Shifting device

Abstract

A shift device is provided. A shift device (10) is provided with: a shift panel (16) as a shift selection unit that can select a shift position (20) by being touched by a finger (F) of an occupant of a vehicle, the shift panel (16) having a plurality of selection regions (30) disposed within an operation region (24), the selection regions (30) selecting the shift position (20) by being touched by the finger (F) of the occupant and changing a gear stage of a transmission (34) of the vehicle; and a plurality of LEDs (40) as lighting means for lighting the operation area (24) and clearly displaying the selection area (30) when the finger (F) of the occupant contacts the operation area (24).

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 of German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2014009355, the shift speed of the automatic transmission is changed by contacting the functional recess.

[0003] Here, if the position of the functional recess is not known, the automatic transmission may be changed to an erroneous gear stage. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a shift device capable of suppressing selection of an erroneous shift position.

[0005] The first mode of the shifting device disclosed herein includes: a shift selecting portion, which is capable of selecting a shift position by being contacted by an operating portion respectively, and a plurality of selection areas are arranged in the operating area, which are used to select the shift position by being contacted by the operating portion to change the gear of the vehicle's transmission; and a lighting unit, which illuminates the operating area to make the selection area clearly displayed.

[0006] In addition to the first aspect, in a shift device according to a second aspect, the lighting unit illuminates at least a portion of an outer peripheral portion of the operation area to clearly display the selection area.

[0007] In addition to the first or second aspect, in a shift device according to a third aspect, the lighting unit illuminates an outer peripheral portion of the selection area to clearly display the selection area.

[0008] In addition to the first or second aspect, in a shift device according to a fourth aspect, marks indicating the shift positions are arranged in the selection areas, respectively, and the lighting unit illuminates the marks to clearly display the selection areas.

[0009] In addition to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in a fifth aspect of the shift device, the lighting unit clearly displays a selection area approached by the operation portion among the plurality of selection areas.

[0010] Based on any one of the first to fifth aspects, for the shift device of the sixth aspect, the lighting unit changes the lighting state between a selection area corresponding to a gear before the transmission is changed and a selection area corresponding to a gear different from the gear among the plurality of selection areas.

[0011] In addition to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in a shift device according to a seventh aspect, the lighting unit illuminates a selection area corresponding to a changeable shift speed in the transmission.

[0012] In addition to any one of the first to seventh aspects, in the shift device according to an eighth aspect, the lighting unit illuminates the operation area when the operation portion contacts the operation area.

[0013] In the shift device of the first aspect, a plurality of selection areas are arranged in the operation area of ​​the shift selection unit, each of the selection areas corresponds to a shift position, and the shift position is selected by the operation unit contacting the selection area to change the gear stage of the vehicle transmission.

[0014] Here, the lighting unit illuminates the operation area to clearly display the selection area. This makes it easier for the operation unit to contact the selection area corresponding to the desired shift position, thereby preventing the wrong shift position from being selected.

[0015] In the shift device of the second aspect, the lighting unit illuminates at least a portion of the outer periphery of the operation region. This makes the operation region clear and the selection regions in the operation region clear, thereby effectively preventing an erroneous shift position from being selected.

[0016] In the shift device of the third aspect, the outer periphery of the selection area is illuminated to clearly display the selection area. This makes it possible to clearly display each selection area, thereby effectively preventing an erroneous shift position from being selected.

[0017] In the shift device of the fourth aspect, a mark indicating the shift position corresponding to the selection area is arranged in the selection area, and the lighting unit illuminates the mark to clearly display the selection area. Thus, the selection area contacted by the operating part and the shift position corresponding to the selection area can be made clear, thereby effectively preventing the selection of an erroneous shift position.

[0018] In the shift device of the fifth aspect, the lighting unit illuminates the selection area approached by the operating portion among the plurality of selection areas so as to be clearly displayed. This makes the selection area approached by the operating portion clear, thereby more effectively preventing the wrong shift position from being selected.

[0019] In the shift device of the sixth aspect, when illuminating the operation area, the illumination state is changed between the selection area corresponding to the shift speed of the transmission and the selection area different from the selection area. This makes the current shift position clear, thereby more effectively preventing the wrong shift position from being selected.

[0020] In the shift device of the seventh aspect, the lighting unit illuminates the selection area corresponding to the shift speed that can be changed in the transmission so as to be clearly displayed. As a result, the selectable shift position becomes clear, and thus, it is possible to more effectively suppress the selection of an erroneous shift position.

[0021] In the shift device of the eighth aspect, the lighting unit illuminates the operating area when the operating portion contacts the operating area. Thus, when the operating portion contacts the operating area, the operating area is illuminated to clearly display the selection area, thereby effectively preventing the selection of an erroneous shift position caused by the operating portion contacting an erroneous selection area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] 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.

[0023] Figure 2A It is a cross-sectional view showing the shift device as seen from the bottom.

[0024] Figure 2B It is a schematic diagram showing a control structure provided in the shift device.

[0025] Figure 3A This is a front view showing the lighting status of the shift device.

[0026] Figure 3B This is a front view showing the non-illuminated state of the shift device.

