DE102007036340B4 - Electrical switching device for an automated transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

Electrical switching device for an automated transmission in a motor vehicle, with a shift lever (1) that can be moved in several directions and remains stable in one or more shift positions, and with a shift limiting gate (3) that can be moved by motor relative to the shift lever (1) for locking individual, Shift lever movements not permitted depending on the situation, the shift limiting gate (3) being designed as a motor-driven rotatable body which, with respect to two mutually perpendicular directions of movement of the shift lever (1), forms different stops for the shift lever (1) depending on the respective rotational position, characterized in that a motorized drive (7) sets the rotary position of the shift limiting gate (3) depending on the currently selected gear.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical shifting device for an automated transmission in a motor vehicle with a shift lever that can be moved in several directions and remains stable in one or more shift positions, and with a shift limiting gate that can be moved by motor relative to the shift lever for blocking individual shift lever movements that are not permitted depending on the situation the shift limiting gate is designed as a motor-driven rotatable body which, with respect to two mutually perpendicular directions of movement of the shift lever, forms different stops for the shift lever as a function of the respective rotational position.

Such electrical switching devices are from the publications DE 602 09 848 T2 and DE 10 2005 033 510 A1 known.

Such switching devices are used in motor vehicles that are equipped with an automated gearbox. The actual shifting process is carried out electrohydraulically or by an electric motor, while the driver's respective shift request is recorded electrically or electronically. In such an automated gearbox, the driver has the electrical shifting device with a shift lever and, if necessary, additional rocker switches, for example arranged on the steering wheel, for upshifting and downshifting.

In addition to gear steps N (idle), D (forward travel) and R (reverse), gear position D offers the option of switching off the automatic gear change by appropriately adjusting the gearshift lever, for example by pivoting into a second parallel shift gate, so that the driver can change gear himself can determine.

In the case of a permanently mounted shift lever that regularly returns to a zero position after selecting a gear, it is often desirable that the freedom of movement of the shift lever is limited in accordance with the selected gear.

For this purpose, it is known to provide a plurality of slides for selective blocking of the lever movement, which slides are moved into the working position by electromagnets against the force of compression springs and are held there. Such an arrangement is in the DE 10 2005 023 926 A1 shown. The slide movements, however, generate annoying noises and the continuous energization of the electromagnets leads to strong heating.

Also from the DE 10 2005 023 926 A1 an arrangement is known with a motor-adjustable eccentric which changes the actuation path of the shift lever depending on the position. If several different actuation paths of the shift lever are to be limited, several such controllable limiting elements are accordingly required, which makes the mechanical effort relatively high. In addition, the rotary position of the motor must be recorded with a position sensor for precise control of the eccentric position.

Another switching device is from the DE 10 2004 060 232 A1 known. Here, a shift limiting gate, which has approximately the shape of a shift lever cover, is moved relative to the shift lever by at least one actuator, so that depending on the position of the shift limiting gate, the possible actuations and actuation paths are more or less restricted. This switching device also proves to be mechanically very complex in its specific design.

The invention is therefore based on the object of creating an electrical switching device in which the necessary switching path limitations can be implemented in the simplest possible manner with the smallest possible number of actuators.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that a motorized drive sets the rotational position of the shift limiting gate as a function of the currently selected gear.

The shift limiting gate is used to limit the degree of freedom of the shift lever according to the selected gear. This can be adjusted, for example, when moving the shift lever from a neutral position into a drive position into its intended position for blocking individual shift lever movements that are not desired in the selected drive position. The blocking of certain shift lever movements can also be dependent on other external conditions, such as the actuation of an unlocking button.

The switching limitation gate can thus advantageously simultaneously form switching limitations for several directions of movement of the shift lever by means of a single motor drive, the switching limitations for the various directions of movement even being adjustable independently of one another.

