Transmission and Engine

Abstract

To provide a transmission which can suppress the occurrence of chattering, and an engine.SOLUTION: A transmission comprises: a shift lever sensor for detecting a position of a shift lever; and a control unit that performs control to define a position of the shift lever at a shift position corresponding to a shift position range 52 when a voltage value output from the shift lever sensor is within the shift position range 52, and to define the position of the shift lever to intermediate position ranges 61, 62 existing next to the shift position corresponding to the shift position range 52 when the voltage value includes the shift position range 52 and is outside an out-of shift position range 56 which is wider than the shift position range 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transmission and an engine that detects a shift position based on the operation of a shift lever. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a transmission that changes gear position by rotating a shift drum in response to the operation of a shift pedal. The transmission described in Patent Document 1 includes a potentiometer that detects the rotational position of the shift drum, and a determination unit that determines gear position based on whether a signal value from the potentiometer is within a predetermined determination band. The determination band is set for each gear position. In addition, a dead band, which is not used as a criterion for determining gear position, is set between adjacent determination bands.

[0003] However, simply setting a dead band between adjacent determination bands may not be enough to prevent chattering, where the gear position determination result fluctuates in a short period of time. For example, chattering may occur when the signal value output from the potentiometer fluctuates between the determination band and the dead band due to vehicle vibration or noise contained in the signal output from the potentiometer caused by vibration. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-32726 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a transmission and an engine that can suppress the occurrence of chattering. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is a transmission that detects a shift position based on the operation of a shift lever, and is characterized by comprising: a shift lever sensor that detects the position of the shift lever; and a control unit that executes control to determine the position of the shift lever to the shift position corresponding to the shift position range when a voltage value output from the shift lever sensor is within the shift position range, and to determine the position of the shift lever to an intermediate position range that is adjacent to the shift position corresponding to the shift position range when the voltage value is outside the shift position range that includes the shift position range and is wider than the shift position range.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the control unit does not immediately determine the position of the shift lever to the intermediate position range when the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor deviates from the shift position range, but executes control to determine the position of the shift lever to the intermediate position range when the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor deviates from the out-of-shift position range, which includes the shift position range but is wider than the shift position range. The intermediate position range is a range that exists next to the shift position corresponding to the shift position range. This prevents the shift position determined by the control unit from fluctuating back and forth in a short period of time, a phenomenon known as chattering, even if the engine or vehicle equipped with the transmission vibrates or if the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor contains noise due to the vibration.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a transmission device in which, in the first aspect of the present invention, the shift position out-range includes the shift position range, a first out-range range that is out-of-range from the shift position range to the low potential side, and a second out-of-range that is out-of-range from the shift position range to the high potential side.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the present invention, chattering can be prevented from occurring both in the intermediate position range adjacent on the low potential side to the shift position corresponding to the shift position range, and in the intermediate position range adjacent on the high potential side to the shift position corresponding to the shift position range.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is a transmission device characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the control unit executes control to determine whether to update the confirmed shift position when the confirmed shift position confirmed by the control differs from the latest shift position determined based on the latest voltage value in the control cycle, and updates the confirmed shift position to the latest shift position when the voltage value indicates the voltage value corresponding to the latest shift position for a predetermined period of time or more.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the present invention, even if the latest shift position suddenly changes or returns to its original position, the occurrence of chattering can be more reliably suppressed.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a transmission device according to the third aspect of the present invention, characterized in that the starting point for checking whether the predetermined time has elapsed is the timing when the previous shift position, which corresponds to the latest shift position one cycle before in the control cycle, is different from the latest shift position.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control unit starts checking the passage of time when the previous shift position differs from the latest shift position, and updates the confirmed shift position to the latest shift position when the voltage output from the shift lever sensor indicates a voltage value corresponding to the latest shift position for a predetermined time or more. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent chattering even when the latest shift position suddenly changes or returns to its original position.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the present invention is an engine equipped with the transmission according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention.

[0015] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control unit of the transmission mounted on the engine does not immediately determine the position of the shift lever to the intermediate position range when the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor deviates from the shift position range, but executes control to determine the position of the shift lever to the intermediate position range when the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor deviates from the out-of-shift position range that includes but is wider than the shift position range. The intermediate position range is a range that exists next to the shift position corresponding to the shift position range. This makes it possible to prevent so-called chattering, in which the shift position determined by the control unit fluctuates back and forth within a short period of time, even if the engine or vehicle equipped with the transmission vibrates or if noise is included in the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor due to the vibration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a transmission and an engine that can suppress the occurrence of chattering. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of an engine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the transmission according to the embodiment to detect a shift position. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a shift position deviation range according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the operation of the transmission device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a timing chart showing a specific example of the operation of the transmission device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred examples of the present invention, and therefore various technically preferable limitations are applied thereto, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these aspects unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present invention is particularly limited. Furthermore, in each drawing, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an engine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The engine 2 according to this embodiment includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 3 and a shift lever sensor 4, and is mounted on industrial machinery such as construction machinery or agricultural machinery.

