Shift device

Abstract

To provide a shifter capable of improving operability of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A shifter 20 includes a shift switch 22 for giving operation instructions by the contact of an operation hand F. The shifter 20 is provided with a shift position instruction part 36 for giving an instruction of a drive switch 22D when the operation hand F comes in contact with a shift switch 22 of a forward travelling system different from the drive switch 22D at an initial operation of a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 travels in a drive mode at the initial operation even when a driver erroneously selects the shift switch 22 of the forward travelling system different from the drive switch 22D at the initial operation of the vehicle 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shifting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Shift-by-wire type shift devices that can switch shift positions by contact with the driver's operating hand are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a button-type electronic gear shift device that allows a driver to change the gear shift by operating any one of a plurality of buttons to select the desired gear shift.

[0004] In such a shift device, it is preferable to improve the operability of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102014009355 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a shift device that can improve the operability of a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A shift device of a first aspect of the present invention includes a shift switch that gives an operation instruction when contacted by an operating hand, and a shift position instruction unit that gives an instruction to the drive switch when the operating hand contacts the shift switch of a forward driving system that is separate from the drive switch when the vehicle starts moving.

[0008] A shift device of a second aspect of the present invention includes a shift switch that gives an operation instruction when contacted by an operating hand, the shift switch having a drive switch and a shift switch of a forward traveling system separate from the drive switch arranged side by side from one end side to the other end side, and a shift position instruction unit that gives an instruction to the drive switch when the operating hand performs a sliding tracing operation over the drive switch to the shift switch of the forward traveling system separate from the drive switch when the vehicle starts to move.

[0009] In a shift device of a third aspect of the present invention, in the shift device of the first or second aspect of the present invention, when an operating hand touches the shift switch of a forward traveling system other than the drive switch at the initial movement of the vehicle, the shift position instruction unit accepts an instruction from the shift switch of the forward traveling system other than the drive switch after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0010] In a fourth aspect of the shift device of the present invention, in the shift device of any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, when an operating hand touches the drive switch when the vehicle is initially moving, the shift position instruction unit accepts an instruction from the shift switch of a forward driving system separate from the drive switch after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0011] In a fifth aspect of the shift device of the present invention, in the shift device of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, at least the drive switch and a forward driving shift switch separate from the drive switch are arranged side by side on a flat surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In the shift device of the first aspect of the present invention, if the operator's hand touches a forward-travel shift switch separate from the drive switch when the vehicle is initially moving, the drive switch is activated to cause the vehicle to travel in drive mode when the vehicle is initially moving. This prevents situations in which fuel economy deteriorates or the desired vehicle speed cannot be achieved. As a result, the operability of the vehicle can be improved.

[0013] In the shift device according to the second aspect of the present invention, When the operator slides the shift switch of the forward driving system, which is separate from the drive switch, over the drive switch during initial movement of the vehicle, the drive switch is instructed to operate the vehicle in drive mode during initial movement. This prevents situations where fuel economy deteriorates or the desired vehicle speed cannot be achieved. As a result, the operability of the vehicle can be improved.

[0014] In a third aspect of the shift device of the present invention, if the operating hand touches a forward-driving shift switch other than the drive switch when the vehicle is first started, the shift device accepts an instruction from the forward-driving shift switch other than the drive switch after a predetermined time has passed. This allows the driver to select the forward-driving shift switch other than the drive switch when the vehicle is first started, and then, after the predetermined time has passed, select the forward-driving shift switch other than the drive switch again, thereby transitioning to a forward-driving mode other than the drive mode. Therefore, when the forward-driving shift switch other than the drive switch is selected at the driver's discretion, the vehicle runs in a forward-driving mode other than the drive mode. As a result, erroneous shift switching operations can be suppressed.

