Shifting device

Abstract

A shift device is provided. In a shift device (10), when a passenger contacts a PR position (20PR) between a P position (20P) and an R position (20R) of a panel (16) with a finger F and it is determined that the PR position (20PR) is selected, a transmission is changed to a P range higher than an R range priority.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a shifting device capable of selecting a shift position. Background Art

[0002] In the input device described in German Patent Application Publication No. 102014009355, the shift speed of the automatic transmission is changed by contacting the functional recess.

[0003] Here, in this shift device, when the connection portion between the functional recessed portions is contacted, the shift speed of the automatic transmission cannot be determined. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a shift device capable of determining the shift speed of a transmission when an intermediate position between shift positions is selected.

[0005] A shift device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of selectable shift positions; and a detection unit that detects selection of the shift positions to change the gear stage of a vehicle transmission and detects selection of an intermediate position between the shift positions to determine the gear stage of the transmission.

[0006] A shift device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the shift device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the detection unit includes: a shift detection unit that detects selection of the shift position; and an intermediate detection unit that detects selection of the intermediate position.

[0007] With respect to the shift device of the third embodiment of the present invention, on the basis of the shift device of the first embodiment or the second embodiment of the present invention, when the detection unit detects the selection of the intermediate position, the transmission is changed to the shift gear with a higher priority among the shift gears corresponding to the shift positions on both sides of the intermediate position.

[0008] With respect to the shift device of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, based on the shift device of the third aspect of the present disclosure, the threshold for selecting the shift position corresponding to the gear shift with a higher priority is smaller than the threshold for selecting the shift position corresponding to the gear shift with a lower priority.

[0009] The shift device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the shift device according to the third aspect or the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the shift speed in which the vehicle is not driven has a higher priority than the shift speed in which the vehicle is driven.

[0010] With respect to the shift device of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, on the basis of the shift device of any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, when the detection unit detects that the difference between the selection value of the first shift position and the selection value of the second shift position is greater than a difference threshold, the transmission is changed to the gear shift position corresponding to the first shift position.

[0011] A shift device according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is the shift device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present disclosure, wherein the shift speed of the transmission is maintained when the detection unit detects selection of the intermediate position.

[0012] In the shift device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a plurality of shift positions can be selected, and the detection unit detects the selection of the shift position to change the shift speed of the transmission of the vehicle.

[0013] Here, the detection unit detects the selection of the intermediate position between the shift positions to determine the shift speed of the transmission. Therefore, when the intermediate position between the shift positions is selected, the shift speed of the transmission can be determined.

[0014] In the shift device of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the detection unit includes a shift detection unit and an intermediate detection unit, the shift detection unit detects the selection of the shift position, and the intermediate detection unit detects the selection of the intermediate position. Therefore, by separately providing the intermediate detection unit from the shift detection unit, the selection of the intermediate position can be well detected.

[0015] In the shift device of the third aspect of the present disclosure, when the detection unit detects selection of the middle position, the transmission is changed to a higher priority gear among the gears corresponding to the shift positions on both sides of the middle position.

[0016] In the shift device of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the threshold for selecting the shift position corresponding to the high priority gear is set lower than the threshold for selecting the shift position corresponding to the low priority gear. Therefore, the transmission can be appropriately changed to the high priority gear.

[0017] In the shift device of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the shift speed in which the vehicle is not driven has a higher priority than the shift speed in which the vehicle is driven. Therefore, when the detection unit detects the selection of the intermediate position, the vehicle can be restricted from being driven.

[0018] In the shift device of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, when the detection unit detects that the difference between the selection value of the first shift position and the selection value of the second shift position is greater than the difference threshold, the transmission is changed to the shift speed corresponding to the first shift position. Therefore, the transmission can be appropriately changed to the shift speed corresponding to the first shift position.

[0019] In the shift device of the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, when the detection unit detects the selection of the intermediate position, the shift speed of the transmission is maintained. Therefore, when the detection unit detects the selection of the intermediate position, the change of the shift speed of the transmission can be restricted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a front view showing the shift device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the front side.

[0021] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing the shift device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from below.

[0022] Figure 3A It is a front view showing a selection state of a shift position of the shift device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the front side.

[0023] Figure 3B It is a front view showing a selection state of the neutral position of the shift device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the front side.

