JP3224685B2 - Control device for automatic transmission for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic transmission for a vehicle provided in a vehicle having a structure in which the engine is allowed to start on the assumption that the shift lever is in a neutral position. The present invention relates to a control device for an automatic transmission for a vehicle including a shift lock mechanism for prohibiting a shift to a second position.

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an automatic transmission mounted on a large vehicle such as a truck or a bus, it is difficult to provide a parking position having a function of locking an axle in terms of strength or cost. Unlike the automatic transmission of a general passenger car, a parking position is not provided, and a reverse position, a neutral position, and a drive position (a concept including a low or second position) are set.

[0002] In a vehicle equipped with such an automatic transmission, in order to ensure safety when starting the engine, the engine is allowed to start only when the shift lever is shifted to the neutral position. Also,
If a shift change is made while the engine speed is high, such as during a warm-up operation, the vehicle may start suddenly, so neutral only when the vehicle's brake pedal is depressed. A shift lock mechanism that allows a shift from one position to another position is also provided.

However, when such a shift lock mechanism is simply provided, when the shift lever is temporarily returned to the neutral position and then shifted to the reverse position or the drive position during running of the vehicle, the brake is required each time. There is a problem that the depressing operation of the pedal must be performed, and the operability during traveling of the vehicle is significantly deteriorated.

For this reason, conventionally, when the lock function of the shift lock mechanism is once released in a state where the engine is operated, this is regarded as a running state of the vehicle, and in this state, the shift lever is returned to the neutral position. And the lock function of the shift lock mechanism is not activated immediately, and the lock function of the shift lock mechanism is activated only when the non-depressed state of the brake pedal continues for a predetermined time (about 10 minutes) set in the timer. A control device for an automatic transmission has been considered.

[0005]

In order to realize the above control device, means for detecting the operating state of the engine is required. In the case of a gasoline engine vehicle, such an engine operating state detecting means is provided with a function of generating an engine-on signal indicating the operating state of the engine. In some cases, there is a situation in which a function for generating the engine-on signal as described above is not provided. In order to cope with such a situation, a device for generating a signal indicating the operation state of the engine may be separately provided for the control device of the automatic transmission, but this complicates the structure of the entire device. A new problem arises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an automatic transmission for a vehicle having a shift lock mechanism for inhibiting a shift from a neutral position to another position. Provided is a control device for an automatic transmission for a vehicle, which can improve operability during traveling of a vehicle without complicating the structure even when there is no function of generating a signal indicating the operating state of the vehicle. It is in.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided in a vehicle having a structure that allows starting of an engine on the premise that a shift lever is in a neutral position. In a control device for an automatic transmission for a vehicle having a shift lock mechanism for inhibiting a shift lever from being shifted from a neutral position to another position, a predetermined value after a starter relay for energizing an engine starter is turned on. Determining means for determining that the engine is operating when time has elapsed, and releasing means for disabling a lock function of the shift lock mechanism when a brake is operated after the determining means determines the engine operating state. After the lock function of the shift lock mechanism is once disabled, When the bar is shifted from another position to the neutral position, timer means for activating a lock function by the shift lock mechanism when the brake is not operated for a set time has elapsed. It is.

[0008]

According to this structure, the engine is started by the engine starter while the shift lever is in the neutral position. When the engine is started by this operation, the function of the shift lock mechanism is working, and the shift lever cannot be shifted from the neutral position to another position. In the starting state in which the engine is operated in this manner, the determination means
When a predetermined time has elapsed after the starter relay for energizing the engine starter has been turned on, this is determined to be the engine operating state. In this case, the starter relay is originally provided in the vehicle, and the means for generating a signal indicating that the shift lever is in the neutral position is also originally provided in association with the shift lock mechanism. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a device for generating a signal indicating the operation state of the engine.

When the brake is operated after the determination of the engine operating state by the determination means as described above, the release means disables the lock function of the shift lock mechanism. It becomes possible to shift to a position. When the shift lever is shifted from another position to the neutral position after the lock function of the shift lock mechanism is once disabled in this way, the timer means
Only when the non-operation state of the brake continues for the set time does the lock function by the shift lock mechanism be validated. Therefore, even when the shift lever is once returned to the neutral position and then shifted to another position during traveling of the vehicle, it is not necessary to operate the brake each time, and the operability during traveling of the vehicle does not deteriorate.

[0010]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 2 showing the overall schematic configuration, a shift lever 1 provided at a predetermined portion of the vehicle so as to be capable of reciprocating rotation is provided with an automatic transmission (not shown) by setting a reverse position, a neutral position,
This is for shifting to either the drive position or the second position. When shifting between the reverse position and the drive position, the shift always passes through the neutral position. When the shift lever 1 is shifted to the neutral position, the shift lock mechanism 2 restricts the turning operation of the shift lever 1 to prohibit shifting to another position (reverse position, drive position).
The rotation operation of the shift lever 1 is allowed only when the built-in electromagnetic solenoid 2a is energized. That is, the lock function (the function of restricting the rotation operation of the shift lever 1) by the shift lock mechanism 2 is invalidated when the electromagnetic solenoid 2a is energized.