[0015] In a fourth aspect of the shift device of the present invention, when the driver's hand touches the drive switch at the start of the vehicle, the shift device receives an instruction from a forward driving shift switch other than the drive switch after a predetermined time has elapsed. When the driver selects the drive switch at the start of the vehicle, and then selects a forward driving shift switch other than the drive switch after a predetermined time has elapsed, the shift device transitions to a forward driving mode other than the drive mode. Therefore, when the driver selects a forward driving shift switch other than the drive switch at their discretion, the vehicle travels in a forward driving mode other than the drive mode. As a result, erroneous shift switching operations can be suppressed.

[0016] In the shift device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, even if at least the drive switch and a shift switch for forward driving that is separate from the drive switch are arranged side by side on a flat surface, if the driver mistakenly selects the shift switch for forward driving that is separate from the drive switch when the vehicle starts moving, the vehicle will start moving in drive mode at the time of initial movement, thereby improving vehicle operability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an instrument panel provided with a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the passenger compartment toward the front of the vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a shift device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the shift device according to the first embodiment, taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the shift device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the shift device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the shift device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of an initial shift process of the shift device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of an initial shift process of a shift device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] [First embodiment] A shift device 20 according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which the shift device 20 is a shift-by-wire type vehicle shift device in which shift operations are performed by selecting a shift switch.

[0019] In each drawing, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle, the arrow RH indicates the right side of the vehicle, and the arrow D indicates the longitudinal direction D of the shift device 20. Furthermore, when simply using one end side and the other end side for explanation, this refers to the longitudinal direction D of the shift device 20 unless otherwise specified.

[0020] [Shift device configuration] As shown in Fig. 1, a shift device 20 according to the first embodiment is disposed on an instrument panel 14 provided at the front of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10. The shift device 20 is provided on the right side of the steering wheel 12 along a garnish 16 extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the shift device 20 has a parking switch 22A, a reverse switch 22B, a neutral switch 22C, a drive switch 22D, and a manual switch 22E arranged in this order from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction D.

[0022] The parking switch 22A, the reverse switch 22B, and the neutral switch 22C constitute the non-forward driving system shift switches 22. The drive switch 22D and the manual switch 22E constitute the forward driving system shift switches 22.

[0023] When the operating hand (fingers) F of the driver seated in the driver's seat comes into contact with the shift switch 22, the shift position is switched among a parking position P, a reverse position R, a neutral position N, a drive position D, and a manual position M.

[0024] In drive position D, the drive mode is set so that the gears are automatically upshifted or downshifted according to the vehicle speed, accelerator opening, etc. In manual position M, the manual mode is set so that the gears are automatically upshifted or downshifted according to the driver's operation.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the shift device 20 includes an upper housing 21, an electrostatic sensor 24 as a contact detection unit, a printed circuit board 28, a light output unit 26 as a notification unit, and a case 29.

[0026] (Upper Housing 21) Upper housing 21 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box with one side open. Upper housing 21 has a top plate 21A that forms the design surface, on which a character portion P forming the letter P, a character portion R forming the letter R, a character portion N forming the letter N, a character portion D forming the letter D, and a character portion M forming the letter M are formed.

[0027] The character portion P constitutes the parking switch 22A, the character portion R constitutes the reverse switch 22B, the character portion C constitutes the neutral switch 22C, the character portion D constitutes the drive switch 22D, and the character portion M constitutes the manual switch 22E. The parking switch 22A, the reverse switch 22B, the neutral switch 22C, the drive switch 22D, and the manual switch 22E are arranged on a flat surface in the longitudinal direction D.

[0028] The upper housing 21 has transparent letter portions P, R, N, D, and M. The upper housing 21 can be formed, for example, from a transparent resin material, with opaque paint applied to portions other than the letter portions P, R, N, D, and M.

[0029] (Case 29 and printed circuit board 28) The case 29 is disposed so as to close the opening of the upper housing 21. The printed circuit board 28 is disposed on the upper surface of the case 29.

