JP3085082B2 - Operation lever device for automatic transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To properly use an automatic shifting mode and a manual shifting mode by providing switches which detect displacement of a switch lever corre sponding to the shift up/down operation of a shift lever in a second shift passage and output the detected signal to the control device of an automatic transmission in order to attain manual shifting. CONSTITUTION:When a T/M control device receives a detected signal from a shift up detecting switch 83, it operates the shift step of an automatic transmission on the shift up side based on a manual shifting mode. When it receives a detected signal from a shift down detecting switch 84, it operates the shift step of the automatic transmission on the shift down side based on the manual shifting mode. In this way, an automatic shift operation and an automatic shift operation can be properly used by changeover in which a shift lever 22 is selectively engaged with cable levers functionally divided, and a switch lever 45 neutrally energized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation lever device for an automatic transmission having a function of shifting up or down a gear position as desired by manual operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronically controlled automatic transmissions mounted on passenger vehicles not only perform automatic transmissions in accordance with a preset shift mode, but also travel on snowy roads, engine brakes, and the like. In some cases, an operation lever device that allows a specific gear position to be held by manual operation is provided.

Recently, an electronically controlled automatic transmission has
In order to enable a shift operation close to a manual operation, such as a manual transmission, instead of holding the gears, JP-A-2-8545 and JP-A-3-8906.
No. 5, JP-A-3-89075, etc., a quick operation of rotating the wrist in the front-rear direction, such as a manually operated shift lever, allows the gear to be shifted up or down as desired. There has been proposed an automatic transmission having an operation lever device for lowering the speed.

Such operation lever devices include P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral), D (drive), 2 (second), 1 (low), and the like. Each position has a shift path for automatic shifting operation set in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and a shift path for manual shifting that is separated from the D (drive) position and extends evenly in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. . A shift lever, which is operated by a driver, is movably provided on these shift paths.

At each end of the shift path for manual shifting,
Each of the switches is provided with a switch for detecting the presence or absence of a shift lever. One end of the shift path is a shift-up shift position and the other end is a shift-down shift position. Each switch is connected to a control unit of the automatic transmission.

In this operation lever device, after the shift lever is moved to a shift path for manual shifting, the shift lever is rotated in the front-rear direction, that is, in the shift-up side or the shift-down side by a rotation operation by a wrist. Thus, the shift speed can be selected as desired with a feeling similar to that of a manually operated shift lever.

[0007]

According to this type of operation lever device, in order to ensure a satisfactory manual gear shifting operation,
At the time of manual shifting operation, the shift lever is set to the neutral state, and from this neutral state, the shift lever is shifted to the upshift side.
Alternatively, it is necessary to operate downshift.

Therefore, in the automatic transmission disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, each shift-up side of a shift path for manual gear shifting,
A pair of spring-biased pins is provided at the end of the shift-down side so as to protrude toward the center of the shift path, and the shift lever in the shift path for manual shifting is sandwiched between these pins from both sides. The shift lever is always arranged at the neutral position.

However, such a shift lever is directly
In the structure in which the pin is biased neutrally, in the automatic shift mode, the pin is liable to vibrate because the shift lever that has been in contact with the pin disappears.

For this reason, in the automatic transmission mode, the pins may vibrate due to external force transmitted from the vehicle body, and noise may be generated. In order to prevent this, the position of the pin may be restricted in the automatic transmission mode.
When the pin position is restricted in the automatic transmission mode, the manual transmission mode is applied.
At the time of shifting, rattling occurs between the shift lever and the pin.

In order to prevent such a problem,
An extremely high-dimensional design was required. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an operation lever in which an automatic transmission mode and a manual transmission mode can be selectively used without problems such as conventional vibration and noise. -To provide a device.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation lever device, comprising: a first shift path having a plurality of selected positions for an automatic shift operation;
A manual shift operation that is arranged in parallel with the shift path, is provided with a shift-up shift position at one end and a shift-down shift position at the other end, and is connected to the first shift path via a connection path at an intermediate position. a second shift path of use, and a shift lever provided to the both shift path movably operation, when the upper Symbol shift lever is in the second shift channel is engaged with the shift lever linked to the shift lever while, the shift of the a switch lever configured to engage with the shift lever is released, the upper Symbol the shift lever in the second shift path when the shift lever is in the first shift channel Detect up operation or down operation
A switch for outputting a detection signal to achieve the manual transmission based on the operation to the control device for an automatic transmission and, above Sui
The upshift position and the shift
Apply the urging force from the downshift position to
And a neutral urging means for urging the bar to the neutral position .

[0013]

[0014] operating lever device according to claim 2, in addition to the above-described object, in order to suppress degradation of the performance of when it becomes impossible engagement of the interlocking member or the switch lever, the
When the shift lever is on the first shift path, the shift
While engaging with the lever and interlocking with the shift lever,
When the shift lever is in the second shift path,
The engagement with the shift lever is configured to be released, and
It has an interlocking member mechanically connected to the dynamic transmission body.
The shift lever is engaged with at least one of the interlocking member and the switch lever when located on the connection path between the first and second shift paths.

[0015]

[0016]

The operating lever device according to claim 3, in addition to the above object, the position adjustment is facilitated so on of the switch lever, for supporting the upper kiss switch lever pivotally
With the upshift position of the switch lever
Side face of the shift-up shift position side facing the side face of
Is a first wall member formed in a non-parallel state, and the switch
Facing the side of the chiller on the side of the downshift position.
It is formed in a non-parallel state with the side surface of the downshift position.
Having a frame member provided with a second wall member,
When the urging means is in the upshift position of the switch lever,
Between the mounting side and the first wall member, and the switch
The side surface of the lever on the shift down shift position side and the second wall member;
And the position of the neutral urging means.
Is configured to be adjustable.

[0018]

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above objects, both the neutral position holding property and the operation moderation feeling are provided.
As shown, the switch lever , the first shift path and the flat
Line to retractably supported on one side of the stationary member extending the check ball, provided the one side Sprint grayed pressing urging the check ball on the other side, the other side
Provided with a check recess the check ball is retracted, the check ball is configured to immersion in the check recess in the neutral position of the switch lever
The neutral position holding mechanism is provided. Claim 5
In the operation lever device described above, the neutral urging means may
That is, it has a configuration having an switch function.

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

According to the operation lever device described in claim 1,
When performing automatic shifting, the shift lever is shifted to a first shift path for automatic shifting operation.

Next, the shift lever is moved to a desired selected position. When performing a manual shift operation, the shift lever on the first shift path is shifted to the second shift path for manual shift operation via the connection path.

The shift lever, during which movement the connection path, will engage the switch lever. Here, the switch lever is always irregularly neutralized by the neutral urging means. Therefore, when the shift lever is disposed on the second shift path, the shift lever is maintained at the neutral position.

Next, the shift lever in the second shift path is used.
Is operated toward the upshift position on one end or the downshift position on the other end. At this time, since the switch lever is engaged with the shift lever, the switch lever is displaced in conjunction with the shift up / down operation of the shift lever.

The displacement of the switch lever is detected by the switch. Then, a detection signal from this switch is output to the control device of the automatic transmission, and manual shifting such as upshifting and downshifting is achieved.

[0030] In other words, the automatic transmission operation, the manual shift operation,
The middle Tatsuzuke biased by a switch lever selectively used by the switching of causing a shift lever selectively engaged.

Here, since the switch lever is always biased to the neutral position, vibration or noise is generated even when the switch lever is switched to the automatic transmission mode. There is no.

In addition, the structure in which the shift lever is engaged with the switch lever and the displacement of the switch lever is detected by the switch is to separately manage the operation accuracy of the switch and the engagement accuracy between both levers. It is possible to improve the operation accuracy of the switch and to suppress rattling of both levers.

[0033]

According to the operation lever device of the second aspect , when the automatic transmission mode or the manual transmission mode is switched, engagement of the interlocking member or the switch lever becomes impossible for some reason. However, the shift lever is prevented from being disengaged from the switching source.

