JPH0512957A - Position switch of transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a position switch used in a transmission, with which the reliability can be enhanced with accomplishment of contactless structure and with which the manufacturing costs be reduced. CONSTITUTION:A moving body 3 to be coupled with a shift lever of a transmission operating device is mounted in a case 1 with possibility of displacing, and a plurality of photo-sensors S1, S2, S3, S4 are installed in the case 1. On the moving body 3, pieces to be sensed 8, 9, 10 are mounted and allowed to pass selectively through the light paths in the photo-sensors when this moving body 3 is moved in compliance with the shift position. Thereby a number of pieces of shift position data are acquired with binary input signals given by the photo-sensors A1, S2, S3, S4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a position switch for a transmission.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a position switch in which a rotor having a movable contact is rotatably mounted in a case and a plurality of fixed contacts which are in contact with the movable contact are arranged around the rotor. This position switch connects the rotor to the gearshift lever of the transmission operating device, rotates the rotor according to the gearshift position of the gearshift lever operated to an arbitrary position, and switches the position of the gearshift lever by the contact switching operation at this time. In response, the controller is driven to change the speed of the transmission.

[0003]

However, the conventional one is unreliable because it may cause contact failure due to wear of the fixed contact and the movable contact, or the intervention of foreign matter. Further, a large number of contacts are required, and the number of assembling steps is increased, so that the cost is increased.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a case which is attached to a transmission operating device, and a movable body which is attached to a shift lever of the transmission operating device and is movably held in the case. A plurality of optical sensors arranged on one surface of the facing surface of the case and the movable body, and fixed to the other surface of the facing surface of the case and the movable body depending on the position of the movable body. And a detection piece protruding into the optical path of the optical sensor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a case which is attached to the transmission operating device, a movable body which is attached to a shift lever of the transmission operating device and is movably held in the case, the case and the movable body. A plurality of optical sensors arranged on one surface of the surface facing the body, and an optical path of the optical sensor fixed to the other surface of the surface facing the case and the movable body according to the position of the movable body. A detected piece protruding inward, a conversion means for converting a binary input signal of a plurality of bits from the optical sensor into a multi-advanced output signal corresponding to the number of shift positions of the transmission operating device, and from this conversion means A first switch circuit that inputs odd-numbered shift position data that is output and outputs that input only when a voltage is supplied, and an even-numbered shift position data that is output from the conversion means are input. A second switch circuit that outputs the input only when a voltage is supplied, a detection unit that detects an even shift position and an odd shift position of the shift lever, and the first switch circuit based on the output of the detection unit. The second switch circuit and a power supply switching means for alternately applying a power supply voltage.

[0006]

According to the invention of claim 1, when the movable body is moved by the shift lever, the detected piece of the movable body selectively projects into the optical path of the optical sensor. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a large number of shift position data, which makes it possible to improve contactlessness and improve reliability. Furthermore, by combining the detection signals of the optical sensors, a large number of shift positions can be obtained with a small number of optical sensors. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the movable body is moved by the shift lever, the detected piece of the movable body selectively protrudes into the optical path of the optical sensor, so that the binary input signals from the plurality of optical sensors. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a large number of shift position data, which makes it possible to improve contactlessness and improve reliability. Furthermore, by combining the detection signals of the optical sensors, a large number of shift positions can be obtained with a small number of optical sensors. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Moreover, the shift position data output from the converting means is divided into even-numbered shift positions and odd-numbered positions and input to the first switch circuit or the second switch circuit. The shift position is detected by the detection means, and the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit switch off the power supply voltage alternately by the power switching means depending on whether the shift position is an odd position or an even position. If the binary input signal changes due to a failure of the optical sensor without operation, the truth value of the shift position data is set so that the shift position changes from an odd number to an even number or from an even number to an odd number. When the shift position data is changed due to, the output line of the conversion means is switched to the first or second switch circuit which is maintained in the off state. , It is possible to prevent the shift operation based on the failure of the light sensor in advance.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the invention of claim 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 1 is a case of a position switch, and this case 1 is formed with a mounting hole 2 for mounting to a transmission operating device (not shown). In addition, a movable body 3 is rotatably held in the case 1, and a stopper 4 for contacting the movable body 3 and restricting a rotation range of the movable body 3 is formed in the case 1.

