Shifter

Abstract

To provide a shifter which can secure operability while improving the design of an interior of a passenger compartment.SOLUTION: A shifter 10 includes a display device 20 having a display screen 20A directed to the occupant side. The back side of the display device 20 is provided with an operation part which is operated to change a shift position of a transmission of a vehicle. Further, a display control unit 24A displays an operation state of the operation part on the display screen 20A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shift device in which an operating 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, a switching element provided on the handle body is operated to change the shift position of a vehicle transmission.

[0003] Here, a portion of this switching element extends above the handle body and is visible to the occupant. [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] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a shift device that can ensure operability while improving the interior design of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the shift device of the present invention includes a display device arranged in the vehicle cabin with a display screen facing the occupant, an operation unit provided on the back of the display device and operated to change the shift position of the vehicle's transmission, and a display control unit that displays the operation status of the operation unit on the display screen.

[0007] A second aspect of the shift device of the present invention is the shift device of the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising a detection unit that detects that the operating unit has been touched by an occupant, and the display control unit displays the operating status of the operating unit on the display screen when the detection unit detects that the operating unit has been touched by an occupant.

[0008] A third aspect of the shift device of the present invention is the shift device of the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the display control unit displays, on the display screen, position characters indicating each of the plurality of shift positions and operation unit images indicating the operation units, and changes relative positions of the position characters and the operation unit images to correspond to operations of the operation units.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the shift device of the present invention is the shift device of the third aspect of the present invention, further comprising a detection unit that detects that the operating unit has been touched by an occupant, and the display control unit displays, on the display screen, a finger image showing the finger of the occupant touching the operating unit, in contact with the operating unit image, based on the detection result of the detection unit.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the shift device of the present invention is a shift device of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, further comprising a permission unit that determines whether or not to permit a change in the shift position based on the vehicle speed and the operation state of the brakes, and the display control unit is configured to, when the permission unit permits the change of the shift position, display a confirmation input unit on the display screen to confirm that the occupant intends to change the shift position, and when the confirmation input unit is operated in a predetermined manner by the occupant, enable the shift position to be changed by operating the operation unit.

[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 display device is disposed on a steering element for steering a vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In a shift device according to a first aspect of the present invention, a display device is disposed in the vehicle interior, with the display screen facing the occupant. An operating unit provided on the rear side of the display device is operated to change the shift position of the vehicle's transmission, and a display control unit displays the operating status of the operating unit on the display screen. This ensures ease of use while improving the interior design of the vehicle.

[0013] In a shift device according to a second aspect of the present invention, a detection unit detects that an occupant has touched an operating unit. Furthermore, a display control unit causes a display screen to display the operating status of the operating unit when the detection unit detects that the occupant has touched the operating unit. Therefore, when the occupant touches the operating unit, the display screen can automatically display the operating status of the operating unit.

[0014] In the shift device of the third aspect of the present invention, position characters indicating each of a plurality of shift positions and operation unit images indicating the operation units are displayed on the display screen, and the relative positions of the position characters and the operation unit images are changed to correspond to the operation of the operation units, thereby making it possible to clearly show the operation state of the operation units and the shift positions.

[0015] In the shift device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the detection unit detects that the operating unit has been touched by an occupant, and the display control unit displays, on the display screen based on the detection result of the detection unit, an image of the occupant's finger touching the operating unit in contact with the operating unit image, thereby making it possible to more clearly show the operating state of the operating unit.

[0016] In a shift device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the permission unit determines whether to permit a change in the shift position based on the vehicle speed and the brake operation state. When the permission unit permits a change in the shift position, a confirmation input unit for confirming that the occupant intends to change the shift position is displayed on the display screen, and when the confirmation input unit is operated in a predetermined manner by the occupant, the shift position can be changed by operating the operating unit. This prevents the shift position from being changed even if the occupant accidentally touches the operating unit when they do not intend to change the shift position.

