WO2009071079A1

WO2009071079A1 - Actuating device having variable range of movement

Info

Publication number: WO2009071079A1
Application number: PCT/DE2008/050034
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Giefer; Ludger Rake; Sascha Rosentreter
Original assignee: Zf Friedrichshafen Ag
Priority date: 2007-12-05
Filing date: 2008-12-04
Publication date: 2009-06-11
Also published as: DE102007058823A1; DE102007058823B4

Abstract

An actuating device comprises a selector lever (1), which can be moved between at least three driving positions, and a blocking element for limiting the range of movement of the selector lever. According to the invention, the actuating device is characterized in that the blocking element has a stop gate (5) comprising end stops (19), wherein said stop gate can be moved by means of an actuator (6, 11, 12, 13, 14). To this end, a stop element (18), which is connected to the selector lever (1) can be moved between the end stops (19) and brought in contact with the end stops (19). Notches during actuation and/or undefined operational states in the blocking device can thus be avoided. The range of movement of the selector lever can be positioned in a largely freely variable manner controlled by the actuator, and the actuating device has a low energy consumption and low heat development.

Description

Actuator with variable range of motion

description

The invention relates to an actuating device for a gear change transmission, for example for an automatic transmission with shift-by-wire operation, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Gear change transmissions of motor vehicles are usually controlled or switched by means of an operating device arranged in the grip region of the driver. For this purpose, actuating elements such as shift levers or selector levers are regularly used, which are arranged, for example, between the front seats of the motor vehicle.

The constructive and ergonomic requirements for such

Actuators or selector lever for gear change are varied. For example, to give the driver for reasons of safety and ergonomics a realistic feeling of transmission actuation is required for generic controls that not only gives the driver visual but also clear haptic or tactile feedback on the current switching or operating state of the transmission become.

Depending on the state of the gear change gearbox to be operated and depending on other condition factors on the motor vehicle - ignition switched on, Engine running, vehicle speed, etc. - it is generally necessary for the realization of the haptic feedback to limit the operating range of the selector lever depending on the gear state, so that the selection of about currently not permissible switching states or gear ratios of the gear change transmission is inhibited.

In particular, in shift-by-wire-controlled gear change transmissions - including most of the current automatic transmissions fall - is required for reasons of ergonomics and safety that the driver any momentarily inadmissible switching states or switching operations in the form of appropriate closures or variably settable ranges of motion associated operating positions of the selector lever haptic and optionally optically signaled.

Because in the case of increasingly used electrical or shift-by-wire operation of gear change transmissions, there is no mechanical coupling between the selector lever in the passenger compartment and the motor vehicle transmission in the engine compartment. Rather, the transmission of the switching commands from the actuator to the motor vehicle transmission in the "shift-by-wire" gearbox by means of electrical or electronic signals and then usually electro-hydraulic conversion of the switching commands on the transmission.

In the shift-by-wire-operated gear change transmissions, however, the lack of mechanical connection between the transmission actuation and the selector lever means that the transmission state or any shift locks engaged in the transmission no longer directly affect the state of the selector lever. The driver can thus not readily recognize by means of certain on the selector lever perceptibly blocked switch positions or ranges of movement that the corresponding lever positions, speed levels or gear states in the current driving state are not allowed and thus can not be selected.

Of particular importance are the relationships shown also with respect to monostable actuators. The selector lever points at a monostable Actuator on a stable (middle) position and usually several non-stable positions. However, depending on the state of the transmission, only a few of the mechanical total available selector lever positions come into question for the actual shifting operation. Other, depending on the gear selector lever, although mechanically possible selector lever positions may or may not trigger any meaningful shift operation, and must therefore be actuated locked to give the driver on the selector lever a consistent feel and reliable feedback of the shift operation.

For example, a monostable selector lever, if the transmission is in the state "P" as the parking brake, can not continue to move forward in the direction of travel, even if the monostable selector lever would initially be free to move forward. Rather, a corresponding actuator must ensure that the selector lever in this example case can only be moved backward relative to the direction of travel.

As can be seen, for example, from US 2006/0016287 A1 or from DE 10 2005 033 510 A1, attempts have been made to counteract the problem associated with the shift-by-wire actuation of gear change transmissions in that selector lever with various actuators for selective blocking Illegal switching commands have been provided. These actuators are activated in response to the vehicle or transmission state, so as to restrict the original total range of movement of the selector lever according to the current driving or transmission state, or even completely lock the selector lever in certain cases.

