CN112984105A

CN112984105A - Shifting device for setting or selecting a driving state and/or a driving mode of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN112984105A
Application number: CN202011481432.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: V·恩格尔; V·弗里布斯
Original assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Current assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Priority date: 2019-12-16
Filing date: 2020-12-15
Publication date: 2021-06-18
Also published as: DE102019219719A1

Abstract

The invention discloses a gear shifting device (1) for setting or selecting a driving state, in particular a gear and/or a driving mode, of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle comprising the gear shifting device, the gear shifting device (1) having: a shifting element (2) provided for operation on the user side; and a guide element (3) which is coupled to the shift element (2) and can be moved relative to the housing (5) along a movement path (4), wherein at least one end of the movement path (4) is provided with a shift pad (6, 7) having at least two shift states assigned to different driving states and/or driving modes, wherein the guide element (3) can be moved into the shift states by moving the shift pad (6, 7).

Description

Shifting device for setting or selecting a driving state and/or a driving mode of a vehicle

Technical Field

The invention relates to a shifting device for setting or selecting a driving state, in particular a gear and/or a driving mode, of a motor vehicle, having: a shifting element provided for operation on the user side; and a guide element coupled to the shift element and movable along a movement track relative to the housing.

Background

Shifting devices for motor vehicles are known in principle from the prior art, which are provided for setting or selecting a driving state or a driving mode of the motor vehicle. Such shifting devices usually have a shifting element which is provided for operation by a user. In other words, the user grips the shift element to set or select a corresponding driving state or driving mode of the motor vehicle. Here, a guide element is coupled to the shifting element, which can be moved along a movement path relative to the housing of the shifting device. The user then grips the shifting element and moves this shifting element into the position assigned to the respective driving state or driving mode, wherein the guide element moves together with the shifting element and selects or sets the driving state or driving mode by positioning the guide element (for example by generating a corresponding signal).

Within the scope of the present application, a gear can be referred to as a driving state, for example P, R, N or D, which thus indicates the respective driving state of the motor vehicle. Of course, the driving state therefore only indicates a principal state of the motor vehicle, wherein a movement of the motor vehicle is not necessary for the presence of the respective driving state. For example, the user can select the respective gear when the motor vehicle is stationary, without having to have or perform a forward movement of the motor vehicle, for example in the D gear.

Furthermore, it is also known from the prior art that in such a shifting device, a reliable actuation must be ensured on the part of the user, who for this purpose receives feedback on the selection or setting of the driving state by means of a corresponding configuration of the shifting device. For this purpose, locking elements are known from the prior art, which engage when the shifting or guide element assumes the respective position and thus convey a tactile feedback to the user. However, in such a gear shift device a large number of elements are required to provide the required feedback to the user, in particular pins, profiles, springs, etc. which have to be provided or designed for the respective state of the gear shift device. Correspondingly, such a shifting device requires improvements in terms of installation space requirements, number of components and costs associated therewith.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is based on the object of specifying an improved shifting device, which is improved in particular with regard to the installation space requirement and the number of components required.

The invention is based on the knowledge that at least one end of the path of movement of the guide element is provided with a shift pad (Schaltmatte) having at least two shift states assigned to different driving states and/or driving modes, into which the guide element can be moved by a movement directed at the shift pad. In other words, in the shifting device of the invention, a shifting element coupled to a movable guiding element is also used, so that a user can grip the shifting element and move it to the corresponding position. In this case, the guide element is moved in or along the movement path into a shift state assigned to the driving state or driving mode. In this case, the guide element is moved against a shift pad arranged at the end of the movement path of the guide element.