[0017] In a sixth aspect of the shift device of the present invention, the display device is disposed on a steering element for steering the vehicle, and an operating unit provided on the back side of the display device is operated to change the shift position of the vehicle transmission. This makes it possible to prevent the operating unit from being seen from the front side of the steering element, thereby improving the appearance from the front side of the steering element. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a handle device provided with a shift device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rider's side. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a handle device provided with a shift device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from diagonally rear right. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display screen when a vehicle power switch is turned on in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] 3 is a diagram showing a display screen when an operating unit is touched by an occupant in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3C] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when an operation unit is operated in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen when the shift position is in the drive position during driving in the modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] 4B is a diagram showing a display screen that is switched when an occupant touches the operation unit in the state of FIG. 4A. FIG. [Figure 4C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen when the shift position is in the reverse position during driving in the modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4D] 4D is a diagram showing a display screen that is switched when the operation unit is touched by an occupant in the state of FIG. 4C. FIG. [Figure 4E] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen when the shift lever is in the neutral position during driving in a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4F]FIG. 4F is a diagram showing a display screen that is switched when the operation unit is touched by an occupant in the state of FIG. 4E. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen when a vehicle power switch is turned on in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen when an operating unit is touched by an occupant in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when an operating unit is operated in the second embodiment of the present invention (when the shift position is in the D position). [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen when the shift position is in the drive position during driving in a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] 6B is a diagram showing a display screen that is switched when an occupant touches the operation unit in the state of FIG. 6A. FIG. [Figure 6C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen when the shift position is in the reverse position during driving in a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6D is a diagram showing a display screen that is switched when the operation unit is touched by an occupant in the state of FIG. 6C. [Figure 6E] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen when the shift lever is in the neutral position during driving in a modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6F] FIG. 6F is a diagram showing a display screen that is switched when the operation unit is touched by an occupant in the state of FIG. 6E. [Figure 7A] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display screen when a vehicle power switch is turned on in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7B] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when an operating unit is touched by an occupant in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7C] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when an operation unit is operated in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen when the shift position is in the drive position during driving in a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] 8B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen that is switched when an occupant touches an operation unit in the state of FIG. 8A. FIG. [Figure 8C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen when the shift position is in the reverse position during driving in a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8D] 8D is a diagram showing an example of a display screen that is switched when an occupant touches the operation unit in the state of FIG. 8C. FIG. [Figure 8E] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen when the shift lever is in the neutral position during driving in a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8F] 8F is a diagram showing an example of a display screen that is switched when the operation unit is touched by an occupant in the state of FIG. 8E. FIG. [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a first example regarding permission for a shift change. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second example regarding permission for a shift change. [Figure 9C] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third example regarding permission for a shift change. [Figure 9D] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a fourth example regarding permission for a shift change. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a first example regarding determination of a shift position. [Figure 11A] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second example of determining the shift position, showing a first screen state and the like. [Figure 11B] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second example of determining the shift position, showing a second screen state, etc.; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a steering wheel device 12 provided with a shift device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the occupant's side. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the steering wheel device 12 as viewed from the right rear. In the drawings, the front of the steering wheel device 12 (the near side as viewed from the occupant's side) is indicated by an arrow FR, the right of the steering wheel device 12 (the right side as viewed from the occupant's side) is indicated by an arrow RH, and the top of the steering wheel device 12 is indicated by an arrow UP. Hereinafter, when the front-rear, left-right, up-down directions are used in the description, they refer to directions relative to the steering wheel device 12, unless otherwise specified.

[0020] 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.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the handle device 12 is provided with a substantially cylindrical steering column 14. As an example, a meter display 17 is attached to the upper surface of the steering column 14. The axial direction of the steering column 14 is in the front-to-rear direction. The steering column 14 is provided at the upper end of an installation stand (not shown) installed in front of a driver's seat (not shown) of the vehicle. A substantially cylindrical steering shaft 16 (steering shaft) extending in the front-to-rear direction is disposed within the steering column 14. The steering shaft 16 protrudes forward and is rotatable about its axis.

[0022] A steering wheel 18 (steering wheel) serving as a steering element for steering the vehicle is supported on the front side of the steering wheel shaft 16. As shown in FIG. 1, a boss 18A having a generally rectangular columnar shape is provided in the center of the steering wheel 18, with the axial direction of the boss 18A extending in the front-to-rear direction. A rim 18B having a generally U-shape in front view is provided on the outer periphery of the steering wheel 18 as a grip. The central portion of the lower portion of the rim 18B in the left-to-right direction is connected to the boss 18A. Spokes 18C and 18D 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 18B and the boss 18A, respectively, as connection portions. The spokes 18C and 18D connect the rim 18B and the boss 18A. Spokes 18C and 18D extend in a direction toward the rear as they move toward the center of the handlebars 18 in the left-right direction, and the front and rear surfaces of spokes 18C and 18D are inclined in a direction toward the rear as they move toward the inside of the handlebars 18 in the left-right direction.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, a lever combination switch 19 is provided on the rear and lower side of the boss 18A. The rear side of the boss 18A is fixed to the steering shaft 16, and the steering shaft 16 rotates integrally with the steering wheel 18 when the steering wheel 18 is rotated in the circumferential direction, thereby steering the vehicle. The steering wheel 18 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle inside the passenger compartment, and is installed in front of the occupant (driver) seated in the driver's seat. The steering wheel 18 is rotated by the occupant by gripping the left and right sides of the rim 18B shown in Fig. 1 with the left and right hands of the occupant.

