JP7502082B2 - Shifting device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a shift device in which the shift body is moved to change the shift position.

In the shifter assembly described in Patent Document 1 below, a locking member engages with the teeth of the actuation element to restrict rotation of the actuation element.

Here, in this shifter assembly, the locking member is displaced and engages with the teeth of the actuation element.

International Publication No. WO 2019/158191

In consideration of the above, the present invention aims to provide a shift device that can quickly restrict the movement of the shift body at multiple movement positions of the shift body.

The shift device of a first aspect of the present invention includes a shift body that is moved relative to a vehicle body side to change a shift position, an engagement portion that is provided on one of the vehicle body side and the shift body side and is arranged in a plurality of positions in the movement direction of the shift body, a regulating member that is provided on the other of the vehicle body side and the shift body side and is arranged at an engagement position with the engagement portion, and a displacement member that is provided on the other of the vehicle body side and the shift body side and is displaceable relative to the regulating member, and that, when displaced relative to the regulating member, engages with the engagement portion to regulate the movement of the shift body, and that, when displaced together with the regulating member, does not engage with the engagement portion, allowing the movement of the shift body.

The second aspect of the shift device of the present invention is the shift device of the first aspect of the present invention, in which the displacement member is engaged with the engagement portion and displaced.

A third aspect of the shift device of the present invention is the shift device of the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the first displacement member is displaced relative to the first regulating member, causing the first regulating member to engage with the first engaging portion, thereby restricting movement of the shift body in one direction, and the first displacement member is displaced together with the first regulating member, causing the first regulating member to disengage from the first engaging portion, thereby allowing movement of the shift body in one direction, and the second displacement member is displaced relative to the second regulating member, causing the second regulating member to engage with the second engaging portion, thereby restricting movement of the shift body in the other direction, and the second displacement member is displaced together with the second regulating member, causing the second regulating member to disengage from the second engaging portion, thereby allowing movement of the shift body in the other direction.

A fourth aspect of the shift device of the present invention is a shift device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, which includes a limiting mechanism that limits the displacement of the regulating member so that the displacement member is displaced relative to the regulating member, and that allows the displacement of the regulating member so that the displacement member is displaced together with the regulating member.

The fifth aspect of the shift device of the present invention is the fourth aspect of the shift device of the present invention, in which the limiting mechanism is activated to limit the displacement of the regulating member, and the limiting mechanism is not activated to allow the displacement of the regulating member.

In the shift device of the first aspect of the present invention, the shift body is moved relative to the vehicle body side to change the shift position. An engagement portion is provided on one of the vehicle body side and the shift body side, and a regulating member is provided on the other of the vehicle body side and the shift body side. The regulating member engages with the engagement portion to regulate the movement of the shift body, and the regulating member does not engage with the engagement portion to allow the shift body to move.

Here, multiple engagement portions are arranged in the direction of movement of the shift body. This allows the movement of the shift body to be restricted at multiple movement positions.

Furthermore, the restricting member is disposed at an engaging position with the engaging portion, and a displacement member is provided on the other of the vehicle body side and the shift body side, and the displacement member is displaced relative to the restricting member to engage with the engaging portion, and the displacement member is displaced together with the restricting member to disengage the restricting member from the engaging portion. Therefore, the movement of the shift body can be restricted without displacing the restricting member to the engaging position with the engaging portion, and the movement of the shift body can be restricted early.

In the second aspect of the shift device of the present invention, the displacement member is displaced by engaging with the engagement portion. Therefore, the displacement member can be displaced by the engagement portion.

In the shift device of the third aspect of the present invention, the first displacement member is displaced relative to the first restricting member, whereby the first restricting member engages with the first engaging portion to restrict the movement of the shift body in one direction, and the first displacement member is displaced together with the first restricting member, whereby the first restricting member is disengaged from the first engaging portion to allow the movement of the shift body in one direction. Also, the second displacement member is displaced relative to the second restricting member, whereby the second restricting member engages with the second engaging portion to restrict the movement of the shift body in the other direction, and the second displacement member is displaced together with the second restricting member, whereby the second restricting member is disengaged from the second engaging portion to allow the movement of the shift body in the other direction. Therefore, the movement of the shift body in one direction and the movement of the shift body in the other direction can be restricted.

