Shifter

Abstract

To operate a plurality of operation bodies easily with one hand.SOLUTION: In a shifter 10, a plurality of operation bodies 22 are rotationally operated to change a shift position of a transmission. Further, a handle 20 is rotationally operated to steer a vehicle. The operation bodies 22 are disposed on one side of the handle 20. Thus, the operation bodies 22 can be operated easily with one hand.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In the shift device described in Patent Document 1 below, a shift element is operated to change the shift position of a vehicle transmission.

[0003] In this shift device, the shift elements are arranged on the left and right sides of the steering wheel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 110094497 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 allows a plurality of operating bodies to be easily operated with one hand. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The shift device of the first aspect of the present invention is provided with a plurality of operating bodies arranged on one side, either the left or right side, of a steering body that is operated to steer the vehicle, and that are each operated to change the shift position of the vehicle's transmission.

[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 operating body is operated in the front-rear direction of the steering body.

[0008] A shift device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the shift device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a separation part that separates the operation body from the operation body.

[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 a plurality of the operating bodies are operated simultaneously to change the shift position of the transmission.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the shift device of the present invention is the shift device of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein a first operating body is operated to change the shift position of the transmission to a reverse position, a second operating body is operated to change the shift position of the transmission to a neutral position, and a third operating body is operated to change the shift position of the transmission to a drive position.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the shift device of the present invention is a shift device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, further comprising an additional operating body that is arranged on one side of the steering body where the operating body is arranged, and is operated to change the driving mode of the vehicle.

[0012] A seventh aspect of the shift device of the present invention is the shift device of any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, wherein the operating body is arranged above and below the connection portion between the central portion and the outer periphery of the steering body.

[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 operating body is disposed closer to the center than the outer periphery of the steering body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the shift device of the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of operating bodies are operated to change the shift position of a transmission of a vehicle, and a steering body is operated to steer the vehicle.

[0015] Here, the multiple operating bodies are arranged on one side, either the left or right side of the steering body, so that the multiple operating bodies can be easily operated with one hand.

[0016] In the shift device of the second aspect of the present invention, the operating body is operated in the fore-and-aft direction of the steering body, which makes it easy to operate the operating body.

[0017] In the shift device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the separation section separates the operating bodies from one another, thereby making it possible to prevent erroneous operation of multiple operating bodies.

[0018] In the shift device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of operating bodies are operated simultaneously to change the shift position of the transmission, which simplifies the configuration.

[0019] In the shift device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the first operating body is operated to change the shift position of the transmission to the reverse position. The second operating body is operated to change the shift position of the transmission to the neutral position. The third operating body is operated to change the shift position of the transmission to the drive position. This allows the shift position of the transmission to be easily changed to the reverse position, neutral position, and drive position.

[0020] In a sixth aspect of the shift device of the present invention, an additional operating body is arranged on one side of the steering body where the operating body is arranged, and the additional operating body is operated to change the driving mode of the vehicle. Therefore, the additional operating body can be operated with the hand that operates the operating body, and the driving mode of the vehicle can be easily changed.

[0021] In the shift device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the operating bodies are arranged above and below the connection portion between the central portion and the outer circumferential portion of the steering body, which makes it possible to prevent erroneous operation of the operating bodies above and below the connection portion.

[0022] In the shift device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the operating body is disposed closer to the center than the outer periphery of the steering body, which prevents the operating body from being operated by a hand that grips the outer periphery of the steering body with all of its fingers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a handle device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed obliquely from the front right. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view showing a handle in a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a handle in a first embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is a perspective view seen from the rear diagonally right, and 1B is a side view seen from the right. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a shift device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which 1A is a perspective view seen from diagonally rear right, and 1B is a side view seen from the right. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a handle in a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a handle according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0025] The handle device 12 in this embodiment is installed in a vehicle (automobile), and the front, right and upper sides of the handle device 12 are directed obliquely upward rear, right and upward obliquely forward of the vehicle, respectively.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, the handle device 12 is provided with an installation base 14, which is installed in front of the driver's seat (not shown) of the vehicle. A substantially cylindrical handle column 16 (steering column) is provided at the upper end of the installation base 14, and the axial direction of the handle column 16 is in the front-to-rear direction. A substantially cylindrical handle shaft 18 (steering shaft, see Figs. 3A and 3B) is coaxially supported by the handle column 16, and the handle shaft 18 protrudes forward and is rotatable.