The neutral start switch 3 is provided in association with the automatic transmission (not shown), and is turned on only when the automatic transmission and thus the shift lever 1 is in the neutral position. Is provided. The neutral start switch 3 serves as a position indicator for displaying the shift position of the shift lever 1, and a neutral start switch for driving the starter circuit is separately provided (not shown).

The starter switch 5 is operated by a vehicle key, and is configured to be operable to an off position (lock position), an accessory position, an on position, and a start position. When the starter switch 5 is in the ON position, the relay 5a is operated, and the power supply of the engine drive system is turned on (the operation state of the engine is maintained). When operated, the relay 5b for forming the starter circuit
Is to be operated. In this case, the power of the control circuit 4 is supplied from the power supply terminal + B through the relay 5a when the starter switch 5 is in the ON position. In the operation state of the relay 5b, power is supplied to the starter relay 7 for supplying power to the engine starter from the power supply terminal + B via the neutral start switch 8. From the common connection point of the starter relay 7 and the neutral start switch 8, an ON signal that rises when the starter relay 7 is in an ON state is output, and the ON signal is supplied to the input terminal P of the control circuit 4. Has become. Further, the brake switch 6 is configured to be turned on when a brake pedal (not shown) is depressed, and provides an ON signal to the control circuit 4.

The vehicle to which the present invention is applied has a configuration in which the start of the engine by the starter switch 5 is permitted only when the shift lever 1 is in the neutral position (when the neutral start switch 3 is turned on). ing.

The control circuit 4 has the functions of the judgment means, the cancellation means and the timer means in the present invention, and includes an ECU (Electr
onic Control Unit), and in the power-on state, based on the ON signals from the neutral start switch 3 and the brake switch 6, the ON signal given to the input terminal P, and a control program stored in advance. It has a function of controlling the operation of the electromagnetic solenoid 2a in the shift lock mechanism 2.

FIG. 1 shows a part related to the gist of the present invention in the contents of control by the control circuit 4, which will be described below. When the power is turned on, that is, when the starter switch 5 is operated to the ON position,
The signals from the neutral start switch 3 and the brake switch 5 and the signal to the input terminal P are read (step B1), and whether or not the starter relay 7 is on is determined based on whether or not an on signal is input to the input terminal P. Is determined (step B2). At this time, when the starter relay 7 is on, the flag FS
B3 to set to “1”, electromagnetic solenoid 2
Step B4 of giving a power cutoff command to a is sequentially executed, and the process returns to step B1.

If the starter relay 7 is off ("NO" in step B2), it is determined whether the flag FS is "1" (step B5). Here, when the flag FS is "0", the step B4 is executed and the process returns to the step B1, but when the flag FS is "1" (when the starter relay 7 is once turned on and then turned off). ), It is determined whether or not a predetermined time τ (about several seconds) has elapsed (step B6).

If the predetermined time τ has not elapsed after the starter relay 7 has been turned off, it is determined whether or not the brake pedal has been depressed based on the presence or absence of an on signal from the brake switch 6 (step B7). When the stepping operation is performed, after executing Step B8 for initializing the internal timer, Step B9 for giving an energization command to the electromagnetic solenoid 2a is executed, and the process returns to Step B1. If the brake pedal has not been depressed, step B4 is executed and the process returns to step B1.

Here, the starter relay 7 once turned on
When the predetermined time τ elapses after the switch is turned off, it can be determined that the engine is in the operating state, and the steps B2, B3, B5, and B6 necessary for such determination realize the determination means according to the present invention. Is done.

If "YES" is determined in step B6, that is, if it is determined that the engine is operating, it is determined whether or not the brake pedal has been depressed based on the presence of an ON signal from the brake switch 6. (Step B10). If the stepping operation is performed, Step B11 for initializing the internal timer is executed, and then Step B9 for giving an energization command to the electromagnetic solenoid 2a is executed, and Step B1 is executed. Return to

Therefore, when the brake pedal is depressed while the engine is running, the electromagnetic solenoid 2a is energized to disable the lock function of the shift lock mechanism 2, thereby shifting the gear. The lever 1 can be turned from the neutral position to another position. Note that the releasing means referred to in the present invention is realized by the step B10.

On the other hand, if "NO" is determined in the step B10, that is, if the brake pedal is not depressed in the operating state of the engine, it is determined based on the presence or absence of the ON signal from the neutral start switch 3. It is determined whether the shift lever 1 is in the neutral position (step B12). If it is determined "NO" here, step B11 and step B11 are executed.
9, and returns to step B1. If "YES" is determined, it is determined whether the shift lever 1 has been shifted from the neutral position to another position by the neutral start switch 3 or not. The determination is made based on the signal (step B13). Here "NO"
Is determined by the shift lever 1 after the engine is started.
Corresponds to a state in which the shift operation has never been performed, and in this case, the above-described step B4 of giving a power cutoff command to the electromagnetic solenoid 2a is executed, and the process returns to step B1.