However, if a large number of different selector lever positions or selector lever ranges of motion have to be locked actuatively in different combinations or if the range of movement of the selector lever is variably positioned within an angular range, complex locking mimics and / or a multiplicity of actuators are frequently required for this in the prior art. This has undesirable effects due to the complexity involved and Cost increase. Problems with the available installation space in the area of the actuating device, furthermore with regard to the energy consumption of a plurality of possibly electromagnetic actuators as well as with the waste heat generated therewith can be associated with such a conventional locking mechanism.

Direct locking electromagnets are significantly limited in terms of variability for different locking combinations or to realize different different ranges of motion for the selector lever. In addition, simple direct-locking electromagnets in the worst case can lead to Hakein in the operation, especially if the switching state of such electromagnetic actuators in certain operating conditions of the vehicle transmission should be changed simultaneously with the operation of the selector lever.

With this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an actuating device, in particular for electrical or electronic shift-by-wire actuation of a gear change transmission, which has a locking device, and with which the mentioned disadvantages of the prior art can be overcome. In particular, the blocking device should also manage in the case of a complex blocking logic with the lowest possible number of actuators, and it should be reliably prevented undefined operating conditions or a Hakein the selector lever. Furthermore, the actuator should make do with the smallest possible space and have low energy consumption.

This object is achieved by an actuating device having the features of patent claim 1.

Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims. In itself initially known manner, the actuating device according to the present invention comprises a - within at least one shift gate movable - selector lever with at least three driving position, as well as a base and a locking device. In this case, the locking device is used for the controllable restriction of the range of movement of the selector lever in dependence, in particular, on the switching state of the transmission or on the driving state of the motor vehicle.

According to the invention, however, the actuating device is characterized in that the locking device comprises a movable by means of an actuator stop abutment with end stops, wherein a connected to the selector lever stop element between the end stops back and forth and can be brought to the end stops to the plant.

According to the invention results with the actuation movable stop gate a simple way to freely variable positioning within a Gesamtbewegungsbereichs momentarily unlocked range of motion for the selector lever. Compared with locking devices with discrete locking positions and several separate actuators - such as solenoids - this results in particular the advantage that at a possible actuation of the selector lever simultaneously with activation of the locking device due to a gear state change no undefined selector lever positions can occur, and that in the return of the selector lever in the neutral center position may not occur due to the continuous gate comprising a continuous gate, as in the case of discrete, separate electromagnetic barriers.

Furthermore, small angular movements can also be realized in this way, depending on the design of the stop gate, which is difficult or impossible for discretely constructed, for example, with individual magnetic actuators locks because of the resulting overlaps between the individual locks. Moreover, in the invention, the number of different selector lever positions within the range of motion is in principle unlimited, and it will be for additional selector lever positions within the selector lever movement range no additional actuators needed. This is advantageous in terms of cost, space, heat generation and energy consumption of the actuator.

In principle, the actuating device according to the invention can be realized independently of how the actuator movement of the stop slot is structurally realized. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the actuator device for this purpose comprises a slider with a ramp device. Furthermore, the stop link according to this embodiment has a driver element, wherein the driver element can be brought into engagement with the ramp device in such a way that a movement of the slider over the ramp device and the driver element is converted into a corresponding movement of the stop guide.

In this way, the required high gear ratio between the actuator drive and the movement of the stop cam can be achieved cost-effective and space-saving in the base area of the actuator. Furthermore, designed as a ramp and driver gear ratio between the actuator drive and stop gate such a shape without additional aids are self-locking, so no further locks or actuators to determine the stop guide are required.

According to further preferred embodiments of the invention, the slide is designed as a linear slide and thereby preferably provided with a linear toothing, wherein the linear toothing with the pinion of an electromotive servo actuator can be brought into engagement.

This results in a structurally a particularly compact and cost-effective representation of the slide and the entire gear ratio between the actuator and stop gate. The slider can in particular be integral with the Linear teeth are formed, whereby further tool and assembly costs can be saved.

Further embodiments of the invention provide that the abutment link is rotationally pivotally connected to the base of the actuating device, wherein the pivot axis of the stop link preferably coincides substantially with the pivot axis of the selector lever.

This results in a particularly compact and robust design of the storage for the movable stop gate. The storage of the stop slot can thus optionally take place on one and the same bearing axis as the storage of the selector lever.