[0027] Figure 4A It is a front view showing a shift device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the front side, and illustrates a lighting state of the shift device.

[0028] Figure 4B It is a front view showing a non-illuminated state of the shift device according to the second embodiment.

[0029] Figure 5 It is a front view showing a shift device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen from the front side.

[0030] Fig. 6A It is a front view showing the lighting state of the shift device according to the third embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6B It is a front view showing a non-illuminated state of the shift device according to the third embodiment.

[0032] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of another example of the shift panel as seen in the left-right direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0034] [First embodiment]

[0035] 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 2A The shifting device 10 is shown in a sectional view from below. Figure 2B The control structure of the shift device 10 is shown in a schematic configuration diagram. 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.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2A As shown, the shift device 10 is arranged in the vehicle width direction center part of the instrument panel 12 of the vehicle (car), and is set inside the vehicle width direction of the steering wheel (not shown). In addition, the front side, right side and top side of the shift device 10 are respectively facing the rear side, right side and top side of the vehicle.

[0037] The shift device 10 includes a substantially rectangular box-shaped case 14 as a setting body, and the case 14 is fixed to the instrument panel 12. The case 14 is long in the left-right direction, and the case 14 has a substantially rectangular opening 14A formed on the front side and the interior is open to the front side. A rectangular opening 12A is formed on the instrument panel 12, which is open to the rear side of the vehicle. The case 14 is installed by being inserted into the opening 12A, and the inside of the case 14 is open to the rear side from the opening 12A.

[0038] A rectangular plate-shaped shift panel 16 serving as a selector and a shift selection section is disposed on the front side of the case 14, and the shift panel 16 is inserted into the opening 14A of the case 14. The shift panel 16 closes the opening 14A on the front side of the case 14, and the opening 12A of the instrument panel 12 is closed by the shift panel 16 and the peripheral edge of the opening 14A of the case 14.

[0039] A plate portion 18 is provided on the front side of the shift panel 16. The plate portion 18 is made of resin, for example, and serves as an insulator. The front side of the plate portion 18 is coplanar with the vehicle rear side of the instrument panel 12. The surface of the plate portion 18 (and the frame surface around the opening 14A of the box body 14) together with the vehicle rear side of the instrument panel 12 form the exterior design surface of the vehicle interior. The plate portion 18 (shift panel 16) can be touched by the fingers (fingers of the hand; hereinafter referred to as the fingers F of the occupants) of the vehicle (especially the driver), and the fingers are used as the operating portion.

[0040] like Figure 1As shown, a plurality of shift positions 20 are set on the surface side of the plate portion 18, and the shift positions 20 include a P (parking) position 20P, an R (reverse) position 20R, an N (neutral) position 20N, and a D (drive) position 20D. On the surface side of the plate portion 18, from the left side toward the right side, the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N, and the D position 20D are sequentially set at predetermined intervals (equal intervals). In addition, a display 22 as a mark indicating the shift position 20 is arranged on the plate portion 18, and at the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N, and the D position 20D, "P" (P display 22P), "R" (R display 22R), "N" (N display 22N), and "D" (D display 22D) are formed as the display 22.

[0041] In addition, a mark 24A and a mark 24B are arranged on the front side of the plate portion 18 as marks indicating the operation area 24, and the marks 24A and 24B are each in the form of a long line in the left-right direction. The mark 24A is formed in a straight line on the upper side of the P display 22P, the R display 22R, the N display 22N, and the D display 22D, and the mark 24B is formed in a straight line substantially parallel to the mark 24A on the lower side of the P display 22P, the R display 22R, the N display 22N, and the D display 22D. The operation area 24 is an area surrounded (sandwiched) by the mark 24A and the mark 24B.

[0042] For the plate portion 18, the P display 22P, the R display 22R, the N display 22N, the D display 22D, the mark 24A and the mark 24B are light-transmissive, and the parts other than these parts are light-shielding (non-light-transmissive). Therefore, for the plate portion 18, if it is illuminated from the back side, the illumination light passes through the P display 22P, the R display 22R, the N display 22N, the D display 22D and the marks 24A and 24B.

[0043] On the shift panel 16, a rectangular sheet-shaped electrode sheet 26 as a detection unit is installed on the back side of the plate portion 18. The electrode sheet 26 has insulation and light transmission (transparent sheet), and covers the back side of the plate portion 18. In addition, a plurality of rectangular thin film-shaped electrodes 28 as detection units are provided on the surface of the electrode sheet 26 on the side of the plate portion 18. The electrodes 28 include a P electrode 28P, an R electrode 28R, an N electrode 28N, and a D electrode 28D. When viewed from the front side of the shift panel 16, from the left side to the right side, the P electrode 28P, the R electrode 28R, the N electrode 28N, and the D electrode 28D are arranged on the electrode sheet 26 in this order, with predetermined intervals (approximately equal intervals) between each other.

[0044] The electrodes 28 are each made of a conductive transparent electrode such as IOT (Indium Tin Oxide). In addition, the electrodes 28 may be in the form of a conductive and light-transmitting rectangular thin film, and may be made of silver nanowires (AgNW), PEDOT (polyethylene dioxythiophene), CNT (carbon nanotube), etc., or may be formed in a mesh shape using a narrow width metal.