The state determined as "YES" in step B13 is a state in which the shift lever 1 is shifted from another position to the neutral position, that is, the lock function of the shift lock mechanism 2 is temporarily disabled and the shift lever This corresponds to the state after operation 1 is performed, and in this case, it is determined whether or not the internal timer has been started (step B14).

If the internal timer has not been started, step B starts the internal timer from an initial state.
After step 15 and step B9 are sequentially executed, the process returns to step B1. If the internal timer has already been started, it is determined whether or not the internal timer has expired (step B16). In the absence state, the above-described step B in which an energization command is given to the electromagnetic solenoid 2a.
After executing step 9, the process returns to step B1. Incidentally, the timer means referred to in the present invention is realized by the steps B14 to B16.

If "YES" is determined in the step B16, the flag FS is reset in a step B17.
And step B1 after sequentially executing step B4.
Return to Therefore, if the shift lever 1 is shifted from the other position to the neutral position after the lock function of the shift lock mechanism 2 is once disabled, the non-operation state of the brake pedal is set in the internal timer. The lock function of the shift lock mechanism 2 is enabled only after 10 minutes.

In short, according to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, the engine operation state can be determined using the starter relay 7 originally provided in the vehicle. There is no need to provide a separate device for generating the light. Further, when the brake pedal is not depressed while the engine is started, the electromagnetic solenoid 2a is kept in the cut-off state, so that the lock function of the shift lock mechanism 2 works to operate the shift lever 1. Shift to other positions is prohibited. Thereafter, when the brake pedal is depressed, the electromagnetic solenoid 2a is energized and the lock function of the shift lock mechanism 2 is disabled, so that the shift lever 1 can be shifted to another position. .

When the shift lever 1 is shifted from another position to the neutral position after the lock function of the shift lock mechanism 2 is once invalidated, the lock function of the shift lock mechanism 2 immediately operates. No brake pedal is in operation
Work for the first time after a minute. Therefore, even when the shift lever 1 is temporarily returned to the neutral position and then shifted to another position during traveling of the vehicle, it is not necessary to depress the brake pedal every time, and the operability during traveling of the vehicle may be deteriorated. Disappears. As a result, even when there is no function of generating a signal indicating the operation state of the engine as in the case of a diesel engine vehicle, the operability during traveling of the vehicle can be improved without complicating the structure.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be modified or expanded as follows. The present invention can be applied to an automatic transmission having a parking position, and can be widely applied to electric vehicles, diesel engine vehicles, and gasoline engine vehicles. Although the control circuit 4 is configured by an ECU including a microcomputer, the function of the control circuit 4 may be realized by a combination of discrete circuits.

[0028]

According to the present invention, as is apparent from the above description, the present invention is provided in a vehicle having a configuration that allows the engine to be started on the premise that the shift lever is in the neutral position, and shifts from the neutral position to another position. In a control device for a vehicle automatic transmission having a shift lock mechanism for prohibiting a shift of a vehicle, when a predetermined time has elapsed after a starter relay for energizing an engine starter is turned on, this is regarded as an engine operating state. Since the determination means is provided, even if the vehicle does not have a function of generating a signal indicating the operation state of the engine, the operability during traveling of the vehicle can be improved without complicating the structure. It has an excellent effect of being obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing control contents of a control circuit in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic electrical configuration diagram.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawings, 1 is a shift lever, 2 is a shift lock mechanism, 2
a is an electromagnetic solenoid, 3 and 8 are neutral start switches, 4 is a control circuit (determination means, release means, timer means), 6 is a starter switch, and 7 is a starter relay.

Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60K 20/02 F16H 59/00-61/12 F16H 61/16-61/24 F16H 63/40-63/48

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. The shift lever is in a neutral position.
Vehicle with a configuration that allows the engine to start on the assumption that
The shift lever is provided on both sides, and the shift lever is
Shift from neutral position to another position
For vehicles equipped with a shift lock mechanism to prohibit
In the control device of the automatic transmission, the starter relay for energizing the engine starter is turned off.
When the specified time elapses after the
Determining means for determining an operating state; and a brake after the determining means determines an engine operating state.
When the key is operated, the lock by the shift lock mechanism is
Release means for disabling the lock function, and the lock function of the shift lock mechanism is temporarily disabled.
After the shift lever is moved from another position
If shifted to neutral position,
When the brake is not operated for the set time, the system
Timer to activate the lock function by the vertical lock mechanism
Control for an automatic transmission for a vehicle, comprising:
apparatus.