[0030] (Electrostatic Sensor 24) The electrostatic sensor 24 is formed, for example, transparent, and attached to the rear surface of the top plate 21A of the upper housing 21. The electrostatic sensor 24 is composed of a first electrostatic sensor 24A arranged at a position corresponding to the character portion P, a second electrostatic sensor 24B arranged at a position corresponding to the character portion R, a third electrostatic sensor 24C arranged at a position corresponding to the character portion N, a fourth electrostatic sensor 24D arranged at a position corresponding to the character portion D, and a fifth electrostatic sensor 24E arranged at a position corresponding to the character portion M.

[0031] The first electrostatic sensor 24A detects a change in capacitance caused by the operating hand F touching the parking switch 22A. The second electrostatic sensor 24B detects a change in capacitance caused by the operating hand F touching the reverse switch 22B. The third electrostatic sensor 24C detects a change in capacitance caused by the operating hand F touching the neutral switch 22C. The fourth electrostatic sensor 24D detects a change in capacitance caused by the operating hand F touching the drive switch 22D. The fifth electrostatic sensor 24E detects a change in capacitance caused by the operating hand F touching the manual switch 22E.

[0032] (Optical output unit 26) Light output unit 26 is disposed on the upper surface of printed circuit board 28. Light output unit 26 may be an LED (light-emitting diode) that outputs light. Light output unit 26 is composed of first light output unit 26A disposed at a position corresponding to character portion P, second light output unit 26B disposed at a position corresponding to character portion R, third light output unit 26C disposed at a position corresponding to character portion N, fourth light output unit 26D disposed at a position corresponding to character portion D, and fifth light output unit 26E disposed at a position corresponding to character portion M.

[0033] When the first light output unit 26A emits light, the character part P lights up, when the second light output unit 26B emits light, the character part R lights up, when the third light output unit 26C emits light, the character part N lights up, when the fourth light output unit 26D emits light, the character part D lights up, and when the fifth light output unit 26E emits light, the character part M lights up.

[0034] [Shift device functional configuration] As shown in FIG. 4, the shift device 20 is functionally configured so that the detection information of the electrostatic sensor 24 is input to the control unit 30, and the information processed by the control unit 30 is output to the optical output unit 26 and the vehicle control device 40.

[0035] The first electrostatic sensor 24A measures a change in capacitance due to the operating hand F touching character portion P. The measurement information of the first electrostatic sensor 24A is input to the control unit 30. The second electrostatic sensor 24B measures a change in capacitance due to the operating hand F touching character portion R. The measurement information of the second electrostatic sensor 24B is input to the control unit 30. The third electrostatic sensor 24C measures a change in capacitance due to the operating hand F touching character portion N. The measurement information of the third electrostatic sensor 24C is input to the control unit 30. The fourth electrostatic sensor 24D measures a change in capacitance due to the operating hand F touching character portion D. The measurement information of the fourth electrostatic sensor 24D is input to the control unit 30. The fifth electrostatic sensor 24E measures a change in capacitance due to the operating hand F touching character portion M. The measurement information of the fifth electrostatic sensor 24E is input to the control unit 30.

[0036] The control unit 30 includes a capacitance acquisition unit 31, a contact determination unit 32, a shift position determination unit 33, an elapsed time determination unit , a light output instruction unit 35, and a shift position instruction unit .

[0037] The capacitance acquisition unit 31 acquires the capacitance detected by each of the electrostatic sensors 24 .

[0038] The contact determination unit 32 determines whether or not the operating hand F has contacted the shift switch 22, based on the capacitance acquired by the capacitance acquisition unit 31. Specifically, the contact determination unit 34 determines whether or not the capacitance acquired by the capacitance acquisition unit 31 is larger than a predetermined threshold value.

[0039] The shift position determining unit 33 determines the shift position based on the electrostatic sensor 24 that detects the electrostatic capacitance.