[0045] A plurality of regions 30 as selection regions are provided on the front side of the plate portion 18, and the regions 30 include a P region 30P, an R region 30R, an N region 30N, and a D region 30D. The P region 30P, the R region 30R, the N region 30N, and the D region 30D are each a region surrounding a predetermined range of the P display 22P, the R display 22R, the N display 22N, and the D display 22D in the operation region 24 between the mark 24A and the mark 24B. The P electrode 28P, the R electrode 28R, the N electrode 28N, and the D electrode 28D are each a region overlapping the P region 30P, the R region 30R, the N region 30N, and the D region 30D on the front side of the plate portion 18. Therefore, the positions of the P electrode 28P, the R electrode 28R, the N electrode 28N, and the D electrode 28D can be determined (grasped) by the mark 24A and the mark 24B.

[0046] like Figure 2B As shown, the shift device 10 is provided with a controller (ECU) 32 as a control unit. The controller 32 is provided with a microcomputer and necessary functional circuits (all omitted in the figure) connected to a CPU, ROM, RAM, nonvolatile memory (storage), etc. via a bus. In the controller 32, the CPU reads out the program stored in the ROM and the memory and executes the program while expanding the program in the RAM, thereby realizing the function corresponding to the program.

[0047] The controller 32 is electrically connected to each electrode 28 of the electrode sheet 26. In addition, the controller 32 is connected to a transmission control ECU 36 of a transmission 34 (automatic transmission) of the vehicle. The transmission control ECU 36 controls the transmission 34 to switch the transmission gear (shift gear position) of the transmission 34 between the P (parking) gear, the R (reverse) gear, the N (neutral) gear, and the D (driving) gear. In addition, the transmission gear of the transmission 34 is displayed at a predetermined position of the instrument panel 12.

[0048] The controller 32 functions as a self-inductive electrostatic capacitance sensor using the electrodes 28 (the P electrode 28P, the R electrode 28R, the N electrode 28N, and the D electrode 28D). Figure 2AThe occupant's finger F (indicated by a two-dot chain line) approaches the electrode 28, thereby generating an electrostatic capacitance between the electrode 28 and the occupant's finger F. The electrostatic capacitance generated by the electrode 28 varies depending on the distance between the electrode 28 and the occupant's finger F and the area facing each other. When the occupant's finger F approaches, a predetermined electrostatic capacitance is generated, and when the occupant's finger F ( Figure 2A The electrostatic capacitance further changes when the conductive layer (indicated by the solid line) contacts the surface side of the plate portion 18.

[0049] The controller 32 detects the electrostatic capacitance of each electrode 28 (the voltage that changes according to the electrostatic capacitance), and further detects whether the passenger's finger F is close to the operation area 24 of the plate portion 18. In addition, the controller 32 detects whether the passenger's finger F touches any area 30 based on the electrostatic capacitance of each electrode 28, and detects (determines) which shift position 20 is selected based on the area 30 touched by the passenger. In addition, the controller 32 switches the shift gear (shift position) of the transmission 34 according to the selected shift position 20 by outputting a signal corresponding to the selected shift position 20 to the shift control ECU 36.

[0050] On the other hand, a substrate (circuit board) 38 is arranged in the shift device 10 and in the housing 14. The substrate 38 is in a long and substantially rectangular shape, and is substantially parallel to the back side of the plate portion 18 and is installed in the housing 14. A plurality of LEDs 40 as lighting units are arranged on the substrate 38, and the LEDs 40 include LEDs 40P, LEDs 40R, LEDs 40N, LEDs 40D, and LEDs 40F. Each of the LEDs 40 (40P, 40R, 40N, 40D, and 40F) can emit light in white (a color synthesized from each color of R, G, and B), and can change the color of light emitted and the intensity of light.

[0051] Each of the LEDs 40 (40P, 40R, 40N, 40D, 40F) faces the back side of the plate portion 18 (back side of the electrode sheet 26) in a manner capable of illuminating a predetermined area within the operation area 24. In addition, each of the LEDs 40P, 40R, 40N, and 40D can illuminate the P region 30P, the R region 30R, the N region 30N, and the D region 30D. In addition, a plurality of LEDs 40F are provided, capable of illuminating the mark 24A and the mark 24B. In addition, a required shading unit such as a shading wall (not shown) is provided inside the housing 14 and between the back side of the plate portion 18 and the substrate 38 to suppress the leakage of the illumination light to areas other than the respectively set areas.

[0052] The controller 32 is electrically connected to the LEDs 40 (LED 40P, LED 40R, LED 40N, LED 40D, and LED 40F), and the lighting of the LEDs 40 is controlled by the controller 32. The controller 32 controls the lighting of the LEDs 40 based on the capacitance (or change in capacitance) detected by the electrodes 28.

