Shift device

Abstract

To increase the flexibility of setting a biasing load to a shift body by a biasing mechanism.SOLUTION: A shift device 10 is configured such that in a case where an external force is applied to a lever 14 when an operation mechanism 36 rotates the lever 14, a clutch mechanism 28 allows for rotation of a first detent plate 30 to a second detent plate 34 and thereby the lever 14 rotates. Here, the lever 14 is biased toward a shift position by a detent mechanism. Therefore, the lever 14 can be biased by the detent mechanism instead of the clutch mechanism 28, and thus the flexibility of setting a biasing load to the lever 14 by the detent mechanism can be increased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shift device in which a shift body is moved to change a shift position. [Background technology]

[0002] In the shift lever device described in Patent Document 1 below, the biasing force of a coil spring causes an engaging protrusion of a clutch to fit into an engaging recess of a worm wheel gear, connecting the shift lever to a motor, and when the motor is driven, the shift lever rotates via the worm wheel gear and the clutch. Furthermore, when the motor is driven, an external force acts on the shift lever, causing the engaging protrusion of the clutch to disengage from the engaging recess of the worm wheel gear against the biasing force of the coil spring, thereby releasing the connection between the shift lever and the motor.

[0003] In this shift lever device, the biasing force of the coil spring causes the engaging protrusion of the clutch to be inserted into the engaging recess of the worm wheel gear, and the shift lever is biased toward the shift position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-156153 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a shift device that can increase the degree of freedom in setting the biasing load of a shift body by a biasing mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the shift device of the present invention includes a shift body that is moved to change its shift position, a biasing mechanism that biases the shift body toward the shift position, an actuating mechanism, and a communication mechanism that has a first communication part provided on the shift body side and a second communication part provided on the actuating mechanism side, and when the actuating mechanism is actuated, the communication mechanism connects the shift body and the actuating mechanism, so that the first communication part and the second communication part move together while the shift body is moved, and when the actuating mechanism is actuated, an external force is applied to the shift body, so that the first communication part and the second communication part move relative to each other, thereby releasing the connection between the shift body and the actuating mechanism.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is a shift device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein when the operating mechanism is operated, the shift body is moved by the biasing force of the biasing mechanism. restraint will be done.

[0008] A shift device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the shift device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a rotating portion that is provided in the biasing mechanism and that rotates to move the shift body.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the shift device of the present invention is a shift device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, comprising: a detection device that detects communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism and release of communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism; and a control device that, when the detection device detects release of communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism when the operating mechanism is operated in the forward direction to move the shift body, operates the operating mechanism in the reverse direction, and, when the detection device detects communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism, operates the operating mechanism in the forward direction.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the shift device of the present invention is the shift device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the control device operates the operating mechanism in the reverse direction when the detection device detects communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism and operates the operating mechanism in the forward direction, and when the detection device detects communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism and the detection device detects release of communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism, the control device operates the operating mechanism in the forward direction.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a shift device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, wherein the communication mechanism Separately from the first contact section and the second contact section a third communication section provided at the third communication section and communicating with the actuating mechanism; restraint and a restricted portion.

[0012] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a shift device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, further comprising: a lever provided in the actuating mechanism for controlling the relative movement of the communication mechanism. restraint It is equipped with a limiting section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In a shift device according to a first aspect of the present invention, the shift body is moved to change the shift position. The communication mechanism is provided with a first communication section on the shift body side and a second communication section on the operating mechanism side. When the operating mechanism is activated, the communication mechanism communicates the shift body with the operating mechanism, and the first communication section and the second communication section move together, moving the shift body. Furthermore, when the operating mechanism is activated, an external force is applied to the shift body, causing the first communication section and the second communication section to move relative to each other, and the communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism provided by the communication mechanism is released.

[0014] Here, the biasing mechanism biases the shift body toward the shift position. Therefore, the biasing mechanism can bias the shift body separately from the communication mechanism, which increases the degree of freedom in setting the biasing load on the shift body by the biasing mechanism.

[0015] In the shift device according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the operating mechanism is operated, the shift body is moved by the biasing force of the biasing mechanism. restraint Therefore, it is possible to suppress a change in the moving speed of the shift body.

[0016] In the shift device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the rotating portion of the biasing mechanism is rotated to move the shift body, which allows the shift body to move smoothly.

[0017] In the shift device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the control device operates the operating mechanism in the forward direction to move the shift body and the detection device detects that the communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism has been released by the communication mechanism, the control device operates the operating mechanism in the reverse direction, and when the detection device detects the communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism, the control device operates the operating mechanism in the forward direction. Therefore, even if the communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism is released when the operating mechanism moves the shift body, the communication mechanism can quickly reconnect the shift body and the operating mechanism, allowing the operating mechanism to move the shift body.

