Shift device

Abstract

The objective is to provide a shift device that prevents accidental gear changes when the shift switch is accidentally touched. [Solution] The shift device comprises a first support member 2 fixed to the vehicle and a movable part 3 supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The movable part 3 comprises a swingable arc member 4, a second support member 5, and a guide shaft 7 that connects the second support member 5 to the first support member 2 so as to be slidable only in the front-rear direction. When one operating surface 4a of the arc member 4 is pressed, the arc member 4 swings, and the first surface 4c1 and the stepped portion 4c3 of the other notch 9 of the arc member 4 move above the upper surface 2a of the first support member 2. This releases the restriction on the movement of the movable part 3 in the front-rear direction, and the entire movable part 3 slides in the front-rear direction with the convex portion 5b of the second support member 5 and the inner wall 4f1 of the concave portion 4f of the arc member 4 in contact. As a result, it becomes possible to switch between the reverse mode and the forward mode of the transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shift device for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] With the spread of electric vehicles (mainly BEVs), a vehicle shift device called the "momentary" method is becoming the mainstream. The momentary method is a method in which when the driver releases their hand from the shift lever after performing a shift operation, the shift lever automatically returns to the home position while maintaining the shifted range. Shift devices using the momentary method have been widely adopted in all ranges of automobiles (EVs, hybrid vehicles, vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines, etc.).

[0003] As one of the mainstream operation methods of a shift device adopting the momentary method, for example, in Patent Document 1, when a shift member is disposed at a reference position, the range of the transmission is not changed or is changed to a neutral range where no driving force is transmitted to the vehicle, and when the shift member is slid forward to a forward shift position in front of the reference position, the transmission is changed to a forward range, and conversely, when the shift member is slid backward to a reverse shift position behind the reference position, the transmission is changed to a reverse range. A shift device having such a structure is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A shift device with the characteristics described above presents the following problems. First, because the shift member can only slide in the forward and backward direction, there is a risk that the transmission may accidentally switch from the neutral range to the forward or reverse range if the hand accidentally touches the shift member. Furthermore, if a lock release button is added to the shift component to prevent accidental range switching due to unintentional touching, and a mechanism is implemented so that the range cannot be switched unless the button is pressed, the size and weight of the shift device will increase. Therefore, there are concerns that the layout flexibility of the shift device will be reduced.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a shift device that can prevent the range from being accidentally switched when the shift switch is accidentally touched. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a shift device for changing the forward and backward drive of a transmission mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a first support member fixed to the vehicle; and a movable part supported by the first support member so as to be movable in the forward and backward directions of the vehicle, wherein the first support member has a support surface that abuts against and supports the movable part, the support surface is formed in an arc shape that abuts against the movable part so that the movable part can swing in the forward and backward directions when one end of the movable part in the forward and backward directions is pressed downward, and the movable part has a shape that extends in an arc shape so as to be convex downward. An arc member having two outer arc surfaces facing the support surface of the first support member and an inner arc surface positioned inside the outer arc surfaces, and a swingable arc member along the support surface; a second support member that contacts the inner arc surface of the arc member and supports the arc member from the inside; and a guide shaft that connects the second support member to the first support member so as to be slidable only in the front-rear direction, wherein the guide shaft has a cross-sectional shape extending in the front-rear direction and is inserted into an elongated hole or groove extending in the front-rear direction formed in the first support member and rotates together with the second support member. The second support member is slidable in the front-rear direction while restricted, and has an arcuate surface tangent to the inner arcuate surface and at least one protrusion projecting from the arcuate surface, the arcuate member has at least one recess formed on the inner arcuate surface to accommodate the protrusion and to allow a gap between the protrusion and the inner wall in the swinging direction of the arcuate member, the arcuate member has two operating surfaces at both ends in the front-rear direction that are located above the upper surface of the first support member and can receive pressing force from external operation, and each of the two outer arcuate surfaces In this, a notch is formed such that a gap is formed between the support surface of the first support member and the operating surface below the operating surface, and the notch is composed of a first surface adjacent to the operating surface, a second surface positioned on the opposite side of the operating surface with respect to the first surface and closer to the inner arc surface than the first surface, and a stepped portion formed between the first surface and the second surface, and when one of the operating surfaces of the arc member is pressed, the first surface of one of the notches comes into contact with the support surface of the first support member, and the arc member swings along the length of the gap between the convex portion and the inner wall of the concave portion.Furthermore, the first surface and the stepped portion of the other notch move upward from the upper surface of the first support member, thereby releasing the restriction on the movement of the movable portion in the front-rear direction. This allows the entire movable portion to slide in the front-rear direction while the convex portion and the inner wall of the concave portion are in contact, thereby enabling the transmission to switch between reverse and forward modes.