According to a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that a locking recess is preferably integrally connected to the stop element of the selector lever, wherein the locking recess can be brought into engagement with an actuatable switchable locking projection. In this embodiment, a constructive double benefit of the stop element on the one hand - in cooperation with the stop link - for restriction and variable positioning of the movement range for the selector lever, and on the other hand - in cooperation with the locking projection - for complete blocking of the selector lever in a certain position. In this way, in particular the realization of the safety-relevant shift lock function in the form of a controllable blocking of the selector lever for the parking brake position can take place. The locking recess can be formed in the simplest case as a connected to the stop element of the selector lever locking slot, and the locking projection as an armature of an electromagnetic Sperractuators.

In particular, with the background of the variable positioning of a certain range of movement of the selector lever, it is provided according to a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the invention that the selector lever is monostable. This means that the selector lever spring-loaded after each switching operation returns to the same center position. This is particularly advantageous in the operation of shift-by-wire-controlled transmissions, as in this way to a motor tracking of the selector lever at about automatically inserted gear stages - such as in the case of an automatically inserted by "Auto-P" parking brake - can be waived. Instead, in such monostable selector levers primarily only the display of the gear unit speed must be tracked or respectively updated and adapted to the current state of transmission.

For the driver, however, this means that the feedback on the actual switching state of the transmission is initially left solely to the separate display, for example by means of light-emitting diodes or display symbols. On the other hand eliminates in a monostable selector lever the ability to give the driver based on the pure selector lever position optical or haptic feedback on the switching state of the transmission.

In addition, in the case of monostable selector levers known from the prior art, the realization of the correct mechanical switching logic, that is to say the mechanical realization of the respective permissible movement angle range of the selector lever, is complicated. However, the inventive use of a locking device with movable abutment gate brings benefits here, too. Because thanks to the variable positioning of the end stops by the movable stop gate, the respective permissible range of motion of the selector lever can be variably positioned within the entire mechanically available movement window of the selector lever.

The latter is important in a monostable selector lever inasmuch as the center position, which is always automatically resumed by the selector lever after actuation, can first be assigned to any actual switching state of the transmission. In particular, in his stable middle position standby selector lever in principle for each of the standard gear ratios "P", "R", "N" or "D" stand. In which of the driving levels the transmission is actually located, the driver is only indicated by a corresponding variable indicator on the selector lever or on the vehicle fittings.

Thanks to the use of a locking device according to the invention with variably positionable end stops a stop setting, however, the behavior of a conventional multi-stable selector lever with multiple stable selector lever positions can be modeled in relation to the fact that the actual mobility of the selector lever depends on the gear in each case actually engaged gear even with a monostable selector lever , If, for example, the parking brake is engaged in the transmission, a conventional selector lever can not be moved forward by a further step, but generally by two or three steps backwards, before it stops at the actuating device opposite the parking brake position or at the opposite end of a selector lever strikes.

Thanks to the invention, this intuitive operation and haptic recognizability of the transmission state beneficial behavior can be relatively easily realized even with a monostable selector lever by - the corresponding permissible range of movement of the selector lever so within the entire constructive motion window - by appropriate positioning of the stop link with the end stops is shifted to the selector lever, that movements of the selector lever only in that direction and only as many switching stages are possible, as this logically corresponds to the engaged transmission drive.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrative drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1 is a schematic isometric view of an embodiment of a

Actuator according to the present invention; Fig. 2 in a representation corresponding to Fig. 1 selector lever and locking device of the actuator of Figure 1, in rear view.

Fig. 3 in a Fig. 1 corresponding representation and view again the

Actuating device according to FIG. 1, stop cam in the lowest position;

Fig. 4 in a Fig. 1 and 3 corresponding representation and view the

Actuating device according to FIG. 3, linear slide for better recognizability of the stop guide;

Fig. 5 in a Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 and 4 corresponding representation and view the

Actuating device according to FIGS. 3 and 4, stop cam in the uppermost position; and

Fig. 6 in a Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 to 5 corresponding representation and view the

Actuating device according to FIGS. 1 to 5, stop cam in the middle position.

Fig. 1 shows in schematically executed isometric view of an embodiment of an actuator according to the present invention. One recognizes first of all a reasons of space only partially shown selector lever 1 and the base 2 of the actuator with the bearing 3 arranged thereon for the selector lever 1 and with a likewise arranged on the base 2 locking device 4. Fig. 2 shows the actuator of FIG In the illustration of FIG. 2, for the sake of easier recognition, the base 2 and a few assemblies arranged thereon have been removed.