[0024] The shift device 10 according to this embodiment is installed on the right spoke 18D of the handlebar 18. The shift device 10 includes a display device 20 arranged on the right spoke 18D, with the display device 20 positioned so that a display screen 20A faces the passenger. The display device 20 is a liquid crystal display equipped with a touch panel that allows touch operation by the user (passenger).

[0025] The shift device 10 is provided with an operating section 22 shown in FIG. 2 on the back side of the display device 20. The operating section 22 is a knob portion of an operating unit 21, and is provided on the rear surface side of the spoke 18D. The operating unit 21 is an element that can be understood as a physical switch. A base end (front end) of the operating section 22 is supported within the spoke 18D, and a tip side (rear side) of the operating section 22 from the base end protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the spoke 18D.

[0026] As an example, the operating unit 22 is rotatable (pivotable) in the vertical direction within a predetermined range around its base end. The operating unit 22 is positionable at a home position (initial position) in the vertical center of the predetermined range. The operating unit 22 can be rotated upward from the home position (see arrow U1) to be positioned at an upper first position, and can be further rotated upward from the upper first position (see arrow U2) to be positioned at an upper second position. The operating unit 22 can also be rotated downward from the home position (see arrow D1) to be positioned at a lower first position, and can be further rotated downward from the lower first position (see arrow D2) to be positioned at a lower second position. The shift device 10 of this embodiment is a so-called stationary type, and the operating unit 22 is biased by a detent mechanism (not shown) so as to remain in each of the home position, upper first position, upper second position, lower first position, and lower second position when positioned therein. The operating portion 22 can be rotated by the occupant gripping the right side of the rim 18B and extending the fingers (index finger, middle finger, ring finger, or little finger) other than the thumb of the right hand.

[0027] The operation unit 21 is also electrically connected to a vehicle control device 24 (shown as a block in the figure). The control device 24 is provided with a microcomputer in which a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory (storage), etc. are connected via a bus, and required functional circuits (all of which are not shown). In the control device 24, the CPU reads out programs stored in the ROM and memory, and executes them while expanding them into the RAM, thereby realizing functions according to the programs. A vehicle transmission 26 (shown as a block in the figure) is electrically connected to this control device 24.

[0028] When the operating unit 22 is operated upward from the home position (see arrow U1) to be disposed in the upper first position, the shift position of the transmission 26 is changed to the N position (neutral position) under the control of the control device 24. When the operating unit 22 is operated upward from the upper first position (see arrow U2) to be disposed in the upper second position, the shift position of the transmission 26 is changed to the R position (reverse position) under the control of the control device 24. When the operating unit 22 is operated downward from the home position (see arrow D1) to be disposed in the lower first position, the shift position of the transmission 26 is changed to the N position (neutral position), and when the operating unit 22 is operated downward from the lower first position (see arrow D2) to be disposed in the lower second position, the shift position of the transmission 26 is changed to the D position (drive position) under the control of the control device 24.

[0029] The operation unit 22 is also provided with a detection unit 22A (shown as a block in the drawing for convenience) that detects when the operation unit 22 is touched by an occupant. A known contact sensor can be used for the detection unit 22A. The detection unit 22A is electrically connected to the control device 24.

[0030] 1 is electrically connected to a control device 24 (shown as a block in the figure). The control device 24 includes a display control unit 24A as a functional component, and the display control unit 24A displays the operation status of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) on the display screen 20A of the display device 20. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the display control unit 24A displays position characters 30P, 30N, 30D, and 30R indicating each of a plurality of shift positions and an operation unit image 32 indicating the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) on the display screen 20A, and changes the relative positions of the position characters 30P, 30N, 30D, and 30R and the operation unit image 32 to correspond to the operation of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2). To further explain, in this embodiment, the display control unit 24A changes the position of the operation unit image 32 to indicate its relationship with the shift position in response to the operation of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2).

[0031] The position character 30P is indicated by the letter "P" to indicate the P position, the position character 30N is indicated by the letter "N" to indicate the N position, the position character 30D is indicated by the letter "D" to indicate the D position, and the position character 30R is indicated by the letter "R" to indicate the R position. The position characters 30P, 30N, 30D, and 30R are displayed in the horizontal center of the display screen 20A. Although not shown, as an example, the shift position indicated by the position character 30P, 30N, 30D, or 30R that has been selected is displayed in a different color from the others. Furthermore, on the display screen 20A, a triangular symbol 34 is a directional indicator to help determine the direction of operation of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2).