[0008] The shift device having the above configuration includes a combination of an arc-shaped member that can swing when the movable part receives a pressing force on the operating surface and a second support member that can slide only in the front-rear direction.

[0009] As a result, when shifting is performed, if one operating surface of the arc-shaped member is pressed, the arc-shaped member swings by the length of the gap between the convex portion and the inner wall of the concave portion. Furthermore, the first surface and step of the other notch portion move upward above the upper surface of the first support member. This releases the restriction on the movement of the movable part in the front-rear direction. Then, with the convex portion and the inner wall of the concave portion in contact, the entire movable part slides in the front-rear direction, making it possible to switch between the reverse mode and the forward mode of the transmission.

[0010] Therefore, by combining the swinging operation of the arc-shaped member with the subsequent forward and backward movement operation of the entire movable part, it is possible to prevent accidental switching of the range when the movable part, which is the operating part, is accidentally touched.

[0011] In the shift device described above, it is preferable that the second support member has a guide groove or guide hole extending in the vertical direction, and the movable part further comprises a push-down member that is guided by the guide groove or guide hole and can move downward by a push-down operation.

[0012] With this configuration, the movable part further includes a downward-movable pressing member, which enables switching to a mode other than the reverse mode and forward mode of the transmission (for example, a neutral mode) by pressing the two operating surfaces on both the front and rear sides of the arc-shaped member.

[0013] In the above-described shift device, it is preferable that the device further includes a magnet attached to the movable part and a magnetic sensor attached to the first support member for detecting changes in magnetic force caused by displacement of the position of the magnet.

[0014] With this configuration, a magnetic sensor attached to the first support member detects the change in the magnetic force of the magnet caused by the displacement of the magnet on the movable part side, making it possible to magnetically detect the positions of the magnet and the movable part. As a result, a mechanical switch is not required, and therefore no extra operating force is needed.

[0015] In the above-described shift device, it is preferable that the first support member is further provided with a pair of elastic members that apply a biasing force to the movable part from the front-rear direction so that the movable part returns to its initial position when the operating force on the operating surface is removed after the movable part has been slid in the front-rear direction.

[0016] With this configuration, since a pair of elastic members are provided to apply a biasing force to the movable part from the front and rear directions, the vehicle driver does not need to perform an operation to return the movable part to its initial position after shifting gears.

[0017] In the shift device described above, it is preferable that the movable part further includes an elastic member for returning the arc member, which applies a biasing force to the arc member to return it to its initial position when the pressing force on the arc member against the operating surface of the arc member is removed.

[0018] According to such a configuration, when the pressing force on the operating surface of the arc member disappears, the arc member can be automatically returned to the initial position by the biasing force of the elastic member for returning the arc member. Moreover, the structure for returning is simple.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] As described above, according to the shift device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the range from being accidentally switched when an unexpected touch is made on the shift switch.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a side view of the state where the first support member of the shift device in FIG. 1 is cut in the front-rear direction. [Figure 3] It is a partially enlarged perspective view showing an arc member, a second support member, a depressing member, and a guide shaft that constitute a movable part in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the arc member, the second support member, and the depressing member in FIG. 3 cut in the front-rear direction and viewed obliquely from the side. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view of the state where the arc member, the second support member, and the depressing member in FIG. 3 are cut in the width direction and viewed from the front-rear direction. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the state where the movable part in FIG. 2 is in the neutral position. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the state where the operating surface behind the arc member of the movable part in FIG. 6 is pressed, the arc member swings, and the restriction on the front-rear movement of the movable part is released. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the state where the entire movable part slides forward in a state where the convex part and the inner wall of the concave part are in contact with each other when the rear operating surface in FIG. 7 is pressed. [Figure 9] It is a side view in which a magnet is attached to the side wall part of the depression in FIG. 2. [Figure 10]This is an explanatory diagram showing a structure in which the position of the pressing member to which the magnet shown in Figure 9 is attached is detected by a magnetic sensor provided on the first support member using a change in magnetic force. [Figure 11] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the gear shift modes corresponding to the movement of the magnet: Home position "H", Forward mode "D", Reverse mode "R", and Neutral mode "N". [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Hereinafter, a shift device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shift device 1 is a device that changes the drive in the longitudinal direction X of the transmission mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle (EV) by shifting between forward mode D and reverse mode R. In this embodiment, the explanation will be based on the longitudinal direction X and the width direction Y of the vehicle.

