob rotation sensor 32 is turned on, and the range is switched to the reverse range.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the restriction mechanism 80 that restricts the rotation of the knob 11 in the front-rear direction until the tilt operation from the home position to the tilt limit position of the shift lever 10 is completed is provided. .

  According to this configuration, the knob 11 is restricted from rotating while the driver is tilting the shift lever 10. This reliably prevents the knob 11 from rotating while the shift lever 10 is tilted, thereby further improving the operability when selecting the travel range.

  In the present embodiment, the restriction mechanism 80 is positioned at a contact position where the control mechanism 80 contacts the knob 11 so as to prevent the rotation of the knob 11 until the tilting operation of the shift lever 10 is completed. When the tilting operation is completed, the outer cylinder halves 72a and 72b retract from the contact position.

  According to this configuration, the outer cylinder half portions 72a and 72b are positioned at the contact positions, thereby reliably restricting the knob 11 from rotating while the driver is moving the shift lever 10. . On the other hand, by retracting the outer cylinder halves 72a and 72b from the contact positions, the driver can reliably rotate the knob 11 after the tilting operation of the shift lever 10 is completed.

<Other embodiments>
In the above embodiment, the shift device 1 has the drive range selection direction backward and the reverse range selection direction forward, but conversely, the reverse range selection direction may be backward and the drive range selection direction forward. . Further, although the tilt direction of the shift lever 10 and the rotation direction of the knob 11 are the front-rear direction, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be the left-right direction, for example. Further, the shift lever 10 may be slid instead of tilted, for example.

  In the above embodiment, the shift device 1 switches the range of the stepped automatic transmission (AT) 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a stepless automatic transmission (CVT) It may be one that switches the range.

  In the above embodiment, the shift device 1 is applied to a so-called left-hand drive vehicle (see FIG. 1), but can also be applied to a right-hand drive vehicle. In that case, for example, the arrangement of the parking switch 8, the indicator 9, and the shift lever 10 shown in FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a vehicle equipped with an engine composed of an internal combustion engine. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or the like that can travel with a travel motor.

1 Shift device 10 Shift lever (operating member)
11 Shift knob (grip)
20 Main body 29 Lever rotation angle sensor (position detection means)
31 Drive knob rotation sensor (rotation detection means)
32 Reverse knob rotation sensor (rotation detection means)
50 Automatic transmission 60 Controller (control means)
80 Regulation mechanism (regulation means)
72a Second half of outer cylinder (movable member for regulation)
72b First half of outer cylinder (movable member for regulation)

Claims (6)

An operation member operated by the driver;
A main body that supports the operation member movably between a home position and a movement limit position separated from the home position in a predetermined direction, and automatically returns the moved operation member to the home position;
A gripping part rotatably supported in the predetermined direction at the tip of the operating member;
Control means for controlling the range of the transmission mounted on the vehicle based on the operation of the operation member and the gripping portion;
The control means includes
When the operation member is moved from the home position to the movement limit position, the range is switched to the neutral range, and when the gripping unit is rotated in the predetermined direction from the state, the range is changed. A vehicle shift device characterized in that the vehicle is switched to a traveling range. The vehicle shift device according to claim 1,
The force necessary to move the operating member from the home position to the movement limit position by applying a force to the gripping part is F1, and the gripping part is rotated in the predetermined direction by applying a force to the gripping part. A vehicle shift device characterized in that F1 <F2 is set, where F2 is the force required for the above. The vehicle shift device according to claim 1,
A vehicular shift device comprising: a restricting means for restricting the rotation of the grip portion in the predetermined direction until the operation of the operation member from the home position to the movement limit position is completed. The vehicle shift device according to claim 3,
The restricting means is located at a contact position where it comes into contact with the gripping part so as to prevent the rotation of the gripping part until the moving operation of the operating member is completed, and when the moving operation is completed. Includes a restricting movable member that retracts from the contact position. In the vehicle shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The operating member includes a home position, a first movement limit position separated from the home position in the first direction, and a second movement limit position separated from the home position in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Supported movably between,
The grip portion is supported so as to be rotatable in the first direction and the second direction,
The control means includes
When the operation member is moved from the home position to the first movement limit position, the range is switched to the neutral range, and the gripping portion is rotated from the state in the first direction. Then, switch the above range to the drive range that is the traveling range in the forward direction,
When the operation member is moved from the home position to the second movement limit position, the range is switched to the neutral range, and the gripping unit is rotated in the second direction from that state. In addition, the vehicular shift device is characterized in that the range is switched to a reverse range which is a travel range in the reverse direction. In the vehicle shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Position detecting means for detecting that the operating member is at the movement limit position;
A rotation detecting means for detecting that the gripper has rotated in the predetermined direction;
The control means includes
When both the position detection unit and the rotation detection unit are in the non-detection state and the position detection unit is in the detection state, the range is switched to the neutral range, and the rotation detection unit is in the detection state from that state. When this happens, switch the above range to the driving range,
When both the position detection unit and the rotation detection unit are in the detection state first from the non-detection state, the range is not switched at that time. Vehicle shift device.

Images