[0053] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

[0054] In the shift device 10, the passenger's finger F contacts an area 30 (P area 30P, R area 30R, N area 30N or D area 30D) on the shift panel 16 (plate portion 18), thereby selecting a shift position 20 (P position 20P, R position 20R, N position 20N or D position 20D) corresponding to the contacted area 30.

[0055] That is, in the shift device 10, in order to perform a shift operation, the passenger's finger F approaches the shift panel 16 (plate portion 18), thereby increasing the electrostatic capacitance of any one of the multiple electrodes 28, and the passenger's finger F contacts any area 30 of the plate portion 18, thereby further increasing (becoming maximum) the electrostatic capacitance generated by the electrode 28 in the area 30 contacted by the passenger's finger F.

[0056] The controller 32 determines that the passenger's finger F has touched the region 30 corresponding to the electrode 28 when the voltage Vc detected at any of the electrodes 28 is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value Vth1 (Vc ≥ Vth1). Furthermore, the controller 32 determines that the shift position 20 (P position 20P, R position 20R, N position 20N, or D position 20D) corresponding to the region 30 has been selected when the passenger's finger F has been judged to be in contact for a predetermined threshold time Tth (e.g., 0.5 sec) or longer.

[0057] If the controller 32 determines that the occupant has selected any of the shift positions 20, the shift control ECU 36 changes the shift speed of the transmission 34 to the shift speed (P, R, N, or D) corresponding to the selected shift position 20. Thus, the shift device 10 can change the shift speed of the vehicle's transmission 34 through the operation of the occupant.

[0058] On the other hand, in the shift device 10, when the passenger's finger F approaches the operation area 24 of the plate portion 18 in order to select the shift position, the electrostatic capacitance generated by the electrode 28 increases compared to before the finger F approaches. In addition, the shift device 10 has a plurality of LEDs 40 (40P, 40R, 40N, 40, 40F) mounted on the substrate 38 in the housing 14. In addition, in the shift panel 16, the electrode sheet 26 and each electrode 28 arranged on the electrode sheet 26 have light transmittance, and each display 22 (P display 22P, R display 22R, N display 22N, D display 22D) and the marks 24A, 24B in the plate portion 18 have light transmittance.

[0059] Here, the controller 32 turns on the LED 40F for illuminating the marks 24A and 24B when the voltage Vc corresponding to the electrostatic capacitance of the electrode 28 reaches the threshold value Vth2 (Vth1>Vc≥Vth2) set so as to be able to determine that the finger F of the occupant is close to the plate portion 18. In addition, the controller 32 turns on the LEDs 40 (40P, 40R, 40N, 40D) for illuminating each area 30 (P area 30P, R area 30R, N area 30N, D area 30D).

[0060] In addition, the voltage Vc at this time may also be the maximum value of the voltage detected from each of the plurality of electrodes 28, or the sum of the voltages detected by each of the plurality of electrodes 28 (or two adjacent electrodes 28). In addition, the threshold Vth2 may be set according to the applied voltage (the voltage of any electrode 28, the voltage of two adjacent electrodes 28, or the sum of the voltages of each electrode 28). In addition, each of the LEDs 40 is lit in a manner that generates light of the same color (e.g., white).

[0061] Thus, in the shift device 10 , the shift panel 16 (plate portion 18 ) is illuminated from the back side by the LED 40 , and each of the displays 22 and the marks 24A, 24B is illuminated. Figure 3A The shift panel 16 is shown in a front view in a state where it is illuminated by the LED 40. Figure 3B The shift panel 16 is shown in a front view in a non-illuminated state.

[0062] like Figure 3B As shown, in the shift device 10, since the LED 40 is not lit, the marks 24A, 24B and the display 22 do not emit light. Therefore, when the outside of the vehicle becomes dark and the interior of the vehicle becomes dark, the display 22 and the marks 24A, 24B become difficult to see.

[0063] In contrast, Figure 3AAs shown, in the shift device 10, the LED 40 is turned on to illuminate the operation area 24 and the area 30 in the operation area 24. Therefore, in the shift panel 16, even at night when the vehicle interior is dark, the marks 24A, 24B and the display 22 become bright (clearly displayed), and the marks 24A, 24B and the display 22 are easy to see.

[0064] In the shift device 10, by illuminating the marks 24A and 24B, the marks 24A and 24B become brighter and the marks 24A and 24B arranged in each area 30 become clearer, so that it is easy to grasp each P area 30P, R area 30R, N area 30N, and D area 30D. Therefore, in the shift device 10, the shift position 20 (P position 20P, R position 20R, N position 20N, and D position 20D) can be selected with high accuracy, and the selection of the wrong shift position 20 can be effectively suppressed.

[0065] In addition, in the shift device 10, the regions 30 (P region 30P, R region 30R, N region 30N, and D region 30D) are brightened (clearer) by illuminating the display 22 (P display 22P, R display 22R, N display 22N, and D display 22D). Thus, in the shift device 10, the shift position 20 (P position 20P, R position 20R, N position 20N, and D position 20D) can be selected with higher accuracy by lighting the LED 40, and selection of an erroneous shift position 20 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0066] Furthermore, in the shift device 10, the LED 40 illuminates the shift panel 16 from the back side before the passenger's finger F touches the shift panel 16. Thus, in the shift device 10, the front side of the shift panel 16 becomes bright, which can effectively prevent the passenger from touching the wrong area 30 and selecting the wrong shift position.