[0020] The ECU 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an A / D converter 33, and an input / output unit 34. The control unit 31, also referred to as an arithmetic processing unit, functions as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executes various calculations and processes by reading programs stored in the storage unit 32. As will be described later, the control unit 31 determines the position of the shift lever based on a voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4, and sets or determines the position of the shift lever to a predetermined shift position. Therefore, the control unit 31 may include a determination unit and a setting unit. The determination unit and the setting unit are realized by the control unit 31, which functions as an arithmetic processing unit, executing programs stored in the storage unit 32. The determination unit and the setting unit may be realized by hardware or a combination of hardware and software.

[0021] The storage unit 32 stores (memorizes) various programs, conditional expressions, judgment values, etc. In this embodiment, the storage unit 32 stores sequence programs and calculation programs that allow the control unit 31 to determine the position of the shift lever and to set or confirm the position of the shift lever to a predetermined shift position. The storage unit 32 also stores the voltage values ​​of the shift lever sensor 4 when a position confirmation input is made with the shift lever moved to each position. The storage unit 32 also stores the voltage values ​​and voltage ranges of the shift lever sensor 4 that serve as judgment criteria for each position of the shift lever. Details of the conditional expressions and judgment values ​​stored in the storage unit 32 will be described later. Examples of the storage unit 32 include a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0022] The A / D converter 33 converts the analog voltage value input from the shift lever sensor 4 via the input / output unit 34 into a digital value, and outputs the digital value to the control unit 31 .

[0023] The shift lever sensor 4 detects the position or rotation angle of the shift lever. Specifically, the shift lever sensor 4 outputs a voltage value corresponding to the position or rotation angle of the shift lever to the ECU 3. An example of the shift lever sensor 4 is a potentiometer. When the shift lever sensor 4 is a potentiometer, the potentiometer detects, for example, the rotation angle of a shift drum provided in the transmission 21.

[0024] The transmission 21 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 31 and a shift lever sensor 4. The transmission 21 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the transmission according to this embodiment for detecting the shift position. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the range of shift position deviation in this embodiment.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, this embodiment takes as an example a case where "R," "N," "H," "L," and "UL" are set as the shift positions. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the storage unit 32 stores the voltage values ​​and voltage ranges of the shift lever sensor 4 that serve as criteria for determining each position of the shift lever. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 32 stores an R position range 51, an N position range 52, an H position range 53, an L position range 54, and a UL position range 55 for the voltage values ​​output from the shift lever sensor 4.

[0027] Each of the R position range 51, N position range 52, H position range 53, L position range 54, and UL position range 55 in this embodiment is an example of a "shift position range" in the present invention. In this specification, the "shift position range" for the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 refers to a voltage range in which the shift lever position is allowed, i.e., a range between a lower limit voltage and an upper limit voltage that allow the shift position to be determined. The shift position range in this embodiment is, for example, a voltage range of approximately 1.0 V or more and 2.0 V or less. However, the shift position range is not limited to this range.

[0028] The storage unit 32 also stores voltage values ​​and voltage ranges of the shift lever sensor 4 that serve as criteria for determining intermediate position ranges adjacent to the shift position. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the storage unit 32 stores, for the voltage values ​​output from the shift lever sensor 4, an intermediate position range 61 that exists between the R position and the N position, an intermediate position range 62 that exists between the N position and the H position, an intermediate position range 63 that exists between the H position and the L position, and an intermediate position range 64 that exists between the L position and the UL position.

[0029] Furthermore, the storage unit 32 of this embodiment stores a misaligned shift position range 56 for the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4. In this specification, the "misaligned shift position range" for the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 refers to a voltage range that includes the shift position range but is wider than the shift position range, in other words, a voltage range that serves as a criterion for determining whether the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 has deviated from the shift position. The misaligned shift position range 56 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3 .