[0040] Specifically, when the first electrostatic sensor 24A detects a change in capacitance, the shift position determination unit 33 determines the shift position to be parking position P. When the second electrostatic sensor 24B detects a change in capacitance, the shift position determination unit 33 determines the shift position to be reverse position R. When the third electrostatic sensor 24C detects a change in capacitance, the shift position determination unit 33 determines the shift position to be neutral position N. When the fourth electrostatic sensor 24D detects a change in capacitance, the shift position determination unit 33 determines the shift position to be drive position D. When the fifth electrostatic sensor 24E detects a change in capacitance, the shift position determination unit 33 determines the shift position to be manual position M.

[0041] The shift position determination unit 33 can determine the shift position when the operating hand F continuously touches the same shift switch 22 for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 to 1 second).

[0042] The elapsed time determination unit 34 determines whether a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 to 1 second) has elapsed since the time when the contact determination unit 32 determined that contact occurred.

[0043] Based on the determination result of contact determination unit 32 and the determination result of shift position determination unit 33, light output instruction unit 35 turns on any of first light output unit 26A to fifth light output unit 26E.

[0044] Specifically, when the contact determination unit 32 determines that the operating hand F has contacted the shift switch 22 and the shift position determination unit 33 determines that the shift switch 22 is in the parking position P, the light output instruction unit 35 gives an output instruction to the first light output unit 26A. When the contact determination unit 32 determines that the operating hand F has contacted the shift switch 22 and the shift position determination unit 33 determines that the shift switch 22 is in the reverse position R, the light output instruction unit 35 gives an output instruction to the second light output unit 26B. When the contact determination unit 32 determines that the operating hand F has contacted the shift switch 22 and the shift position determination unit 33 determines that the shift switch 22 is in the neutral position N, the light output instruction unit 35 gives an output instruction to the third light output unit 26C. When the contact determination unit 32 determines that the operating hand F has contacted the shift switch 22 and the shift position determination unit 33 determines that the shift switch 22 is in the drive position D, the light output instruction unit 35 gives an output instruction to the fourth light output unit 26D. When contact determination unit 32 determines that operating hand F has contacted shift switch 22 and shift position determination unit 33 determines that shift switch 22 is in manual position M, light output instruction unit 35 gives an output instruction to fifth light output unit 26E.

[0045] The shift position instruction unit 36 ​​gives a predetermined instruction to the vehicle control device 40 based on the determination results of the shift position determination unit 33 and the determination results of the contact determination unit 34.

[0046] Specifically, when the shift position determination unit 33 determines the position to be the parking position P and the contact determination unit 34 determines that the operating hand F has contacted the shift switch 22, the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​gives an instruction of the parking position P to the vehicle control device 40. When the shift position determination unit 33 determines the position to be the reverse position R and the contact determination unit 34 determines that the operating hand F has contacted the shift switch 22, the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​gives an instruction of the reverse position R to the vehicle control device 40. When the shift position determination unit 33 determines the position to be the neutral position N and the contact determination unit 34 determines that the operating hand F has contacted the shift switch 22, the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​gives an instruction of the neutral position N to the vehicle control device 40. When the shift position determination unit 33 determines the position to be the drive position D and the contact determination unit 34 determines that the operating hand F has contacted the shift switch 22, the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​gives an instruction of the drive position D to the vehicle control device 40. When the shift position determination unit 33 determines that the shift switch 22 is in manual position M and the contact determination unit 34 determines that the operating hand F has contacted the shift switch 22, the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​gives an instruction of manual position M to the vehicle control device 40.

[0047] When the vehicle 10 is initially started, if a tap operation, which will be described later, is performed and the operating hand F touches the manual switch 22E, the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​gives an instruction to the drive switch 22D.

[0048] When the vehicle 10 is initially started, the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​gives an instruction for the drive switch 22D when the operating hand F performs a tracing operation (described later) that slides from the non-forward driving shift switch 22 (parking switch 22A, reverse switch 22B or neutral switch 22C) over the drive switch 22D to the manual switch 22E and the operating hand F comes into contact with the manual switch 22E.

