Shifting device for vehicle transmission

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a shifting device for a vehicle transmission. The present disclosure specifically relates to a specific sensor actuator for the shifting device and a housing for the shifting device. The housing may include a bottom cover and a top cover. The bottom cover may include a reinforcing element to provide rigidity to a portion of the top cover. The sensor actuator includes a gear selector end and a sensor end. The gear selector end is configured to move with the aid of a user-operable gear selector. The sensor includes a fixed portion and a movable portion, the movable portion being configured to rotate relative to the fixed portion. The movable portion includes a sensor contact surface. The sensor end has one or more curved surfaces and is at least partially introduced into the sensor, and the sensor end includes an actuator contact portion, which is configured to move the movable portion of the sensor in response to the driver moving the gear selector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a shifting device for a vehicle transmission. Background Art

[0002] The vehicle transmission or "gearbox" is configured to transfer the power generated by the engine to the drive wheels of the vehicle. The vehicle transmission is able to adjust the transmission ratio between the wheels and the engine when the vehicle is decelerating or accelerating. The driver of the vehicle can use a shifter device to change the gear, that is, change the transmission ratio between the input gear connected to the engine side and the output gear connected to the wheel side.

[0003] The shifting device may be a shift-by-wire device. The shift-by-wire device may be configured to establish different transmission modes, such as, for example, "drive", "park", "reverse" or "neutral", and transmit these modes electronically to the control unit. Thus, no or little mechanical connection is required between the shifting device and the transmission.

[0004] The gear shifting device generally comprises: a lever, which is configured to pivot about a pivot axis; and a sensor, which is configured to indirectly or directly detect the movement of the lever. Thus, the driver can move the lever, and the sensor can detect that the position of the lever has changed. This change in position can be indicated to the vehicle control unit and / or the vehicle transmission, so that the vehicle can be driven according to the transmission mode indicated by the driver's gesture. "Transmission mode" used throughout this disclosure can refer to driving modes such as "parking", "reverse" or "neutral", but can also refer to the selection of a specific gear.

[0005] In addition to the joystick, known gearshift devices may include user-operable buttons, such as buttons for selecting a desired transmission mode. The user-operable buttons may act in a vertical direction, while the pivot axis of the joystick may be horizontal. In other words, the pivot axis of the joystick may be perpendicular to the actuation direction of the user-operable buttons.

[0006] The sensor can be attached to an electronics support, such as a printed circuit board (PCB). The electronics support can include one or more PCBs. Today, a sensor commonly used to detect changes in the position of the joystick is a Hall effect sensor. There are other types of sensors. For example, there are contact sensors. However, since contact sensors require contact for sensing, they may wear out quickly. Therefore, since a large number of measurements may need to be performed in a gear shift device during the service life of a vehicle, other types of sensors such as Hall effect sensors are often used.

[0007] Hall effect sensors are often able to accurately determine the position of a gear lever, and they are also often robust and have a sufficiently long service life. However, such sensors can be expensive, especially when the sensors are mass produced. Also, the associated software required can be complex, especially for three-dimensional Hall sensors.

[0008] An exemplary embodiment of a shifting device for a motor vehicle transmission comprising a Hall sensor is provided in EP 2 636 926 B1.

[0009] Some known gearshift devices include two printed circuit boards (PCBs) or electronic supports for detecting the transmission mode selected by the driver. One PCB may be arranged to detect movement of a user-operable button, and a second PCB may be arranged to detect movement of a joystick. Summary of the invention

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a shifting device for a vehicle transmission is provided, the shifting device comprising: a gear selector operable by a user to control the vehicle transmission; a housing; a sensor actuator; and an electronics support. The sensor actuator comprises a housing end, a gear selector end, and a sensor end, wherein the gear selector end is configured to be moved by the gear selector so that when the user operates the gear selector, the sensor actuator rotates around a sensor actuator axis. The housing end is configured to secure the sensor actuator to the housing. The electronics support comprises a sensor comprising a fixed portion having an opening and a movable portion configured to rotate in the opening, wherein the movable portion comprises a sensor contact surface.

[0011] A sensor end of the sensor actuator is at least partially disposed within the opening of the sensor, and the sensor end is configured to rotate about a sensor actuator axis within the opening of the sensor. The sensor end of the sensor actuator includes an actuator contact portion configured to engage with the sensor contact surface and move a movable portion of the sensor when the sensor actuator rotates about the sensor actuator axis. The sensor actuator axis is defined in the opening of the sensor between the housing end of the sensor actuator and the sensor end.

[0012] One or more outer surfaces of the sensor end configured to contact the sensor are curved in a plane containing the sensor-actuator axis.

[0013] According to this aspect, the shifting device is arranged so that when the user (driver) changes the transmission mode by moving the gear selector, this will move the sensor actuator and the movement of the sensor actuator can be detected by the sensor. The shifting device of this aspect is relatively robust. Due to the rounded or rounded surface of the sensor end, undesirable movements and moments about axes other than the sensor actuator axis can be absorbed without damaging the sensor actuator or the sensor.

[0014] The sensor actuator axis defines the axis of rotation of the sensor actuator. A plurality of longitudinal (substantially vertical) planes containing the sensor actuator axis may be defined. The intersection of the sensor end with one or more of these planes is curved to absorb the undesirable movement or moment described above. In other words, one or more outer surfaces of the sensor end that are configured to contact the sensor are curved (not straight) in a direction generally parallel to the sensor actuator axis.

[0015] The sensor actuator may be defined between a housing end of the sensor actuator and a geometric center of the opening of the sensor. In some embodiments, and depending on manufacturing conditions, the sensor actuator axis may be substantially vertical between the housing end and the geometric center of the opening of the sensor.

[0016] In some embodiments, the gear shifting device may further include a user operable button for selecting a transmission mode in addition to the gear selector. The sensor actuator may have an axis of rotation that may be parallel to the actuation direction of the user operable button. In some embodiments, a single printed circuit board (or electronics support) may be used to detect actuation of the button and the gear selector.

