Shift device

Abstract

To suppress a motor from being damaged.SOLUTION: A shift device 10 is configured so that when a blocker 34 is moved, the blocker 34 locks turning of a lever. When the blocker 34 is restricted from moving, the blocker 34 restricts a worm wheel 30 from rotating, and a worm 26 is rotated with respect to the worm wheel 30, so that engagement protruding parts 26A of the worm 26 are disengaged from engagement recessed parts 24C of an output shaft 24A of a motor 24 and then the output shaft 24A is rotated with respect to the worm 26. This can suppress the motor 24 from being damaged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shift device in which a lock body locks the movement of a shift body. [Background technology]

[0002] In the shift device described in Patent Document 1 below, when a rotary motor is driven, a connecting rod is moved to lock the rotation of the knob.

[0003] Here, it is preferable that the shift device be able to suppress damage to the rotary motor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] China Patent Application Publication No. 108413024 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a shift device capable of suppressing damage to a motor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A shift device of a first aspect of the present invention includes a shift body that is moved to change a shift position, a driven motor, a rotating shaft that is rotated when the motor is driven, a worm that is provided on the rotating shaft and rotated when the rotating shaft is rotated, a worm wheel that is meshed with the worm and rotated when the worm is rotated, and a locking body that is moved when the worm wheel is rotated to lock movement of the shift body and causes the rotating shaft to rotate relative to the worm when movement is restricted.

[0007] In a shift device of a second aspect of the present invention, in the shift device of the first aspect of the present invention, when the movement of the lock body is restricted, the worm is moved in the axial direction and the rotating shaft is rotated relative to the worm.

[0008] A shift device of a third aspect of the present invention is the shift device of the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a biasing member that biases the worm to hold the rotating shaft and the worm so as to be rotatable together.

[0009] A shift device of a fourth aspect of the present invention is the shift device of any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, wherein the rotating shaft and the worm are allowed to rotate integrally when the movement restriction of the lock body is released. Effect of the Invention

[0010] In the shift device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the shift body is moved to change the shift position. Also, a worm is provided on the rotating shaft, and the worm and the worm wheel are engaged with each other. When the motor is driven to rotate the rotating shaft, the worm, and the worm wheel, the lock body is moved to lock the movement of the shift body.

[0011] When the movement of the locking body is restricted, the rotating shaft rotates relative to the worm, thereby suppressing damage to the motor.

[0012] In the shift device according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the movement of the lock body is restricted, the worm is moved in the axial direction and the rotating shaft is rotated relative to the worm, so that the rotating shaft can be rotated relative to the worm with a simple configuration.

[0013] In the shift device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the biasing member biases the worm, and the rotating shaft and the worm are held so as to be able to rotate integrally with each other. Therefore, the rotating shaft and the worm can be rotated integrally with a simple configuration.

[0014] In the shift device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the restriction on the movement of the lock body is released, the rotating shaft and the worm are allowed to rotate together, so that the lock body can lock the movement of the shift body by driving the motor. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is a view seen from the rear, and 1B is a view seen from diagonally rear left. [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the left front. FIG. 1A shows the state when the rotation of the lever is locked, and FIG. 1B shows the state when the movement of the blocker is inhibited. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing when the rotation of the lever is locked in a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is an oblique view seen from above and 1B is a cross-sectional view seen from above. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are top views showing a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) shows the state when the lever rotation is locked, and (B) shows the state when the lever rotation is unlocked. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a blocker and a drive gear when the rotation of a lever is locked in a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is a view from the left front and 1B is a view from below. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a blocker and a drive gear when the lock on the rotation of the lever is released in a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a view from above, (B) is a view from diagonally forward left, and (C) is a perspective view from above showing the drive gear of the shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]4A is a perspective view from above showing a state in which movement of a blocker is hindered in a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Fig. 1(A) shows a perspective view of a shift device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the rear, and Fig. 1(B) shows a perspective view of the shift device 10 as seen from diagonally rear left. In the drawings, the front of the shift device 10 is indicated by an arrow FR, the right of the shift device 10 is indicated by an arrow RH, and the upper side of the shift device 10 is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0017] The shift device 10 according to this embodiment is of a so-called column type and is installed on the steering column of the vehicle, with the front, right and upper sides of the shift device 10 facing respectively toward the front, right and upper sides of the vehicle.

