Shift apparatus

Abstract

This shift apparatus comprises: a motor which includes an input shaft that is rotated about an input axis; a rotary body; a slewing part; and a driven lever which includes an output shaft for outputting the drive force of the motor to a shift switching mechanism and a guide part for guiding the slewing part, and which rotates about an output axis by being pressed by the slewing part while being guided by the guide part, wherein the input shaft is positioned between the rotary body and the output shaft when viewed from the direction along the input axis.

Description

Shift device

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A shift device that uses the driving force of a motor to change gears is known. Such a shift device is described, for example, in Japanese Patent No. 6221373.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 6221373 discloses a shift device including an actuator that uses the driving force of a motor to drive a shift switching mechanism that switches between a parking state and a parking release state. The actuator includes a worm (input shaft) integrally provided with a motor shaft, a worm wheel (rotated body) rotated by the worm, and a driven lever. A sliding body (rotating portion) is integrally provided with the worm wheel. The sliding body rotates around the central axis of the worm wheel as the worm wheel rotates. When rotating, the sliding body presses the driven lever, thereby rotating an output shaft fixed to the driven lever together with the driven lever. The torque generated by rotating the output shaft drives a shift switching member, switching between the parking state and the parking release state. The worm (input shaft) integrally provided with the motor shaft is located at a position different from the side of the worm wheel where the driven lever is located, as viewed from the central axis of the worm wheel.

[0004] Patent No. 6221373

[0005] However, in the shift device of Patent Publication No. 6221373, when viewed from the direction of the central axis of the worm wheel (rotated body), a driven lever with an output shaft fixed thereto is arranged on one side of the periphery of the worm wheel (rotated body), and the worm (input shaft) is arranged in a position different from the side of the periphery of the worm wheel (rotated body) on which the driven lever is arranged, which poses the problem that the device becomes larger in size in the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the worm wheel (rotated body).

[0006] This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of this invention is to provide a shift device that can prevent the device from becoming larger in size in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the rotated body rotated by the motor.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a shift device including: a motor including an input shaft that rotates about an input axis; a rotated body that includes a central axis parallel to the input axis and is rotated about the central axis by the input shaft; a pivoting portion that is provided on the rotated body and pivots about the central axis as the rotated body rotates; an output shaft that has an output axis parallel to the input axis and outputs driving force from the motor to a shift switching mechanism that switches between a parking state and a parking release state; and a driven lever that includes a guide portion that guides the pivoting portion and is pressed by the pivoting portion to pivot about the output axis while being guided by the guide portion, wherein the input shaft is disposed between the rotated body and the output shaft when viewed along the input axis. Here, the term "parallel" in the above "central axis parallel to the input axis" and "output axis parallel to the input axis" is a broad concept that includes not only cases where the two axes are completely parallel, but also cases where the two axes are slightly misaligned.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, as described above, when viewed along the input axis, the input shaft of the motor is disposed between the rotated body rotated by the input shaft and the output shaft that outputs the driving force of the motor to the shift switching mechanism that switches between the parking state and the parking release state. This arrangement, unlike conventional arrangements in which the input shaft is disposed at a position around the rotated body different from the side where the driven lever with the output shaft is disposed, allows the input shaft to be disposed between the rotated body and the output shaft, thereby effectively utilizing the space between the rotated body and the output shaft. Furthermore, the input axis of the motor's input shaft, the central axis of the rotated body, and the output axis of the driven lever's output shaft are disposed parallel to each other. This arrangement reduces the size of the shift device in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the device compared to conventional arrangements in which the central axis of the worm wheel (the rotated body) intersects with the input axis of the worm (the input shaft). This arrangement reduces the size of the device in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the rotated body rotated by the motor.

[0009] In the shift device according to the above aspect, the swivel unit is preferably formed in a circular shape having a swivel axis parallel to the input axis at its center when viewed from the direction along the input axis, and a first straight line passing through the swivel axis and the output axis when viewed from the direction along the input axis is configured to intersect with the input shaft while the swivel unit is rotating.

[0010] With this configuration, the input shaft and output shaft of the motor and the rotated body on which the rotating body is provided can be arranged in a relatively close range so that a first line passing through the rotation axis and the output axis intersects with the input shaft when viewed from the direction along the input axis (center axis) while the rotating body is rotating. As a result, it is possible to further prevent the device from becoming larger in size in the direction perpendicular to the center axis of the rotated body rotated by the motor.

[0011] In this case, preferably, when the turning unit is in a transitional state in which it is turning and transitioning from one of the parking state and the parking release state to the other, when the turning unit passes the orthogonal position where the first straight line and the second straight line passing through the turning axis and the central axis are perpendicular to each other as viewed from the direction along the input axis, the transitional state is alternately switched from the transitional state to either the parking state or the parking release state.

[0012] With this configuration, when a reverse input that rotates the driven lever is applied from the shift switching mechanism side due to an external force via the output shaft or vibration of the driven lever while the motor is stopped, the reverse input torque that causes the driven lever to press the pivot part can be applied in a direction that maintains the parking state or the parking release state, rather than in a direction that switches from the parking state or the parking release state to the transition state. As a result, the parking state and the parking release state can be stably maintained against a reverse input from the shift switching mechanism side or the like.

[0013] In a configuration in which the transitional state alternates between a parking state and a parking release state when the rotating part passes the orthogonal position, preferably, the guide part of the driven lever is a cam groove that contacts the rotating part while guiding the movement of the rotating part, and the rotating part is configured to move back and forth from one end of the cam groove to the other end and then return to the one end while switching from one of the parking state and the parking release state to the other, and the cam groove has a pressing surface that presses the rotating part toward one end when the rotating part located at one end receives torque from the driven lever.

[0014] With this configuration, when a reverse input is applied from the output shaft side to rotate the driven lever while the motor is stopped, the torque of the reverse input presses the rotating part against the pressing surface, pressing the rotating part toward the one end. Therefore, the pressing surface can apply the reverse input torque in a direction that maintains the parking state and the parking release state. As a result, the parking state and the parking release state can be maintained more stably against a reverse input from the shift switching mechanism side, etc.

[0015] In the shift device of the above aspect, preferably, the guide portion of the driven lever is a cam groove that contacts the swivel portion while guiding the movement of the swivel portion, and the cam groove is configured as one end of the cam groove on the output shaft side, and includes a stop end that abuts against the swivel portion to stop the driven lever when switched between the parking state and the parking release state.

[0016] Conventionally, a configuration has been known in which a protruding portion is provided from the surface of the rotated body toward the driven lever, and the protruding portion abuts against the outer edge of the driven lever to stop the driven lever. With such a conventional configuration, the rotating body must be made relatively large relative to the driven lever to prevent the protruding portion from abutting against the outer edge of the driven lever during switching between the parking state and the parking release state, resulting in a large device. However, with the above configuration, the rotated body can be stopped by abutting the pivoting portion disposed in the cam groove of the driven lever against the stopping end of the cam groove. In other words, the rotated body can be stopped solely by the cam mechanism formed by the cam groove including the stopping end and the pivoting portion. This eliminates the need to provide a protruding portion from the surface of the rotated body toward the driven lever to stop the rotated body, as in the conventional configuration. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to consider preventing the protruding portion from abutting against the driven lever during rotation of the rotated body, as in the conventional configuration. As a result, the size of the rotated body can be reduced, thereby reducing the size of the device.