[0024] Figure 4 It is a front view showing a shift device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the front side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] [First embodiment]

[0026] Figure 1 The shift device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in a front view as viewed from the front side. Figure 2 The shift device 10 is shown in a cross-sectional view as seen from below. In the drawings, the front side of the shift device 10 is indicated by arrow SF, the right side of the shift device 10 is indicated by arrow RH, and the upper side of the shift device 10 is indicated by arrow UP.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the shift device 10 involved in this embodiment is arranged in the vehicle width direction center part of the instrument panel 12 of the vehicle (automobile), and is arranged in the vehicle width direction inner side of the steering wheel (not shown) of the vehicle. In addition, the front side, right side and top side of the shift device 10 are respectively oriented to the rear side, right side and top side of the vehicle.

[0028] The shift device 10 is provided with a substantially rectangular box-shaped case 14 as a setting body, and the case 14 is fixed to the vehicle front side of the instrument panel 12. The case 14 is long in the left-right direction, and the inside of the case 14 is open to the front side. A rectangular opening 12A is formed on the instrument panel 12 and on the vehicle rear side of the case 14, and the inside of the case 14 faces the opening 12A. A plurality of fixing columns 14A are provided in the case 14, and the fixing columns 14A protrude from the back side wall of the case 14 to the front side.

[0029] A rectangular plate-shaped panel 16 is provided as a selector on the front side of the box 14 . The panel 16 is fixed to the front side of a fixing column 14A of the box 14 and fits into the opening 12A of the instrument panel 12 .

[0030] A rectangular plate 18 is provided as an optional member on the front side of the panel 16. The plate 18 is made of resin, for example, and is an insulator. The front side of the plate 18 is arranged to be flush with the vehicle rear side of the instrument panel 12, and the front side of the plate 18 and the vehicle rear side of the instrument panel 12 together constitute the exterior design surface of the vehicle cabin. Therefore, the vehicle occupant (especially the driver) can touch the front side of the plate 18 with a finger F.

[0031] A rectangular P position 20P (parking position), an R position 20R (reverse position), an N position 20N (neutral position), and a D position 20D (drive position) are provided on the front side of the plate 18 as shift positions, and the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N, and the D position 20D are arranged at equal intervals in sequence from the left side to the right side. In addition, a "P" display 18P, a "R" display 18R, a "N" display 18N, and a "D" display 18D are displayed in the center of the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N, and the D position 20D, respectively.

[0032] On the surface side of the plate 18, the PR position 20PR, RN position 20RN and ND position 20ND are respectively formed as intermediate positions between the P position 20P and the R position 20R, between the R position 20R and the N position 20N, and between the N position 20N and the D position 20D, and the left-right dimensions of the PR position 20PR, the RN position 20RN and the ND position 20ND are smaller than those of the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N and the D position 20D.

[0033] A rectangular sheet-shaped electrostatic sheet 22 as a detection unit is fixed to the back side of the plate 18, and the electrostatic sheet 22 covers the back side of the plate 18. A rectangular thin film-shaped P electrode 24P, an R electrode 24R, an N electrode 24N, and a D electrode 24D as a shift detection unit are provided on the front side of the electrostatic sheet 22, and the P electrode 24P, the R electrode 24R, the N electrode 24N, and the D electrode 24D are arranged in order at equal intervals from the left side to the right side. The left-right dimensions of the P electrode 24P, the R electrode 24R, the N electrode 24N, and the D electrode 24D are larger than the width dimension of the passenger's finger F, and the left-right dimensions of the gap between the P electrode 24P and the R electrode 24R, the gap between the R electrode 24R and the N electrode 24N, and the gap between the N electrode 24N and the D electrode 24D are smaller than the width dimension of the passenger's finger F. The P electrode 24P, R electrode 24R, N electrode 24N and D electrode 24D are respectively facing the P position 20P, R position 20R, N position 20N and D position 20D in the front and back directions (the wall thickness direction of the plate 18), and the P electrode 24P, R electrode 24R, N electrode 24N and D electrode 24D are made of metal, for example, and are conductive.

[0034] The P electrode 24P, R electrode 24R, N electrode 24N and D electrode 24D of the electrostatic sheet 22 are electrically connected to the vehicle control device 26, and the vehicle transmission 28 (automatic transmission) is electrically connected to the control device 26. A microcomputer connected to a CPU, ROM, RAM, nonvolatile memory (storage device) and the like via a bus is provided at the control device 26. In the control device 26, the CPU reads out the program stored in the ROM and the storage device and executes the program while expanding the program in the RAM, thereby realizing various functions.