[0032] In this embodiment, the operation unit image 32 is a horizontally elongated, approximately rectangular frame-shaped portion that simplifies the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2), and the inside of the frame-shaped portion is colored a different color from the background color. The operation unit image 32 is arranged so as to overlap one of the position characters 30P, 30N, 30D, and 30R, and is displayed so that the display of the overlapping object can be distinguished. In FIG. 3C, the operation unit image 32 in a state where the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) is in the lower second position is shown by a solid line, and for convenience, the operation unit image 32 in a state where the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) is in the lower first position is shown by a two-dot chain line. Note that the arrow X in the figure indicates the direction of movement of the operation unit image 32 when the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) moves from the home position to the lower second position via the lower first position, and is not displayed on the display screen 20A.

[0033] 2, when the detection unit 22A detects that the operation unit 22 has been touched by an occupant, the display control unit 24A of the control device 24 shown in FIG. 2 changes the display screen 20A shown in FIG. 3A to the display screen 20A shown in FIG. 3B, for example, and causes the display screen 20A to display the operation status of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2). Note that FIG. 3A is an example of the display state of the display screen 20A when the vehicle power switch 38 (see FIG. 1) is turned ON, and a dotted frame 33 is displayed, for example, around the outer periphery of the position character 30P indicating the selected shift position. When the detection unit 22A does not detect that the operation unit 22 has been touched by an occupant, the display control unit 24A may alternatively display the position characters 30P, 30N, 30D, and 30R and the triangular symbol 34 shown in FIG. 3A in a small size and at the edge, or alternatively, may display an audio volume control unit, various mode switches, etc. instead of the screen display shown in FIG. 3A.

[0034] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0035] In the shift device 10 configured as described above, the display screen 20A of the display device 20 shown in Fig. 1 arranged in the vehicle cabin faces the occupant. Also, an operation unit 22 shown in Fig. 2 provided on the back side of the display device 20 is operated to change the shift position of the vehicle's transmission 26, and a display control unit 24A causes the display screen 20A to display the operation status of the operation unit 22 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 1, the operation unit 22 is not visible to the occupant, improving the design of the vehicle cabin. In addition, the operation status display synchronized with the operation of the operation unit 22 can be confirmed on the display screen 20A, ensuring recognizability and operability.

[0036] 2 detects that the operation unit 22 has been touched by an occupant. When the detection unit 22A detects that the operation unit 22 has been touched by an occupant, the display control unit 24A changes the display of the display screen 20A shown in FIG. 3A to that shown in FIG. 3B, for example, and causes the display screen 20A to display the operation status of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when the operation unit 22 is touched by an occupant, the operation status of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) can be automatically displayed on the display screen 20A.

[0037] In this embodiment, position characters 30P, 30N, 30D, and 30R indicating each of a plurality of shift positions and an operation unit image 32 indicating the operation unit 22 are displayed on the display screen 20A, and the relative positions of the position characters 30P, 30N, 30D, and 30R and the operation unit image 32 are changed to correspond to the operation of the operation unit 22. This makes it possible to clearly show the operation state of the operation unit 22 and the shift position.

[0038] 1, in the shift device 10 of this embodiment, the display device 20 is disposed on the spoke 18D of the handlebar 18, and the operating unit 22 (see FIG. 2) is provided on the back side of the display device 20. This allows the handlebar 18 to look good from the front. Note that, as shown in FIG. 2, because the operating unit 22 is provided on the rear side of the spoke 18D, there is no need to change the position of the lever combination switch 19 provided on the lower side of the boss 18A.

[0039] [Modification of the first embodiment] A shift device 11 according to a modified example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4A to 4F while also using Figures 1 and 2. In the modified example of the first embodiment, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0040] In the first embodiment, the operating unit 22 shown in FIG. 2 can be moved upward from the home position in two steps and downward from the home position in two steps. However, in the modified example of the first embodiment, the operating unit 22 can be moved upward from the home position in only one step and downward from the home position in only one step. Furthermore, the shift device 11 (see FIGS. 4A to 4F) according to the modified example of the first embodiment is a so-called momentary type, in which the operating unit 22 is biased toward the home position. When the operating force acting on the operating unit 22 is released after the operating unit 22 has been operated from the home position, the biasing force causes the operating unit 22 to rotate (return) to the home position. Note that the operating unit 22 of the modified example of the first embodiment differs in configuration from the operating unit 22 of the first embodiment in the above-mentioned respects, but is otherwise similar. Therefore, for convenience, the same reference numerals will be used.

