Inhibitor Switch

Abstract

[Problem] To reduce sliding resistance during reciprocating movement of a movable member of an inhibitor switch, and reduce wear of a movable contact and a stationary contact. [Solution] An inhibitor switch has a movable member that moves relatively to a stationary member in a first axis direction, a movable contact provided at an opposite portion of the movable member with respect to the stationary member, and a stationary contact provided at an opposite portion of the stationary member with respect to the movable member. The movable member has a connection portion with respect to a shaft member that moves in a second axis direction in accordance with a selected range. The connection portion is connected to the shaft member from a radial direction of the second axis, and is provided with a regulation portion that regulates the inclination of the movable member with respect to the shaft member.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inhibitor switch. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a range detection device for an automatic transmission. In the inhibitor switch of this range detection device, a movable member having a movable contact is connected to a spool of a manual valve. The movable member reciprocates together with the spool in conjunction with the rotation of the manual shaft. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-118643 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The movable member has a slider with a movable contact and a shaft portion connecting the slider and the spool. The shaft portion is connected to the spool from the radial direction of the direction of the spool's forward and backward movement. Therefore, when the movable member moves in conjunction with the forward and backward movement of the spool, the movable member is likely to tilt with respect to the direction of the forward and backward movement. If the movable member moves while remaining tilted, the movable contact may move back and forth while being locally strongly pressed against the fixed contact. This increases the sliding resistance when the movable member moves back and forth, leading to increased wear of the movable contact and the fixed contact.

[0005] It is therefore necessary to reduce the sliding resistance when the movable member reciprocates, thereby reducing wear on the movable contacts and fixed contacts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inhibitor switch comprises: A movable member that moves relative to a fixed member in a first axial direction; a movable contact provided at a portion of the movable member facing the fixed member; a fixed contact provided at a portion of the fixed member facing the movable member, the movable member has a connection portion with an axis member that moves in a second axis direction according to a selected range, the connecting portion is connected to the shaft member in a radial direction of the second shaft, The connecting portion is provided with a restricting portion that restricts the inclination of the connecting portion with respect to the second axis. And, The movable member and the shaft member are arranged in parallel, The movable member reciprocates along the first axial direction in association with the forward and backward movement of the shaft member along the second axial direction, the fixed contact is provided on the opposite side of the shaft member from the movable contact, The connecting portion has a loose-fitting portion that is loosely fitted into the shaft member, the restricting portion is provided on an opposite side of the movable contact in the first axial direction as viewed from the loose-fitting portion, The restricting portion is a protrusion that protrudes from the movable member toward the shaft member in a radial direction of the first shaft. . Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the sliding resistance when the movable member reciprocates can be reduced, thereby reducing wear of the movable contact and the fixed contact. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power transmission device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the case. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the case. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the area around the inhibitor switch. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an inhibitor switch. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the inhibitor switch. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the restricting portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the inhibitor switch. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the inhibitor switch. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the inhibitor switch. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an inhibitor switch according to a comparative example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a restricting portion according to the first modification. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a restricting portion according to the second modification. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a restricting portion according to the third modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First, the definitions of terms used in this specification will be explained. The power transmission device is a device that has at least a power transmission mechanism, and the power transmission mechanism is, for example, at least one of a gear mechanism, a differential gear mechanism, and a reduction mechanism. In the following embodiment, an example is given in which the power transmission device 1 has the function of transmitting the output rotation of an engine, but the power transmission device 1 may be any device that transmits the output rotation of at least one of an engine and a motor (rotating electric machine).

[0010] "Overlapping when viewed in a predetermined direction" means that a plurality of elements are arranged in a predetermined direction, and is synonymous with "overlapping in a predetermined direction." The "predetermined direction" is, for example, an axial direction, a radial direction, a gravitational direction, a front-rear direction of a vehicle, etc. When a drawing shows multiple elements (parts, portions, etc.) arranged in a specified direction, it may be assumed that the description in the specification contains a sentence explaining that they overlap when viewed in the specified direction.

[0011] "Not overlapping when viewed in a predetermined direction" and "offset when viewed in a predetermined direction" mean that multiple elements are not lined up in a predetermined direction, and are synonymous with "not overlapping in a predetermined direction" and "offset in a predetermined direction." Examples of the "predetermined direction" include the axial direction, radial direction, gravity direction, and vehicle longitudinal direction (vehicle forward direction, vehicle backward direction). When a drawing shows that multiple elements (parts, portions, etc.) are not lined up in a specified direction, it may be assumed that the description in the specification contains a sentence explaining that they do not overlap when viewed in the specified direction.

[0012] "When viewed from a predetermined direction, a first element (part, section, etc.) is located between a second element (part, section, etc.) and a third element (part, section, etc.)" means that when observed from a predetermined direction, it can be observed that the first element is located between the second element and the third element. The "predetermined direction" refers to the axial direction, radial direction, gravity direction, vehicle running direction (vehicle forward direction, vehicle backward direction), etc. For example, when the second element, the first element, and the third element are arranged in that order along the axial direction, it can be said that the first element is located between the second element and the third element when viewed in the radial direction. When the drawing shows that the first element is between the second element and the third element when viewed in a specific direction, it may be deemed that the description in the specification contains a sentence explaining that the first element is between the second element and the third element when viewed in the specific direction.