A plurality of optical sensors S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ and S ₄ are arranged in the case 1 along the rotating direction of the movable body 3. These optical sensors S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ , S ₄
Is a transmissive optical sensor formed by facing a light emitting element 6 such as an LED and a light receiving element 7 such as a phototransistor. Further, a detected piece 8 that blocks the optical path of the optical sensor S ₁ and a plurality of detected pieces 9 and 10 that blocks the optical path of the optical sensors S ₂ , S ₃ , and S ₄ are integrally formed on the movable body 3. There is. These detected pieces 8, 9 and 10 are movable bodies 3
It has an arcuate shape whose center of rotation is the center of its radius.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optical sensors S ₁ ,
S ₂ , S ₃ and S ₄ are held by a substrate 11 fixed to the bottom surface of the case 1. A cover 12 is attached to the opening surface of the case 1. Furthermore, the movable body 3
The central part of the is projected to the outside of the case 1, and the connecting part 13 attached to the shift lever of the above-described transmission operating device is fixed to the projecting part.

In such a structure, when the movable body 3 is rotated by the gear shift lever, the optical sensors S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ ,
Since the detected pieces 8 or 9, 10 of the movable body 3 selectively protrude into the optical path of S ₄ , a plurality of optical sensors S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ ,
S ₄ and outputs a detection signal in response to the shift positions of the shift lever (movable member 3). Therefore, the optical sensor S ₁ ,
A large number of shift position data can be obtained by a 4-bit binary input signal from S ₂ , S ₃ and S ₄ . The relationship between this binary input signal and the shift position is as shown in Table 1.

[0012]

[Table 1]

As described above, a large number of shift positions can be obtained with a small number of optical sensors by combining the 4-bit detection signals. As a result, it is possible to make the contactless and improve the reliability and reduce the manufacturing cost.

Next, one embodiment of the invention of claim 2 is shown in FIG.
And it demonstrates based on FIG. The same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The case 1 is provided with a transmissive optical sensor S ₅ , and the movable body 3 is provided with this optical sensor S _5.
A plurality of detection target pieces 14 that block the optical path of is formed. These detected pieces 14 move the shift position of the shift lever to the movable body 3
The optical sensor S ₅ is arranged so that the optical path of the optical sensor S ₅ is blocked and transmitted repeatedly each time the optical sensor S ₅ is changed step by step. That is,
With these optical sensor S ₅ and the plurality of detected pieces 14,
Detecting means 15 for detecting an even shift position and an odd shift position of the shift lever is formed.

This optical sensor S ₅ is the other optical sensor S ₁ ,
Like S ₂ , S ₃ and S ₄ , it is formed by the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 7. As shown in FIG. 4, these sensor lights S
₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ , S ₄ , S ₅ are connected to a power source 16, the emitter of the light receiving element (phototransistor) 7 is grounded, and the photosensors S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ , S _{4 of the} light receiving element 7 are connected. Collector is power supply 1
8 and the conversion means 17, and the collector of the optical sensor S ₅ is connected to the power supply 18 and the power supply switching means 19.
The power supply switching means 19 includes transistors 20, 21 and a transistor 2 whose bases are connected to the power supply 18, respectively.
It is composed of a transistor 22 whose base is connected to the collector of 0, and turns on and off the transistors 21 and 22 alternately according to the ON and OFF states of the photosensor S ₅ . One transistor 21 opens and closes between the power supply 23 and the first switch circuit 24, and the other transistor 22 opens and closes between the power supply 23 and the second switch circuit 25. That is, the detecting means 15 detects the even-numbered shift position and the odd-numbered shift position of the shift lever, and this detection operation causes the power supply switching means 19 to switch the switch circuit 2.
The voltage is alternately supplied to 4, 25. The switch circuits 24 and 25 are transistor arrays each having five input terminals and output terminals. The conversion means 17 is a decoder for converting a 4-bit binary input signal from the light receiving elements 7 of the photosensors S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ and S ₄ into hexadecimal numbers, and outputs 16 outputs s ₀ to s _15. Although it has a terminal, in the present embodiment, since the number of shift positions of the transmission operating device is 10, five output terminals s ₇ , s ₂ , s ₁₄ , s ₁₃ , which output even shift position data, s ₁ and five output terminals s ₀ , s ₆ , s for outputting odd-numbered shift position data
₁₅ , s ₉ , and s ₃ are selected. The first switch circuit 24 is connected to the output terminal that outputs the odd-numbered shift position data, and the second switch circuit 25 is connected to the output terminal that outputs the even-numbered shift position data.

Here, the optical sensors S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ , S ₄
Table 2 shows the relationship between the signal input from the control unit and the shift position based on the combination of these signals, and the relationship between ON / OFF of the optical sensor S ₅ and the shift position.

[0017]

[Table 2]

The five output terminals of each of the first switch circuit 24 and the second switch circuit 25 are connected to the base of a transistor 27 via a resistor 26. The collector of each of these transistors 27 is connected to an output unit 28 which outputs an operation signal to the drive unit of the transmission operating device corresponding to the shift position.