In the shift device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the limiting mechanism limits the displacement of the restricting member so that the displacement member is displaced relative to the restricting member, and the limiting mechanism permits the displacement of the restricting member so that the displacement member is displaced together with the restricting member. Therefore, with a simple configuration, the displacement member can be displaced relative to the restricting member, and the displacement member can be displaced together with the restricting member.

In the shift device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the limiting mechanism is actuated to limit the displacement of the restricting member, and at the same time, the limiting mechanism is not actuated to allow the displacement of the restricting member. Therefore, when the limiting mechanism is actuated, it is sufficient for the limiting mechanism to limit the displacement of the restricting member, and the output of the limiting mechanism can be reduced.

1 is a perspective view showing a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed diagonally from the left rear. FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a first mechanism of the shift device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed diagonally from the left rear. (A) is a top view showing the first mechanism of the shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a top view showing the main parts of the first mechanism of the shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4A is a top view showing a state in which rotation of the knob in one direction is permitted in a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of area 4B in FIG. 5A is a top view showing when rotation of a knob in one direction is restricted in a shift device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of area 5B in FIG.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a shift device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen diagonally from the left rear. In the drawing, the front of the shift device 10 is indicated by an arrow FR, the left of the shift device 10 is indicated by an arrow LH, and the top of the shift device 10 is indicated by an arrow UP.

The shift device 10 according to this embodiment is installed in the console (not shown) of a vehicle (automobile) and is positioned in front of the driver's seat (not shown) and inside in the vehicle width direction, with the front, right, and top of the shift device 10 facing the front, right, and top of the vehicle, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shift device 10 is provided with a generally cylindrical knob 12 with a bottom as a shift body (operation body), which is supported in the console and can rotate (move) around a central axis. The knob 12 penetrates the console, with the upper part protruding into the passenger compartment, and the knob 12 can be rotated in one direction A and the other direction B (see FIG. 1, etc.) by a vehicle occupant (particularly the driver). The knob 12 can be rotated from the other direction B side to the one direction A side, and can be arranged in the following shift positions, for example, the "P" position (parking position), the "R" position (reverse position), the "N" position (neutral position), and the "D" position (drive position) in that order, and the arrangement angle of each shift position of the knob 12 is the same.

The lower end of the knob 12 is integrally provided with a plurality of triangular prism-shaped first teeth 14 (see FIG. 3(A)) as engagement parts, and the first teeth 14 are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference of the knob 12, with the arrangement interval angle being the same as the arrangement interval angle of each shift position of the knob 12. The surface of the first teeth 14 on one side in direction A is a regulated surface 14A, and the surface of the first teeth 14 on the other side in direction B is an allowed surface 14B, and the inclination angle of the regulated surface 14A with respect to the radial direction of the knob 12 is smaller than the inclination angle of the allowed surface 14B with respect to the radial direction of the knob 12.

The knob 12 is provided with a plurality of triangular prism-shaped second teeth 16 as engagement parts on the upper side of the first teeth 14, and the second teeth 16 are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference of the knob 12, with the arrangement interval angle being the same as the arrangement interval angle of each shift position of the knob 12. The surface of the second teeth 16 on the other direction B side is a regulated surface 16A, and the surface of the second teeth 16 on the one direction A side is a permitted surface 16B, and the inclination angle of the regulated surface 16A with respect to the radial direction of the knob 12 is smaller than the inclination angle of the permitted surface 16B with respect to the radial direction of the knob 12.

A first mechanism 18 (see FIG. 2) is provided as a restricting mechanism on the right-hand side and rear side of the lower portion of the knob 12. The first mechanism 18 is provided with a roughly rectangular box-shaped case 20 that serves as a vehicle body side and support, and the case 20 is installed in the console. The case 20 is configured by combining an upper first case 20A and a lower second case 20B, and the rear part inside the case 20 is open to the left.

A restricting link 22 (see (A) and (B) in FIG. 3) is supported in the rear of the case 20 as a restricting member, and the restricting link 22 is rotatable (displaceable) around a support shaft 24. The restricting link 22 extends from the case 20 and extends in the front-to-rear direction on the left side of the case 20, and the restricting link 22 is rotatable in a restricting direction C (toward the knob 12, left side) and a retracting direction D (opposite the knob 12, right side). The front portion of the restricting link 22 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular column, and the front end surface of the restricting link 22 is a restricting surface 22A, and the left end surface of the restricting link 22 is an allowable surface 22B.