[0017] In the shift device of the above aspect, preferably, the input shaft has a motor gear portion that contacts the rotated body to transmit driving force, and a non-motor gear portion that is arranged between the motor gear portion and the motor body that rotatably supports the input shaft in a direction along the input axis, and the driven lever includes a through hole through which the input shaft is inserted and into which the non-motor gear portion is arranged, and is arranged between the motor body and the rotated body with the input shaft inserted into the through hole.

[0018] With this configuration, the driven lever can be positioned in the non-motor gear area, which is a portion of the input shaft that cannot be used as a gear, making it possible to effectively utilize the non-motor gear area, thereby preventing the device from becoming too large in the axial direction of the input shaft.

[0019] In the shift device in the above aspect, preferably, the shift device further includes a housing that houses the motor, the rotated body, the rotating part, and the driven lever inside, and the tip of the input shaft located on the opposite side of the motor body that rotatably supports the input shaft is rotatably supported by the housing.

[0020] With this configuration, the tip of the input shaft can also be rotatably supported by the housing, compared to when the input shaft is rotatably supported only by the motor body (rotor), allowing the input shaft to rotate stably.

[0021] In the shift device according to the above aspect, preferably, the range in which the output shaft is provided and the range in which the rotated body is provided overlap with each other in the direction along the input axis.

[0022] By configuring it in this manner, the device can be made smaller in size in the direction along the input axis compared to when the area in which the output shaft is located and the area in which the rotated body is located do not overlap in the direction along the input axis.

[0023] In the shift device according to the above aspect, the following configuration is also possible.

[0024] (Additional Item 1) In a configuration in which the guide portion is a cam groove, the rotating portion is preferably configured to move back and forth from one end of the cam groove to the other end and back to the one end again while switching from one of the parking state and the parking release state to the other, and the cam groove is formed in a straight line along the first straight line when viewed from the direction along the input axis.

[0025] With this configuration, the shape of the cam groove, which is the guide portion, can be simplified, and the device configuration can be simplified.

[0026] (Additional Item 2) In a configuration in which the transitional state alternates between the parking state and the parking release state when the turning unit passes the orthogonal position, the turning unit in the transitional state is preferably configured to turn at a position farther from the output shaft than the position of the turning unit in the parking state and the position of the turning unit in the parking release state.

[0027] With this configuration, a relatively large distance can be ensured between the turning portion and the output shaft during turning, and therefore the torque output from the output shaft can be made relatively large.

[0028] (Additional Item 3) In the above-described shift device, the input shaft preferably has a motor gear portion that contacts the rotated body to transmit driving force, and the rotated body is a circular gear member that has external teeth that mesh with the motor gear portion.

[0029] With this configuration, torque from the motor gear portion of the input shaft can be easily transmitted to the output shaft side by the circular gear member having external teeth.

[0030] (Additional Item 4) In this case, the revolving portion provided on the rotated body, which is a gear member, is preferably configured to revolve at a position on the inner circumferential side of the external teeth of the gear member.

[0031] With this configuration, the distances of the external teeth and the orbiting portion from the central axis of the rotated body can be made different, so that the torque from the input shaft can be reduced in the orbiting portion and the rotated body.

[0032] (Additional Item 5) In the above shift device, the pivoting portion is preferably configured to pivot about the central axis while rotating when guided by the guide portion.

[0033] With this configuration, friction between the swivel portion and the guide portion can be reduced due to rotation, so that the swivel portion can be smoothly swiveled along the guide portion.

[0034] The present invention can prevent the device from becoming larger in size in the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the rotated body.

[0035] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the actuator of the shift device according to the first embodiment from the side; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the actuator of the shift device according to the first embodiment; Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the output shaft of the actuator of the shift device according to the first embodiment and a shift switching mechanism; Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the input shaft, rotated body, swiveling part, and driven lever of the actuator of the shift device according to the first embodiment; Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the input shaft, rotated body, swiveling part, and driven lever of the actuator of the shift device according to the first embodiment; Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the rotated body of the shift device according to the first embodiment and the range of the movement locus of the outer edge of the driven lever. 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining a switching operation between a parking state and a parking release state of a shift device according to a first embodiment, in which (A) shows the position of a swivel unit in the parking state, (B) shows the position of the swivel unit in a state where the parking state and a transition state are switched between, (C) shows the position of the swivel unit in the transition state, (D) shows the position of the swivel unit in a state where the parking release state and a transition state are switched between, and (E) shows the position of the swivel unit in the parking release state, and the parking state is maintained when the swivel unit is positioned within an angle (θ2) range that is the section from (A) to (B), and the parking release state is maintained when the swivel unit is positioned within an angle (θ1) range that is the section from (D) to (E).

[0023] FIG. 1B is a plan view showing a swivel unit of an actuator of a shift device according to a second embodiment and a driven lever having a pressing surface.

[0024] FIG. 1C is a bottom view showing an input shaft, a rotated body, a swivel unit, and a driven lever of an actuator of a shift device according to a first modified example. 14 is a plan view showing a pivoting portion of an actuator of a shift device according to a second modified example and a driven lever having a pressing surface. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a pivoting portion of an actuator of a shift device according to a third modified example and a driven lever having a pressing surface. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a pivoting portion of an actuator of a shift device according to a fourth modified example and a driven lever having a pressing surface. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an actuator of a shift device according to a fifth modified example from the side. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the shape in plan view of a convex portion that restricts axial movement of the pivot central shaft shown in FIG. 13 of a shift device according to a fifth modified example.

[0036] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0037] First Embodiment The configuration of a shift device 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The shift device 100 is a device mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle.

[0038] In a vehicle equipped with shift device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , when an occupant (driver) performs a shift operation via an operating unit such as a shift lever (or shift switch), electrical shift control is performed on the transmission mechanism. That is, the position of the shift lever is input to shift device 100 via a shift sensor provided in the operating unit. Then, based on a control signal transmitted from a dedicated control board 2 provided in shift device 100, the transmission mechanism is switched to one of the shift positions P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral), and D (drive), corresponding to the shift operation by the occupant. This type of shift control is called shift-by-wire.

[0039] The shift device 100 includes an actuator 101 and a shift switching mechanism 102 (see FIG. 3 ) that includes a parking gear 73 and a parking rod 72. The actuator 101 is a drive device that drives the shift switching mechanism 102 based on a shift switching operation by a passenger (driver). The shift switching mechanism 102 is driven by the actuator 101 to switch between a parking state in which the parking rod 72 meshes with the parking gear 73 and a parking release state in which the parking rod 72 is released from meshing with the parking gear 73. The parking state is a state in which the parking rod 72 restricts rotation of the parking gear 73 so that the parking gear 73 does not rotate. The parking release state is a state in which the restriction on rotation of the parking gear 73 by the parking rod 72 is released.

[0040] In each drawing, the Z direction indicates the axial direction of an input shaft 32 (motor shaft) (described later) of the actuator 101. In addition, within the Z direction, the direction from the shift switching mechanism 102 side to the actuator 101 side is indicated as the Z1 direction, and the opposite direction is indicated as the Z2 direction.

[0041] In each drawing, the rotation direction of the rotating unit 5 around the central axis C2 is indicated by the R direction. One of the R directions is indicated by the R1 direction, and the other is indicated by the R2 direction. When the rotating unit 5 rotates in the R1 direction, the shift switching mechanism 102 switches from the parking state to the parking release state, and when the rotating unit 5 rotates in the R2 direction, the shift switching mechanism 102 switches from the parking release state to the parking state.