In the synopsis of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 can be seen except the selector lever 1 and the bearing 3 of the selector lever 1 in particular the Anschlags 5 and the linear slide 6. The linear slide 6 has a relation to the base 2 obliquely positioned guide recess 7, wherein the guide recess 7 is a slidably received as a pin 8 driver element. The pin 8 is integral with the Stop gate 5 connected. In this way results in a drive ratio between the linear slide 6 and the Anschlagges 5.

This can be seen particularly clearly in Fig. 2, and means in other words that a displacement of the linear slide 6 along the double arrow 9 causes the linear movement of the slider 6 via the guide recess 7 and the driving pin 8 in a pivoting movement 10 of Stopcage 5 is implemented.

The linear slide 6 in turn, in addition to a prismatic guide projection 11, with which the linear slide 6 is guided in a form-corresponding (not shown) guide in the base 2, an integrally molded linear toothing 12, in which a drive pinion 13 of a servo-electric actuator drive 14 engages. In this way, results over the chain actuator actuator 14, pinion 13, linear teeth 12, linear slide 6, guide recess 7 and driving pin 8, the drive of the pivotal movement 10 of the stop link 5. Here, the stop link 5 is mounted together with the selector lever 1 on a common pivot axis 15 ,

From Figs. 1 and 2 also shows an additional locking device with which the selector lever 1 in a certain position (here in the neutral center position) can be completely locked. The additional locking device comprises an electromagnetic actuator 16, the anchor pin engages with appropriate control of the actuator 16 in the locking lever 17 connected to the selector lever 17 and thus locks the selector lever 1 in the illustrated middle position. The locking of the selector lever 1 in the middle position is for example the haptic signaling to the operator or driver that due to the vehicle or transmission state currently no switching commands can be performed. This is due to the shift lock, for example, when the vehicle is at a standstill when the transmission is in the park locked state, and when the brake pedal is not depressed at the same time.

FIGS. 3 to 6 essentially correspond to the illustration according to FIG. 1 and thus again show the actuating device with base 2 and blocking device 4. FIG. 3 is correct 1 again, and in particular also shows the linear slide 6. The latter is omitted in the illustrations according to FIGS. 4 to 6 for better recognition of the interaction between the stop cam 5 and the selector lever 1.

Fig. 4 is true to the omitted linear slide 6 with the representation of FIG. 3 and FIG. 1 match. In contrast to FIG. 3 and FIG. 1, FIG. 4 thus also shows the stop element 18, which is movably arranged in the circular arc segment-shaped recess 19 in the stop slot 5. The stop element 18 is integrally connected by means of the boom 20 with the selector lever 1. It follows that the positioning of the segment-shaped recess 19 - defined by means of appropriate positioning of the pivotable Anschlagskulisse 5 via the actuator 14 and the linear slide 6 - relative to the base 2 of the actuator each have a specific fixed range of motion for the selector lever 1.

In Fig. 4 is the (not shown here) linear slide 6 at its drawing-related left end stop (see Fig .. 3). About the oblique guide recess 7 of the linear slide 6 and connected to the stop cam 5 driving pin 8, the stop link 5 is spent in this case in its lowest position shown in FIG. 3 and 4. This means that the selector lever 1 can only be moved in the direction of travel to the rear (drawing-related to the left), since the movement of the selector lever 1 is prevented by a stop stop of the stop element 18 at the upper end of the segment-shaped recess 19 of the stop cam 5 forward. The relative position of selector lever 1, stop cam 5 and linear slide 6 shown in FIG. 3 could thus be linked, for example, to the transmission state "parking lock", in which the selector lever can no longer be moved forward but can be moved rearward by a plurality of positions.

In contrast to the illustration of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the stop cam 5 is in the illustration of FIG. 5 in its uppermost position. This corresponds to the drawing-related right stop of the (not shown here) linear slide 6. In this position the Stop gate 5, the selector lever 1 from its neutral center position only by two switching stages forward (drawing to the right) move until the stop member 18 again at the upper end of the segment-shaped recess 19 of the stop 5 abuts (which in the illustration of FIG also the case).