At the rear of the case 20, a displacement link 26 (see (A) and (B) in FIG. 3) is supported below the restriction link 22 as a displacement member, and the displacement link 26 is rotatable (displaceable) around the support shaft 24. The displacement link 26 extends from the case 20 and extends in the front-rear direction on the left side of the case 20, and the displacement link 26 is rotatable in the restriction direction C and the retraction direction D. At the front of the displacement link 26, a roughly rectangular box-shaped storage box 26A is formed as a covering part, and the storage box 26A protrudes upward and the inside is open to the rear and left side (knob 12 side). The upper and left corner surfaces of the storage box 26A are displacement surfaces 26B, and the left end surface of the displacement link 26 is an abutment surface 26C.

The front part of the regulating link 22 is inserted into the housing box 26A of the displacement link 26, and the inclination angle of the regulating surface 22A of the regulating link 22 relative to the radial direction of the knob 12 is smaller than the inclination angle of the displacement surface 26B of the displacement link 26 relative to the radial direction of the knob 12. In addition, the tolerance surface 22B of the regulating link 22 is approximately flush with the abutment surface 26C of the displacement link 26.

The restricting link 22 and the displacement link 26 are fitted with a torsion spring 28 (see (A) and (B) in FIG. 3) as a biasing member, and a helical portion 28A is formed near the upper end (one side end) and near the lower end (the other side end) of the torsion spring 28. The support shaft 24 is inserted into the upper helical portion 28A on the upper side of the restricting link 22, and the support shaft 24 is inserted into the lower helical portion 28A on the lower side of the displacement link 26. The torsion spring 28 has a U-shaped connecting portion 28B formed between the helical portions 28A, and the connecting portion 28B is hung on the right side of the restricting link 22 and the displacement link 26. The upper end of the torsion spring 28 is engaged with the restricting link 22, so that the restricting link 22 is biased in the retracting direction D, and the right surface of the restricting link 22 abuts against the right surface of the housing box 26A of the displacement link 26. The center portion of the connecting portion 28B of the torsion spring 28 abuts against the right surface of the displacement link 26, thereby restricting the rotation of the displacement link 26 in the retraction direction D. The lower end of the torsion spring 28 is engaged with the case 20 (second case 20B), thereby restricting the rotation of the torsion spring 28, the restriction link 22, and the displacement link 26 in the retraction direction D.

A solenoid 30 (see FIG. 3A) is fixed inside the case 20 as a limiting mechanism. The plunger 30A of the solenoid 30 extends rearward, and the rear end of the plunger 30A is mechanically connected to the rear end of the limiting link 22. The forward movement of the plunger 30A is restricted, and therefore the rotation of the limiting link 22 in the limiting direction C is restricted. In addition, the limiting link 22 is rotated in the retracting direction D, and the plunger 30A is moved rearward. Furthermore, when the solenoid 30 is activated, the rearward movement of the plunger 30A is restricted, and the rotation of the limiting link 22 in the retracting direction D is restricted.

The corner between the regulating surface 22A and the tolerable surface 22B of the regulating link 22 and the corner between the displacement surface 26B and the abutment surface 26C of the displacement link 26 enter the rotation trajectory of the first tooth 14 of the knob 12 and are positioned at an abutment position with the first tooth 14.

A second mechanism 32 is provided as a regulating mechanism on the right side and rear side of the lower part of the knob 12. The second mechanism 32 is configured by inverting the first mechanism 18 in the vertical and horizontal directions. In the second mechanism 32, the corner between the regulating surface 22A and the tolerant surface 22B of the regulating link 22 and the corner between the displacement surface 26B and the abutment surface 26C of the displacement link 26 enter the rotation trajectory of the second tooth 16 of the knob 12 and are positioned at an abutment position with the second tooth 16.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

In the shift device 10 configured as described above, the knob 12 is rotated in one direction A and the other direction B to change the shift position of the knob 12.