This ensures a minimum operating function.

[0036]

[0037]

[0038]

[0039] According to the operating lever device according to claim 3, when adjusting the neutral position of the switch lever, the neutral urging along between the wall member of the side frame members of S w <br/> Tchireba What is necessary is just to adjust the arrangement position of the means, and the neutral position can be easily adjusted.

[0040]

[0041]

[0042]

[0043]

[0044] According to the operating lever device according to claim 1, the neutral position holding mechanism that provides both the middle upright position holding and operability moderation feeling is installed. That is, the switch lever, by being immersed in Ji Ekkuboru apt Ekku recess at all times is held in the neutral position. In the manual shift mode, the shift lever is engaged with the switch lever to hold the shift lever at the neutral position. When the shift lever is operated from this state to the shift-up shift position or the shift-down shift position, the check ball is pushed up and disengages from the check recess. The reaction force generated at this time is given as a sense of moderation of the upshift or downshift operation.

[0045]

[0046]

[0047]

[0048]

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

[0052]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.
A description will be given based on the embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an overall system of an electronically controlled automatic transmission to which the present invention is applied, wherein 1 is an engine housed in an engine room (not shown) of a passenger car, and 2 is an output shaft of the engine 1 (shown in FIG. 1). (Not shown) via a torque converter 3.

The main body 2 includes, in a transmission case 3, for example, a plurality of planetary gear mechanisms (not shown), an on-off mechanism (not shown) such as a clutch for restricting rotation of elements of the planetary gear mechanism, and an on-off mechanism. It is configured to house equipment such as a control valve unit 4 that controls oil inflow and outflow.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an operation lever device for the automatic transmission.
The operation lever device 5 is disposed between a driver's seat and a passenger seat of a passenger car. The operation lever device 5 has two modes: an automatic transmission, and a manual transmission in which a gear can be shifted by an operation of rotating a wrist in the front-rear direction as in a manually operated shift lever.

FIGS. 2 to 6 show the overall structure of the operation lever device 5, and FIGS. 7 to 16 show the structure of each part.
The cross section of each part and the state during operation are shown. The structure of the operation lever device 5 will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the XX direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, is defined as the longitudinal direction, and the YY direction, which is the width direction of the vehicle, is defined as the lateral direction.

That is, reference numeral 6 denotes a metal frame. The frame 6 has a frame shape including a lower frame 7 (corresponding to a frame member) and an upper frame 8 combined with the lower frame 7.

More specifically, the lower frame 7 is shown in FIGS.
The front and rear portions are formed of a metal plate bent obliquely upward as shown in FIG. The center of the metal plate extending in the horizontal direction is a bottom plate portion 7a (corresponding to a bottom plate portion), and a portion extending obliquely upward and forward from the bottom plate portion 7a is referred to as a front plate portion 7b (corresponding to a front inclined wall). A portion extending obliquely upward and to the side is a rear plate portion 7c (corresponding to a rear inclined wall). These bottom plates 7
a, a plate portion protruding inward is formed at the center of the plate surface of the front plate portion 7b and the rear plate portion 7c, of which a flat plate portion having the bottom plate portion 7a is used as the main equipment installation portion 9; Part 7b,
The base portion 7c is the sub-device installation section 10.

The upper ends of the front plate 7b and the rear plate 7c are:
Both are bent outward in a U-shape. Front plate 7
b, an installation seat 11 extending horizontally forward
Is attached.

The upper frame 8 has an arcuate plate portion 13 as a beam member extending in the front-rear direction and an arcuate detent plate portion 14. The plate 13 and the detent plate 14 are
The lower frame 7 is attached to the side faces of the U-shaped portions 12, 12, which protrude outside the U-shaped portions 12.

The plate 13 and the detent plate 14 are arranged in parallel so as to straddle the front and rear ends of the lower frame 7. Of these, at the center of the lower surface of the detent plate portion 14 arranged on the right side, each of automatic transmissions such as P (parking), R (reverse), N (neutral) and D (drive) is provided. A detent groove 15 having a predetermined groove shape for defining a position is formed continuously along the front-rear direction (in the embodiment, free between ND).

Further, a plurality of recesses 32 are formed on the lower surface on the rear side in the front-rear direction of the detent plate portion 14 along the front-rear direction. Specifically, the concave portion 32 is a V-shaped groove 32a that is continuous at the same interval as the position position (selected position).
It is formed with.

The plate 13 and the detent plate
A plate 16 having a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 7 is integrally connected between the center of the upper end and the plate 14. The main body of the upper frame 8 is constituted by a structure in which the three plates are connected.

On the left side of the plate surface of the plate portion 16, the above P
(Parking), R (reverse), N (neutra),
A shift path 17 (corresponding to a first shift path), which has a position (a plurality of selected positions) such as D (drive) and is formed of a long hole, is provided to extend in the front-rear direction. Note that the shift path 17 and the detent plate portion 14 are parallel.

Similarly, on the right side of the plate surface, there is a shift path 17.
A shift path 18 for manual operation (corresponding to a second shift path) is provided in parallel with the above. The shift path 18 is configured to have a long hole that is separated from the selected position that is the D position of the shift path 17 and that extends evenly in the front-rear direction. The portion at the intermediate position is a connection path 18a connecting the two shift paths 17, 18. The front end of the shift path 18 is a shift-up shift position, and the rear end is a shift-down shift position.

The frame 6 is provided with equipment necessary for an automatic shifting operation and a manual shifting operation. That is, a support base formed in a rectangular frame shape is provided on the upper surface of the main device installation section 9.
Screw 19 is installed by bolting or the like.

A metal shaft 20 is stretched between the center portions of the left and right walls of the support base 19. The shaft 20 is arranged along the left-right direction. Of the shaft portion of the shaft 20, a cable lever-21 is provided on the right side.
(Corresponding to an interlocking member). Also shaft 2
A shift lever 22 is provided at the center of the zero.

A switch lever 45 described later is provided on the left side of the shaft 20. That is, the cable lever-21 and the switch lever 45 are provided with a shift lever.
22 is arranged at a position sandwiching it from the left and right.

The main body of the cable lever 21 is made of synthetic resin and has a support hole 24 which opens in the left and right direction at the lower end as shown in FIG. It has a substantially prismatic shape with a seat 25. A step 26 is formed in the middle of the side surface of the main body facing the shift lever 22, and the upper thickness is smaller than the lower thickness from the middle.

The support hole 24 is rotatably fitted in the shaft 20. Thus, the entire cable lever 21 is supported rotatably in the front-rear direction with the shaft 20 as a fulcrum.

The upper end extends to the vicinity of the detent groove 15. The base of a lever portion 27 made of a metal plate is fitted and fixed to the back surface of the cable lever-21. The tip of the lever section 27 is a cable lever.
21 extends obliquely upward from the back surface toward the front side in the front-rear direction. A pin 28 projecting outward is provided at the distal end.

This pin 28 is mechanically connected to the main body 2 of the automatic transmission. That is, from the main body 2 of the automatic transmission, as shown in FIG. 1, a shift cable 29 for shifting and controlling the transmission is extended. The shift cable 29 has an inner cable 29a and an outer cable 29a.
It consists of a cable covered with b.

The shift cable 29 is connected to a metal cable attached to the front side of the detent plate portion 14.
The inner cable end is pin 28
It is connected to.

More specifically, the cable bracket section 30
It has an L-shaped outer shape, and the long side 30a is attached in a direction following the shape of the detent plate part 14, and the short side 30b which is the tip is the front plate part 7b of the lower frame 7. From the front. Further, a slot 31 for supporting an outer cable is formed in the short portion.

The operating end of the shift cable 29 has an outer cable 29b supported by bolts or the like in the slot 31 of the shorter portion, and only the inner cable 29a is fixed to the pin 28 by screws. Thus, the displacement required for the operation of selecting the automatic transmission can be output to the main body 2 of the automatic transmission through the shift cable 29.

