CN110259933B

CN110259933B - Gear shifting system and method

Info

Publication number: CN110259933B
Application number: CN201810199892.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王瑾; 冯挽强; 惠艳翠
Original assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co KG
Current assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co KG
Priority date: 2018-03-12
Filing date: 2018-03-12
Publication date: 2022-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-12
Also published as: CN110259933A

Abstract

The invention relates to a gear shifting system and a method. Disclosed is a gear shift system of a vehicle, including: a housing defining a receiving cavity and an opening; a movable cover serving as a switch of an electronic parking brake of the vehicle, the movable cover being movably connected to the housing and movable relative to the opening to open or close the accommodation chamber; a first member secured within the receiving cavity; a second member arranged to be movable relative to the first member between a first position and a second position to change the gear of the vehicle, wherein a top of the second member does not extend beyond the opening when the second member is in the first position and the top of the second member extends beyond the opening when the second member is in the second position; a first sensor for detecting whether the movable cover is moved to a position to open the accommodation chamber; and a second sensor for detecting whether the second member is moved to the second position.

Description

Gear shifting system and method

Technical Field

The invention relates to a gear shifting system and a method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a gear shifting system and method for an in-wheel drive vehicle.

Background

The parking brake is used to stabilize the vehicle after braking of the vehicle. Typically, the parking brake employs a manually actuated mechanical device. An Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) has been developed. The driver may select to apply or release the brakes by turning on or off the switch of the EPB. Generally, the switch and the shifting device of the EPB are separately provided in the vehicle. The driver may forget to turn off the EPB before shifting gears or may inadvertently turn on the EPB during driving. This may cause a malfunction of the brake system or the shift system. To avoid this, it is proposed to add an additional control program in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle. The ECU may determine whether the driver performs the operation of releasing the EPB by detecting the force exerted on the EPB switch. However, as the components age, the force on the EPB switch may not be accurately detected, causing malfunction.

In a typical vehicle, the driver may operate a gear shift system to shift the vehicle between different gears, such as park (P), forward (D), reverse (R), and neutral (N). In-wheel motors or in-wheel drive technologies, power, transmission and braking devices are integrated into a wheel hub, so that the structure of a vehicle, particularly an electric vehicle, can be simplified. In-wheel drive vehicles may not use a clutch and therefore may not require N-speed. For in-wheel drive vehicles, a shift system with PRND gears is redundant.

For this reason, a gear shift system and method capable of preventing an operation of an electronic parking brake from conflicting with a gear shift operation is required.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a shift system and method capable of preventing an electronic parking brake operation from conflicting with a shift operation. It is another object of the present invention to provide a simplified gear shifting system and method suitable for in-wheel drive vehicles. It is another object of the present invention to provide a gear shifting system and method that saves space and simplifies control logic.

One aspect of the present invention provides a gear shift system of a vehicle, including: a housing defining a receiving cavity and an opening; a movable cover serving as a switch of an electronic parking brake of the vehicle, the movable cover being movably connected to the housing and movable relative to the opening to open or close the accommodation chamber; a first member secured within the receiving cavity; a second member disposed to be movable relative to the first member between a first position and a second position to change a gear of the vehicle, wherein a top of the second member does not extend beyond the opening when the second member is in the first position and the top of the second member extends beyond the opening when the second member is in the second position; a first sensor for detecting whether the movable cover is moved to a position to open the accommodation chamber; and a second sensor for detecting whether the second member is moved to the second position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second part is arranged to be rotatable relative to the first part to move between the first position and the second position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shift system further comprises a first resilient member for exerting a biasing force between the first member and the second member, wherein the first resilient member exerts a biasing force towards the second position when the second member is in the first position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shift system further comprises: a third member pivotably connected to a top of the second member and rotatable relative to the second member between a third position and a fourth position to change a gear of the vehicle; and a third sensor for detecting whether the third member is moved to the fourth position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second part is arranged around the first part.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shift system further comprises: first and second recesses provided on one of the first and second members; and a first protrusion disposed on the other of the first member and the second member, wherein the first protrusion engages the first recess when the second member is in the first position and the first protrusion engages the second recess when the second member is in the second position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shift system further comprises: a second elastic member for applying a biasing force to the first protrusion so that the first protrusion can be held in the first recess or the second recess.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first recess and the second recess are provided on a radially inner surface of the second member, and the first protrusion is provided radially movably on a radially outer surface of the first member.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shift system further comprises: a groove provided on a radially inner surface of the second member and formed in a spiral shape, wherein the groove communicates the first recess and the second recess, and a depth of the groove is smaller than a depth of the first recess and a depth of the second recess.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the second sensor is arranged in the second recess.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shift system further comprises: a pivot shaft, wherein the third component is pivotably connected to the second component by the pivot shaft, the pivot shaft including an engagement tooth; and a first limit stop portion and a second limit stop portion provided on the second member, wherein the third member is in a third position when the engaging tooth is engaged with the first limit stop portion, and the third member is in a fourth position when the engaging tooth is engaged with the second limit stop portion, wherein the third sensor is provided on the second limit stop portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shift system further comprises: one or more second protrusions, each of which is movably provided on the second member, a third elastic member for applying a biasing force to the second protrusion toward the pivot shaft so that the engaging tooth can be held between the second protrusion and the first stopper portion or between the second protrusion and the second stopper portion.