[0018] In a fifth aspect of the shift device of the present invention, when the detection device detects communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism and the control device operates the operating mechanism in the forward direction, if the detection device detects release of communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism, the control device operates the operating mechanism in the reverse direction, and when the detection device detects communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism, the control device operates the operating mechanism in the forward direction. Therefore, even if the movement of the shift body is obstructed when the communication mechanism connects the shift body and the operating mechanism and the operating mechanism moves the shift body, and the communication mechanism connects the shift body and the operating mechanism again, the communication mechanism can again connect the shift body and the operating mechanism, allowing the operating mechanism to apply a moving force to the shift body.

[0019] In the shift device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the third communication portion of the communication mechanism is connected to the operating mechanism, thereby enabling communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism.

[0020] Furthermore, the operating mechanism controls the relative movement of the restricted portion of the third connecting portion. restraint Therefore, the operating mechanism can limit the relative movement of the communication mechanism, and the relative movement of the shift body can be limited.

[0021] In the shift device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the limiting portion of the operating mechanism restricts the relative movement of the communication mechanism. restraint This allows the operating mechanism to limit the relative movement of the shift body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view seen from the right, showing the lever of the shift device according to the embodiment of the present invention when it is positioned at the "P" position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view from the right showing the lever of the shift device according to the embodiment of the present invention when positioned at the "D" position. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the shift device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from diagonally rear right. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of the shift device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from diagonally rear right. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a clutch mechanism of the shift device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing a rotor cam of the shift device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed diagonally from the left. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a detent body and the like of the shift device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] (A) to (C) are plan views from above showing the connection between the lever and the operating mechanism in a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the lever and the operating mechanism before they are connected, (B) shows the lever and the operating mechanism in the middle of being connected, and (C) shows the lever and the operating mechanism when they are connected. [Figure 9](A) to (C) are plan views from above showing the clutch mechanism of a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the clutch mechanism connecting the lever and the operating mechanism, (B) shows the clutch mechanism in the process of releasing the connection between the lever and the operating mechanism, and (C) shows the state when the clutch mechanism has released the connection between the lever and the operating mechanism. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing modified examples of the clutch mechanism of a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1A is a perspective view from the right side showing the first detent plate, and 1B is a perspective view from the left side showing the second detent plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a shift device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the right, and Fig. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the shift device 10 as seen from the right rear. In the drawings, the front of the shift device 10 is indicated by an arrow FR, the right of the shift device 10 is indicated by an arrow RH, and the top of the shift device 10 is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0024] The shift device 10 according to this embodiment is installed on the console of the vehicle, and the front, right and upper sides of the shift device 10 face the front, right and upper sides of the vehicle, respectively.

[0025] 1, the shift device 10 is provided with a plate 12 in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box, and the plate 12 is fixed inside the console. A left plate 12A and a right plate 12B are provided on the left and right sides of the plate 12, respectively, and the plate 12 is configured by assembling the left plate 12A and the right plate 12B.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, a roughly rod-shaped lever 14 serving as a shift body is provided within the plate 12. Approximately cylindrical support shafts 14A and 14B are integrally formed on the left and right sides of the middle portion of the lever 14 in the up-down direction, respectively. The support shafts 14A and 14B protrude leftward and rightward, respectively, and are arranged coaxially with each other. The support shafts 14A and 14B are rotatably supported on the left and right walls of the plate 12, respectively, allowing the lever 14 to rotate (move) in the front-rear direction around the support shafts 14A and 14B as central axes. The outer periphery of the support shaft 14B, except for its right portion (tip), is enlarged in diameter.

[0027] An upper portion of the lever 14 rotatably penetrates the upper wall of the plate 12 and rotatably protrudes above the console (inside the vehicle cabin). The lever 14 can be rotated by a vehicle occupant (particularly the driver) while gripping the upper end. When the lever 14 is rotated from the front to the rear, the shift position of the lever 14 is changed in this order to a "P" position (parking position, predetermined position), an "R" position (reverse position), an "N" position (neutral position), and a "D" position (drive position, see FIG. 2). The lever 14 is rotatable within a range from the "P" position to the "D" position. When the lever 14 is rotated forward and rearward, the support shafts 14A and 14B rotate in one direction A and the other direction B (see FIG. 1, etc.), respectively.

[0028] A substantially cylindrical outer tube 14C is integrally formed on the right side of the vertical middle portion of the lever 14. The outer tube 14C protrudes to the right and is disposed coaxially with the support shaft 14B radially outside the left portion (base end) of the support shaft 14B. A rotating gear 14D is formed on the rear side of the vertical middle portion of the lever 14, and the rotating gear 14D is disposed radially outside the outer tube 14C along the circumferential direction of the outer tube 14C.