[0049] [Shift device operation] (Tap operation) A tap operation is an operation in which the operating hand F is aimed at the shift switch 22, moved in a direction approaching the shift switch 22, and touches the shift switch 22. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, a tap operation is an operation in which the operating hand F is aimed at, for example, the manual switch 22E, moved in a direction approaching the manual switch 22E, and touches the manual switch 22E.

[0050] (Trace operation) A tracing operation (swipe operation) is an operation in which the operating hand F is moved from a state in which the operating hand F is in contact with the shifting switch 22 to a state in which the operating hand F remains in contact with the shifting switch 22. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the tracing operation is an operation in which, for example, from a state in which the operating hand F is in contact with the parking switch 22A, the operating hand F is moved to the other end side while the operating hand F remains in contact with the shifting switch 22, and the operating hand F comes into contact with the manual switch 22E.

[0051] [Initial shift processing flow using the shift device] The following describes an example of initial shift processing by the shift device 20, where the parking switch 22A is selected when the vehicle is stopped, and the manual switch 22E is selected by a tap operation or a tracing operation when the vehicle 10 is initially moving. Specifically, in the case of a tap operation, this occurs when the operating hand F touches the manual switch 22E when the vehicle 10 is initially moving. In the case of a tracing operation, this occurs when the operating hand F moves from the parking switch 22A, passes over the drive switch 22D, and touches the manual switch 22E when the vehicle 10 is initially moving. The initial movement of the vehicle 10 refers to the vehicle 10 starting from a stopped state.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, when the initial shift process is started while the vehicle 10 is stopped, the contact determination unit 32 determines whether the operating hand F has contacted the shift switch 22 based on the capacitance acquired by the capacitance acquisition unit 31 (step S101).

[0053] Next, the shift position determining unit 33 determines that the shift position is manual position M (step S102).

[0054] Next, since manual switch 22E is selected when vehicle 10 is initially moved, shift position instruction unit 36 ​​gives an instruction to drive switch 22D to vehicle control device 40 (step S103). At this time, light output instruction unit 35 may give an output instruction to fourth light output unit 26D to illuminate character portion D.

[0055] Next, the contact determination unit 32 determines whether or not the operating hand F has newly contacted the shifting switch 22 (step S104). If it is determined that the operating hand F has newly contacted the shifting switch 22 (YES in step S104), the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operating hand F has not newly contacted the shifting switch 22 (NO in step S104), the initial shift process ends.

[0056] When the process proceeds to step S104, the elapsed time determination unit 34 determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 to 1 second) has elapsed since the time when the contact determination unit 32 determined that contact occurred (step S105). If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the contact determination unit 32 determined that contact occurred (YES in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the time when the contact determination unit 32 determined that contact occurred (NO in step S105), the process returns to step S104.

[0057] Proceeding to step S106, shift position determination unit 33 determines whether the shift position is manual position M (step S106). If it is determined that the shift position is manual position M (YES in step S106), shift position instruction unit 36 ​​issues an instruction for manual position M to vehicle control device 40 (step S107), and ends the initial shift process. At this time, light output instruction unit 35 may issue an output instruction to fifth light output unit 26E to illuminate character portion M.

[0058] That is, when the operating hand F touches the manual switch 22E at the initial movement of the vehicle 10, the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​accepts an instruction from the manual switch 22E after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0059] On the other hand, if it is determined that the shift position is not manual position M (NO in step S106), the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​gives an instruction of the selected position to the vehicle control device 40 (step S108), and ends the initial shift processing. At this time, the light output instruction unit 35 may give an output instruction to the light output unit 26 corresponding to the selected shift switch 22, and may light up the character portion corresponding to the selected shift switch 22.