[0067] In addition, in the shift device 10, the LED 40 is not lit when the passenger's finger F is not close to the shift panel 16. Thus, it is possible to suppress the unnecessary lighting of the LED 40, which makes the interior of the vehicle unnecessarily brighter. In addition, in the shift device 10, the LED 40 is lit when the passenger brings the finger F close to the shift panel 16 to change the shift position, so that the shift panel 16 can be effectively illuminated using the LED 40.

[0068] In addition, the shift panel 16 (plate portion 18) uses the marks 24A and 24B for the shift device 10. However, the mark indicating the operation area 24 may be at least one of the upper mark 24A and the lower mark 24B, or may be formed into a frame shape connecting the marks 24A and 24B at both ends in the left-right direction.

[0069] In addition, in the shift device 10, each LED 40 generates light of the same color (white), but may generate light of a color other than white, or at least one may generate light of a color different from the others. For example, LED 40P, LED 40R, LED 40N, and LED 40D may generate light of a color such as white or amber, and LED 40F may generate light of a color such as blue. Thus, the occupant can clearly identify the operation area 24 and each area 30 within the operation area 24.

[0070] Furthermore, in the shift device 10, when the passenger's finger F touches the shift panel 16 (when the finger F approaches the shift panel 16), the LEDs 40 (40P, 40R, 40N, 40D, 40F) are turned on. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the LED 40F may be turned on in advance, and the passenger's finger F approaches the shift panel 16, thereby turning on the LEDs 40P, 40R, 40N, and 40D.

[0071] In addition, the shift device 10 lights up the LED 40 when the passenger's finger F approaches the shift panel 16, but it can also be that the brightness around the shift panel 16 (the illumination of the side surface) is used as a condition, and the LED 40 is lit when the surrounding reaches a predetermined brightness (brightness that makes the display 22 unclear in the non-illuminated state, etc.), or the LED 40 can be lit in conjunction with the lighting of the vehicle's headlights.

[0072] Furthermore, the LED 40 may be preliminarily lit in a dark color such as dark green, and the color of the lighting may be changed in a light color such as yellow or orange when the passenger's finger F approaches the shift panel 16. Furthermore, the LED 40 may be preliminarily lit in a relatively low brightness (brightness), and the LED 40 may be lit in a brighter manner (in a manner in which the brightness becomes higher) when the passenger's finger F approaches the shift panel 16.

[0073] In addition, in the shift device 10, the controller 32 is connected to the shift control ECU 36 of the transmission 34. Based on such a configuration, the shift device 10 may be configured such that when the LEDs 40P, 40R, 40N, and 40D are turned on, the color of light emitted is different between the area 30 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the shift gear of the transmission 34 and the area 30 of the other shift positions 20. In addition, the shift device 10 may be configured such that the area 30 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the shift gear that can be changed in the transmission 34 and the area 30 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the shift gear that cannot be changed in the transmission 34 are illuminated with different colors or brightness.

[0074] For example, the shift device 10 may light up the LED 40 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the current shift gear of the transmission 34 in a light color such as orange, and light up the LED 40 of the other shift positions 20 in white or a dark color (e.g., dark green). In addition, the shift device 10 may light up the LED 40 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the current shift gear of the transmission 34 in a manner that the brightness of the LED 40 is lower (darker) than the brightness of the LED 40 of the other shift positions 20.

[0075] [Second embodiment]

[0076] Next, a second embodiment will be described.

[0077] The basic structure of the shift device 50 according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the shift device 10 according to the first embodiment described above. Figure 4A and Figure 4B The shift device 50 according to the second embodiment is shown in a front view as viewed from the front side. Figure 4A The shift device 50 showing the illuminated state, Figure 4B The shift device 50 is shown in a non-illuminated state.

[0078] like Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the shift device 50 according to the second embodiment is provided with a rectangular plate-shaped shift panel 52 as a selector and a shift selection portion. The shift panel 52 is used in the shift device 50 instead of the shift panel 16 .

[0079] The shift panel 52 includes a plate portion 54 instead of the plate portion 18. The marks 24A and 24B indicating the operation area 24 are omitted from the plate portion 54, and an outer frame 56 is formed around the periphery of each area 30. In addition, the shift device 50 does not have the marks 24A and 24B, so that the LED 40F on the substrate 38 can be omitted.

[0080] The outer frame 56 includes an outer frame 56P surrounding the P display 22P, an outer frame 56R surrounding the R display 22R, an outer frame 56N surrounding the N display 22N, and an outer frame 56D surrounding the D display 22D. The outer frames 56P, 56R, 56N, and 56D are each formed to surround the P electrode 28P, the R electrode 28R, the N electrode 28N, and the D electrode 28D (formed slightly larger). Thus, for the shift panel 52 (plate portion 54), the inner side of the outer frame 56 becomes a region facing the electrode 28 (a region capable of detecting contact with the passenger's finger F). In addition, the outer frames 56P, 56R, 56N, and 56D may each be formed to overlap with the outer periphery of the P electrode 28P, the R electrode 28R, the N electrode 28N, and the D electrode 28D (the same size).