[0027] A steering wheel 20 (see FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B) serving as a steering element is supported on the front side of the steering wheel shaft 18. A boss 20A having a generally rectangular columnar shape is provided in the center of the steering wheel 20 as a central portion, with the axial direction of the boss 20A extending in the front-to-rear direction. A rim 20B having a generally U-shape in front view is provided on the outer periphery of the steering wheel 20 as an outer peripheral portion (grip portion), and the center in the left-to-right direction of the lower portion of the rim 20B is connected to the boss 20A. Spokes 20C and 20D each having a generally rectangular plate shape are provided between the upper end of the left side and the upper end of the right side of the rim 20B and the boss 20A, respectively, as connection portions, and the spokes 20C and 20D connect the rim 20B and the boss 20A. Spokes 20C and spokes 20D extend in a direction toward the rear as they move toward the center of the handlebars 20 in the left-right direction, and the front and rear surfaces of spokes 20C and spokes 20D are inclined in a direction toward the rear as they move toward the inside of the handlebars 20 in the left-right direction.

[0028] The rear side of the boss 20A is fixed to the steering shaft 18, and the vehicle is steered by rotating the steering wheel 20 in the circumferential direction and rotating the steering wheel shaft 18 integrally with the steering wheel 20. The steering wheel 20 is disposed in front of the vehicle occupant (driver) seated in the driver's seat, and the steering wheel 20 is rotated by the occupant by gripping the left and right sides of the rim 20B with their left and right hands, respectively.

[0029] The shift device 10 according to this embodiment is installed on the right side of the boss 20A of the handlebars 20 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B and 4A and 4B). The shift device 10 is provided with two operating bodies 22, each of which has a substantially long plate shape. The operating bodies 22 are arranged vertically at the center and bottom of the boss 20A, rearward of the rim 20B and the spokes 20D. The base end (left end) of each operating body 22 is supported within the boss 20A, and the tip end (right side) of each operating body 22 extends rightward from the right surface of the boss 20A.

[0030] The operating body 22 is paddle-shaped and can rotate (pivot) in the front-rear direction within a predetermined range around the base end portion. The operating body 22 is disposed in an initial position at the rear end of the predetermined range, and is rotated forward from the initial position to be disposed at the operating position.

[0031] The operating body 22 is inoperable because it cannot be touched by the right hand of the occupant gripping the right side of the rim 20B with all of his fingers, but the operating body 22 can be rotated by the fingers (index finger, middle finger, ring finger, or little finger) of the occupant's right hand gripping the right side of the rim 20B, which are extended toward the boss 20A. Furthermore, the rotation angle of the fingers when the operating body 22 is operated from the initial position to the operating position is set to a predetermined angle (for example, 20°).

[0032] The operating body 22 is biased toward the initial position, and when the operating force acting on the operating body 22 is released while the operating body 22 is being operated from the initial position, the operating body 22 is rotated (returned) to the initial position by the biasing force.

[0033] On the right side of the boss 20A, a long plate-shaped separator 30 is supported as a separation part between the upper operating body 22 (hereinafter referred to as the "upper operating body 22A") and the lower operating body 22 (hereinafter referred to as the "lower operating body 22B"). The separator 30 extends to the right to separate the upper operating body 22A and the lower operating body 22B, and protrudes to the right, front and rear of the upper operating body 22A and the lower operating body 22B.

[0034] The operating body 22 is electrically connected to a control device 24 of the vehicle, and the control device 24 is electrically connected to a transmission 26 (automatic transmission) of the vehicle (see FIG. 4(A)).

[0035] When the upper operating body 22A is operated from the initial position to the operating position and placed in the operating position for a first time (e.g., less than 1 second), the shift position of the transmission 26 is changed to the R position (reverse position) under the control of the control device 24.

[0036] When the lower operating body 22B is operated from the initial position to the operating position and placed at the operating position for a first time, the shift position of the transmission 26 is changed to the D position (drive position).

[0037] When the upper operating body 22A and the lower operating body 22B are simultaneously operated from the initial position to the operating position and are placed in the operating position for a second time (e.g., 1 second) longer than the first time, the shift position of the transmission 26 is changed to the N position (neutral position) under the control of the control device 24.

[0038] When the shift position of the transmission 26 is in the D position and the lower operating body 22B is operated from the initial position to the operating position and placed in the operating position for a second time, the driving mode of the vehicle is set to the auto-cruise mode (driving assistance mode) under the control of the control device 24. Furthermore, when the upper operating body 22A is operated from the initial position to the operating position and placed in the operating position for a first time, the set speed in the auto-cruise mode of the vehicle is increased under the control of the control device 24. On the other hand, when the lower operating body 22B is operated from the initial position to the operating position and placed in the operating position for the first time, the set speed in the auto-cruise mode of the vehicle is decreased under the control of the control device 24.