[0018] 1(A) and 1(B), the shift device 10 is provided with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-shaped housing 12 serving as a fixed body, and the housing 12 is fixed to a steering column, so that the shift device 10 is installed on the steering column. The housing 12 is configured by assembling an upper housing 12A on the upper side and a lower housing 12B on the lower side, and the upper housing 12A constitutes the upper side of the lower wall of the housing 12, and the lower housing 12B constitutes the lower wall of the housing 12.

[0019] A substantially rectangular parallelepiped support 14 is provided on the right side inside the housing 12 , and the support 14 is fixed inside the housing 12 .

[0020] A lever 16 in the shape of a substantially L-shape rod is supported on the support 14 as a shift body. A base end portion of the lever 16 is a central axis 16A, which extends in the left-right direction. A right portion of the central axis 16A is rotatably supported on the support 14, and a left portion of the central axis 16A protrudes to the left side of the housing 12. A tip portion of the lever 16 extends rearward from the left end of the central axis 16A, and the lever 16 is rotatable (movable) within a predetermined range in the vertical direction around the central axis 16A. The tip portion of the lever 16 extends rotatably in the vertical direction into the vehicle interior, and the lever 16 is rotatable in the vertical direction by an occupant while holding the tip portion (rear end portion). In addition, by rotating the lever 16 from the top to the bottom, the shift position of the lever 16 is changed to the P position (park position), the R position (reverse position), the N position (neutral position), and the D position (drive position), in that order.

[0021] An upper portion of a plate-shaped detent plate 18 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) serving as a locked member is fixed to the left portion of the central shaft 16A of the lever 16, and the detent plate 18 rotates integrally with the rotation of the lever 16 (rotation of the central shaft 16A). The detent plate 18 protrudes downward from the central shaft 16A and is disposed vertically in the left-right direction, so that when the lever 16 is rotated downward, the detent plate 18 rotates forward, and when the lever 16 is rotated upward, the detent plate 18 rotates rearward.

[0022] A locking device 20 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) is provided around the periphery of the central shaft 16A in the left-right direction middle portion, and a drive mechanism 22 is provided in the locking device 20. A motor 24 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) is provided as a drive device in the drive mechanism 22, and the motor 24 is fixed inside the housing 12 below the central shaft 16A.

[0023] The tip of the output shaft 24A as the rotating shaft of the motor 24 is expanded in diameter on the same axis. A substantially disk-shaped flange 24B is fixed on the base end of the output shaft 24A on the same axis, and the flange 24B rotates integrally with the output shaft 24A. A predetermined number (four in this embodiment) of engagement recesses 24C as engaged parts are formed on the surface of the tip side (the tip side of the output shaft 24A) of the flange 24B, and the predetermined number of engagement recesses 24C are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the flange 24B and are open to the radial outside of the flange 24B. The engagement recesses 24C extend in the circumferential direction of the flange 24B and have a trapezoidal cross section, and both side surfaces of the engagement recesses 24C (surfaces on both outer sides in the circumferential direction of the flange 24B) are inclined in the direction toward the tip side of the flange 24B toward the outside of the circumferential direction of the flange 24B of the engagement recesses 24C.

[0024] A substantially cylindrical worm 26 is provided coaxially on the tip side of the flange 24B of the output shaft 24A, and the inside of the base end (the end on the flange 24B side) of the worm 26 is reduced in diameter on the same axis. The tip end of the output shaft 24A is coaxially fitted into the tip end (the end opposite to the flange 24B) of the worm 26, and the vicinity of the tip side of the flange 24B of the output shaft 24A is coaxially fitted into the base end of the worm 26, so that the worm 26 is rotatable relative to the output shaft 24A and movable in the axial direction (the axial direction of the output shaft 24A). A predetermined number (four in this embodiment) of engaging protrusions 26A are formed on the base end surface of the worm 26 as engaging parts, and the predetermined number of engaging protrusions 26A are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the worm 26. The engaging protrusion 26A extends in the circumferential direction of the worm 26 and has a trapezoidal cross section, and both side surfaces of the engaging protrusion 26A (both outer surfaces in the circumferential direction of the worm 26) are inclined in a direction toward the inside of the engaging protrusion 26A in the circumferential direction of the worm 26 toward the base end side of the worm 26. The engaging protrusion 26A engages with the engaging recess 24C of the flange 24B and is fitted (press-fit) in the circumferential direction of the flange 24B and the worm 26, and the worm 26 rotates integrally with the output shaft 24A (flange 24B).