[0041] When the operating unit 22 of the modified first embodiment is located in the home position, the shift position of the transmission 26 is set to the N position (neutral position) under the control of the control device 24. When the operating unit 22 of the modified first embodiment is operated upward from the home position to be located in the upper position (first position), the shift position of the transmission 26 is changed to the R position (reverse position) under the control of the control device 24. When the operating unit 22 of the modified first embodiment is operated downward from the home position to be located in the lower position (second position), the shift position of the transmission 26 is changed to the D position (drive position) under the control of the control device 24. In the modified first embodiment, a P switch (parking switch, not shown) is provided, for example, in the periphery of the display screen 20A (see FIG. 4A, etc.) or on the back side of one of the spokes 18C and 18D (both see FIG. 1).

[0042] As shown in Fig. 4B, the display control unit 24A in the modification of the first embodiment displays, on the display screen 20A, position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R indicating each of a plurality of shift positions and an operation unit image 32 indicating an operation unit, and changes the relative positions of the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R and the operation unit image 32 so as to correspond to the operation of the operation unit 22 (see Fig. 2) as shown in Fig. 4B, 4D, and 4F. To provide a supplementary explanation, in the modification of the first embodiment, the display control unit 24A (see Fig. 2) changes the positions of the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 22 (see Fig. 2).

[0043] When the vehicle is being driven and the operating unit 22 (see FIG. 2) is not being touched by the occupant, the display control unit 24A (see FIG. 2) of the modified first embodiment displays the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R and the triangular symbol 34 small and at the edge, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4C, and 4E. At this time, a dotted frame 33, as an example, is displayed around the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R that indicate the selected shift position. When the detection unit 22A (see FIG. 2) detects that the operating unit 22 (see FIG. 2) has been touched by the occupant, the display control unit 24A (see FIG. 2) of the modified first embodiment switches the display of the display screen 20A shown in FIGS. 4A, 4C, and 4E to the display of the display screen 20A shown in FIGS. 4B, 4D, and 4F, and causes the display screen 20A to display the operation status of the operating unit 22 (see FIG. 2). Here, on the display screen 20A shown in FIGS. 4B, 4D, and 4F, the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R and the triangular symbol 34 are displayed large and in the center in the horizontal direction, and the operation unit image 32 is also displayed.

[0044] The above-described modified example of the first embodiment also provides the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

[0045] [Second embodiment] Next, a shift device 40 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5A to 5C while also using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 5A shows a display screen 20A when a vehicle power switch 38 (see Figure 1) is turned on in the second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5B shows a display screen 20A when an occupant touches an operating unit 22 (see Figure 2) in the second embodiment, and Figure 5C shows an example of the display screen 20A when an occupant operates an operating unit 22 (see Figure 2) in the second embodiment (when the shift position is in the D position).

[0046] As shown in Figures 5A to 5C, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an operation unit image 42 is displayed instead of the operation unit image 32 (see Figures 3A to 3C) of the first embodiment, and that the periphery of the operation unit image 42 lights up when the operation unit 22 (see Figure 2) is touched. The other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, except for the points described below. Therefore, components that are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0047] In the second embodiment, the position characters 30P, 30N, 30D, and 30R are displayed on one side (here, the left side) of the display screen 20A in the left-right direction. The operation unit image 42 is an image showing the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) and is an image depicting the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) as seen from a side. The operation unit image 42 is displayed as a part of the operation unit image 142, which includes a support unit image 43 that shows, in simplified form, the parts that support the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2). A triangle symbol 36 displayed near the operation unit image 42 indicates the direction in which the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) can be rotated. The display control unit 24A (see FIG. 2) of the second embodiment changes the relative positions of the position characters 30P, 30N, 30D, and 30R and the operation unit image 42 so as to correspond to the operation of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2), as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C. To provide a supplementary explanation, in this embodiment, the display control unit 24A rotates (turns) the operation unit image 42 in response to an operation of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) so as to indicate the relationship with the shift position.

[0048] Furthermore, when the detection unit 22A (see FIG. 2) detects that the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) has been touched by an occupant, the display control unit 24A (see FIG. 2) of the second embodiment changes the display of the display screen 20A shown in FIG. 5A to the display of the display screen 20A shown in FIG. 5B, and displays the operation state of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) on the display screen 20A. Here, on the display screen 20A shown in FIG. 5B, the periphery of the operation unit image 142 is illuminated by a backlight.

[0049] The second embodiment described above also provides the same functions and effects as the first embodiment described above.