[0017] In some embodiments, all outer surfaces of the sensor end configured to contact the sensor are curved in a plane containing the sensor actuator axis. That is, in these embodiments, surfaces generally parallel to the sensor actuator axis (which extend in a generally vertical direction) are not straight.

[0018] In some embodiments, the actuator contact portion comprises a convex actuator contact surface.The convex outer surface allows rotational movement about an axis transverse to the sensor actuator axis without excessive contact (and wear) between the sensor actuator and the sensor.

[0019] In some embodiments, the edge of the sensor end opposite the actuator contact surface is convex, and the radius of curvature of the actuator contact surface is different from the radius of curvature of the opposite edge. The sensor actuator can be positioned eccentrically relative to the geometric center of the opening of the sensor. In order to allow (limited) rotation around an axis transverse to the rotation axis of the sensor actuator in this eccentric arrangement, the curvature of (these) edges can be different. The curvature of the edge can be measured in a cross-section of the sensor actuator, the cross-section having a vertical plane containing the rotation axis of the sensor actuator.

[0020] In some embodiments, the actuator contact portion includes two or more contact points configured to engage with the sensor contact surface. The actuator contact portion can be designed in various ways, including, for example, a number of predetermined contact points, a contact surface, or a straight line forming the contact portion.

[0021] In some embodiments, the sensor may include a potentiometer. Although the cost of the potentiometer is low, due to its limited technical life, the prior art rarely uses the potentiometer in the shifting device. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the wear of the sensor can be avoided or reduced, and the service life of the sensor can be extended.

[0022] In some embodiments, the gear selector may be a joystick configured to rotate about a joystick axis. Optionally, the joystick may have an integrated pivot pin configured to be arranged in the housing between a first wall and a second wall of the housing. Optionally, the first wall may be a side wall of the housing and the second wall may be an inner wall of the housing. The integration of the pivot pin enables a reduction in the number of components and facilitates assembly.

[0023] In some embodiments, the housing may include a top cover and a bottom cover. The pivot pin of the joystick may be supported by only the top cover. This may help keep tolerances within a desired range. The movement of the joystick may be more stable when supported by the same cover than when supported by two separate covers (e.g., two lateral covers).

[0024] The top cover can include a first wall and a second wall of the pivot pin supporting the joystick. Optionally, the top cover can include an inner wall of the pivot pin supporting the joystick. In some embodiments, the bottom cover can include a reinforcing element that is configured to support the inner wall of the housing. In these embodiments, the design of the housing can be adapted to absorb the load introduced by the pivot pin and avoid deformation of the housing. The reinforcing element can be understood as an element that is configured to contact or contact the top cover to limit the movement of the top cover in one or more directions.

[0025] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a shifting device for a vehicle transmission is provided. The shifting device includes a housing that accommodates a user-operable lever configured to pivot about a pivot axis, a sensor actuator, and an electronic device support including a sensor. The sensor actuator includes a gear selector end and a sensor end. The gear selector end of the sensor actuator is configured to be movable by a joystick. The joystick includes a pivot pin extending along the pivot axis. The sensor is configured to detect movement of the gear selector end of the sensor actuator. The housing includes a top cover and a bottom cover. The pivot pin is supported by only one of the top cover and the bottom cover.

[0026] According to this aspect, the pivot pin of the gearshift device, about which the operating lever pivots, is supported by only one cover. This can provide greater stability for the operating lever and help reduce deformation of a portion of the gearshift device.

[0027] In some embodiments, the joystick may further include a pivot pin integrated in the joystick and extending along the pivot axis. The integration of the pivot pin enables the number of components to be reduced and can facilitate assembly.

[0028] In some embodiments, the pivot pin can be fixed to the top cover of the shifting device. In some of these embodiments, the bottom cover can be configured to reinforce the top cover. Specifically, the bottom cover can include one or more reinforcing elements that locally support a portion of the top cover.

[0029] In some embodiments, the top cover may include an inner wall or a top cover rib, and the pivot pin may be supported by the inner wall (or top cover rib) and the side wall of the top cover. In other embodiments, the pivot pin may be supported by the opposite wall of the top cover.

[0030] In some embodiments, the joystick includes: an inner channel, the inner channel including a spring; and a plunger disposed on the spring, the plunger partially surrounding the spring. The joystick (or other gear selector) operated by the user can have an undulating surface, or interact with an undulating surface, which defines a plurality of stable and unstable positions for the joystick, for example by alternating valleys and peaks. The stable positions can correspond to different transmission modes or gears that the user can select. The spring can help the user select the transmission mode by making the transition from the stable position to the unstable position smoother and facilitate the selection of the stable position.

[0031] In some embodiments, the upper portions of the opposite ends of the pivot pin may be beveled to a greater extent than the bottom portion of the pivot pin. Thus, the contact surface between the top portion of the end of the pin and the mating surface of the element supporting the end of the pin is smaller than the contact surface between the bottom portion of the end of the pin and the mating surface of the element supporting the pin. Since the pivot pin (e.g., a pivot pin integrated in a joystick) can be pushed downward by a spring acting on the joystick, the increased contact area between the lower surface of the pin end and the mating surface of the corresponding supporting element helps to avoid wear of the pin end.

[0032] In some embodiments, the bottom cover may include a flange around its periphery that protrudes from the base toward the interior of the shifting device. The top cover may fit around the peripheral flange of the bottom cover. Optionally, the bottom cover may include one or more protrusions or ribs that fit around the top cover to reduce deformation of one or more side walls of the top cover.

[0033] In some embodiments, the bottom cover may further include elements for securing the electronics support in place.

