JP6245121B2 - Vehicle shifter device - Google Patents

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a so-called electric shifter device is known as a shifter device for a vehicle such as an automobile, which performs a shift by electrically detecting the position of a shift lever. 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.

  The elevator device has no restriction on the operation stroke of the shift lever. Therefore, a mechanism called a momentary type is widely used from the viewpoint of compactness and improvement in operability. For example, the momentary-type elevator device can change 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 change the range when the hand is released from the shift lever. The shift lever automatically returns to the home position while the range is maintained. 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 increases, 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 increases, 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.

  In terms of annoyance, it is troublesome for the driver to repeat the same operation.

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

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention supports an operation member operated by a driver and the operation member so as to be displaceable in a first direction and a second direction different from a home position. A main body for automatically returning a subsequent operation member to the home position, control means for controlling a range of a transmission mounted on the vehicle based on a displacement operation of the operation member, and the first of the operation member Detecting means for detecting a displacement amount in the direction and the second direction and outputting the detected amount to the control means, wherein the control means is configured such that the operating member is operated once in the first direction. When it is confirmed based on the detection value of the detection means that the operation has been made, the range is switched to the neutral range, and the detection value of the detection means that the operation member has been displaced twice in the first direction. Based on When it is recognized, when the range is switched to the drive range that is the traveling range in the forward direction, it is confirmed based on the detection value of the detection means that the operation member has been displaced once in the second direction. When the range is switched to the neutral range and the operation member is displaced twice in the second direction based on the detection value of the detection means, the range is the reverse range that is the reverse travel range. In order to move from the first displacement operation in the first direction to the second displacement operation, the position when the operation member is folded back on the home position side is separated from the home position in the first direction. even if the first threshold value or less amount of displacement from the home position of the operation member is predetermined in its folded position, the switching to the drive range Was allowed, the position at which the said operating member from the first displacement operation in order to move to the second displacement operation in the second direction is folded back at the home position side away in the second direction from the home position However, if the amount of displacement of the operating member from the home position at the turn-back position is equal to or smaller than a predetermined second threshold value, switching to the reverse range is permitted, and the first threshold value is set higher than the second threshold value. Is set to a larger value .

According to the present invention, when selecting the neutral range, the driver only performs a displacement operation of the operation member once in the first direction or the second direction from the home position without pressing the button switch, for example. Good. Also, when selecting a driving range (drive range or a reverse range), the driver, also without pressing or the like of the button switch, twice the displacement operation of the operation member from the home position in the first direction or the second direction it is only necessary to. Therefore, the selection operation of the neutral range and the travel range becomes quick and simple. Nevertheless, the driver's intention to select the travel range can be confirmed by repeating the same operation.

Furthermore, since the operating member is displaced only in the first direction and the second direction from the home position, the range in which the operating member is displaced is small, and the apparatus can be made compact. Moreover, even if the occupant accidentally touches the operating member, that is, even if the operating member is accidentally displaced once, unless it is repeatedly displaced twice in the same direction, it will not switch to the travel range by itself. Safety against this is ensured.

On top of that, even if folded not completely return to the operating member Gaho over beam position when moving to the second displacement operation for driving range selected from first displacement operation for a neutral range selection, its return position If the distance between the vehicle and the home position is equal to or less than a threshold (first threshold or second threshold) , switching to the travel range is permitted. Therefore, the driver can be operated member in the displacement operation of the first even if the second displacement operation before as possible return to the home position to select the driving range. Thereby, when selecting a travel range, it is reduced that the driver feels troublesome to repeat the same operation.
In addition, the first direction side first threshold value used when selecting the drive range that is the traveling range in the forward direction is set to a relatively large value, and the second direction used when selecting the reverse range that is the traveling range in the backward direction. Since the second threshold value on the side is set to a relatively small value, the driver, when selecting the drive range, before the operation member that has performed the first displacement operation in the first direction returns to the home position. Although the drive range can be selected by performing the second displacement operation, when the reverse range is selected, the operation member that has performed the first displacement operation in the second direction is closer to the home position than when the drive range is selected. After that, the reverse range cannot be selected unless the second displacement operation is performed. Thereby, when selecting the reverse range in which the vehicle moves backward, the driver can be urged to perform a careful and reliable operation, and the safety can be improved from this point.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly and easily select a travel range while ensuring safety against an erroneous operation, and further, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the apparatus and reduce the troublesomeness of the operation. A shifter device is provided.

