Shifting device

Abstract

A shift device is provided. In a shift device, an inner electrode and an outer electrode at a shift position detect contact of an occupant to the shift position and determine selection of the shift position. Here, the external electrode of each shift position detects contact between the shift position and the intermediate position of the shift position by the occupant, and determines selection of the shift position. Thus, there is no need to additionally provide an electrode between the shift positions.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the input device described in German Patent Application Publication No. 102014009355, each pair of touch sensor surfaces detects contact with each functional recess, and selects each shift position corresponding to each functional recess.

[0003] Here, in this input device, a pair of touch sensor surfaces are also separately arranged between the functional recesses. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shift device which does not require a separate detection unit to be provided between shift positions.

[0005] The first embodiment of the shift device of the present invention comprises: a plurality of shift positions, each of which can be contacted; and a detection unit, which is respectively arranged at the plurality of the shift positions, to detect contact with the shift position to determine the selection of the shift position, and to detect contact with the shift position and the middle of the shift position to determine the selection of the shift position.

[0006] A second aspect of the shift device of the present invention is the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the shift position is selected when the shift position is contacted so that the detection values ​​of the plurality of detection units at the shift position are equal to or greater than respective threshold values.

[0007] For the shift device of the third aspect of the present invention, based on the shift device of the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, when the first shift position and the second shift position are contacted in the middle and the detection value of the detection unit of the first shift position relative to the detection value of the detection unit of the second shift position is greater than a threshold value, the first shift position is selected.

[0008] A shift device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the shift device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, wherein the detection unit is disposed on a center side and an outer peripheral side of the shift position.

[0009] A shift device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the shift device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the detection unit is disposed at a portion of the shift position on the side of the other shift position.

[0010] In the shift device according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of detection units are disposed at each of the plurality of shift positions, and the detection units detect contact with the shift position to determine selection of the shift position.

[0011] Here, the detection unit detects contact between the shift positions and determines the selection of the shift position. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a detection unit between the shift positions.

[0012] In the shift device according to the second aspect of the present invention, when a shift position is contacted and the detection values ​​of the plurality of detectors at the shift position are equal to or greater than the respective threshold values, the shift position is selected.

[0013] In the shift device of the third aspect of the present invention, the first shift position is selected when the middle of the first shift position and the second shift position are in contact and the detection value of the detection unit of the first shift position is greater than the threshold value relative to the detection value of the detection unit of the second shift position. Therefore, even if the middle of the shift position and the shift position are in contact, the shift position can be selected.

[0014] In the shift device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the detection units are arranged on the center side and the outer peripheral side of the shift position. Therefore, it is possible to detect contact on the center side of the shift position and contact on the outer peripheral side of the shift position.

[0015] In the shift device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the detection unit is disposed at the portion of the shift position on the other shift position side. Therefore, it is possible to detect contact with the portion of the shift position on the other shift position side. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a front view showing the shift device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front side.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view showing the shift device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from below.

[0018] Figure 3 It is a front view showing the shift device according to the second embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front side.

[0019] Figure 4 It is a front view showing a shift device according to a third embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the front side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] [First embodiment]

[0021] Figure 1, a shift device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in a front view as viewed from the front side. Figure 2 2 shows the shift device 10 in a cross-sectional view as viewed from below. In the drawings, the front side of the shift device 10 is indicated by arrow SF, the right side of the shift device 10 is indicated by arrow RH, and the upper side of the shift device 10 is indicated by arrow UP.

[0022] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the shift device 10 involved in this embodiment is arranged in the vehicle width direction center part of the instrument panel 12 of the vehicle (automobile), and is arranged in the vehicle width direction inner side of the steering wheel (not shown) of the vehicle. In addition, the front side, right side and top side of the shift device 10 are respectively oriented to the rear side, right side and top side of the vehicle.

