Selection Device for Shifting a Vehicle Transmission

• US 20090000413A1
• Filed: 12/15/2006
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lemforder Electronic GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: Lemforder Electronic GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Stradal, Torsten, Schwarz, Knut, Furhoff, Achim, Dombrowski, Gregori
• Granted Patent: US 8,170,757 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/473.300
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/126 Rotatable input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/158 Haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/25 using haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/081 using knops or discs for rotary range selection
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/122 Avoiding failures by using redundant parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/1284 the failing part is a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/1288 the failing part is an actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/241 Actuators providing feel or simulating a shift gate, i.e. with active force generation for providing counter forces for feed back
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/08 Range selector apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/105 consisting of electrical switches or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/12 Detecting malfunction or potential malfunction, e.g. fail safe in control of hydrostatic gearing F16H61/4192; Circumventing or fixing failures
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/24 Providing feel, e.g. to enable selection
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/10 Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles G05G1/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/03 Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5938 With switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2003 Electrical actuator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2014 Manually operated selector [e.g., remotely controlled device, lever, push button, rotary dial, etc.]

Abstract

A selection device for shifting a vehicle transmission, with a operating element (4), which can be rotated into different shift positions (6, 7, 8, 9) about an axis of rotation (5) and with a shaft (21), which is connected to the operating element (4) and is rotatable about the axis of rotation. An angle of rotation sensing device (32) is connected to the shaft, by which a rotation of the operating element (4) about the axis of rotation (5) can be sensed. An actuator (22) is provided by which a torque can be applied to the shaft (21) or a torque can be applied to oppose a rotation of the shaft (21). A control is connected to the angle of rotation sensing device (32) and to the actuator (22) for controlling the torque. The vehicle transmission (10) can be shifted into shift states (P, R, N, D) assigned to the shift positions (6, 7, 8, 9), wherein the shaft (21) extends along the axis of rotation (5) between the angle of rotation sensing means (32) and the operating element (4), which is designed as a rotary knob or button and is arranged at a first end (28) of shaft (21).

Claims

1. A selection device for shifting a vehicle transmission, the selection device comprising:

an operating element designed as a rotary knob or button, which can be rotated into different shift positions about an axis of rotation;

a shaft, which is connected to said operating element and is rotatable about an axis of rotation;

an angle of rotation sensing means, which is operatively connected to said shaft and by means of which a rotation of said operating element can be sensed;

an actuator, by means of which a torque can be applied to said shaft or a rotation of said shaft can be opposed with said torque; and

a control means, which is connected to said angle of rotation sensing means and to said actuator and by means of which the torque that can be applied or applied for opposition by said actuator can be controlled, and said vehicle transmission (10) can be shifted into shift states assigned to shift positions, said shaft extending along said axis of rotation between said angle of rotation sensing means and said operating element, which is arranged at a first end of said shaft.

2. A selection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuator and said angle of rotation sensing means are seated on said shaft.

3. A selection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said angle of rotation sensing means is arranged at a second end of said shaft.

4. A selection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein an absolute angle of rotation of said operating element about said axis of rotation can be sensed by said angle of rotation sensing means.

5. A selection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said angle of rotation sensing means comprises at least one magnetic field-sensitive sensor and at least one magnet rotatable in relation to said magnetic field-sensitive sensor.

6. A selection device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said magnet is fastened at a second end of said shaft, the magnetization of said magnet is directed at right angles to said axis of rotation, and said magnetic field-sensitive sensor is arranged offset in relation to said magnet along said axis of rotation.

7. A selection device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said magnetic field-sensitive sensor has at least two said Hall effect elements, which are partially covered by a ferromagnetic disk.

8. A selection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuator can be controlled by said control means such that the torque that can be applied by means of said actuator to said shaft or used to oppose a rotation of said shaft can be varied as a function of the sensed rotation of said operating element.

9. A selection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuator can be controlled by said control means such that no torque is applied to said shaft or applied to oppose a rotation of said shaft in said shift positions, whereas a torque is applied to said shaft or is applied to oppose a rotation of said shaft outside said shift positions.

10. A selection device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said control means has a memory, in which a torque-vs.-angle of rotation characteristic is stored, according to which the torque that can be applied by said actuator on said shaft or can be applied to oppose a rotation of said shaft can be determined as a function of the sensed rotation, the shape of the characteristic having hysteresis.

11. A selection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

a pulse width-modulated signal and a periodic signal can be generated by said control means;

the pulse width-modulated signal can be modulated with the periodic signal; and

the pulse width-modulated signal modulated with the periodic signal can be sent to said actuator.

12. A selection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein in addition to said actuator:

a plurality of first elements are connected to said shaft and arranged around a axis of rotation;

a plurality of second elements, relative to which said first elements are rotatable about said axis of rotation, are provided around said axis of rotation;

said first and said second elements have a magnetic material, permanent magnets and/or electromagnets; and

said first elements can magnetically interact with said second elements while forming a magnetic locking.

13. A selection device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising display elements, which can be actuated by said control means and are arranged in an arc extending about said axis of rotation, assigned to said shift positions.

14. A selection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said angle of rotation sensing means has a redundant design.

15-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A process of shifting a vehicle transmission comprising the steps of:

providing a selection device with an operating element designed as a rotary knob or button, with a shaft connected to said operating element and rotatable about an axis of rotation, with an angle of rotation sensing means operatively connected to said shaft, with an actuator for applying a torque to said shaft or opposing a rotation of said shaft with the torque, the shaft extending along the axis of rotation between the angle of rotation sensing means and the operating element arranged at a first end of the shaft, and with a control means, which is connected to said angle of rotation sensing means and to said actuator and by means of which the torque that can be applied or applied for opposition by said actuator can be controlled;

rotating the selection device into different shift positions about an axis of rotation;

sensing a rotation of said operating element with angle of rotation sensing means; and

shifting the vehicle transmission into shift states assigned to the shift positions.

21. A process of shifting a vehicle transmission in accordance with claim 20, wherein said control means actuates said actuator such that a locking is recreated during the rotation of said operating element.

22. A process of shifting a vehicle transmission in accordance with claim 20, wherein said control means actuates said actuator such that a push-button is recreated during the rotation of said operating element.

23. A process of shifting a vehicle transmission in accordance with claim 20, wherein said control means locks a parking brake of said vehicle in a certain shift position.

24. A process of shifting a vehicle transmission in accordance with claim 20, wherein said control means actuates said actuator such that when the selection device is turned on, said operating element is rotated into a predetermined shift position, into a shift position read from a memory or into a shift position polled by said vehicle transmission.