Further, on the side of the cable bracket 30, along the direction protruding from the outer surface of the front plate 7a,
A plate-shaped metal lock cable bracket 100 is arranged.

The base end of the lock cable bracket 100 is attached to the center of the front plate 7a in the width direction.
The lower end is attached to the upper surface of a base 11 a formed on the installation seat 11. The base 11a is fixed to the outer surface of the front plate 7a.

The upper portion of the lock cable bracket portion 100 is attached to the side surface of the cable bracket portion 30 via leg portions 101 protruding from the upper edge. A cable support portion 102 formed in a fork end shape is provided at a position lower than the cable support portion (slot) of the cable bracket portion 30 at the upper end of the lock cable bracket portion 100. Is provided.

On the other hand, at the upper end of the cable lever-21,
The base end of the band-shaped leaf spring 33 is fixed by screwing. A part of the leaf spring 33 is bent so that an upward urging force is generated at the distal end. The tip of the leaf spring 33 has a V-shaped groove 32 on the rear side in the front-rear direction.
a.

A roller 34 is provided at the tip of the leaf spring 33.
Are rotatably supported in a direction perpendicular to the detent plate portion 14. A roller 34 urged upward by the leaf spring 33 is engaged with the V-shaped groove 32a.

By utilizing this engagement, in the manual shift mode,
The cable lever-21 is inadvertently moved.
On the other hand, the shift lever 22 is provided from the shaft 20 through the side of the detent plate 14 so as to cover the elongated holes forming the shift paths 17 and 18 and the plate 16 as shown in FIG. Gate 3 of the operation panel 35
5a, and extends above the operation panel 35. The gate 35a has the same shape as the shift paths 17, 18.

FIG. 12 shows the structure of the shift lever 22. If the structure of the shift lever 22 is explained,
Reference numeral 6 denotes a metal shift lever body. The shift lever main body 36 is bifurcated from a lower end of the rod 37 and a cylindrical rod 37 that slidably penetrates a long hole forming the shift paths 17 and 18 and a gate 35a of the operation panel 35. And a forked body 38 extending to the shaft 20. The shift knob 22a is mounted on the tip of the rod 37.

The rod 37 side of the shift lever body 36 is defined as a lever upper half 39a, and the forked body 38 is defined as a lever lower half 39b. The forked body 38 is formed of a sheet metal bent in a U-shape. For details, see the bifurcated body 38
Are configured such that a space between them has a pair of parallel plate-like portions 38a that are open to the side, that is, in the vehicle body width direction.
The distance between the plate portions 38a is, for example, equal to the width of the cable lever 21.

Between the distal ends of the plate-like portions 38a, a synthetic resin-made pivoting member 40 having a short column shape so as to fill the space therebetween is provided.
Are slidably accommodated. A support hole 41 penetrating in the left-right direction is provided at a lower portion of the pivotal support member 40.
1 and a small diameter support hole 42 (diameter of the support hole 42 <diameter of the support hole 41) penetrating in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the first direction.

The support hole 41 is rotatably fitted in the shaft 20. A bolt 43 penetrating between the plate portions 38a is rotatably fitted into the support hole 42 through a through hole 20a provided in the shaft 20. The bolts 43 rotatably connect the plate portion 38a and the pivotal support member 40 to each other. Reference numeral 44 denotes a nut screwed into a bolt end.

With this pivot structure, the shift lever main body 36 is rotatably supported in the shift direction (front-rear direction) with a common rotation axis as the cable lever 21 as a fulcrum. In addition, it is supported so as to be swingable about a swing axis on a rotation axis which is a select direction (left-right direction).

As a result, the lever lever 22 can be freely operated in the shift paths 17 and 18 and in the intermediate connection path 18a connecting the shift paths. For example, if the starting position is the D position defined by the detent groove 15 at the rearmost position, the shift lever-2
2 can be rotated from the same position in the forward direction, similarly in the lateral direction toward the shift path 18.

The left and right sides of the pivotal support member 40 are
The lower part of the bull lever-21 and the lower part of the switch lever 45 arranged on the opposite side of the cable lever-21 are pinched and regulated, whereby the entire pivot member 40 is rotated in the shift direction. Although it is dynamically displaced, it is not rotated and displaced in the select direction.

A V-shaped groove 46 is formed on the upper surface of the pivot member 40 along the rotation axis in the select direction.
The groove 46 as shown in FIG.
A C-shaped spring 47 having a height dimension larger than the depth of the groove portion 46 and extending elongated along the length direction of the groove portion 46 is accommodated.

The notch end of the spring 47 is
Are rotatably locked in holes (not shown) formed on both sides of a spring locking base 46a provided in the center of the spring. With this locking, the spring 47 is arranged in a plane parallel to the rotation axis in the select direction.

The plate-like portion 38 immediately above the pivot member 40
A guide member 48 made of a synthetic resin is screwed and fixed at a point between a. The guide member 48 is separate from the shift lever main body 36, and has a short column-shaped main body 48a that fills the space between the plate-shaped portions 38a. A V-shaped groove 49 is formed on the lower surface of the main body 48a along the rotation axis in the select direction.

The spring 47 protruding from the groove 46
The upper part 47a is inserted and locked in the groove 49. Thereby, the whole of the spring 47 is
It is interposed between the grooves 46 and 49.

With such a locking structure, the spring 47
When the shift lever body 36 is lever-operated in the select direction as a fulcrum of the bolt 43, the shift lever body 36 is tilted and displaced about the bottom of the groove 46. The tilt range of the spring 47 is restricted by the angle between the V-shaped grooves 46.

Each of the grooves 46 and 49 is arranged at a position where the spring 47 is compressed and deformed during the lever operation between the shift path 17 and the shift path 18. For example, groove 4
9 is located at a position shifted from the position of the groove 46 to the cable lever-21 side.

The difference between the compression deformation of the spring 47 and the return of the spring 47 causes the shift path 17, 1
At the time of lever operation between the eight positions, a sense of moderation is generated.

On the other hand, on the upper surface of the guide member 48, a cylindrical guide tube 60 projecting upward from the center of the upper surface is formed. A coil spring 61 is accommodated in the guide cylinder 60.

A slider 62 is slidably accommodated in the forked body 38 immediately below the rod end directly above the guide member 48. The slider 62 has a substantially short columnar shape so as to fill a space between the pair of plate portions 38a. On both sides of the slider 62 facing the plate-like portion 38a, the plate-like portion 38
A pair of sliding contact surfaces 63 that can be slid on the inner wall surface of a are formed.

Further, inside the slider 62, there is formed a cylindrical socket 64 which is opened on the lower surface. A guide cylinder 60 is slidably fitted into the receiving port 64 together with the coil spring 61, and the entire slide 62 is slidably supported between the rod end and the guide member 48.

The lower end of a solid shaft rod 65 slidably inserted into the rod 37 is attached to the upper end of the slider 62. The upper end of the rod 65 is connected to an operation button 66 mounted on the shift knob 22a, and when the operation button 66 is pressed, the slider 62 is pushed down.

On the side surface of the slider 62 facing the detent plate 14, a metal detent pin 67 is projected. Then, the detent pin 67 is moved through the open portion of the plate-shaped portion 38a to the detent plate portion 1.
It protrudes to the 4 side.

The detent pin 67 is freely detachable from each position defined by the detent groove 15 of the detent plate portion 14. With such a structure, when the lever is operated from the connection path 18a toward the D position of the shift path 17, the detent pin 67 engages with the groove corresponding to the D position of the detent groove 15 as shown in FIG. From D position to connection path 1
When the lever operation is performed toward 8a, the detent pin 67 is separated from the groove corresponding to the D position as shown in FIG.

Of course, in the shift path 17, the detent pin 67 is positioned at each defined position of the detent groove 15 by lever operation. Further, when the operation button 66 is pressed, the detent pin 67 is driven in the direction of releasing the engagement, so that the detent pin 67 can be released from the groove at each position defined by the detent groove 15.