When the knob 12 is rotated in one direction A, in the first mechanism 18, the regulated surface 14A of the first tooth 14 of the knob 12 abuts (engages) with the displacement surface 26B of the displacement link 26, causing the displacement link 26 to rotate in the retraction direction D, and the restricting link 22 is rotated together with the displacement link 26 in the retraction direction D by the biasing force of the torsion spring 28 (see (A) and (B) of FIG. 4). Furthermore, in the second mechanism 32, the permitted surface 16B of the second tooth 16 of the knob 12 abuts with the abutting surface 26C of the displacement link 26 and the permitted surface 22B of the restricting link 22, causing the displacement link 26 and the restricting link 22 to rotate in the retraction direction D. Therefore, the knob 12 is permitted to rotate in one direction A.

When the knob 12 is rotated in the other direction B, the permitted surface 14B of the first tooth 14 of the knob 12 abuts against the abutment surface 26C of the displacement link 26 and the permitted surface 22B of the regulating link 22 in the first mechanism 18, causing the displacement link 26 and the regulating link 22 to rotate in the retraction direction D. Furthermore, in the second mechanism 32, the regulated surface 16A of the second tooth 16 of the knob 12 abuts (engages) against the displacement surface 26B of the displacement link 26, causing the displacement link 26 to rotate in the retraction direction D, and the regulating link 22 is rotated together with the displacement link 26 in the retraction direction D by the biasing force of the torsion spring 28. Therefore, rotation of the knob 12 in the other direction B is permitted.

When the knob 12 is rotated in one direction A, if the solenoid 30 is activated in the first mechanism 18, the rearward movement of the plunger 30A is restricted, and the rotation of the regulating link 22 in the retracting direction D is restricted. Therefore, the regulated surface 14A of the first tooth 14 of the knob 12 abuts against the displacement surface 26B of the displacement link 26, so that the displacement link 26 is rotated in the retracting direction D separately from the regulating link 22 against the biasing force of the torsion spring 28, and the regulating link 22 is not rotated in the retracting direction D (see (A) and (B) of FIG. 5). As a result, the regulated surface 14A of the first tooth 14 is engaged with the regulating surface 22A of the regulating link 22, and the rotation of the knob 12 in one direction A is restricted (locked).

When the knob 12 is rotated in the other direction B, if the solenoid 30 is activated in the second mechanism 32, the rearward movement of the plunger 30A is restricted, and the rotation of the regulating link 22 in the retraction direction D is restricted. Therefore, the regulated surface 16A of the second tooth 16 of the knob 12 abuts against the displacement surface 26B of the displacement link 26, so that the displacement link 26 is rotated in the retraction direction D separately from the regulating link 22 against the biasing force of the torsion spring 28, and the regulating link 22 is not rotated in the retraction direction D. As a result, the regulated surface 16A of the second tooth 16 is engaged (engaged) with the regulating surface 22A of the regulating link 22, and the rotation of the knob 12 in the other direction B is restricted (locked).

Here, the first teeth 14 and second teeth 16 of the knob 12 are each arranged in multiple positions in the rotational direction of the knob 12. Therefore, the first mechanism 18 and the second mechanism 32 can each regulate the rotation of the knob 12 at multiple rotational positions (shift positions) of the knob 12.

Furthermore, in the first mechanism 18 and the second mechanism 32, the restricting link 22 (restricting surface 22A) is disposed at the engagement position of the first tooth 14 (restricted surface 14A) and the second tooth 16 (restricted surface 16A) of the knob 12, and the displacement link 26 is rotated separately from the restricting link 22, so that the restricting link 22 (restricting surface 22A) engages the first tooth 14 (restricted surface 14A) and the second tooth 16 (restricted surface 16A). Therefore, the rotation of the knob 12 can be restricted without displacing the restricting link 22 (restricting surface 22A) to the engagement position of the first tooth 14 (restricted surface 14A) and the second tooth 16 (restricted surface 16A), and the rotation of the knob 12 can be restricted early. As a result, even if the rotation speed of the knob 12 is high, the rotation of the knob 12 can be appropriately restricted at the target rotation position (target shift position).

In addition, in the first mechanism 18 and the second mechanism 32, the first tooth 14 (regulated surface 14A) and the second tooth 16 (regulated surface 16A) of the knob 12 are respectively abutted against the displacement link 26 (displacement surface 26B), causing the displacement link 26 to rotate. Therefore, the displacement link 26 can be displaced by the first tooth 14 and the second tooth 16, respectively, simplifying the configuration.