[0013] When two elements (parts, portions, etc.) overlap in an axial view, the two elements are coaxial. "Axial direction" refers to the axial direction of the rotation shaft of a component constituting the power transmission device. "Radial direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft of a component constituting the power transmission device. The component is, for example, a motor, a gear mechanism, a differential gear mechanism, etc.

[0014] The following describes an example in which the inhibitor switch 7 of the present invention is applied to a power transmission device 1 for a vehicle. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a general configuration of a power transmission device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing HS of the power transmission device 1 is composed of a case 10, a first cover 11, and a second cover 12. The first cover 11 and the second cover 12 are joined to one side and the other side of the case 10, respectively.

[0015] The housing HS accommodates a torque converter T / C, a forward / reverse switching mechanism 2, a variator 3, a reduction gear mechanism 4, a differential gear 5, a control valve 6, an inhibitor switch 7, a parking mechanism 8, etc. The torque converter T / C, the forward / reverse switching mechanism 2, the variator 3, the reduction gear mechanism 4, and the differential gear 5 correspond to the power transmission mechanism of the power transmission device 1.

[0016] In the power transmission device 1, the output rotation of an engine ENG (drive source) is input to a forward / reverse switching mechanism 2 via a torque converter T / C. The rotation input to the forward / reverse switching mechanism 2 is transmitted in turn to a differential device 5 (differential gear mechanism) via a variator 3 and a reduction mechanism 4. The rotation of the differential device 5 is transmitted to the drive wheels WH, WH via left and right drive shafts DA, DB.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, the case 10 has a partition 102 that divides the internal space of the case 10. The partition 102 is provided in a direction that crosses the direction of a rotation axis X1, which is a direction along the output rotation of an engine ENG (drive source). The partition 102 divides the space within the case 10 into two spaces in the direction of the rotation axis X1. One side of the partition 102 in the direction of the rotation axis X1 is a first chamber S1, and the other side is a third chamber S3.

[0018] In the case 10, the opening on the first chamber S1 side is sealed by the second cover 12 (torque converter cover) to form a closed first chamber S1. The opening on the third chamber S3 side is sealed by the first cover 11 (side cover) to form a closed third chamber S3. The first chamber S1 accommodates the forward / reverse switching mechanism 2, the reduction mechanism 4, and the differential gear 5. The third chamber S3 accommodates the variator 3.

[0019] The case 10 has a storage section 14 attached to a side surface on the vehicle front side. The storage section 14 is provided with an opening facing the vehicle front side. The opening of the storage section 14 is sealed with the third cover 13 to form a closed second chamber S2. The control valve 6 is housed in the second chamber S2.

[0020] In a vehicle equipped with the power transmission device 1, the selection range of the power transmission device 1 is set according to the driver's shift operation and button operation. The power transmission device 1 is equipped with an inhibitor switch 7 for detecting the set selection range. Here, the "driving range", "reverse range", "parking range", etc. are examples of the selection range.

[0021] The inhibitor switch 7 outputs a signal indicating the detected selection range to a control device (not shown). The control device (not shown) controls the changeover valve and the like in the control valve 6 based on the selection range to control the oil supplied to the power transmission mechanism from the hydraulic control circuit in the control valve 6. The inhibitor switch 7 is disposed in the second chamber S2 described above.

[0022] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the case 10 as viewed from the side of the second cover 12. FIG 2 is a schematic diagram of the AA cross section of FIG 1. Fig. 3 is a view of the housing portion 14 as seen from the front side of the vehicle. In Fig. 3, the first cover 11 and the second cover 12 are shown typically by imaginary lines. Also, the external appearance of the control valve 6 and the inhibitor switch 7 housed in the housing portion 14 is shown typically. Also, the peripheral wall portion 141 and the wall portion 142 of the housing portion 14 are shown with cross hatching. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the parking mechanism 8, the control valve 6, and the inhibitor switch 7 as viewed from the third cover 13 side. In Fig. 4, the control valve 6 is diagrammatically shown by phantom lines.

[0023] 2, the inhibitor switch 7 is disposed in the second chamber S2. The inhibitor switch 7 converts the rotation of the manual shaft 80 of the parking mechanism 8 into the forward and backward movement of a movable member 72 (described later) and uses the converted rotation to specify the selection range of the power transmission device 1.

[0024] The first chamber S1 and the second chamber S2 are separated by a wall portion 142 on the case 10 side. A through hole 145 is provided on the upper side of the wall portion 142. In the area where the through hole 145 is provided, the first chamber S1 and the second chamber S2 communicate with each other. Furthermore, a through hole 105 is provided on the upper side of the case 10. In the area where the through hole 105 is provided, the first chamber S1 and the third chamber S3 communicate with each other.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the parking mechanism 8 includes a manual shaft 80, a detent plate 81, a manual plate 82, and a parking rod 84. These components of the parking mechanism 8 are disposed across the first chamber S1, the second chamber S2, and the third chamber S3.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the rotation axis Lp of the manual shaft 80 is oriented along the vertical line VL. The upper end of the manual shaft 80 penetrates the peripheral wall 101 and is located outside the case 10. A rotational driving force of an actuator (not shown) is input to the upper end side of the manual shaft 80. The manual shaft 80 rotates around a rotation axis Lp by the rotational driving force of the actuator. The actuator is driven according to a selection range of a select lever (not shown) to position the manual shaft 80 at an angular position around the rotation axis Lp. The angular position around the rotation axis Lp is predetermined according to the selection range. The manual shaft 80 may be designed to rotate about the rotation axis Lp by an operating force transmitted via a wire extending from a select lever.