A shift lock engaging portion 68 is formed at a position lower than the detent pin 67 on the side of the slider 62 opposite to the side from which the detent pin 67 projects. The engaging portion 68 has a pair of parallel ribs 70 extending on a side surface of the slider 62 at right angles to the axial direction of the slider 62. Then, the rib 70 is connected to the plate-shaped portion 38.
A groove protruding laterally from the open portion between the holes a to receive an engagement pin 88 of the lock cam 71 described later is formed.

The shift lever 22 and the key
One of the bull lever-21 and the switch lever 45, for example, the engagement protrusion 50
a, 50a are provided. Similarly, the other, for example, the cable lever 21 and the switch lever 45 are provided with an engagement concave portion 50b which engages with and disengages from the engagement convex portion 50a.

Each of the engaging projections 50a on both sides has a fitting insertion portion 51 formed by projecting a side portion, which is the center in the thickness direction of the guide member 48, to the side in a trapezoidal plate shape.
As shown in FIG. 14, the distal end of each insertion portion 51 has a rib-shaped insertion guide 5 protruding forward from both ends in the width direction.
2,52. The insertion guides 52, 52
An inclined surface is formed on the outer surface so that the thickness decreases toward the tip, and the insertion portion 51 is engaged with the engagement concave portion 50a.
For easy insertion. Insertion guide 52,
An elastic wall 53 (corresponding to an elastic portion), which is formed by cutting out a part of the insertion guide 52 and the insertion portion 51, is formed in a part of the part 52. The distal end of the elastic wall 53 has a slope 53 having a slope similar to the slope of the insertion guide 52.
a. And the slope of this slope portion 53a is
The insertion guide 52 is disposed at a position protruding outward from the slope, and the protruding portion is elastically contacted with the mating engagement surface as shown in FIG. Needless to say, the elastic wall 53 may be formed on the engaging concave portion 50b side instead of the engaging convex portion 50a side.

The engagement recess 50b of the cable lever-21 is
As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 14, an engagement hole 54 is provided on the lower front surface of the cable lever 21 in correspondence with the engagement protrusion 50. The engagement opening 54 is formed by an elongated opening extending in the vertical direction corresponding to the fitting portion 51 and the outer shape.

Thus, when the shift lever 22 is on the shift path 17, the entire insertion portion 51 is inserted into the engagement opening 54. Therefore, the shift lever
When the shift lever 22 is in the shift path 17, the shift lever 22 and the cable lever 21 are engaged with each other via the guide member 48.

With this engagement, when the shift lever 22 is in the shift path 17, that is, at the time of the automatic shifting operation, the cable lever 21 is operated in the shift direction in conjunction with the lever operation of the shift lever 22. It has become.

The switch lever 45 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in (b), it has a main body 75 composed of a block formed in a fan shape that opens upward. A rotation support portion 76 extending along the fan-shaped axis is formed at a lower portion of the main body 75. The support hole 76a formed in the rotation support portion 76 is provided with a cable lever with the shift lever 22 interposed therebetween.
21 is rotatably fitted to the shaft portion on the opposite side,
The entire body 75 is supported rotatably in the shift direction about a shaft 20 common to the shift lever 22 and the cable lever 21.

By this support, the switch lever 45
The inclined side surfaces (corresponding to the front and rear surfaces) are the lower frame.
The front plate 7b and the rear plate 7c of the drum 7 are arranged to face each other.

Further, using this support, a cable lever can be used.
21 and the switch lever 45 are arranged so as to be sandwiched on both sides of the pivotal support member 40. The front surface 75a of the main body 75 facing the shift lever side is inclined so as not to interfere with the shift lever 22 that is operated by the shift path 17.

Further, between the both side surfaces of the main body 75 and the front plate portion 7b and the rear plate portion 7c of the lower frame 7 opposed thereto,
A pair of neutral urging units 79 as neutral urging means for urging the switch lever 45 to a neutral state is arranged.

The neutral urging unit 79 includes a case 80 mounted on the front plate 7b and the rear plate 7c, and a pin which can move toward and away from the side surface of the switch lever 45 provided on the case 80. 81 and a spring 82 built in the casing 80 for urging the pin 81 in the protruding direction. The biased spring 82 evenly sandwiches the switch lever 45 from both sides with elastic force to hold the switch lever 45 at the neutral position.
Of course, even when the neutral biasing unit 79 is provided on the switch lever 45 side, the switch lever 45 can be held at the neutral position similarly.

The angle θ ₁ of the fan-shaped side surface of the main body 75 thus held is different from the angle θ _{2 of} the inclined front plate 7b and rear plate 7c. The casing 80 disposed on the front side has a built-in shift-up detection switch 83 that is turned on and off in accordance with the displacement of the pin 81. The casing 80 arranged on the rear side has a built-in shift-down detection switch 84 that is turned on and off in accordance with the displacement of the pin 81. As a result, when the shift lever 22 swings forward or backward along the shift path 18, a swing displacement corresponding to a shift up / down operation of the shift lever 22 is detected by turning on / off the switches 83 and 84, and the same. Shift up /
A detection signal required to achieve a shift operation based on the down operation is output.

Each casing 80 is mounted along the fan-shaped side surface of the main body 75 so as to be adjustable along the front plate 7b and the rear plate 7b. The difference between the angles θ ₁ and θ ₂ is as follows. The mounting position is adjusted using.

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
A long hole 80 extending in the vertical direction is provided in each plate surface portion of the front plate portion 7b and the rear plate portion 7b where the mounting seat 80a of the shing 80 is disposed.
b is provided.

Each casing 80 has a long hole 80b and a bolt 80d inserted into a through hole 80c provided in the mounting seat 80a.
It is fixed by fastening with a nut 80e. Thus, the mounting position of the neutral urging unit 79 is shifted within the range of the length of the elongated hole 80b.

A guide member 4 projecting toward the switch lever 45 is provided at the center of the front surface 75a of the main body 75 which is inclined backward.
The engaging concave portion 50b is provided to which the engaging convex portion 50a of No. 8 is removably fitted.

The engaging concave portion 50b is formed by forming an elongated engaging hole 77 corresponding to the outer shape of the fitting insertion portion 51 in the upper portion of the front surface 75a corresponding to the engaging convex portion 50a. Thus, as the shift lever 22 is operated from the shift path 17 to the shift path 18, the fitting portion 51 projecting toward the switch lever 45 is fitted into the opening of the engagement opening 77.

That is, the shift lever 22 is connected to the shift path 18.
, The shift lever 22 and the switch lever 45 are engaged with each other via the guide member 48.

With this engagement, when the shift lever 22 is in the shift path 18, that is, at the time of a manual shift operation, the switch lever 45 in the neutral state is shifted by the shift lever-2.
In conjunction with the lever operation of No. 2, it is operated in a shift direction such as upshift or downshift.

The shift lever 22 obtained by the engaging projection 50a and the engaging recess 50b is engaged with the cable lever 21 and the switch lever 45, so that the lever in the select direction of the shift lever 22 is moved. -The automatic shift mode or the manual shift mode can be selected by the operation.

When the shift lever 22 obtained by the engaging projection 50a and the engaging recess 50b is engaged with the cable lever 21 and the switch lever 45, the shift lever 22 is located in the connection path 18a. Sometimes, shift lever 22
And at least one of the cable lever 21 and the switch lever 45 are set so as to remain engaged, so that the shift lever 22 does not enter a free state.

The engagement opening 77 is opened to the rear surface 75b through the inside of the main body 75. The front surface 75a of the engagement port 77
The armature 78a of the manual transmission mode detection switch 78 installed on the rear surface 75b of the switch lever 22 as shown in FIG.
Are arranged through the penetrating portion.

Thus, when the shift lever 22 is put into the shift path 18, the armature 78a is inserted into the fitting portion 51.
Manual shift mode detection switch 7
8 is turned on and off to detect that the shift lever 22 has been inserted into the shift path 18.

The manual speed change mode detection switch 78, shift up detection switch 83, and shift down detection switch 84 are connected to a T / M control device 85 connected to the control valve unit 4.