[0081] Thus, for the plate portion 54, the operation area 24 is represented by the entirety of the outer frames 56P, 56R, 56N, and 56D, and the P area 30P, R area 30R, N area 30N, and D area 30D as the selection areas are represented by the outer frames 56P, 56R, 56N, and 56D, respectively.

[0082] For the plate portion 54, like the parts of each display 22 (P display 22P, R display 22R, N display 22N and D display 22), each part of the outer frame 56P, the outer frame 56R, the outer frame 56N and the outer frame 56D is light-transmissive, and the parts other than these parts are light-shielding (non-light-transmissive).

[0083] Thus, in the shift device 50 , the LEDs 40P, 40R, 40N, and 40D are turned on, so that the P display 22P and the outer frame 56P, the R display 22R and the outer frame 56R, the N display 22N and the outer frame 56N, and the D display 22D and the outer frame 56D are displayed brightly and clearly.

[0084] In the shift device 50 configured in this manner, when the passenger's finger F approaches the operation area 24 of the shift panel 52 (plate portion 54 ), the LED 40 is turned on, thereby illuminating the shift panel 52 (plate portion 54 ) from the rear side.

[0085] For the shift device 50, if the passenger's finger F contacts any of the multiple areas 30 (P area 30P, R area 30R, N area 30N or D area 30D) on the shift panel 52 (plate portion 54) and selects any of the shift positions 20 (P position 20P, R position 20R, N position 20N or D position 20D), the speed control ECU 36 changes the speed gear of the transmission 34 to the speed gear corresponding to the selected shift position 20.

[0086] Here, if Figure 4B As shown, for the shift device 50, when the LED 40 is not lit, the display 22 and the outer frame 56 are not illuminated, so that the display 22 and the outer frame 56 do not emit light (do not emit light). Therefore, for the shift panel 52, if the outside of the vehicle becomes dark and the interior of the vehicle becomes dark (darkened), it is sometimes difficult to see each display 22 and the outer frame 56, and it is difficult to correctly identify each area 30 and select the appropriate shift position 20.

[0087] In contrast, Figure 4AAs shown, for the shift device 50, the LED 40 is lit by the passenger's finger F approaching the shift panel 16, and the area 30 in the operation area 24 is illuminated. Therefore, for the shift panel 52, even at night when the interior of the vehicle is dark, the display 22 and the outer frame 56 of each area 30 are bright, and the display 22 and the outer frame 56 are clearly displayed, so that the area 30 of each shift position 20 can be clearly identified.

[0088] In the shift device 50, the outer frames 56 (56P, 56R, 56N, 56D) are bright (illuminated), so that the regions 30 (P region 30P, R region 30R, N region 30N, and D region 30D) are clear, and it is easy to grasp each region 30. As a result, in the shift device 10, the operation region 24 can be grasped and each shift position 20 (P position 20P, R position 20R, N position 20N, or D position 20D) can be selected with high accuracy, so that the selection of an erroneous shift position 20 can be effectively suppressed.

[0089] In addition, the shift position 20 (P position 20P, R position 20R, N position 20N, and D position 20D) is made clear by illuminating the display 22 (P display 22P, R display 22R, N display 22N, and D display 22D) of the shift device 50. As a result, the shift position 20 (P position 20P, R position 20R, N position 20N, and D position 20D) can be selected with higher accuracy in the shift device 50, and selection of an erroneous shift position 20 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0090] Furthermore, the shift panel 52 is illuminated from the back side before the passenger's finger F touches the shift panel 52. As a result, the displays 22 and the outer frame 56 of the shift device 50 become brighter, thereby effectively preventing the passenger from touching the wrong area 30 and selecting the wrong shift position. The shift device 50 can achieve the same effect as the shift device 10.

[0091] In addition, the shift device 50 may light up each LED 40 in advance, and the passenger's finger F may approach the shift panel 52 to change the lighting color, or the luminance of each LED 40 may be increased (brightened) by the passenger's finger F approaching the shift panel 52. At this time, the LED 40 may be lit when the surroundings reach a predetermined brightness (brightness that the display 22 is not clearly visible in the non-illuminated state, etc.) based on the brightness of the surroundings of the shift panel 16 (illuminance on the side surface), or the LED 40 may be lit in conjunction with the lighting of the vehicle's headlights. That is, the lighting state of the LED 40 may be switched between daytime and nighttime.

[0092] In addition, the shift device 50 may be configured to light up the RED 40 in a manner that the area 30 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the shift gear of the transmission 34 is illuminated with a different color than the area 30 of the other shift positions 20. In addition, the shift device 50 may be configured to light up the RED 40 in a manner that the area 30 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the shift gear that can be changed in the transmission 34 is illuminated with a different color or brightness than the area 30 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the shift gear that cannot be changed in the transmission 34.

