JP2008201345A - Range shift control device of automatic transmission and range shift operation structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a range shift control device of an automatic transmission capable of miniaturizing while keeping low cost and a range shift operation structure. <P>SOLUTION: In the range shift operation structure, a control lever 3 and a knob 9 are pivotally supported on a casing 1 to perform a select-operation of a shift position, a position pin 5 is moved by the operation of the button provided on the control lever 3 and the knob 9, and a gate mechanism which releases the engagement for operation limit with a position gate 2 provided on the position pin 5 and the casing 1 is provided. The position gate 2 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner side in the radial direction of the casing 1, the outer side in the radial direction of the position gate 2 is opened, and the casing 1 is made to be an integral structure which is not separated in the pivot direction of the control lever 3 and the knob 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention belongs to the technical field of a range switching control device and a range switching operation structure for an automatic transmission.

  Conventionally, the play groove of the first rotating part and the protrusion of the second rotating part are engaged and connected by a play coupling mechanism having a play amount, and the relative position of the first rotating part and the second rotating part is detected by a position sensor. Thus, the drive of the assist actuator is controlled so that the relative position is in the vicinity of the midpoint (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, opening holes are provided in the side walls of the first bracket and the second bracket, respectively, position grooves are provided in the inner peripheral wall on the radially outer side of each opening hole, and the position is urged upward (radially outward) by the spring. Some have a pin engaged with a position groove (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-64003 A (page 2-14, full view) JP 2006-142975 A (page 2-7, full view)

  However, conventionally, cost reduction due to ease of assembly and reduction in the number of parts has not been sufficient. However, structural changes for ease of assembly and reduction of the number of parts often have a problem of insufficient strength.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a range switching control device and a range switching operation structure for an automatic transmission that can be reduced in size while reducing cost. There is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a select lever is pivotally supported on a casing to select a shift position, a position pin is moved by a button operation provided on the select lever, and the position pin and the casing are moved. In the range switching operation structure having a gate mechanism for releasing the engagement for restricting the operation with the position gate provided in the position gate, the position gate is provided on the outer peripheral surface on the radially inner side of the casing, and the radial direction of the position gate It is characterized by having an integrated structure that is open to the outside and does not divide the housing in the direction of the pivot of the select lever.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the cost can be reduced while sufficiently securing the strength of the necessary part.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment for realizing a range switching control device for an automatic transmission according to the present invention will be described based on a first embodiment corresponding to the first, second, third, and fourth aspects of the invention.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a range switching operation structure of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment.
The range switching operation structure of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment is assembled to the housing 1 and rotates a knob 9 provided on the distal end side of the control lever 3 with the base end of the control lever 3 as an axis. Thus, P, R, N, D, and L, which are select positions, are operated and input.
Further, a position gate 2 is provided on a radially outer peripheral wall of a part of the housing 1.

  The position gate 2 is formed with grooves corresponding to P, R, N, D, and L which are select positions. It penetrates in the middle of the control lever 3 and engages with a position pin 5 that is movable along the longitudinal direction of the control lever 3 so that the operation between the select positions is permitted, and it is not permitted unless the knob button 4 is accompanied. To.

Next, the structure of the control lever 3 and the knob 9 will be described.
FIG. 2 is an exploded explanatory view showing a range switching operation structure of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded explanatory view showing an assembly structure of the control lever 3 and the knob 9 in the range switching operation structure of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment.
The control lever 3 and the knob 9 of the range changing operation structure of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment mainly include the control lever 3, the knob button 4, the position pin 5, the compression rod 6, the spring 7, the rod adapter 8, and the knob 9. It has a configuration.

The control lever 3 is provided with a shaft portion 31 at the base end portion so that the casing 1 can be rotated, the tip end side is cylindrical, and the inner hole 32 is provided long to the base end side. A slit 33 having one end opened is provided at two opposing positions so as to extend from the shaped portion to the base end side where the inner hole 32 is provided.
The knob button 4 is provided in the knob 9 so that it can be moved by a pushing operation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the control lever 3 and the knob 9.
In addition, a lower portion of the knob button 4 is provided with a portion that engages with an inclined portion at the upper end of the rod adapter 8.
That is, it is the engagement structure which pulls up the rod adapter 8 by pressing the inclined portion from the side.