In the present invention, a notification unit that performs a predetermined notification when the displacement amount of the operation member decreases to the first threshold value or the second threshold value after the first displacement operation in the first direction or the second direction . It is preferable to further comprise.

According to this configuration, the driver appropriately knows the timing at which the operation member that has been displaced in the first direction or the second direction may be displaced again in the same direction before the operation member has completely returned to the home position. Can do. Therefore, the trouble of repeating the same operation is further reduced.

In the present invention, the operation member is a shift lever, and the main body supports the shift lever so as to be tiltable in the first direction and the second direction from the home position, and the tilted shift lever is The home position is automatically returned, and the detection means detects the tilt angle of the shift lever in the first direction and the second direction as the displacement amount . switching the range to the neutral range when it is once tilting operation in one direction is confirmed based on the detection value of the detection means, the shift lever is tilted operated twice in the first direction That the range is switched to the drive range and the shift lever is tilted once in the second direction. When the range is switched to the neutral range when confirmed based on the detection value of the detection means, and it is confirmed based on the detection value of the detection means that the shift lever has been tilted twice in the second direction. In order to switch the range to the reverse range and move from the first tilting operation in the first direction to the second tilting operation, the position when the shift lever is folded back on the home position side is changed from the home position. Even if it is away from the first direction, if the tilt angle from the home position of the shift lever at the turn-back position is less than or equal to the first threshold value, switching to the drive range is permitted and the shift to the second direction is permitted . In order to shift from the first tilting operation to the second tilting operation, the position when the shift lever is folded back on the home position side is above the home position. Be spaced apart in a second direction, if the tilt angle from the home position of the shift lever is at less than the second threshold at that folded position, it is preferable to allow switching to the reverse range.

  According to this configuration, the traveling range can be selected quickly and easily by tilting the shift lever.

  The present invention is a momentary-type vehicle shifter device that can quickly and easily select a travel range while ensuring safety against erroneous operation, and further suppresses the enlargement of the device and reduces the troublesomeness of operation. Therefore, it contributes to the improvement of the reliability and merchantability of this type of vehicle shifter device.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the compartment front part of the vehicle to which the shifter apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is a top view of the part by which the said shifter 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 shifter apparatus from the left back. It is the perspective view of a part notch which looked at the shifter device from the left rear. It is the perspective view of a part notch which looked at the shifter device from the right rear. It is a plane sectional view for demonstrating the detent mechanism employ | adopted as the said shifter apparatus. It is a left longitudinal cross-sectional view for demonstrating tilting operation of the shift lever employ | adopted as the said shifter apparatus. It is a block diagram of the control system of the shifter device. It is explanatory drawing of the shift pattern of the said shifter apparatus. It is a flowchart of the range selection operation | movement which the controller of the said shifter apparatus performs. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 2 which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

<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 shifter 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. 8) 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 shifter device 1 is operated by the driver in order to select a desired range from the plurality of ranges.

  FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing an arrangement portion of the shifter device 1 in the center console 5. In FIG. 2 and subsequent figures, symbols F and L indicate the front and left of the vehicle, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shifter 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 a parking range). When the parking range is selected, the letter “P” is highlighted by a light source such as an LED. Is displayed. 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 the currently selected travel range. The indicator 9 is adjacent to the parking switch 8 and in order from the front, the characters “R” (represents a reverse range), “H” (represents a home position to be described later), and “D” (represents a drive range). When the dials arranged side by side are provided and the travel range of the reverse range or the drive range is selected according to the operation of the main operation unit 7 to be described next, the selected range is obtained by a light source such as an LED. The characters “R” or “D” corresponding to 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, for example, a display unit between a speedometer and a tachometer, and “P”, “R”, “N” (representing a neutral range) corresponding to the currently selected range is displayed on the display unit. ) Or “D” is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shifter device 1 further includes a main operation unit 7. The main operation unit 7 is operated when the range is switched to a neutral, reverse, or drive range 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 is provided at the lever portion 12 extending in the vertical direction, the shift knob 11 provided at the upper end portion of the lever portion 12 and gripped by the driver when the shift lever 10 is operated, and the lower end portion of the lever portion 12. A columnar tilting shaft portion 13 extending in the vehicle width direction, a block body 15 provided at a substantially intermediate position in the vertical direction of the lever portion 12, and a rod-shaped detent projecting leftward from the left side surface of the block body 15 A leg portion 16 and a rod-shaped sensor detection portion 17 projecting rightward from the right side surface of the block body 15 are provided.

