Position detector

Abstract

To provide a position detector capable of reducing the number of components related to a configuration.SOLUTION: A position detector comprises: a magnet unit 2 which is displaced according to the operation of an operation section; a circuit board 4 on which a first magnetic detection element 4a and a second magnetic detection element 4b are mounted; and a detection section which detects the position of the operation section based on the output of at least one of the first magnetic detection element 4a and the second magnetic detection element 4b. The magnet unit 2 includes a first magnet section 2a and a second magnet section 2b which are magnetized in the thickness direction of the circuit board 4 and have magnetic poles opposite to each other. The direction of a first magnetic field formed by the magnet unit 2 and detected by the first magnetic detection element 4a varies depending on where the operation section is located among a plurality of positions. The direction of a second magnetic field formed by the magnet unit 2 and detected by the second magnetic detecting element 4b varies depending on where the operation section is located among a plurality of positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a position detection device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional position detection device, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a position sensor that uses a plurality of detection elements that detect changes in the magnetic field of a magnet to detect the position of an operating member that is operated within an operation path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-45190 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The device described in Patent Document 1 uses six detection elements to detect four or five positions, and has a large number of components in its configuration.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and has an object to provide a position detection device that can reduce the number of components involved in its configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the position detection device according to the present disclosure comprises: an operation unit that is operated along an operation path including a plurality of predetermined positions; a magnet unit that is displaced in response to the operation of the operation unit; a circuit board on which a first magnetic detection element and a second magnetic detection element are mounted, the first magnetic detection element and the second magnetic detection element outputting detection signals corresponding to magnetic flux densities generated by the magnet unit, the circuit board facing the magnet unit; a detection unit that detects which of the multiple positions the operation unit is in based on an output of at least one of the first magnetic detection element and the second magnetic detection element, the magnet unit includes a first magnet portion and a second magnet portion aligned along the circuit board, The first magnet portion and the second magnet portion are magnetized in a thickness direction of the circuit board, and have magnetic poles arranged in opposite directions. a direction of a first magnetic field generated by the magnet unit and detected by the first magnetic detection element differs depending on whether the operation unit is in one of the plurality of positions; The direction of the second magnetic field generated by the magnet unit and detected by the second magnetic detection element differs depending on whether the operation unit is in one of the plurality of positions. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the number of components involved in the configuration can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic perspective view of a position detection unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure together with an exploded perspective view of a portion of the configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an operation path according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2A and 2B are diagrams mainly showing a configuration example of a magnet unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first slot and a second slot according to the embodiment. [Figure 5A] 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a first slot and a second slot according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 5B] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a first slot and a second slot according to the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the position detection device includes an operation unit 1, a magnet unit 2, a holder 3 for holding the magnet unit 2, a circuit board 4 on which a first magnetic detection element 4a and a second magnetic detection element 4b are mounted, a guide member 5, a cover 6a, a casing 6b, and a detection unit 7.

[0011] In the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system set in the figure, for example, the XY plane is parallel to the main surface 40 of the circuit board 4, and the Z direction is the normal direction of the main surface 40. This coordinate system is merely set to facilitate understanding of the configuration, and does not indicate absolute coordinates. Furthermore, "up" and "down" used below correspond to the up and down directions in FIG. 1. In other words, the Z direction in the figure corresponds to the up and down directions.

[0012] The position detection device is configured as a selector (also called a select lever) or a shift lever provided in a vehicle such as an EV (Electric Vehicle), a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), etc. A user who is a driver of the vehicle can select a range of an automatic transmission of the vehicle by operating the operation unit 1 along the operation path 10 shown in Fig. 2 and changing its position.

[0013] The operation path 10 includes a plurality of predetermined positions. As the plurality of positions, five positions are set in the position detection device according to this embodiment: "R", "N", "D", and "B" corresponding to each range set in the vehicle, and "H" as a home position. R corresponds to the reverse range, N corresponds to the neutral range, D corresponds to the drive range, and B corresponds to the regenerative brake range. Each of the R, N, and B positions is located in a crank shape via the H position set between N and B.