In other words, the user applies a defined force to the shifting element, which, due to the coupling to the guiding element, correspondingly produces a movement of the guiding element against the shifting pad, which is thus partially deformed due to the force action in most cases. The shifting mat has at least two different shifting states, which are assigned to corresponding driving states and/or driving modes of the motor vehicle. The shift pad can have, for example, an R state or a P state in the direction of movement of the guide element assigned to the shift pad. The driving state of the shifting state assigned to the shift pad is finally defined by a control device installed downstream of the shift pad. Of course, the driving state or the assignment of the driving mode to the respective shift state can be selected or changed arbitrarily. Thus, the user can set or select a respective driving mode or driving state by displacing or moving the guide element with respect to the shift mat.

The shift pads provided in the gear shifting device may also be referred to or considered as "double shift pads" or "two shift pads". The gear shifting device is thus arranged or can be arranged in a motor vehicle and can be provided for selecting a driving state, for example a neutral state, a reverse driving state, a forward driving state or a parking state. It is likewise possible to select or set a driving mode, for example a comfort mode, sport mode, high-efficiency mode, off-road mode, etc., additionally or alternatively by means of a shifting device.

As mentioned above, the shift pad may have two shift states or provide another greater number of shift states. Thus, the respective shift state is reached in succession by displacing the guide element with respect to the shift pad. Thus, if the user moves the shifting element from the neutral position in the direction of the shifting pad, a first shifting state is first reached which, upon further movement of the guide element against the shifting pad, changes into a further shifting state which, in the direction of movement of the movement track of the guide element, is arranged after the first shifting state.

According to a further embodiment of the shifting device, it can be provided that the shifting device has two shifting pads which are arranged at opposite ends of the movement path. It is thereby possible for the user to move the guide element in the first direction of movement of the guide element relative to the first shift pad, for example, in order to set or select one of the driving states represented by the shift states provided by this first shift pad. If the user moves the guide element in the opposite direction (i.e. towards the other end of the movement track), the guide element is correspondingly moved against the second shift pad, so that a driving state of the two or more shift states assigned to the second shift pad can be selected. Thus, at least four individual shift states or driving modes can be represented by the shifting device according to the invention.

In a further embodiment, the shifting device can have an initial position in which the guide element is spaced apart from the shift pad or contacts the shift pad in the first shifting state; or in the initial position the guide element is arranged between the two shift pads and is spaced apart from the shift pads or contacts the two shift pads in the first shift state. In this embodiment, the expression "in the shift state" is not to be understood in part, but rather with regard to the movement of the guide element with respect to the shift pad. As mentioned above, a defined movement of the guide element with respect to the shift pad is required to shift the shift pad into the respective shift state. Thus, according to this embodiment, it is proposed that either the guide element is spaced apart from the shift pad in the initial position or the guide element is in contact with the shift pad, but this shift pad is not deformed or acts far enough to shift the shift pad into the first shift state. The guide element can therefore contact the respective shift pad or be prestressed with respect to the guide element with a prestressing force, wherein the prestressing force is not sufficient for shifting the respective shift pad into the shift state, but rather is lower than the force required for shifting the shift pad into the shift state.

In this case, it is likewise possible for the guide element to be arranged in the initial position between two shift pads at the end of the movement path of the guide element. It is likewise possible to select a degree of pretensioning by means of which the two shift shoes are brought into contact by the guide element, but in the initial position neither of the two shift shoes is switched to the respective first shift state. For shifting into a shift state, it is always necessary on the part of the user to move the shift element and the guide element coupled thereto, which consequently moves the guide element further against the shift pad in order to select or set the respective shift state. The pretension force or the force required for setting or selecting the respective shift state can be defined or selected depending on the respective shifting device.

The shift pad can also be designed to act on the guide element a restoring force that moves the guide element back to the initial position when the guide element is moved against the shift pad. As already mentioned, the guide element can be moved against the shift pad in order to select or set a driving state or a driving mode in order to shift the shift pad into the corresponding shift state. In this case, the shifting collar exerts a corresponding restoring force on the guide element, which restoring force causes the guide element to return to the initial position. Thus, if the user releases the shift element so that the user cancels the application of force to the shift pad, the shift pad resets the guide element to the initial position by the reset force. Thus, the shift states provided by the shift pads may be referred to as "monostable" because these shift states only remain stable until the user generates a force on the shift pads.