[0034] As should be clear from the following non-limiting detailed description, the first and second aspects of the present disclosure as well as specific embodiments of these embodiments may also be combined. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Hereinafter, non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1A A perspective view schematically shows the interior of a shifting device for a vehicle transmission;

[0037] Figure 1B and Figure 1C Schematically shows Figure 1A Different perspective views of the exterior of the shift device;

[0038] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Schematically showing an embodiment of a sensor actuator for a gear shift device in a perspective view and a side view, respectively;

[0039] Figure 3 Schematically shows Figures 1A to 1C Another perspective view of the interior of the shifting device;

[0040] Figure 4A and Figure 6 Schematically shows a sensor incorporated into an embodiment of a shifting device for a vehicle transmission. Figure 2A and Figure 2B two different cross-sectional views of an embodiment of a sensor end of a sensor actuator;

[0041] Figure 4B A bottom view schematically illustrates one embodiment of a sensor end of a sensor actuator incorporated into a contact sensor for a shifting device of a vehicle transmission;

[0042] Figure 5 Schematically shows Figures 1A to 1C A cross-sectional view of a gear shifting device;

[0043] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B Schematically showing a perspective view of the interior of an embodiment of a top cover for a shifting device and a perspective view of the interior and exterior of the same top cover;

[0044] Figure 8 A perspective view schematically shows an embodiment of a bottom cover of a shifting device for a vehicle transmission.

[0045] These figures refer to exemplary embodiments and are merely used to aid in understanding the claimed subject matter and are not intended to limit the same in any sense. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Figure 1A A perspective view of an embodiment of the inner part of a shifting device 1 for a vehicle transmission is shown. Figure 1B and Figure 1C Different external views of the same assembled shifting device are shown. Specifically, Figure 1B shows a top front view, Figure 1C A bottom rear view of the shifting device is shown.

[0047] Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C A handle or knob 31 is shown, which the driver can hold to change the transmission mode. The handle 31 in this embodiment can be part of a joystick, which is used as a gear selector, i.e., as an element that the driver can use to determine the appropriate gear or transmission mode. The handle 31 can in particular be clipped onto the remainder of the joystick. In other embodiments, the handle can be integrally formed with the remainder of the joystick. In other embodiments, other gear selectors can be used instead of the joystick.

[0048] The driver can rotate the joystick about the rotation axis 8, as shown in FIG. Figure 1A and Figure 5 As shown schematically in Figure 1B As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the gear shifting device may include appropriate instructions to the user (eg, “P” for park, “R” for reverse, etc.) to enable the user to select the desired transmission mode.

[0049] In order to correctly control the vehicle and change the transmission mode according to the driver's request, it is necessary to accurately and reliably detect the position of the joystick or another gear selector inside the gear shift device 1. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the position of the joystick is detected indirectly, that is, the joystick acts on the sensor actuator 3 (see Figure 1A ), then determines the orientation, movement or position of the sensor actuator 3, which then provides information about the driver's gear selection.

[0050] exist Figure 1B and Figure 1C In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 29 of the shifting device 1 may include a top cover 34 and a bottom cover 35, which are assembled to form the housing. The top cover 34 and the bottom cover 35 may be snap-fitted together. In this embodiment, the bottom cover 35 includes tabs 61 that may be received in suitable slots or openings 63 of the top cover 34 to snap-fit ​​the top cover 34 and the bottom cover 35 together, see also Figure 7B and Figure 8 .

[0051] Additionally or alternatively, the top cover 34 may include a protrusion or tab that may be received within a suitable receptacle (not shown) in the bottom cover 35 .

[0052] exist Figures 1A to 1C In the embodiment of the present invention, the bottom cover 35 also includes ribs 56, which are configured to avoid or at least minimize the outward bending of the top cover 34. The ribs 56 can also enhance the retention effect of the tongue 61. The top cover 34 can include recesses 68, which are configured to match the ribs 56 (see also, for example Figure 8 ). In other embodiments, if the ribs 56 are present, they may be disposed in the top cover 34.

[0053] The shifting device 1 according to the present embodiment can be assembled without fasteners or fixing elements such as screws, nuts and the like. Therefore, assembling the device 1 can be simpler and easier.

[0054] The housing 29 can house and protect, for example, electronic devices, sensor components, etc. In this embodiment, specifically, the housing can house part of the joystick 2 , the electronic device support 4 , the sensor 5 and the sensor actuator 3 .

[0055] Figure 1A A perspective view of the mechanism within the housing is provided. Figure 2A and Figure 2B The shifting device 1 (for example, Figures 1A to 1C Embodiment of a sensor actuator 3 of a shifting device 1) in a perspective view and a side view. Figure 3 Schematically shows Figures 1A to 1CThe shift device 1 is a three-dimensional side view of the interior of the shift device 1, and the shift device 1 includes Figure 2A and Figure 2B Sensor actuator 3.

[0056] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gear shifting device 1 for a vehicle transmission. The gear shifting device comprises a gear selector 2 operable by a user to control the vehicle transmission. In this case, the gear selector 2 is a joystick.

[0057] The shifting device further comprises a sensor actuator 3, which comprises a gear selector terminal 6 (at Figure 2A and Figure 2B ) and the sensor end 7, wherein the gear selector end 6 is configured to move with the gear selector 2 so that when the gear selector 2 is operated by the user, the sensor actuator 3 moves about the sensor actuator axis 13 (see for example Figure 2A ) rotation. For example, when the driver moves the handle 31, the joystick 2 rotates around Figure 1A The pivot axis 8 shown in FIG. 2 rotates. When the joystick 2 rotates, the sensor actuator 3 also rotates because the gear selector end 6 of the sensor actuator is driven or forced to another position by the movement of the joystick 2.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor actuator axis 13 is defined between the sensor end 7 and the housing end 27 of the sensor actuator 3. If manufacturing tolerances permit, the sensor actuator axis 13 may be substantially vertical between the housing end 27 and the geometric center of the sensor's opening.