[0023] The shift device 1 comprises a base-shaped first support member 2 fixed to a console panel or the like in the vehicle interior, and a movable part 3 that is supported by the first support member 2 so as to be movable in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X.

[0024] The first support member 2 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped member that serves as a base for supporting the movable part 3. The first support member 2 has an upper surface 2a, a semicircular recess 2b in the center of the upper surface 2a in the front-rear direction X, and a pair of side walls 2d extending upward from the upper ends on both sides in the width direction Y of the recess 2b.

[0025] A support surface 2c is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the recess 2b, which contacts the movable part 3 (specifically, the arc-shaped member 4 described later) and supports the movable part 3.

[0026] The support surface 2c is formed in an arc shape that contacts the movable part 3 so that when one end of the movable part 3 in the front-rear direction X (operating surfaces 4a and 4b, described later) is pressed downward, the arc member 4 of the movable part 3 can swing in the front-rear direction X.

[0027] Furthermore, a pair of side walls 2d have elongated holes 2e extending in the front-rear direction X. The elongated holes 2e guide the guide shaft 7, which will be described later, in the front-rear direction X.

[0028] Furthermore, on both sides of the recess 2b in the first support member 2 in the front-rear direction X, there are housing holes 2f for accommodating the elastic member 13 and the ball 14, which will be described later.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1-5, the movable part 3 comprises an arc member 4, a second support member 5, a guide shaft 7, and a pressing member 6.

[0030] The arc member 4 is a pivotable member having a shape that extends in an arc shape so as to be convex downwards. Most of the arc member 4, excluding both ends in the front-rear direction X, is housed in the recess 2b of the first support member 2. The arc member 4 has two outer arc surfaces 4c facing the support surface 2c of the first support member 2 and an inner arc surface 4d positioned inside the outer arc surfaces 4c. The arc member 4 is pivotable in the front-rear direction X along the support surface 2c of the first support member 2. Although the lower end surface 4h of the arc member 4 in Figure 2 is a flat surface, it may be an arc surface continuous with the outer arc surfaces 4c.

[0031] The arc member 4 has two operating surfaces 4a and 4b at both ends in the front-rear direction X, which are positioned (protruding) above the upper surface 2a of the first support member 2 and capable of receiving pressing force from external operation.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the operating surfaces 4a and 4b are slightly inclined downwards in the longitudinal direction X as they move away from the second support member 5 in their initial position where they are not subjected to any pressing force. This makes it easier for the driver to smoothly and continuously perform the oscillation of the arc member 4 and the sliding motion of the entire movable part 3 in the longitudinal direction X simply by pushing down on the operating surfaces 4a and 4b in the normal direction (from directly in front). Although it is possible to continuously perform the oscillation of the arc member 4 and the sliding motion of the entire movable part 3 even if the operating surfaces 4a and 4b extend horizontally in their initial positions in Figures 2 and 6, the slight inclination as described above is preferable for smooth continuous operation.

[0033] A notch 9 is formed in each of the two outer arcuate surfaces 4c such that a gap 8 is formed between the support surface 2c of the first support member 2 and the operating surfaces 4a and 4b below the operating surfaces 4a and 4b.

[0034] The outer arc surface 4c has a first surface 4c1 adjacent to the operating surfaces 4a and 4b, a second surface 4c2 positioned on the opposite side of the operating surfaces 4a and 4b with respect to the first surface 4c1 and closer to the inner arc surface 4d than the first surface 4c1, and a stepped portion 4c3 formed between the first surface 4c1 and the second surface 4c2.

[0035] The notch portion 9 is composed of the first surface 4c1, the second surface 4c2, and the stepped portion 4c3 (more specifically, the stepped portion 4c3 and its surrounding area) of the outer arc surface 4c.