[0014] The operation path 10 spans two rows, including a first path 11 and a second path 12 extending in the Y direction. The first path 11 includes positions H and B. The second path 12 includes positions R, N, and D. The operation path 10 further includes a connecting path 13 extending in the X direction and connecting the first path 11 and the second path 12 (i.e., connecting the two rows). The connecting path 13 connects the H and N positions.

[0015] The operation unit 1 is operated by a user along an operation path 10. The operation unit 1 is a lever-like member that can tilt around a fulcrum O illustrated in Fig. 1 in response to an operation by the user. A gate pattern display (or a shift pattern display) showing the operation path 10 is provided on the knob of the operation unit 1, and the user can operate the operation unit 1 according to this display.

[0016] The magnet unit 2 is displaced in response to the operation of the operating section 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the magnet unit 2 of this embodiment is composed of a first magnet section 2a and a second magnet section 2b arranged along the circuit board 4. The first magnet section 2a and the second magnet section 2b of this embodiment are arranged at intervals from each other in the Y direction and are known magnets such as neodymium and ferrite. The first magnet section 2a and the second magnet section 2b are magnetized in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the circuit board 4, and the arrangement of the magnetic poles is opposite to each other. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the magnetic pole closer to the circuit board 4 in the first magnet section 2a is the S pole, and the magnetic pole closer to the circuit board 4 in the second magnet section 2b is the N pole.

[0017] The magnet unit 2 is not limited to the example configured with two magnets arranged at a distance as shown in Fig. 3, but may have a configuration including the functions of the first magnet section 2a and the second magnet section 2b. For example, the magnet unit 2 may be configured with a single magnet with four poles on both sides or multiple poles on both sides (six or more poles on both sides). The shape and magnetization direction of the magnet unit 2 are arbitrary as long as they can detect the position of the operating section 1 according to the principle described below.

[0018] The holder 3 holds the magnet unit 2 and supports the lower end of the operation unit 1. A spring E is provided inside a portion of the holder 3 that supports the operation unit 1 (hereinafter, the support portion). As a result, the lower end of the operation unit 1 is elastically supported by the spring E. Although a detailed mechanism of the holder 3 is not shown, the holder 3 is provided above the circuit board 4 so as to be movable within a plane parallel to the main surface 40 (i.e., parallel to the XY plane) in response to tilting of the operation unit 1. This mechanism causes the magnet unit 2 to move along the circuit board 4 (specifically, the main surface 40) in response to operation of the operation unit 1.

[0019] The first magnetic detection element 4a and the second magnetic detection element 4b are mounted on a main surface 40 of a circuit board 4 arranged at a position facing the holder 3 (i.e., facing the magnet unit 2). The circuit board 4 is a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) located below the holder 3. The first magnetic detection element 4a and the second magnetic detection element 4b are each composed of a Hall IC (Integrated Circuit) and output a detection signal (voltage signal) according to the detected magnetic flux density (magnetic field). The first magnetic detection element 4a and the second magnetic detection element 4b each detect the magnetic flux density that changes according to the displacement of the magnet unit 2. The first magnetic detection element 4a and the second magnetic detection element 4b of this embodiment are provided at an interval from each other in the Y direction, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.

[0020] The guide member 5 is located above the holder 3, and while guiding the holder 3 interlocking with the operating unit 1, it regulates the range of movement of the holder 3 relative to the circuit board 4. The guide member 5 has an opening through which the support part of the holder 3 passes. The cover 6a is a member that covers the guide member 5 from above. The cover 6a has an opening through which the support part of the holder 3 passes. The casing 6b houses the circuit board 4. The guide member 5 and the cover 6a are fixed to the casing 6b. Although not shown in detail, for example, a panel member provided above the cover 6a has a guide groove that defines the operation path 10 and guides the operating unit 1 to each operation position.