The T / M control device 85 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer. This T / M control device 8
5, a manual shift mode is set in addition to the automatic shift mode. The T / M control device 85 has a function of switching to a manual shift mode by a detection signal from the manual shift mode detection switch 78, and a function of switching to the same manual shift mode by a detection signal from the shift-up detection switch 83. The function of operating the shift stage of the automatic transmission to the upshift side based on the detection signal from the shiftdown detection switch 84, and the function of operating the shift stage of the automatic transmission to the downshift side based on the manual shift mode. Is set, and a desired shift is performed in conjunction with a shift up / down operation of the shift lever 22 in the shift path 18.

On the other hand, a lock cam 86 for a shift lock, which constitutes a shift lock device, is provided at a point on the inner surface of the plate portion 13 which is located forward of the P position, as shown in FIG.

The lock cam 86 has a plate shape, and a boss 87 protrudes from the center. This boss 8
7 is pivotally supported on the inner surface of the plate portion 13.
The lock cam 86 has an engagement pin 88 on the side of the shift lever 22 that is a rear portion with the boss portion 87 interposed therebetween, and an arc-shaped locking portion 89 for engaging and disengaging a shift lock pin on the opposite side that is a front portion. And a connection pin 90 for key interlock on the upper portion of the boss portion 87.

A stopper spring 91 composed of an L-shaped leaf spring extending in the vertical direction is disposed on the front plate side of the boss 87. This stopper spring 91
The base end, which is the longitudinal end, is attached to the inner surface of the plate portion 13, and the distal end, which is the shorter side, is removably inserted into a groove 87a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the boss portion 87. The movement of the lock cam 86 at the time of unlocking is regulated.

Then, the engagement pin 88 is regulated by this restriction.
At the point corresponding to the P position. Thus, as the shift lever 22 is disposed at the P position, the engaging pin 8 is attached to the engaging portion 68 of the shift lever 22.
8 is inserted.

A release lever 92 for operating the stopper spring 91 is provided around the lock cam 86. The release lever 92 is, for example, a boss 87
Pivot 9 supported rotatably on plate 13
3, an engaging portion 94 slidably engaging a longitudinal portion of the stopper spring 91, and a lever portion 95 connecting the pivot portion 93 and the engaging portion 94. Sometimes it is formed in a substantially inverted L-shape.

The lever portion 95 has a contact piece 96 for receiving a side portion of the shift lever 22 operated to the P position.
When the abutment piece 96 is pressed as the shift lever 22 is disposed at the P position, the lever portion 95 is rotated and displaced in conjunction with the pushing, and the longitudinal side of the stopper spring 91 is grooved. Pressing is performed in a direction in which the engagement with 87a is released. That is, the lock of the lock cam 86a is released when the shift lever 22 is disposed at the P position.

When the operation button 66 is thereafter returned, the lock cam 86 is rotated upward to form a shift lock system. Further, the locked state of the lock cam 86a that has been rotationally displaced is not released unless the brake pedal 103 is depressed by the shift lock pin 105 provided on the side surface of the lock cable bracket portion 100 (shift lock).

More specifically, the shift lock pin 105 is provided so as to be able to move forward and backward between a position where it is locked with the upper end of the locking portion 94 and a position where the locking is released. Further, the spring is biased toward the lock cam 86 by the elastic force of the return spring 105a. When the shift lever 22 is at the P position by this bias, the shift lock pin 105 is protruded to the locking position by the elastic force of the return spring 105a, and the shift lock pin 105 is brought into contact with the upper end of the locking portion 94. The locking prevents the lock cam 86 from rotating. The shift lock pin 105 is connected to the brake pedal device 103 via the shift cable 104, and does not move to the unlocked position unless the brake pedal 103a of the brake pedal device 103 is depressed. It is. Note that the shift lock pin 105 is arranged on the circular arc surface of the locking portion 94 of the lock cam 86 to be locked when the shift lever 22 is in a position other than the P position.

An outer cable is supported on the connection pin 90 by the cable support portion 102, and an ignition key device 106 is provided.
A key interlock cable 107 extending from the terminal is connected. Then, an ignition key 106 inserted into the ignition key device 106 by a cable regulating mechanism 106a built in the ignition key device 106.
When b is in the LOCK position or when it is pulled out, the movement of the inner cable of the key interlock cable 107 is locked, the movement of the lock cam 86a is restricted, and the ignition key 106b is locked.
Is out of the LOCK position, the lock of the inner cable of the key interlock cable 107 is released, and the lock cam 86
The restriction of a is canceled. As a result, the shift lever 22 cannot be operated from the P position unless the ignition key 106b is operated in a predetermined manner (key interlock).

Next, the operation will be described. First, the state in which the shift lever 22 is in the P position will be described. In this P position, the shift lever 22 is in a state in which the movement of the lock cam 86 is restricted by the lock of the key interlock cable 107 and the lock of the shift lock pin 105, so that the lever cannot be operated in the shift direction. Has become.

From this state, the driver who got into the vehicle starts the ignition key 10 to start the engine 1.
6b into the ignition key device 106 and LOC
Operate to K position, ACC to START position. As a result, the engine 1 starts.

With the operation of the ignition key, the key
The restriction on the inner cable of the key interlock cable 107, which has been performed by the cable restriction mechanism 106a, is released. That is, the key interlock is released.

Thereafter, the driver depresses the brake pedal 103a to perform a shift operation, and applies braking to the automobile. The shift lock is released by depressing the brake pedal 103a.

That is, the shift lock pin 105 projecting toward the upper end of the locking portion of the lock cam 86 is retracted in accordance with the depressing operation of the brake pedal 103a, and the locking with the locking portion 89 is released.

As a result, the lock cam 86 can be freely rotated and displaced. Next, the vehicle is automatically shifted
In order to allow the vehicle to travel in the selected position, the D position is selected from the selected positions, and the shift lever 22 is switched from the P position to the D position.

In this selection position switching operation, first, a button operation is performed on the shift knob 22a (the operation button 66 is pushed in). With this operation, the slider 62 is driven in the downward direction, and the lock cam 86 is moved to the engagement portion 68 of the shift lever 22.
Is displaced in a direction in which the engagement with is released.

Thus, the engaging pin 88 engaged with the engaging portion 68 can enter and exit the engaging portion 68 (standby position). Further, the detent pin 67 is driven to the release position of the P position defined by the detent groove 15 according to the downward displacement of the slider 62. As a result, the detent pin 67 separates from the detent groove 15 that has restricted the P position.

Thus, the P-position shift knob 2
2 can be operated in the shift direction. Next, the shift lever 22 is rotated to the D position in the shift path 17.

At this time, the shift lever 22 is
Move away from As a result, the release lever 92 returns to its original state, and the leading end of the stopper spring 91 is engaged with the groove 87a in the pivot 93.

With this engagement, the lock cam 86 is locked in a standby state in which the lock cam 86 can be inserted into and removed from the engagement pin 88. Here, since the shift lever 22 and the cable lever 21 are connected to each other via the engaging protrusion 50a and the engaging recess 50b, the rotation of the shift lever 22 is interlocked. The cable lever-21 is rotated and displaced.
The rotational displacement of the cable lever 21 is performed with a shaft 20 common to the shift lever 22 as a fulcrum.

Each time the shift position changes,
The grooves with which the rollers 34 engage change in order. The driver is
At this time, the response when the roller 34 gets over the mountain between the concave portions is felt as moderation.

The shift lever 22 is arranged at the D position, and the detent groove 15 for defining the D position is provided.
When the detent pin 67 is locked in the groove, the switching to the D position is completed.

Since the displacement of the shift lever 22 at this time is output to the main body 2 of the automatic transmission through the shift cable 29, the main body 2 is switched to the D range of the automatic transmission mode.

The driver operates the brake pedal 1
When the accelerator pedal (not shown) is depressed, the automatic transmission is controlled according to various information such as the opening degree of the accelerator pedal and the traveling speed based on the set automatic shift mode.