[0027] 2, the detent plate 81 is fitted onto the manual shaft 80 so as not to rotate relative to the manual shaft 80. A park rod 84 is connected to the detent plate 81. The tip side of the park rod 84 is disposed in the third chamber S3 through a through hole 105. In the third chamber S3, the park rod 84 operates the engagement and disengagement of a park pole (not shown) and a park gear (not shown) in cooperation with a support actuator (not shown).

[0028] As shown in Fig. 4, a manual plate 82 is provided below the detent plate 81 in the direction of the vertical line VL. The manual plate 82 is connected to the detent plate 81 via a connection portion 83 (see Fig. 3). The connection portion 83 has a cylindrical shape that surrounds the manual shaft 80. The detent plate 81, the manual plate 82, and the connection portion 83 rotate integrally with the manual shaft 80.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the manual plate 82 is provided with a plate-shaped arm 85. The arm 85 is formed integrally with the manual plate 82. The arm 85 extends from the manual plate 82 in the radial direction of the rotation axis Lp. A disk-shaped connection piece 86 is provided at the tip of the arm 85. The arm 85 is bent in the direction along the rotation axis Lp at a position away from the manual plate 82. After the arm 85 extends downward along the rotation axis Lp, the tip side of the arm 85 is further bent in the radial direction of the rotation axis Lp. The connection piece 86 is provided at a position shifted from the manual plate 82 in the direction of the rotation axis Lp and is disposed approximately parallel to the manual plate 82. The connection piece 86 is connected to a spool 66 of a manual valve 65 described later.

[0030] 2, the control valve 6 is housed in the second chamber S2. The control valve 6 has a basic configuration in which a separate plate (not shown) is sandwiched between valve bodies 61, 61. The control valve 6 is fixed to the wall portion 142 by bolts (not shown). In the second chamber S2, the control valve 6 is disposed vertically with the stacking direction of the valve bodies 61, 61 oriented along the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, a manual valve 65 is provided inside the control valve 6 for switching the destination of the hydraulic pressure supply depending on the selected range. The manual valve 65 has a spool 66 (shaft member) and a spool hole 67. Although not shown, a plurality of ports corresponding to the shift ranges are opened in the spool hole 67. When the spool 66 moves back and forth within the spool hole 67 in the direction of the axis Lx2 (second axial direction), communication between the ports is switched, and the destination of the hydraulic pressure supply is switched.

[0032] 3, the control valve 6 has a generally L-shape with a notch 610 provided in a generally rectangular valve body 61 when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. When viewed from the front side of the vehicle, the notch 610 is provided on the upper second cover 12 side in the direction of the vertical line VL. When the control valve 6 is installed in the second chamber S2, the through hole 145 on the case 10 side is positioned at the notch 610 when viewed from the front side of the vehicle.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 2, an inhibitor switch 7 is provided in the second chamber S2. The inhibitor switch 7 is fixed to a side surface of the control valve 6 on the vehicle front side by a bolt (not shown). As shown in Fig. 3, the inhibitor switch 7 is disposed at a position where a part of the inhibitor switch 7 overlaps with the through hole 145 when viewed from the vehicle front side.

[0034] 5 is a diagram illustrating the inhibitor switch 7. FIG 5 is a schematic diagram of a cross section taken along line AA in FIG 3. 6 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the inhibitor switch 7. FIG 6 is an enlarged view of region A in FIG 5. 7 is a diagram illustrating the restricting portion 79 of the inhibitor switch 7. FIG 7 is a schematic diagram of a cross section taken along line AA in FIG. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a main portion of the inhibitor switch 7. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of region B in Fig. 5. Note that Figs. 5 to 8 show the case where the P range is selected.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 5, the connection piece 86 of the arm portion 85 has a circular outer shape when viewed from the vertical line VL. As shown in Fig. 6, the width W2 of the connection piece 86 is larger than the width W1 of the arm portion 85 (W2>W1).

[0036] 5, one end 661 of a spool 66 of a manual valve 65 is connected to the connection piece 86. An axis Lx2 of the spool 66 is oriented along the vehicle width direction. The other end 662 of the spool 66 in the direction of the axis Lx2 is inserted into a spool hole 67.

[0037] 5, a recessed groove 665 is provided on one end 661 side of the spool 66. The recessed groove 665 traverses the spool 66 in the radial direction of the axis Lx2. The recessed groove 665 is provided with an opening facing upward, and the connecting piece 86 is inserted into the recessed groove 665 from the rear side of the vehicle.