[0042] In each figure, the rotation direction of the output shaft 61 (follower lever 6) around the output axis C3 is indicated by the r direction. Within the r direction, the direction along the R1 direction is indicated by the r1 direction, and the direction along the R2 direction is indicated by the r2 direction. In a transitional state in which the swivel unit 5 is turning in the R1 direction and transitioning from the parking state to the parking release state, the follower lever 6 turns in the r1 direction. In a transitional state in which the swivel unit 5 is turning in the R2 direction and transitioning from the parking release state to the parking state, the follower lever 6 turns in the r2 direction.

[0043] In each drawing, the direction along the first straight line L1 is indicated as direction A. Within direction A, the direction from the rotation axis C4 side of the swivel unit 5 toward the output axis C3 side of the output shaft 61 is indicated as direction A2, and the opposite direction is indicated as direction A1. Direction A is the direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the guide unit 62 (cam groove) and is also the direction that changes as the swivel unit 5 moves.

[0044] 1 and 2, the actuator 101 includes an upper housing 10 (lid member), a lower housing 11, a support housing 12, a control board 2, a motor 3 including an input shaft 32, a rotated body 4 including a central shaft 40, a swiveling unit 5, and a driven lever 6 including an output shaft 61. The upper housing 10 (lid member), the lower housing 11, and the support housing 12 form a housing 10a that houses the motor 3, the rotated body 4, the swiveling unit 5, and the driven lever 6 inside.

[0045] The rotated body 4, the swivel unit 5, and the driven lever 6 are configured to reduce the speed of the driving force of the motor 3 and generate a relatively large torque. This torque moves the parking rod 72. The driving force of the motor 3 is transmitted in the following order: input shaft 32 of the motor 3, rotated body 4, the swivel unit 5, the driven lever 6 (output shaft 61), and the shift switching mechanism 102 (parking rod 72).

[0046] The input shaft 32 of the motor 3 extends in the Z direction along an input axis C1 located at the center of the input shaft 32. The central axis 40 of the rotated body 4 extends in the Z direction along a central axis C2 located at the center of the rotated body 4. The output shaft 61 of the driven lever 6 extends in the Z direction along an output axis C3 located at the center of the driven lever 6. The rotating part 5 is formed in a circular shape with a pivot axis C4 extending in the Z direction at its center. In other words, the input axis C1 is parallel to each of the central axis C2, the output axis C3, and the pivot axis C4.

[0047] The input axis C1, the central axis C2, and the output axis C3 are fixed axes when viewed in the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction). On the other hand, the pivot axis C4 is an axis that revolves (revolves) around the central axis C2 as the pivot unit 5 pivots. When viewed in the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction), the input axis C1 is positioned at a position offset from the straight line connecting the central axis C2 and the output axis C3. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the size of the driven lever 6 in the direction perpendicular to the input axis C1, compared to when the input axis, the central axis, and the output axis are all positioned on the same straight line.

[0048] 1 and 2 are assembled together with the support housing 12 disposed between the upper housing 10 and the lower housing 11. The upper housing 10, the lower housing 11, and the support housing 12 house the above-described components of the actuator 101 (the support housing 12, the control board 2, the motor 3, the rotated body 4, the swivel unit 5, and the driven lever 6) inside.

[0049] The support housing 12 is open on the Z1 direction side, and is configured so that the open portion is blocked by the upper housing 10. The lower housing 11 is open on the Z1 direction side, and is configured so that the open portion is blocked by the support housing 12. The lower housing 11 is provided with a through-hole 11a through which the output shaft 61 of the driven lever 6 is inserted. The through-hole 11a penetrates the lower housing 11 in the Z direction. The output shaft 61 inserted into the through-hole 11a protrudes from the lower housing 11 in the Z2 direction. The output shaft 61 abuts against the support housing 12 from the Z2 direction side, and the output shaft 61 is positioned in the axial direction.

[0050] The support housing 12 rotatably supports the input shaft 32 of the motor 3. More specifically, the support housing 12 is provided with a motor bearing 3a that rotatably supports the input shaft 32. The motor bearing 3a is installed on the support housing 12 from the Z2 direction side of the support housing 12. Furthermore, a stator 31 of the motor 3 is fixed to the support housing 12 from the Z1 direction side of the support housing 12 (see FIG. 4). A space 12a (see FIG. 1) that houses the control board 2 is provided on the Z1 direction side of the support housing 12, and a space 12b (see FIG. 1) that houses the rotated body 4, the swivel unit 5, and the driven lever 6 is provided on the Z2 direction side of the support housing 12.

[0051] (Configuration of Control Board) The control board 2 shown in Fig. 1 is configured to control the driving of the motor 3. The control board 2 is a board component on which electronic components are mounted. The control board 2 is a board whose thickness direction is in the Z direction, and is fixed to the support housing 12 by fastening members. The control board 2 covers the motor 3 from the Z1 direction side.

[0052] (Motor Configuration) As an example, the motor 3 is an IPM (Interior Permanent Magnet) type brushless three-phase motor. The motor 3 is fixed to the support housing 12 with fastening members. The motor 3 includes a rotor 30, a stator 31, and an input shaft 32. The rotor 30 and the stator 31 form a motor body 30a that rotatably supports the input shaft 32.

[0053] N-pole magnets and S-pole magnets serving as permanent magnets are embedded alternately at equal angular intervals within the rotor 30 around the input axis C1 of the input shaft 32. The stator 31 has excitation coils of multiple phases (U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase) that generate magnetic force when energized. The input shaft 32 is configured to rotate together with the rotor 30 around the input axis C1. The input shaft 32 is rotatably supported by a motor bearing 3a installed in the support housing 12.

[0054] The input shaft 32 passes through the driven lever 6. More specifically, the input shaft 32 is inserted into a through-hole 60 (described later) of the driven lever 6. The input shaft 32 has a flange portion 33 that abuts against the motor bearing 3a from the Z2 direction side, a motor gear portion 34, and a non-motor gear portion 35. The motor gear portion 34 is configured to contact the rotated body 4 and transmit driving force to the rotated body 4. In the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction), the non-motor gear portion 35 is disposed between the flange portion 33 (motor main body 30a) and the motor gear portion 34. The non-motor gear portion 35 is directly connected to the flange portion 33 from the Z2 direction side.

[0055] The non-motor gear portion 35 is a portion that cannot be used as a gear configuration midway between the flange portion 33 and the gear shape of the motor gear portion 34. In other words, the motor gear portion 34 cannot be formed to be directly connected to the flange portion 33. The non-motor gear portion 35 is disposed between the motor gear portion 34 and the support housing 12 in the axial direction (Z direction) of the input shaft 32. The motor gear portion 34 is disposed near the end of the input shaft 32 in the Z2 direction. The tip 32a of the input shaft 32, located on the opposite side (Z2 direction) from the motor main body 30a, is rotatably supported by the housing 10a. More specifically, the lower housing 11 of the housing 10a has a bearing 36. The tip 32a of the input shaft 32 in the Z2 direction is rotatably supported by the bearing 36.

[0056] 5, the input shaft 32 of the first embodiment is disposed between the rotated body 4, which is directly rotated by the input shaft 32, and the output shaft 61 of the driven lever 6, as viewed in the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction). When a line passing through the rotation axis C4 and the output axis C3 is defined as a first line L1 as viewed in the direction along the input axis C1, the first line L1 is configured to intersect with the input axis C1, which is the center line of the motor 3, while the rotating part 5 is rotating.