[0036] The second support member 5 is a member that can move in a straight line in the front-rear direction X, and is in contact with the inner arc surface 4d of the arc member 4, supporting the arc member 4 from the inside.

[0037] The second support member 5 has a lower arcuate surface 5a that extends downward in an arc shape and is in contact with the inner arcuate surface 4d, and at least one (in this embodiment, two spaced apart in the front-rear direction X) convex portion 5b that protrudes from the lower arcuate surface 5a.

[0038] As a structure corresponding to the above-mentioned protrusion 5b, the arc member 4 has at least one recess 4f (two recesses spaced apart in the front-rear direction X in this embodiment) formed on the inner arc surface 4d to accommodate the protrusion 5b and to allow a gap between the protrusion 5b and the inner wall 4f1 (see Figure 2) in the direction of oscillation of the arc member 4. As shown in Figure 2, the distance between the pair of inner walls 4f1 of the recess 4f in the direction of oscillation of the arc member 4 is set to be greater than the width of the protrusion 5b. As a result, the protrusion 5b has a gap between itself and the inner wall 4f1 within the recess 4f, and is therefore able to move between the pair of inner walls 4f1.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3-5, a pair of guide grooves 5c extending in the vertical direction Z are formed on the outer surfaces of both sides in the width direction Y of the second support member 5 to guide the pressing member 6 (specifically, the side wall portion 6a) in the vertical direction Z. Alternatively, guide holes for guiding the pressing member 6 in the vertical direction Z may be formed in the second support member 5 instead of the guide grooves 5c.

[0040] Furthermore, a widthwise groove 5d is formed on the upper surface of the second support member 5, extending in the width direction Y and communicating with a pair of guide grooves 5c. The top plate portion 6b of the pressing member 6 is housed in the widthwise groove 5d.

[0041] Furthermore, the second support member 5 has a guide shaft hole 5e that penetrates in the width direction Y. The guide shaft hole 5e is a through hole with a cross-sectional shape (approximately oval or elliptical) that is elongated in the front-to-back direction X.

[0042] The guide shaft 7 connects the second support member 5 to the first support member 2 so that it can slide only in the front-rear direction X.

[0043] Specifically, the guide shaft 7 is a rod-shaped member having a cross-sectional shape (a roughly oval or elliptical shape corresponding to the guide shaft hole e described above) that extends in the front-rear direction X. The guide shaft 7 is fitted into the guide shaft hole 5e of the second support member 5 and inserted into an elongated hole 2e formed in the first support member 2 that extends in the front-rear direction X. As a result, the guide shaft 7 is guided in the front-rear direction X by the elongated hole 2e and can slide in the front-rear direction X together with the second support member 5 while its rotation is restricted.

[0044] In addition, a groove may be formed in the first support member 2 instead of the elongated hole 2e in order to guide the guide shaft 7 in the front-rear direction X.

[0045] Furthermore, the guide shaft 7 may be formed integrally with the second support member 5.

[0046] The pressing member 6 is a member that can be moved downward by being guided into the guide groove 5c or guide hole of the second support member 5 by a pressing operation.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the pressing member 6 of this embodiment has a pair of side wall portions 6a extending in the vertical direction Z and a top plate portion 6b extending in the width direction Y and connecting the upper ends of the pair of side wall portions 6a. Therefore, the overall shape of the pressing member 6 as viewed from the front-rear direction X in Figure 5 is a U-shape that opens downwards.

[0048] Each of the pair of side wall portions 6a is inserted into a guide groove 5c extending in the vertical direction Z of the second support member 5 and is guided to move in the vertical direction Z. The side wall portion 6a has an elongated hole 6c that is long in the vertical direction Z into which the guide shaft 7 is inserted.