  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 tilting angle sensor (corresponding to “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 leg portion 16 can move back and forth in the left-right direction with respect to the block body 15 and is 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 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 stands in the vertical direction (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  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 shifter device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 20 that supports the shift lever 10 so as to be tiltable in the front-rear direction from the home position and automatically returns the tilted shift lever 10 to the home position. This is a shifter device of the type.

  Returning to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, with the shift lever 10 supported by the main body portion 20, the sensor detected portion 17 provided on the right side surface of the block body 15 and the right side surface of the housing 21. The tilt angle sensor 29 is engaged. The tilt angle sensor 29 detects the tilt angle of the shift lever 10 when the shift lever 10 tilts in the front-rear direction from the home position by detecting the position of the sensor detection portion 17.

  FIG. 7 is a left longitudinal sectional view for explaining the tilting operation of the shift lever 10. In the drawing, a solid line indicates a reference state in which the shift lever 10 is held at the home position. In this reference state, the shift lever 10 takes an upright posture at the center of the gate 22 extending in the front-rear direction.

  As shown by a broken line in FIG. 7, 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 is performed. The lever 10 cannot tilt backward beyond that position. The position of the shift lever 10 at this time is referred to as a “rear limit position”. Similarly, as indicated by a chain line in FIG. 7, 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 cannot tilt forward beyond its position. The position of the shift lever 10 at this time is referred to as a “front limit position”. That is, the shift lever 10 can be tilted between a home position (solid line), a rear limit position (dashed line) farther away from the home position, and a front limit position (dashed line) farther away from the home position. It is.

  If the tilt angle (referred to as a reference tilt angle) θo of the shift lever 10 when the shift lever 10 is at the home position is determined in advance, the tilt angle of the shift lever 10 when the shift lever 10 is at the rear limit position (rear limit) Θr (referred to as an angle) and a tilt angle (referred to as a forward limit angle) θf of the shift lever 10 when the shift lever 10 is in the forward limit position are also determined in advance. Therefore, when the rear limit angle θr is detected by the tilt angle sensor 29, it is detected that the shift lever 10 is at the rear limit position, and when the front limit angle θf is detected, the shift lever 10 is moved to the front limit position. Is detected. Similarly, when the reference tilt angle θo is detected by the tilt angle sensor 29, it is detected that the shift lever 10 is at the home position.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the shifter 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. 8, the controller 60 is represented as an integral block, but may be composed of, for example, a plurality of microcomputers provided separately on the vehicle body side and the automatic transmission 50 side.

  The controller 60 is electrically connected to the meter unit 3, the parking switch 8, the indicator 9, the tilt angle sensor 29, and the speed change actuator 50 a of the automatic transmission 50 described above. 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 shifter device 1.

  The controller 60 determines whether or not the parking switch 8 has been pressed according to a signal output from a contact built in the parking switch 8, and shift lever according to a signal output from the tilt angle sensor 29. It is determined whether 10 is held at the home position or how much the shift lever 10 is tilted in either the front or back direction. Then, based on the operation state of the shifter device 1 determined in this way, the controller 60 controls the range switching of the automatic transmission 50 and the display control of the meter unit 3 and the indicator 9 (the currently selected range). Control) to display.

  Under the control of the controller 60 as described above, in the present embodiment, the shift pattern of the shifter device 1 is set as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the threshold value X used for determining whether or not the shift lever 10 tilted backward has reached the rear limit position is determined in advance ahead of the rear limit angle θr and tilted forward. The threshold value Y used for determining whether or not the shift lever 10 has reached the front limit position is set in advance behind the front limit angle θf. Further, a threshold value A (corresponding to the “first threshold value” of the present invention) used for determining whether or not the shift lever 10 that has been tilted backward has returned to the home position is set in advance behind the reference tilt angle θo. The threshold value B (corresponding to the “second threshold value” of the present invention) used for determining whether or not the shift lever 10 that has been tilted forward and returned to the home position is determined in advance ahead of the reference tilt angle θo. It has been.