[0050] [Modification of the second embodiment] A shift device 41 according to a modified example of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A to 6F while also using FIG. 2. In the modified example of the second embodiment, components that are substantially the same as those in the second embodiment are given the same reference numerals. The modified example of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the modified example of the first embodiment, except for the display form of the display screen 20A.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 6B, the display control unit 24A (see Fig. 2) of the modified second embodiment displays, on the display screen 20A, position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R indicating each of a plurality of shift positions and an operation unit image 142 including an operation unit image 42, and changes the relative positions of the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R and the operation unit image 42 so as to correspond to the operation of the operation unit 22 (see Fig. 2) as shown in Fig. 6B, 6D, and 6F. To provide a supplementary explanation, in the modified second embodiment, the display control unit 24A (see Fig. 2) changes the positions of the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 22 (see Fig. 2).

[0052] When the vehicle is being driven and the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) is not being touched by the occupant, the display control unit 24A (see FIG. 2) of the modified second embodiment displays the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R and the triangular symbol 34 small and at the edge, as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, and 6E. At this time, a dotted frame 33 is displayed around the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R that indicate the selected shift position. When the detection unit 22A detects that the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) has been touched by the occupant, the display control unit 24A (see FIG. 2) of the modified second embodiment switches the display of the display screen 20A from the state shown in FIGS. 6A, 6C, and 6E to the state shown in FIGS. 6B, 6D, and 6F, and causes the display screen 20A to display the operation state of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2). Here, on the display screen 20A shown in Figures 6B, 6D, and 6F, the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R and the triangular symbol 34 are displayed large, and the operation unit image 142 and the triangular symbol 36 are also displayed, and further, the area around the operation unit image 142 is illuminated by a backlight.

[0053] The above-described modified example of the second embodiment also provides the same functions and effects as the second embodiment.

[0054] [Third embodiment] Next, a shift device 50 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7A to 7C while also using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 7A shows a display screen 20A when a vehicle power switch 38 (see Figure 1) is turned on in the third embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7B shows a display screen 20A when an occupant touches an operating unit 22 (see Figure 2) in the third embodiment, and Figure 7C shows an example of the display screen 20A when an occupant operates the operating unit 22 (see Figure 2) in the third embodiment.

[0055] 7B and 7C, the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a finger image 52 showing the occupant's finger touching the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) is displayed on the display screen 20A. Other configurations of the third embodiment are substantially similar to those of the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, components substantially similar to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0056] The display control unit 24A (see Figure 2) of the third embodiment displays, on the display screen 20A, a finger image 52 representing the occupant's finger touching the operation unit 22 (see Figure 2) in contact with the operation unit image 32, as shown in Figures 7B and 7C, based on the detection result of the detection unit 22A (see Figure 2).

[0057] To provide a supplemental explanation, the display control unit 24A (see FIG. 2) of the third embodiment displays the finger image 52 only on the upper side of the operation unit image 32 when the detection unit 22A (see FIG. 2) detects that the occupant has touched only the upper side of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2), displays the finger image 52 only on the lower side of the operation unit image 32 when the detection unit 22A detects that the occupant has touched only the lower side of the operation unit 22, and displays the finger image 52 both on the upper and lower sides of the operation unit image 32 when the detection unit 22A detects that the occupant has touched both the upper and lower sides of the operation unit 22. The finger image 52 is given a color that is different from the background color and the color of the operation unit image 32. The finger image 52 is displayed so as to overlap with the position characters 30P, 30N, 30D, 30R, etc., and is displayed so that the overlapped objects can be distinguished.

[0058] Furthermore, when the detection unit 22A (see FIG. 2) detects that the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) has been touched by an occupant, the display control unit 24A (see FIG. 2) of the third embodiment changes the display of the display screen 20A shown in FIG. 7A to the display of the display screen 20A shown in FIG. 7B, for example, and causes the display screen 20A to display the operation state of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2). Here, the display screen 20A shown in FIG. 7B displays the operation unit image 32 and the finger image 52 in addition to the position characters 30P, 30N, 30D, and 30R and the triangle symbol 34.

[0059] The third embodiment described above also provides the same effects and advantages as the first embodiment. In addition, in the third embodiment, when the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) is touched by an occupant, a finger image 52 is displayed on the display screen 20A, so that the operation state of the operation unit 22 can be shown more clearly.

[0060] [Modification of the third embodiment] A shift device 51 according to a modification of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8F while also using FIG. 2. In the modification of the third embodiment, components that are substantially the same as those in the third embodiment are given the same reference numerals. The modification of the third embodiment has the same configuration as the modification of the first embodiment, except for the display form of the display screen 20A.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 8B, a display control unit 24A (see Fig. 2) in a modification of the third embodiment displays position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R indicating each of a plurality of shift positions, an operation unit image 32, and a finger image 52 on the display screen 20A, and changes the relative positions of the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R and the operation unit image 32 so as to correspond to the operation of the operation unit 22 (see Fig. 2) as shown in Fig. 8B, 8D, and 8F. To provide a supplementary explanation, in the modification of the third embodiment, the display control unit 24A (see Fig. 2) changes the positions of the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 22 (see Fig. 2).