It is particularly advantageous that the shift limiting gate can be designed as a relatively simply designed geometric body that can be produced easily and inexpensively. In a In a preferred embodiment, the shift limiting gate is designed as an approximately cuboid body which can be rotated about an axis perpendicular to a parallel pair of end faces. The side surfaces form first stops and a preferably web-shaped projection applied to an end surface forms second stops.

In the electrical shifting device for an automated transmission, the shift lever is stored in at least one shift gate, that is, the shift lever goes back to a starting position, hereinafter referred to as the zero position, after actuation. It is also possible that the shift lever can be moved in several shift gates and can be brought into its own zero position in each shift gate, whereby one zero position is the starting position of the shift lever for gear selection and the other zero position represents that position of the shift lever from which starting from this, the driver can operate the sequential gearbox manually. If several zero positions of the shift lever are provided, it is preferably manually adjustable between the zero positions, guided on a locking curve.

• 1 eine elektrische Schalteinrichtung in einer vereinfachten Darstellung,
• 2 die Rastkurve der Schalteinrichtung,
• 3-5 den Schalthebel in verschiedenen Schaltstellungen,
• 6 eine am Schalthebel angeformte Anlagekontur,
• 7-8 die Schaltbegrenzungskulisse in zwei Drehstellungen,
• 9 die Schalteinrichtung mit einem Schrittmotor,
• 10-12 eine Schalteinrichtung mit elektromagnetischen Sperren,
• 13 eine Schalteinrichtung mit mehreren Aktuatoren,
• 14 das Schaltschema der Schalteinrichtung.

Various advantageous configurations and developments are specified in the dependent claims. The invention is described below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

• 1 an electrical switching device in a simplified representation,
• 2 the locking curve of the switching device,
• 3-5 the shift lever in different switch positions,
• 6th a contact contour formed on the shift lever,
• 7-8 the shift limit gate in two rotary positions,
• 9 the switching device with a stepper motor,
• 10-12 a switching device with electromagnetic locks,
• 13th a switching device with several actuators,
• 14th the circuit diagram of the switching device.

The 1 shows an electrical switching device in a simplified representation. A gear lever can be seen 1 along a so-called locking curve 2 is led. The locking curve 2 forms two parallel shift gates ( I. , II ) from that in the 2 are recognizable.

The associated shift pattern of the shift lever guided along the locking curve 1 show the 14th . The shift pattern is shown here from the driver's point of view, which is a contrast to the illustration of the 2 locking curve rotated by 180 ° 2 corresponds to.

According to the 14th The shifting diagram shown is the shift lever in both shift gates ( I. , II ) stored persistently. The zero position of the shift lever in the shift gate I. is with the reference number N , the one in Schaltgasse II with the reference number M. marked. Between the two zero positions N and M. is the one in the locking curve 2 guided gear lever movable. The Schaltgasse I. is used to select a speed step. By moving the shift lever accordingly within the shift gate I. can change the speed steps N (Idle), D (forward travel) and R (reverse travel) can be selected. The Schaltgasse I. thus includes starting from the zero position N two switching points in each direction of movement V , W. or. H , HH . This is necessary so that a driver can haptically move the gearshift lever over two gear stages to change from R to D and vice versa. This is desired so that the driver can understand the shift lever through the shift position when changing gear N to be led.

The Schaltgasse II has based on its zero position M. via one switching point each M + or. M. - In every direction and is used to manually control the automated gearbox, so that the driver can change gear manually by moving the shift lever accordingly to the shift point M + or on the switching point M. - can upshift or downshift. In the illustrated embodiment, the switching point M + the next higher and at the switching point M. - the next lower gear is engaged.

The respective speed step setting or the respective gear engaged can be made known to a driver by a corresponding display so that he moves the shift lever accordingly when changing speed step or gear after detecting the respective current speed step. However, so that the gearshift lever cannot unconsciously be brought into a position that is not defined in a gear, the electrical gearshift device also has a gearshift limit gate 3 that, depending on the selected gear, the freedom of movement of the permanently mounted gear lever 1 Limited depending on the speed level.