[0023] The shift device 10 is provided with a housing 14 in a substantially rectangular box shape as a setting body, and the housing 14 is fixed to the vehicle front side of the instrument panel 12. The housing 14 is long in the left-right direction, and the inside of the housing 14 is open to the front side. A rectangular opening 12A is formed on the instrument panel 12 and on the vehicle rear side of the housing 14, and the inside of the housing 14 faces the opening 12A. A plurality of fixing columns 14A are provided in the housing 14, and the fixing columns 14A protrude from the back side wall of the housing 14 to the front side.

[0024] A rectangular plate-shaped panel 16 as a contact body is provided on the front side of the housing 14 . The panel 16 is fixed to the front side of a fixing column 14A of the housing 14 and fits into the opening 12A of the instrument panel 12 .

[0025] A rectangular plate 18 is provided as a contact member on the front side of the panel 16. The plate 18 is made of resin, for example, and is an insulator. The front side surface of the plate 18 is arranged to be flush with the vehicle rear side surface of the instrument panel 12. The front side surface of the plate 18 and the vehicle rear side surface of the instrument panel 12 together constitute the exterior design surface of the vehicle cabin. Therefore, the vehicle occupant (particularly the driver) can touch the front side surface of the plate 18 with a finger F.

[0026] A rectangular P position 20P (parking position), an R position 20R (reverse position), an N position 20N (neutral position), and a D position 20D (drive position) are provided on the front side surface of the plate 18 as the shift positions 20. The P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N, and the D position 20D are arranged in the left-right direction and are arranged in order from the left side to the right side. The left-right dimensions of the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N, and the D position 20D are the same and larger than the width dimension of the finger F of the occupant, and the gaps between the P position 20P and the R position 20R, the R position 20R and the N position 20N, and the N position 20N and the D position 20D are the same and smaller than the width dimension of the finger F of the occupant. Furthermore, a “P” display 18P, an “R” display 18R, an “N” display 18N, and a “D” display 18D are displayed in the center of the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N, and the D position 20D, respectively.

[0027] A rectangular electrostatic sheet 22 as a detection member is fixed to the back side of the plate 18 , and the electrostatic sheet 22 covers the back side of the plate 18 .

[0028] On the front side of the electrostatic sheet 22, there are provided internal electrodes 24 serving as a detection portion (internal detection portion), namely, a rectangular thin film-shaped internal P electrode 24P, an internal R electrode 24R, an internal N electrode 24N and an internal D electrode 24D. The internal P electrode 24P, the internal R electrode 24R, the internal N electrode 24N and the internal D electrode 24D are set to have the same size and face the central portions of the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N and the D position 20D in the front-to-back direction (the wall thickness direction of the plate 18), respectively.

[0029] On the front side of the electrostatic sheet 22, an external electrode 26 serving as a detection portion (external detection portion), namely, a rectangular frame thin film-shaped external P electrode 26P, an external R electrode 26R, an external N electrode 26N and an external D electrode 26D, is provided. The external P electrode 26P, the external R electrode 26R, the external N electrode 26N and the external D electrode 26D are set to the same size, and their outer peripheries in the front-to-back direction are respectively opposite to the outer peripheries of the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N and the D position 20D.

[0030] The inner periphery of the outer electrode 26 (outer P electrode 26P, outer R electrode 26R, outer N electrode 26N, and outer D electrode 26D) is arranged along the outer periphery of the inner electrode 24 (inner P electrode 24P, inner R electrode 24R, inner N electrode 24N, and inner D electrode 24D), and a gap is provided between the inner electrode 24 and the outer electrode 26. The inner electrode 24 and the outer electrode 26 are made of metal, for example, and have conductivity.

[0031] The inner P electrode 24P, the inner R electrode 24R, the inner N electrode 24N, the inner D electrode 24D, and the outer P electrode 26P, the outer R electrode 26R, the outer N electrode 26N, and the outer D electrode 26D of the electrostatic sheet 22 are electrically connected to the vehicle control device 28, and the vehicle transmission 30 (automatic transmission) is electrically connected to the control device 28. The control device 28 is provided with a microcomputer that connects a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a nonvolatile memory (storage), etc. through a bus. In the control device 28, the CPU reads out the program stored in the ROM and the storage, expands it in the RAM, and executes the program, thereby realizing various functions.