[0030] 2 and 3, an out-of-shift position range 56 for the N position is given as an example of the out-of-shift position range. The out-of-shift position range is not a voltage range set only for the N position, but also a voltage range set for each of the R position, H position, L position, and UL position. The out-of-shift position ranges for each of the R position, H position, L position, and UL position are the same as the out-of-shift position range 56 for the N position. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the out-of-shift position range 56 for the N position is given as an example of the out-of-shift position range.

[0031] The off-shift position range 56 is a voltage range that serves as a criterion for determining whether the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 has deviated from the N position under normal control. As shown in Fig. 3, the off-shift position range 56 includes the N position range 52, a first off-shift range 561 that deviates from the N position range 52 to the low potential side, and a second off-shift range 562 that deviates from the N position range 52 to the high potential side. Because the off-shift position range 56 has such a voltage range, as shown in Fig. 2, the first off-shift range 561 has a voltage range that extends into a part of the intermediate position range 61, and the second off-shift range 562 has a voltage range that extends into a part of the intermediate position range 62.

[0032] In this embodiment, the first and second deviation ranges are, for example, a range of approximately 0.1 V or more and 0.2 V or less, but are not limited to these ranges.

[0033] In this embodiment, when the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 is within the shift position range, the control unit 31 determines the position of the shift lever to be the shift position corresponding to the shift position range. For example, when the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 is within the N position range 52, the control unit 31 determines the position of the shift lever to be the N position corresponding to the N position range 52. This also applies to the R position, H position, L position, and UL position.

[0034] Furthermore, the control unit 31 of this embodiment determines the position of the shift lever to be in an intermediate position range adjacent to the shift position corresponding to the shift position range when the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 is outside the out-of-shift position range 56. For example, the control unit 31 determines the position of the shift lever to be in an intermediate position range 61 or an intermediate position range 62 adjacent to the N position corresponding to the N position range 52 when the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 is outside the out-of-shift position range 56.

[0035] 2, when the position of the shift lever is fixed at the N position, the off-shift region 66 in which the control unit 31 determines that the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 has deviated from the N position to the low potential side (i.e., the R position side) is a region adjacent to the low potential side of the first off-shift range 561 (see FIG. 3) of the off-shift position range 56. Also, when the position of the shift lever is fixed at the N position as shown in FIG. 2, the off-shift region 67 in which the control unit 31 determines that the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 has deviated from the N position to the high potential side (i.e., the H position side) is a region adjacent to the high potential side of the second off-shift range 562 (see FIG. 3) of the off-shift position range 56.

[0036] In the engine 2 and transmission 21 according to this embodiment, the control unit 31 does not immediately determine the position of the shift lever to the intermediate position range 61, 62 when the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 deviates from the N position range 52, but executes control to determine the position of the shift lever to the intermediate position range 61, 62 when the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 deviates from the out-of-shift position range 56. This prevents the shift position determined by the control unit 31 from fluctuating back and forth in a short period of time, a phenomenon known as chattering, from occurring even when the engine 2 or vehicle on which the transmission 21 is mounted vibrates or when noise is included in the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 due to the vibration. This effect is similarly achieved for the R position, H position, L position, and UL position.

[0037] Further, the off-shift position range 56 includes the N position range 52, a first off-shift range 561 that is off-shift from the N position range 52 to the low potential side, and a second off-shift range 562 that is off-shift from the N position range 52 to the high potential side. This makes it possible to prevent chattering from occurring in both the intermediate position range 61 that is adjacent to the N position corresponding to the N position range 52 on the low potential side, and the intermediate position range 62 that is adjacent to the N position corresponding to the N position range 52 on the high potential side. This effect is similarly obtained for the R position, H position, L position, and UL position.

[0038] Next, a specific example of the operation of the transmission 21 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the operation of the transmission according to this embodiment. In this specific example, with reference to the conceptual diagram shown in FIG. 2, a case where the current confirmed shift position is the N position will be taken as an example.

[0039] First, in this specific example, the storage unit 32 stores and holds the previous shift position before the control unit 31 determines the latest shift position.

[0040] Here, in this specification, the term "confirmed shift position" refers to the current shift position in the overall control of the engine 2 or the vehicle (for example, industrial machinery such as agricultural machinery) equipped with the engine 2. The control unit 31 refers to the confirmed shift position when performing meter display or control specific to each shift position. In addition, in this specification, the "latest shift position" refers to the shift position determined by the control unit 31 based on the latest voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 (i.e., the voltage value last acquired in a control cycle). The latest shift position is a transient internal state used by the control unit 31 to update the confirmed shift position. The control unit 31 does not reflect the latest shift position in the overall control of the vehicle. In this specification, the term "previous shift position" refers to the most recent shift position in the previous control cycle. The previous shift position is an internal state that the control unit 31 checks to determine whether the shift position has changed (i.e., whether the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 has changed) in order to determine whether chattering has been removed.