Another aspect of the invention provides a vehicle comprising a gear shift system according to the invention.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a shifting method using the shifting system according to the present invention, including: moving the movable cover relative to the opening to open the accommodation chamber, thereby turning off the electronic parking brake; and rotating the second member relative to the first member to move the second member from the first position to the second position to shift from the first gear to the second gear.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shifting method further comprises: when the second member is in the second position, the third member is rotated from the third position to the fourth position to shift from the second gear to the third gear.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shifting method further comprises: when the second member is in the second position, the third member is rotated from the fourth position to the third position to shift from the third gear to the second gear.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shifting method further comprises: when the third member is in the third position, the second member is rotated relative to the first member to move the second member from the second position to the first position to shift from the second gear to the first gear.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shifting method further comprises: when the second member is in the first position, the movable cover is moved relative to the opening to close the accommodation chamber, thereby turning on the electronic parking brake.

The gear shifting system of the invention has no N gear, which can simplify the structural design and the control logic. Compared with a system adopting a gear shifting lever, the gear shifting system can reduce the occupied space and arrange an EPB switch and a gear shifting device together. Compared with a gear shifting system adopting a plurality of keys, the gear shifting system can improve operability and avoid gear shifting errors caused by unintentionally touching the keys; while the driver can confirm the shift operation by sensing the position of the component. The gear shifting system can avoid gear shifting operation before the EPB is closed or the EPB is opened in the driving process, and improves the reliability and the safety of a vehicle.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gear shifting system of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a gear shifting system of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a gear shifting system of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a gear shifting system of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side schematic view of a gear shifting system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side schematic view of a gear shifting system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of a gear shifting system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic top view of a gear shifting system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic top view of a gear shifting system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic top view of a gear shifting system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the shifting system taken from section S1 in fig. 5.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of the shifting system taken from section S2 in fig. 6.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial schematic view of the shifting system taken from area Z1 in FIG. 6.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged partial schematic view of the shifting system taken from region Z2 in fig. 7.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. The following detailed description and drawings are illustrative of the principles of the invention, which is not limited to the preferred embodiments described, but is defined by the claims. The invention will now be described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in different drawings unless otherwise indicated. The aspects described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all aspects of the present invention. Rather, these aspects are merely exemplary of the systems and methods according to the various aspects of the present invention as recited in the appended claims.

An output signal of the gear shift system according to the present invention may be transmitted to a control unit (e.g., ECU) of the vehicle, so that the control unit may control execution of a gear shift operation. Alternatively, the shift system according to the present invention may further include an actuator, and the shift-position switching operation may be performed by the actuator.

Fig. 1 to 4 are schematic views of a gear shift system of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. The gear shifting system according to the embodiment of the invention can be used for shifting different gears of a vehicle.

As shown in fig. 1 to 4, the gear shift system 1 may include a housing 10 and a movable cover 20. The housing 10 may have any desired shape. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1-4, the housing 10 may include four side walls and a bottom wall. The housing 10 may define a receiving cavity 11 and an opening 12. The housing 10 may be formed from any suitable material. For example, the housing 10 may be connected into the vehicle through a bottom wall and/or side walls. It should be noted that fig. 2-4 omit a portion of the housing 10 for better illustration.