[0038] 6, the groove 665 has side surfaces 665a and 665b that are parallel to each other. The side surfaces 665a and 665b are flat surfaces that are perpendicular to the axis Lx2. The side surfaces 665a and 665b of the groove 665 are provided on one side and the other side of the connecting piece 86.

[0039] Here, the distance between the side surfaces 665a, 665b of the groove 665 in the direction of the axis Lx2 is set to be slightly wider than the width W2 of the connection piece 86. Also, as shown in the enlarged area of ​​FIG. 3, the depth L2 of the groove 665 in the direction of the vertical line VL is set to be deeper than the thickness L1 of the connection piece 86 (L2>L1). Note that the enlarged area of ​​FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section around the connection piece 86. When viewed from the direction of the vertical line VL, the connection piece 86 is rotatable within the groove 665 (see FIG. 6).

[0040] 5, when the driving range of the power transmission device 1 is switched, the manual shaft 80 rotates about the rotation axis Lp, and the manual plate 82, which is connected to the manual shaft 80 so as not to rotate relative to the manual shaft 80, also rotates about the rotation axis Lp. As a result, the arm 85 extending from the manual plate 82 and the connection piece 86 at the tip of the arm 85 are displaced in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis Lp.

[0041] 6, when the connecting piece 86 moves in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis Lp, an outer peripheral edge 86a of the connecting piece 86 displaces the spool 66 in the direction of the axis Lx2 while making point contact with a side surface 665b of the recessed groove 665. The connecting piece 86 and the recessed groove 665 form a link mechanism that converts the rotational movement of the manual shaft 80 into linear movement of the spool 66.

[0042] 5, a connecting member 9 is connected to the spool 66. The connecting member 9 is connected to a position adjacent to the recessed groove 665. The connecting member 9 is adjacent to the recessed groove 665 on the other end 662 side in the direction of the axis Lx2.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting member 9 is a cylindrical member. The connecting member 9 is provided in a direction along a straight line Ly. The straight line Ly is a straight line along the radial direction of the axis line Lx2. The connecting member 9 has a large diameter portion 90 and a small diameter portion 91. The large diameter portion 90 and the small diameter portion 91 are aligned in the direction of the straight line Ly. The large diameter portion 90 and the small diameter portion 91 are integrally provided in a concentric positional relationship. The small diameter portion 91 is press-fitted into a hole portion 663 of the spool 66 from the radial direction of the axis line Lx2 (the vehicle front side). As a result, the connecting member 9 is connected to the spool 66 so as not to rotate relative to the spool 66.

[0044] The end surface 90a of the large diameter portion 90 is a flat surface perpendicular to the straight line Ly. A hole 90b is opened in the end surface 90a. The hole 90b is formed along the straight line Ly with a depth H1. The hole diameter of the hole 90b is set to D1.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, an inhibitor switch 7 is provided on the opposite side of the spool 66 with the connecting member 9 interposed therebetween in the direction of the straight line Ly. The inhibitor switch 7 has a movable member 72 connected to the connecting member 9 and a fixed member 71 .

[0046] 5, the movable member 72 has a beam portion 720, a connecting portion 721, and a contact support portion 722. The movable member 72 is disposed in parallel with the spool 66 on the vehicle front side as viewed from the spool 66. The movable member 72 is provided in a direction along an axis Lx1 (first axis). The axis Lx1 is a straight line parallel to the axis Lx2 of the spool 66.

[0047] Beam portion 720 is a plate-like member having a predetermined width. A connecting portion 721 is formed integrally with one end of beam portion 720 in the longitudinal direction. A contact support portion 722 is formed integrally with the other end of beam portion 720 in the longitudinal direction.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the straight line Ly is also a straight line along the radial direction of the axis line Lx1. The connecting portion 721 has a base portion 77 provided at one end of the beam portion 720. The base portion 77 is provided on the surface of the beam portion 720 on the side of the spool 66. As shown in FIG. 5, in a cross-sectional view, the base portion 77 extends in a direction (oblique direction) away from the contact support portion 722 as it moves away in the radial direction of the straight line Lx1.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, in a state where the movable member 72 and the connecting member 9 are connected, the base portion 77 is provided in a range that intersects the straight line Ly passing through the hole portion 90b of the connecting member 9 described above in the direction of the axis Lx1. The tip surface 77a of the base portion 77 is a flat surface orthogonal to the straight line Ly. The tip surface 77a is also a flat surface substantially parallel to the side surface 720a of the beam portion 720. An insertion portion 78 and a regulating portion 79 are provided on the tip surface 77a.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the insertion portion 78, the regulating portion 79 is provided on the side opposite to the contact support portion 722 in the direction of the axis Lx1. As shown in FIG. 6, the regulating portion 79 protrudes toward the spool 66 side along the straight line Ly from the tip surface 77a. The insertion portion 78 is a columnar protrusion centered on the straight line Ly.

[0051] The diameter of the insertion portion 78 is set to D2. The diameter D2 of the insertion portion 78 is slightly smaller than the hole diameter D1 of the hole portion 90b on the connecting member 9 side (D2 < D1). Also, the protruding height of the insertion portion 78 from the tip surface 77a is set to H2. The protruding height H2 of the insertion portion 78 is set shorter than the depth H1 of the hole portion 90b (H2 < H1).