[0032] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0033] In the shift device 10 with the above structure, when the passenger touches the P position 20P, R position 20R, N position 20N or D position 20D of the panel 16 (plate 18) with the finger F, the inner P electrode 24P of the panel 16 (electrostatic sheet 22) and the outer P electrode 26P of the panel 16 (electrostatic sheet 22) and the inner R electrode 24R of the panel 16 (electrostatic sheet 22) and the inner R electrode 24R of the panel 16 (electrostatic sheet 22) and the outer R electrode 26P of the panel 16 (electrostatic sheet 22) are respectively connected to the surface of the shift device 10. Electrostatic capacitance is generated between the inner and outer R electrodes 26R, between the finger F and the inner N electrode 24N in the panel 16 (electrostatic sheet 22) and between the finger F and the outer N electrode 26N in the panel 16 (electrostatic sheet 22), or between the finger F and the inner D electrode 24D in the panel 16 (electrostatic sheet 22) and between the finger F and the outer D electrode 26D in the panel 16 (electrostatic sheet 22) (contact of the finger F with the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N or the D position 20D is detected).

[0034] When finger F contacts P position 20P, and the electrostatic capacitance (detection value) between finger F and inner P electrode 24P is above the inner capacitance threshold and the electrostatic capacitance between finger F and outer P electrode 26P is above the outer capacitance threshold for a period of time longer than a time threshold (for example, 0.5 seconds), the control device 28 determines that P position 20P is selected, and changes the gear of the transmission 30 to the corresponding P gear (parking gear) through the control of the control device 28.

[0035] When the finger F contacts the R position 20R, and the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the inner R electrode 24R is above the inner capacitance threshold and the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer R electrode 26R is above the outer capacitance threshold for a period of time longer than the time threshold, the control device 28 determines that the R position 20R is selected, and changes the gear of the transmission 30 to the corresponding R gear (reverse gear) through the control of the control device 28.

[0036] When the finger F contacts the N position 20N, and the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the inner N electrode 24N is above the inner capacitance threshold and the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer N electrode 26N is above the outer capacitance threshold for a period of time exceeding the time threshold, the control device 28 determines that the N position 20N is selected, and changes the gear of the transmission 30 to the corresponding N gear (neutral) through the control of the control device 28.

[0037] When the finger F contacts the D position 20D, and the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the inner D electrode 24D is above the inner capacitance threshold and the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer D electrode 26D is above the outer capacitance threshold for a period of time exceeding the time threshold, the control device 28 determines that the D position 20D is selected, and changes the gear of the transmission 30 to the corresponding D gear (forward gear) through the control of the control device 28.

[0038] In addition, when the passenger touches the middle of the P position 20P and the R position 20R, the middle of the R position 20R and the N position 20N, or the middle of the N position 20N and the D position 20D with his finger F, electrostatic capacitance is generated between the finger F and the external P electrode 26P and between the finger F and the external R electrode 26R, between the finger F and the external R electrode 26R and between the finger F and the external N electrode 26N, or between the finger F and the external N electrode 26N and between the finger F and the external D electrode 26D (contact of the finger F between the P position 20P and the R position 20R, between the R position 20R and the N position 20N, or between the N position 20N and the D position 20D is detected).

[0039] When the finger F contacts the middle of the P position 20P and the R position 20R, if the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer P electrode 26P is greater than the differential capacitance threshold relative to the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer R electrode 26R for a time period greater than the time threshold, the control device 28 determines that the P position 20P is selected, and changes the gear of the transmission 30 to the P gear position through the control of the control device 28. On the other hand, if the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer R electrode 26R is greater than the differential capacitance threshold relative to the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer P electrode 26P for a time period greater than the time threshold, the control device 28 determines that the R position 20R is selected, and changes the gear of the transmission 30 to the R gear position through the control of the control device 28.