  Here, the threshold A on the rear side is set to a value larger than the threshold B on the front side (A> B). Moreover, the threshold value X is a value larger than the threshold value A (X> A), and the threshold value Y is a value larger than the threshold value B (Y> B). Needless to say, X <θr−θo and Y <θo−θf. Note that the tilt angle of the shift lever 10 is larger as it is closer to the rear side and is smaller as it is toward the front side.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the shift lever 10 is tilted once from the home position to the rear limit position (indicated as “D direction” in the figure) regardless of what the current range is, Is set to the neutral range. Then, the second tilting operation within a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) after the first tilting operation is performed, that is, the shift lever 10 returns to the home position, and the tilting operation is again performed from the home position to the rear limit position. Then, the range switches from the neutral range to the drive range.

  Similarly, regardless of what the current range is, if the shift lever 10 is tilted once from the home position to the front limit position (referred to as “R direction” in the figure), the range changes to the neutral range. Is set. Then, the second tilting operation within a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) after the first tilting operation is performed, that is, the shift lever 10 returns to the home position, and the tilting operation is again performed from the home position to the front limit position. Then, the range switches from the neutral range to the reverse range.

  In cases other than the above, for example, when the second tilting operation is not performed, when the second tilting operation is performed after exceeding the predetermined time, the direction of the second tilting operation is the first tilting operation. When the second tilting operation does not reach the rear limit position or the front limit position, the range is maintained at the neutral range.

  Here, the controller 60 determines whether or not the shift lever 10 has been tilted from the home position to the limit position, and whether or not the shift lever 10 has returned from the limit position to the home position. , Y, A, B (see FIGS. 7 and 9).

  Specifically, with respect to the backward tilting operation (that is, when the drive range is selected), if the backward tilt angle of the shift lever 10 from the home position increases to a threshold value X or more, the shift lever 10 reaches the rear limit position. If it is determined that the tilting operation has been performed and then the tilting angle of the shift lever 10 from the home position to the rear is decreased to a threshold value A or less, it is determined that the shift lever 10 has returned to the home position.

  Similarly, with respect to the forward tilting operation (that is, when the reverse range is selected), if the forward tilt angle of the shift lever 10 from the home position increases beyond the threshold Y, the shift lever 10 tilts to the front limit position. If it is determined that the shift lever 10 is tilted forward from the home position to a threshold value B or less, it is determined that the shift lever 10 has returned to the home position.

  In this case, as described above, the rear-side threshold A is set to a value larger than the front-side threshold B (A> B). As a result, when the driver selects the drive range, the range is sufficiently switched to the drive range even if the second tilting operation is performed before the shift lever 10 that has performed the first tilting operation in the rearward direction returns to the home position. On the other hand, when the reverse range is selected, if the shift lever 10 that has been tilted forward for the first time is closer to the home position than when the drive range is selected, if the tilt operation is not performed for the second time, the range becomes the reverse range. Does not switch. As a result, when the drive range is selected, the driver feels less troublesome to repeat the same operation of the shift lever 10 twice. On the other hand, when the reverse range where the vehicle moves backward is selected, Safe and reliable operation of the shift lever 10 is promoted to improve safety.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shift pattern described above is displayed with symbols on the side of the shift lever 10 of the main operation unit 7 for the convenience of the driver. That is, if the tilt operation is performed once backward from the home position “H” (●), (▼) the neutral range “N” is set, and if the tilt operation is performed twice in succession (▼▼), the drive range “D” is set. And when tilting forward once from the home position “H” (●), (▲) neutral range “N” is set, and when tilting twice consecutively (▲▲) reverse range “R” Is displayed.

  On the other hand, when switching 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 neutral, reverse, and drive ranges, the range is switched to the parking range by itself.

  When switching from the parking range to a range other than the parking range, the shift lever 10 may be tilted forward or backward from the home position, and the parking switch 8 need not be released one by one. That is, when the current range is the parking range, if the shift lever 10 is tilted once to the rear limit position or the front limit position, the range is switched to the neutral range by itself, and if the tilt operation is performed twice, the range is driven by itself. Switch to range or reverse range.

  As a summary, the range selection operation performed by the controller 60 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This range selection operation starts from a reference state in which the shift lever 10 is held at the home position.