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, the movable member 72 is connected to the connecting member 9 by inserting the insertion portion 78 into the hole portion 90b from the radial direction (straight line Ly direction) of the axis Lx2 of the spool 66. The insertion portion 78 is loosely fitted in the hole portion 90b of the connecting member 9, and relative rotation of the movable member 72 and the connecting member 9 around the straight line Ly is allowed. And a slight inclination of the movable member 72 with respect to the straight line Ly is allowed.

[0053] The restricting portion 79 is provided on the distal end surface 77a at a position spaced apart from the insertion portion 78 in the radial direction of the straight line Ly. In the direction of the axis Lx1 along the longitudinal direction of the movable member 72, the restricting portion 79 is located on the opposite side to the contact support portion 722 as viewed from the insertion portion 78 (on the left side in the figure). The restricting portion 79 protrudes in the same direction as the insertion portion 78. The protruding height of the restricting portion 79 is smaller than the protruding height H2 of the insertion portion 78. A tip surface 79a of the restricting portion 79 is a flat surface perpendicular to the straight line Ly.

[0054] 7, the restricting portion 79 is a continuous wall provided over the entire length of the base portion 77 in a direction perpendicular to the axis Lx1. The restricting portion 79 is provided in a range that crosses the insertion portion 78 in a direction perpendicular to the axis Lx1.

[0055] 6, when the insertion portion 78 is inserted into the hole portion 90b on the connecting member 9 side, the insertion of the insertion portion 78 into the hole portion 90b is restricted at a position where the tip surface 79a of the restricting portion 79 abuts against the end surface 90a of the connecting member 9. In this state, the tip surface 77a of the base 77 faces the end surface 90a of the connecting member 9 with a gap therebetween in the direction of the straight line Ly.

[0056] Here, the movable member 72 can swing about the insertion portion 78. Specifically, the movable member 72 can tilt slightly with respect to a straight line Ly along the connecting direction between the movable member 72 and the connecting member 9. Therefore, the movable member 72 can tilt in a direction in which the other end side on which the contact support portion 722 is provided is separated from the spool 66 (the vertical direction in FIG. 5: the direction of the arrow).

[0057] Here, the restricting portion 79 is provided on the opposite side to the contact support portion 722 when viewed from the insertion portion 78. Therefore, when the contact support portion 722 side tries to displace in a direction away from the spool 66, the displacement of the contact support portion 722 side in the direction away from the spool 66 can be restricted at the point in time when the tip surface 79a of the restricting portion 79 abuts against the end surface 90a of the connecting member 9. In this embodiment, when the insertion portion 78 is inserted into the hole portion 90b on the connecting member 9 side, the insertion of the insertion portion 78 into the hole portion 90b is restricted at the position where the tip surface 79a of the regulating portion 79 abuts the end surface 90a of the connecting member 9. Therefore, in this state, the displacement of the contact support portion 722 side of the movable member 72 in the direction away from the spool 66 is restricted. It is preferable to provide the restricting portion 79 at a position where the distance L79 from the straight line Ly is long, because this makes it possible to increase the reaction force in the direction against the inclination of the movable member 72.

[0058] 4, the fixed member 71 of the inhibitor switch 7 is a housing fixed to the control valve 6. An internal space 710 of the fixed member 71 opens to the connecting member 9 side in the direction of the axis Lx1.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the direction of the vertical line VL, the fixed member 71 has inner circumferential surfaces 71a and 71b which are parallel to each other with the axis line Lx1 therebetween. An area of ​​the contact support portion 722 of the movable member 72 is inserted between the inner circumferential surfaces 71a and 71b. The contact support portion 722 has a contact piece 75 provided on a surface facing the inner circumferential surface 71a. The inner circumferential surface 71a is located on the opposite side to the spool 66 when viewed from the contact piece 75. On this inner circumferential surface 71a, a fixed contact 76 is exposed at a portion facing the contact support portion 722 (a portion facing the inner circumferential surface 71b). In other words, the fixed contact 76 is provided on the opposite side to the spool 66 when viewed from the contact piece 75.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 8, the fixed contact 76 has fixed contacts 76P, 76R, 76N, and 76D that respectively correspond to each shift range (P range, R range, N range, and D range). The "P range" corresponds to the "parking range." The "R range" corresponds to the "reverse range." The "N range" corresponds to the "neutral range." The "D range" corresponds to the "driving range."

[0061] The fixed contacts 76P, 76R, 76N, and 76D are disposed in this order from one side to the other side in the direction of the axis Lx1. Protrusions T, T, and T are provided between the fixed contacts 76P, 76R, 76N, and 76D in the direction of the axis Lx1.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 8, the contact support portion 722 of the movable member 72 has a contact piece 75 which is a movable contact, and a support portion 723 which supports the contact piece 75.

[0063] The contact piece 75 is a strip-shaped copper plate. A plurality of the contact pieces 75 are arranged in a row in the width direction of the support portion 723. The contact pieces 75 are provided in a direction along the axis line Lx1. The other end 75b of the contact piece 75 is fixed to the support portion 723. One end 75a of the contact piece 75 is a free end. The contact piece 75 is inclined in a direction away from the support portion 723 from the other end 75b toward the one end 75a. The one end 75a of the contact piece 75 abuts against the fixed contact 76 of the fixed member 71.