[0029] A circuit board 16 (see FIG. 3) is disposed on the left side of the lever 14, and the circuit board 16 is fixed inside the plate 12. The circuit board 16 is disposed vertically in the left-right direction, and the support shaft 14A of the lever 14 rotatably passes through the upper part of the circuit board 16.

[0030] A shift detector 18 (see FIG. 3) that constitutes a detector is provided on the rear side of the lever 14.

[0031] The shift detector 18 is provided with a shift gear 18A, which is rotatably supported within the plate 12. The shift gear 18A is meshed with a rotary gear 14D of the lever 14, and when the lever 14 is rotated, the rotary gear 14D is rotated, thereby rotating the shift gear 18A. A magnet (not shown) is fixed to the left end of the shift gear 18A, and the magnet rotates integrally with the shift gear 18A.

[0032] A shift sensor 18B faces the left side of the shift gear 18A and is provided on the circuit board 16. The shift sensor 18B detects the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet of the shift gear 18A to detect the rotational position of the shift gear 18A. This detects the rotational position of the rotating gear 14D, and therefore the rotational position of the lever 14 and the shift position. The shift sensor 18B is electrically connected to a control device 20 (CPU), which is provided on the circuit board 16.

[0033] A detent mechanism 22 serving as a biasing mechanism is provided below the lever 14.

[0034] The detent mechanism 22 is provided with a generally cylindrical detent body 24 (see FIG. 7) as a biasing body, and the detent body 24 is inserted from below into the lower part of the lever 14. The detent body 24 is rotatable integrally with the lever 14, and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the lever 14 but is unable to rotate around the longitudinal direction of the lever 14. A cylindrical roller 24A as a rotating part is rotatably supported at the bottom of the detent body 24, and the rotation axis of the roller 24A is arranged parallel to the left-right direction.

[0035] A detent spring 26 (compression coil spring) serving as a biasing member is provided above detent body 24 within the lower portion of lever 14, with the lower portion of detent spring 26 inserted into the upper portion of detent body 24. Detent spring 26 spans between the upper surface (bottom surface) within the lower portion of lever 14 and the lower surface (bottom surface) within the upper portion of detent body 24, and detent spring 26 biases detent body 24 downward.

[0036] The lower wall of the plate 12 (the lower wall of the right plate 12B) has multiple (four in this embodiment) detent recesses 22A, each having an approximately triangular cross section, formed as a biasing portion, and the multiple detent recesses 22A are aligned along the rotation direction of the lever 14.

[0037] When the lever 14 is positioned at each shift position, the roller 24A of the detent body 24 is inserted into the detent recess 22A of the plate 12 by the biasing force of the detent spring 26, thereby maintaining the rotational position of the detent body 24 and maintaining the lever 14 at each shift position (biased toward each shift position).

[0038] A clutch mechanism 28 (see FIG. 5) serving as a communication mechanism is provided on the right side of the middle portion of the lever 14 in the vertical direction.

[0039] The clutch mechanism 28 is provided with a substantially cylindrical first detent plate 30 serving as a first connecting member. The support shaft 14B of the lever 14 is fitted into the first detent plate 30, which is also fitted into the outer cylinder 14C of the lever 14, and the first detent plate 30 is coaxially supported by the support shaft 14B and the outer cylinder 14C. The position of the first detent plate 30 relative to the lever 14 in the rotation direction of the lever 14 is set to a specified position, and the first detent plate 30 is rotatable (movable) integrally with the rotation of the lever 14 and is also movable in the left-right direction. In addition, the outer periphery of the right portion of the first detent plate 30 is expanded in diameter.

[0040] A plurality of (three in this embodiment) substantially rectangular parallelepiped protrusions 30A serving as first connecting portions are integrally formed on the right surface of the first detent plate 30. The plurality of protrusions 30A each protrude to the right and are arranged at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the first detent plate 30. The outer surface (the surface on the radially outer side of the first detent plate 30) and inner surface (the surface on the radially inner side of the first detent plate 30) of the protrusions 30A are arranged parallel to the left-right direction and are curved along the circumferential direction of the first detent plate 30. One side surface (the surface on the one direction A side) and the other side surface (the surface on the other direction B side) of the protrusions 30A are arranged parallel to the radial direction of the first detent plate 30 and are inclined leftward as the protrusions 30A move outward in the circumferential direction of the first detent plate 30.