The position pin 5 is a portion that engages with the position gate 2 described in FIG. 1 and restricts the turning operation of the control lever 3 and the knob 9.
In the first embodiment, the position pin 5 is integrally provided with the compression rod 6.
The compression rod 6 has a cylindrical shape and is slidable within the inner hole 32 of the control lever 3. Then, the position pin 5 protrudes from two opposing portions at the bottom of the compression rod 6 so as to be substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. In other words, the position pin 5 has the same shape as that obtained by penetrating the position pin 5 so as to be orthogonal to the axis of the compression rod 6, and has an integrated structure.
Further, the compression rod 6 has a diameter smaller than the lower portion from the center to the upper end, and serves as an inner support portion of the spring 7.

Next, the spring 7 is attached so that the small diameter portion of the compression rod 6 is inserted, and the longitudinal direction is compressed between the annular diameter step portion of the compression rod 6 and the inner protruding portion of the lower surface of the knob 9. .
The rod adapter 8 has a lower end attached to the upper end of the compression rod 6 and slides integrally. And the inclined part 81 which goes upwards is provided in the upper end part of the rod adapter 8 as it goes to the knob button 4 side.
The knob 9 is provided with an inner hole 91 whose lower end is opened, and a projecting portion 92 extending in the longitudinal direction from two opposing inner peripheral walls on the inner side of the lower surface.
Further, the knob 9 is provided with a side hole 93 connected to the upper portion so as to be orthogonal to the inner hole 91, and a part covering the side hole 93 portion serves as a two-body structure cover 94.

Next, the automatic transmission range switching control apparatus using the automatic transmission range switching operation structure of the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration of the range change control device for the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the automatic transmission range switching control apparatus according to the first embodiment includes an input unit including a control lever 3 and a knob 9, an assist actuator 20, a controller 30, a control cable 40, and an automatic transmission 50. I have to.
In the automatic transmission range switching control device, the operation input of the select position by the input unit by the control lever 3 and the knob 9 is detected as the operation force by the torque sensor or the operation position by the position sensor. Then, the assist actuator 20, that is, the electric motor is driven under the control of the controller 30 so that the shift control arm 51 of the automatic transmission 50 follows in accordance with the operation input, and the assist force is output. In this configuration, the shift control arm 51 of the automatic transmission 50 is operated. In addition, the structure via a mechanism may be sufficient without providing the control cable 40.

  In either of the above-described two assist controls, the operation input is light, so the control lever 3 and the knob 9 are smaller than the conventional one, and are 100 mm shorter than the conventional general lever and knob part by 250 mm. It is set.

Next, the detent structure of the automatic transmission 50 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a detent structure of the automatic transmission 50.
The control arm 51 is provided with a rotation shaft 52, and a detent plate 53 is supported on the rotation shaft 52. At the upper end of the detent plate 53, a valley portion 53b corresponding to five ranges (P, R, N, D, and L) is formed between the cam peaks 53a. Then, the detent pin 55 formed at the tip of the spring plate 54 is engaged with the valley portion 53b, and the selected selection position is held, thereby preventing an unintended range selection due to vehicle vibration or the like. Yes.

  Note that one end of a parking rod 56 is rotatably connected to the detent plate 53. When the control lever 3 and the knob 9 are moved to the P range, the parking rod 56 prevents rotation of the parking gear 58 via the cam-like plate 57 and locks driving wheels (not shown). As a result, when the vehicle is parked on the slope road in the P range, a vehicle load is applied so as to lock the drive wheels according to the slope, and acts as a force for biting the parking rod 56.

The operation will be described.
[Range switching operation structure]
Here, the background of the first embodiment of the range switching operation structure will be described in detail.
As described above, as disclosed in JP-A-2006-142975, the position pin is mechanically permitted or not permitted to perform range switching operation, that is, select position switching operation depending on which select position from which select position. Is going to. In the case of non-permission, it is permitted by operating while pressing the knob button.