  In step S1, the controller 60 determines that the tilt angle detected by the tilt angle sensor 29 is an angle [(θo−Y) to θf between the angle (θo−Y) and the front limit angle θf from the reference tilt angle θo. ] (Referred to as the first range angle), in other words, whether the forward tilt angle of the shift lever 10 from the home position has increased beyond the threshold Y, that is, the shift lever 10 is at the home position. It is determined whether or not a tilting operation (first time) has been performed from to the front limit position. As a result, if YES, the process proceeds to step S2, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S2, the controller 60 selects a neutral range. Next, the controller 60 counts the timer in step S3, and further determines whether or not the timer value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold T in step S4. That is, it is determined whether it is within a predetermined time after the first tilt operation. As a result, if YES, the process proceeds to step S5, and if NO, the process returns (neutral range is determined).

  In step S5, the controller 60 determines that the tilt angle detected by the tilt angle sensor 29 is between the angle (θo−B) and the reference tilt angle θo from the first range angle [(θo−Y) to θf]. Or [in other words, whether or not the forward tilt angle of the shift lever 10 from the home position has decreased to a threshold value B or less. That is, it is determined whether or not the shift lever 10 has returned from the front limit position to the home position. As a result, when YES, the process proceeds to step S6, and when NO, the process returns to step S3.

  In step S6, the controller 60 displays on the meter unit (corresponding to “notification means” of the present invention) 3 that the shift lever 10 has returned to the home position. Accordingly, the driver is aware that the shift lever 10 may be tilted forward again because the shift lever 10 has returned to the home position. That is, the controller 60 executes display control for returning the home position of the shift lever 10 to the meter unit 3 in addition to display control of the currently selected range.

  Next, in step S7, the controller 60 determines the tilt angle detected by the tilt angle sensor 29 from the second range angle [(θo−B) to θo] again to the first range angle [(θo−Y). ) To θf], in other words, whether the forward tilt angle of the shift lever 10 from the home position has increased again to the threshold value Y or more, that is, the shift lever 10 is moved forward from the home position. It is determined whether or not the tilting operation (second time) has been performed. As a result, when YES, the process proceeds to step S8, and when NO, the process returns to step S3.

  In step S8, the controller 60 selects a reverse range and returns (reverse range determination).

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step S1 to step S9, in step S9, the controller 60 determines that the tilt angle detected by the tilt angle sensor 29 is an angle (θo + X) and the rear limit angle θr from the reference tilt angle θo. Whether or not the angle [[θo + X) to θr] (referred to as the third range angle) has changed, in other words, whether or not the tilt angle of the shift lever 10 from the home position to the rear increases beyond the threshold value X. That is, it is determined whether or not the shift lever 10 has been tilted (first time) from the home position to the rear limit position. As a result, the process proceeds to step S10 if YES, and returns if NO.

  In step S10, the controller 60 selects a neutral range. Next, the controller 60 counts the timer in step S11, and further determines whether or not the value of the timer is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold T in step S12. That is, it is determined whether it is within a predetermined time after the first tilt operation. As a result, if YES, the process proceeds to step S13, and if NO, the process returns (neutral range is determined).

  In step S13, the controller 60 determines that the tilt angle detected by the tilt angle sensor 29 is an angle between the angle (θo + A) and the reference tilt angle θo from the third range angle [(θo + X) to θr]. θo + A) to θo] (referred to as a fourth range angle), in other words, whether or not the tilt angle of the shift lever 10 from the home position to the rear is decreased to a threshold A or less, that is, the shift lever It is determined whether 10 has returned from the rear limit position to the home position. As a result, if YES, the process proceeds to step S14, and if NO, the process returns to step S11.

  In step S14, the controller 60 displays on the meter unit 3 that the shift lever 10 has returned to the home position. Accordingly, the driver is aware that the shift lever 10 may be tilted backward again because the shift lever 10 has returned to the home position.

  Next, in step S15, the controller 60 changes the tilt angle detected by the tilt angle sensor 29 from the fourth range angle [(θo + A) to θo] again to the third range angle [(θo + X) to θr]. In other words, in other words, whether or not the tilt angle of the shift lever 10 from the home position to the rear has increased again to the threshold value X or more, that is, the shift lever 10 is tilted from the home position to the rear limit position. It is determined whether or not (second time). As a result, if YES, the process proceeds to step S16, and if NO, the process returns to step S11.