[0035] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0036] In the shift device 10 with the above structure, when the occupant uses the finger F to touch the P position 20P, R position 20R, N position 20N or D position 20D of the panel 16 (plate 18), electrostatic capacitance is generated between the finger F and the P electrode 24P, R electrode 24R, N electrode 24N or D electrode 24D of the panel 16 (electrostatic sheet 22). Moreover, when the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the P electrode 24P, the R electrode 24R, the N electrode 24N or the D electrode 24D (for example, a selected value detected as a current converted into a voltage) is above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold (for example, 0.5 seconds), the control device 26 determines that the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N or the D position 20D is selected (detects the selection of the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N or the D position 20D), and changes the gear of the transmission 28 to the corresponding P gear (parking gear), R gear (reverse gear), N gear (neutral gear) or D gear (forward gear) through the control of the control device 26.

[0037] However, in control device 26, a priority order is set for the shift speeds of transmission 28, and the order from the shift speed with a higher priority order to the shift speed with a lower priority order is P range, N range, D range, and R range.

[0038] When the passenger touches the PR position 20PR of the panel 16 with his finger F (see Figure 1 ) when the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the P electrode 24P of the panel 16 and between the finger F and the R electrode 24R respectively becomes above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the PR position 20PR is selected (the selection of the PR position 20PR is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the P gear which has a higher priority than the R gear through the control of the control device 26.

[0039] When the passenger touches the RN position 20RN of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the R electrode 24R and between the finger F and the N electrode 24N respectively becomes above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the RN position 20RN is selected (the selection of the RN position 20RN is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the N gear position which has a higher priority than the R gear position through the control of the control device 26.

[0040] When the passenger touches the ND position 20ND of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the N electrode 24N and between the finger F and the D electrode 24D respectively becomes above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the ND position 20ND is selected (the selection of the ND position 20ND is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the N gear position which has a higher priority than the D gear position through the control of the control device 26.

[0041] When the occupant touches the multiple shift positions among the P position 20P, R position 20R, N position 20N and D position 20D of the panel 16 with multiple fingers F so that the respective electrostatic capacitances between the multiple fingers F and the multiple electrodes among the P electrode 24P, the R electrode 24R, the N electrode 24N and the D electrode 24D become above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that multiple shift positions are selected (the selection of multiple shift positions is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the gear with the highest priority among the multiple gears corresponding to the multiple shift positions through the control of the control device 26.

[0042] Here, in the control device 26, the priority of the gear shift position of the transmission 28 is set so that the P position and the N position where the vehicle is not driven are higher than the R position and the D position where the vehicle is driven, and when the PR position 20PR, the RN position 20RN, or the ND position 20ND is selected, the transmission 28 is changed to the P position, the N position, or the N position where the vehicle is not driven, respectively. Therefore, when the PR position 20PR, the RN position 20RN, or the ND position 20ND is selected, the vehicle can be restricted from being driven, and the safety of the vehicle can be improved.

[0043] In addition, in the control device 26, the priority of the gear shift of the transmission 28 is set so that the higher the safety of the vehicle, the higher the priority. When multiple shift positions are selected, the transmission 28 is changed to the gear shift with the highest priority. Therefore, when multiple shift positions are selected, the safety of the vehicle can be improved.

[0044] In addition, in the present embodiment, the priority of the shift stage of the transmission 28 is preset in the control device 26. However, the priority of the shift stage of the transmission 28 may be set by making the capacitance threshold for selecting the shift position corresponding to the shift stage with a higher priority lower than the capacitance threshold for selecting the shift position corresponding to the shift stage with a lower priority. Furthermore, the priority of the shift stage of the transmission 28 may be set by making the time threshold (for example, 0.2 seconds) for selecting the shift position corresponding to the shift stage with a higher priority lower than the time threshold (for example, 0.5 seconds) for selecting the shift position corresponding to the shift stage with a lower priority.

[0045] (First Modification)

[0046] In a variation of the present embodiment (variant 1), when the passenger touches the PR position 20PR of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and one of the P electrode 24P and the R electrode 24R becomes above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, and when the difference in electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the other of the P electrode 24P and the R electrode 24R is above the difference threshold, the control device 26 determines that the PR position 20PR is selected (selection of the PR position 20PR is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to one of the P gear and the R gear corresponding to one of the P electrode 24P and the R electrode 24R through the control of the control device 26.

[0047] When the passenger touches the RN position 20RN of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and one of the R electrode 24R and the N electrode 24N is above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, and the difference in electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the other of the R electrode 24R and the N electrode 24N is above the difference threshold, the control device 26 determines that the RN position 20RN is selected (the selection of the RN position 20RN is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to one of the R gear and the N gear corresponding to one of the R electrode 24R and the N electrode 24N through the control of the control device 26.