This is to prevent the driver from unintentionally selecting the R range, the P range, or the like so that the vehicle behavior not intended by the driver does not occur.
Since this mechanical restriction requires sufficient strength and position restriction with respect to the operating force, the shift lever is engaged with the position groove on both sides so that the position pin penetrates. Furthermore, one of the position pins is lengthened and engaged with the shift lock device.
The shift lock device performs a restriction that prevents the user from getting out of the P range unless the brake is stepped on. Specifically, the position pin engaged with the position groove corresponding to the P range is stopped by an actuator or the like so that the position pin engaged with the knob button is not released from the engagement with the position groove. is there.
Therefore, as shown in the drawing of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-142975, the housing of this part has to be divided.

  Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-142975, when a slit is provided in the longitudinal direction of the shift lever and the position pin is passed through a member that moves up and down inside, the assembling method includes assembling the vertical movement member in the shift lever. After mounting, it was necessary to press-fit the position pin or perform welding after penetration.

  If the position pin is assembled or integrated in advance with the vertical movement member, it is necessary to extend the slit to the shift lever several hundred mm upward in the figure of JP-A-2006-142975, which causes an extreme decrease in strength. Therefore, it is difficult to take such a structure.

Further, by adopting the range switching operation structure in the range switching control device of the automatic transmission, the control lever 3 and the knob 9 corresponding to the conventional shift lever can be made very short. For this reason, there is an increasing demand for downsizing the surrounding members and the like.
In order to develop a wide variety of vehicles, cost reduction is strongly required. However, as the size is further reduced, there is a problem that the assembly becomes complicated and the cost reduction becomes difficult.
The range switching operation structure and the range switching control device for the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment solve these problems.

[Assist control]
As described above, the range switching control device for the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment may be either one that applies the assist force based on the operation force or one that applies the assist force to the operation position.
In the case of applying the assist force based on the operation force, the operation force by the control lever 3 and the knob 9 is controlled so that the assist force of the actuator is applied, and the switching operation (select operation) can be performed with a light operation. Become.
Since the control lever 3 and the knob 9 are connected to the automatic transmission 50 side as in the prior art, manual operation is possible when an abnormality occurs.

  Next, what gives an assisting force to the operation position is provided with a play amount between the operation by the control lever 3 and the knob 9 and the connection to the automatic transmission 50 side, and the control lever 3 and the knob 9 are used. In the operation, a light force relationship of the detent structure described above is provided. And by moving the actuator based on the operating position, this play amount is maintained during normal operation, so that the same effect as shift-by-wire can be obtained, parking lock missing due to extreme sudden operation or steep slope, abnormal Only when it occurs, manual operation is possible as in the prior art, and an assist force is applied at that time.

[Easy assembly]
In the first embodiment, the spring 7 is attached to the integrated position pin 5 and the compression rod 6, and the rod adapter 8 is attached to the upper end of the compression rod 6 and inserted into the inner hole 32 of the control lever 3. To do. At this time, the position pin 5 is inserted into the slit 33.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the cylindrical portion at the upper end of the control lever 3 is inserted into the inner hole 91 of the knob 9. At this time, the two inner protruding portions 92 of the inner hole 91 of the knob 9 are inserted into the slit 33 of the control lever 3.
Next, the knob button 4 is attached to the knob 9 and the cover 94 is attached so as to engage with the rod adapter 8.
Conventionally, it was necessary to press-fit a position pin different from the assembling direction after assembling, but in this way, the control lever 3 and the knob 9 part of the first embodiment realized one-way assembling from above. Yes. This contributes to productivity and reduces costs.

Next, the control lever 3 and the knob 9 which are integrated as described above are attached to the housing 1.
At that time, as shown in FIG. 1, the shaft portion 31 of the control lever 3 is inserted from above into the concave engaging portion provided in the housing 1, and further, the shaft 7 is moved to the shaft portion 31 side by the spring 7. The biased position pin 5 is engaged with the position gate 2 provided on the outer peripheral wall on the radially inner side (the shaft portion 31 side) of the housing 1.