[0041] To explain a specific example of the operation of the transmission 21 according to this embodiment, first, the control unit 31 acquires a voltage value obtained from the shift lever sensor 4. Specifically, as described above with reference to FIG. 1 , the control unit 31 acquires a voltage value that is input from the shift lever sensor 4 via the input / output unit 34 and converted from an analog value to a digital value by the A / D converter 33. Then, the control unit 31 determines or updates the latest shift position based on the latest voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4.

[0042] That is, in step S11, the control unit 31 determines whether the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 satisfies a shift-on voltage condition. The equation for the shift-on voltage condition is as follows: In the following description, the voltage output from the shift lever sensor 4 may be simply referred to as the "shift lever sensor voltage value." [Shifted voltage conditional expression] Shift lever sensor voltage value ≦ Shift position range + 1st shift position engagement range AND Shift lever sensor voltage value ≥ Shift position range + 2nd shift position range

[0043] In step S11, the control unit 31 determines whether the shift lever sensor voltage value is within the shift position engagement range. For example, the control unit 31 determines whether the shift-engagement voltage condition is satisfied in order from the R position to the UL position. The control unit 31 then sets the shift position when the shift-engagement voltage condition is first satisfied as the most recent shift position. For example, the control unit 31 determines whether the shift-engagement voltage condition is satisfied in order from the R position to the UL position, and if the shift position when the shift-engagement voltage condition is first satisfied is the H position, the control unit 31 sets the H position as the most recent shift position. In this case, the control unit 31 does not determine whether the shift-engagement voltage condition is satisfied for shift positions after the L position.

[0044] If the shift-on voltage condition is not satisfied (step S11: NO), in step S12, the control unit 31 determines whether the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 satisfies the shift-off voltage condition corresponding to the confirmed shift position. The equation for the shift-off voltage condition is as follows: [Shift-off voltage condition formula] Shift lever sensor voltage value ≥ Shift position range + 1st out-of-range or Shift lever sensor voltage value ≦ Shift position range + 2nd out-of-range range

[0045] In step S12, the control unit 31 determines whether the shift lever sensor voltage value is outside the off-shift position range 56 corresponding to the confirmed shift position. If the off-shift voltage condition is satisfied, the control unit 31 sets the latest shift position to the intermediate position range. For example, the control unit 31 determines whether the off-shift voltage condition corresponding to the N position is satisfied, and if the off-shift voltage condition is satisfied, sets the latest shift position to the intermediate position range 61 or the intermediate position range 62. In this case, the control unit 31 does not determine whether the off-shift voltage condition corresponding to the other shift positions is satisfied.

[0046] If the current confirmed shift position is in the intermediate position range, the control unit 31 does not determine whether the off-shift voltage condition corresponding to the confirmed shift position is satisfied. In this case, the control unit 31 sets the latest shift position to the intermediate position range, just as in the case where the off-shift voltage condition is satisfied.

[0047] If the off-shift voltage condition is not satisfied (step S12: NO), in step S13, the control unit 31 sets the latest shift position to the confirmed shift position. For example, if the confirmed shift position is the N position and the off-shift voltage condition corresponding to the N position is not satisfied, the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 is within the off-shift position range 56. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 31 sets the latest shift position to the confirmed shift position, i.e., the N position.

[0048] If the shift-on voltage condition is satisfied (step S11: YES), if the shift-off voltage condition is satisfied (step S12: YES), and in step S14 following step S13, the control unit 31 determines whether the confirmed shift position is different from the latest shift position. For example, if the shift-on voltage condition is satisfied (step S11: YES) and if the shift-off voltage condition is satisfied (step S12: YES), this corresponds to the case where the confirmed shift position is different from the latest shift position. In this case, the control unit 31 executes control to determine whether to update the confirmed shift position.

[0049] That is, if the confirmed shift position is different from the latest shift position (step S14: YES), the control unit 31 performs chattering removal by determining whether the elapsed time during which the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4 indicates a voltage value corresponding to the latest shift position is equal to or longer than a predetermined time from the timing (start point) at which the previous shift position differed from the latest shift position. Specifically, if the confirmed shift position is different from the latest shift position (step S14: YES), the control unit 31 sets the timing at which the previous shift position differed from the latest shift position as the start point for checking the elapsed time. If the latest shift position suddenly changes or returns during the time elapsed check, the control unit 31 updates the start point for checking the elapsed time with each change and checks the elapsed time from the final timing of the change. On the other hand, if the confirmed shift position is the same as the latest shift position, the control unit 31 does not update the start point for checking the elapsed time.