In particular, by moving the guide element with the application of a first restoring force, the at least one shift pad can be transferred from the initial state into the first shift state; and the at least one shift pad can be shifted from the first shift state into the second shift state upon further movement of the guide element with the application of a second restoring force. As already mentioned, it is possible in this case to move the guide element along the movement path against the shift pad and to initially apply a first restoring force which is sufficient to shift the shift pad into the first shift state. If the user subsequently releases the shifting element, the guide element is moved back into the initial state again, as described above, by the restoring force which is also applied to the guide element by the shift pad.

If the user further increases the force acting on the shifting element and thus on the guide element such that it exceeds the second reset force, the shift pad is switched from the first shifting state to the second shifting state. Correspondingly, the respective shifting state of the shift pad can be set depending on the movement of the guide element. Depending on the force exerted by the user on the guide element, the shift pad is thus correspondingly compressed or deformed and takes up the corresponding shift state.

In this case, it can also be provided that, in particular for the user, the occupation of the first and second shift states can be perceived by a defined curve of the restoring force. In this case, the curve of the return force is not particularly linear, i.e., after the first shift state is assumed, it does not need to be increased with a purely linear force in order to assume the second shift state. In particular, the reset force can extend non-linearly, which acts on the guide element by the shift pad or which must be transmitted by the guide element to the shift pad in order to assume the respective shift state. Upon further movement in the actuating direction, the shift state can be perceived, in particular by the user, as a result of the reduction in the restoring force. Thus, when the respective shifting state is assumed, the user experiences a "click-in" of the shifting device in the respective shifting state by moving the guide element. In this case, the snap-in can advantageously be achieved without additional components.

For example, once the guide element has been moved into the corresponding position, i.e. the shift pads have correspondingly been applied with a respective reset force so that the first shift state has been assumed, the user feels the first shift state to be assumed by the reset force falling. If the user moves the guide element further against the shift pad, the required reset force increases above the level required to shift the shift pad into the first shift state. Here, the restoring force is increased until the second shift state is assumed. After or when the second shifting state is reached, a reduction of the restoring force that can be sensed when the second shifting state is engaged may occur.

The restoring force or the defined curve thereof as described above can be realized in particular in the following manner: after the first and second shift states are reached, a valley or depression is provided in the force curve. After reaching the first or second shift state, a defined course (in particular a valley or depression) of the restoring force can be achieved, in particular by the design of the shift washer. This shift pad has, in particular, so-called carbon contact strips (Karbon-kontaktpilen) which are arranged, for example, in series and which enable the above-mentioned force curve to be achieved. Thus, after the first shift state is exceeded, a reduced force is first required to move the guide element further against the shift pad than when the shift state is reached. The required restoring force then increases again until the second shift state is reached. Subsequently, the force curve again passes through a low valley or depression which firstly requires a reduced restoring force in order to further compress the shift pad in order to exceed a corresponding further movement of the second shift state. Subsequently, for example, when the shift pad is "blocked" (then the reset force may need to be increased relatively much again.

In order to set or select a corresponding driving state or driving mode assigned to a shift state, it can be provided in particular that the shift pad is designed to generate a state signal as a function of a current shift state, in particular to generate a first state signal if the first shift state is present and to generate a second state signal if the second shift state is present.