[0041] A clutch spring 32 (compression coil spring) serving as a connecting biasing member is provided on the left side of the first detent plate 30. The support shaft 14B of the lever 14 is inserted into the clutch spring 32, which is also inserted into the outer cylinder 14C of the lever 14. The clutch spring 32 is suspended between the left surface of the outer cylinder 14C (the right surface of the lever 14) and the left surface of the first detent plate 30, and biases the first detent plate 30 to the right.

[0042] A second detent plate 34, which is a substantially annular plate and serves as a second connecting member, is disposed to the right of the first detent plate 30. The vicinity of the right portion of the support shaft 14B of the lever 14 is substantially fitted into the second detent plate 34, and the second detent plate 34 is movable leftward, but its movement to the right is restricted by the right wall of the plate 12.

[0043] A plurality of (three in this embodiment) substantially rectangular parallelepiped recesses 34A are formed on the left surface of the second detent plate 34 as second connecting portions, and the plurality of recesses 34A are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the second detent plate 34. The outer surface (the surface on the radially outer side of the second detent plate 34) and the inner surface (the surface on the radially inner side of the second detent plate 34) of the recesses 34A are arranged parallel to the left-right direction and are curved along the circumferential direction of the second detent plate 34. One side surface (the surface on the one direction A side) and the other side surface (the surface on the other direction B side) of the recesses 34A are arranged parallel to the radial direction of the second detent plate 34 and are inclined toward the left as the recesses 34A move outward in the circumferential direction of the second detent plate 34.

[0044] The protrusion 30A of the first detent plate 30 is inserted into the recess 34A by the biasing force of the clutch spring 32 (see FIG. 9A). The outer surface of the recess 34A is fitted to the outer surface of the protrusion 30A, so that the second detent plate 34 is supported by the first detent plate 30 in the radial direction and is disposed coaxially with the first detent plate 30. One side surface and the other side surface of the protrusion 30A abut (in line contact) against one corner (a corner on the one direction A side and the left side) and the other corner (a corner on the other direction B side and the left side), respectively, of the recess 34A, so that the second detent plate 34 can rotate (move) integrally with the first detent plate 30 and rotate integrally with the rotation of the lever 14 and the rotation of the first detent plate 30.

[0045] A plurality of (three in this embodiment) connecting pieces 34B, each having a substantially elongated rectangular plate shape, are integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second detent plate 34 as a third connecting portion. The connecting pieces 34B are arranged at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the second detent plate 34. The connecting pieces 34B protrude radially outward from the second detent plate 34, extend around the circumferential direction of the second detent plate 34, and are curved along the circumferential direction of the second detent plate 34. A limiting protrusion 34C, having a substantially right-angled triangular plate shape, is integrally formed on the end of the connecting piece 34B on the other direction B side as a restricted portion. The limiting protrusion 34C protrudes to the right. One side surface (the side surface on the one direction A side) of the limiting protrusion 34C is inclined rightward as it approaches the other direction B, and the other side surface (the side surface on the other direction B side) of the limiting protrusion 34C forms the other side surface (the side surface on the other direction B side) of the connecting piece 34B.

[0046] An operating mechanism 36 (see FIG. 3) is provided on the right and rear side of the lever 14.

[0047] The actuating mechanism 36 is provided with a substantially cylindrical rotor cam 38 (see FIG. 6) as an actuating member. The rotor cam 38 is disposed coaxially on the radially outer side of the outer cylinder 14C of the lever 14, the first detent plate 30, and the second detent plate 34, and the rotor cam 38 is rotatably supported within the plate 12 in a state where movement in the left-right direction (axial direction) is restricted.

[0048] A plurality of (three in this embodiment) substantially rectangular plate-shaped communication holes 38A serving as connected portions are formed in the radially inner portion of the rotor cam 38. The plurality of communication holes 38A are arranged at equal intervals around the circumferential direction of the rotor cam 38. The communication holes 38A extend in the circumferential direction of the rotor cam 38. The communication holes 38A are open to the left and to the radially inner side of the rotor cam 38, and a communication piece 34B of the second detent plate 34 is inserted into the right portion of the communication hole 38A (see FIG. 8(A)). A substantially trapezoidal plate-shaped limiting protrusion 38B is formed at the right corner on the other side (side facing the direction A) of the communication hole 38A. The limiting protrusion 38B is curved along the circumferential direction of the rotor cam 38, and one side surface (the side surface facing the direction A) is inclined leftward as it extends in the other direction B. A limiting recess 38C having a substantially right-angled triangular cross section serving as a limiting portion is formed on the left portion of the limiting protrusion 38B. The limiting recess 38C is open to the left. One side of the limiting recess 38C (the side on the one direction A side) is inclined toward the right as it approaches the other direction B, and the other side of the limiting recess 38C (the side on the other direction B side) forms the other side of the connecting hole 38A (the side on the other direction B side).