  In step S16, the controller 60 selects a drive range and returns (drive range determination).

(2) Operation As described above in detail with reference to the drawings, in this embodiment, the shift lever 10 operated by the driver and the shift lever 10 are supported so as to be tiltable forward and backward from the home position. A main body 20 that automatically returns the tilted shift lever 10 to the home position, and a controller 60 that controls the range of the automatic transmission 50 mounted on the vehicle based on the tilting operation of the shift lever 10. In the vehicle shifter device 1 including the tilt angle sensor 29 that detects the tilt angle of the shift lever 10 forward and rearward and outputs the tilt angle sensor 29 to the controller 60, the controller 60 performs the following characteristic operation. Do.

  That is, the controller 60 switches the range to the travel range when it is confirmed based on the detection value of the tilt angle sensor 29 that the forward tilting operation of the shift lever 10 is repeated twice. At that time, even if the position when the shift lever 10 is turned back on the home position side to repeat the tilting operation is away from the home position in a predetermined direction, the controller 60 moves the shift lever 10 at the turn-back position. If the tilt angle of the lever 10 from the home position is equal to or less than the predetermined thresholds A and B, switching to the travel range is permitted.

  According to this configuration, when selecting the travel range, the driver only has to repeat the tilting operation of the shift lever 10 twice forward or backward from the home position without pressing a button switch, for example. Therefore, the operation for selecting the travel range is quick and simple. Nevertheless, the driver's intention to select the travel range can be confirmed by repeating the same operation.

  Furthermore, since the shift lever 10 tilts only in the front-rear direction from the home position, the range in which the shift lever 10 tilts is small, and the shifter device 1 for a vehicle can be made compact. Moreover, even if the occupant inadvertently touches the shift lever 10, that is, even if the shift lever 10 is inadvertently tilted only once, as long as the shift lever 10 is not repeatedly tilted twice in the same direction, it does not switch to the travel range. Therefore, safety against erroneous operation is ensured.

  In addition, even if the shift lever 10 is turned back without returning to the home position while repeating the tilting operation twice, if the distance between the turned-back position and the home position is equal to or less than the threshold values A and B, the travel range is reached. Switching is allowed. Therefore, the driver can select the traveling range even if the shift lever 10 is tilted forward or backward again before the shift lever 10 tilted forward or backward returns to the home position. Thereby, when selecting a travel range, it is reduced that the driver feels troublesome to repeat the same operation.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to select a travel range quickly and easily while ensuring safety against an erroneous operation, and further, for a vehicle capable of suppressing the increase in size and reducing the troublesomeness of the operation. A shifter device 1 is provided.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the controller 60 switches the range to the neutral range when the shift lever 10 is tilted backward once, and the range when the shift lever 10 is tilted backward twice. When the shift lever 10 is tilted forward once, the range is switched to the neutral range, and when the shift lever 10 is tilted forward twice. The above range is switched to the reverse range, which is the reverse travel range.

  At this time, the controller 60 does not change the folding position of the shift lever 10 when moving from the first tilting operation to the second tilting operation away from the home position. If the tilt angle of the shift lever 10 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value A, switching to the drive range is permitted, and the first tilt operation forward to the second tilt operation is performed. Even if the return position of the shift lever 10 is away from the home position, switching to the reverse range is permitted if the tilt angle of the shift lever 10 at the return position is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold B. .

  In the present embodiment, the threshold A is set to a larger value than the threshold B.

  According to this configuration, when selecting the neutral range, the driver only needs to tilt the shift lever 10 once forward or backward from the home position without pressing a button switch, for example. Further, when selecting the travel range, the driver only needs to tilt the shift lever 10 twice forward or backward from the home position without pressing the button switch. Therefore, the selection operation of the neutral range and the traveling range becomes quicker and simpler.

  In addition, even if the shift lever 10 does not return to the home position when shifting from the first tilt operation for selecting the neutral range to the second tilt operation for selecting the travel range, the return position and the home position Is less than the threshold values A and B, switching to the travel range is permitted. Therefore, the driver can select the travel range even if the driver performs the second tilting operation before the shift lever 10 that has performed the first tilting operation returns to the home position. Thereby, when selecting a driving | running | working range, it is reduced that the driver | operator feels bothersome repeating the same operation twice.