The movable cover 20 may be movably connected to the housing 10 and movable with respect to the opening 12 of the housing 10 to open or close the accommodation chamber 11. In an exemplary embodiment, the movable cover 20 may slide, e.g., horizontally, relative to the opening 12. In other embodiments, the movable cover 20 may also move relative to the opening 12 in other ways, such as being flipped over relative to the opening 12 to open or close the receiving cavity 11.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the movable cover 20 may be used as a switch of an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) of a vehicle. In the exemplary embodiment, when the movable cover 20 is moved to a position to close the accommodation chamber 11, the electronic parking brake is turned on, as shown in fig. 1; when the movable cover 20 is moved to a position to open the receiving chamber 11, the electronic parking brake is turned off, as shown in fig. 2 to 4.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shift system 1 may further comprise a first component 30 and a second component 40. The first member 30 is fixed to the inside of the accommodation chamber 11, for example, the bottom of the accommodation chamber 11. The lower portion of the second member 40 is disposed to surround the first member 30. The second member 40 is movable relative to the first member 30 between a first position (shown in fig. 2) and a second position (shown in fig. 3).

According to an embodiment of the invention, the gear shift system 1 may further comprise a third component 50, as shown in fig. 2 to 4. Third member 50 is pivotally connected to second member 40, such as an upper portion of second member 40. The third member 50 is rotatable relative to the second member 40 between a third position (shown in fig. 3) and a fourth position (shown in fig. 4).

In an exemplary embodiment, the gear shift system 1 can be used to select different gears, such as parking (P), forward (D) and reverse (R). As shown in fig. 2, when the second member 40 is in the first position, the gear shift system 1 is in P range. As shown in fig. 3, when the second member 40 is in the second position and the third member 50 is in the third position, the gear shift system 1 is in D-range. As shown in fig. 4, when the second member 40 is in the second position and the third member 50 is in the fourth position, the gear shift system 1 is in the R range.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 2-4, the second component 40 is disposed around the first component 30. In some embodiments, the first member 30 has a cylindrical shape and the second member 40 has a cylindrical shape. The first and

second components

30, 40 may also be formed in different sizes and shapes according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 5 to 7 are schematic side views of a gear shift system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 to 7 correspond to the P-, D-and R-gears of the gear shift system, respectively.

Fig. 8 to 10 are schematic top views of a gear shift system of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 to 10 correspond to the P-, D-and R-gears of the gear shift system, respectively.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the shifting system taken from section S1 in fig. 5. Fig. 12 is a schematic view of the shifting system taken from section S2 in fig. 6.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial schematic view of the shifting system taken from area Z1 in FIG. 6. FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial schematic view of the shifting system taken from area Z2 in FIG. 7.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the gear shift system 1 may further comprise a first resilient member 61 disposed between the first member 30 and the second member 40. The first elastic member 61 serves to apply a biasing force between the first member 30 and the second member 40. The first elastic member 61 may be a coil spring. In an exemplary embodiment, the first elastic member 61 may abut on the bottom of the receiving chamber 11 at one end and may abut on the inner cavity of the second member 40 at the other end. When the second member 40 is in the first position, the first elastic member 61 may apply a biasing force to the second member 40 toward the second position. The resilient member may facilitate the driver moving the second member 40 from the first position to the second position and may prevent a shift operation failure due to the second member 40 failing to move accurately to the second position.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the second member 40 may be configured to move between the first position and the second position by rotating relative to the first member 30. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, 11 and 12, the shift system 1 may further include: a first protrusion 31 provided on a radially outer surface of the first member 30; a first recess 41 and a second recess 42 provided on a radially inner surface of the second member 40; and a groove 43 provided on a radially inner surface of the second member 40 and communicating the first recess 41 and the second recess 42. In an exemplary embodiment, the groove 43 may be formed as a spiral groove.

The first projection 31 can be extended and retracted in a radial direction with respect to the radially outer surface of the first member 30. According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 11 and 12, the gear shift system 1 may further include: and a second elastic member 62 disposed between the first protrusion 31 and the first member 30. The second elastic member 62 serves to apply a biasing force between the first protrusion 31 and the first member 30. The second elastic member 61 may be a coil spring. In an exemplary embodiment, the second elastic member 62 may abut against the radially outer surface of the first member 30 at one end and may abut against the inner cavity of the first protrusion 31 at the other end. When the first protrusion 31 is engaged with the first recess 41 or the second recess 42, the second elastic member 62 may apply a biasing force to the first protrusion 31 toward the recess so that the first protrusion 31 is held within the recess.

As shown in fig. 5, the movable lid 20 is in a position closing the housing chamber 11 (not shown in fig. 5), the second member 40 is in the first position and the top thereof does not exceed the opening 12 (not shown in fig. 5). As shown in fig. 11, when the second member 40 is in the first position, the second elastic member 62 applies a biasing force to the first projection 31 so that the first projection 31 projects and is engaged in the first recess 41.