In such a structure, when the movable body 3 is rotated by the shift lever, the optical sensors S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ ,
Since the detected pieces 8 or 9, 10 of the movable body 3 selectively protrude into the optical path of S ₄ , a plurality of optical sensors S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ ,
S ₄ and outputs a detection signal in response to the shift positions of the shift lever (movable member 3). Therefore, the optical sensor S ₁ ,
A large number of shift position data can be obtained by a 4-bit binary input signal from S ₂ , S ₃ and S ₄ . The relationship between the binary input signal and the shift position is as shown in Table 2.

Here, the shift position data output from the converting means 17 is divided into an even shift position and an odd shift position and input to the first switch circuit 24 or the second switch circuit 25. On the other hand, the odd-numbered shift position and the even-numbered shift position of the shift lever are detected by the detection means 15 as described above, and the first switch circuit 24 and the second switch circuit 25 are changed by the power source switching means 19 to the shift position. The power supply voltage is alternately cut off depending on whether the position is an odd position or an even position. Here, as shown in the truth table of Table 2, the optical sensor S
_{When the 1-} bit signal in the binary input signal of ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ , S ₄ changes, the truth value of the shift position data is set so that the shift position changes from odd to even or from even to odd. Therefore, the optical sensors S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ ,
If any one of S ₄ fails, the output line of the conversion means 17 is kept in the off state.
Alternatively, since the second switch circuit 25 is switched to, the output unit 28 on the connection line is maintained in the OFF state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the shift operation due to the failure of the optical sensors S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ , and S ₄ in advance.

A specific example of a failure will be given. Now, consider a state in which an odd shift position (1), that is, a reverse shift position is selected. At this time, the 4-bit binary input signal input to the converting means 17 is LLLL, and the voltage is applied only to the first switch circuit 24. Therefore, the converting means 17 corresponds to the binary input signal of LLLL.
The shift position data output from the output terminal s _{0 of the above is applied} from the first switch circuit 24 to the base of the transistor 27 on the connection line corresponding to the shift position (1), and the output unit 28 on the connection line supplies the power. Connected to. here,
When the light receiving element 7 of the optical sensor S ₁ fails, the input signal to the conversion means 17 becomes HLLL and changes to shift position data corresponding to the sixth shift position which is an even shift position (8). Further, when the light receiving element 7 of the optical sensor S ₂ fails, the input signal to the conversion means 17 becomes LHLL and changes to shift position data corresponding to reverse which is an even shift position (2). At this time, since the drive voltage is not applied to the second switch circuit 25, the output section 28 corresponding to the even shift position (8) or (2) is maintained in the non-conductive state.

Similarly, consider a state in which an even shift position (4), that is, a shift position of the second speed is selected. At this time, the signal input to the conversion means 17 is LHHH, and the voltage is applied only to the second switch circuit 25. Therefore, the shift position data output from the output terminal s ₁₄ of the conversion means 17 is the second position. It is applied from the switch circuit 25 to the base of the transistor 27 corresponding to the shift position (4), and the output section 28 on the connection line is connected to the power supply. Here, if the light receiving element 7 of the optical sensor S ₁ fails, the input signal to the conversion means 17 becomes HHHH and changes to shift position data corresponding to the third shift position which is an odd shift position (5). At this time, since the drive voltage is not applied to the first switch circuit 24, the output unit 2 corresponding to the odd shift position (5)
8 is maintained in a non-conducting state.

Next, consider a case where any one of the light emitting elements 6 of the optical sensors S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ , and S ₄ is cut off. When the light receiving element 7 receives the light of the light emitting element 6, the signal input to the converting means 17 is L. When the light emitting element 6 is cut off in this state, the signal input to the conversion means 17 becomes H, so that the shift position data changes from even number to odd number or from odd number to even number as in the above-described operation. In the state where the light emitting element 6 and the light receiving element 7 are shielded from light by any of the detected pieces 8, 9, and 10, the signal input to the conversion means 17 is H. When the light emitting element 6 is cut off in this state, the signal input to the conversion means 17 does not change. Therefore, the gear cannot be changed by mistake. In this state, the gear shift operation is performed, and the light of the light emitting element 6 that has been cut off is detected.
When the light-shifting position where the light is shielded is selected by any of 0, the signal originally input to the conversion means 17 becomes L when it should be L, so the signal on the connection line is a switch to which no voltage is applied. It will be interrupted by the circuit 24 or 25.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the description has been made in the case where the transmission type optical sensor is used, but the reflection type optical sensor may be used. In this case, the same purpose can be achieved by forming a reflecting surface on the detected pieces 8, 9, 10, 14.
Further, the shift position data corresponding to the shift position can be obtained even if the movable body 3 is provided with the optical sensor and the case 1 is provided with the detected piece.