[0057] The above phrase "arranged between the rotated body 4 and the output shaft 61 of the driven lever 6" includes not only the case where the entire input shaft 32 is arranged in the space 7 between the rotated body 4 and the output shaft 61 of the driven lever 6, but also the case where only a part of the input shaft 32 is arranged in the space 7 between the rotated body 4 and the output shaft 61 of the driven lever 6.

[0058] Furthermore, the "space 7 between the rotated body 4 and the output shaft 61 of the driven lever 6" refers to the space (the range surrounded by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 ) surrounded by two tangent lines 7a and 7b that touch both the circular rotated body 4 and the circular output shaft 61, when viewed from the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction), and by the rotated body 4 and the output shaft 61. The two tangent lines 7a and 7b are so-called common external tangent lines.

[0059] (Configuration of Rotated Body) The rotated body 4 shown in FIG. 5 is a circular gear member having external teeth 4a that mesh with the motor gear portion 34 of the input shaft 32. In other words, the rotated body 4 is a spur gear. The diameter of the rotated body 4 is larger than the diameter of the input shaft 32. The rotated body 4 includes a central shaft 40 having a central axis C2 parallel to the input axis C1, and is configured to be rotated about the central axis C2 by the input shaft 32. The central shaft 40 is configured as a cantilever shaft with its end in the Z2 direction fixed to the lower housing 11. A bearing 41 is provided on the central shaft 40 to rotatably support a gear component having the external teeth 4a of the rotated body 4.

[0060] 6, when viewed in the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction), the rotated body 4 is configured to fall within a range RG3 of the movement locus of the outer edge 6a of the driven lever 6. In other words, when viewed in the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction), the distance D1 between the output axis C3 and a position P10 of the driven lever 6 that is farthest from the output axis C3 is greater than the distance D2 between the output axis C3 and a position P11 of the rotated body 4 that is farthest from the output axis C3 (D1>D2).

[0061] (Configuration of the Swivel Unit) The swivel unit 5 shown in FIG. 5 is provided on the rotated body 4 and is configured to revolve (revolve) around the central axis C2 as the rotated body 4 rotates. As an example, the swivel angle range of the swivel unit 5 is greater than 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees. When viewed from a direction along the input axis C1, the swivel unit 5 is formed in a circular shape with a swivel axis C4 parallel to the input axis C1 at its center. The swivel unit 5 is provided with a swivel center shaft 50 whose end in the Z2 direction is fixed to the rotated body 4. The swivel unit 5 is supported by the swivel center shaft 50 that protrudes from the rotated body 4 in the Z1 direction. The swivel center shaft 50 extends in the Z direction and is located at the center of the swivel unit 5. The swivel unit 5 and the swivel center shaft 50 are spaced apart from the support housing 12 and the lower housing 11 so as not to come into contact with the support housing 12 and the lower housing 11.

[0062] The orbiting portion 5 provided on the rotated body 4, which is a gear member, is configured to orbit at a position on the inner circumferential side of the external teeth 4a of the gear member. In other words, the distance from the central axis C2 to the orbiting axis C4, which is the orbit radius of the orbiting portion 5, is smaller than the distance from the central axis C2 to the external teeth 4a, which is the radius of the rotated body 4.

[0063] When the swivel unit 5 swivels, it swivels while being guided by a guide unit 62 (cam groove) (described later) of the driven lever 6. The swivel unit 5 is configured to swivel around the central axis C2 while rotating when guided by the guide unit 62. In detail, the swivel unit 5 has a bearing structure with a plurality of spherical rollers 5a (see FIG. 1 ) for reducing friction that occurs between the swivel unit 5 and the guide unit 62, which it comes into contact with, when it is guided by the guide unit 62.

[0064] The distance between the position of the swivel unit 5 (swivel axis C4) in the parking state and the output axis C3 is approximately equal to the distance between the position of the swivel unit 5 (swivel axis C4) in the parking release state and the output axis C3. The swivel unit 5 in the transition state, which is in the middle of transitioning from one of the parking state and the parking release state to the other, is configured to swivel at a position farther from the output shaft 61 than the positions of the swivel unit 5 in the parking state and the parking release state.

[0065] In other words, the distance between the rotation axis C4 and the output axis C3 of the rotating unit 5 in the transitional state is greater than the distance between the rotation axis C4 and the output axis C3. In short, when the rotating unit 5 is in the transitional state, in which the parking state is being switched between, the parking release state and the parking state, the rotating unit 5 moves in an outward direction via the side of the central axis 40 that is farther from the output shaft 61, rather than in an inward direction via the side closer to the output shaft 61 than the central axis 40.

[0066] During switching from one of the parking state and the parking release state to the other, the swivel unit 5 is configured to reciprocate from a stopping end 62a (described later) which is one end of the cam groove that is the guide unit 62 to the other end 62b and then return to the stopping end 62a (described later). Details will be mentioned in the description of the switching operation between the parking state and the parking release state (described later).

[0067] 1 is a relatively thin plate member whose thickness direction is in the Z direction. The thickness of the driven lever 6 is smaller than the thickness of the rotated body 4. In the Z direction, the center position of the driven lever 6 substantially coincides with the center position of the swivel part 5.

[0068] The driven lever 6 includes a through hole 60, an output shaft 61, and a guide portion 62. In the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction), a range RG1 in which the output shaft 61 is provided and a range RG2 in which the rotated body 4 is provided overlap. More specifically, in the Z direction, the entire range RG2 in which the rotated body 4 is provided is included in the range RG1 in which the output shaft 61 is provided. The driven lever 6 and the output shaft 61 are supported by the lower housing 11 via an L-shaped bushing 110.

[0069] The input shaft 32 is inserted through the through hole 60, and the non-motor gear portion 35 is disposed inside. The driven lever 6 is disposed between the support housing 12 (motor main body 30a) and the rotated body 4 with the input shaft 32 inserted through the through hole 60. The through hole 60 is formed in an arc shape centered on the output axis C3 when viewed from the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction). The through hole 60 is formed slightly larger than the input shaft 32 so that it does not interfere with the inserted input shaft 32 when the driven lever 6 rotates. In short, the through hole 60 is a so-called relief hole.

[0070] The output shaft 61 has an output axis C3 parallel to the input axis C1, and is configured to output the driving force of the motor 3 to a shift switching mechanism 102 (see FIG. 3) that switches between a parking state and a parking release state. The output shaft 61 is fixed to a plate portion of the driven lever 6. The guide portion 62 is configured to guide the rotating turning portion 5. The driven lever 6 is pressed by the rotating portion 5 that turns in a circular shape while being guided by the guide portion 62, thereby rotating about the output axis C3. The output shaft 61 is configured from a single member.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 5 , the guide portion 62 of the driven lever 6 is a cam groove that contacts the pivoting portion 5 and guides the movement of the pivoting portion 5. The cam groove, which is the guide portion 62, is formed linearly along the first straight line L1 when viewed from the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction). Specifically, when viewed from the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction), the cam groove, which is the guide portion 62, has an elliptical shape formed by two straight line portions SL extending parallel to the first straight line L1 and two arc portions AR connecting the ends of the two straight lines. The cam groove, which is the guide portion 62, includes a stop end 62a that is configured as one end of the cam groove on the output shaft 61 side. The stop end 62a is configured to stop the driven lever 6 by abutting against the pivoting portion 5 when the driven lever 6 is switched between the parking state and the parking release state. Therefore, when the swivel portion 5 is in the parking state or the parking release state, it is located at a stop end portion 62a (described later) which is one end of the linear cam groove that is the guide portion 62.