[0093] In addition, the outer frame 56 of each area 30 and the display 22 may be configured to be illuminated with different colors, brightness, and timing. In this case, for example, the outer frame 56 may be illuminated before the display 22. Also, the outer frame 56 and the display 22 of each area 30 may be illuminated with different brightness and colors, such as the outer frame 56 being illuminated with a dark color and the display 22 being illuminated with a light color.

[0094] [Third embodiment]

[0095] Next, a third embodiment will be described.

[0096] The basic structure of the shift device 60 according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the shift device 10 according to the first embodiment and the shift device 50 according to the second embodiment described above. Figure 5 , Fig. 6A and Figure 6B The shift device 60 according to the third embodiment is shown in a front view as viewed from the front side. Fig. 6A The illuminated shifting device 60 is shown, Figure 6B The shift device 60 is shown in a non-illuminated state.

[0097] like Figure 5 As shown, the shift device 60 according to the third embodiment is provided with a rectangular plate-shaped shift panel 62 as a selector and a shift selection portion. The shift panel 62 is used in the shift device 60 instead of the shift panels 16 and 52 .

[0098] The shift panel 62 includes a plate portion 64 instead of the plate portions 18 and 54. The marks 24A and 24B indicating the operation area 24 and the outer frame 56 are omitted from the plate portion 64. Thus, for the plate portion 64, the display 22 (P display 22P, R display 22R, N display 22N, D display 22D) is formed in each area 30 (P area 30P, R area 30R, N area 30N, D area 30D).

[0099] In addition, for the shift device 60, when the passenger's finger F approaches the shift panel 62 (plate portion 64) and when the passenger's finger F contacts any of the areas 30 of the shift panel 62 (plate portion 64) and the shift position 20 is selected, the color of the LED 40 is different.

[0100] In the shift device 60 thus configured, the LED 40 is turned on by the passenger's finger F approaching the operation area 24 of the shift panel 62 (plate portion 64), and the shift panel 62 (plate portion 64) is illuminated from the back side. In addition, in the shift device 60, the color of the illuminated shift panel 62 (plate portion 64) changes when the passenger's finger F touches the area 30. In addition, in the shift device 60, if the passenger's finger F touches any area 30 and the shift position 20 is selected, the speed control ECU 36 changes the shift gear of the transmission 34 to the shift gear corresponding to the selected shift position 20.

[0101] Here, if Figure 6B As shown, for the shift device 60, when the LED 40 is not lit, the display 22 is not illuminated (the display 22 does not become bright). Therefore, for the shift panel 62, if the interior of the vehicle is dark, it is sometimes difficult to see each display 22, it is difficult to correctly identify each area 30, and it is difficult to select the appropriate shift position 20.

[0102] In contrast, in the shift device 60, the LED 40 is lit (for example, lit in white) by the passenger's finger F approaching the shift panel 62, and the display 22 of each area 30 in the operation area 24 becomes brighter. Therefore, in the shift device 60, even at night when the interior of the vehicle is dark, the area 30 where the passenger's finger F touches becomes clear, and each shift position 20 can be appropriately recognized.

[0103] In addition, if Fig. 6A As shown, for the shift device 60, when the passenger's finger F touches any of the areas 30 of the shift panel 62, the LED 40 corresponding to the touched area 30 and the LED 40 corresponding to the other areas 30 emit light in different colors. Fig. 6A , a state is shown in which the passenger's finger F touches the N region 30N, the LED 40N is lit in orange (a warm color), and the LED 40P, the LED 40R, and the LED 40D are lit in blue (a cool color).

[0104] The shift device 60 thus configured can also achieve the same effects as the shift device 10 of the first embodiment and the shift device 50 of the second embodiment. In addition, the shift device 60 can make the shift position 20 selected by the occupant (the shift position 20 not selected by the occupant) clear.

[0105] In addition, in the shift device 60, the color of the display 22 is different by lighting the LED 40 of the area 30 touched by the passenger's finger F in orange and lighting the LEDs of other areas 30 in blue. However, the brightness (luminance) of the LED 40 of the area 30 touched by the passenger's finger F may be brighter than the brightness of the LED 40 of other areas 30, or the brightness of the LED 40 of the area 30 touched by the passenger's finger F may be relatively darker than the brightness of the LED 40 of other areas 30.

[0106] In addition, the shift device 60 may be configured to light up the RED 40 in such a manner that the color or brightness of light emitted is different between the area 30 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the shift gear of the transmission 34 and the area 30 of the other shift positions 20. In addition, the shift device 60 may be configured to light up the LED 40 in such a manner that the color or brightness of light emitted is different between the area 30 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the shift gear that can be changed in the transmission 34 and the area 30 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the shift gear that cannot be changed in the transmission 34.

[0107] In addition, in the shift device 60, the LED 40 can be lit when the surroundings reach a predetermined brightness (brightness that makes the display 22 unclear in a non-illuminated state, etc.) based on the brightness of the surroundings of the shift panel 62 (illuminance on the surface side), or the LED 40 can be lit in conjunction with the lighting of the vehicle's headlights.