[0064] 8, the support portion 723 has locking pieces 723a and 723b on one side and the other side of the axis Lx1, respectively. The locking piece 723a faces the inner circumferential surface 71a of the fixed member 71 with a gap therebetween. The locking piece 723b abuts against the inner circumferential surface 71b of the fixed member 71.

[0065] The locking piece 723a faces the inner circumferential surface 71a of the fixed member 71 with a gap therebetween, so that the contact between the one end 75a of the contact piece 75 and the fixed contact 76 is not impeded. On the other hand, the locking piece 723b abuts against the inner circumferential surface 71b of the fixed member 71, thereby restricting the one end 75a of the contact piece 75 from moving away from the fixed contact 76 (in the direction of the thick arrow in the drawing).

[0066] The function and effect of the inhibitor switch 7 having such a configuration will be described below. 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the inhibitor switch 7. Fig. 9 shows the case where the P range is selected, and Fig. 10 shows the case where the D range is selected.

[0067] 9, when the driving range of the power transmission device 1 is switched, the manual shaft 80 rotates about the rotation axis Lp. Then, the manual plate 82 (see FIG. 5), which is connected to the manual shaft 80 so as not to rotate relative to the manual shaft 80, also rotates about the rotation axis Lp. As a result, the arm 85 extending from the manual plate 82 and the connection piece 86 at the tip of the arm 85 are displaced in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis Lp, displacing the spool 66 in the direction of the axis Lx1.

[0068] When the selected range of the power transmission device 1 is "P range," as shown in Fig. 9, the connecting piece 86 is disposed in a position where a straight line Lm connecting the connecting piece 86 and the manual shaft 80 is perpendicular to the axis Lx2 of the spool 66, as viewed from the direction of the vertical line VL. In this state, in the inhibitor switch 7, one end 75a of the contact piece 75 of the movable member 72 is disposed in a position where it abuts against the fixed contact 76P of the fixed member 71. Therefore, the inhibitor switch 7 outputs a signal corresponding to the P range.

[0069] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the selected range of the power transmission device 1 is switched from "P range" to "D range" in order to drive the vehicle forward, the manual shaft 80 rotates around the rotation axis Lp (in the direction of arrow A in the figure). As a result, the connection piece 86 is displaced in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis Lp in conjunction with the rotation of the manual shaft 80. The displacement of the connection piece 86 displaces the spool 66 in a direction (the direction of the arrow B in the figure) that pushes the spool 66 into the spool hole 67. The spool 66 moves back and forth in the direction of the axis Lx2 in conjunction with the rotation of the manual shaft 80. Then, the movable member 72 connected to the spool 66 via the connecting member 9 is also displaced to the right in the figure (the direction of the arrow C in the figure).

[0070] As a result, the movable member 72 moves in the direction of the axis Lx1. At this time, one end 75a of the contact piece 75 slides on the inner circumferential surface 71a (fixed contact 76) of the fixed member 71. One end 75a of the contact piece 75 moves over the protrusions T, T, and T in that order. Finally, one end 75a of the contact piece 75 reaches a position where it contacts the fixed contact 76D, and the inhibitor switch 7 outputs a signal corresponding to the D range.

[0071] When moving from the D range (see FIG. 10) to the P range (see FIG. 9), the displacement of the connection piece 86 displaces the spool 66 in a direction to be pulled out of the spool hole 67 (to the left in the figure). In conjunction with this, the movable member 72 also moves leftward in the figure. Then, one end 75a of the contact piece 75 reaches a position where it contacts the fixed contact 76P. In this way, the movable member 72 reciprocates in the direction of the axis Lx1 in conjunction with the forward and backward movement of the spool 66.

[0072] 6, in movable member 72, insertion portion 78 provided on coupling portion 721 is loosely fitted into hole 90b of connecting member 9. Insertion portion 78 constitutes a loose-fit portion that is loosely fitted into spool 66 via connecting member 9. Movable member 72 is prone to rattling with respect to spool 66 and connecting member 9. 5, the movable member 72 may tilt away from the spool 66 as it moves from the connecting portion 721 toward the contact support portion 722. In this case, one end 75a of the contact piece 75 is strongly pressed against the inner circumferential surface 71a, increasing the sliding resistance during reciprocating movement.

[0073] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to reduce rattling, a restricting portion 79 is provided between the movable member 72 and the connecting member 9. The restricting portion 79 is provided on the opposite side to the contact support portion 722 (contact piece 75) in the direction of the axis Lx1 as viewed from the insertion portion 78 (see FIG. 5).

[0074] 10, the movable member 72 is restricted from tilting in a direction away from the spool 66 as it moves from the connecting portion 721 toward the contact support portion 722. By restricting the movable member 72 from tilting relative to the spool 66 in this manner, it is possible to restrict one end 75a of the contact piece 75 from sliding in a state in which it is strongly pressed against the inner circumferential surface 71a (fixed contact 76) (in the direction of arrow D in the figure).