[0050] Next, the control unit 31 determines whether the time elapsed from the start point of the time elapse check to the present is equal to or greater than a predetermined time set as a chattering removal time. More specifically, the control unit 31 determines whether the following chattering removal time condition is satisfied: [Chattering removal time condition] Number of control cycles in which the latest shift position matches the previous shift position ≥ Chattering removal time / Control cycle time For example, if the chattering removal time is preset to 25 ms and the control cycle of ECU 3 is set to 10 ms, and the latest shift position matches the previous shift position in 25 / 10=2 (remainder 5: rounded down) cycles, i.e., if the latest shift position in this control cycle matches the latest shift position in the cycle before last and the previous cycle, the control unit 31 determines that the elapsed time from the start point of time elapse confirmation to the present is equal to or longer than the predetermined time set as the chattering removal time. Note that the chattering removal time is not limited to 25 ms. Also, the control cycle is not limited to 10 ms.

[0051] In this way, the "predetermined time" is the elapsed time from the point at which the previous shift position, which corresponds to the latest shift position one control cycle before the latest shift position, differs from the latest shift position.

[0052] If the time that has elapsed from the start point of checking the passage of time to the present is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (step S15: YES), in step S16, control unit 31 updates the confirmed shift position to the latest shift position. In this way, when the confirmed shift position differs from the latest shift position determined based on the latest shift lever sensor voltage value in the control cycle, the control unit 31 executes control to determine whether to update the confirmed shift position, and updates the confirmed shift position to the latest shift position when the shift lever sensor voltage value indicates a shift lever sensor voltage value corresponding to the latest shift position for a predetermined period of time or more.

[0053] On the other hand, if the time elapsed from the start point of checking the elapsed time to the present is not equal to or longer than the predetermined time (step S15: NO), the control unit 31 executes the process described above with respect to step S15 again.

[0054] Next, a specific example of the operation of the transmission 21 according to this embodiment will be further described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a specific example of the operation of the transmission according to this embodiment. 5, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the voltage value output from the shift lever sensor 4. In this specific example, similar to the specific example described above with reference to Figure 4, reference is made to the conceptual diagram shown in Figure 2, and an example is given of the case where the shift lever is operated from the currently confirmed shift position N position to the H position.

[0055] First, at timing T11, the voltage value 41 output from the shift lever sensor 4 is outside the off-shift position range 56 corresponding to the N position as the confirmed shift position. In other words, at timing T11, the voltage value 41 output from the shift lever sensor 4 satisfies the off-shift voltage condition corresponding to the N position as the confirmed shift position. Therefore, at timing T11, the control unit 31 sets the latest shift position to within the intermediate position range 62.

[0056] In this case, the confirmed shift position (N position) differs from the latest shift position (intermediate position range 62). Therefore, the control unit 31 starts control of update determination of the confirmed shift position, and sets the timing T11 when the previous shift position (N position) differed from the latest shift position (intermediate position range 62) as the start point for checking the passage of time.

[0057] Subsequently, at timing T12, when the elapsed time from the start point of the time lapse confirmation (timing T11) to the present (timing T12) becomes equal to or exceeds a predetermined time, control unit 31 updates the confirmed shift position to the latest shift position (intermediate position range 62).

[0058] Subsequently, at timing T13, the voltage value 41 output from the shift lever sensor 4 falls within the H position range 53 (see FIG. 2). In other words, at timing T13, the voltage value 41 output from the shift lever sensor 4 satisfies the shift-on voltage condition corresponding to the H position. Therefore, at timing T13, the control unit 31 sets the latest shift position to the H position.

[0059] In this case, the confirmed shift position (intermediate position range 62) differs from the latest shift position (H position). Therefore, the control unit 31 starts control of update determination of the confirmed shift position, and sets the timing T13 at which the previous shift position (intermediate position range 62) differed from the latest shift position (H position) as the start point for checking the passage of time.