[0048] When the passenger touches the ND position 20ND of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and one of the N electrode 24N and the D electrode 24D is above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, and the difference in electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the other of the N electrode 24N and the D electrode 24D is above the difference threshold, the control device 26 determines that the ND position 20ND is selected (the selection of the ND position 20ND is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to one of the N gear and the D gear corresponding to one of the N electrode 24N and the D electrode 24D through the control of the control device 26.

[0049] When the occupant touches multiple intermediate positions among the PR position 20PR, RN position 20RN and ND position 20ND of the panel 16 with multiple fingers F so that the maximum electrostatic capacitance between the multiple fingers F and the P electrode 24P, R electrode 24R, N electrode 24N and D electrode 24D is above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, and the second largest electrostatic capacitance between the multiple fingers F and the P electrode 24P, R electrode 24R, N electrode 24N and D electrode 24D is above the difference threshold, the control device 26 determines that multiple intermediate positions are selected (the selection of multiple intermediate positions is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the gear corresponding to the electrode with the largest electrostatic capacitance through the control of the control device 26.

[0050] Based on the above, the transmission 28 can be appropriately changed to a shift speed corresponding to the electrode having a large electrostatic capacitance.

[0051] [Second embodiment]

[0052] Figure 3A A shift device 50 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in a front view as seen from the front side.

[0053] The shift device 50 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, but is different in the following points.

[0054] like Figure 3A As shown, in the shift device 50 involved in the present embodiment, the P electrode 24P of the electrostatic sheet 22 is divided into a first P electrode 24P1 on the left and a second P electrode 24P2 on the right, the first P electrode 24P1 and the second P electrode 24P2 become the same rectangular film shape, and a rectangular gap is formed between them. The R electrode 24R of the electrostatic sheet 22 is divided into a first R electrode 24R1 on the left and a second R electrode 24R2 on the right, the first R electrode 24R1 and the second R electrode 24R2 become the same rectangular film shape, and a rectangular gap is formed between them. The N electrode 24N of the electrostatic sheet 22 is divided into a first N electrode 24N1 on the left and a second N electrode 24N2 on the right, the first N electrode 24N1 and the second N electrode 24N2 become the same rectangular film shape, and a rectangular gap is formed between them. The D electrode 24D of the electrostatic sheet 22 is divided into a first D electrode 24D1 on the left and a second D electrode 24D2 on the right. The first D electrode 24D1 and the second D electrode 24D2 are in the same rectangular thin film shape with a rectangular gap formed therebetween.

[0055] The left-right dimensions of the 1st P electrode 24P1, the 2nd P electrode 24P2, the 1st R electrode 24R1, the 2nd R electrode 24R2, the 1st N electrode 24N1, the 2nd N electrode 24N2, the 1st D electrode 24D1, and the 2nd D electrode 24D2 are larger than the width dimension of the passenger's finger F. The left-right dimensions of the gap between the 1st P electrode 24P1 and the 2nd P electrode 24P2, the gap between the 1st R electrode 24R1 and the 2nd R electrode 24R2, the gap between the 1st N electrode 24N1 and the 2nd N electrode 24N2, and the gap between the 1st D electrode 24D1 and the 2nd D electrode 24D2 are smaller than the width dimension of the passenger's finger F.

[0056] However, when the passenger touches the panel 16 with the finger F at the P position 20P (see Figure 3A) when the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the first P electrode 24P1 and the second P electrode 24P2 of the P electrode 24P becomes above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the P position 20P is selected (the selection of the P position 20P is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the P gear position through the control of the control device 26.

[0057] When the passenger touches the R position 20R of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the first R electrode 24R1 and the second R electrode 24R2 of the R electrode 24R becomes above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the R position 20R is selected (the selection of the R position 20R is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the R gear position through the control of the control device 26.

[0058] When the passenger touches the N position 20N of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the first N electrode 24N1 and the second N electrode 24N2 of the N electrode 24N becomes above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the N position 20N is selected (the selection of the N position 20N is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the N gear position through the control of the control device 26.

[0059] When the passenger touches the D position 20D of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the first D electrode 24D1 and the second D electrode 24D2 of the D electrode 24D becomes above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the D position 20D is selected (the selection of the D position 20D is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the D gear position through the control of the control device 26.