As a result, the vehicle travels in the automatic transmission mode. Further, it is assumed that the operation is switched to the manual operation while driving at the D position. At this time, the shift lever 22 is operated from the D position of the shift path 17 to the shift path 18 via the connection path 18a.

Then, the shift lever of the shift lever 22
The main body 36 is pivotally displaced about the bolt 43 in a select direction orthogonal to the previous shift direction. That is, the entire shift lever except the pivot member 40 is rotationally displaced to the shift path 18.

When the shift lever 22 moves between the shift path 17 and the shift path 18, the driver is given a sense of moderation. That is, the shift lever 22
Is pivotally displaced to the shift path 18 around the bolt 43, leaving the pivot member 40.

Here, a V-shaped groove 46 is provided on the upper surface of the pivot member 40, and a groove 49 is formed on the lower surface of the guide member 48 immediately above the pivot member 40 so as to be shifted from the groove 46 toward the shift path 17. A C-shaped spring 47 is interposed between the grooves 46 and 49.

As a result, the spring 47 extends when the shift lever body 36 is in the shift path 17, compresses and deforms between the shift paths 17 and 18 while tilting and displacing around the bottom of the groove 46, Extend.

At this time, the driver operates the shift paths 17, 1
8 and the spring 4 when returning to the shift path 17 and the shift path 18.
The response generated by the difference from 7 is felt as moderation.

At this time, since the detent pin 67 is vertically displaceable by the coil spring 61, the detent pin 67 is displaced downward with the rotational displacement of the shift lever 22 to define the D position. Departing from the groove.

In accordance with the selection operation of the shift lever 22, the engagement protrusion 5 on the right side of the shift lever 22 is provided.
Oa is disengaged from the engaging recess 50b of the cable lever-21 at the D position.

At this time, the cable lever-21 released from the engagement is brought into the position as it was when it was released by the engagement between the roller 34 and the V-shaped groove 32a, that is, the position of the D position. Will be retained.

The engagement projection 50a on the left side of the shift lever 22 is fitted into the engagement recess 50b of the switch lever 45 in the neutral state. Thereby, the shift lever 22 and the switch lever 45 are engaged with each other, and the switch lever 45 becomes rotatable in conjunction with the movement of the shift lever 22. The rotation of the switch lever 45 is performed with the shaft 20 common to the shift lever 22 as a fulcrum.

The shift lever 22 is connected to the shift path 18.
Armature 78a at the entrance of the engagement recess 50 is pressed, and the manual shift mode detection switch 7
8 is turned on and off.

The T / M control device 85 controls the manual shift mode.
Upon receipt of the detection signal from the mode detection switch 78, the mode is switched from the automatic transmission mode to the manual transmission mode. When the lever operation into the shift path 18 is completed, the shift lever 22 is held at the neutral position by the biasing force of the pair of neutral biasing units 79 holding the switch lever 45.

Next, the driver operates the shift lever 22 to the shift-up shift position at the front end of the shift path 18 in the case of a shift-up operation by operating the wrist. In the case of a downshift operation, the lever is operated to a downshift position at the rear end of the shift path 18.

Here, since the switch lever 45 is connected to the shift lever 22, the switch lever for up-shift is used.
When the operation is performed, the switch 83 is turned to the upshift side, and the upshift detection switch 83 is turned on and off. When a lever operation for downshifting is performed, the lever is pivotally displaced to the downshift side, and the downshift detection switch 84 is turned on and off.

Upon receiving the detection signal from the shift-up detecting switch 83, the T / M control device 85 operates the shift stage of the automatic transmission to the shift-up side based on the manual shift mode. When a detection signal is received from the downshift detection switch 84, the shift stage of the automatic transmission is operated to the downshift side based on the manual shift mode.

As described above, the automatic gear shifting operation and the manual gear shifting operation are switched by selectively engaging the shift lever 22 with the cable lever 21 and the switch lever 45 which are separately biased according to their functions. Can be used properly.

Here, since the switch lever 45 is always biased to the neutral position, the switch lever 45 receives an external force to vibrate even in the manual shift mode or in the automatic shift mode. It does not generate any noise or noise.

In addition, the shift lever 22 is engaged with the switch lever 45, and the displacement of the switch lever 45 is detected by the shift-up detection switch 83 and the shift-down detection switch 84.
4 and the engagement accuracy between the levers 22 and 45 can be separately managed, so that the operation accuracy of the switches 83 and 84 can be improved, and vibration and noise can be generated between the levers 83 and 84. The rattling can be suppressed simultaneously and easily.

The shift lever 22 is replaced by a cable lever.
21 and the switch lever 45, the position between the shift lever 22 and the cable lever 21 and the switch lever 45 is established by swinging about a swing axis that is on a common rotation axis with the switch lever 45. The alignment accuracy is increased, and the shift lever 22, cable lever-21 and switch lever
45 can be smoothly engaged and disengaged.

When the shift lever 22 is located on the connection path 18a, the cable lever-2 is connected to the shift lever 22.
1 and at least one of the switch levers 45, when the automatic transmission mode or the manual transmission mode is switched, for example, for some reason.
Even if the engagement with the bull lever-21 or the switch lever 45 becomes impossible, the shift lever 22 does not have to be disengaged from the switching source, and the deterioration in function due to the inability to engage is suppressed. Can be.

Further, a shift lever 22 and a cable lever are provided.
As a structure for engaging the switch 21 and the switch lever 45, the two are engaged by the engagement projection 50a and the engagement recess 50b, and the elastic wall 53 on one side is elastically contacted with the engagement surface on the other side. Since the structure is adopted, the shift lever 22 and the mating cable lever 21 and the switch lever 45 are always engaged while being closely contacted without play.

As a result, the engagement protrusion 50a and the engagement recess 5
Occurrence of vibration and noise due to play between 0b can be suppressed. The switch lever 45 is provided with the shift lever 22.
Is provided with a manual speed change mode detection switch 78 for detecting that the vehicle has been shifted into the shift path 18, so that highly accurate detection can be performed.

When the shift lever 22 is operated to the shift-up shift position or the shift-down shift position on the shift path 18, the manual shift mode detection switch 78 moves integrally with the shift lever 22. And stable detection without malfunction is always possible.

Further, the front plate 7b and the rear plate 7c of the lower frame 7 and both side surfaces of the switch lever 45 are opposed to each other at different angles, and a pair of neutral urging units are interposed therebetween. Since the position of the switch lever 45 is adjusted so that the position of the switch lever 45 can be adjusted, the mounting position of the pair of neutral urging units 79 is adjusted to the side of the switch lever 45 as shown in FIG. The neutral position of the switch lever 45 can be easily adjusted by displacing it between the front plate portion 7b and the rear plate portion 7c.

That is, as shown by a white arrow in FIG. 16, the mounting position of the neutral biasing unit 79 on the front side is shifted downward and the mounting position of the neutral biasing unit 79 on the rear side is shifted upward. The neutral position of the lever 45 can be adjusted rearward.

On the other hand, as shown by the black arrow, the mounting position of the front neutral urging unit 79 is shifted upward and the mounting position of the rear neutral urging unit 79 is shifted downward. Can be adjusted to the front side.

In addition, adopting a structure in which the neutral biasing unit 79 is built in the shift-up detection switch 83 and the shift-down detection switch 84 further facilitates the unitization. Become.

FIGS. 17 to 19 show a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment further includes a neutral position holding mechanism 11.
0 is provided to maintain the neutral position of the switch lever 45.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show the neutral position holding mechanism 1.
10 shows a state in which the switch lever 45 is held at the neutral position, and FIG. 19 shows a state when the shift lever 22 is operated to the upshift position.