  Further, according to this configuration, the drive range and the reverse range having different traveling directions can be clearly distinguished and selected by tilting the shift lever 10 backward or forward from the home position. .

  In addition, the rear threshold A used when selecting the drive range is set to a relatively large value, and the front threshold B used when selecting the reverse range is set to a relatively small value. When the user selects the drive range, the drive lever can be selected sufficiently even if the second tilting operation is performed before the shift lever 10 that has performed the first tilting operation backward has returned to the home position. When the reverse range is selected, the reverse range cannot be selected unless the shift lever 10 that has been tilted forward for the first time moves closer to the home position than when the drive range is selected and is not tilted for the second time. Thereby, when selecting the reverse range in which the vehicle moves backward, the driver can be urged to perform a careful and reliable operation, and the safety can be improved from this point.

  Moreover, according to the above configuration, the traveling range can be quickly and easily selected by the tilting operation of the shift lever 10.

  In the present embodiment, when the tilt angle of the shift lever 10 decreases to the threshold value B or A or less after the first forward tilt operation forward or backward (YES in step S5 or S13), the shift lever 10 is A meter unit 3 is further provided for displaying that the home position has been returned (step S6 or S14).

  According to this configuration, the driver can appropriately know the timing at which the shift lever 10 may be tilted forward or backward again before the shift lever 10 tilted forward or backward has returned to the home position. it can. Therefore, the trouble of repeating the same operation is further reduced.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the operation member is the shift lever 10 supported by the main body 20 so as to be tiltable. However, the operation member is not limited thereto, and may be a slide member supported by the main body so as to be slidable. . An example of such a slide member is shown in FIG. 11, the description of the same part as the first embodiment is omitted, and only the characteristic part is described.

  In FIG. 11, a shifter device 101 includes a slide member 110 supported by a main body (not shown) so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The slide member 110 has a grip 111 that is gripped by the driver during operation. The grip portion 111 has a shape similar to a mouse used in a personal computer. The shifter device 101 is a momentary shifter device that automatically returns the slide member 110 after the slide movement to the home position shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, for the convenience of the driver, a neutral range “N” is set on the side of the slide member 110 by sliding once from the home position “H” (●) to the rear (▼). When the slide operation is continued twice (▼▼), the drive range “D” is set, and when the slide operation is performed once forward from the home position “H” (●), (▲) the neutral range “N” ”Is set, and it is displayed that the reverse range“ R ”is set when a slide operation is performed twice in succession (▲▲).

  In addition, as a mechanism for returning the slide member 110 to the home position, the above-described detent leg and the detent guide member may be provided, or a front-side return spring that biases the slide member 110 rearward and a front side. You may arrange | position the back side return spring urged | biased to the front and back on both sides of the slide member 110 in between.

<Third Embodiment>
Furthermore, the operation member may be a dial member that is rotatably supported by the main body, for example. An example of such a dial member is shown in FIG. 12, the description of the same part as that of the first embodiment is omitted, and only the characteristic part will be described.

  In FIG. 12, a shifter device 201 includes a dial member 210 supported by a main body (not shown) so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction (counterclockwise / clockwise). The dial member 210 has a grip portion 211 that is gripped by the driver during operation. The gripping part 211 is arranged so that the rotation axis O extends in the vertical direction. The shifter device 201 is a momentary shifter device that automatically returns the rotated dial member 210 to the home position shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the neutral range “N” is set in front of the dial member 210 by rotating the home position “H” (●) once to the right (▼) for the convenience of the driver. If it is rotated twice (▼▼), the drive range “D” is set, and if it is rotated once from the home position “H” (●) to the left (▲) neutral range. It is displayed that “N” is set and the reverse range “R” is set when the rotation operation is continued twice (▲▲).

  As a mechanism for returning the dial member 210 to the home position, both a winding spring (torsion spring) that biases the dial member 210 to the right and a winding spring that biases the dial member 210 to the left are used as the rotation axis O. It is suggested to wrap around.

<Other variations>
In the first and second embodiments, the shifter devices 1 and 101 have the drive range selection direction backward and the reverse range selection direction forward, but conversely the drive range selection direction is forward and reverse range. The selection direction may be backward. Moreover, although the displacement direction of the operation members 10 and 110 was the front-back direction, it is not restricted to this, For example, it is good also as the left-right direction.