[0025] A locking frame 42 having a U-shaped cross section is provided as a locking portion at the tip side of the output shaft 24A, and the locking frame 42 is fixed in the housing 12. The inside of the locking frame 42 is open at the tip side (output shaft 24A side) and the upper side, and the tip of the output shaft 24A is fitted into the locking frame 42 from the upper side. A spring 44 (compression coil spring) as a biasing member is inserted into the worm 26, and the output shaft 24A is inserted into the spring 44. The spring 44 is stretched between the tip of the output shaft 24A and the base end of the worm 26, and the spring 44 biases the worm 26 toward the flange 24B. Therefore, the biasing force of the spring 44 restricts the disengagement of the engaging protrusion 26A of the worm 26 from the engaging recess 24C of the flange 24B, and holds the output shaft 24A and the worm 26 so that they can rotate together.

[0026] A drive gear 28 (see FIG. 6C) is disposed on the left side of the worm 26, and the drive gear 28 is rotatably supported in the housing 12 with its axial direction oriented in the vertical direction. A worm wheel 30 is provided coaxially on the upper part of the drive gear 28, and the worm wheel 30 is engaged with the worm 26. Therefore, when the motor 24 is driven and the output shaft 24A is rotated, the worm 26 is rotated, and the drive gear 28 is rotated in the locking direction A and the releasing direction B (see FIG. 3, etc.). A pinion 32 is provided as an engagement portion in the vertical middle part of the drive gear 28, and the pinion 32 is provided with a predetermined number of cylindrical pinion teeth 32A (three in this embodiment). The pinion teeth 32A are arranged parallel to the axial direction of the drive gear 28, and the predetermined number of pinion teeth 32A are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the drive gear 28.

[0027] A blocker 34 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) serving as a locking body is provided on the front side of the drive gear 28.

[0028] The blocker 34 is provided with a blocker body 36 as a movable body, and the blocker body 36 is supported within the housing 12 so as to be movable (slidable) in the left-right direction, thereby making the blocker 34 movable in the left-right direction.

[0029] A substantially rectangular plate-shaped rack 38 is provided as a meshed portion at the rear portion of the blocker body 36, and the rack 38 is disposed vertically in the up-down direction. Rack teeth 38A of a predetermined shape are formed at the rear portion of the rack 38, and the pinion teeth 32A of the drive gear 28 (pinion 32) mesh with the rack teeth 38A. As a result, the drive gear 28 rotates in the locking direction A and the releasing direction B, and the blocker body 36 (blocker 34) moves leftward and rightward, respectively.

[0030] A locking member, that is, a generally rectangular columnar locking bar 40, is integrally provided on the front and left side of the blocker body 36. The locking bar 40 extends parallel to the left and right directions and also extends to the left from the blocker body 36.

[0031] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0032] In the shift device 10 configured as described above, in the drive mechanism 22, the engaging protrusion 26A of the worm 26 is engaged with the engaging recess 24C of the flange 24B of the output shaft 24A of the motor 24 by the biasing force of the spring 44, allowing the output shaft 24A and the worm 26 to rotate together. When the motor 24 is driven to rotate the output shaft 24A and the worm 26, the drive gear 28 is rotated in the locking direction A and the releasing direction B, and the blocker 34 is moved leftward and rightward, respectively.

[0033] For example, when the lever 16 is disposed in the P position and the blocker 34 is moved to the left (see Figs. 3, 5(A) and 5(B)), the lock bar 40 of the blocker 34 is disposed in front of the detent plate 18 of the lever 16 (see Figs. 2(A) and 4(A)). Therefore, the lock bar 40 locks the detent plate 18 from rotating forward, thereby locking the lever 16 from rotating downward, and thus locking the lever 16 from rotating from the P position to the R position.

[0034] On the other hand, when the lever 16 is disposed in the P position and the blocker 34 is moved to the right (see FIGS. 6A and 6B), the lock bar 40 of the blocker 34 is disposed to the right of the detent plate 18 of the lever 16 (see FIG. 4B). Therefore, the lock of the detent plate 18 against rotation forward by the lock bar 40 is released, so that the lock of the lever 16 against rotation downward is released, and the lock of the lever 16 against rotation from the P position to the R position is released.