[0049] The rotor cam 38 is positioned at a reference rotation position (reference position), and when the lever 14 is rotated within the range from the "P" position to the "D" position, even if the second detent plate 34 rotates integrally with the rotation of the lever 14, the connecting piece 34B of the second detent plate 34 is positioned on the one side A of the limiting protrusion 38B of the rotor cam 38.

[0050] A worm wheel 38D is formed on the right side of the outer periphery of the rotor cam 38 over the entire circumferential direction, and a rotary gear 38E is formed on the front of the left side of the outer periphery of the rotor cam 38.

[0051] The actuation mechanism 36 is provided with a motor 40 as a drive device, and the motor 40 is fixed inside the plate 12, with a worm 42 coaxially fixed to the output shaft. The motor 40 is electrically connected to the control device 20 on the circuit board 16, and under the control of the control device 20, the motor 40 is driven (the actuation mechanism 36 is operated) and the worm 42 is rotated.

[0052] A helical gear 44 (worm wheel) is meshed with the worm 42, and the helical gear 44 is rotatably supported within the plate 12. A worm gear 46 (worm) is coaxially fixed above the helical gear 44, and when the worm 42 is rotated, the helical gear 44 and the worm gear 46 rotate integrally.

[0053] The worm gear 46 is meshed with the worm wheel 38D of the rotor cam 38, and when the worm gear 46 is rotated, the rotor cam 38 is rotated. Note that the worm gear 46 is not rotated by the rotation of the rotor cam 38 (worm wheel 38D), and therefore the worm gear 46 is capable of restricting the rotation of the rotor cam 38.

[0054] An operation detector 48 (see FIG. 3) that constitutes a detector is provided on the front side of the rotor cam 38.

[0055] The shift detector 18 is provided with a rotor gear 48A, which is rotatably supported within the plate 12. The rotor gear 48A is meshed with the rotary gear 38E of the rotor cam 38, and when the rotor cam 38 rotates, the rotary gear 38E rotates, causing the rotor gear 48A to rotate. A magnet (not shown) is fixed to the left end of the rotor gear 48A, and the magnet rotates integrally with the rotor gear 48A.

[0056] An actuation sensor 48B faces the left side of the rotor gear 48A, and the actuation sensor 48B is provided on the circuit board 16. The actuation sensor 48B detects the direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnet of the rotor gear 48A to detect the rotational position of the rotor gear 48A, thereby detecting the rotational position of the rotor cam 38. The actuation sensor 48B is also electrically connected to the control device 20 on the circuit board 16.

[0057] An automatic transmission 50 (transmission) of the vehicle is electrically connected to the control device 20. Furthermore, a vehicle entry / exit sensor 52 is electrically connected to the control device 20, and the entry / exit sensor 52 detects whether a passenger is getting in or out of the vehicle.

[0058] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0059] In shift device 10 configured as described above, when lever 14 is rotated to change the shift position of lever 14, in detent mechanism 22, detent body 24 is moved upward against the biasing force of detent spring 26, and roller 24A of detent body 24 is released from detent recess 22A of plate 12. Thereafter, detent body 24 is moved downward by the biasing force of detent spring 26, and roller 24A is inserted into detent recess 22A adjacent to detent recess 22A. Therefore, after a rotation resistance force is applied to lever 14, a rotation assist force is applied, and a detent feeling is applied to the rotation operation of lever 14.

[0060] In addition, in the clutch mechanism 28, the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 is inserted into the concave portion 34A of the second detent plate 34 due to the biasing force of the clutch spring 32, and the first detent plate 30 and the second detent plate 34 rotate integrally (co-rotate) together with the rotation of the lever 14.

[0061] When the lever 14 is rotated and the shift position of the lever 14 is changed (when the shift detection device 18 detects the change in the shift position of the lever 14), the shift range of the automatic transmission 50 is changed to the shift range corresponding to the shift position of the lever 14 under the control of the control device 20.

[0062] Incidentally, when the lever 14 is placed in a position other than the "P" position (for example, the "D" position, see Figure 8(A)) (when the shift detection device 18 detects that the lever 14 is placed in a position other than the "P" position), on a predetermined occasion (for example, when the entry / exit sensor 52 detects that an occupant has exited the vehicle), the shift range of the automatic transmission 50 is automatically changed to the "P" range (parking range) under the control of the control device 20.

[0063] On a specific occasion when the lever 14 is positioned at a position other than the "P" position, the motor 40 in the actuating mechanism 36 is driven forward under the control of the control device 20, and the actuating mechanism 36 is operated in the forward direction, thereby rotating the worm 42, helical gear 44 and worm gear 46, and rotating the rotor cam 38 in one direction A from the reference rotation position.