As shown in fig. 6, the movable cover 20 (not shown) is moved to a position to open the accommodation chamber 11, and the second member 40 is rotated and lifted to the second position. The top of the second member 40 extends beyond the opening 12 (not shown in fig. 6). During rotation of the second part 40, the first protrusion 31 moves along the groove 43 from the first recess 41 to the second recess 42. As shown in fig. 12, when the second member 40 is in the second position, the second elastic member 62 applies a biasing force to the first projection 31 so that the first projection 31 projects and is engaged in the second recess 42.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the depth of the groove 43 is smaller than the depth of the first recess and the depth of the second recess in the radial direction. In this case, when the second member 40 is in the first position or the second position, the deeper recess may prevent the first protrusion 31 from being unintentionally released from the first recess 41 or the second recess 42. Only when the driver intentionally rotates the second member 40 to shift the shift position, the biasing force of the second elastic member 62 to the second member 40 is partially overcome, so that the first protrusion 31 can move from the first recess 41 or the second recess 42 to the groove 43 and then smoothly move to the other recess.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 5, the gear shift system 1 may further include a first sensor 71 for detecting whether the movable cover 20 is moved to a position to open the accommodation chamber 11. In an exemplary embodiment, the first sensor 71 may be disposed near the opening 12 of the housing 10. The first sensor 71 may be one of a hall circuit, a tact switch, a proximity sensor, and the like.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 6, the gear shifting system 1 may further include a second sensor 72 for detecting whether the second member 40 is moved to the second position. In an exemplary embodiment, the second sensor 72 may be disposed in the second recess 42. The second sensor 72 may be one of a hall circuit, a tact switch, a proximity sensor, and the like.

It is described above that the first projection 31 is provided on the first member 30 and the first recess 41 and the second recess 42 are provided on the second member 40. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the first protrusion may be provided on the second component 40 and the first and second recesses may be provided on the first component 30, according to embodiments of the present invention.

The second member 40 is moved between the first and second positions by rotating it as described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that second member 40 may also be moved between the first and second positions in a non-rotational manner in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. For example, the driver may pull or push the second member 40 linearly to change its height position.

The second member 40 is described above as surrounding the first member 30. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the first member 30 may be disposed around the second member 40 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

The grooves 43 are described above as being helical. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the groove 43 may also be formed as a linear slot in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 6, 7, 13 and 14, the gear shift system 1 may further include a pivot shaft 51, a first limit portion 52 and a second limit portion 53. Third member 50 may be pivotally connected to second member 40 by pivot shaft 51. According to some embodiments of the invention, the pivot shaft 51 may also include one or more engagement teeth 54. In the embodiment shown in fig. 13 and 14, the pivot shaft 51 comprises two engagement teeth 54. The first stopper portion 52 and the second stopper portion 53 serve to define a third position and a fourth position of the third member 50. As shown in fig. 13, when the engaging tooth 54 of the pivot shaft 51 is engaged with the first stopper portion 52, the third member 50 is in the third position. As shown in fig. 14, when the engaging tooth 54 of the pivot shaft 51 is engaged with the second stopper portion 53, the third member 50 is in the fourth position.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 13 and 14, the gear shifting system 1 may further include a third sensor 73 for detecting whether the third member 50 is moved to the fourth position. In an exemplary embodiment, the third sensor 73 may be disposed at the second stopper portion 53. The third sensor 73 may be one of a hall circuit, a tact switch, a proximity sensor, and the like.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the gear shift system 1 may further comprise one or more second protrusions 44, as shown in fig. 13 and 14. The second projection 44 is provided on the second member 40, for example, an upper portion of the second member 40. The second projection 44 is adapted to cooperate with the engagement teeth 54 to define the position of the third member 50. In an exemplary embodiment, the gear shift system 1 may include two second protrusions 44.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the second protrusion 44 may be provided such that the engaging tooth 54 can be clamped between the second protrusion 44 and the first stopper portion 52 or the second stopper portion 53. Thereby, it is possible to firmly hold the third member 50 in the corresponding position and prevent the third member 50 from being unintentionally rotated to cause a shift malfunction. According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the gear shift system 1 includes a plurality of second protrusions 44 and a plurality of engaging teeth 54, the pitch between the second protrusions 44 corresponds to the pitch between the engaging teeth 54. In this case, the position of the third member 50 can be more stably maintained.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the gear shift system 1 may further comprise a third elastic member 45 disposed between the second protrusion 44 and the second member 40. The third elastic member 45 is for applying a biasing force between the second projection 44 and the second member 40. The third elastic member 45 may be a coil spring. In an exemplary embodiment, the third elastic member 45 may abut against the outer surface of the second member 40 at one end and may abut against the inner cavity of the second protrusion 44 at the other end. When the engaging tooth 54 is engaged with the first stopper portion 52 or the second stopper portion 53, the third elastic member 45 may apply a biasing force toward the pivot shaft 51 to the second projection 44. Thus, the second projection 44 projects toward the pivot shaft 51, so that the engaging tooth 54 is sandwiched between the second projection 44 and the first stopper portion 52 or the second stopper portion 53.