[0021] The detection unit 7, which is shown in FIG. 1, is composed of, for example, a microcontroller, and acquires detection signals output from the first magnetic detection element 4a and the second magnetic detection element 4b. The detection unit 7 detects (specifies) which of the above-mentioned multiple positions the operation unit 1 is in, based on the output of at least one of the first magnetic detection element 4a and the second magnetic detection element 4b. For example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle switches the range of the automatic transmission according to the position of the operation unit 1 detected by a position detection device. The detection unit 7 may be mounted on the circuit board 4, or may be provided in another position and electrically connected to the circuit board 4.

[0022] (Detection principle of the position of operation unit 1) In order to explain the principle of detecting the position of the operating unit 1, the concepts of first slots 8a to 8f and second slots 9a to 9f will be introduced as shown in FIG.

[0023] The first slots 8a to 8f are virtual positions for grasping the magnetic field (hereinafter referred to as the first magnetic field) that the magnet unit 2 generates with respect to the first magnetic detection element 4a when the operating unit 1 is in each position. The gray arrows inscribed in each of the first slots 8a to 8f indicate the direction of the first magnetic field. Note that in the first magnetic field, the influence of the magnetic field by the first magnet unit 2a, which is closer to the first magnetic detection element 4a, is dominant.

[0024] The second slots 9a to 9f are virtual positions for grasping the magnetic field (hereinafter referred to as the second magnetic field) that the magnet unit 2 generates with respect to the second magnetic detection element 4b when the operating unit 1 is in each position. The gray arrows inscribed in each of the second slots 9a to 9f indicate the direction of the second magnetic field. Note that in the second magnetic field, the influence of the magnetic field by the second magnet unit 2b, which is closer to the second magnetic detection element 4b, is dominant.

[0025] In this embodiment, the operation path 10 shown in FIG. 2 does not have positions corresponding to the first slot 8f and the second slot 9f. However, in FIG. 4, the first slot 8f and the second slot 9f are shown to help intuitive understanding of the direction of the first magnetic field that changes according to the relative displacement between the magnet unit 2 and the first magnetic detection element 4a, and the direction of the second magnetic field that changes according to the relative displacement between the magnet unit 2 and the second magnetic detection element 4b. Here, the first slots 8a to 8e (excluding the first slot 8f that does not correspond to the set position) can be considered to indicate the position of the first magnetic detection element 4a relative to the magnet unit 2 when the operation unit 1 is in each position. Similarly, the second slots 9a to 9e (excluding the second slot 9f that does not correspond to the set position) can be considered to indicate the position of the second magnetic detection element 4b relative to the magnet unit 2 when the operation unit 1 is in each position.

[0026] In addition, in the position detection device, a system that detects the position of the operation unit 1 by the first magnetic detection element 4a is referred to as a first system L1. In the first system L1, the position of the operation unit 1 is detected based on the direction of the first magnetic field in each of the first slots 8a to 8e (here, excluding the first slot 8f that does not correspond to the set position), so in FIG. 4, the first system L1 is conceptually represented as including the first slots 8a to 8f. Similarly, in the position detection device, a system that detects the position of the operation unit 1 by the second magnetic detection element 4b is referred to as a second system L2. In the second system L2, the position of the operation unit 1 is detected based on the direction of the second magnetic field in each of the second slots 9a to 9e (here, excluding the second slot 9f that does not correspond to the set position), so in FIG. 4, the second system L2 is conceptually represented as including the second slots 9a to 9f.

[0027] First, let us focus on the first system L1. For example, looking at the first slot 8a, it can be seen that when the operating unit 1 is in the R position, the direction of the first magnetic field detected by the first magnetic detection element 4a is generally directed downward in FIG. 4. In addition, the first magnetic field directions are expressed in the same way in the first slots 8b to 8e corresponding to the positions N, D, B, and H. As can be seen from the first system L1 in FIG. 4, the direction of the first magnetic field detected by the first magnetic detection element 4a is different when the operating unit 1 is in each of the multiple positions included in the operation path 11. As a result, the output of the first magnetic detection element 4a is different for each position of the operating unit 1 (for each of the first slots 8b to 8e). The detection unit 7 can detect which of the above-mentioned multiple positions the operating unit 1 is in based on the output of the first magnetic detection element 4a that changes for each position of the operating unit 1 in this way.