Thus, the assembly in Example 1 is very easy. This greatly contributes to productivity and reduces costs.
Further, conventionally, an opening hole is provided in a two-body housing and a position groove is provided in an inner peripheral wall on the radially outer side, whereas in the first embodiment, the position gate 2 is arranged on the radially inner side ( Since it is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the shaft portion 31 side, it is not necessary to make the housing a two-body structure. Therefore, the cost can be reduced also in the structure.

Further, by inserting the two inner protruding portions 92 of the inner hole 91 of the knob 9 into the slit 33 of the control lever 3, the strength of the control lever 3 due to the provision of the slit 33 is reinforced. Thereby, the position pin 5 and the compression rod 6 can be integrated while maintaining the strength, and the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts.
In addition, the position pin 5 and the compression rod 6 are integrally molded with resin in the first embodiment, including the fact that the strength required for the position pin 5 is reduced due to the lever ratio due to the shortening of the control lever 3 and the knob 9 compared to the conventional one. It is made into goods.

  Furthermore, since the position pin 5 is not press-fitted afterwards, the clearance between the slit 33 of the control lever 3 and the position pin 5 can be reduced, and the accuracy of engagement between the position pin 5 and the position gate 2 can be improved. . This leads to quality improvement.

[Range switching operation]
The range switching operation structure of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment and the gate release in the range switching operation in the range switching control device will be described.
The knob button 4 is pushed when operating from a range position that is restricted so that the operation is not permitted in the state as it is due to the engagement of the position pin 5 and the position gate 2. Then, by movement of the knob button 4, the rod adapter 8 engaged with the knob button 4 by the inclined portion 81 is moved upward, that is, opposite to the shaft portion 31 by this inclination.

  Then, the compression rod 6 and the position pin 5 attached to the rod adapter 8 move upward (radially outward) while compressing the spring 7, and the engagement between the position pin 5 and the position gate 2 is released. While the knob button 4 is being pressed, an operation of rotating around the shaft portion 31 is performed, the operation is stopped at the range position intended by the driver, and the knob button 4 is released. Then, the compression rod 6 and the position pin 5 are moved toward the shaft portion 31 (inward in the radial direction) by the biasing force of the spring 7, and the position pin 5 and the position gate 2 are engaged in the range position.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, even when the position gate 2 is provided on the outer peripheral wall on the axial side (radially inner side), the operation limitation by the position gate 2, the release by the knob button 4 and the selection operation can be performed satisfactorily. it can.

Next, the effect will be described.
In the range switching operation structure and the range switching control device of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.
(1) The control lever 3 and the knob 9 are pivotally supported on the housing 1 so as to select the shift position, and the position pin 5 is moved by the button operation provided on the control lever 3 and the knob 9. In the range switching operation structure having a gate mechanism for releasing the engagement for restricting the operation with the position gate 2 provided in the housing 1, the position gate 2 is provided on the radially outer peripheral surface of the housing 1. Since the housing 1 is integrated with the control lever 3 and the knob 9 so as not to be divided in the axial support direction, the number of parts can be reduced and the assembly can be facilitated. Cost can be reduced while ensuring sufficient.

  (2) The lever for selecting operation is composed of the control lever 3 on the proximal end side and the knob 9 on the distal end side, and a compression rod 6 for supporting the position pin 5 is slid in the longitudinal direction inside the control lever 3. An inner hole 32 for allowing the position pin 5 to move up and down, and a slit 33 that allows the position pin 5 to move up and down are provided so that the upper end is opened, and the position pin 5 and the compression rod 6 that supports the position pin 5 are integrally formed. Since the structure is assembled with the control lever 3 so as to close the inner hole 32 of the control lever 3 and the opening end of the slit 33, the position pin 5 and the compression rod 6 are integrated to reduce the number of parts, and the compression rod 6 is assembled. Eliminates the need to press-fit the position pin 5 after installation, improving assembly and To reduce the door.