[0049] When the pressing member 6 is pressed against the top plate portion 6b by an external operation, it moves downward, enabling the transmission to be switched from the home position "H" to the neutral mode "N" (see Figure 11). Furthermore, an elastic member (not shown), such as a leaf spring, is positioned between the top plate portion 6b and the bottom surface of the widthwise groove 5d of the second support member 5 to push the pressing member 6 upward. Therefore, when the operating force on the pressing member 6 is removed, the biasing force of the elastic member allows it to return to its initial position.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shift device 1 of this embodiment is further equipped with a pair of elastic members 13 that apply a biasing force to the movable part 3 from the front-rear direction X so that the movable part 3 returns to its initial position when the operating force on the operating surfaces 4a and 4b is removed after the sliding operation of the movable part 3. The pair of elastic members 13 are made of coil springs or the like and are housed together with balls 14 in the housing holes 2f on both sides of the recess 2b in the first support member 2 in the front-rear direction X. The pair of balls 14 push the outer arc surface 4c (specifically, the second surface 4c2) of the arc member 4 of the movable part 3 from the front-rear direction X due to the biasing force of the pair of elastic members 13. As a result, the movable part 3 can automatically return to its initial position due to the biasing force of the elastic members 13 after a sliding operation in the front-rear direction X.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the movable part 3 of this embodiment further includes an elastic member 15 for returning the arc member to its initial position, which applies a biasing force to the arc member 4 when the pressing force on the operating surfaces 4a and 4b of the arc member 4 is removed. The elastic member 15 for returning the arc member to its initial position is housed together with the push rod 16 in a housing hole 5f formed to extend vertically Z from the lowest end of the lower arc surface 5a of the second support member 5.

[0052] The push rod 16 is fitted into a mortar-shaped (inverted cone-shaped) recess 4g formed at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction X on the inner arc surface 4d of the arc member 4 by the biasing force of the elastic member 15. As shown in Figure 7, when either of the pair of operating surfaces 4a and 4b is pressed and the arc member 4 swings, the push rod 16 is positioned off-center from the recess 4g. However, when the operating force on the operating surfaces 4a and 4b is removed, the biasing force of the elastic member 15 causes the push rod 16 to push against the inner surface of the recess 4g, which automatically returns the arc member 4 to the initial position shown in Figure 6.

[0053] In the shift device 1 configured as described above, when one of the pair of operating surfaces 4a and 4b of the arc member 4, the operating surface 4a on the rear side X2 of the vehicle (the operating surface 4a for forward mode D shown in Figure 1), is pressed, as shown in Figure 7, the first surface 4c1 of the notch 9 on the operating surface 4a side comes into contact with the support surface 2c of the first support member 2, and the arc member 4 swings over the length of the gap 8 between the convex portion 5b and the inner wall 4f1 of the concave portion 4f. Furthermore, the first surface 4c1 and the stepped portion 4c3 of the notch 9 on the other operating surface 4b side move upward from the upper surface 2a of the first support member 2. This releases the restriction on the movement of the movable part 3 in the front-rear direction X.

[0054] Then, as shown in Figure 8, the entire movable part 3 slides forward X1 of the vehicle with the convex part 5b and the inner wall 4f1 of the concave part 4f in contact, making it possible to switch the transmission to forward mode D. The movable part 3 stops sliding forward X1 when the second surface 4c2 of the outer arc surface 4c on the other operating surface 4b side of the arc member 4 comes into contact with the support surface 2c of the first support member 2.

[0055] Similarly, when the operating surface 4b on the front side X1 of the vehicle (the operating surface 4b for reverse mode R shown in Figure 1) is pressed from the initial position (home position H) in Figure 6, the first surface 4c1 of the notch 9 on the operating surface 4b side comes into contact with the support surface 2c of the first support member 2, and the arc member 4 swings along the length of the gap 8 between the convex portion 5b and the inner wall 4f1 of the concave portion 4f. Furthermore, the first surface 4c1 and the stepped portion 4c3 of the notch 9 on the other operating surface 4a side move upward from the upper surface 2a of the first support member 2. This releases the restriction on the movement of the movable part 3 in the front-rear direction X. Then, with the convex portion 5b and the inner wall 4f1 of the concave portion 4f in contact, the entire movable part 3 slides toward the rear X2 of the vehicle, making it possible to switch the transmission to reverse mode R.

[0056] Furthermore, by pressing down the push-down member 6 from the initial position (home position H) in Figure 6, that is, by moving the push-down member 6 downwards from the home position H in Figures 1 and 6, it becomes possible to switch the transmission to the neutral mode N.