[0035] Incidentally, for example, when the lever 16 is positioned between the P position and the R position, when the blocker 34 is moved to the left, the lock bar 40 of the blocker 34 abuts against the detent plate 18 of the lever 16, restricting the movement of the blocker 34 to the left (see Figure 2 (B) and Figures 7 (A) and (B)).

[0036] Here, when the movement of the blocker 34 to the left is restricted, the rotation of the drive gear 28 is restricted by the blocker 34, and the worm 26 is rotated relative to the worm wheel 30 of the drive gear 28, so that the worm 26 is moved (axially) away from the flange 24B relative to the output shaft 24A (flange 24B) of the motor 24, and the engaging protrusion 26A of the worm 26 is disengaged from the engaging recess 24C of the flange 24B. Therefore, the output shaft 24A is rotated relative to the worm 26, so that the motor 24 is prevented from being overloaded, and damage to the motor 24 is suppressed. Moreover, damage to the worm 26, the drive gear 28 (worm wheel 30 and pinion 32), and the blocker 34 (rack 38) can also be suppressed.

[0037] Furthermore, as described above, when the movement of the blocker 34 to the left is restricted, the worm 26 is rotated relative to the worm wheel 30, and the worm 26 is moved in the axial direction, thereby rotating the output shaft 24A relative to the worm 26. Therefore, the output shaft 24A can be rotated relative to the worm 26 with a simple configuration.

[0038] In addition, the spring 44 biases the worm 26, thereby maintaining the engagement of the engagement protrusion 26A of the worm 26 with the engagement recess 24C of the flange 24B, and the output shaft 24A and the worm 26 are held so as to be able to rotate together. This allows the output shaft 24A and the worm 26 to rotate together with a simple configuration. Moreover, the output shaft 24A can be rotated relative to the worm 26 by disengaging the engagement protrusion 26A from the engagement recess 24C against the biasing force of the spring 44, and the output shaft 24A can be rotated relative to the worm 26 with a simple configuration.

[0039] Furthermore, when the restriction on the leftward movement of the blocker 34 is released, the urging force of the spring 44 rotates the drive gear 28 (worm wheel 30) in the locking direction A while moving the worm 26 toward the flange 24B, and the engaging protrusion 26A engages with the engaging recess 24C, allowing the output shaft 24A and the worm 26 to rotate together. Therefore, with a simple configuration, the output shaft 24A and the worm 26 can once again be made rotatable together, and the blocker 34 can lock the rotation of the lever 16 by driving the motor 24.

[0040] Furthermore, the drive gear 28 is rotated in the locking direction A and the unlocking direction B, and the blocker 34 is moved leftward and rightward, respectively. Therefore, unlike the case where the blocker 34 is moved by the biasing force of a spring, the moving speed of the blocker 34 can be increased, and the time required for the blocker 34 to lock and unlock the rotation of the lever 16 can be shortened.

[0041] In this embodiment, the engaging protrusion 26A of the worm 26 is engaged with the engaging recess 24C of the flange 24B, allowing the output shaft 24A and the worm 26 to rotate together. However, the flange 24B and the worm 26 may not be provided with the engaging recess 24C and the engaging protrusion 26A, respectively, and the output shaft 24A and the worm 26 may be rotated together by friction between the flange 24B and the worm 26.

[0042] In this embodiment, the lever 16 (shift body) is rotated. However, the shift body may be rotated (moved) or slid (moved) around the central axis.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shift device 10 is mounted on the steering column. However, the shift device 10 may also be mounted on the console or instrument panel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 shift device, 16 lever (shift body), 24 motor, 24A output shaft (rotating shaft), 26 worm, 30 worm wheel, 34 blocker (lock body), 44 spring (urging member)

Claims

1. A shift body that is moved to change the shift position; A driven motor; A rotating shaft that is rotated by driving the motor; a worm provided on the rotating shaft and rotated when the rotating shaft is rotated; a worm wheel that is meshed with the worm and rotates when the worm is rotated; a lock body that is moved by the rotation of the worm wheel to lock the movement of the shift body, and the rotation shaft is rotated relative to the worm when the movement is restricted; A shift device comprising:

2. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein when the movement of the locking body is restricted, the worm is moved in the axial direction, and the rotary shaft is rotated relative to the worm.

3. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member for biasing the worm so that the rotary shaft and the worm are held so as to be rotatable together.

4. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the rotary shaft and the worm are allowed to rotate together when the restriction on the movement of the locking body is released.

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