[0039] A substantially plate-shaped display panel 28 (see FIG. 2) serving as a display device and an operating device is provided in front of the right spoke 20D of the handlebars 20. The display panel 28 is a touch panel and is electrically connected to the control device 24. The right end (rim 20B side end) of the display panel 28 is a shift display unit 28A, which, under the control of the control device 24, lights up (colors) the shift position of the transmission 26 (the letters "R," "N," or "D"). A plurality of operating switches 28B are displayed to the left of the right end of the display panel 28 (toward the boss 20A). When the operating switches 28B are touched and operated, operating devices other than the vehicle's shift device 10 (for example, an air conditioner or audio) are operated under the control of the control device 24.

[0040] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0041] In the shift device 10 configured as described above, the multiple operating bodies 22 (upper operating body 22A and lower operating body 22B) are each rotated to change the shift position of the transmission 26. Also, the steering wheel 20 is rotated to steer the vehicle.

[0042] Here, the multiple operating bodies 22 are arranged on one side (the right side) of the handlebars 20. Therefore, the occupant can easily operate the multiple operating bodies 22 with one hand (the right hand). Moreover, even when the occupant rotates the handlebars 20 while maintaining a grip on the rim 20B of the handlebars 20, the occupant can operate the multiple operating bodies 22 with the same hand (the right hand), which reduces the risk of erroneous operation of the multiple operating bodies 22.

[0043] Additionally, the operating body 22 is disposed closer to the boss 20A than the rim 20B of the handle 20. This prevents the operating body 22 from being operated by the right hand of a passenger who grips the right side of the rim 20B with all of his or her fingers.

[0044] Furthermore, the fingers (index finger, middle finger, ring finger, or little finger) of the occupant's right hand other than the thumb gripping the right side of the rim 20B are extended toward the boss 20A, enabling the occupant to operate the operating body 22. This allows the occupant to easily operate the operating body 22.

[0045] Moreover, the operating body 22 is operated forward. Therefore, the occupant can extend the fingers of his or her right hand, other than the thumb, gripping the right side of the rim 20B toward the boss 20A and easily rotate the fingers forward, thereby easily operating the operating body 22. Furthermore, because the display panel 28 is disposed on the front side of the spoke 20D, when the occupant's right hand operates the operating body 22, the occupant's right hand can be prevented from unnecessarily touching and operating the operation switch 28B of the display panel 28.

[0046] Furthermore, the operating body 22 protrudes from the boss 20A, so that the occupant can easily grasp the position of the operating body 22 without having to visually check the operating body 22, and can easily operate the operating body 22.

[0047] Furthermore, the separator 30 separates the upper operating body 22A and the lower operating body 22B. Therefore, the occupant can distinguish between the upper operating body 22A and the lower operating body 22B by the separator 30 without visually checking the upper operating body 22A and the lower operating body 22B, and erroneous operation of the upper operating body 22A and the lower operating body 22B can be suppressed.

[0048] Furthermore, the multiple operating bodies 22 (upper operating body 22A and lower operating body 22B) are operated simultaneously to change the shift position of the transmission 26 to the N position. This eliminates the need to provide a separate operating body 22 for changing the shift position of the transmission 26 to the N position, simplifying the configuration.

[0049] Furthermore, the operating body 22 is disposed rearward of the rim 20B and spokes 20D of the handlebars 20. This prevents the operating body 22 from impairing the appearance of the handlebars 20 from the front.

[0050] [Second embodiment] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a handlebar 20 to which a shift device 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0051] The handle device 12 (including the shift device 50) in this embodiment has almost the same configuration as that in the first embodiment, but differs in the following respects.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, in a shift device 50 according to this embodiment, an operating body 22 (upper operating body 22A) and an operating body 22 (lower operating body 22B) are disposed above and below a spoke 20D on the right side of the handlebars 20. A base end (left end) of the operating body 22 is rotatably supported near the boss 20A of the spoke 20D, and a tip end (right side) of the operating body 22 extends rightward from the base end. The spoke 20D functions as a separating part in place of the separator 30 of the first embodiment. The spoke 20D separates the upper operating body 22A and the lower operating body 22B, and protrudes to the right, front, rear, and left of the upper operating body 22A and the lower operating body 22B.