[0057] The shift device 1 of this embodiment includes a magnet 11 attached to the movable part 3 (specifically the push-down member 6) and a magnetic sensor 12 attached to the first support member 2, as shown in Figures 9 to 11, so that the above-mentioned switching operations (i.e., the switching operations from the home position H to forward mode D, reverse mode R, and neutral mode N) can be detected with a simple configuration.

[0058] At least one magnetic sensor 12 is sufficient to detect the change in magnetic force caused by the displacement of the magnet 11. However, as shown in Figure 10, if sensors are provided at positions corresponding to the three positions during the switching operation of the push-down member 6 to forward mode D, reverse mode R, and neutral mode N, accurate detection of the magnet 11's position (i.e., accurate detection of which mode the switching operation is performed to) is possible.

[0059] (Features of this embodiment)

[0060] (1) In the shift device 1 of this embodiment, the movable part 3 has a configuration that combines an arc member 4 that can swing when pressed against the operating surfaces 4a and 4b, and a second support member 5 that can slide only in the front-rear direction X.

[0061] As a result, when a shift operation is performed, if one of the operating surfaces 4a, 4b of the arc-shaped arc member 4 is pressed, the arc member 4 swings over the length of the gap 8 between the convex portion 5b and the inner wall 4f1 of the concave portion 4f. Furthermore, the first surface 4c1 and the stepped portion 4c3 of the notch 9 on the other side of the operating surfaces 4a, 4b move upward from the upper surface 2a of the first support member 2. This releases the restriction on the movement of the movable part 3 in the front-rear direction X. Then, with the convex portion 5b and the inner wall 4f1 of the concave portion 4f in contact, the entire movable part 3 slides in the front-rear direction X, making it possible to switch between the reverse mode and the forward mode of the transmission.

[0062] Therefore, by combining the swinging operation of the arc member 4 with the subsequent X-axis movement operation of the entire movable part 3 in the front-rear direction, it is possible to prevent accidental switching of the range when the movable part 3 (specifically the arc member 4), which is the operating part, is accidentally touched.

[0063] (2) In the shift device 1 of this embodiment, the second support member 5 has a guide groove 5c or guide hole extending in the vertical direction Z. The movable part 3 further includes a push-down member 6 that is guided by the guide groove 5c or guide hole by a push-down operation and moves downward to switch the transmission to the neutral mode.

[0064] With this configuration, the movable part 3 is further equipped with a downward-movable push-down member 6, which enables a mode other than the switching operation between the reverse mode and the forward mode of the transmission by pressing the two operating surfaces 4a and 4b on both the front and rear sides of the arc member 4, for example, a switching operation to the neutral mode.

[0065] The forward and reverse shift operations and operating directions are different, and by pressing down the push-down member 6, a switch to a different mode is activated in a single, forceful motion, making it possible to quickly shift the movable part 3 to the neutral position. Furthermore, it is possible to require the driver to perform different operations for neutral, reverse, and forward movements of the movable part 3.

[0066] (3) The shift device 1 of this embodiment further includes a magnet 11 attached to the movable part 3 (specifically, the pressing member 6), and at least one magnetic sensor 12 attached to the first support member 2, which detects changes in magnetic force caused by the displacement of the position of the magnet 11.

[0067] With this configuration, the magnetic sensor 12 attached to the first support member 2 detects the change in the magnetic force of the magnet 11 caused by the displacement of the position of the magnet 11 on the movable part 3 side, making it possible to magnetically detect the positions of the magnet 11 and the movable part 3. As a result, a mechanical switch is not required, and therefore no extra operating force is needed.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the magnet 11 is attached to the push-down member 6 of the movable part 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Even when the magnet 11 is attached to the second support member 5 of the movable part 3, it is still possible to detect shift operations to forward mode D and reverse mode R.

[0069] (4) The shift device 1 of this embodiment is further provided on the first support member 2 and includes a pair of elastic members 13 that apply a biasing force to the movable part 3 from the front-rear direction X so that the movable part 3 returns to its initial position when the operating force on the operating surfaces 4a and 4b is removed after the movable part 3 has been slid in the front-rear direction X.

[0070] With this configuration, since a pair of elastic members 13 are provided that apply a biasing force to the movable part 3 from the front-rear direction X, the driver of the vehicle does not need to perform an operation to return the movable part 3 to its initial position after shifting gears.