[0060] [Operation of the first embodiment] The shift device 20 of the first embodiment includes a shift switch 22 that gives an operation instruction when contacted by an operating hand F. The shift device 20 also includes a shift position instruction unit 36 ​​that gives an instruction to the drive switch 22D when the operating hand F contacts the manual switch 22E when the vehicle 10 starts moving (see FIG. 4).

[0061] However, if the driver erroneously selects the manual switch 22E when the vehicle 10 starts moving, the vehicle 10 will be driven in a low gear, which may result in poor fuel economy or an inability to achieve a desired vehicle speed, resulting in poor operability of the vehicle.

[0062] In the first embodiment, when the operating hand F touches the manual switch 22E at the initial start of the vehicle 10, an instruction is given from the drive switch 22D, causing the vehicle 10 to travel in drive mode at the initial start. This prevents situations in which fuel economy deteriorates or a desired vehicle speed cannot be obtained. This improves the operability of the vehicle 10.

[0063] In the shift device 20 of the first embodiment, the shift switches 22 are arranged in a row from one end to the other end, with the shift switch 22 of the non-forward traveling system, the drive switch 22D, and the manual switch 22E. The shift device 20 is equipped with a shift position instruction unit 36 ​​that gives an instruction for the drive switch 22D when the operating hand F performs a sliding and tracing operation from the shift switch 22 of the non-forward traveling system over the drive switch 22D to the manual switch 22E when the vehicle 10 starts to move (see FIG. 6).

[0064] When the vehicle 10 starts moving, if the operating hand F performs a sliding operation from the non-forward traveling shift switch 22, past the drive switch 22D, to the manual switch 22E, the drive switch 22D is instructed to cause the vehicle 10 to travel in drive mode at the start of the movement. This prevents situations in which fuel economy deteriorates or the desired vehicle speed cannot be obtained. As a result, the operability of the vehicle 10 can be improved.

[0065] In the shift device 20 of the first embodiment, when the operating hand F contacts the manual switch 22E at the initial movement of the vehicle 10, the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​accepts an instruction from the manual switch 22E after a predetermined time has elapsed (see FIG. 7).

[0066] When the operating hand F touches the manual switch 22E at the initial start of the vehicle 10, the driver selects the manual switch 22E after a predetermined time has elapsed by receiving an instruction from the manual switch 22E, and when the driver selects the manual switch 22E again after the predetermined time has elapsed, the vehicle 10 transitions to the manual mode. Therefore, when the manual switch 22E is selected by the driver's will, the vehicle 10 runs in the manual mode. As a result, erroneous shift switching operations can be suppressed.

[0067] In the shift device 20 of the first embodiment, at least the drive switch 22D and the manual switch 22E are arranged side by side on a flat surface (see FIG. 3).

[0068] However, when multiple shift switches 22 are arranged side by side on a flat surface, it becomes difficult to distinguish the boundaries between the shift switches 22. This can lead to the driver accidentally pressing the wrong shift switch 22.

[0069] In the first embodiment, even if the drive switch 22D and the manual switch 22E are arranged side by side on a flat surface, if the driver erroneously selects the manual switch 22E when the vehicle 10 starts moving, the vehicle 10 runs in the drive mode when the vehicle 10 starts moving. This improves the operability of the vehicle 10.

[0070] Second Embodiment The shift device of the second embodiment differs from the shift device of the first embodiment in that the shift switch selected at the initial movement of the vehicle is different. Note that the same terms or symbols will be used to describe parts that are the same as or equivalent to those described in the first embodiment.

[0071] [Initial shift processing flow using the shift device] Below, as an example of initial shift processing by the shift device 20, a case will be described in which the drive switch 22D is selected by a tap operation or a tracing operation when the vehicle 10 is initially moving. Specifically, in the case of a tap operation, the operating hand F touches the drive switch 22D when the vehicle 10 is initially moving. In the case of a tracing operation, the operating hand F touches the drive switch 22D from the parking switch 22A when the vehicle 10 is initially moving.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 8, when the initial shift process is started while the vehicle 10 is stopped, the contact determination unit 32 determines whether the operating hand F has contacted the shift switch 22 based on the capacitance acquired by the capacitance acquisition unit 31 (step S201).