[0064] Therefore, with the rotational position of the lever 14 held by the detent mechanism 22 (the biasing force of the detent spring 26), one side surface of the limiting protrusion 38B of the rotor cam 38 slides against the limiting protrusion 34C of the second detent plate 34 (connecting piece 34B), and the second detent plate 34 and the first detent plate 30 are moved to the left against the biasing force of the clutch spring 32 (see FIG. 8B). Then, one side surface of the limiting recess 38C of the rotor cam 38 slides against one side surface of the limiting protrusion 34C, and the second detent plate 34 and the first detent plate 30 are moved to the right by the biasing force of the clutch spring 32, so that the limiting protrusion 34C is fitted into the limiting recess 38C, and the other side surface of the communication hole 38A of the rotor cam 38 (including the other side surface of the limiting recess 38C) comes into contact with the other side surface of the connecting piece 34B (including the other side surface of the limiting protrusion 34C) (see FIG. 8C). As a result, the lever 14 and the rotor cam 38 are connected by the clutch mechanism 28, and the rotor cam 38 rotates the second detent plate 34 and the first detent plate 30 in one direction A, causing the lever 14 to rotate forward to the "P" position, and the shift position of the lever 14 corresponds to the shift range of the automatic transmission 50.

[0065] Furthermore, when the lever 14 is rotated to the "P" position (when the shift detection device 18 detects the rotation of the lever 14 to the "P" position), the motor 40 is reverse-driven under the control of the control device 20, and the operating mechanism 36 is operated in the reverse direction, thereby rotating the worm 42, helical gear 44, and worm gear 46, and rotating the rotor cam 38 in the other direction B.

[0066] Therefore, with the lever 14 held in the "P" position by the detent mechanism 22 (the biasing force of the detent spring 26), one side of the limiting recess 38C of the rotor cam 38 slides against one side of the limiting protrusion 34C of the second detent plate 34, and the second detent plate 34 and the first detent plate 30 are moved to the left against the biasing force of the clutch spring 32, thereby disengaging the limiting protrusion 34C from the limiting recess 38C (see FIG. 8(B)). Then, one side of the limiting projection 38B of the rotor cam 38 slides against the limiting protrusion 34C of the second detent plate 34, and the second detent plate 34 and the first detent plate 30 are moved to the right by the biasing force of the clutch spring 32 (see FIG. 8(A)). Thereafter, when the rotor cam 38 is further rotated in the other direction B and rotated to the reference rotation position (when the operation detection device 48 detects the rotation of the rotor cam 38 to the reference rotation position), the reverse drive of the motor 40 is stopped under the control of the control device 20, and the rotor cam 38 is returned to the reference rotation position.

[0067] Furthermore, as described above, when the operating mechanism 36 is actuated in the forward direction and the lever 14 is rotated forward, the rotation of the rotor cam 38 (worm wheel 38D) in the other direction B is restricted by the worm gear 46, and the rotation of the second detent plate 34 in the other direction B is restricted. For this reason, if an external force of a predetermined load or greater is applied to the lever 14 in the rearward direction and the forward rotation of the lever 14 is inhibited, the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 is disengaged from the concave portion 34A of the second detent plate 34 in the other direction B against the biasing force of the clutch spring 32 in the clutch mechanism 28 (the communication between the lever 14 and the rotor cam 38 by the clutch mechanism 28 is released), and the rotation of the first detent plate 30 in the other direction B (opposite rotation) relative to the second detent plate 34 and the rotation of the lever 14 rearward are permitted (see FIGS. 9B and 9C). Therefore, the external force acting on the lever 14 toward the rear side can be prevented from being transmitted to the second detent plate 34, and damage to the operating mechanism 36 can be prevented.

[0068] Furthermore, when the operating mechanism 36 is actuated in the forward direction and the lever 14 is rotated forward, if the rotational position of the rotor cam 38 detected by the operation detection device 48 (the rotational position of the second detent plate 34, the assumed rotational position of the lever 14 caused by the rotor cam 38) is larger than a predetermined value in one direction A relative to the rotational position of the lever 14 detected by the shift detection device 18 (the rotational position of the first detent plate 30), the control device 20 determines that the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 has disengaged from the concave portion 34A of the second detent plate 34, and the control device 20 operates the operating mechanism 36 in the reverse direction, causing the second detent plate 34 to rotate in the other direction B. The predetermined value is set to the rotational angle (e.g., 1°) of the second detent plate 34 in one direction A relative to the first detent plate 30 immediately before the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 disengages from the concave portion 34A of the second detent plate 34.

