Shifter

Abstract

To increase an operation portion for changing a shift position of a transmission.SOLUTION: In a shift device 10, a shift part 22 is operated to change a shift position of a transmission 30 to one of a plurality of shift positions. Further, a steering 18 is rotationally operated to steer a vehicle. The shift parts 22 are disposed at the left side and the right side of the steering 18, and a number of the shift positions which are changed by operating the left shift part 22 is set to be the same with a number of the shift positions which are changed by operating the right shift part 22. Thus, an operation portion for changing the shift position of the transmission 30 can be increased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shift device in which a shift portion is operated to change a shift position of a vehicle transmission. [Background technology]

[0002] In the shift device described in Patent Document 1 below, the operating state of the vehicle is changed by sliding contact with a touch detection display on the steering wheel.

[0003] Here, in this shift device, the touch-sensitive display is located to the right of the steering wheel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0011042 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a shift device that can increase the number of operating parts for changing the shift position of a transmission. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the shift device of the present invention includes shift units disposed on the left and right sides of a steering body that is operated to steer a vehicle, and that are operated to change the shift position of the vehicle's transmission to a plurality of the shift positions, and the plurality of shift positions changed by operating the shift unit on the left side of the steering body are made the same as the plurality of shift positions changed by operating the shift unit on the right side of the steering body.

[0007] A shift device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the shift device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the shift position is changed by operating the shift portion on the left or right side of the steering element.

[0008] A shift device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the shift device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the shift positions are changed by operating the shift portions on the left and right sides of the steering element.

[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, further comprising a permission section that is operated to permit a change in the shift position by operating the shift section.

[0010] 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, further comprising an operating device that is operable by operating the shift portion.

[0011] A shift device of a sixth aspect of the present invention is the shift device of any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein the shift portion is operated in a radial direction of rotation or in a longitudinal direction of the steering body.

[0012] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a shift device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, wherein the shift position can be changed to a plurality of shift positions at which the vehicle is driven by operating the shift portion.

[0013] A shift device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the shift device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, wherein the shift portion is disposed closer to the outer periphery than the center of the steering element. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the shift device of the first aspect of the present invention, the shift portion is operated to change the shift position of the transmission of the vehicle to a plurality of shift positions, and the steering element is operated to steer the vehicle.

[0015] Here, the shift units are located on the left and right sides of the steering body, and the multiple shift positions that are changed by operating the shift unit on the left side of the steering body are the same as the multiple shift positions that are changed by operating the shift unit on the right side of the steering body, which allows for more operation parts to change the shift positions.

[0016] In the shift device of the second aspect of the present invention, the shift position is changed by operating the left or right shift portion of the steering element, which makes it easy to change the shift position.

[0017] In the shift device of the third aspect of the present invention, the shift position is changed by operating the left and right shift sections of the steering element, which makes it possible to prevent the shift position from being changed unnecessarily.

[0018] In the shift device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the permission section is operated to permit the shift position to be changed by operating the shift section, thereby preventing the shift position from being changed unnecessarily.

[0019] In the shift device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operating device can be operated by operating the shift portion, which makes it easy to operate the operating device.

[0020] In the shift device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the shift unit is operated in the radial direction of rotation of the steering body or in the longitudinal direction, so that the shift unit can be easily operated even when the steering body is rotated.

[0021] In the shift device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the shift position can be changed to a plurality of positions at which the vehicle is driven by operating the shift section, so that the shift position can be easily changed to a plurality of positions at which the vehicle is driven.

[0022] In the shift device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the shift unit is disposed closer to the outer periphery than the center of the steering body, so that the shift unit can be operated with the same hand that operates the steering body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a steering device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a steering device according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a steering device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] [First embodiment] 1 shows a front view of a steering device 12 to which a shift device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the drawing, the right side of the steering device 12 is indicated by an arrow RH, and the upper side of the steering device 12 is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0025] In this embodiment, the steering device 12 is installed on the front side of the driver's seat (not shown) of the vehicle (automobile), and the front, right and top of the steering device 12 are directed diagonally upward and rearward, right and top and forward of the vehicle, respectively.

[0026] 1, the steering device 12 is provided with a generally cylindrical steering column 14, the axial direction of which is in the front-to-rear direction. A generally cylindrical steering shaft 16 is supported generally coaxially by the steering column 14, and the steering shaft 16 protrudes forward and is rotatable.