[0072] (Configuration of Shift Switching Mechanism) As shown in FIG. 3 , the shift switching mechanism 102 includes an arm portion 70 having one end fixed to the output shaft 61, a rod-shaped torque transmission member 71 connected to the other end of the arm portion 70, a parking rod 72 moved by the torque transmission member 71, and a parking gear 73.

[0073] The arm portion 70 is configured to rotate in the r1 direction and the r2 direction together with the output shaft 61 (driven lever 6). The torque transmission member 71 has a cam portion 71a at its tip. The cam portion 71a is configured to move toward and away from the parking rod 72 as the arm portion 70 rotates. A guide member 71b is provided ahead of the cam portion 71a in the direction of movement, guiding the cam portion 71a toward the parking rod 72 and pressing it against the parking rod 72. The parking rod 72 is provided with a spring member 72a that constantly biases the parking rod 72 toward the guide member 71b. When the cam portion 71a enters between the guide member 71b and the parking rod 72, the parking rod 72 moves toward the parking gear 73 against the biasing force of the spring member 72a, and the parking rod 72 engages with the parking gear 73, changing from the parking release state to the parking state.

[0074] (Switching Operation Between Parking State and Parking Release State by Shift Device) With reference to FIG. 7, the switching operation between the parking state and the parking release state by the shift device 100 will be described.

[0075] (Switching Operation from Parking State to Parking Release State) The switching operation from the parking state shown in FIG. 7A to the parking release state shown in FIG. 7E will be described.

[0076] First, in the parking state shown in FIG. 7A , the rotating unit 5 is positioned near the stop end 62a, which is one end of the cam groove that serves as the guide unit 62. The term "near the stop end 62a" refers not only to a position of the rotating unit 5 where the rotating unit 5 is slightly separated from the stop end 62a, but also to a position of the rotating unit 5 where the rotating unit 5 is in contact with the stop end 62a. In this state, torque is input from the input shaft 32 of the motor 3 via the driven body 4 to rotate the rotating unit 5 in the R1 direction. In this case, the rotating unit 5 moves in the A1 direction along the guide unit 62 so as to move away from the output shaft 61, and the driven lever 6 hardly rotates. As a result, the rotating unit 5 (point of force) moves away from the input shaft 32 (fulcrum), increasing the torque with which the rotating unit 5 presses and rotates the driven lever 6. In other words, since a relatively large distance can be secured between the rotation axis C4 and the output axis C3, a relatively large torque that rotates the output shaft 61 can be generated with a relatively small load on the motor 3.

[0077] 7B , the shift device 100 switches from the parking state to the transition state at an orthogonal position P1 (position of the turning unit 5) where the first straight line L1 and the second straight line L2 passing through the turning axis C4 and the central axis C2 are orthogonal to each other. In detail, the shift device 100 is configured to switch from the parking state to the transition state when the turning unit 5 passes, in the R1 direction, the orthogonal position P1 where the first straight line L1 and the second straight line L2 are orthogonal to each other, as viewed from the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction) while in the parking state.

[0078] 7C, the swivel unit 5 rotates in the direction R1 by moving outward. In FIG. 7C, the first straight line L1 and the second straight line L2 coincide with each other during the transition, and the swivel unit 5 has reached the other end 62b of the cam groove, which is the guide unit 62.

[0079] Then, the shift device 100 switches from the mid-transition state to the parking release state at an orthogonal position P2 (position of the turning unit 5) where the first line L1 and the second line L2 are perpendicular to each other, as shown in FIG. 7(D). Specifically, the shift device 100 is configured to switch from the mid-transition state to the parking release state when the turning unit 5, while in the mid-transition state, passes the orthogonal position P2 where the first line L1 and the second line L2 are perpendicular to each other, toward the R1 direction, as viewed from the direction along the input axis C1 (Z direction). Here, in FIG. 7, of the second line L2 whose orientation changes as the turning unit 5 turns, the second line L2 at the orthogonal position P2 is indicated by "L20."

[0080] Then, in the parking release state shown in Figure 7(E), the pivoting part 5 is again positioned at the stop end 62a, which is one end of the cam groove that is the guide part 62. The pivoting part 5, which is positioned at the stop end 62a, which is one end shown in Figure 7(E), has further rotated in the R1 direction by an angle θ1 from the orthogonal position P2 shown in Figure 7(D). When the pivoting part 5 is positioned within this angle θ1 range, the shift device 100 can prevent the pivoting part 5 from passing the orthogonal position P2 in the R2 direction and switching from the parking release state to the transitional state, even if a reverse input that rotates the driven lever 6 is applied from the shift switching mechanism 102 side or the like.

[0081] Specifically, in the state shown in FIG. 7(E), if a reverse input is applied to rotate the driven lever 6 in the r2 direction, the driven lever 6 will press the pivoting unit 5 in the R1 direction toward the stop end 62a, but the pivoting unit 5 will abut against the stop end 62a and not pivot any further, preventing it from moving toward the orthogonal position P2 from the position shown in FIG. 7(E). Furthermore, in the state shown in FIG. 7(E), if a reverse input is applied to rotate the driven lever 6 in the r1 direction, the pivoting unit 5 may rotate up to just before the orthogonal position P2. However, at a position just before the orthogonal position P2, which is within the range of angle θ1, no force is applied from the driven lever 6 toward the other end 62b of the cam groove, which is the guide unit 62, to the pivoting unit 5. Therefore, the position of the pivoting unit 5 is maintained within the range of angle θ1 shown in FIG. 7(E). In other words, the angle of the turning unit 5 in the parking release state is an angle range having a predetermined width (angle θ1). That is, the parking release state is maintained unless torque is input from the input shaft 32 of the motor 3. A reverse input does not cause the state shown in FIG. 7(E) to switch to the state shown in FIG. 7(C) via the state shown in FIG. 7(D). Note that the position of the turning unit 5 when the turning center axis 50 is located on the second straight line L20 shown in FIG. 7(D) is the position of the turning unit 5 at the timing when the parking release state switches from the transitional state to the parking release state. Therefore, the position of the turning unit 5 when the turning center axis 50 is located on the second straight line L20 is not included in the position of the turning unit 5 in the parking release state.

[0082] (Switching Operation from Parking Release State to Parking State) Next, a switching operation from the parking release state shown in FIG. 7E to the parking state shown in FIG. 7A will be described.

[0083] 7(E), the swivel unit 5 is positioned near the stop end 62a, which is one end of the cam groove that is the guide unit 62. In this state, torque that rotates the swivel unit 5 in the R2 direction is input from the input shaft 32 of the motor 3 via the rotated body 4. In this case, the swivel unit 5 moves in the A1 direction along the guide unit 62 so as to move away from the output shaft 61, and the driven lever 6 hardly rotates at all.

[0084] 7(D) , the shift device 100 switches from the parking released state to the transitional state at an orthogonal position P2 where the first line L1 and the second line L2 passing through the turning axis C4 and the center axis C2 are orthogonal to each other. In detail, the shift device 100 is configured to switch from the parking released state to the transitional state when the turning unit 5, in the parking released state, passes the orthogonal position P2, where the first line L1 and the second line L2 are orthogonal to each other, toward the R2 direction as viewed from the direction along the input axis C1 (the Z direction).