However, movements of the selector lever 1 according to the direction of travel back (drawing-related left) are prevented by the lower end of the segment-shaped recess 19 of the stop cam 5. In Fig. 5, the selector lever 1 is shown in the example by two switching stages forward deflected position. 5 could, for example, the gear state "D" as "Drive" correspond, in which the selector lever 1 is generally no longer immediately further backwards, but to move forward several stages.

Fig. 6 finally shows the actuator with the stop gate 5 in its center position. In this middle position of the Anschlags 5, the stop element 18 and thus connected to the stop element 18 selector lever 1 by, for example, each one switching stage to the front or to be moved backwards. The middle position of the stop slot 5 could thus correspond, for example, to the transmission state "N", such as "neutral", in which the selector lever 1 can typically be moved forward and backward by one position.

Also with reference to the figures it is again clear that thanks to the inventively designed actuator any undefined operating conditions of the locking device or Hakein the locking device (at a possible actuation of the selector lever simultaneously with state changes in the locking device) is reliably prevented.

Thus, for example - in a twice quickly successive operation of the selector lever to one of the end stops - the corresponding shift command in the transmission has not yet run and the locking device of the actuator not yet be changed accordingly, which is why in the second of the two operations a - due to the first operation - actually already inadmissible selector lever position would be reached.

In a realization of the locking device according to the prior art by means of various discrete locking actuators, this could lead to the selector lever remains undefined in such an invalid selector lever position and does not return to the center position, or that when returning the selector lever in the middle position a Hakein when driving over then already set locks occurs.

The stepless mobility of the stop link according to the present invention, however, means that the second, actually inadmissible operation of the selector lever can still be done, but that then no undefined selector lever position can occur outside the center position, and that in the return of the selector lever in the center position Moreover, a Hakein is excluded because there are no discrete lock positions.

As a result, it is clear that with the invention, an actuating device is provided with a locking device, which in particular has the advantage over the prior art that it manages with a minimum number of actuators even in the case of complex locking tasks. Additional advantages are achieved in the form of structurally simple and thus cost-saving and robust design and in the form of low energy consumption. Furthermore, undefined operating states or a hooking of the selector lever can be prevented reliably with any simultaneous actuation of selector lever and activation of the locking device. Finally, the range of movement of the selector lever can be largely variably freely adjusted to match the respective operating state of the gearbox, and in principle any desired number of selector lever positions can be provided without space problems or overlapping of discrete locks.

In this way can be with the invention - especially in the case of monostable Actuators - represent a reliable tactile feedback to the driver on the actual switching state and on the current operation options, for example in a gearbox. Thanks to the reliability and the robust construction, the invention thus makes an important contribution to improving the ergonomics, cost-effectiveness and safety of actuators for motor vehicle transmissions.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Selector lever Socket Swiveling bearing Locking device Sliding guide Linear slide Guide recess Drive pin Direction of movement Swing direction Guide projection Linear toothing Drive pinion Actuator drive Swivel axis Locking actuator Locking recess Stop element Segment-shaped recess, end stops Boom

Claims

Actuation device with variable range of movementPatent claims

1. Actuation device for selecting shift stages of a gear change transmission, the actuating device comprising a base (2), a movable between at least three driving position selector lever (l) and a locking device (4) for limiting the range of movement of the selector lever (l), characterized in that the locking device (4) a stop by means of an actuator (6, 11, 12, 13, 14) movable stop (5) with end stops (19), wherein a with the selector lever (l) connected to the stop element (18) between the end stops (19) movable and at the end stops (19) can be brought to bear.

2. Actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator device comprises a slide (6) with a ramp device (7) and that the stop link (5) has a driver element (8), wherein the driver element (8) with the ramp device (7 ) is engageable in such a way that a movement of the slider (6) by means of ramp means (7) and driver element (8) in a movement of the stop gate (5) can be implemented.

3. Actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slide (6) is a linear slide.

4. Actuating device according to claim 3, characterized in that the linear slide (6) has a linear toothing (12) which can be brought into engagement with the pinion (13) of a servo actuator (14).

5. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stop cam (5) is rotatably pivotally connected to the base (2) of the actuating device.

6. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pivot axis (15) of the stop slot with the pivot axis (15) of the selector lever (L) coincides.

7. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that with the stop element (18) of the selector lever (L) a locking recess (17) is connected, which can be brought into engagement with an actuatable (16) switchable locking projection.

8. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the selector lever (L) is monostable.