As shown in fig. 6, the second member 40 is in the second position and the third member 50 is in the third position. As shown in fig. 13, when the third member 50 is in the third position, the third elastic member 45 applies a biasing force to the second projection 44 so that the engaging tooth 54 is clamped between the second projection 44 and the first stopper portion 52.

As shown in fig. 7, the second member 40 is in the second position and the third member 50 is rotated to the fourth position. During rotation of the third member 50, the engaging teeth 54 retract the second projection 44 against the biasing force of the third elastic member 45, so that the engaging teeth 54 move over the second projection 44. As shown in fig. 14, when the third member 50 is in the fourth position, the third elastic member 45 applies a biasing force to the second projection 44 so that the engaging tooth 54 is clamped between the second projection 44 and the second stopper portion 53.

Next, a shifting method using the shifting system 1 according to the present invention will be described.

As shown in fig. 1 and 5, when the shift system 1 is in the P range and the EPB is open, the movable cover 20 is in a position to close the accommodation chamber 11, the second member 40 is in the first position, and the third member 50 is in the third position.

The driver needs to turn off the EPB before performing a gear shift operation. As shown in fig. 2, the driver moves the movable cover 20 relative to the opening 12 to open the accommodation chamber 11. When the first sensor 71 detects that the movable cover 20 is moved to the position to open the accommodation chamber 11, the shift system 1 controls to close the EPB.

To shift from P range to D range, the operator moves the second member 40 from the first position to the second position after the EPB is turned off, as shown in FIG. 3. In an exemplary embodiment, the driver rotates the second member 40 relative to the first member 30, as shown in fig. 8 and 9. During rotation, the first protrusion 31 moves from the first recess 41 into the second recess 42 via the groove 43, as shown in fig. 11 and 12, for example. When the second sensor 72 detects that the second member 40 is moved to the second position, for example, when the second sensor 72 detects that the first protrusion 31 is moved into the second recess 42, the shift system 1 controls shifting from the P range to the D range.

To shift from the D range to the R range, the driver rotates the third member 50 from the third position to the fourth position when the second member 40 is in the second position, as shown in fig. 4. In the exemplary embodiment, the driver rotates third member 50 relative to second member 40. During the rotation, as shown in fig. 13 and 14, for example, the engaging tooth 54 connected to the third member 50 moves from the position of engaging with the first stopper portion 52 to the position of engaging with the second stopper portion 53. When the third sensor 73 detects that the third member 50 is moved to the fourth position, for example, when the third sensor 73 detects that the engaging tooth 54 is moved into engagement with the second stopper portion 53, the shift system 1 controls shifting from the D range to the P range.

To shift from the R range to the D range, the driver rotates the third member 50 from the fourth position to the third position when the second member 40 is in the second position. During the rotation, as shown in fig. 13 and 14, for example, the engaging tooth 54 connected to the third member 50 moves from the position of engaging with the second stopper portion 53 to the position of engaging with the first stopper portion 52. When the third sensor 73 detects that the third member 50 is moved to the third position, for example, when the third sensor 73 detects that the engaging tooth 54 is moved into engagement with the first stopper portion 52, the shift system 1 controls shifting from the P range to the D range.

To shift from D-range to P-range, the driver moves the second member 40 from the second position to the first position when the third member 50 is in the third position. In the exemplary embodiment, the driver rotates second member 40 relative to first member 30. During rotation, the first protrusion 31 moves from the second recess 42 into the first recess 41 via the groove 43, as shown in fig. 11 and 12, for example. When the second sensor 72 detects that the second member 40 is moved to the second position, for example, when the second sensor 72 detects that the first protrusion 31 is moved into the first recess 41, the shift system 1 controls shifting from the D range to the P range.