[0085] 7C, the swivel unit 5 rotates in the direction R2 by moving outward. In FIG. 7C, the first straight line L1 and the second straight line L2 coincide with each other during the transition, and the swivel unit 5 has reached the other end 62b of the cam groove, which is the guide unit 62.

[0086] Then, the shift device 100 switches from the mid-transition state to the parking state at an orthogonal position P1 where the first line L1 and the second line L2 shown in FIG. 7B intersect at right angles. Specifically, the shift device 100 is configured to switch from the mid-transition state to the parking state when the turning unit 5, while in the mid-transition state, passes the orthogonal position P1 where the first line L1 and the second line L2 intersect at right angles toward the R2 direction as viewed from the direction along the input axis C1 (the Z direction). Here, in FIG. 7 , of the second line L2 whose orientation changes as the turning unit 5 turns, the second line L2 when located at the orthogonal position P1 is indicated by "L21."

[0087] In the parking state shown in Figure 7(A), the pivoting part 5 is located at the stop end 62a, which is one end of the cam groove that is the guide part 62. The pivoting part 5 located at the stop end 62a, which is one end shown in Figure 7(A), has further rotated in the R2 direction by an angle θ2 from the orthogonal position P1 shown in Figure 7(B). When the pivoting part 5 is located within this range of angle θ2, the shift device 100 can prevent the pivoting part 5 from passing the orthogonal position P1 in the R1 direction and switching from the parking state to the transition state, even if a reverse input that rotates the driven lever 6 is applied from the shift switching mechanism 102 side or the like.

[0088] Specifically, in the state shown in FIG. 7(A), if a reverse input is applied to rotate the driven lever 6 in the r1 direction, the driven lever 6 presses the pivot unit 5 in the R2 direction toward the stop end 62a, which is one end of the pivot unit 5. However, the pivot unit 5 abuts against the stop end 62a, which is one end of the pivot unit 5, and does not pivot any further, and does not move from the position shown in FIG. 7(A) toward the orthogonal position P1. Also, in the state shown in FIG. 7(A), if a reverse input is applied to rotate the driven lever 6 in the r2 direction, the pivot unit 5 may rotate up to just before the orthogonal position P1. However, at a position just before the orthogonal position P1, which is within the range of angle θ2, no force is applied from the driven lever 6 toward the other end 62b of the cam groove, which is the guide unit 62, to the pivot unit 5. Therefore, the position of the pivot unit 5 is maintained within the range of angle θ2 shown in FIG. 7(B). Therefore, unless torque is input from the input shaft 32 of the motor 3, the position of the pivot unit 5 is maintained within the range of angle θ2 shown in FIG. 7(A). In other words, the angle of the swivel unit 5 in the parking state is an angle range having a predetermined width (angle θ2). That is, the parking state is maintained unless torque is input from the input shaft 32 of the motor 3. A reverse input does not cause the state shown in FIG. 7(A) to switch to the state shown in FIG. 7(C) via the state shown in FIG. 7(B). Note that the position of the swivel unit 5 when the swivel center axis 50 is located on the second straight line L21 shown in FIG. 7(B) is the position of the swivel unit 5 at the timing when the parking state switches to the transitional state. Therefore, the position of the swivel unit 5 when the swivel center axis 50 is located on the second straight line L21 is not included in the position of the swivel unit 5 in the parking state.

[0089] (Effects of First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0090] As described above, in the first embodiment, as viewed from the direction along the input axis C1, the input shaft 32 of the motor 3 is disposed between the rotated body 4 rotated by the input shaft 32 and the output shaft 61 that outputs the driving force of the motor 3 to the shift switching mechanism 102 that switches between the parking state and the parking release state. This arrangement, unlike the conventional arrangement in which the input shaft is disposed at a position around the rotated body different from the side where the driven lever having the output shaft is disposed, allows the input shaft 32 to be disposed between the rotated body 4 and the output shaft 61, thereby making it possible to effectively utilize the space between the rotated body 4 and the output shaft 61. Furthermore, the input axis C1 of the input shaft 32 of the motor 3, the central axis C2 of the central shaft 40 of the rotated body 4, and the output axis C3 of the output shaft 61 of the driven lever 6 are disposed parallel to each other. This arrangement reduces the size in the direction perpendicular to the central axis C2 of the device compared to the conventional arrangement in which the central axis of the worm wheel, which is the rotated body, intersects with the input axis of the worm, which is the input shaft. As a result, it is possible to prevent the device from becoming larger in size in the direction perpendicular to the central axis C2 of the rotated body 4 rotated by the motor 3.

[0091] As described above, in the first embodiment, when viewed from the direction along the input axis C1, the swivel unit 5 is formed in a circular shape having a swivel axis C4 parallel to the input axis C1 as its center, and when viewed from the direction along the input axis C1, the first line L1 passing through the swivel axis C4 and the output axis C3 is configured to intersect with the input shaft 32 while the swivel unit 5 is rotating. This makes it possible to arrange the input shaft 32 of the motor 3, the output shaft 61, and the rotated body 4 on which the swivel unit 5 is provided, in a relatively close range so that the first line L1 passing through the swivel axis C4 and the output axis C3 intersects with the input shaft 32 while the swivel unit 5 is rotating, when viewed from the direction along the input axis C1 (central axis C2). As a result, it is possible to further suppress an increase in the size of the device in the direction perpendicular to the central axis C2 of the rotated body 4 rotated by the motor 3.

[0092] In the first embodiment, as described above, when the swivel unit 5 is in a transitional state in which it is transitioning from one of the parking state and the parking release state to the other as it rotates, the transitional state is alternately switched from the transitional state to either the parking state or the parking release state when the swivel unit 5 passes through the orthogonal positions P1 and P2, where the first line L1 and the second line L2 passing through the turning axis C4 and the central axis C2 are perpendicular to each other, as viewed from the direction along the input axis C1. As a result, when a reverse input that rotates the driven lever 6 is applied from the shift switching mechanism 102 side due to an external force via the output shaft 61 or vibration of the driven lever 6 while the motor 3 is stopped, the reverse input torque that causes the driven lever 6 to press the swivel unit 5 can be applied in a direction that maintains the parking state or the parking release state, rather than in a direction that switches from the parking state or the parking release state to the transitional state. As a result, the parking state and the parking release state can be stably maintained against a reverse input from the shift switching mechanism 102 side, etc.

[0093] In the first embodiment, as described above, the guide portion 62 of the driven lever 6 is a cam groove that contacts the pivoting portion 5 to guide the movement of the pivoting portion 5. The cam groove is configured as one end of the cam groove on the output shaft 61 side and includes a stop end 62a that abuts against the pivoting portion 5 to stop the driven lever 6 when the driven lever is switched between the parking state and the parking release state. A conventional configuration is known in which a protruding portion is provided from the surface of the driven body toward the driven lever, and the protruding portion abuts against the outer edge of the driven lever to stop the driven lever. In such a conventional configuration, the rotating body must be made relatively large relative to the driven lever 6 to prevent the protruding portion from abutting against the outer edge of the driven lever 6 during switching between the parking state and the parking release state, resulting in a large device. Therefore, with the above configuration, the pivoting portion 5 disposed in the cam groove of the driven lever 6 can be abutted against the stop end 62a of the cam groove to stop the driven body 4. That is, the rotated body 4 can be stopped simply by the cam mechanism formed by the cam groove including the stopping end 62a and the rotating part 5. Therefore, unlike the conventional method, it is no longer necessary to provide a protruding part from the surface of the rotated body 4 toward the driven lever 6 in order to stop the rotated body 4. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to consider, as was the case with the conventional method, how to prevent the protruding part from coming into contact with the driven lever 6 while the rotated body 4 is rotating. As a result, it is possible to prevent the rotated body 4 from becoming larger, and therefore the device from becoming larger.