To explain the structure shown in each of these figures, the switch lever 45 is
45 is urged to a neutral position by a toggle spring 111 as a return spring wound around the shaft 20 pivotally supporting the shaft 45. A pair of support plates 112 projecting from both sides of the support base 19 are disposed on both sides of the switch lever 45. The support plate 112 is provided with a shift-up detection switch 83 and a shift-down detection switch 84 which are turned on / off by the displacement of the switch lever 45 corresponding to the shift-up / down operation of the shift lever 22. Similarly to the above, the T / M control device 85
Output to

The lower end of the plate portion 13 (corresponding to the beam member) of the lower frame 7 (the frame supporting the shift lever) serving as an immovable member extends to a position immediately above the switch lever 45. It extends downward. The lower end face of the plate portion 13 facing the switch lever 45 has a switch lever 45.
Is formed in an arc shape following the movement trajectory.

The neutral position holding mechanism 110 has a check ball 113 which is spring-biased toward one of the switch lever 45 and the plate portion 13, for example, the plate portion 13 side.
And the check lever 113 is immersed in the switch lever 45 on the other side, for example, a check recess 114 formed by a V-groove is provided.

That is, the switch lever 45 is provided with a spring chamber 115. The spring chamber 115 forms a cylindrical space inside the switch lever 45 along an extension line intersecting the rotation axis of the switch lever 45, and this cylindrical space is formed on the lower end surface of the plate portion 13. The switch lever 45 is opened at the upper surface thereof. A compression coil spring 116 is accommodated in the spring chamber 115.

A check ball 113 is interposed between the end of the compression coil spring and the lower end surface of the plate portion 13, and the check ball 113 is supported so as to be able to move forward and backward. When the switch lever 45 is at the neutral position, a check recess 114 is provided at the lower end surface of the plate portion 13 corresponding to the check ball 113. And
At the neutral position, the check ball 113 is immersed in the check recess 114.

Since the configuration of the lever operating device other than the main portion is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. According to this configuration, when performing the automatic shift operation, the shift lever 22 located at the P position in the shift path 17 is moved to the desired selection position by operating the button of the shift knob 22a, for example, as in the first embodiment. What is necessary is just to move to the D position.

When performing a manual shift operation, the shift lever 22 at the D position is inserted into the shift path 18 for the manual shift operation through the connection path 18a, and the manual shift mode is performed.
Switch to

As a result, the shift lever 22 disengages from the cable lever 21 and engages with the switch lever 45. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the switch lever 45 is
When the lever 113 is immersed in the check recess 114, it is always kept at the neutral position so as not to move. That is, a high neutral position holding property is provided.

The shift lever 22 is a switch lever.
45 and is maintained at the neutral position.
Then, in order to perform a shift-up operation or a shift-down operation, the shift lever 22 is rotated from a neutral position to a shift-up shift position or a shift-down shift position of the shift path 18 against the elastic force of the toggle spring 111. When operated, the desired gear is upshifted and downshifted.

At this time, the check ball 113 urged by the compression coil spring 116 as shown in FIG.
Is released from the check recess 114 while being pushed down by the slope of the check recess 114.

The reaction force generated at this time is given to the driver as a sense of moderation of the upshift or downshift operation. After the upshift / downshift operation, if the force for operating the shift lever 22 is released, the switch lever 45 is released by the elastic force accumulated in the toggle spring 111.
Returns to its neutral position.

As described above, the spring-biased checker
The provision of the neutral position urging and holding mechanism 110 having the lever 113 and the check concave portion 114 can improve the neutral position holding property and also improve the operation moderation feeling.

In addition, the check ball 113 and the toggle spring 111 are provided on the switch lever 45, and the check recess 114 is provided on the plate 13 parallel to the shift path 17 in the upper frame 8. Then, frame 6
Can be used effectively to install the neutral position holding mechanism 110.

FIGS. 20 to 23 show a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the neutral urging unit 79 in that the V-shaped guide 120 and the V-shaped guide 120 are not used.
A neutral mechanism 122 in which a roller 121 (corresponding to a rolling element) that can be engaged with the top of the vehicle is combined.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show a state where the switch lever 45 is held at the neutral position by the neutral mechanism 122, and FIG. 23 shows a state where the shift lever 22 is operated to the upshift position. .

The structure shown in each of these figures will be described. The switch lever 45 has a main body 45a having an inverted right triangle shape as viewed from the front (an outer shape shown in FIG. 20). Is used. A manual transmission mode detection switch 78 is mounted on the main body 45a with the same mounting structure as in the first embodiment.

The neutral mechanism 122 is provided with these switch levers.
45 and one side of the plate portion 13, for example, a V-shaped guide portion 120 is provided, and a roller 121 is provided on a switch lever 45 on the other side.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, a column-like support seat 123 protrudes from an outer portion of the body portion 45a near the rear of the upper surface, with the plate portion 13 interposed therebetween. is there. The upper end of the support seat 123 is a plate 1
3 to a position adjacent to the side surface.

The leaf spring 1 is provided at the upper end of the support seat 123.
One end of 24 is screwed. The other end of the leaf spring 124 extends forward, for example, on an extension line passing through the rotation axis of the switch lever 45 and the manual shift mode detection switch 78. The other end of the leaf spring 124 has a plate 13
A roller 121 disposed in a direction perpendicular to the plate portion 13 is rotatably supported on the lower end surface of the roller. The roller 121 is urged toward the plate 13 by the elastic force of the leaf spring 124.

A V-shaped guide part 120 is formed on the lower end face of the plate part 13 and receives a roller 121. The V-shaped guide portion 120 is provided with a roller 121 at a central portion of the plate portion 13 at a neutral position of the switch lever 45.
And a sloping portion 126 gently downward from the top 121 on both sides.

[0200] The top 125 is formed by a V-shaped groove 127 whose angle is steeper than the angle of the inclined portion 126. And this V
The switch lever 45 is held at the neutral position by the engagement between the groove 127 and the roller 121.

The angle of the inclined portions 126 on both sides is
Roller 1 defined by radius r starting from groove 127
The inclination angle is set so as to be lower than the movement trajectory 21. As shown in FIG.
As the process proceeds to step 26, a reaction force is generated in the direction of returning the switch lever 45 to the neutral position. In addition,
In FIG. 20, δ represents the maximum difference between the movement locus of the roller 121 defined by the radius r and the inclined portion 126.

A shift-up detection switch 83 and a shift-down detection switch 84 are installed on both sides of the plate portion 13 sandwiching the V-shaped groove 27, as shown in FIG. Each of the switches 83 and 84 is installed obliquely so that the armatures 83a and 84a protrude downward from the inclined portion 126, and is turned on and off by a roller 121 detached from the V-shaped groove 127. is there.

Since the configuration of the lever operating device other than the main portion is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. According to this configuration, when performing the automatic shift operation, the shift lever 22 located at the P position in the shift path 17 is moved to the desired selection position by operating the button of the shift knob 22a, for example, as in the first embodiment. What is necessary is just to move to the D position.

When performing a manual shift operation, the shift lever 22 at the D position is inserted into the shift path 18 for the manual shift operation through the connection path 18a, and the manual shift mode is performed.
Switch to

Thus, the shift lever 22 is disengaged from the cable lever 21 and engages with the switch lever 45. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the switch lever 45 is
Is always held at the neutral position so as not to move by being engaged with the V-shaped groove 127.

The shift lever 22 is held at the neutral position in accordance with the engagement with the switch lever 45. Then, in order to perform a shift up operation or a shift down operation,
If the shift lever 22 is rotated from a neutral position to a shift-up shift position or a shift-down shift position on the shift path 18, a desired gear is upshifted or downshifted.

At this time, the roller 121 urged by the leaf spring 124 separates from the V-shaped groove 127 while being pushed down by the slope of the V-shaped groove 127, and
To 6.

The reaction force generated when detaching from the V-shaped groove 127 is given to the driver as a sense of moderation of the upshift or downshift operation. Then, as the roller 121 rolls on the inclined portion 126, the shift-up detection switch 83 or the shift-down detection switch 84 is operated.

[0209] At this time, the roller 121 is further pushed down by the inclined portion 126. This is the switch lever
This is the reaction force necessary to return 45. Thus, the upshift operation or downshift operation is completed.