[0108] Moreover, similar to the shift device 10 and the shift device 50, the shift device 60 may also have the LED 40 preliminarily illuminated in a dark color such as dark green, and the color of the illumination may be changed by the passenger's finger F approaching the shift panel 62 to illuminate the LED 40 in a light color such as yellow or orange. Furthermore, the LED 40 may be preliminarily illuminated in a low brightness (brightness), and the LED 40 may be illuminated in a manner that the brightness is increased (brighter) by the passenger's finger F approaching the shift panel 16.

[0109] In addition, the shift device 60 may be configured to light up the RED 40 in a manner that the color of light emitted is different between the area 30 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the shift gear of the transmission 34 and the area 30 of the other shift positions 20. In addition, the shift device 50 may be configured to illuminate with different colors or brightness between the area 30 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the shift gear that can be changed in the transmission 34 and the area 30 of the shift position 20 corresponding to the shift gear that cannot be changed in the transmission 34.

[0110] On the other hand, the operation area contacted by the operation portion may be provided with a convex portion or a concave portion for respectively identifying the operation area or the selection area.

[0111] Figure 7 The shift panel 70 as a selector and a shift selection unit is shown in which the operation area 24 and the area 30 as a selection area are identifiable on the surface. The shift panel 70 can be used instead of the shift panel 16 of the shift device 10, the shift panel 52 of the shift device 50, or the shift panel 62 of the shift device 60. Figure 7 In FIG. 1 , a main part of the shift panel 70 is shown in a cross-sectional view viewed from one side in the left-right direction. Figure 7 In the figure, the electrode sheet 26 on which the electrodes 28 are arranged is omitted.

[0112] like Figure 7 As shown, the plate portion 72 of the shift panel 70 has a mark 74A formed on the upper side of the operation area 24 and a mark 74B formed on the lower side. In addition, the plate portion 72 has a display 22 (not shown) indicating the shift position 20 formed in the area 30 between the marks 74A and 74B.

[0113] The marks 74A and 74B are light-transmissive, and the front side of the marks 74A and 74B is formed into a protrusion 74C with a substantially circular cross section. In addition, a hemispherical protrusion 76 is formed on the plate portion 72 and in the center of the region 30. In addition, the protrusion height of the protrusion 74C and the protrusion 76 of the marks 74A and 74B is preferably a height that can suppress the adhesion of dust and dirt and that can make the passenger feel the presence of the marks 74A and 74B without causing a sense of discomfort even if the passenger's finger F touches them, and can be, for example, in the range of a few tenths of a millimeter to 2 millimeters.

[0114] In the shift panel 70 (plate portion 72) configured in this manner, light irradiated from the back side passes through the marks 74A and 74B and becomes polarized light at the tops of the marks 74A and 74B, so that the operation area 24 between the marks 74A and 74B becomes bright and the area 30 is clearly displayed. In addition, since the protruding portion 74C of the marks 74A and 74B protrudes from the front side of the plate portion 72, the light passing through the marks 74A and 74B becomes polarized light and diffuses, so that the operation area 24 and the area 30 can be clearly recognized even if the width of the marks 74A and 74B is narrow.

[0115] Furthermore, when the passenger's finger F contacts the area 30, the marks 74A and 74B can accurately guide the passenger's finger F into the area 30, and the protrusion 76 can easily grasp the center position of the area 30. This can more effectively prevent the passenger from selecting the wrong shift position 20. Furthermore, the shift panel 70 is decorated by the protrusions 74A and 74B and the protrusion 76, so that the appearance can be improved and the design can be enhanced.

[0116] In addition, at least one of the protrusion 74C and the protrusion 76 of the marks 74A and 74B may be provided. In addition, the marks 74A and 74B may be provided with a groove-shaped recessed portion instead of the protrusion 74C. Furthermore, a hemispherical recessed portion may be provided instead of the protrusion 76, and the display 22 may be formed protrudingly.

[0117] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-112621 filed on July 13, 2022 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0118] All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described in this specification are incorporated herein by reference, just as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually stated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A gear shifting device, characterized in that: include: a shift selection unit capable of selecting a shift position by being touched by an operating unit, wherein a plurality of selection regions are arranged in an operating region for changing a gear stage of a transmission of a vehicle by selecting the shift position by being touched by the operating unit; as well as A lighting unit illuminates the operation area to clearly display the selection area when the operation portion contacts the operation area.

2. The shift device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lighting unit illuminates at least a portion of the outer periphery of the operation area to clearly display the selection area.

3. The shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lighting unit illuminates the outer periphery of the selection area to clearly display the selection area.

4. The shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the selection area, marks indicating the shift positions are respectively arranged. The lighting unit illuminates the sign to clearly display the selection area.

5. The shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lighting unit clearly displays a selection area approached by the operation unit among the plurality of selection areas.

6. The shifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lighting unit changes the lighting state between a selection area corresponding to a shift speed before the transmission is changed and a selection area corresponding to a shift speed different from the shift speed among the plurality of selection areas.

7. The shift device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lighting unit illuminates a selection area corresponding to a changeable shift speed in the transmission.

8. The shift device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lighting unit illuminates the operation area when the operation portion contacts the operation area.

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