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor actuator axis 13 coincides with a central longitudinal axis of a sensor shaft portion 32 connecting the housing end 27 of the sensor actuator 3 and the sensor end 7 .

[0060] In other embodiments, other shapes or elements may be provided in place of the shaft portion. The actuator axis 13 may not coincide with an element connecting the sensor end 7 and another suitable end (e.g., housing end 27) of the sensor actuator 3. For example, such an intermediate element may be curved and may have, for example, a C-shaped or S-shaped shape. Other shapes are also possible.

[0061] The shifting device 1 of the present embodiment further comprises an electronic device support 4, which comprises a sensor 5, the sensor comprising a fixed part 10 having an opening and a movable part 11 configured to rotate in the opening, wherein the movable part 11 comprises a sensor contact surface 15, see also Figure 4A and Figure 4B .

[0062] Figure 4AA cross-sectional view along a vertical plane is schematically shown, wherein the sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator 3 is arranged at Figure 3 The shift device 1 is provided with a contact sensor 5 in its opening. Figure 4B A cross-sectional view with a cross section of a horizontal plane is shown.

[0063] exist Figure 4A In the middle, axis 18 (at Figure 4B ) is perpendicular to the plane of the figure. Figure 4B Schematically shows the introduction into Figure 3 A bottom view of the sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator 3 in the contact sensor 5 of the shifting device 1. Figure 4B In the middle, axis 13 (at Figure 4A ) is perpendicular to the plane of the figure.

[0064] The sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator 3 is at least partially arranged in the opening 9 of the sensor 5 and the sensor end 7 is configured to rotate about the sensor actuator axis 13 in the opening of the sensor 5. Therefore, the sensor end 7 is adapted to the shape of the opening of the sensor and is configured to rotate in the opening 9.

[0065] The sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator comprises an actuator contact portion 12 which is configured to engage with a sensor contact surface 15 and to move the movable portion 11 of the sensor 5 when the sensor actuator 3 rotates about a sensor actuator axis 13. That is, when the driver wishes to change the transmission mode of the vehicle and moves the gear setting member (in this case the joystick 2), this is detected by the position or displacement (in this case, in particular the rotation) of the sensor actuator 3 in the opening of the sensor 5.

[0066] In this embodiment, one of the functions of the sensor actuator 3 is to act as a multiplier. That is, if the joystick is rotated x degrees, the sensor actuator will move more than x degrees. It is advantageous to use a sensor that allows a relatively large range of rotation. This allows a wider detection "area" or "range" to be defined corresponding to different transmission modes, and can compensate or absorb manufacturing tolerances and other inaccuracies.

[0067] One or more surfaces of the sensor end 7 configured to contact the sensor are curved. In particular, these surfaces can be curved in a direction substantially parallel to the sensor actuator axis. In other words, these surfaces can be curved along a substantially vertical direction.

[0068] According to this aspect, the sensor and sensor actuator assembly are more robust. Ideally, the sensor actuator only experiences moments about the vertically aligned sensor actuator axis 13, but in practice some moments about axes 17, 18 transverse to the vertical axis cannot be avoided, see e.g. Figures 3 to 4B The curved surfaces are such that small rotations about these axes do not cause significant wear of the sensor or sensor actuator. Different sensors can be used, such as contact sensors including potentiometers, while maintaining a sufficient service life of the sensor.

[0069] Due to unavoidable manufacturing tolerances, it may happen that the housing end 27 of the sensor actuator 3 is not completely vertically aligned with the geometric center of the opening of the sensor 5. In other words, the sensor actuator axis 13 is not completely vertical. When the driver changes the transmission mode and the sensor actuator 3 rotates, the rotation of the sensor actuator 3 is therefore not around a vertical axis perpendicular to the sensor opening, but may have a component along an axis perpendicular to the vertical axis. The curved surface allows such a component without excessively damaging the sensor actuator 3 or the sensor 5. The service life of the sensor 5 can thus be extended.

[0070] Figure 5 Schematically shows Figures 1A to 1C 1 is a side sectional view of a shifting device 1. Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator 3. Specifically, Figure 6 Shows an enlarged Figure 5 The portion enclosed by circle 70. Figure 5 and Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , the axis 17 is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

[0071] The joystick 2, the sensor actuator 3, the touch sensor 5 and the electronics support 4 may be accommodated in a housing 29. The joystick 2 may include two protrusions 30 (e.g., top protrusions) protruding from the housing 29. A knob or handle 31 may be fixed to the protrusions 30 of the joystick 2 so that, for example, the driver may push and pull the handle 31 to rotate the joystick 2 about the pivot axis 8 of the joystick 2. For example, an inner portion of the handle 31 may have two recesses, each of which is configured to receive a free end of the protrusion 30 of the joystick 2.

[0072] In some embodiments, the sensor actuator 3 may further include a housing end 27, see e.g. Figure 1A , Figure 3 and Figure 5 The housing end 27 may be configured to be fixed to an inner portion 28 of the housing, such as the inner portion of the top. The inner portion 28 of the housing 29 may be configured to fix the housing end 27 of the sensor actuator 3. In some embodiments, the portion 28 may be configured so that the housing end 27 of the sensor actuator 3 may be clipped to the portion 28, see e.g. Figure 1A , Figure 3 and Figure 5In some embodiments, the inner portion 28 configured to receive the housing end 27 of the sensor actuator 3 is included in the top cover 34 of the housing 29, see e.g. Figure 1A .

[0073] In some embodiments, the actuator contact portion 12 (ie, the portion of the sensor actuator that engages the sensor contact surface 15) is or includes a convex actuator contact surface 16, see Figure 4A The male actuator contact surface 16 is capable of some rotation about an axis which does not coincide with the vertical axis (as explained previously).