[0073] Next, the shift position determination unit 33 determines that the shift position is drive position D (step S202).

[0074] Next, shift position instruction unit 36 ​​issues an instruction for drive switch 22D to vehicle control device 40 (step S203). At this time, light output instruction unit 35 may issue an output instruction to fourth light output unit 26D to illuminate character portion D.

[0075] Next, the contact determination unit 32 determines whether or not the operating hand F has newly contacted the shifting switch 22 (step S204). If it is determined that the operating hand F has newly contacted the shifting switch 22 (YES in step S204), the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operating hand F has not newly contacted the shifting switch 22 (NO in step S204), the initial shift process ends.

[0076] In step S204, the elapsed time determination unit 34 determines whether a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 to 1 second) has elapsed since the time when the contact determination unit 32 determined that contact occurred (step S205). If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed since the time when the contact determination unit 32 determined that contact occurred (YES in step S205), the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the time when the contact determination unit 32 determined that contact occurred (NO in step S205), the process returns to step S204.

[0077] When the process proceeds to step S206, shift position determination unit 33 determines whether the shift position is manual position M (step S206). If it is determined that the shift position is manual position M (YES in step S206), shift position instruction unit 36 ​​issues an instruction for manual position M to vehicle control device 40 (step S207), and ends the initial shift process. At this time, light output instruction unit 35 may issue an output instruction to fifth light output unit 26E to illuminate character portion M.

[0078] That is, when the operating hand F touches the drive switch 22D at the initial movement of the vehicle 10, the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​receives an instruction from the manual switch 22E after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0079] On the other hand, if it is determined that the shift position is not manual position M (NO in step S206), the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​gives an instruction of the selected position to the vehicle control device 40 (step S208), and ends the initial shift processing. At this time, the light output instruction unit 35 may give an output instruction to the light output unit 26 corresponding to the selected shift switch 22, and may light up the character portion corresponding to the selected shift switch 22.

[0080] [Operation of the second embodiment] In the shift device 20 of the second embodiment, when the operating hand F touches the drive switch 22D at the initial movement of the vehicle 10, the shift position instruction unit 36 ​​accepts an instruction from the manual switch 22E after a predetermined time has elapsed (see FIG. 8).

[0081] When the operating hand F touches the drive switch 22D at the initial start of the vehicle 10, the driver selects the drive switch 22D after a predetermined time has elapsed by accepting an instruction from the manual switch 22E at the initial start of the vehicle 10, and then selects the manual switch 22E after a predetermined time has elapsed, thereby transitioning to manual mode. Therefore, when the manual switch 22E is selected by the driver's will, the vehicle 10 runs in manual mode at the initial start. As a result, erroneous shift switching operations can be suppressed.

[0082] The shift device of the present invention has been described above based on the first and second embodiments. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design changes are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention according to each claim in the scope of the claims.

[0083] In the first and second embodiments, an example has been shown in which the manual switch 22E is arranged on the other end of the drive switch 22D. However, a sport switch or a low gear switch as a forward driving shift switch may also be arranged on the other end of the drive switch 22D. Furthermore, two or more forward driving shift switches may also be arranged on the other end of the drive switch 22D.

[0084] The shift device 20 of the first and second embodiments has been described as an example in which the parking switch 22A is selected when the vehicle is stopped, and the manual switch 22E is selected by a tap operation or a tracing operation when the vehicle 10 starts to move. However, the shift device can also be applied to a case in which the reverse switch 22B, the neutral switch 22C, or the drive switch 22D is selected when the vehicle is stopped, and the manual switch 22E is selected by a tap operation or a tracing operation when the vehicle 10 starts to move.