[0025]

According to the invention of claim 1, a case attached to the transmission operating device, a movable body attached to a speed change lever of the transmission operating device and movably held in the case, and the case. A plurality of optical sensors arranged on one surface of the surface facing the movable body, and the optical sensors fixed to the other surface of the surface facing the case and the movable body according to the position of the movable body. Since it is configured with the detected piece protruding into the optical path of the optical sensor, when the movable body is moved by the shift lever, the detected piece of the movable body selectively protrudes into the optical path of the optical sensor, and thus the plurality of optical sensors A large number of gear shift position data can be obtained by the binary input signal from the device, which makes it possible to improve the reliability by making it non-contact. Furthermore, by combining the detection signals of the optical sensors, a small number of optical sensors can be obtained. An effect such as can be to reduce the manufacturing cost since it is possible to obtain a large number of the number of shift positions in service.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a case attached to the transmission operating device, a movable body attached to a transmission lever of the transmission operating device and movably held in the case, the case and the movable body. A plurality of optical sensors arranged on one surface of the surface facing the body, and an optical path of the optical sensor fixed to the other surface of the surface facing the case and the movable body according to the position of the movable body. A detected piece protruding inward, a conversion means for converting a binary input signal of a plurality of bits from the optical sensor into a multi-advanced output signal corresponding to the number of shift positions of the transmission operating device, and from this conversion means A first switch circuit that inputs odd-numbered shift position data that is output and outputs that input only when a voltage is supplied, and an even-numbered shift position data that is output from the conversion means are input. A second switch circuit that outputs the input only when a voltage is supplied, a detection unit that detects an even shift position and an odd shift position of the shift lever, and the first switch circuit based on the output of the detection unit. Since the second switch circuit and the power source switching means for alternately applying a power source voltage are provided, when the movable body is moved by the gear shift lever, the detected piece of the movable body is selectively in the optical path of the optical sensor. Since a large number of shift position data can be obtained by binary input signals from a plurality of optical sensors, contactlessness can be improved and reliability of the detection signals of the optical sensors can be improved. By combining a large number of shift positions with a small number of optical sensors, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and moreover,
The shift position data output from the converting means is divided into an even shift position and an odd shift position and input to the first switch circuit or the second switch circuit, while the shift lever has an odd shift position and an even shift position. The position is detected by the detection means, and the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit interrupt the power supply voltage alternately by the power supply switching means depending on whether the shift position is an odd position or an even position, so that the shift operation is performed. If the binary input signal changes due to a failure of the optical sensor in the state where no change occurs, the truth value of the shift position data is set so that the shift position changes from odd number to even number or even number to odd number. Then, when the shift position data changes, the output line of the conversion means is switched to the first or second switch circuit which is maintained in the off state, so that the optical sensor It has an effect and the like can be prevented the shift operation based on the failure of the service.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 1;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an embodiment of the invention of claim 2;

FIG. 4 is an electronic circuit diagram thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Case 3 Movable bodies 8, 9, 10, 14 Detected piece 15 Detecting means 17 Converting means 19 Power source switching means 24 First switch circuit 25 Second switch circuit S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ , S ₄ Optical sensor

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A case attached to a transmission operating device, and a movable body attached to a shift lever of the transmission operating device and movably held in the case.
A plurality of optical sensors arranged on one surface of the facing surface of the case and the movable body, and fixed to the other surface of the facing surface of the case and the movable body according to the position of the movable body. A position switch for a transmission, comprising a detected piece protruding into an optical path of the optical sensor. 2. A case attached to a transmission operating device, and a movable body attached to a shift lever of the transmission operating device and movably held in the case.
A plurality of optical sensors arranged on one surface of the facing surface of the case and the movable body, and fixed to the other surface of the facing surface of the case and the movable body according to the position of the movable body. A detected piece protruding into the optical path of the optical sensor, and a conversion means for converting a binary input signal of a plurality of bits from the optical sensor into a multi-advanced output signal corresponding to the shift position number of the transmission operating device. A first switch circuit for inputting an odd-numbered shift position data output from the conversion means and outputting the input only when a voltage is supplied; and an even-numbered shift position data output from the conversion means. A second switch circuit that outputs an input only when a voltage is supplied, a detection unit that detects an even-numbered shift position and an odd-numbered shift position of the shift lever, and an output of the detection unit to detect the first switch. Position switch of the transmission, wherein more becomes possible and power supply switching means for applying a power supply voltage alternately with the the latch circuit the second switch circuit.