  (3) Since the lower end of the knob 9 is provided with a protruding portion 92 that is inserted into the upper end of the slit 33 of the control lever 3 and supplements the strength, the strength that decreases due to the shape in which the upper end of the inner hole 32 and the slit 33 are opened protrudes. The portion 92 can be supplemented to ensure sufficient strength of the necessary portion.

  (4) The control lever 3 and knob 9 and the control arm 51 of the automatic transmission 50 are connected by a select operation force transmission system, and the select operation force transmission system is provided with an assist actuator 20 that assists the select operation force by the driver. In the control arm 51 of the automatic transmission 50, the casing 1, which covers at least a part of the select operation force transmission system, the control lever 3 and the knob 9, and at least a part of the select operation force transmission system are (3) Since the range change operation structure of the automatic transmission according to any one of (3), the control lever 3 and the knob 9 become difficult with the downsizing in response to the shortening of the control lever 3 and the knob 9 and the demand for the downsizing. The ease of assembly makes it possible to reduce the size of the entire device, while ensuring sufficient strength of the necessary parts while reducing costs. It can be carried out.

  As mentioned above, although the range change control apparatus of the automatic transmission of this invention has been demonstrated based on Example 1, as for a concrete structure, it is not restricted to these Examples, Each claim of a claim Design changes and additions are permitted without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  As described above, even if the automatic transmission range switching control device assists while always transmitting the operating force to the automatic transmission side, the operating force is usually transmitted to the automatic transmission side in the same way as by-wire. It may be driven by an actuator without being transmitted to the automatic transmission, and the range switching operation structure of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment may be used for an automatic transmission that does not assist.

It is a side view which shows the range switching operation structure of the automatic transmission of Example 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded explanatory diagram illustrating a range switching operation structure of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded explanatory view showing an assembly structure of the control lever 3 and the knob 9 in the range switching operation structure of the automatic transmission according to the first embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the system configuration | structure of the range switching control apparatus of the automatic transmission of Example 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the detent structure of an automatic transmission.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Position gate 3 Control lever 31 Shaft part 32 Inner hole 33 Slit 34 Output lever 4 Knob button 5 Position pin 6 Compression rod 7 Spring 8 Rod adapter 81 Inclined part 9 Knob 91 Inner hole 92 Projection part 93 Side hole 94 Cover 20 Assist actuator 30 Controller 40 Control cable 50 Automatic transmission 51 Control arm 52 Rotating shaft 53 Detent plate 53a Cam mountain 53b Valley 54 Spring plate 55 Detent pin 56 Parking rod 57 Cam-shaped plate 58 Parking gear

Claims (4)

A select lever is pivotally supported on the chassis to select the shift position, the position pin is moved by the button operation provided on the select lever, and the operation of the position pin and the position gate provided on the chassis is limited. In the range switching operation structure having a gate mechanism for releasing the engagement of
The position gate is provided on the outer peripheral surface on the radially inner side of the housing, and is opened to the radially outer side of the position gate, and the housing has an integrated structure that is not divided in the axial support direction of the select lever.
A range switching operation structure of an automatic transmission characterized by the above. In the automatic transmission range switching operation structure according to claim 1,
The select lever is
Consists of a control lever on the proximal side and a knob on the distal side,
The control lever is provided with an inner hole for sliding the sliding member that supports the position pin in the longitudinal direction inside, and a slit that allows the position pin to move up and down so as to open the upper end.
The position pin and the sliding member that supports the position pin are integrally configured,
The knob is structured to be assembled with the control lever so as to close the inner hole of the control lever and the opening end of the slit.
A range switching operation structure of an automatic transmission characterized by the above. In the automatic transmission range switching operation structure according to claim 2,
A range switching operation structure for an automatic transmission, characterized in that a projecting portion is provided at the lower end of the knob to be inserted into the upper end of the slit of the control lever to supplement the strength. A selector lever and an automatic transmission select position switching device are connected by a select operation force transmission system, and the select operation force transmission system is provided with an assist actuator for assisting a driver's select operation force. In the control device,
The automatic transmission according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a part of the casing that covers at least a part of the select operation force transmission system, the select lever, and the select operation force transmission system is provided. The machine range switching operation structure
A range change control device for an automatic transmission.

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