[0053] Here, in this embodiment as well, except for the effects and advantages resulting from the operation body 22 being disposed rearward of the rim 20B and spokes 20D of the handlebar 20, the same effects and advantages as in the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0054] [Third embodiment] FIG. 6 shows a front view of a handlebar 20 to which a shift device 60 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0055] The handle 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.

[0056] 6, in the shift device 60 according to this embodiment, the upper operating body 22 (upper operating body 22A) and the lower operating body 22 (lower operating body 22B) are spaced apart in the vertical direction, and the tip side (right side) of the base end of the upper operating body 22A and the lower operating body 22B extends in an upward direction as it moves to the right. Another operating body 22 (hereinafter referred to as "middle operating body 22C") is disposed between the upper operating body 22A and the lower operating body 22B, and the middle operating body 22C has the same configuration as the upper operating body 22A and the lower operating body 22B.

[0057] Separators 30 are disposed between the upper operating body 22A and the middle operating body 22C and between the lower operating body 22B and the middle operating body 22C, and the separators 30 extend upward as they move to the right. The upper separator 30 separates the upper operating body 22A and the middle operating body 22C, and protrudes to the right, front, and rear of the upper operating body 22A and the middle operating body 22C, while the lower separator 30 separates the lower operating body 22B and the middle operating body 22C, and protrudes to the right, front, and rear of the lower operating body 22B and the middle operating body 22C.

[0058] The intermediate operating body 22C is electrically connected to the control device 24, and when the intermediate operating body 22C is operated from the initial position to the operating position and placed in the operating position for a first time, the shift position of the transmission 26 is changed to the N position under the control of the control device 24.

[0059] Here, this embodiment can also achieve the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

[0060] Furthermore, the upper operating body 22A is operated to change the shift position of the transmission 26 to the R position. Furthermore, the middle operating body 22C is operated to change the shift position of the transmission 26 to the N position. Furthermore, the lower operating body 22B is operated to change the shift position of the transmission 26 to the D position. Therefore, the shift position of the transmission 26 can be easily changed to the R position, N position, and D position.

[0061] In this embodiment, when the intermediate operating device 22C is operated from the initial position to the operating position and placed at the operating position for a first time, the shift position of the transmission 26 is changed to the N position under the control of the control device 24. However, when the intermediate operating device 22C (additional operating device) is operated from the initial position to the operating position and placed at the operating position for a second time with the shift position of the transmission 26 set to the D position, the driving mode of the vehicle may be set to the autocruise mode (driving assistance mode) under the control of the control device 24.

[0062] In the first to third embodiments, the operating body 22 is operated forward. However, the operating body 22 may be operated backward.

[0063] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments described above, the operating body 22 is disposed on the boss 20A or spoke 20D of the handlebars 20. However, the operating body 22 may be disposed on the handlebar column 16 as long as the front surface of the operating body 22 is disposed flush with or rearward of the front surface of the boss 20A or spoke 20D of the handlebars 20. Moreover, the operating body 22 may be disposed forward of the boss 20A or spoke 20D of the handlebars 20.

[0064] In the first to third embodiments, the plurality of operating bodies 22 are arranged on the right side (one side) of the handle 20. However, the plurality of operating bodies 22 may be arranged on the left side (one side) of the handle 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10···shift device, 20···handle (steering body), 20A···boss (center part), 20B···rim (outer periphery), 20C···spoke (connection part), 20D···spoke (connection part, separation part), 22···operation body, 22A···middle operation body (operation body), 22B···lower operation body (operation body), 22C···middle operation body (operation body, additional operation body), 26···transmission, 30···separator (separation part), 50···shift device, 60···shift device

Claims

1. The shift device is provided with a plurality of operating bodies arranged on one side, either the left or right side, of a steering body that is operated to steer the vehicle, and that are each operated to change the shift position of the vehicle's transmission.

2. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the operating body is operated in the fore-and-aft direction of the steering body.

3. The shift device according to claim 1 , further comprising a separation portion that separates the operating body from the operating member.

4. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said operating members are simultaneously operated to change the shift position of said transmission.

5. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the first operating body is operated to change the shift position of the transmission to a reverse position, the second operating body is operated to change the shift position of the transmission to a neutral position, and the third operating body is operated to change the shift position of the transmission to a drive position.

6. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, further comprising an additional operating body that is arranged on one side of the steering body where the operating body is arranged, and that is operated to change the driving mode of the vehicle.

7. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the operating bodies are disposed above and below a connecting portion between the central portion and the outer peripheral portion of the steering body.

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

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