[0027] A steering wheel 18 (handle) serving as a steering element is supported on the front side of the steering shaft 16. A generally columnar boss 18A is provided in the center of the steering wheel 18 as a central portion, with the axial direction of the boss 18A extending in the front-to-rear direction. A generally U-shaped rim 18B, viewed from the front, is provided on the outer periphery of the steering wheel 18 as an outer peripheral portion (grip portion), and the center of the lower portion of the rim 18B in the left-to-right direction is connected to the boss 18A. Spokes 18C, each having a generally rectangular plate shape, are provided between the upper left and right upper portions of the rim 18B and the boss 18A as connecting portions, and extend in the left-to-right direction to connect the rim 18B and the boss 18A. Furthermore, grip sensors 20 serving as permitting portions are provided on the left and right sides of the rim 18B, respectively.

[0028] The rear side of the boss 18A is fixed to the steering shaft 16, and when the steering wheel 18 is rotated in the circumferential direction, the steering shaft 16 rotates integrally with the steering wheel 18, thereby steering the vehicle. The steering wheel 18 is disposed in front of the vehicle occupant (driver) seated in the driver's seat, and the steering wheel 18 is normally rotated by the occupant, with the left and right sides of the rim 18B gripped by the occupant's left and right hands, respectively. A grip sensor 20 on the left side of the rim 18B detects the occupant's grip of the left side of the rim 18B (operation of the grip sensor 20 by the occupant), and a grip sensor 20 on the right side of the rim 18B detects the occupant's grip of the right side of the rim 18B (operation of the grip sensor 20 by the occupant).

[0029] The left and right spokes 18C are provided on the front surface of the rim 18B side with shift units 22 that constitute the shift device 10, and the shift units 22 are configured as touch panels. The shift unit 22 is provided, from top to bottom, with an R operation unit 24R (reverse operation unit), an N operation unit 24N (neutral operation unit), and a D operation unit 24D (drive operation unit), and an R display 26R (reverse display), an N display 26N (neutral display), and a D display 26D (drive display) are provided in the centers of the R operation unit 24R, the N operation unit 24N, and the D operation unit 24D, respectively.

[0030] The R operating unit 24R, N operating unit 24N and D operating unit 24D of the left shift unit 22 can be contacted (pressed) at their rear sides by the fingers (e.g., thumb) of the occupant's left hand gripping the left side of the rim 18B, and the R operating unit 24R, N operating unit 24N and D operating unit 24D of the right shift unit 22 can be contacted (pressed) at their rear sides by the fingers (e.g., thumb) of the occupant's right hand gripping the right side of the rim 18B.

[0031] The left and right grip sensors 20 and the left and right shift units 22 are electrically connected to the vehicle's control device 28, which is electrically connected to the vehicle's transmission 30 (automatic transmission) and a driving mode mechanism 32 as an operating device.

[0032] When the R operating unit 24R of the left shift unit 22 is operated while the occupant is gripping the left side of the rim 18B (when the left grip sensor 20 detects that the occupant is gripping the rim 18B), and when the R operating unit 24R of the right shift unit 22 is operated while the occupant is gripping the right side of the rim 18B (when the right grip sensor 20 detects that the occupant is gripping the rim 18B), the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to the R position (reverse position) under the control of the control device 28, and the R indicators 26R of the left and right shift units 22 are illuminated.

[0033] When the N operating unit 24N of the left shift unit 22 is operated while the occupant is gripping the left side of the rim 18B (when the left grip sensor 20 detects that the occupant is gripping the rim 18B), and when the N operating unit 24N of the right shift unit 22 is operated while the occupant is gripping the right side of the rim 18B (when the right grip sensor 20 detects that the occupant is gripping the rim 18B), the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to the N position (neutral position) under the control of the control device 28, and the N indicators 26N of the left and right shift units 22 are illuminated.

[0034] When the D operating unit 24D of the left shift unit 22 is operated while the occupant is gripping the left side of the rim 18B (when the left grip sensor 20 detects that the occupant is gripping the rim 18B), and when the D operating unit 24D of the right shift unit 22 is operated while the occupant is gripping the right side of the rim 18B (when the right grip sensor 20 detects that the occupant is gripping the rim 18B), the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to the D position (drive position) under the control of the control device 28, and the D indicators 26D of the left and right shift units 22 are turned on.