[0062] When the vehicle is being driven and the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) is not being touched by the occupant, the display control unit 24A (see FIG. 2) of the modified third embodiment displays the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R and the triangular symbol 34 small and at the edge, as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8C, and 8E. Furthermore, when the detection unit 22A detects that the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) has been touched by the occupant, the display control unit 24A (see FIG. 2) of the modified third embodiment switches the display of the display screen 20A shown in FIGS. 8A, 8C, and 8E to the display of the display screen 20A shown in FIGS. 8B, 8D, and 8F, and displays the operation state of the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) on the display screen 20A. Here, the display screen 20A shown in FIGS. 8B, 8D, and 8F displays the position characters 30N, 30D, and 30R and the triangular symbol 34 large, and also displays the operation unit image 32 and the finger image 52.

[0063] The above-described modified example of the third embodiment also provides the same functions and effects as the third embodiment.

[0064] [Shift change permission] In order to prevent shift changes due to erroneous operation, the shift device may be provided with a mechanism for permitting shift changes, which will be described below, in addition to the configurations of the first to third embodiments, etc. Figures 9A to 9D are diagrams for explaining the mechanism for permitting shift changes, etc.

[0065] 9A to 9D, shift devices 60, 61, 62, and 63 are equipped with permission unit 24B that determines whether or not to permit a change in the shift position of transmission 26 based on the vehicle speed and the brake operation state. The vehicle is provided with vehicle speed detection unit 64 that detects the vehicle speed and brake detection unit 65 that detects the brake operation state, and permission unit 24B determines whether or not to permit a change in the shift position of transmission 26 based on the detection results of vehicle speed detection unit 64 and brake detection unit 65.

[0066] In a first example shown in FIG. 9A , when the permission unit 24B permits a change in the shift position of the transmission 26, the display control unit 24A displays a confirmation input unit 68 on the display screen 20A to confirm that the occupant intends to change the shift position. The confirmation input unit 68 is an area where the words "Shift Change" are surrounded by a dotted line, and is a user interface for touch operation, and is displayed, for example, on the upper end side of the display screen 20A. The shift device 60 is configured so that, when the confirmation input unit 68 is touched (predetermined operation) by the occupant, the shift position of the transmission 26 can be changed by operating the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2 ). In this shift device 60, when the confirmation input unit 68 is touched (predetermined operation) by the occupant, the display screen 20A is displayed, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A , FIG. 5A , etc.

[0067] The second example shown in Fig. 9B is an example configured such that, when the permission unit 24B permits a change in the shift position of the transmission 26 and when the occupant's finger UF touches the operating unit 22, the shift position of the transmission 26 can be changed by operating the operating unit 22. The third example shown in Fig. 9C is an example configured such that, when the permission unit 24B permits a change in the shift position of the transmission 26 and when the operating unit 22 is operated once downward (see arrow U1) or upward (see arrow U2), the shift position of the transmission 26 can be changed by operating the operating unit 22.

[0068] In a fourth example shown in FIG. 9D , when the permission unit 24B permits a change in the shift position of the transmission 26, the display control unit 24A causes the display screen 20A to display a confirmation input unit 70 for confirming that the occupant intends to change the shift position, a drive mode selection unit 72, and an audio selection unit 74. The confirmation input unit 70 is the area where the words "Shift Change" are enclosed by a dotted line, and is a user interface for flick operations. In the state shown in FIG. 9D , for example, the confirmation input unit 70 is displayed in the vertical middle of the display screen 20A. For example, two horizontal (rightward) arrows 76 for operation guidance are displayed to the right of the confirmation input unit 70, an upward arrow 77 for operation guidance is displayed above the drive mode selection unit 72, and a downward arrow 78 for operation guidance is displayed below the audio selection unit 74. Shift device 63 is configured so that when the occupant flicks confirmation input unit 70 in the direction of arrow 76 (predetermined operation), the shift position of transmission 26 can be changed by operating operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2). In this shift device 63, when the occupant flicks confirmation input unit 70 (predetermined operation), display screen 20A is displayed as shown in, for example, FIG. 3A or FIG. 5A.