[0094] In the first embodiment, as described above, the input shaft 32 has the motor gear portion 34 that contacts the rotated body 4 to transmit driving force, and the non-motor gear portion 35 that is disposed between the motor gear portion 34 and the motor main body 30a that rotatably supports the input shaft 32 in the direction along the input axis C1. The driven lever 6 includes a through hole 60 through which the input shaft 32 is inserted and on which the non-motor gear portion 35 is disposed, and is disposed between the motor main body 30a and the rotated body 4 with the input shaft 32 inserted through the through hole 60. This allows the driven lever 6 to be disposed in a range of the non-motor gear portion 35 that cannot be used as a gear in the axial direction of the input shaft 32, thereby making it possible to effectively utilize the range of the non-motor gear portion 35. As a result, it is possible to prevent the device from becoming larger in the axial direction of the input shaft 32.

[0095] As described above, the first embodiment further includes a housing 10a that houses the motor 3, the rotated body 4, the rotating part 5, and the driven lever 6 therein, and the tip 32a of the input shaft 32, which is located on the opposite side of the motor body 30a that rotatably supports the input shaft 32, is rotatably supported by the housing 10a. As a result, compared to when the input shaft is rotatably supported only by the motor body (rotor), the tip 32a of the input shaft 32 can also be rotatably supported by the housing 10a, and the input shaft 32 can be rotated stably.

[0096] In the first embodiment, as described above, the range RG1 in which the output shaft 61 is provided and the range RG2 in which the rotated body 4 is provided overlap in the direction along the input axis C1. This allows the device to be made smaller in size in the direction along the input axis C1 compared to a case in which the range in which the output shaft is provided and the range in which the rotated body is provided do not overlap in the direction along the input axis C1.

[0097] In the first embodiment, as described above, the swivel unit 5 is configured to reciprocate from one end of the cam groove to the other end 62b and back again while switching from the parking state to the other, and the cam groove is formed in a straight line along the first straight line L1 when viewed from the direction along the input axis C1. This allows the shape of the cam groove, which is the guide unit 62, to be simplified, thereby simplifying the device configuration.

[0098] In the first embodiment, as described above, the turning unit 5 in the transition state is configured to turn at a position farther from the output shaft 61 than the position of the turning unit 5 in the parking state and the position of the turning unit 5 in the released parking state. This makes it possible to ensure a relatively large distance between the turning unit 5 in the middle of turning and the output shaft 61, and therefore makes it possible to relatively increase the torque output from the output shaft 61.

[0099] In the first embodiment, as described above, the input shaft 32 has the motor gear portion 34 that contacts the rotated body 4 to transmit driving force, and the rotated body 4 is a circular gear member having external teeth that meshes with the motor gear portion 34. This allows the torque from the motor gear portion 34 of the input shaft 32 to be easily transmitted to the output shaft 61 side by the circular gear member having external teeth.

[0100] In the first embodiment, as described above, the orbiting portion 5 provided on the rotated body 4, which is a gear member, is configured to orbit at a position on the inner periphery side of the external teeth of the gear member. This allows the external teeth and the orbiting portion 5 to be at different distances from the central axis C2 of the rotated body 4, so that the torque from the input shaft 32 can be reduced in the orbiting portion 5 and the rotated body 4.

[0101] In the first embodiment, as described above, the swivel unit 5 is configured to swivel about the central axis C2 while rotating when guided by the guide unit 62. This reduces friction between the swivel unit 5 and the guide unit 62 due to the rotation, allowing the swivel unit 5 to swivel smoothly along the guide unit 62.

[0102] Second Embodiment A second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In this second embodiment, an example will be described in which the driven lever 6 has a shape different from that of the first embodiment, which has an oval shape. In the drawing, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0103] A shift device 200 according to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 8 includes a driven lever 206 including a guide portion 262 (cam groove). Note that Fig. 8 does not illustrate the rotated body 4 (see Fig. 1) and the motor 3 (see Fig. 1).

[0104] The guide portion 262 has a pressing surface 262a arranged on the side of a stop end 62a (A2 direction side), which is one end of the guide portion 262. An arc-shaped portion 262b having an angle greater than 180 degrees is provided on the stop end 62a of the guide portion 262. The pressing surface 262a is part of the other end 62b (A1 direction side) of the arc-shaped portion 262b.

[0105] The pressing surfaces 262a are configured as a pair provided on the r1 direction side and the r2 direction side of the swivel part 5. The width between the pair of pressing surfaces 262a increases as the pair of pressing surfaces 262a approaches the stopping end part 62a.

[0106] The pressing surface 262a is configured to press the rotating part 5 toward the stopping end 62a rather than the other end 62b when the rotating part 5 located at the stopping end 62a receives torque due to a reverse input from the driven lever 6 in the parking state. As an example, when a reverse input is applied to the driven lever 206 in the r1 direction, the rotating part 5 receives a pressing force F from the pressing surface 262a that is directed toward the stopping end 62a rather than the other end 62b. The same is true when a reverse input is applied to the driven lever 6 in the r2 direction. The same is true in the parking release state. Therefore, the pressing surface 262a more reliably maintains the parking state and the parking release state. The other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0107] (Effects of Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0108] In the second embodiment, as described above, when viewed from the direction along the input axis C1, the input shaft 32 of the motor 3 is disposed between the rotated body 4 rotated by the input shaft 32 and the output shaft 61 that outputs the driving force of the motor 3 to the shift switching mechanism 102 that switches between the parking state and the parking release state. This makes it possible to prevent the device from becoming larger in size in the direction perpendicular to the central axis C2 of the rotated body 4 rotated by the motor 3, as in the first embodiment.

[0109] As described above, in the second embodiment, the guide portion 262 of the driven lever 6 is a cam groove that contacts the rotating portion 5 and guides the movement of the rotating portion 5. The rotating portion 5 is configured to reciprocate from one end of the cam groove to the other end 62b and back to the one end while switching from one of the parking state and the parking release state to the other. The cam groove has a pressing surface 262a that presses the rotating portion 5 toward the one end when the rotating portion 5 located at the one end receives torque from the driven lever 6. As a result, when a reverse input that rotates the driven lever 6 is applied from the output shaft 61 side while the motor 3 is stopped, the reverse input torque presses the rotating portion 5 against the pressing surface 262a, thereby pressing the rotating portion 5 toward the one end. Therefore, the pressing surface 262a allows the reverse input torque to act in a direction that maintains the parking state and the parking release state. As a result, the parking state and the parking release state can be more stably maintained against a reverse input from the shift switching mechanism 102 side or the like.

[0110] [Modifications] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications (modifications) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0111] For example, while the first and second embodiments have been described with examples in which the rotating unit rotates in a so-called outer direction, the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present invention, the rotating unit 5 may rotate in a so-called inner direction, as in a shift device 300 of a first modified example shown in FIG. 9 . In this case, the guide unit 362 is positioned closer to the output shaft 61 than the guide unit 62 of the first embodiment. Note that, assuming that the motor of the first embodiment and the motor of the first modified example have the same output, the torque output from the output shaft in the inner direction is smaller than that in the outer direction as in the first embodiment.