[0074] In an embodiment, all edges or surfaces of the sensor end 7 that are configured to contact the sensor are curved. Figure 4A As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the edge 73 opposite the actuator surface 16 can be curved, and more specifically, can also be convex. Figure 6 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the opposing side edges 74 and 75 may be curved, or more specifically, convex.

[0075] In some embodiments, the sensor actuator 3 may include a shaft 32 located between the gear selector end 6 and the sensor end 7 (optionally located between the sensor end 7 and the housing end 27), see for example Figure 2A and Figure 2B The sensor actuator 3 may further include a web 33 for connecting the shaft portion 32 to the gear selector end 6 .

[0076] In the embodiment shown, the sensor actuator 3 further comprises a recess 71 between the shaft portion 32 and the sensor end 7, see e.g. Figure 2B Between the shaft portion 32 and the sensor end 7, a cutout or recess 71 can be foreseen to locally reduce the thickness of the sensor actuator 3. This recess or cutout 71 can allow some rotation of the sensor actuator 3 around axes 17, 18 that do not coincide with the vertical axis. In this case, the sensor actuator 3 does not touch the inner edge or surface of the sensor 5.

[0077] The fixed part 10 of the touch sensor 5 may have an opening 9, see e.g. Figure 4A The movable part 11 may be rotatably disposed in the opening 9. In some other embodiments, the movable part 11 may include a hole 76 (e.g., a through hole or a blind hole) that receives the sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator 3. In some embodiments, the surface 15 of the movable part 11 that the sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator is to push may be substantially flat, see Figure 4B .

[0078] In e.g. Figure 2A , Figure 2Band Figure 4A In the embodiment of the sensor end 7, the sensor end 7 includes a rounded bottom portion 72. In other embodiments, the bottom of the sensor end 7 may have a different shape. For example, the sensor end 7 may have a generally flat surface (not shown).

[0079] The actuator contact portion 12 of the sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator 3 herein comprises a contact surface 16 which is configured to touch and move (eg push) the sensor contact surface 15. It is sufficient for only a portion of the contact surface 16 to touch the sensor contact surface 15 at a certain moment.

[0080] In some embodiments, the actuator contact portion 12 may include two or more contact points 64 that are configured to touch and move (e.g., push) the sensor contact surface 15. The two or more contact points may enhance control over the movement of the movable portion 11. In some embodiments, the two or more contact points may touch the sensor contact surface 15 at different times. For example, when the sensor contact surface 15 is rotated in one direction, the actuator contact surface 16 may touch the sensor contact surface 15 with one or more contact points 64, and when the sensor contact surface 15 is rotated in the opposite direction, the actuator contact surface 16 may touch the sensor contact surface 15 with one or more contact points 64. In some embodiments, the actuator contact surface 16 may be configured to touch the sensor contact surface 15 along a line (e.g., a substantially straight line), see Figure 4B .

[0081] The sensor end 7 is rotatable about a sensor actuator axis 13, see e.g. Figure 2A , Figure 4A and Figure 6 Rotation of the sensor end 7 about this rotation axis 13 allows the movable portion 11 of the sensor to be moved by touching (e.g. pushing) the sensor contact surface 15 of the portion 11 of the touch sensor 5. A first axis 18 and a second axis 17 substantially perpendicular to and between the main vertical rotation axis may be defined for the sensor end 7, see e.g. Figure 3 .

[0082] The first axis 18 can, in some embodiments, be generally parallel to the sensor contact surface 15 of the movable portion 11 of the touch sensor 5 and perpendicular to the main vertical rotation axis 13 of the sensor actuator. The second axis 17 can be generally perpendicular to the main vertical rotation axis 13 and the first axis 18. The second axis 17 can be generally perpendicular to the sensor contact surface 15, see Figure 4BIdeally, the sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator 3 will only rotate about the main vertical rotation axis 13. However, as explained above, when the joystick 2 moves the sensor actuator 3, undesirable rotations about other axes may also occur.

[0083] The sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator 3 may further include a portion 21 opposite to the actuator contact surface 16, the portion having a convex surface 24. This opposite surface 24 may be configured to face a lateral inner wall 25 of the touch sensor, see Figure 4B The convex surface 24 of the opposing portion 21 may further contribute to increasing the service life of the touch sensor 5 .

[0084] The radius of curvature 22 of the contact surface 16 and the radius of curvature of the opposing surface 24 can be adapted to the geometry (eg size and shape) of the sensor 5, see e.g. Figure 4A These radii 22, 23 can be measured in a cross section including the sensor actuator axis 13 and the first axis 17. Figure 4A The radii 22 and 23 are measured about a second axis 18 which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

[0085] In some embodiments, the radius of curvature 22 of the contact surface 16 may be between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature 23 of the opposing surface 24 may be between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm. In some of these embodiments, for example, Figure 4A In an embodiment of the present invention, the radius of curvature 22 of the contact surface 16 may be approximately 1 mm, and the radius of curvature 23 of the opposing surface 24 may be approximately 1.95 mm. These values ​​may be particularly suitable for avoiding or at least reducing damage to the touch sensor 5, thereby increasing its service life.

[0086] In some embodiments, the sensor end of the sensor actuator 7 may include a convex surface 19, 20 having a constant radius of curvature in the vertical direction, see Figure 6 Similar to as explained above, rounding the portions of the sensor end 7 that are opposite to each other along the first axis 18 may help accommodate rotation about the second axis 17 , thereby reducing damage to the touch sensor 5 .

[0087] The opposing convex surfaces 19, 20 may be hyperbolic surfaces, see Figure 2A and Figure 6 The surface 24 of the sensor end 7 opposite to the contact surface 16 may also be a hyperbolic surface, see Figure 2B and Figure 4A and Figure 4B .