[0069] [Regarding shift position determination] Furthermore, a mechanism for determining the shift position, which will be described below, may be incorporated into the configurations of the first to third embodiments, etc. Figures 10, 11A, and 11B show diagrams for explaining examples of mechanisms for determining the shift position of shift devices 80 and 81.

[0070] In a first example, as shown in Fig. 10, when the operating unit 22 (see Fig. 2) is operated, the display control unit 24A of the shift device 80 displays a confirmation input unit 82 on the display screen 20A to confirm whether or not to confirm the shift position. The confirmation input unit 82 includes a large portion showing a position character ("D" in Fig. 10) indicating the shift position to be changed and the word "Touch" below it, and is intended for touch operation. The shift device 10 is configured so that when the confirmation input unit 82 is touch-operated by the occupant, the confirmation unit 24C (shown as a block in the figure) of the control device 24 confirms the change in the shift position of the transmission 26.

[0071] In the second example, when a predetermined long operation (operation in which the finger is not moved for a predetermined time after operation) is performed on the operating unit 22 (see FIG. 2), the confirmation unit 24D (shown as a block in the figure) of the control device 24 confirms the change in the shift position of the transmission 26 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. When the operating unit 22 (see FIG. 2) is operated for a predetermined time, the display control unit 24A of the shift device 81 changes the display state of the display screen 20A in the order of FIGS. 11A and 11B. In the state shown in FIG. 11A, the background color of the display screen 20A changes from one direction (the right side in this case). In the state shown in FIG. 11B, the background color of the display screen 20A is unified and a position character ("R" in FIG. 11B) indicating the changed shift position is displayed in a large size. The timing at which the state shown in FIG. 11B is reached is set to coincide with the timing at which the shift position of the transmission 26 is confirmed. When the state shown in FIG. 11B is reached, the occupant can confirm that the shift position of the transmission 26 has been confirmed.

[0072] [Other modifications, etc.] 1, the display device 20 of the shift device 10 is disposed on the steering wheel 18. However, as a modification of the embodiment, the display device of the shift device may be disposed on, for example, a protruding member that protrudes laterally from the steering column 14. In another modification, the display device of the shift device may be disposed on, for example, a part of the instrument panel, on the back side of which an operating unit can be arranged for operation.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) is a rotatable (pivotable) knob, but the operation unit may be something other than the knob, such as an electrostatic switch.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the display control unit 24A displays the operation status of the operation unit 22 on the display screen 20A when the detection unit 22A (see FIG. 1) detects that the operation unit 22 (see FIG. 2) has been touched by an occupant. However, as a variation of the above embodiment, the display control unit (24A) may be configured to display the operation status of the operation unit (22) on the display screen (20A) when, for example, a predetermined switch is operated.

[0075] The above-described embodiment and the above-described modifications can be implemented in appropriate combinations.

[0076] The above describes one example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modified forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10, 11... Shift device, 18... Handle (steering element), 20... Display device, 20A... Display screen, 22A... Detection unit, 24A... Display control unit, 24B... Permission unit, 26... Transmission, 30D, 30N, 30P, 30R... Position characters, 32... Operation unit image, 40, 41... Shift device, 42... Operation unit image, 50, 51... Shift device, 52... Finger image, 60, 61, 62, 63... Shift device, 68... Confirmation input unit, 70... Confirmation input unit, 80, 81... Shift device

Claims

1. a display device disposed in the vehicle interior with a display screen facing the occupant; an operation unit provided on the back side of the display device, which is operated to change the shift position of a transmission of the vehicle; a display control unit that displays an operation state of the operation unit on the display screen; A shift device comprising:

2. a detection unit that detects that the operation unit has been touched by an occupant, The shift device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit causes the display screen to display an operation state of the operation unit when the detection unit detects that the operation unit has been touched by an occupant.

3. 2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays, on the display screen, position characters indicating each of the plurality of shift positions and operation unit images indicating the operation units, and changes relative positions of the position characters and the operation unit images to correspond to operations of the operation units.

4. a detection unit that detects that the operation unit has been touched by an occupant, 4. The shift device according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit displays, on the display screen, a finger image showing the occupant's finger touching the operation unit in contact with the operation unit image, based on the detection result of the detection unit.

5. a permission unit that determines whether or not to permit the shift position change based on a vehicle speed and a brake operation state; the display control unit, when the permission unit permits the change of the shift position, causes a confirmation input unit to be displayed on the display screen for confirming that the occupant intends to change the shift position, The shift device according to claim 1 , wherein the shift position can be changed by operating the operating unit when the confirmation input unit is operated in a predetermined manner by an occupant.

6. The shift device according to claim 1 , wherein the display device is disposed on a steering element for steering a vehicle.

Images