[0069] When the rotational position of the rotor cam 38 detected by the operation detection device 48 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value in direction A relative to the rotational position of the lever 14 detected by the shift detection device 18, the control device 20 determines that the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 is inserted into the concave portion 34A of the second detent plate 34 (the lever 14 and the rotor cam 38 are connected by the clutch mechanism 28), and the control device 20 operates the operating mechanism 36 in the forward direction, causing the second detent plate 34 to rotate in direction A. Therefore, together with the rotation of the second detent plate 34 in direction A, the first detent plate 30 is rotated in direction A, and the lever 14 is rotated forward.

[0070] Furthermore, if an external force is still applied to the lever 14 and the lever 14 is prevented from rotating forward when the second detent plate 34 is rotated in the direction A in this manner, the rotational position of the rotor cam 38 detected by the operation detection device 48 is again made larger than the predetermined value in the direction A relative to the rotational position of the lever 14 detected by the shift detection device 18. Therefore, similar to the above, after the second detent plate 34 is rotated in the other direction B, the second detent plate 34 is rotated in the direction A.

[0071] In the shift device 10 according to this embodiment, the detent mechanism 22 is provided separately from the clutch mechanism 28, and the detent mechanism 22 biases the lever 14 toward each shift position. Therefore, the detent mechanism 22 can bias the lever 14 separately from the clutch mechanism 28, and the degree of freedom in setting the biasing load of the lever 14 by the detent mechanism 22 can be increased.

[0072] Furthermore, when the operating mechanism 36 is actuated in the forward direction and the lever 14 is rotated forward, the limiting protrusion 34C of the second detent plate 34 fits into the limiting recess 38C of the rotor cam 38, thereby restricting the rotation of the second detent plate 34 in the direction A relative to the rotor cam 38, thereby restricting the rotation of the first detent plate 30 in the direction A relative to the rotor cam 38 and the forward rotation of the lever 14. Therefore, when the lever 14 is rotated forward and the roller 24A of the detent body 24 in the detent mechanism 22 is inserted into the detent recess 22A of the plate 12, the biasing force of the detent spring 26 can restrict the lever 14 from rotating forward, thereby restricting an increase in the forward rotation speed of the lever 14. This makes it possible to suppress changes in the forward rotation speed of the lever 14, improving the appearance of the rotational movement of the lever 14, and also suppressing the generation of abnormal noise caused by the insertion of the roller 24A into the moderation recess 22A, thereby reducing the operating noise of the lever 14.

[0073] Furthermore, in the detent mechanism 22, the roller 24A is rotated and inserted into and removed from the detent recess 22A, thereby rotating the lever 14. This allows the lever 14 to rotate smoothly. Moreover, even if the roller 24A allows the lever 14 to rotate smoothly, as described above, when the operating mechanism 36 is actuated in the forward direction to rotate the lever 14 forward, the biasing force of the detent spring 26 can limit the lever 14 from rotating forward.

[0074] Furthermore, as described above, when the operating mechanism 36 is operated in the forward direction and the lever 14 is rotated forward, if the control device 20 determines, based on the operation detection device 48 and the shift detection device 18, that the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 has been released from the concave portion 34A of the second detent plate 34, the operating mechanism 36 is operated in the reverse direction. Then, if the control device 20 determines, based on the operation detection device 48 and the shift detection device 18, that the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 has been inserted into the concave portion 34A of the second detent plate 34, the operating mechanism 36 is operated in the forward direction. Therefore, even if the forward rotation of the lever 14 is hindered by the operation of the operating mechanism 36 in the forward direction and the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 is disengaged from the concave portion 34A of the second detent plate 34, the operating mechanism 36 is quickly operated in the reverse direction to insert the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 into the concave portion 34A of the second detent plate 34. This allows the operating mechanism 36 to quickly resume the forward rotation of the lever 14.

[0075] Furthermore, when the control device 20 determines that the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 has been inserted into the recessed portion 34A of the second detent plate 34 and the operating mechanism 36 is operated in the forward direction, if the control device 20 determines that the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 has been released from the recessed portion 34A of the second detent plate 34, the operating mechanism 36 is operated again in the reverse direction as described above, and the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 is inserted into the recessed portion 34A of the second detent plate 34, and then the operating mechanism 36 is operated in the forward direction. Therefore, even if the forward rotation of the lever 14 is still hindered when the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 is inserted into the recessed portion 34A of the second detent plate 34 and the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 is disengaged from the recessed portion 34A of the second detent plate 34, the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 can be inserted into the recessed portion 34A of the second detent plate 34 again, and the operating mechanism 36 can apply a forward rotation force to the lever 14.

[0076] Additionally, the shift detector 18 and the operation detector 48 are used to detect whether the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 has been removed from or inserted into the concave portion 34A of the second detent plate 34. This eliminates the need to provide a separate device for detecting whether the convex portion 30A of the first detent plate 30 has been removed from or inserted into the concave portion 34A of the second detent plate 34, simplifying the configuration.