[0088] In some embodiments, the sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator 3 may have the shape of a truncated disk in a cross section substantially perpendicular to the sensor rotation axis 13, see Figure 4B The disc profile of the sensor end 7 can ensure the position of the sensor actuator 3 in the opening of the sensor 5 and the rotation of the sensor actuator in the opening. In other embodiments, other shapes are possible. The cross-sectional shape of the sensor end 7 (in a plane perpendicular to the main rotation axis 13) can be selected according to the shape of the sensor opening and the shape of the movable part of the sensor.

[0089] In some embodiments, the sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator 3 includes two lateral surfaces: a contact surface 16 and a driven surface 65, see Figure 4B As already indicated, the contact surface 16 is configured to touch and move the sensor contact surface 15 of the touch sensor 5. The driven surface 65 is configured to face the remaining lateral inner surface 66 of the touch sensor 5 and includes a surface 24 opposite the contact surface 16. In some embodiments, the driven surface 65 may be convex to accommodate residual rotation about the first axis and / or the second axis. The driven surface 65 may be a hyperboloid.

[0090] In some embodiments, the size and shape of the sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator 3 may be adapted to fit in the opening 9 of the touch sensor 5, particularly in a cross-section including the first axis 18 and the second axis 17. This may help to move the movable part 11 of the sensor 5 in a suitable manner while avoiding or at least reducing damage to the sensor 5.

[0091] In some embodiments, the sensor 5 may be a contact sensor, and in some embodiments may include a potentiometer.

[0092] In some embodiments, the surface of the electronics carrier 4 may be substantially parallel to the pivot axis 8 of the joystick 2. That is, the rotation axis 13 of the sensor actuator 3 may be substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 8 of the joystick 2, see e.g. Figure 1A , Figure 3 and Figure 5 This facilitates the use of a single electronics carrier configured to detect movement of the sensor actuator 3 and Figure 1B In other embodiments, the main rotation axis 13 of the sensor actuator 3 and the rotation axis 8 of the joystick 2 may have other angles therebetween.

[0093] In some embodiments, the joystick 2 may have an opening 26 for receiving the gear selector end 6 of the sensor actuator 3, see e.g. Figure 1A and Figure 3The joystick 2 may be configured to directly move the gear selector end 6 of the sensor actuator 3. That is, an intermediate piece between the joystick 2 and the gear selector end 6 may be avoided. In other embodiments, one or more intermediate connecting elements may be provided. In these embodiments, the joystick 2 and the gear selector end 6 of the sensor actuator 3 will be connected indirectly.

[0094] In some embodiments, the sensor actuator 3 may include at least two body parts 32, 33, namely: a shaft part 32 and a web part 33, see for example Figure 1A and Figure 2A The web portion 33 connects the gear selector end 6 to the shaft portion 32. The shaft portion 32 may connect the sensor end 7 to the housing end 27. The shaft portion 32 may extend generally along a straight line between the housing end 27 and the sensor end 7.

[0095] The touch sensor 5 may be attached to the electronics support 4 such that the opening 9 of the sensor 5 is vertically aligned with the inner part 28 of the housing 29 to which the housing end 27 of the sensor actuator 3 is fixed. The housing end 27 and the inner part 28 of the housing 29 may form a ball joint.

[0096] The joystick 2 may include an inner channel 46, see Figure 5 . The inner channel 46 may include a lower end, such as a cylindrical recess 47, configured to receive the spring 48. A plunger 49 may be arranged in the channel 46 above the spring 48, partially surrounding the spring 48. The joystick operated by the user may have or interact with an undulating surface that defines a plurality of stable and unstable positions for the joystick, such as by alternating valleys and peaks. The stable positions may correspond to different transmission modes or gears that the user can select. The spring may help the user select the transmission mode by making the transition from the stable position to the unstable position smoother, and facilitate the selection of the stable position.

[0097] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B A perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the interior of a cover 34 for a shifting device 1 of a vehicle transmission and a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the interior and the exterior of a cover 34 for a shifting device 1 are respectively schematically shown. Figure 8 A schematic perspective view of the interior of an exemplary embodiment of a bottom cover 35 of a shifting device 1 for a vehicle transmission is shown. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The top cover 34 can be closed Figure 8 The bottom cover 35 is formed Figure 1B and Figure 1C The housing 29.

[0098] In some embodiments, the housing 29 may include a top cover 34 and a bottom cover 35, see e.g. Figure 5 . Prior art shifting devices generally include two lateral covers joined by means of bolts, i.e. the two covers may be side by side. In these cases, the operating lever 2 may generally be placed between the two lateral covers, so that both covers directly support the operating lever 2. However, if, instead of two side-by-side covers, a top cover 34 and a bottom cover 35 are provided, the operating lever 2 may be supported by a single cover. The position of the operating lever 2 may thus depend only on a single cover. This may be beneficial for the accurate movement of the operating lever 2 and its coupling element. It may also be easier to comply with the tolerances of the shifting device 1.

[0099] Other prior art gearshift devices are known which comprise a bottom cover and a top cover, wherein the space for arranging the pivot pin of the actuating lever is formed by both the top cover and the bottom cover, thus presenting disadvantages with regard to manufacturing tolerances.

[0100] For example, Figure 1A , Figure 3 and Figure 5 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the joystick 2 may be supported only by the top cover 34. In some embodiments, the joystick 2 may be supported by the opposing lateral walls of the top cover 34. In other embodiments, the top cover 34 may include a top cover rib or “inner wall” 36, and the joystick 2 may be supported by the inner wall 36 of the top cover 34 as well as the lateral walls 37.

[0101] The joystick 2 may include a wall receiving portion 38 for receiving a wall 36, see e.g. Figure 5 The wall receiving portion 38 may have a through hole through which the top cover rib or "inner wall" 36 passes.

[0102] The wall receiving portion 38 may also include an opening 26 for receiving the gear selector end 6 of the sensor actuator 3, see e.g. Figure 1A and Figure 5 In still other embodiments, the top cover 34 may include two ribs 36 extending toward the inside of the shift device 1 , and the operating lever 2 may be placed between the two ribs and supported by the two ribs.