Furthermore, the first mechanism 18 restricts the rotation of the knob 12 in one direction A, and the second mechanism 32 restricts the rotation of the knob 12 in the other direction B. This makes it possible to restrict the rotation of the knob 12 in one direction A and the rotation of the knob 12 in the other direction B.

In addition, in the first mechanism 18 and the second mechanism 32, when the solenoid 30 is not actuated, the plunger 30A is permitted to move backward, and the displacement link 26 is rotated together with the restriction link 22, and when the solenoid 30 is actuated, the plunger 30A is restricted from moving backward, and the displacement link 26 is rotated separately from the restriction link 22. Therefore, with a simple configuration, the displacement link 26 can be displaced together with the restriction link 22, and the displacement link 26 can be displaced separately from the restriction link 22.

Furthermore, when the solenoid 30 is activated, the solenoid 30 restricts the movement of the plunger 30A, thereby restricting the rotation of the restriction link 22. Therefore, when the solenoid 30 is activated, it is sufficient for the solenoid 30 to restrict the rotation of the restriction link 22, and unlike when the solenoid 30 rotates the restriction link 22, the output of the solenoid 30 can be reduced. This allows the heat generation, mass, size, and cost of the solenoid 30 to be reduced.

In this embodiment, the first tooth 14 and the second tooth 16 are provided on the knob 12 side, and the restricting link 22 and the displacement link 26 are provided on the case 20 (vehicle body side). However, the restricting link 22 and the displacement link 26 may be provided on the knob 12 side, and the first tooth 14 and the second tooth 16 may be provided on the vehicle body side.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the solenoid 30 (limiting mechanism) is activated to restrict the rotation of the knob 12, and the solenoid 30 is not activated to allow the rotation of the knob 12. However, the limiting mechanism may be activated to allow the rotation of the knob 12, and the limiting mechanism may not be activated to restrict the rotation of the knob 12. In this case, the limiting mechanism may be activated to attract the restriction link 22 and the displacement link 26 by, for example, magnetic force so that they can rotate together, and the limiting mechanism may not be activated to allow the displacement link 26 to rotate relative to the restriction link 22.

In addition, in this embodiment, the knob 12 (shift body) is rotated. However, the shift body may also be rotated or slid.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the shift device 10 is installed in the console. However, the shift device 10 may also be installed in the instrument panel or column cover.

10: Shift device, 12: Knob (shift body), 14: First tooth (engagement part), 16: Second tooth (engagement part), 20: Case (vehicle body side), 22: Restriction link (restriction member), 26: Displacement link (displacement member), 30: Solenoid (limiting mechanism)

Claims (4)

A shift body that is moved relative to the vehicle body to change the shift position;
A plurality of engagement portions are provided on one of a vehicle body side and the shift body side, and are arranged in a moving direction of the shift body;
A restricting member is provided on the other of the vehicle body side and the shift body side and is disposed at an engagement position with the engaging portion;
a displacement member provided on the other of the vehicle body side and the shift body side , engaged with the engagement portion to be displaced , and displaceable relative to the regulating member, the regulating member being engaged with the engagement portion to regulate the movement of the shift body by being displaced relative to the regulating member, and the regulating member being displaced together with the regulating member to disengage the regulating member from the engagement portion to allow the movement of the shift body;
A shift device comprising: 2. The shift device according to claim 1, wherein when the first displacement member is displaced relative to the first regulating member, the first regulating member engages with the first engaging portion to regulate movement of the shift body in one direction, and when the first displacement member is displaced together with the first regulating member, the first regulating member does not engage with the first engaging portion to allow movement of the shift body in one direction, and when the second displacement member is displaced relative to the second regulating member, the second regulating member engages with the second engaging portion to regulate movement of the shift body in the other direction, and when the second displacement member is displaced together with the second regulating member, the second regulating member does not engage with the second engaging portion to allow movement of the shift body in the other direction. 3. The shift device according to claim 1, further comprising a limiting mechanism that limits displacement of the regulating member so that the displacement member is displaced relative to the regulating member and that allows displacement of the regulating member so that the displacement member is displaced together with the regulating member . 4. The shift device according to claim 3, wherein the limiting mechanism is actuated to limit the displacement of the restricting member, and the limiting mechanism is not actuated to allow the displacement of the restricting member.