[0060] When the passenger touches the PR position 20PR of the panel 16 with his finger F (see Figure 3B ) when the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and each of the second P electrode 24P2 and the first R electrode 24R1 becomes above the capacitance threshold for a period of time that is above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the PR position 20PR is selected (the selection of the PR position 20PR is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the P gear position which has a higher priority than the R gear position through the control of the control device 26.

[0061] When the passenger touches the RN position 20RN of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and each of the second R electrode 24R2 and the first N electrode 24N1 becomes above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the RN position 20RN is selected (the selection of the RN position 20RN is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the N gear position having a higher priority than the R gear position through the control of the control device 26.

[0062] When the passenger touches the ND position 20ND of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and each of the second N electrode 24N2 and the first D electrode 24D1 becomes above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the ND position 20ND is selected (the selection of the ND position 20ND is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the N gear position which has a higher priority than the D gear position through the control of the control device 26.

[0063] Here, this embodiment can also achieve the same operation and effects as those of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0064] (Second Modification)

[0065] In a variation of the present embodiment (the second variation), when the passenger touches the PR position 20PR of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and one of the second P electrode 24P2 and the first R electrode 24R1 is above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, and the difference in electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the other of the second P electrode 24P2 and the first R electrode 24R1 is above the difference threshold, the control device 26 determines that the PR position 20PR is selected (the selection of the PR position 20PR is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to one of the P gear and the R gear corresponding to one of the second P electrode 24P2 and the first R electrode 24R1 through the control of the control device 26.

[0066] When the passenger touches the RN position 20RN of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and one of the second R electrode 24R2 and the first N electrode 24N1 is above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, and the difference in electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the other of the second R electrode 24R2 and the first N electrode 24N1 is above the difference threshold, the control device 26 determines that the RN position 20RN is selected (the selection of the RN position 20RN is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to one of the R gear and the N gear corresponding to one of the second R electrode 24R2 and the first N electrode 24N1 through the control of the control device 26.

[0067] When the passenger touches the ND position 20ND of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and one of the second N electrode 24N2 and the first D electrode 24D1 is above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, and the difference in electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the other of the second N electrode 24N2 and the first D electrode 24D1 is above the difference threshold, the control device 26 determines that the ND position 20ND is selected (the selection of the ND position 20ND is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to one of the N gear and the D gear corresponding to one of the second N electrode 24N2 and the first D electrode 24D1 through the control of the control device 26.

[0068] When the occupant touches multiple intermediate positions among the PR position 20PR, RN position 20RN and ND position 20ND of the panel 16 with multiple fingers F so that the maximum electrostatic capacitance between the multiple fingers F and the second P electrode 24P2, the first R electrode 24R1, the second R electrode 24R2, the first N electrode 24N1, the second N electrode 24N2 and the first D electrode 24D1 is above the capacitance threshold for a time period above the time threshold, and the difference between the second largest electrostatic capacitance between the multiple fingers F and the second P electrode 24P2, the first R electrode 24R1, the second R electrode 24R2, the first N electrode 24N1, the second N electrode 24N2 and the first D electrode 24D1 is above the difference threshold, the control device 26 determines that multiple intermediate positions are selected (selection of multiple intermediate positions is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the gear corresponding to the electrode with the largest electrostatic capacitance through the control of the control device 26.

[0069] Based on the above, the transmission 28 can be appropriately changed to a shift speed corresponding to the electrode having a large electrostatic capacitance.

[0070] [Third Embodiment]

[0071] Figure 4 A shift device 70 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in a front view as seen from the front side.

[0072] The shift device 70 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, but is different in the following points.

[0073] like Figure 4As shown in the figure, in the shift device 70 involved in the present embodiment, in the electrostatic sheet 22, the left-right dimensions between the P electrode 24P and the R electrode 24R, between the R electrode 24R and the N electrode 24N, and between the N electrode 24N and the D electrode 24D are large, and between the P electrode 24P and the R electrode 24R, between the R electrode 24R and the N electrode 24N, and between the N electrode 24N and the D electrode 24D, a rectangular thin film-shaped PR electrode 24PR, RN electrode 24RN, and ND electrode 24ND are provided as intermediate detection portions, respectively. The left-right dimensions of the PR electrode 24PR, the RN electrode 24RN, and the ND electrode 24ND are larger than the width dimensions of the passenger's finger F, and the PR electrode 24PR, the RN electrode 24RN, and the ND electrode 24ND are made of, for example, metal and have conductivity, and are electrically connected to the control device 26.