Correspondingly, the shift pad can be coupled or can be coupled to a control device, which can correspondingly set the driving state or driving mode assigned to the respective state signal. Correspondingly, the control device can switch the vehicle to a driving state or a driving mode set or selected by the state signal in the direction of the shift pad. In this embodiment, the shifting pad is therefore used not only to represent a defined force curve, which is necessary for moving the guide element to assume the respective shifting state. In addition to this, the shift pad can be used to generate corresponding status signals, which can be received by the control device and thus form the basis for selecting or setting the respective driving state or driving mode.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible for the shifting device to have a position sensor which is designed to detect the position and/or movement of the guide element. The status signal as described above can also be generated on the basis of the position of the guide element or the movement performed by the guide element. The corresponding position sensor can be implemented, for example, as a printed circuit board, a 3D sensor or a displacement sensor in order to detect the position or movement of the guide element. In particular, it is thereby possible to detect the movement pattern or the position of the guide element, so that the first or second shift state is not or not only detected by the shift pad or pads, but also by the position or movement of the guide element.

The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising a gear shift device as described above. As also described above, the shifting device can be operatively connected to a corresponding control device of the motor vehicle in order to convert the movement performed or the signal generated by the shifting device by means of the control device and thus to set or select a desired driving mode or driving state on the part of the motor vehicle. All the details, advantages and features described above in connection with the gear shifting device can of course be fully utilized in a motor vehicle.

Drawings

The invention is described below with reference to the drawings by way of example. The figures are schematic and in which:

fig. 1 shows the gear shift device in an initial position;

fig. 2 shows the shifting apparatus of fig. 1 in a first shifting state of the first shift pad;

fig. 3 shows the shifting apparatus of fig. 1 in a first shifting state of the second shift pad; and

fig. 4 shows a force-path diagram during actuation of the shifting device.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 3 show a shifting device 1, which is arranged, for example, in a motor vehicle (not shown in detail). The gear shifting device 1 is designed or provided for setting or selecting a driving state, in particular a gear and/or a driving mode, of a motor vehicle. The shifting device 1 has a shifting element 2 which is provided for user-side operation. Thus, the shift element 2 provides a grip surface by means of which a user can interact with the gear shift device 1. The shifting element 2 is coupled to a guide element 3, which is movable in a guide track 4 in a housing 5 of the shifting device 1.

In this exemplary embodiment, the shift element 2 is connected to the guide element 3 in a form-fitting manner, in particular by means of a clamping connection. In the region of the end of the running rail 4, the shifting device 1 has two shift pads 6, 7, between which the guide element 3 is located in the initial state shown in fig. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide element 3 is in contact with the shift pads 6, 7 in the initial position, wherein the shift pads 6, 7 are not shifted into one of the two shift states provided by the shift pads 6, 7. The guide element 3 and the two shift pads 6, 7 are pretensioned relative to each other, so that there is a defined positioning of the shift element 2 of the guide element 3, which provides a defined tactile sensation to the user.

Thus, to actuate the shifting device 1, i.e. to set or select a defined driving state or driving mode, the user grips the shifting element 2 and moves this shifting element according to the arrow 8 to the desired position, wherein the guide element 3 is correspondingly moved together with the shifting element 2 relative to the housing 5 and against the shift pads 6, 7 which provide the corresponding shifting state assigned to the driving state or driving mode.

For example, fig. 2 shows a deflection of the guide element 3 in the direction of the shift mat 7, and fig. 3 shows a deflection of the guide element 3 in the opposite direction, i.e. in the direction of the shift mat 6. In the event of a corresponding shift state being assumed, the shift pads 6, 7 can generate a corresponding state signal and send it to the control device 9. The control device 9 is correspondingly able to set or select the assigned driving state or driving mode on the basis of the respective state signal. Alternatively or additionally, a position sensor 10 is shown, which is designed to detect the position of the guide element 3 or to detect a movement of the guide element 3 and thus to assign a position or a movement to the respective shift state of the shift pads 6, 7. The position or movement can likewise be transmitted to the control device 9, so that the control device 9 can select or set a corresponding driving state or driving mode.

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary force curve 13 in the case of actuation of the shifting device 1, i.e. one of the shift pads 6, 7. In this case, an actuating or restoring force is represented by way of example on the first shaft 11, and a path traveled by the guide element 3 or a path compressed by the shift pads 6, 7 is represented on the shaft 12.