[0040] When the finger F contacts the middle of the R position 20R and the N position 20N, if the state where the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer R electrode 26R is greater than the difference capacitance threshold with respect to the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer N electrode 26N continues for a time greater than the time threshold, the control device 28 determines that the R position 20R is selected, and changes the gear of the transmission 30 to the R gear position through the control of the control device 28. On the other hand, if the state where the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer N electrode 26N is greater than the difference capacitance threshold with respect to the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer R electrode 26R continues for a time greater than the time threshold, the control device 28 determines that the N position 20N is selected, and changes the gear of the transmission 30 to the N gear position through the control of the control device 28.

[0041] When the finger F contacts the middle of the N position 20N and the D position 20D, if the state where the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer N electrode 26N is greater than the difference capacitance threshold with respect to the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer D electrode 26D continues for a time greater than the time threshold, the control device 28 determines that the N position 20N is selected, and changes the gear of the transmission 30 to the N gear position through the control of the control device 28. On the other hand, if the state where the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer D electrode 26D is greater than the difference capacitance threshold with respect to the electrostatic capacitance between the finger F and the outer N electrode 26N continues for a time greater than the time threshold, the control device 28 determines that the D position 20D is selected, and changes the gear of the transmission 30 to the D gear position through the control of the control device 28.

[0042] Here, the outer electrode 26 of each shift position 20 detects the contact of the finger F between the shift positions 20 and determines the selection of the shift position 20. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide additional electrodes (detection units) between the shift positions 20.

[0043] Furthermore, when the finger F touches the middle of the first shift position 20 and the second shift position 20 and the detection value of the electrostatic capacitance of the outer electrode 26 of the first shift position 20 relative to the outer electrode 26 of the second shift position 20 is equal to or greater than the difference capacitance threshold, the first shift position 20 is selected. Therefore, even if the finger F touches the middle of the shift position 20, the shift position 20 can be selected.

[0044] When the finger F touches a shift position 20, the shift position 20 is selected if the electrostatic capacitances of the inner electrode 24 and the outer electrode 26 of the shift position 20 are equal to or greater than the inner capacitance threshold and the outer capacitance threshold, respectively. Therefore, each shift position 20 can be selected.

[0045] In addition, the inner electrode 24 is arranged on the central side of the shift position 20, and the outer electrode 26 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the shift position 20. Therefore, it is possible to detect the contact of the finger F to the central side of the shift position 20 and the contact of the finger F to the outer peripheral side of the shift position 20, and it is possible to detect the contact of the finger F to the shift position 20 and the contact of the finger F to the middle of the shift position 20.

[0046] In addition, the outer electrode 26 is arranged at the portion of the shift position 20 near the other shift position 20. Therefore, it is possible to detect the contact of the finger F with the portion of the shift position 20 near the other shift position 20, and it is possible to detect the contact of the finger F with the middle between the shift positions 20.

[0047] [Second embodiment]

[0048] Figure 3 A shift device 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in a front view as seen from the front side.

[0049] The shift device 50 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, but is different in the following points.

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the shift device 50 according to the present embodiment, the inner electrodes 24 (inner P electrode 24P, inner R electrode 24R, inner N electrode 24N, and inner D electrode 24D) are arranged in a cross shape in the electrostatic sheet 22 of the panel 16. The inner periphery of the outer electrodes 26 (outer P electrode 26P, outer R electrode 26R, outer N electrode 26N, and outer D electrode 26D) is arranged along the outer periphery of the inner electrode 24, and a gap is provided between the inner electrode 24 and the outer electrode 26.

[0051] Here, this embodiment can also achieve the same operation and effects as those of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0052] [Third Embodiment]

[0053] Figure 4 A shift device 70 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in a front view as seen from the front side.