[0103] Regardless of where the opening 26 for receiving the gear selector end 6 of the sensor actuator 3 is located in the joystick 2 (e.g., the joystick or other gear selector 2 may not have the wall receiving portion 38, and the opening 26 may be elsewhere), the opening 26 may be disposed in a portion of the gear selector proximate or near the top cover 34. For example, as in Figure 1A and Figure 3As can be seen in the embodiment of FIG. 4 , the opening 26 is arranged relatively close to the upper side 45 of the top cover. This can help to provide a wider range of movement of the gear selector end 6 of the sensor actuator 3, and thus a wider range of movement of the sensor end 7 of the sensor actuator 3. That is, the movement of the joystick 2 can be multiplied by the sensor actuator 3.

[0104] Two elements configured to support the joystick 2 (eg, the inner wall 36 and the side wall 37 of the top cover 34 ) may have a mating hole 39 (eg, a through hole) configured to receive the pivot pin 40 .

[0105] In some embodiments, the pivot pin 40 can be integrated into the joystick 2. This option is shown in Figure 1A and Figure 5 In other embodiments, the pivot pin 40 and the joystick 2 may be separate elements. The pivot pin 40 integrated (or not integrated) in the joystick 2 may be independent of the support element rotatably connected to the joystick, for example, on a cover, two covers, a rib and a wall, two walls or two ribs. That is, it is not limited to the type of the housing 29, nor is it limited to the position where the joystick 2 is combined with the housing 29.

[0106] The joystick 2 may be inserted (eg, clipped) into the inner wall 36 and the side wall 37 configured to support the joystick 2. Thus, fixing elements (eg, screws or bushings) for fixing the joystick 2 to the top cover 34 may be avoided.

[0107] The joystick 2 may further include two lateral protrusions 41 (see for example Figure 5 ), the knob 31 can be attached to (e.g., clipped to) these two lateral protrusions. To this end, the handle 31 may include two ribs 67 (see Figure 5 ), the two ribs 67 can be configured to be attached to the lateral protrusions 41 of the joystick 2. The ribs 67 can be configured to laterally surround the top protrusion 30 of the joystick 2.

[0108] The pivot pin 40 may include two opposing pin ends 50, 51. Each pin end 50, 51 may be introduced into a corresponding mating hole 39, see e.g. Figures 1A to 1C and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the support elements 36, 37 may include a guide recess 57 (see, e.g. Fig. 7A and Figure 7B ) for guiding the pivot ends 50, 51 of the pivot pin 40 integrated in the joystick 2 towards the matching holes 39 of the joystick support elements 36, 37 during assembly of the joystick 2.

[0109] In some embodiments, the pin ends 50, 51 may have a "cross" or "plus sign" shape, see Figure 1A and Figure 3. The substantially cross-shaped pin end may have four substantially mutually perpendicular cross arms 52, 53, 54, 55. The cross arms 52 to 55 may be beveled. This may reduce the risk of damage to the pin ends 50, 51 and to the element 36, 37 configured to support the joystick 2 when the joystick 2 is mounted to the support element 36, 37 comprising the mating hole 39 for the joystick 2. For example, if the joystick 2 has to be rotated from a horizontal axis in order to push it upwards between the support elements 36, 37, the beveled pin ends 50, 51 may facilitate this operation and reduce the risk of damage during pushing the joystick 2 and subsequently mating the pin ends 50, 51 into the mating holes 39. The tilted joystick 2 may be moved into a horizontal position to introduce the pin ends 50, 51 into the holes 39 so that the pin ends 50, 51 and the holes 39 are aligned.

[0110] In some embodiments, the upper portions of both ends of the pivot pin 40 may be chamfered to a greater extent than the bottom portion of the pivot pin. For example, the top arm 53 of the pin ends 50, 51 may be chamfered to a greater extent than the bottom arm 55 of the pin ends 50, 51. In this case, the contact surface between the top arm 53 and the matching surface of the support elements 36, 37 is smaller than the contact surface between the bottom arm 55 and the matching surface of the support elements 36, 37. Since the pivot pin 40 of the joystick 2 can be pushed downward by the spring 48, the increased contact surface area between the surface of the bottom arm 55 and the corresponding matching surface of the support elements 36, 37 can help avoid wear of the bottom arm 55.

[0111] Moving the knob 31, and therefore the joystick 2, may result in a slight deformation of the top cover 34. The bottom cover 35 may be configured to provide stiffness to the top cover 34. Here, providing stiffness or reinforcing stiffness may be understood as limiting the deformation of the top cover 34, such as its movement in one or more directions. To do this, the bottom cover may include one or more reinforcing elements 56, 61.

[0112] In some embodiments, one or more top cover ribs or inner walls 36 can be configured to be inserted into one or more receiving grooves 42 (e.g., through holes) of the bottom cover 35 (e.g., the bottom cover base 43), see Figure 8 The length of the rib 36 can be adapted to this purpose. This can help avoid undesirable movement of the rib 36 when the driver pushes or pulls the joystick 2. For example, the bottom cover 35 can include a receptacle 42 (e.g., in its base 43) that is configured to receive the rib 36 of the top cover 34.

[0113] In some embodiments, the top cover 34 may include a plurality of upper supports 58 for positioning the electronic device support 4. These upper supports 58 in the interior portion of the top cover 34 may help place the electronic device support 4 (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)) at a desired height relative to the top cover 34. The upper supports 58 may protrude from the inner surface of the top cover 34, see Fig. 7A and Figure 7B .