[0074] However, when the passenger touches the panel 16 with the finger F at the PR position 20PR (see Figure 4 ) when the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the PR electrode 24PR is above the capacitance threshold for a period of time above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the PR position 20PR is selected (the selection of the PR position 20PR is detected), and the transmission 28 is changed to the P gear which has a higher priority than the R gear through the control of the control device 26.

[0075] When the passenger touches the RN position 20RN of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the RN electrode 24RN is above the capacitance threshold for a period of time above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the RN position 20RN is selected (the selection of the RN position 20RN is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the N gear which has a higher priority than the R gear through the control of the control device 26.

[0076] When the passenger touches the ND position 20ND of the panel 16 with his finger F so that the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the ND electrode 24ND is above the capacitance threshold for a period of time above the time threshold, the control device 26 determines that the ND position 20ND is selected (the selection of the ND position 20ND is detected), and changes the transmission 28 to the N gear which has a higher priority than the D gear through the control of the control device 26.

[0077] Here, this embodiment can also achieve the same operation and effects as those of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0078] Furthermore, based on the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the PR electrode 24PR, the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the RN electrode 24RN, and the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the ND electrode 24ND, the selection of the PR position 20PR, the selection of the RN position 20RN, and the selection of the ND position 20ND are determined, respectively. Therefore, the electrostatic capacitance used for determining the selection of the PR position 20PR, the RN position 20RN, and the ND position 20ND can be increased, and the selection of the PR position 20PR, the RN position 20RN, and the ND position 20ND can be appropriately determined.

[0079] In addition, in the above-mentioned first embodiment (including the first modified example), the second embodiment (including the second modified example), and the third embodiment, when the control device 26 determines that the PR position 20PR, the RN position 20RN, or the ND position 20ND is selected, the shift speed of the transmission 28 is changed by the control of the control device 26. However, when the control device 26 determines that the PR position 20PR, the RN position 20RN, or the ND position 20ND is selected, the shift speed of the transmission 28 may be maintained instead of being changed by the control of the control device 26.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment (including the first modified example), the second embodiment (including the second modified example), and the third embodiment, when the control device 26 determines that a plurality of shift positions are selected, the transmission 28 is changed to the shift speed with the highest priority among the plurality of shift speeds corresponding to the plurality of shift positions by the control of the control device 26. However, when the control device 26 determines that a plurality of shift positions are selected, the shift speed of the transmission 28 may be maintained instead of being changed by the control of the control device 26.

[0081] In addition, in the above-mentioned first embodiment (including the first modified example), the second embodiment (including the second modified example) and the third embodiment, for example, the P position 20P of the panel 16 may also have the function of an electric parking brake (Electric Parking Brake) switch. In this case, by electrically connecting the electric parking brake of the vehicle to the control device 26, when the transmission 28 is changed to the P position under the control of the control device 26, the electric parking brake is operated, and when the transmission 28 is changed from the P position under the control of the control device 26, the operation of the electric parking brake is released.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment (including the first variant), the second embodiment (including the second variant) and the third embodiment, the shift device 10, 50, 70 is provided on the instrument panel. However, the shift device 10, 50, 70 may also be provided on other parts of the vehicle (such as the center console or the pillar cover).

[0083] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-079664 filed on May 13, 2022 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0084] All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described in this specification are incorporated into this specification by reference as if the individual documents, patent applications, and technical standards were specifically and individually described as being incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A gear shifting device, characterized in that: have: a plurality of shift positions which can be selected; and A detection unit detects selection of the shift position to change a shift speed of a transmission of the vehicle, and detects selection of an intermediate position between the shift positions to determine the shift speed of the transmission.

2. The shift device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection unit has: a shift detection unit that detects selection of the shift position; and The intermediate detection unit detects the selection of the intermediate position.

3. The shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the detection unit detects selection of the intermediate position, the transmission is changed to the shift speed having a higher priority among the shift speeds corresponding to the shift positions on both sides of the intermediate position.

4. The shifting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The threshold value for selecting the shift position corresponding to the shift speed having a higher priority is smaller than the threshold value for selecting the shift position corresponding to the shift speed having a lower priority.

5. The shifting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The gear stage in which the vehicle is not driven has a higher priority than the gear stage in which the vehicle is driven.

6. The shift device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the detection unit detects that the difference between the selection value of the first shift position and the selection value of the second shift position is equal to or greater than a difference threshold, the transmission is changed to the shift speed corresponding to the first shift position.

7. The shift device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the detection unit detects the selection of the intermediate position, the shift speed of the transmission is maintained.

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