[0035] When the shift position of the transmission 30 is set to the D position by operating one of the left and right shift units 22 (D operating unit 24D), and the other of the left and right shift units 22, for example, the D operating unit 24D, is operated, the driving mode mechanism 32 is operated under the control of the control device 28, and the driving mode of the vehicle is set to the autocruise mode (driving assistance mode). Furthermore, when the other of the shift units 22, for example, the R operating unit 24R, is operated, the driving mode mechanism 32 is operated under the control of the control device 28, and the set speed in the autocruise mode of the vehicle is increased. On the other hand, when the other of the shift units 22, for example, the D operating unit 24D, is operated, the driving mode mechanism 32 is operated under the control of the control device 28, and the set speed in the autocruise mode of the vehicle is decreased.

[0036] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0037] In the shift device 10 configured as described above, the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to a plurality of shift positions by operating the shift section 22. Also, the steering wheel 18 is rotated to steer the vehicle.

[0038] Here, the shift units 22 are disposed on the left and right sides of the steering wheel 18, and the multiple shift positions that are changed by operating the left shift unit 22 are the same as the multiple shift positions that are changed by operating the right shift unit 22. This allows for more operational parts to change the shift positions of the transmission 30.

[0039] Furthermore, the left or right shift unit 22 is operated to change the shift position of the transmission 30. This makes it easy to change the shift position of the transmission 30. As a result, even if the occupant suddenly grips the steering wheel 18 while the vehicle is being driven automatically, for example, the occupant can operate the left or right shift unit 22 to change the shift position of the transmission 30. Moreover, because both the left and right shift units 22 are provided, a dual system can be established for changing the shift position of the transmission 30, ensuring redundancy.

[0040] Additionally, a shift unit 22 is disposed on a spoke 18C on the rim 18B side of the boss 18A of the steering wheel 18. This allows the occupant to operate the shift unit 22 with the fingers of the hand that grips the rim 18B (operates the steering wheel 18).

[0041] Furthermore, the left or right grip sensor 20 detects the rider gripping the rim 18B, and permits the shift position to be changed by operating the left or right shift unit 22. This prevents the shift position of the transmission 30 from being changed unnecessarily due to erroneous operation of the shift unit 22.

[0042] In addition, the shift unit 22 is operated rearward. Therefore, even when the steering wheel 18 is turned, the operation direction of the shift unit 22 can be prevented from changing, and the shift unit 22 can be easily operated.

[0043] Furthermore, the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to the R position and the D position (plural shift positions at which the vehicle is driven) by operating the shift unit 22. Therefore, the shift position of the transmission 30 can be easily changed to the R position and the D position.

[0044] In addition, the driving mode mechanism 32 can be operated by operating the shift unit 22. Therefore, the driving mode mechanism 32 can be easily operated.

[0045] (Variation) FIG. 2 shows a front view of a steering wheel 18 to which a shift device 50 according to a modification of the first embodiment is applied.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2, in the shift device 50 of this modified example, the shift section 22 is provided with an R operating section 24R (including an R display 26R), an N operating section 24N (including an N display 26N), and a D operating section 24D (including a D display 26D) from the radial outside of the steering wheel 18 toward the radial inside.

[0047] Here, this modified example can also achieve the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

[0048] In the first embodiment (including the modified examples) described above, the grip sensor 20 is provided on the rim 18B. However, the grip sensor 20 does not have to be provided on the rim 18B. In this case, the shift position of the transmission 30 can be changed even if the rider does not grip the rim 18B.

[0049] In the first embodiment (including the modified examples), the shift unit 22 (the R operating unit 24R, the N operating unit 24N, and the D operating unit 24D) is operated by contact (pressing). However, the shift unit 22 (operating unit) may slide, rotate, or rotate around a central axis.

[0050] [Second embodiment] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a steering wheel 18 to which a shift device 60 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0051] The steering device 12 (including the shift device 60) in this embodiment has almost the same configuration as that in the first embodiment, but differs in the following respects.