[0054] The shift device 70 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, but is different in the following points.

[0055] like Figure 4As shown in FIG. 1 , in the shift device 70 according to the present embodiment, in the electrostatic sheet 22 of the panel 16, a predetermined number (two in the present embodiment) of rectangular recesses 24A are provided on the left and right portions of the inner electrodes 24 (the inner P electrode 24P, the inner R electrode 24R, the inner N electrode 24N, and the inner D electrode 24D), respectively, and the recesses 24A are open to the left and right outer sides of the inner electrodes 24. A predetermined number (two in the present embodiment) of rectangular protrusions 26A are provided on the left and right portions of the outer electrodes 26 (the outer P electrode 26P, the outer R electrode 26R, the outer N electrode 26N, and the outer D electrode 26D), respectively, and the protrusions 26A protrude to the left and right inner sides of the outer electrodes 26. The inner periphery of the outer electrode 26 is arranged along the outer periphery of the inner electrode 24, and a gap is provided between the inner electrode 24 and the outer electrode 26.

[0056] Here, this embodiment can also achieve the same operation and effects as those of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

[0057] In the first to third embodiments, the shift positions 20 (the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N, and the D position 20D), the inner electrode 24, and the outer electrode 26 (the inner P electrode 24P and the outer P electrode 26P, the inner R electrode 24R and the outer R electrode 26R, the inner N electrode 24N and the outer N electrode 26N, and the inner D electrode 24D and the outer D electrode 26D) are arranged in the left-right direction. However, the shift positions 20 (the P position 20P, the R position 20R, the N position 20N, and the D position 20D), the inner electrode 24, and the outer electrode 26 (the inner P electrode 24P and the outer P electrode 26P, the inner R electrode 24R and the outer R electrode 26R, the inner N electrode 24N and the outer N electrode 26N, and the inner D electrode 24D and the outer D electrode 26D) may be arranged in a direction other than the left-right direction (for example, the up-down direction).

[0058] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, two electrodes (the inner electrode 24 and the outer electrode 26 ) are provided at the shift position 20 . However, three or more electrodes (detection units) may be provided at the shift position 20 .

[0059] In the first to third embodiments described above, the shift devices 10, 50, 70 are provided on the instrument panel. However, the shift devices 10, 50, 70 may be provided on other parts of the vehicle (such as the console or the steering column cover).

[0060] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-185316 filed on November 18, 2022 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0061] Description of Reference Numerals

[0062] 10...shift device; 20...shift position; 24...inner electrode (detection unit); 26...outer electrode (detection unit); 50...shift device; 70...shift device.

Claims

1. A gear shifting device, characterized in that: have: a plurality of shift positions, each of which can be accessed; and A plurality of detection units are provided at the plurality of shift positions, respectively, and detect contact with the shift position to determine selection of the shift position, and detect contact with the shift position and a middle between the shift positions to determine selection of the shift position.

2. The shift device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the shift position is contacted so that the detection values ​​of the plurality of detection units at the shift position are equal to or greater than respective threshold values, the shift position is selected.

3. The shifting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first shift position is selected when the middle of the first shift position and the second shift position are in contact and the detection value of the detection unit of the first shift position is greater than or equal to a threshold value relative to the detection value of the detection unit of the second shift position.

4. The shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The detection unit is arranged on a center side and an outer peripheral side of the shift position.

5. The shifting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The detection portion on the center side of the shift position is provided with a concave portion, and the detection portion on the outer peripheral side of the shift position is provided with a convex portion.

6. The shifting device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The detection portion on the outer peripheral side of the shift position is arranged over the entire circumference of the detection portion on the center side of the shift position.

7. The shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The detection unit is arranged at a portion of the shift position on the side of the other shift positions.

8. The shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: A detection member is provided, and the detection member is provided with a plurality of the detection parts for a plurality of the shift positions.

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