[0114] In some embodiments, the bottom cover 35 may include a base 43 and a peripheral flange 44, the peripheral flange 44 protruding from the base 43 toward the interior of the shifting device 1. The peripheral flange 44 may completely surround the base 43 of the bottom cover 35 and may extend upward. The top cover 34 may fit around the peripheral flange 44 of the bottom cover 35 so as to close the shifting device 1. The base 43 of the bottom cover 35 may include a plurality of base ribs 56. The base ribs 56 may be disposed on two opposite sides (e.g., lateral sides) of the bottom cover 35, substantially parallel to the pivot axis 8. When the shifting device 1 is closed, the lower portion of the top cover 34 may be positioned between the base flange 44 and the ribs 56. The ribs 56 may avoid or reduce outward deformation of the top cover.

[0115] In some embodiments, one or more portions of the peripheral flange 44 may include one or more protrusions or tabs 61. Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, each lateral portion 62 of the peripheral flange 44 includes two tongues 61. The top cover 34 may include corresponding tongue holes 63 for receiving the tongues 61 of the bottom cover 35. This can help to fix the top cover 34 to the bottom cover 35. The lateral portion or side of the cover 34, 35 is understood here as the portion or side of the cover that is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis 8 of the joystick 2.

[0116] In some embodiments, the bottom cover 35 may include one or more posts 59 extending (eg, vertically upward) from the base 43, see Figure 8 . One or more posts 59 can be configured to support one or more ribs 36 of the top cover 34. For example, the size, shape, and position of the first post 60 on the base 43 can be selected so that the first post 60 can limit or prevent movement of the rib 36 in a certain direction when the knob 31 moves. For example, the first post 60 can be positioned adjacent to the rib 36 so that it holds the rib 36 in one or more directions (e.g., in a direction generally parallel to the pivot axis 8 of the joystick 2 and / or in a direction generally perpendicular to the pivot axis 8 of the joystick 2). One or more posts 59 can be configured to support the electronic device support 4. Their size, shape, and position on the base 43 of the bottom cover 35 can be adapted for this purpose. The one or more posts 59 of the bottom cover 35 and the plurality of upper supports 58 of the top cover 34 can hold the electronic device support 4 in place.

[0117] In some embodiments, the pivot pin 40 of the joystick 2 may be supported only by the bottom cover 35. In these and other embodiments, the pivot pin 40 may be disposed near the base 43 of the bottom cover 35. This may increase or maximize the distance between the pivot axis 8 and the opening 26 for receiving the gear selector end 6 of the sensor actuator 3. This, in turn, may increase the angle through which the sensor actuator 3 moves when the joystick 2 moves, in embodiments where the rotational axis 14 of the touch sensor 5 is generally perpendicular to the pivot axis 8.

[0118] Although only some embodiments are disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and / or their equivalents are possible. In addition, all possible combinations of the described embodiments are also covered. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the specific embodiments, but should only be determined by the reasonable interpretation of the attached claims.

Claims

1. A shifting device (1) for a vehicle transmission, the shifting device comprising: a gear selector (2) operable by a user to control the vehicle transmission; Sensor actuator (3); Electronic device support (4); as well as Housing (29), wherein the sensor actuator comprises a housing end (27), a gear selector end (6) and a sensor end (7), wherein the housing end (27) is configured to fix the sensor actuator (3) to the housing (29), and the gear selector end (6) is configured to be moved by the gear selector (2) so that when a user operates the gear selector (2), the sensor actuator (3) rotates around a sensor actuator axis (13); wherein the electronic device support (4) comprises a sensor (5), the sensor comprising a fixed part (10) having an opening and a movable part (11) configured to rotate in the opening, wherein the movable part (11) comprises a sensor contact surface (15); wherein the sensor end (7) of the sensor actuator (3) is at least partially arranged within the opening of the sensor (5), and wherein the sensor end (7) is configured to rotate about the sensor actuator axis (13) within the opening of the sensor (5), and wherein the sensor actuator axis (13) is defined in the opening of the sensor (5) between the housing end (27) of the sensor actuator (3) and the sensor end (7); wherein the sensor end (7) of the sensor actuator comprises an actuator contact portion (12) configured to engage with the sensor contact surface (15) and to move the movable portion (11) of the sensor (5) when the sensor actuator (3) rotates about the sensor actuator axis (13); and One or more outer surfaces of the sensor end (7) configured to contact the sensor are curved in a plane containing the sensor actuator axis (13).

2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein: The actuator contact portion (12) includes a convex actuator contact surface (16).

3. The shift device according to claim 2, wherein: The edge of the sensor end (7) opposite the male actuator contact surface (16) is convex, and wherein the radius of curvature of the male actuator contact surface (16) is different from the radius of curvature of the opposite edge (21).

4. The shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: All outer surfaces of the sensor end (7) configured to be in contact with the sensor are curved in a plane containing the sensor actuator axis (13).

5. The shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The actuator contact portion (12) includes two or more contact points configured to engage with the sensor contact surface (15).

6. The shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The sensor end (7) comprises a truncated circular disk, wherein the radius of the circular disk is slightly smaller than the radius of the opening of the sensor.

7. The shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The sensor actuator includes a shaft portion (32) located between the gear selector end (6) and the sensor end (7).

8. The shift device according to claim 7, wherein: The sensor actuator (3) also includes a web (33) for connecting the shaft portion (32) to the gear selector end (6).

9. The shift device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The sensor actuator (3) includes a recess between the shaft portion (32) and the sensor end (7).

10. The shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The sensor includes a potentiometer.

11. The shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The gear selector is a lever configured to rotate about a lever axis.

12. The shift device according to claim 11, wherein: The joystick has an integrated pivot pin configured to be disposed in the housing between the first and second walls of the housing.

13. The shift device according to claim 12, wherein: The first wall is a side wall of the housing, and the second wall is an inner wall of the housing.

14. The shift device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: The housing includes a top cover and a bottom cover, and wherein the top cover includes the first wall and the second wall.

15. The shift device according to claim 14, wherein: The bottom cover includes a reinforcing member configured to support the first wall or the second wall.

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