To open the EPB, when the second member 40 is in the first position, the driver moves the movable cover 20 relative to the opening 12 to close the accommodation chamber 11. When the first sensor 71 detects that the movable cover 20 is moved to the position to close the accommodation chamber 11, the shift system 1 controls to open the EPB.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the construction and methods of the embodiments described above. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. In addition, while the various elements and method steps of the disclosed invention are shown in various example combinations and configurations, other combinations, including more, less or all, of the elements or methods are also within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A gear shift system of a vehicle, comprising:

a housing defining a receiving cavity and an opening;

a movable cover serving as a switch of an electronic parking brake of a vehicle, the movable cover being movably connected to the housing and movable relative to the opening to open or close the accommodation chamber;

a first member secured within the receiving cavity;

a second member disposed to be movable relative to the first member between a first position and a second position to change a gear of a vehicle, wherein a top of the second member does not extend beyond the opening when the second member is in the first position and the top of the second member extends beyond the opening when the second member is in the second position;

a first sensor for detecting whether the movable cover is moved to a position to open the accommodation chamber; and

a second sensor for detecting whether the second member is moved to the second position.

2. The gear shift system of claim 1, wherein the second member is configured to rotate relative to the first member to move between the first position and the second position.

3. The shifting system of claim 2, further comprising a first resilient member for applying a biasing force between the first member and the second member, wherein the first resilient member applies a biasing force to the second member toward the second position when the second member is in the first position.

4. The shift system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

a third member pivotably connected to a top of the second member and rotatable relative to the second member between a third position and a fourth position to change a gear of a vehicle; and

a third sensor for detecting whether the third member is moved to a fourth position.

5. The gear shift system of claim 4, wherein the second component is disposed around the first component.

6. The gear shifting system of claim 5, further comprising:

a first recess and a second recess provided on one of the first member and the second member; and

a first protrusion provided on the other of the first member and the second member,

wherein the first projection engages the first recess when the second component is in the first position and the first projection engages the second recess when the second component is in the second position.

7. The gear shifting system of claim 6, further comprising:

a second elastic member for applying a biasing force to the first protrusion so that the first protrusion can be held in the first recess or the second recess.

8. The shifting system of claim 7, wherein the first and second recesses are disposed on a radially inner surface of the second component and the first protrusion is radially movably disposed on a radially outer surface of the first component.

9. The gear shifting system of claim 8, further comprising: a groove provided on a radially inner surface of the second member and formed in a spiral shape,

wherein the groove communicates the first recess and the second recess, and a depth of the groove is smaller than a depth of the first recess and a depth of the second recess.

10. The gear shift system of claim 9, wherein the second sensor is disposed in the second recess.

11. The gear shifting system of claim 4, further comprising:

a pivot shaft, wherein the third component is pivotably connected to the second component by the pivot shaft, the pivot shaft including an engagement tooth; and

a first stopper portion and a second stopper portion provided on the second member, wherein the third member is in the third position when the engaging tooth is engaged with the first stopper portion, and the third member is in the fourth position when the engaging tooth is engaged with the second stopper portion,

wherein the third sensor is disposed on the second stopper portion.

12. The gear shifting system of claim 11, further comprising:

one or more second protrusions, wherein each second protrusion is movably disposed on the second component,

a third elastic member for applying a biasing force to the second projection toward the pivot shaft so that the engaging tooth can be held between the second projection and the first stopper portion or between the second projection and the second stopper portion.

13. A vehicle comprising a gear shift system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A shifting method using the shifting system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising:

moving the movable cover relative to the opening to open the accommodation chamber, thereby turning off the electronic parking brake; and

rotating the second member relative to the first member to move the second member from the first position to the second position to shift from the first gear to the second gear.

15. The gear shifting method of claim 14, further comprising:

rotating the third member from a third position to a fourth position when the second member is in the second position to shift from the second gear to a third gear.

16. The gear shifting method of claim 15, further comprising:

rotating the third member from the fourth position to the third position when the second member is in the second position to shift from the third gear to the second gear.

17. The gear shifting method of claim 16, further comprising:

rotating the second member relative to the first member when the third member is in the third position to move the second member from the second position to the first position to shift from the second gear to the first gear.

18. The gear shifting method of claim 17, further comprising:

moving the movable cover relative to the opening to close the receiving cavity to open the electronic parking brake when the second member is in the first position.