The shift limit gate 3 is in the 1 shown; the associated electric drive 7th , which is preferably designed as a stepper motor, is from the 9 and 13th visible, with the drive 7th is arranged immovable relative to the vehicle, for example by fastening in a housing, not shown, of the electrical switching device.

The 3 to 5 show views of an end face of the shift limiting gate 3 , which is formed by an approximately cuboid body with pairs of at least approximately parallel side surfaces. The point of penetration of the motor shaft is indicated 8th due to the almost square face of the switching limit gate 3 . The motor shaft 8th represents the connection to the electric drive, not shown here.

It can be seen that the shift limit gate 3 off the center of its end face with the motor shaft 8th connected is. As a result, the two connecting lines that go through the piercing point and perpendicular to the side surfaces of the switching limiting gate 3 a short and a long semiaxis each run ( a , b ) out. Due to the almost square shape of the face, both are the two larger semi-axes a as well as the two smaller semi-axes b the same length among each other.

The side surfaces of the shift limit gate 3 form stop surfaces for one on the gear lever 1 molded stop lever 4th out. As the 4th shows, the shift lever travel is restricted when the stop lever 4th meets one of the side surfaces, the distance of which from the point of penetration of the motor shaft 8th the great semi-axis length a corresponds to. This allows the gear lever 1 not the left end of the locking curve 2 to reach.

The 5 shows that this limitation is lifted when one of the side surfaces of the switching limiting gate 3 with the smaller half-axis length b the stop for the stop lever 4th forms. When the shift limiting gate is rotated 3 at 90 ° there are two equivalent positions that limit the shift travel, and two positions that limit the actuation travel of the shift lever 1 fully released.

On the shift limit gate 3 the side facing the shift lever 1 a molded guide curve 9 on. The guide curve 9 is in the 5 only in sections behind the shift limit gate 3 recognizable and therefore in the 6th shown in a detailed view. The shape of the guide curve 9 is designed in such a way that it is formed with a web-shaped projection, hereinafter referred to as a guide web for short 10 referred to that on the the gear lever 1 facing face of the shift limiting gate 3 is attached or molded, can interact.

In the case of the 7th shown rotary position of the shift limiting gate 3 is the guide bar 10 between the contact surfaces of the guide curve.

In a rotational position offset by 90 °, which is shown in the 8th is shown, is the guide web 10 however, at the highest point of the guide curve 9 at. This is the distance between the shift limiting gate 3 and the gear lever 1 enlarged.

As the shift limit gate 3 is to be regarded as stationary in the direction of its axis of rotation, is the shift lever 1 in the 8th , compared to its in the 7th position shown by the shift limit gate 3 pushed away. In addition, the shift limiting gate limits 3 now the actuation path of the shift lever 1 in the direction of displacement between the two shift gates I. and II according to the representation of the 2 and 14th . Through this shift lever travel limitation, the shift lever 1 in the Schaltgasse I. be held and a shift of the shift lever 1 into the other shift alley II , which is intended for manual gear shifting, can be prevented.

Because of the symmetrical design of the guide bar 10 and the symmetrical arrangement of the guide web 10 with regard to the axis of rotation of the shift limiting gate 3 leads to a rotation of the shift limiting gate 3 by 180 ° again in each case to exactly the same relative positioning of the guide web 10 and guide curve 9 to each other. Thus a rotational symmetry is given here. It is essential here that the sequence of the functionally equivalent positions here differs from the one previously based on the 4th described sequence of blocking positions of the actuation path differs within a shift gate.

To do this, consider the 4th and 8th together with the circuit diagram of the 14th . The shift limit gate 3 forms several actuation locks, whereby the position of the switching limit gate 3 in the 3 as a lock A. ( 14th ) can identify the reaching of an end position W. in the Schaltgasse I. blocked.