[0052] 3, in the steering device 12 of this embodiment, the rim 18B of the steering wheel 18 is annular in front view, and the rim 18B is disposed coaxially with the steering shaft 16. Spokes 18C are provided between the left and right ends of the rim 18B and the boss 18A, as well as between the lower end of the rim 18B and the boss 18A, and the lower spoke 18C extends in the vertical direction to connect the rim 18B and the boss 18A. Furthermore, the grip sensor 20 of the first embodiment is not provided on the rim 18B.

[0053] In shift device 60 according to this embodiment, rectangular pillar-shaped operating units 22A are provided in shift sections 22 of left and right spokes 18C, and operating units 22A are supported within spokes 18C, protrude forward of spokes 18C, and are movable (slidable) in the left-right direction (toward the radial direction of steering wheel 18) within a predetermined range. Operating unit 22A is disposed at an initial position in the center of the predetermined range, and is movable from the initial position to an outer position radially outward of steering wheel 18 and to an inner position radially inward of steering wheel 18.

[0054] The operating unit 22A of the left shift unit 22 can be operated left and right by the fingers (e.g., thumb) of the occupant's left hand gripping the left end of the rim 18B, and the operating unit 22A of the right shift unit 22 can be operated left and right by the fingers (e.g., thumb) of the occupant's right hand gripping the right end of the rim 18B.

[0055] The operating unit 22A is biased toward the initial position, and when the operating force acting on the operating unit 22A is released while the operating unit 22A is being operated from the initial position, the operating unit 22A is moved (returned) to the initial position by the biasing force.

[0056] The shift unit 22 is provided with an N indicator 26N, an R indicator 26R, and a D indicator 26D above the initial position, outer position, and inner position of the operating unit 22A, respectively.

[0057] When the operating unit 22A of the left shift unit 22 is operated from the initial position to the outward position, and when the operating unit 22A of the right shift unit 22 is operated from the initial position to the outward position, the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to the N position under the control of the control device 28, and the N indicators 26N of the left and right shift units 22 are illuminated. Furthermore, when the operating unit 22A of the left shift unit 22 is operated from the initial position to the outward position, and when the operating unit 22A of the right shift unit 22 is operated from the initial position to the outward position, the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to the R position under the control of the control device 28, and the R indicators 26R of the left and right shift units 22 are illuminated.

[0058] When the operating unit 22A of the left shift unit 22 is operated from the initial position to the inner position, and when the operating unit 22A of the right shift unit 22 is operated from the initial position to the inner position, the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to the N position under the control of the control device 28, and the N indicators 26N of the left and right shift units 22 are illuminated. Furthermore, when the operating unit 22A of the left shift unit 22 is operated from the initial position to the inner position, and when the operating unit 22A of the right shift unit 22 is operated from the initial position to the inner position, the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to the D position under the control of the control device 28, and the D indicators 26D of the left and right shift units 22 are illuminated.

[0059] When the shift position of the transmission 30 is set to D by operating one of the left and right shift units 22 (operating unit 22A), and the operating unit 22A of the other of the left and right shift units 22 is operated from its initial position to, for example, an inward position, the control device 28 controls the driving mode mechanism 32 to operate and the vehicle's driving mode is set to autocruise mode (driving assistance mode). Furthermore, when the operating unit 22A of the other shift unit 22 is operated from its initial position to, for example, an outward position, the control device 28 controls the driving mode mechanism 32 to operate and the set speed in the autocruise mode of the vehicle is increased. On the other hand, when the operating unit 22A of the other shift unit 22 is operated from its initial position to, for example, an inward position, the control device 28 controls the driving mode mechanism 32 to operate and the set speed in the autocruise mode of the vehicle is decreased.

[0060] Here, this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

[0061] In particular, the shift unit 22 (operating unit 22A) is operated multiple times to change the shift position of the transmission 30 to the R position or the D position. This prevents the shift position of the transmission 30 from being unnecessarily changed to the R position or the D position due to an erroneous operation of the shift unit 22.

[0062] Additionally, the shift unit 22 (operating unit 22A) is operated radially outward and inward of the steering wheel 18. Therefore, even when the steering wheel 18 is rotated, the operating direction of the shift unit 22 is prevented from changing, and the shift unit 22 can be easily operated.