[0028] Next, attention is paid to the second system L2. For example, looking at the second slot 9a, it can be seen that when the operating unit 1 is in the R position, the direction of the second magnetic field detected by the second magnetic detection element 4b is generally oriented upward in FIG. 4. In addition, the second slots 9b to 9e corresponding to the positions N, D, B, and H also express the direction of the second magnetic field in the same manner. As can be seen from the second system L2 in FIG. 4, the direction of the second magnetic field detected by the second magnetic detection element 4b is different when the operating unit 1 is in each of the multiple positions included in the operation path 11. As a result, the output of the second magnetic detection element 4b is different for each position of the operating unit 1 (for each of the second slots 9b to 9e). In this way, the detection unit 7 can detect which of the above-mentioned multiple positions the operating unit 1 is in based on the output of the second magnetic detection element 4b that changes for each position of the operating unit 1.

[0029] As described above, according to the position detection device of this embodiment, since the two detection elements, the first magnetic detection element 4a and the second magnetic detection element 4b, can detect a plurality of positions, the number of components involved in the configuration can be reduced. Moreover, since the position detection device of this embodiment has the first system L1 and the second system L2, redundancy in position detection can be ensured.

[0030] In addition, the detection unit 7 is not limited to the example of detecting the position of the operating unit 1 based on the output of either the first magnetic detection element 4a or the second magnetic detection element 4b, but may detect the position of the operating unit 1 based on a combination of the outputs of both the first magnetic detection element 4a and the second magnetic detection element 4b.

[0031] In addition, in the position detection device of this embodiment, the first magnet section 2a and the second magnet section 2b have mutually opposite arrangements of magnetic poles, and the first magnetic detection element 4a and the second magnetic detection element 4b are provided at an interval in the Y direction, so that the direction of the first magnetic field in each of the first slots 8a to 8f and the direction of the second magnetic field in each of the second slots 9a to 9f are generally inverted in the up-down direction, as shown in FIG. 4. In other words, the direction of the first magnetic field and the direction of the second magnetic field are different when the operation unit 1 is in each of the multiple positions (R, N, D, B, and H positions). According to the position detection device of this embodiment, the directions of the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field in the above-mentioned relationship can be set by the relative arrangement of the first magnet section 2a, the second magnet section 2b, the first magnetic detection element 4a, and the second magnetic detection element 4b, so that the design is easy.

[0032] In Fig. 4, the direction of the first magnetic field for each of the first slots 8a to 8f and the direction of the second magnetic field for each of the second slots 9a to 9f are shown as positions viewed from the Z direction, but it should be noted that these directions are merely examples to help understand the principle of position detection and do not necessarily represent strict directions. This also applies to Figs. 5A and 5B described next.

[0033] (Modification) As shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, the first system L1 and the second system L2 may be set to be partially shared, as in the position detection device according to the modified example. This modified example can be realized by adjusting the relative arrangement of the first magnet section 2a, the second magnet section 2b, the first magnetic detection element 4a, and the second magnetic detection element 4b. The operation path according to the modified example is a path in which the position B is omitted from the operation path 10 shown in Fig. 2 (not shown in the figure) (i.e., the first path 11 shown in Fig. 2 includes only the position H). Note that, in this modified example, positions corresponding to the first slots 8d, 8f and the second slots 9d, 9f are not provided, but in Figs. 5A and 5B, the first slots 8d, 8f and the second slots 9d, 9f are shown to help intuitive understanding of the direction of the first magnetic field that changes according to the relative displacement between the magnet unit 2 and the first magnetic detection element 4a, and the direction of the second magnetic field that changes according to the relative displacement between the magnet unit 2 and the second magnetic detection element 4b.