The positioning of guide bar 10 and guide curve 9 in the 8th corresponds to a lock E. moving the shift lever 1 in the Schaltgasse II prevented, and if the shift lever is in the shift gate II is located, this in the Schaltgasse I. shifts.

The latter function is beneficial to the gear lever 1 , for example when parking the motor vehicle, in a defined zero position N to convict. This can be done in that, for. B. after removing the ignition key, the drive 7th the shift limit gate 3 in the in the 8th Brings shown rotary position, in which the guide bar 10 at the highest point of the guide curve 9 is applied. This ensures that the shift lever 1 then in the first shift gate I. and thus in the zero position N is located.

The advantage here is that no separate actuator is required for this function, and thus an electromotive or electromagnetic drive that is otherwise additionally required can be saved.

Of the 4th it can be seen that even after the shift limiting gate has been rotated 3 90 ° clockwise compared to that in the 4th position shown, again a side with a long semi-axis a to the pivot point on the stop lever 4th is applied. This leaves the lock A. set. According to the 7th and 8th the lock is set / not set E. by turning the shift limiting gate 3 with a 180 ° symmetry. This can be summarized in the following table: Lock A Lock E 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0

Each line of this table corresponds to a possible rotary position of the shift limiting gate 3 ; the transition from one line to the next corresponds to a 90 ° step. A 1 each means a set lock; correspondingly, a 0 stands for a lock that has not been set. The table shows that there is always one position of the shift limiting gate 3 in which one or both locks are set together or none of the locks are set.

The shift limiting gate and the associated drive thus implement every possible lock combination and thus practically two independently controllable locks A. and E. .

Since a single shift limiting gate thus forms two shift actuation locks at the same time, the mechanical complexity is significantly reduced compared to previously known, mechanically separate locking devices. At the same time, costs and installation space are saved.

In addition, it is also advantageous that the locking devices do not have to be continuously energized to maintain the locking effect. As a result, the power requirement is reduced and the extremely disruptive generation of heat loss is greatly reduced. The drive can be particularly advantageous 7th be designed as a stepper motor, each only used to change the rotational position of the shift limiting gate 3 is briefly activated. It is also advantageous that the shift limiting gate 3 does not have to have a rotary position sensor, since the respective position for the device controlling the stepping motor can be derived at any time from the number of control pulses sent to the stepping motor.

It goes without saying that additional conventional locking actuators ( 11 , 12th ) for the implementation of further functions by no means excluded and even relatively easy to implement.

So shows the 10 two plunger magnets as locking actuators ( 11 , 12th ) at the end sections of the locking curve 2 are arranged. The locking actuators ( 11 , 12th ) have retractable plungers ( 13th , 14th ), which in the extended state in the swivel range of two on the shift lever 1 molded stop levers ( 5 , 6th ) and thereby form actuation locks. These operating locks correspond to the locks B. and C. in the circuit diagram of the 14th .

There in the 10 Both switch plungers are extended and thus both actuation locks B. and C. are set, is the gear lever 1 in the configuration shown, at least in one shift gate, cannot be actuated. This can be useful, for example, when operating the gearshift lever 1 on the fulfillment of a precondition, such as releasing the brake, should be dependent.

In the 11 and 12th is the locking actuator 12th operated and the lock actuator 11 not actuated. The plunger is accordingly 14th of the locking actuator 12th extended. Transferred to the circuit diagram of the 14th that means the lock C. is set and the switch positions H and HH are blocked. The gear lever 1 can thus in the positions N and V to be brought. The position W. is in the 11 through the lock A. blocked by the shift limit gate 3 is set. In contrast, the 12th the barrier A. by the position of the shift limiting gate 3 Approved.

The 13th shows an arrangement of shift levers 1 , Locking curve 2 , Shift limit gate 3 , the stepper motor 7th and a lock actuator 11 . The gear lever 1 is located here in the Schaltgasse II . It can be seen that the stop lever 5 on the gear lever 1 in this shift alley II on the set ram 13th of the locking actuator 12th Can move past, which means that the lock B. here, in accordance with the circuit diagram in the 14th , for the one in Schaltgasse II located shift lever 1 is not effective.