[0071] (5) In the shift device 1 of this embodiment, the movable part 3 further includes an elastic member 15 for returning the arc member, which applies a biasing force to the arc member 4 to return it to its initial position when the pressing force on the operating surfaces 4a and 4b of the arc member 4 is removed.

[0072] With this configuration, when the pressing force on the operating surfaces 4a and 4b of the arc member 4 is removed, the biasing force of the elastic member 15 for returning the arc member to its original position automatically returns the arc member 4 to its initial position. Moreover, the structure for returning the arc member is simple. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1. Shift device 2. First support member 2a Top side 2c Support surface 2e long hole 3 Moving parts 4. Arc-shaped member 4a, 4b Operation surface 4c Outer arc surface 4c1 1st page 4c2 2nd side 4c3 Stepped section 4d Inner arc surface 4f recess 5. Second support member 5a Lower arc surface 5b Convex part 5c guide groove 6. Pressing Member 7 Guide axis 8 gaps 9 Notch 11 Magnets 12 Magnetic Sensors 13 Elastic members 15 Elastic members

Claims

1. In a shift device that changes the forward and backward drive of a transmission mounted on a vehicle, It comprises a first support member fixed to the vehicle and a movable part supported by the first support member so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The first support member has a support surface that contacts the movable part and supports the movable part, The support surface is formed in an arc shape that contacts the movable part so that the movable part can swing in the front-rear direction when one end of the movable part in the front-rear direction is pressed downwards. The aforementioned movable part is An arc member having a shape that extends in an arc shape so as to be convex downward, having two outer arc surfaces facing the support surface of the first support member and an inner arc surface positioned inside the outer arc surfaces, and an arc member that is pivotable along the support surface, A second support member that contacts the inner arc surface of the arc member and supports the arc member from the inside, A guide shaft connects the second support member to the first support member so that it can slide only in the front-rear direction, Equipped with, The guide shaft has a cross-sectional shape extending in the front-rear direction and is inserted into an elongated hole or groove extending in the front-rear direction formed in the first support member, and is slidable in the front-rear direction together with the second support member while its rotation is restricted. The second support member has an arcuate surface that is in contact with the inner arcuate surface, and at least one protrusion that extends from the arcuate surface. The arc member has at least one recess formed on the inner arc surface to accommodate the protrusion and to allow a gap between the protrusion and the inner wall in the direction of oscillation of the arc member, The arc member has two operating surfaces at both ends in the front-rear direction that are located above the upper surface of the first support member and capable of receiving pressing force from external operation. A notch is formed in each of the two outer arc surfaces such that a gap is formed between it and the support surface of the first support member below the operating surface. The notch is composed of a first surface adjacent to the operating surface, a second surface positioned on the opposite side of the operating surface with respect to the first surface and closer to the inner arc surface than the first surface, and a stepped portion formed between the first surface and the second surface. When one of the operating surfaces of the arc member is pressed, the first surface of one of the notches contacts the support surface of the first support member, causing the arc member to swing along the length of the gap between the convex portion and the inner wall of the concave portion. Furthermore, the first surface and the stepped portion of the other notch move upward above the upper surface of the first support member, thereby releasing the restriction on the movement of the movable part in the front-rear direction. With the convex portion and the inner wall of the concave portion in contact, the entire movable part slides in the front-rear direction, thereby switching between the reverse mode and the forward mode of the transmission. A shift device characterized by the following features.

2. In the shift device according to claim 1, The second support member has a guide groove or guide hole extending in the vertical direction. The movable part further includes a pressing member that is guided by the guide groove or guide hole and can move downward by a pressing operation. Shift mechanism.

3. In the shift device according to claim 1 or 2, A magnet attached to the aforementioned movable part, A magnetic sensor is attached to the first support member and detects changes in magnetic force caused by displacement of the position of the magnet. A shift device that also features a shift mechanism.

4. In the shift device according to claim 1 or 2, A shift device further comprising a pair of elastic members provided on the first support member, which apply a biasing force to the movable part from the front-rear direction so that the movable part returns to its initial position when the operating force on the operating surface is removed after the movable part has been slid in the front-rear direction.

5. In the shift device according to claim 1, The movable part further includes an elastic member for returning the arc member, which applies a biasing force to the arc member to return it to its initial position when the pressing force on the arc member against the operating surface is removed. A shift device characterized by the following features.

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