[0077] In this embodiment, three protrusions 30A are provided on the first detent plate 30, and three recesses 34A are provided on the second detent plate 34. However, as shown in Figures 10A and 10B, six protrusions 30A may be provided on the first detent plate 30, and six recesses 34A may be provided on the second detent plate 34. In this case, on the first detent plate 30, protrusions 30A with large width dimensions (diameter of the first detent plate 30) and small protrusions 30A are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the first detent plate 30. Furthermore, on the second detent plate 34, recesses 34A with large width dimensions (diameter of the second detent plate 34) and small recesses 34A are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the second detent plate 34. Therefore, the larger width protrusion 30A of the first detent plate 30 cannot be inserted into the smaller width recess 34A of the second detent plate 34, and the larger width protrusion 30A and the smaller width protrusion 30A of the first detent plate 30 are inserted into the larger width recess 34A and the smaller width recess 34A of the second detent plate 34, respectively. This prevents the connecting piece 34B of the second detent plate 34 from shifting relative to the first detent plate 30 in the circumferential direction of the first detent plate 30, and prevents the connecting piece 34B from shifting relative to the lever 14 in the direction in which the lever 14 rotates.

[0078] In this embodiment, the actuating mechanism 36 rotates the lever 14 to the "P" position. However, for example, in an automatic driving mode of the vehicle, the actuating mechanism 36 may rotate the lever 14 to a shift position other than the "P" position.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lever 14 (shift body) is rotated. However, the shift body may slide or rotate around a central axis.

[0080] In this embodiment, the shift device 10 is installed in the console. However, the shift device 10 may also be installed in the instrument panel or the steering column. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 10 shift device, 14 lever (shift body), 18 shift detection device (detection device), 20 control device, 22 detent mechanism (biasing mechanism), 24A roller (rotating portion), 28 clutch mechanism (connection mechanism), 30A convex portion (first connecting portion), 34A concave portion (second connecting portion), 34B connecting piece (third connecting portion), 34C limiting convex portion (restricted portion), 36 operating mechanism, 38C limiting concave portion (limiting portion), 48 operation detection device (detection device)

Claims

1. a shift body that is moved by rotation to change the shift position; a biasing mechanism that biases the shift body toward the shift position; an actuation mechanism that is actuated; a communication mechanism supported on the rotation center shaft of the shift body, having a first communication part provided on the shift body side and a second communication part provided on the operating mechanism side, and urging the shift body separately from the urging mechanism, and when the operating mechanism is operated, connecting the shift body and the operating mechanism, the first communication part and the second communication part move integrally while the shift body is moved, and when the operating mechanism is operated, an external force is applied to the shift body, causing the first communication part and the second communication part to move relatively, thereby releasing the communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism; and when the operating mechanism is operated, movement of the shift body due to the biasing force of the biasing mechanism is suppressed.

2. A shift body that is moved by rotation to change the shift position; a biasing mechanism that biases the shift body toward the shift position; an actuation mechanism that is actuated; a communication mechanism supported on the rotation center shaft of the shift body, having a first communication part provided on the shift body side and a second communication part provided on the operating mechanism side, and urging the shift body separately from the urging mechanism, and when the operating mechanism is operated, connecting the shift body and the operating mechanism, the first communication part and the second communication part move integrally while the shift body is moved, and when the operating mechanism is operated, an external force is applied to the shift body, causing the first communication part and the second communication part to move relatively, thereby releasing the communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism; a detection device that detects communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism and release of communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism; a control device that, when the detection device detects release of communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism when the operating mechanism is operated in a forward direction to move the shift body, operates the operating mechanism in a reverse direction, and when the detection device detects communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism by the communication mechanism, operates the operating mechanism in the forward direction; A shift device comprising:

3. The control device is a shift device as described in claim 2, wherein when the detection device detects communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism via the communication mechanism and operates the operating mechanism in the forward direction, if the detection device detects that the communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism via the communication mechanism has been released, the control device operates the operating mechanism in the reverse direction, and when the detection device detects communication between the shift body and the operating mechanism via the communication mechanism, the control device operates the operating mechanism in the forward direction.

4. A shift device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a rotating part provided in the biasing mechanism and rotated to move the shift body.

5. A third communication section provided in the communication mechanism separately from the first communication section and the second communication section and connected to the operating mechanism; a restricted portion provided in the third communication portion, by which the actuating mechanism restricts relative movement; The shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

6. A shift device described in any one of claims 1 to 5, which is provided in the operating mechanism and is equipped with a limiting section that suppresses relative movement of the communication mechanism.

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