[0063] (Variation) In this modified example, when the operating unit 22A of the left shift unit 22 is operated from its initial position to its outward position and at the same time the operating unit 22A of the right shift unit 22 is operated from its initial position to its outward position, the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to the N position under the control of the control device 28, and the N indicators 26N of the left and right shift units 22 are illuminated. Furthermore, when the operating unit 22A of the left shift unit 22 is operated from its initial position to its outward position and at the same time the operating unit 22A of the right shift unit 22 is operated from its initial position to its outward position, the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to the R position under the control of the control device 28, and the R indicators 26R of the left and right shift units 22 are illuminated.

[0064] When the operating unit 22A of the left shift unit 22 is operated from its initial position to its innermost position and at the same time the operating unit 22A of the right shift unit 22 is operated from its initial position to its innermost position, the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to the N position under the control of the control device 28, and the N indicators 26N of the left and right shift units 22 are illuminated. Furthermore, when the operating unit 22A of the left shift unit 22 is operated from its initial position to its innermost position and at the same time the operating unit 22A of the right shift unit 22 is operated from its initial position to its innermost position, the shift position of the transmission 30 is changed to the D position under the control of the control device 28, and the D indicators 26D of the left and right shift units 22 are illuminated.

[0065] When the operating unit 22A of the left or right shift unit 22 is operated from the initial position to, for example, an inward position while the shift position of the transmission 30 is in the D position, the driving mode mechanism 32 is operated under the control of the control device 28 to set the driving mode of the vehicle to autocruise mode (driving assistance mode). Furthermore, when the operating unit 22A of the left or right shift unit 22 is operated from the initial position to, for example, an outward position, the driving mode mechanism 32 is operated under the control of the control device 28 to increase the set speed in the autocruise mode of the vehicle. On the other hand, when the operating unit 22A of the left or right shift unit 22 is operated from the initial position to, for example, an inward position, the driving mode mechanism 32 is operated under the control of the control device 28 to decrease the set speed in the autocruise mode of the vehicle.

[0066] Here, this modified example can also achieve the same effects and advantages as the second embodiment described above, except for the effects and advantages resulting from changing the shift position of the transmission 30 by operating one of the left and right shift sections 22.

[0067] Furthermore, the left and right shift units 22 (operating units 22A) are operated to change the shift position of the transmission 30. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the shift position of the transmission 30 from being changed unnecessarily due to erroneous operation of the shift units 22.

[0068] In the second embodiment (including the modified example), the operating section 22A slides. However, the operating section 22A may be rotated or rotated (moved) around the central axis.

[0069] In the first embodiment (including modified examples) and the second embodiment (including modified examples), the shift unit 22 is provided in front of the spokes 18C. However, the shift unit 22 may be provided behind, above, or below the spokes 18C. Furthermore, the shift unit 22 may be provided on the boss 18A, the rim 18B, or the steering column 14.

[0070] Furthermore, in the first embodiment (including modified examples) and the second embodiment (including modified examples), the operating device is the driving mode mechanism 32. However, the operating device may be something other than the driving mode mechanism 32 (for example, an air conditioner or audio). In this case, the operating device may be operated by operating the shift unit 22 when the shift position of the transmission 30 is not in the D position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10 shift device, 18 steering (steering element), 18A boss (center portion), 18B rim (outer periphery), 20 grip sensor (permitting portion), 22 shift portion, 30 transmission, 32 driving mode mechanism (operating device), 50 shift device, 60 shift device

Claims

1. A shift device comprising shift units disposed on the left and right sides of a steering body that is operated to steer a vehicle and that are operated to change the shift position of a vehicle transmission to a plurality of said shift positions, wherein the plurality of shift positions changed by operating the shift unit on the left side of the steering body are made the same as the plurality of shift positions changed by operating the shift unit on the right side of the steering body.

2. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the shift position is changed by operating the shift section on the left or right side of the steering body.

3. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the shift position is changed by operating the left and right shift sections of the steering body.

4. The shift device according to claim 1 , further comprising an enabling unit that is operated to enable the shift position to be changed by operating the shift unit.

5. The shift device according to claim 1 , further comprising an operating device that is operable by operating the shift portion.

6. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the shift portion is operated in a radial direction of rotation of the steering body or in a longitudinal direction.

7. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the shift position can be changed by operating the shift unit to one of a plurality of positions at which the vehicle is driven.

8. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the shift portion is disposed closer to the outer periphery than the center portion of the steering body.

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