[0034] 5A shows a case where the position of the operation unit 1 is detected by the first system L1, and FIG. 5B shows a case where the position of the operation unit 1 is detected by the second system L2. In the modified example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the direction of the first magnetic field in the first slot 8c when the operation unit 1 is in the D position (i.e., the direction of the first magnetic field detected by the first magnetic detection element 4a when the operation unit 1 is in the D position) is the same as the direction of the second magnetic field in the second slot 9a when the operation unit 1 is in the R position (i.e., the direction of the second magnetic field detected by the second magnetic detection element 4b when the operation unit 1 is in the R position) as shown in FIG. 5B. In this paper, the setting in which the magnetic field directions are the same in a specific slot is expressed as being partially shared between the first system L1 and the second system L2.

[0035] That is, in the position detection device according to the modified example, the multiple positions included in the operation path include a first position (position D corresponding to the first slot 8c in FIG. 5A) which is a position of the operation unit 1 in which the first magnetic field has a specific direction, and a second position (position R corresponding to the second slot 9a in FIG. 5B) which is a position of the operation unit 1 in which the second magnetic field has the same direction as the first magnetic field and is different from the first position. This makes it possible to configure the configuration related to position detection (the magnet unit 2, the first magnetic detection element 4a, and the second magnetic detection element 4b) compactly in the Y direction while ensuring redundancy. Note that, similar to the relationship between the first slot 8c and the second slot 9a, the relationship between the first slot 8d and the second slot 9f can also be described, but in the modified example, no positions corresponding to the first slot 8d and the second slot 9f are set.

[0036] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, modified examples, and drawings. Modifications (including the deletion of components) can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0037] The application of the position detection device is not limited to vehicles and can be changed arbitrarily. The position detection device may be mounted on a vehicle such as a ship or an aircraft, or may be used for purposes other than vehicles.

[0038] The operation specifications of the operation unit 1 and the shape of the operation path 10 are not limited to the above examples and are arbitrary. For example, the magnet unit 2 may be displaceable not only in the X and Y directions but also in the Z direction with the tilt of the operation unit 1. Furthermore, the first magnetic detection element 4a and the second magnetic detection element 4b may be MR (Magneto Resistive Sensor) elements.

[0039] In the above description, descriptions of well-known technical matters have been omitted as appropriate in order to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure.

[0040] Various embodiments and modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. The above-described embodiments are for the purpose of explaining the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the scope of the invention equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1...Operation unit 2...Magnet unit 2a...first magnet part, 2b...second magnet part 3…Holder 4...circuit board, 40...main surface 4a: first magnetic detection element, 4b: second magnetic detection element 5...Guide member 6a...Cover, 6b...Casing 7…Detection section 8a~8f…1st slot 9a~9f…Second slot L1…1st system, L2…2nd system 10...operation path, 11...first path, 12...second path, 13...connecting path O: fulcrum, E: spring

Claims

1. an operation unit that is operated along an operation path including a plurality of predetermined positions; a magnet unit that is displaced in response to the operation of the operation unit; a circuit board on which a first magnetic detection element and a second magnetic detection element are mounted, the first magnetic detection element and the second magnetic detection element outputting detection signals corresponding to magnetic flux densities generated by the magnet unit, the circuit board facing the magnet unit; a detection unit that detects which of the multiple positions the operation unit is in based on an output of at least one of the first magnetic detection element and the second magnetic detection element, the magnet unit includes a first magnet portion and a second magnet portion aligned along the circuit board, The first magnet portion and the second magnet portion are magnetized in a thickness direction of the circuit board, and have magnetic poles arranged in opposite directions. a direction of a first magnetic field generated by the magnet unit and detected by the first magnetic detection element differs depending on whether the operation unit is in one of the plurality of positions; a direction of a second magnetic field generated by the magnet unit and detected by the second magnetic detection element differs depending on whether the operation unit is in one of the plurality of positions; Position detection device.

2. a direction of the first magnetic field and a direction of the second magnetic field are different when the operation unit is in each of the plurality of positions; The position detection device according to claim 1 .

3. The plurality of positions include: A first position is a position of the operation unit in which the first magnetic field is oriented in a specific direction; a second position of the operation unit in which the second magnetic field is oriented in the same direction as the first magnetic field, the second position being different from the first position; 3. The position detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

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