The force curve 13 therefore first rises as the guide element 3 moves for the respective shift pad 6, 7 until the first shift state of the required force level 14 is reached. In other words, a defined restoring force corresponding to the force level 14 must be applied to the guide element 3 by means of the shifting element 2 in order to shift the shift pads 6, 7 into the first shifting state. Subsequently, the force curve 13 has a valley 15 or recess, wherein the restoring force transmitted by the shift pads 6, 7 to the guide element 3 first drops. This drop in the reset force is similar to enabling the user to feel the lock-up to the first shift state. Subsequently, the force curve 13 rises again up to a force level 16 corresponding to the second shift state. After the second shifting state, a valley 15 or recess is again occupied, which indicates to the user that the second shifting state is reached. If the guide element 3 is moved further, the corresponding shift pad 6, 7 is set to "block" so that the force then rises sharply without any significant change in path.

As described above, the reset force of the shift pads 6, 7 acting on the guide element 3 in opposition causes the shifting device 1 to reset back to the initial state or position shown in fig. 1 without the user having to actuate the shifting element 2. It is of course also possible to provide each of the shift pads 6, 7 with a further shift state. The assignment of the respective driving state or driving mode to the respective shifting state of the shift pads 6, 7 can be selected at will. The force curves 13 shown in fig. 4 are of course merely exemplary and can be selected by suitable selection of the shift cushions 6, 7 or correspondingly adapted to the operating purpose.

List of reference numerals

1 Gear Shifting device

2 Shift element

3 guide element

4 movement track

5 casing

6, 7 shift pad

8 arrow head

9 control device

10 position sensor

11, 12 shafts

13 force curve

14 force level

15 low valley

16 force level

Claims

1. A gear shift device (1) for setting or selecting a driving state, in particular a gear and/or a driving mode, of a motor vehicle, the gear shift device (1) having: a shifting element (2) provided for operation on the user side; and a guide element (3) which is coupled to the shift element (2) and can be moved relative to a housing (5) along a movement path (4), characterized in that a shift pad (6, 7) is arranged at least one end of the movement path (4), which shift pad has at least two shift states assigned to different driving states and/or driving modes, into which shift states the guide element (3) can be moved by moving the shift pad (6, 7).

2. Gear shift device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gear shift device (1) has two shift pads (6, 7) arranged at opposite ends of the movement track (4).

3. A gear shift device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gear shift device (1) has an initial position in which the guide element (3) is spaced apart from the shift pads (6, 7) or contacts the shift pads (6, 7) in a first gear shift state; or in the initial position the guide element (3) is arranged between the two shift pads (6, 7) and is spaced apart from the shift pads (6, 7) or contacts the two shift pads (6, 7) in the first shift state.

4. Gear shift device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shift pads (6, 7) are designed for acting on the guide element (3) a reset force that moves the guide element (3) back to an initial position when the guide element (3) is moved against the shift pads (6, 7).

5. Gear shift device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one shift pad (6, 7) can be transferred from an initial state to the first shift state by moving the guide element (3) with the application of a first reset force; and the at least one shift pad can be switched from the first shift state to a second shift state when the guide element (3) is moved further with the application of a second restoring force.

6. Gear shift device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the occupation of the first and second shift states can be felt by a defined curve of the reset force, in particular for a user.

7. Gear shift device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force curve (13) of the reset force has a valley (15) or depression after reaching the first and second shift states.

8. The gear shift device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shift pads (6, 7) are designed for generating a status signal depending on a current shift state, in particular a first status signal in the presence of the first shift state and a second status signal in the presence of the second shift state.

9. Gear shift device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gear shift device (1) has a position sensor (10) which is designed for detecting the position and/or movement of the guide element (3).

10. A motor vehicle comprising a gear shift device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.