List of reference symbols

1

Gear lever

2

Detent curve

3

Shift limit gate

4, 5, 6

Stop lever

7th

Drive (stepper motor)

8th

Motor shaft

9

Guide curve

10

Guide bar

11, 12

Lock actuators (lifting armature magnets)

13, 14

Plunger

a, b

Semi-axes (lengths)

I, II

Shift gates

W, V, H, HH, M, M +

Switch positions

M, N

Switch positions (zero positions)

A, B, C, E

Shift locks

Claims (20)

Electrical switching device for an automated transmission in a motor vehicle, with a shift lever (1) that can be moved in several directions and remains stable in one or more shift positions, and with a shift limiting gate (3) that can be moved by motor relative to the shift lever (1) for locking individual, Shift lever movements not permitted depending on the situation, the shift limiting gate (3) being designed as a motor-driven rotatable body which, with respect to two mutually perpendicular directions of movement of the shift lever (1), forms different stops for the shift lever (1) depending on the respective rotational position, characterized in that a motorized drive (7) sets the rotary position of the shift limiting gate (3) depending on the currently selected gear. Electrical switchgear according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the shift limiting gate (3) can be rotated by a stepping motor (7). Electrical switchgear according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the motor drive (7) sets the rotational position of the shift limiting gate (3) as a function of external events. Electrical switchgear according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the external events include the actuation of an unlocking button. Electrical switchgear according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the switching device has at least two shift gates (I, II). Electrical switchgear according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the shift limiting gate (3) is designed as a prismatic body, the end face of which forms approximately a regular polygon Electrical switchgear according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the end face is approximately square. Electrical switchgear according to Claim 6 or 7th , characterized in that the axis of rotation does not run through a center of symmetry of the body. Electrical switchgear according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the shift limiting gate (3) has a contour on one of its end faces which interacts with a counter-contour arranged on the shift lever (1) and that the relative rotational position of the contour and the counter-contour to one another more or less restricts the displacement of the shift lever. Electrical switchgear according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the contour is designed as a guide web (10) and the counter contour is designed as a guide curve (9). Electrical switchgear according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the contour is designed as a guide curve and the counter contour is designed as a guide web. Electrical switchgear according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the contour and the mating contour form an arrangement that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the rotation of the shift limiting gate (3). Electrical switchgear according to Claim 12 , characterized in that the arrangement of the contour and the counter-contour is designed to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to a 180 ° rotation of the shift limiting gate (3). Electrical switchgear according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the shift lever (1) is movably mounted in two parallel shift gates (I, II). Electrical switchgear according to Claim 5 and 9 , characterized in that at least one shift gate (II) for positioning the shift lever (1) can be blocked by bringing the contour and mating contour into at least one predetermined relative position to one another. Electrical switchgear according to Claim 15 , characterized in that the lockable shift gate is the shift gate (II) for manual gear changes. Electrical switchgear according to Claim 15 , characterized in that the shift lever (1), provided it is in the lockable shift gate (II), by moving the shift limiting gate (3) into a rotary position in which the contour and the mating contour are in the predetermined position relative to each other are located, due to the interaction of the contour and the counter contour, into which the non-blocking shift gate (I) is moved. Electrical switchgear according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the side surfaces of the shift limiting gate (3) form stops for a stop lever (4) arranged on the shift lever (1). Electrical switchgear according to Claim 18 , characterized in that the shift limiting gate (3) has at least two rotational positions along one revolution, in which the side surfaces for the stop lever (4) form stops with the same effect. Electrical switchgear according to Claim 19 , characterized in that the angle of rotation between the rotational positions in which the side surfaces of the switching limiting gate (3) form stops with the same effect for the stop lever (4) is not equal to 180 °.

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