[0075] In addition, in this embodiment, the locking piece 723b of the contact support portion 722 is brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface 71b of the fixed member 71, as shown in FIG. 10, the movable member 72 is inclined in a direction approaching the spool 66, and one end 75a of the contact piece 75 is restricted from moving away from the fixed contact 76 (in the direction of arrow E in the figure).

[0076] [Comparative Example] 11 is a diagram illustrating an inhibitor switch 7J according to a comparative example. In the comparative example below, only the differences from this embodiment will be described. 11, a movable member 72J of an inhibitor switch 7J according to the comparative example has only an insertion portion 78J provided on a connecting portion 721J. In the movable member 72J, the insertion portion 78J is only loosely fitted into a hole portion 90b of a connecting member 9.

[0077] Therefore, the insertion portion 78J may be disposed in the hole 90b in a direction along a straight line Ly' inclined with respect to the straight line Ly (see the enlarged area in FIG. 11). In this case, the movable member 72J may incline in a direction away from the spool 66 (the direction of the arrow D in the figure) as it moves toward the contact support portion 722J. The movable member 72J may reciprocate in a direction along an axis Lx1' inclined with respect to the axis Lx2 of the spool 66. In this case, one end 75a of the contact piece 75 slides while being strongly pressed against the inner peripheral surface 71a.

[0078] Therefore, the sliding resistance when the movable member 72J reciprocates increases, and the amount of wear between the one end 75a of the contact piece 75 and the fixed contact 76 increases.

[0079] In the inhibitor switch 7 according to this embodiment, a restricting portion 79 is provided between the movable member 72 and the connecting member 9. Specifically, the restricting portion 79 is provided on the opposite side to the contact piece 75 in the direction of the axis Lx1 as viewed from the insertion portion 78. A tip end surface 79a of the restricting portion 79 abuts against an end surface 90a of the connecting member 9. This restricts the movable member 72 from tilting in a direction away from the spool 66 as it moves from the connecting portion 721 toward the contact support portion 722. This reduces the sliding resistance when the movable member 72 reciprocates, and reduces wear between the one end 75a of the contact piece 75 and the fixed contact .

[0080] Examples of the inhibitor switch 7 in an embodiment of the present invention are listed below. (1, 5) The inhibitor switch 7 includes a movable member 72 that moves relative to a fixed member 71 in the direction of an axis Lx1 (first axis direction), a contact piece 75 (movable contact) provided at a portion of the movable member 72 facing the fixed member 71; and a fixed contact 76 provided at a portion of the fixed member 71 facing the movable member 72. The connecting portion 721 of the movable member 72 is connected to the spool 66 of the manual valve 65 via a connecting member 9. The spool 66 is a shaft member that moves in the direction of the axis Lx2 (second axial direction) according to the selected range. The connecting portion 721 of the movable member 72 is connected to the connecting member 9 from the direction of a straight line Ly along the radial direction of the axis Lx1. A restricting portion 79 that restricts the inclination of the movable member 72 with respect to the spool 66 is provided on the connecting portion 721 of the movable member 72 .

[0081] With this configuration, the sliding resistance when the movable member 72 reciprocates can be reduced, and wear of the one end 75a of the contact piece 75, which is the movable contact, and the fixed contact 76 can be reduced. Specifically, by the restricting portion 79 abutting against the connecting member 9, the movable member 72 becomes less likely to tilt with respect to the spool 66 and can move in the direction of the axis Lx1. This reduces the sliding of the one end 75a of the contact piece 75 in a state where it is strongly pressed against the fixed contact 76.

[0082] (2) The movable member 72 and the spool 66 are disposed in parallel along the axes Lx1 and Lx2 that are parallel to each other. In conjunction with the forward and backward movement of the spool 66 along the axis Lx2, the movable member 72 reciprocates along the axis Lx1.

[0083] With this configuration, it is possible to restrict the movable member 72 from reciprocating while being tilted in a direction away from the spool 66 as it moves from the connecting portion 721 toward the contact support portion 722 .

[0084] (3) The fixed contact 76 is provided on the opposite side of the contact piece 75 from the spool 66 . The connecting portion 721 of the movable member 72 has an insertion portion 78 (loose-fit portion) that is loosely fitted into the spool 66 via the connecting member 9. The restricting portion 79 is provided on the opposite side to the contact piece 75 in the direction of the axis Lx1 when viewed from the insertion portion 78.

[0085] With this configuration, the movable member 72 is prevented from tilting in a direction that strongly presses at least the contact piece 75 against the fixed contact 76.

[0086] (4) The restricting portion 79 is a projection that protrudes from the connecting portion 721 of the movable member 72 toward the connecting member 9 in the direction of the straight line Ly.

[0087] For example, a protrusion equivalent to the restricting portion 79 may be provided on the connecting member 9. However, the connecting member 9 is press-fitted into the spool 66. Therefore, when the connecting member 9 is press-fitted, the position of the protrusion must be determined before the connecting member 9 is press-fitted, which makes installation difficult. Therefore, by configuring as described above and making the restricting portion 79 a protrusion provided on the movable member 72 side, the connecting member 9 can be simply press-fitted into the spool 66 in any direction, making assembly easy.