[0060] Subsequently, at timing T14, the voltage value 41 output from the shift lever sensor 4 falls outside the off-shift position range (not shown) corresponding to the H position. In other words, at timing T14, the voltage value 41 output from the shift lever sensor 4 satisfies the off-shift voltage condition corresponding to the H position as the confirmed shift position. Therefore, at timing T14, the control unit 31 sets the most recent shift position to the intermediate position range 63. Therefore, the elapsed time during which the voltage value 41 output from the shift lever sensor 4 indicates a voltage value corresponding to the most recent shift position (H position) is less than the predetermined time from the start point (timing T13). In this way, if the most recent shift position suddenly changes during the time elapse check, the control unit 31 updates the start point of the time elapse check each time the change occurs.

[0061] Then, at timing T15, the voltage value 41 output from the shift lever sensor 4 falls again within the H position range 53. In other words, at timing T15, the voltage value 41 output from the shift lever sensor 4 again satisfies the shift-on voltage condition corresponding to the H position. Therefore, at timing T15, the control unit 31 sets the latest shift position to the H position.

[0062] In this case, the confirmed shift position (intermediate position range 62) differs from the latest shift position (H position). Therefore, the control unit 31 starts control of update determination of the confirmed shift position, and sets the timing T15 at which the previous shift position (intermediate position range 63) differed from the latest shift position (H position) as the start point for checking the passage of time.

[0063] Subsequently, at timing T16, when the time elapsed from the start point of the time lapse confirmation (timing T15) to the present (timing T16) becomes equal to or exceeds a predetermined time, control unit 31 updates the confirmed shift position to the latest shift position (H position).

[0064] 4 and 5, when the confirmed shift position differs from the latest shift position determined based on the latest voltage value in the control cycle, the control unit 31 executes control to determine whether to update the confirmed shift position, and updates the confirmed shift position to the latest shift position when the shift lever sensor voltage value indicates a shift lever sensor voltage value corresponding to the latest shift position for a predetermined period of time or longer. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent chattering from occurring even when the latest shift position suddenly changes or returns to its original state.

[0065] Furthermore, the control unit 31 starts updating the established shift position to the latest shift position when the voltage value 41 output from the shift lever sensor 4 indicates a voltage value corresponding to the latest shift position for a predetermined time or more, starting from the time when the previous shift position differed from the latest shift position. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent chattering from occurring even when the latest shift position suddenly changes or returns to its original state.

[0066] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The configurations of the above embodiments can be partially omitted or arbitrarily combined in a different manner from the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 2: Engine, 3: ECU, 4: Shift lever sensor, 21: Transmission, 31: Control unit, 32: Memory unit, 33: A / D converter, 34: Input / output unit, 41: Voltage value, 51: R position range, 52: N position range, 53: H position range, 54: L position range, 55: UL position range, 56: Off-shift position range, 61: Intermediate position range, 62: Intermediate position range, 63: Intermediate position range, 64: Intermediate position range, 66: Off-shift region, 67: Off-shift region, 561: First off-shift range, 562: Second off-shift range

Claims

1. A transmission that detects a shift position based on the operation of a shift lever, a shift lever sensor that detects the position of the shift lever; a control unit that executes control to determine the position of the shift lever at the shift position corresponding to the shift position range when a voltage value output from the shift lever sensor is within the shift position range, and to determine the position of the shift lever at an intermediate position range that is adjacent to the shift position corresponding to the shift position range when the voltage value is out of a shift position range that includes the shift position range and is wider than the shift position range; Equipped with the shift position range is a range between a lower limit voltage value and an upper limit voltage value that allow the shift position to be determined for the voltage value, The shift position deviation range is a voltage range that serves as a criterion for determining whether the voltage value has deviated from the shift position, and is characterized in that the shift position deviation range includes the shift position range and a deviation range that falls within a portion of the intermediate position range.

2. The deviation range includes a first deviation range that deviates from the shift position range to a low potential side, and a second deviation range that deviates from the shift position range to a high potential side, the first out-of-range range is located within a part of the intermediate position range adjacent to the shift position on the low potential side, 2. The transmission according to claim 1, wherein the second out-of-range range extends into a part of the intermediate position range adjacent to the shift position on the high potential side.

3. 2. The transmission according to claim 1, wherein, when the confirmed shift position confirmed by the control differs from the latest shift position determined based on the latest voltage value in a control cycle, the control unit executes control to determine whether to update the confirmed shift position, and updates the confirmed shift position to the latest shift position when the voltage value indicates the voltage value corresponding to the latest shift position for a predetermined period of time or more.

4. 4. The transmission according to claim 3, wherein the start point for checking whether the predetermined time has elapsed is a timing when a previous shift position corresponding to the most recent shift position one control cycle before in the control cycle differs from the most recent shift position.

5. An engine comprising the transmission according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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