[0112] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, an example was shown in which the driven lever was disposed between the rotor and the rotated body in the Z direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the rotated body 4 may be disposed between the rotor 30 and the driven lever 306, as in a shift device 300 of a first modification shown in Figure 9. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the through-hole 60 (see Figure 1) in the driven lever 306 as in the first embodiment.

[0113] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, an example was shown in which the pressing surface was formed by a portion of a circular arc shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in the guide portion 462 of the shift device 400 of a second modified example shown in Fig. 10 , the pair of pressing surfaces 462a may be formed by inclining the entire surfaces of the r1 direction side and the r2 direction side of the turning portion 5 by a predetermined angle θ3 with respect to the center line of the guide portion 462 in the r direction. The pair of pressing surfaces 462a increases in width as they approach the stop end portion 62a, which is one end of the pair of pressing surfaces 462a.

[0114] 11 , a pair of pressing surfaces 562a may be formed by inclining only a portion of the stopping end portion 62a, which is one end of each of the r1 direction side and the r2 direction side of the turning portion 5, by a predetermined angle θ4 with respect to the center in the r direction of the guide portion 562. The width between the pair of pressing surfaces 562a increases as the pair of pressing surfaces 562a approaches the stopping end portion 62a.

[0115] 12 , a pair of protrusions 601 protruding inward (toward the turning unit 5) of the guide unit 662 may be provided on each of the surfaces on the r1 direction side and the r2 direction side of the turning unit 5, and one end of the protrusions 601 on the side of the stopping end 62a may serve as a pair of pressing surfaces 662a. The width between the pair of pressing surfaces 662a increases as the pair of pressing surfaces 662a approaches the stopping end 62a.

[0116] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, an example was shown in which the swivel portion was a bearing having a plurality of spherical rollers, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in a shift device 700 of a fifth modified example shown in Fig. 13, the swivel portion 705 may be a needle bearing having a plurality of cylindrical (needle-shaped) rollers 705a.

[0117] Although the first and second embodiments have described an example in which the output shaft 61 is configured from a single member, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in a shift device 700 of a fifth modified example shown in Fig. 13 , the output shaft 761 may be configured from multiple members, including a first member 61a (hollow shaft) having grooves for spline engagement and a second member 61b fixed to the first member 61a by spline engagement.

[0118] Unlike the first and second embodiments, as in a shift device 700 of a fifth modified example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the support housing 12 may have a protrusion 12c that abuts against the end face of the pivot shaft 50 and restricts movement of the pivot shaft 50 in the Z1 direction. The protrusion 12c protrudes in the Z2 direction toward the end face of the pivot shaft 50. The protrusion 12c extends in an arc shape in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction, along the movement trajectory of the pivot shaft 50 (the pivoting unit 705). Therefore, the protrusion 12c is always located directly above the pivot shaft 50 on the Z1 side.

[0119] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, an example is shown in which the vehicle switches from the parking state to the parking release state when the swivel unit turns in the R1 direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the vehicle may switch from the parking state to the parking release state when the swivel unit turns in the R2 direction. In other words, the position of the swivel unit in each of the parking state and the parking release state may be opposite to the position of the swivel unit in the first and second embodiments.

[0120] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, examples have been shown in which the shift device includes a shift switching member, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the shift device does not necessarily have to include a shift switching member.

[0121] In the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5 , the entire input shaft 32, which is disposed between the rotated body 4 and the output shaft 61, is disposed between the two tangent lines 7a and 7b when viewed along the input axis C1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, only a portion of the input shaft, which is disposed between the rotated body and the output shaft, may be disposed between the two tangent lines 7a and 7b (see FIG. 5 ) when viewed along the input axis. In other words, the input shaft may be disposed at a position that intersects with either one of the two tangent lines 7a and 7b (see FIG. 5 ) when viewed along the input axis.

[0122] 3: Motor 4: Rotated body 5, 705: Swivel portion 6, 206, 306: Driven lever 10a: Housing 30a: Motor body 32: Input shaft 32a: Tip (of input shaft) 34: Motor gear portion 35: Non-motor gear portion 40: Central shaft 60: Through hole (of driven lever) 61, 761: Output shaft 62, 262, 362, 462, 562, 662: Guide portion 62a: Stop end portion 62b: Other end 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700: Shift device 102: Shift switching mechanism 262a, 462a, 562a, 662a: Pressing surface C1: Input axis C2: Central axis C3: Output axis C4: Swivel axis L1: First straight line L2: Second straight line P1, P2: Orthogonal positions RG1: Range where the output shaft is provided RG2: Range where the rotated body 4 is provided

Claims

1. A shift device comprising: a motor including an input shaft that rotates about an input axis; a rotating body including a central axis having a central axis parallel to the input axis and rotated about the central axis by the input shaft; a turning portion provided on the rotating body and turning about the central axis as the rotating body rotates; an output shaft having an output axis parallel to the input axis and outputting the driving force of the motor to a shift switching mechanism that switches between a parking state and a parking release state; and a guide portion that guides the turning portion, and a driven lever that rotates about the output axis by being pressed against the turning portion while being guided by the guide portion, wherein the input shaft is disposed between the rotating body and the output shaft when viewed in the direction along the input axis.

2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein the turning portion is formed in a circular shape centered on a turning axis parallel to the input axis when viewed in the direction along the input axis, and a first straight line passing through the turning axis and the output axis is configured to intersect the input shaft while the turning portion turns when viewed in the direction along the input axis.

3. The shift device according to claim 2, wherein when the turning portion is in a transitional state during which it is turning and transitioning from one of the parking state and the parking release state to the other, and when the turning portion crosses an orthogonal position at which a first straight line passing through the turning axis and the central axis and a second straight line passing through the turning axis and the output axis are orthogonal when viewed in the direction along the input axis, the shift device is configured to alternately switch from the transitional state to one of the parking state and the parking release state.

4. The guide portion of the driven lever is a cam groove that guides the movement of the turning portion while contacting the turning portion, the turning portion is configured to reciprocate from one end to the other end side of the cam groove and then return to the one end again while switching from one of the parking state and the parking release state to the other, and the cam groove has a pressing surface that presses the turning portion toward the one end side when the turning portion located at the one end receives torque from the driven lever.

5. The guide portion of the driven lever is a cam groove that guides the movement of the swivel portion while contacting the swivel portion. The cam groove is configured as one end on the output shaft side of the cam groove, and includes a stop end portion that stops the driven lever by abutting against the swivel portion in each state of the parking state and the state switched to the parking release state. The shift device according to claim 1.

6. The input shaft has a motor gear portion that contacts the rotatable body to transmit a driving force, and a non-motor gear portion disposed between the motor gear portion and a motor body that rotatably supports the input shaft in a direction along the input axis. The driven lever includes a through hole through which the input shaft is inserted and the non-motor gear portion is disposed inside, and is disposed between the motor body and the rotatable body with the input shaft inserted through the through hole. The shift device according to claim 1.

7. The shift device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing that houses the motor, the rotatable body, the swivel portion, and the driven lever inside. The tip of the input shaft located on the side opposite to the motor body that rotatably supports the input shaft is rotatably supported by the housing.

8. In a direction along the input axis, a range where the output shaft is provided and a range where the rotatable body is provided overlap. The shift device according to claim 1.

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