[0088] [Variations 1 and 2] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the first modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the second modification. In the embodiment described above, the restricting portion 79 is a continuous wall that is provided over the entire length of the base portion 77 in the direction perpendicular to the axis Lx1, but is not limited to this.

[0089] For example, as in a first modified example shown in FIG. 12, the restriction portion may be restriction portions 79A, 79A configured by point-like protrusions provided on one side and the other side of the axis Lx1. 13, the restricting portion may be a restricting portion 79B that is configured by an arc-shaped wall provided so as to surround the insertion portion 78. In the example shown in FIG. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the movable member 72 from tilting with respect to the spool 66. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the contact piece 75 from sliding in a state where it is strongly pressed against the fixed contact 76.

[0090] [Variation 3] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the third modified example. In the embodiment described above, the fixed contact 76 is provided on the opposite side of the contact piece 75 from the spool 66 (see FIG. 5), but the present invention is not limited to this. The fixed contact 76 may be provided on the spool 66 side of the contact piece 75. In this case, the movable member 72 is inclined in a direction approaching the spool 66 as it moves from the connecting portion 721 toward the contact support portion 722.

[0091] 14, the restricting portion 79C is provided on the beam portion 720 side (the right side in the figure) in the direction of the axis Lx1 when viewed from the insertion portion 78. This makes it possible to restrict the contact piece 75 from sliding in a state where it is strongly pressed against the fixed contact 76. The restricting portion 79C may be configured as a point-like protrusion (see FIG. 12) or as an arc-shaped wall (see FIG. 13) surrounding the insertion portion 78.

[0092] [Other variations] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples 1 to 3, the restricting portion 79 is a protrusion protruding from the base portion 77, but is not limited to this. For example, a protrusion protruding from the base portion 77 does not have to be provided. In this case, the tip surface 77a (see FIG. 6) of the base portion 77 abuts against the connecting member 9 in the direction of the straight line Ly, thereby restricting the inclination of the movable member 72. That is, the base portion 77 of the movable member 72 functions as the restricting portion.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the connecting member 9 is separate from the spool 66, but the present invention is not limited to this. The connecting member 9 may be formed integrally with the spool 66. In addition, the inhibitor switch 7 is fixed to the side surface of the control valve 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. The inhibitor switch 7 may be fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the third cover 13 on the front side of the vehicle.

[0094] In this embodiment, an example in which the inhibitor switch 7 according to a certain aspect of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this aspect. The present invention can be applied to things other than vehicles. In addition, when multiple examples and modified examples are described in this embodiment, they may be combined in any manner.

[0095] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment merely shows one application example of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific configuration of the above embodiment. Appropriate modifications are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1 Power transmission device 7 Inhibitor Switch 65 Control Valve 66 Spool (shaft member) 71 Fixing member 72 Movable parts 75 Contact piece (movable contact) 76 Fixed contacts 78 Insertion part (loose fitting part) 79 Regulation part (protrusion) 721 Connecting part 722 Contact support part Lx1 1st axis Lx2 2nd axis Ly Line (radial direction of the second axis)

Claims

1. A movable member that moves relative to a fixed member in a first axial direction; a movable contact provided at a portion of the movable member facing the fixed member; a fixed contact provided at a portion of the fixed member facing the movable member, the movable member has a connection portion with a shaft member that moves in a second axial direction in response to a selected range, The connecting portion is connected to the shaft member in a radial direction of the second shaft, The connecting portion is provided with a restricting portion that restricts an inclination of the connecting portion with respect to the second axis, The movable member and the shaft member are arranged in parallel, The movable member reciprocates along the first axial direction in association with the forward and backward movement of the shaft member along the second axial direction, the fixed contact is provided on the opposite side of the shaft member from the movable contact, The connecting portion has a loose-fitting portion that is loosely fitted into the shaft member, the restricting portion is provided on an opposite side of the movable contact in the first axial direction as viewed from the loose-fitting portion, The restricting portion is a protrusion that protrudes from the movable member toward the shaft member in a radial direction of the first shaft.

2. a movable member that moves relative to a fixed member in a first axial direction; a movable contact provided at a portion of the movable member facing the fixed member; a fixed contact provided at a portion of the fixed member facing the movable member, the movable member has a connection portion with a shaft member that moves in a second axial direction in response to a selected range, The connecting portion is connected to the shaft member in a radial direction of the second shaft, The connecting portion is provided with a restricting portion that restricts an inclination of the connecting portion with respect to the second axis, The movable member and the shaft member are arranged in parallel, The movable member reciprocates along the first axial direction in association with the forward and backward movement of the shaft member along the second axial direction, the fixed contact is provided on the shaft member side as viewed from the movable contact, The connecting portion has a loose-fitting portion that is loosely fitted into the shaft member, the restricting portion is provided on the movable contact side in the first axial direction as viewed from the loose-fitting portion, The restricting portion is a protrusion that protrudes from the movable member toward the shaft member in a radial direction of the first shaft.

3. In claim 1 or 2, The inhibitor switch, wherein the shaft member is a spool of a manual valve.

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