  In the third embodiment, the shifter device 201 has the drive range selection direction to the right and the reverse range selection direction to the left, but the drive range selection direction to the left and reverse range selection. The direction may be right. Further, although the displacement direction of the operation member 210 is the left-right direction, the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the above-described embodiment, the notification means is the meter unit 3 that provides information to the driver visually through display. However, the notification unit is not limited to this. For example, the notification means provides information to the driver through sound (such as a speaker). ), Or a device that provides information to the driver through vibration (such as a vibrator).

  In the above-described embodiment, the shifter devices 1, 101, and 201 are for switching the range of the stepped automatic transmission (AT) 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a continuously variable automatic transmission. (CVT) range may be switched and operated.

  In the above embodiment, the shifter devices 1, 101, 201 are 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 and the indicator 9 and the shift lever 10 shown in FIG. 2, the symbol display of the shift pattern shown in FIGS. .

  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 Shifter device 3 Meter unit (notification means)
10 Shift lever (operation member)
20 Body 29 Tilt angle sensor (detection means)
50 Automatic transmission 60 Controller (control means)

Claims (3)

An operation member operated by the driver;
A main body that supports the operating member so as to be displaceable in a first direction and a second direction different from the home position, and automatically returns the operating member after the displacement to the home position;
Control means for controlling the range of the transmission mounted on the vehicle based on the displacement operation of the operation member;
A vehicle shifter device comprising: a detecting unit that detects a displacement amount of the operation member in the first direction and the second direction and outputs the detected amount to the control unit;
The control means includes
2 the range when the said operating member is once displaced operation in the first direction is confirmed based on the detection value of the detection means switches to the neutral range, the operating member in the first direction When it is confirmed based on the detection value of the detection means that the rotational displacement has been performed, the range is switched to a drive range that is a traveling range in the forward direction,
When it is confirmed based on the detection value of the detection means that the operation member has been displaced once in the second direction, the range is switched to the neutral range, and the operation member is displaced twice in the second direction. When it is confirmed that the operation is performed based on the detection value of the detection means, the range is switched to the reverse range that is the traveling range in the reverse direction,
Even if the position when the operation member is folded back on the home position side to move from the first displacement operation in the first direction to the second displacement operation is away from the home position in the first direction, If the amount of displacement of the operating member from the home position at the folded position is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold, switching to the drive range is permitted ,
Even if the position when the operation member is folded back on the home position side to move from the first displacement operation to the second direction in the second direction is away from the home position in the second direction, If the amount of displacement of the operating member from the home position at the folding position is equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold, switching to the reverse range is permitted,
The vehicle shifter device, wherein the first threshold value is set to be larger than the second threshold value . The vehicle shifter device according to claim 1 ,
The apparatus further includes a notification unit that performs a predetermined notification when the displacement amount of the operation member decreases to the first threshold value or the second threshold value after the first displacement operation in the first direction or the second direction . A vehicle shifter device. The vehicle shifter device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The operating member is a shift lever,
The main body supports the shift lever so as to be tiltable in the first direction and the second direction from the home position, and automatically returns the tilted shift lever to the home position.
The detection means detects the tilt angle of the shift lever in the first direction and the second direction as the displacement amount,
The control means includes
The range when that the shift lever is once tilting operation in the first direction is confirmed based on the detection value of the detection means switches to the neutral range, the shift lever is in the first direction When it is confirmed that the tilting operation has been performed twice based on the detection value of the detection means, the range is switched to the drive range,
When it is confirmed based on the detection value of the detection means that the shift lever has been tilted once in the second direction, the range is switched to the neutral range, and the shift lever is moved twice in the second direction. When the tilting operation is confirmed based on the detection value of the detection means, the range is switched to the reverse range,
Even if the position when the shift lever is folded back on the home position side in order to shift from the first tilt operation to the first direction in the first direction away from the home position in the first direction, If the tilt angle from the home position of the shift lever at the turn-back position is less than or equal to the first threshold value, switching to the drive range is permitted ,
Even if the position when the shift lever is folded back on the home position side to move from the first tilt operation to the second direction in the second direction is away from the home position in the second direction, A vehicle shifter device , wherein switching to the reverse range is permitted if the tilt angle from the home position of the shift lever at the turn-back position is equal to or less than the second threshold value .

Images