[0085] In the first embodiment, an example has been shown in which, when the operating hand F touches the manual switch 22E, an instruction from the manual switch 22E is accepted after a predetermined time has elapsed. This case includes a case in which the operating hand F performs a long tap while touching the manual switch 22E and a predetermined time has elapsed. In other words, when the operating hand F touches the manual switch 22E and a predetermined time has elapsed, an instruction for the manual position M may be given to the vehicle control device 40.

[0086] In the first and second embodiments, an example has been shown in which the shift device 20 includes the light output unit 26 as a notification unit. However, the shift device does not necessarily have to include a notification unit, or may include a sound output unit as a notification unit.

[0087] In the first and second embodiments, the shift switches 22 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, but are not limited to this, and may be arranged side by side in the vehicle vertical direction, or may be arranged in an L-shape, a cross shape, or a ring shape.

[0088] In the first and second embodiments, an example was shown in which the contact detection unit was the electrostatic sensor 24. However, the contact detection unit may be anything that can detect contact of the operating hand F with the shift switch, and may also be, for example, a camera.

[0089] In the first and second embodiments, the shift device 20 is disposed on the instrument panel 14. However, the shift device may be disposed on the center console, the steering wheel, or any other part inside the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 10....vehicle, 20....shift device, 22....shift switch, 22A....parking switch (an example of a shift switch for a non-forward driving system), 22B....reverse switch (an example of a shift switch for a non-forward driving system), 22C....neutral switch (an example of a shift switch for a non-forward driving system), 22D....drive switch (an example of a shift switch for a forward driving system), 22E....manual switch (an example of a shift switch for a forward driving system), 36....shift position indicator, F....operating hand

Claims

1. a shift switch that gives an operation instruction when touched by an operating hand; a shift position instruction unit that gives an instruction to the drive switch when an operator's hand touches the shift switch of the forward traveling system, which is separate from the drive switch, at the initial movement of the vehicle; Equipped with The shift position instruction unit is a shift device that, when an operating hand touches the shift switch of a forward driving system separate from the drive switch at the initial movement of the vehicle, accepts an instruction from the shift switch of the forward driving system separate from the drive switch after a predetermined time has elapsed.

2. A shift switch that gives an operation instruction when touched by an operating hand; a shift position instruction unit that gives an instruction to the drive switch when an operator's hand touches the shift switch of the forward traveling system, which is separate from the drive switch, at the initial movement of the vehicle; Equipped with The shift position instruction unit is a shift device that, when an operating hand touches the drive switch at the initial movement of the vehicle, accepts an instruction from the shift switch of a forward driving system separate from the drive switch after a predetermined time has elapsed.

3. A shift switch that gives an operation instruction by contact with an operating hand, the shift switch having a drive switch and a shift switch for a forward driving system that is separate from the drive switch, arranged side by side from one end to the other end; a shift position instruction unit that gives an instruction for the drive switch when an operating hand performs a sliding or tracing operation over the drive switch to the shift switch of a forward traveling system different from the drive switch at the initial movement of the vehicle; Equipped with The shift position instruction unit is a shift device that, when an operating hand touches the shift switch of a forward driving system separate from the drive switch at the initial movement of the vehicle, accepts an instruction from the shift switch of the forward driving system separate from the drive switch after a predetermined time has elapsed.

4. A shift switch that gives an operation instruction by contact with an operating hand, the shift switch having a drive switch and a shift switch for a forward driving system that is separate from the drive switch, arranged side by side from one end to the other end; a shift position instruction unit that gives an instruction for the drive switch when an operating hand performs a sliding or tracing operation over the drive switch to the shift switch of a forward traveling system different from the drive switch at the initial movement of the vehicle; Equipped with The shift position instruction unit is a shift device that, when an operating hand touches the drive switch at the initial movement of the vehicle, accepts an instruction from the shift switch of a forward driving system separate from the drive switch after a predetermined time has elapsed.

5. At least the drive switch and a forward driving shift switch separate from the drive switch are arranged side by side on a flat surface. The shift device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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