After the shift up / down operation, if the force for operating the shift lever 22 is released, the roller 121 returns toward the V-shaped groove 127 by the elastic force of the leaf spring 124, and returns to the neutral position. And the same V-shaped groove 127
The shift lever 22 is again held at the neutral position.

The neutral mechanism 122 ensures that the switch lever 45 is maintained at the neutral position. In addition, the holding performance depends on the top 125 of the V-shaped guide 120 and the roller 1.
Since it is determined by the degree of engagement with 21, it is easy to ensure accuracy for positioning the neutral position.

The neutral mechanism 122 includes a switch lever-4.
5, a roller 121 is attached via a leaf spring 124, and a V-shaped guide portion 120 is provided on the plate portion 13 of the upper frame 8. Therefore, the structure is simple, and the durability and reliability are high. Excellent. In addition, since the upper frame 8 is effectively used, a rational structure is obtained.

The roller 12 urged by the leaf spring 124
In step 1, the shift-up detection switch 83 and the shift-down detection switch 84 were operated.
The operation of both 3 and 84 is reliable.

The top portion 125 of the V-shaped guide portion 120
Is formed from the V-shaped groove 127 having a steeper angle, the switch lever 45 can be provided with more excellent neutral position holding properties.

In addition, the reaction force generated when the roller 121 is disengaged from the V-shaped groove 127 gives a sense of moderation at the time of a manual shift operation, so that the sense of moderation can be improved at the same time.

[0216]

As described above, according to the present invention , the automatic shift mode and the manual shift mode are performed by selectively engaging the shift lever with the neutrally biased switch lever. Can be switched.

At this time, since the switch lever is constantly biased to the neutral position, even when the mode is switched to the automatic shift mode, vibration is not generated and noise is not generated. Yes.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an operation lever device capable of selectively using the automatic transmission mode and the manual transmission mode without problems such as vibration and noise. In addition, in the configuration in which the shift lever is engaged with the switch lever and the displacement of the switch lever is detected by the switch, the operation accuracy of the switch and the engagement accuracy between the two levers can be separately managed. It is also excellent in operating accuracy and suppressing rattling of both levers.

[0219]

[0220] Further according to the present invention, when the sheet shift lever is positioned in the connecting passage, even if they become impossible engagement of the interlocking member or the switch lever for some reason, engagement of the shift lever is switched source Need not leave.

[0221]

[0222]

[0223] Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to adjust the neutral position of the switch lever to easily.

[0224] Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to attach the neutral position holding mechanism attained both the middle upright position holding and operational click feeling.

[0225]

[0226]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an operation lever device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, together with an automatic transmission connected thereto.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the operation lever device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an appearance of the operation lever device as viewed from a different direction.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the operation lever device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the operation lever device.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the operation lever device.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a main structure of the operation lever device.

FIG. 8A is a partially sectional front view for explaining a state when the shift lever in the operation lever device is in the first shift path. (B) is the side view which carried out the partial cross section similarly.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state where the shift lever in the operation lever device is a second lever.
FIG. 4 is a partially sectional side view for explaining a state when the vehicle is in a shift path.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining a state when the shift lever in the operation lever device is in the first shift path.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view for explaining a state when the shift lever in the operation lever device is in the second shift path.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a structure of a shift knob in the operation lever device.

FIG. 13 (a) is a perspective view for explaining a cable lever. (B) is a perspective view for explaining a switch lever.

FIG. 14 shows a shift lever in the operation lever device,
FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view for explaining a structure in which a cable lever and a switch lever are engaged and disengaged.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view for explaining an installation structure of a neutral urging unit in the operation lever device.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining that the neutral position of the switch lever is adjusted by shifting the mounting position of the neutral urging unit.

FIG. 17 shows an operation lever device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a main part together with a neutral urging structure.

FIG. 18 is a partially sectional side view of the operation lever device.

FIG. 19 is a front view for explaining how the switch lever is disengaged when the lever lever is operated to the upshift position.

FIG. 20 shows an operation lever device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a main part together with a neutral urging structure.

FIG. 21 is a partially sectional side view of the operation lever device.

FIG. 22 is a partially sectional side view showing a shift-up detection switch and a shift-down detection switch similarly attached to the side surface of the plate portion.

FIG. 23 is a front view for explaining how the switch lever is engaged and disengaged when the operating lever device is operated to the upshift position.

[Explanation of symbols]

2. Body of automatic transmission 5. Operation lever
Device 6… Frame 7… Lower frame
7a: bottom plate (bottom plate) 7b: front plate (front inclined wall) 7c: rear plate (rear inclined wall) 8: upper frame 13: plate (beam member) 17: shift path (First shift path) 18: Shift path (second shift path) 20: Shaft 21: Cable lever (interlocking member) 22: Shift lever 22a: Shift knob 43: Bolt 45: Switch lever 0a: Engagement protrusion 50b ... engagement concave part 61 ... coil spring 53 ... elastic wall (elastic part) 67 ... detent pin 78 ... manual shift mode detection switch 79 ... neutral biasing unit 80 ... casing 81 ... pin 82 ... spring 83 ... shift Up detecting switch 84 ... Shift down detecting switch 85 ... T / M control device 110 ... Neutral position holding mechanism 111 ... Toggle spring 113 ... Check ball 114 ... Check concave 116 ... compression coil spring 120 ... V-shaped guide portion 121 ... b - La (rolling elements) 122 ... Neutral mechanism 124 ... plate spring 125 ... top 127 ... V-groove

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-89075 (JP, A) JP-A-3-89065 (JP, A) JP-A-61-157855 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F16H 59/00-63/48 B60K 20/00-20/08

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first shift path for automatic shift operation having a plurality of selected positions, arranged in parallel with the first shift path, and a shift-up shift position on one end and a shift-down shift on the other end. A second shift path for manual shift operation, each position being provided and connected to the first shift path via a connection path at an intermediate position; a shift lever movably provided in the both shift paths ; when the upper Symbol shift lever is in the second shift channel is engaged with the shift lever with interlocked with the shift lever, engagement release between the shift lever when the shift lever is in the first shift channel a switch lever configured to be, of the shift lever on Symbol second shift path Shifutoa'
A switch for outputting a detection signal to achieve the manual transmission based on the operation to the control device of the automatic transmission by detecting the up operation or down operation, the upshift position side and the switch lever
Applying urging force from the downshift position
And a neutral urging means for urging the switch lever to a neutral position . 2. The operation lever device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, wherein the shift lever is in a first shift path when the shift lever is on a first shift path.
When engaged with the shift lever and linked with the shift lever,
When the shift lever is on the second shift path,
The shift lever is disengaged from the shift lever.
With an interlocking member mechanically connected to the automatic transmission body.
When the shift lever is located on a connection path between the first and second shift paths, the shift lever is engaged with at least one of the interlocking member and the switch lever. apparatus. 3. The operation lever device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1 , wherein the switch lever is rotatably supported , and
Pairs on the sides of the sheet Futoappu shift position side of the serial switch lever
Non-parallel to the side surface on the side of the shift-up shift position
A first wall member formed on the switch lever;
The shift down
A second wall portion formed in a non-parallel state with the side surface on the shift position side
A frame member provided with a material, wherein the neutral urging means shifts up the switch lever.
Between the side surface on the gearshift position side and the first wall member, and
The side of the switch lever on the shift down shift position side and
An operation lever device for an automatic transmission, wherein the operation lever device is provided between a wall member and an arrangement position of the neutral urging means . Wherein any one of the claims 1 to 3
The operation lever device for an automatic transmission according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the switch lever and the first shift path extend in parallel with each other.
That stationary member and the one check is movably supported on the side <br/> ball, the check ball provided on the one side
Sprint grayed pressing urging the other side, with a check recess provided on the other side <br/> the check ball is retracted,
The check ball at a neutral position of the switch lever operation lever device for an automatic transmission and having a configured neutral position retaining mechanism to retracted into the check recesses. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein
In the operation lever device for an automatic transmission described in (1), the neutral urging means has the switch function.
And an operation lever device for an automatic transmission.