CONTROL DEVICE

Abstract: Operating device, comprising a selector lever (1) and an operating console (2), and being provided with a device by means of which the lever is movably arranged in relation to the operating console, for displacement between a number of operating positions. These operating positions are intended for transformation into corresponding operating conditions of a device to be operated. The operating positions comprise a first operating mode, in which the lever is adjustable by moving the lever between a number of operating positions, and a second operating mode, into which the lever can be set by moving the lever from one of the positions in the first operating mode. The selector lever (1) is operated in a movement pattern defined by primary, frequently used movement paths and secondary, less frequently used operating paths. The frequently used movement paths comprise primary, frequently used operating positions (M, M+, M-, D/N). Some of these are directly connected to each other by certain other movement paths.

Description: CONTROL DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an operating device in accordance with the pream- ble of the accompanying claim 1. STATE OF THE ART By operating devices of a common type, such as gear selection controls for automotive vehicles, a gear selector lever included in the arrangement can be set into a multitude of different positions, each determining a certain operating state of the device, for example a vehicle transmission, to be operated. Hereby, the operating position of the lever is transferred to the device to be operated by a transmission member, e.g. in the form of a wire, a linkage, hydraulics or electrical signals. In this context it is important that the operating movements are ergonomically selected and arranged so as to avoid unintentional selection of certain positions. This is commonly solved by including certain blocking mechanisms in the operating device. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide an operating device that is ergo- nomically adapted to the operator. Said object is achieved by an operating device according to the invention, the characteristics of which are disclosed in the accompanying claim 1. By providing the selector lever of the operating device with a movement pattern comprising a muiti- tude of operating paths, which are not just in line with each other, and extend directly between certain positions, operating movements between frequently used, primary operating positions are facilitated, whilst unintentional operating movements into less frequently used, secondary operating positions are avoided. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will be described in greater detail below by way of two embodiment examples, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an operating device according to the invention, in a first embodiment; Fig. 2 shows a schematic movement pattern for the operating device of this em- bodiment; and Fig. 3 shows, by way of a second embodiment, an example of an alternative movement pattern, for which an operating device of generally the same type as that shown in Fig. 1 can be used. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The operating device according to the invention consists, in the illustrated embodiment, of a gearshift controller for automotive vehicle automated transmissions, also comprising an integrated function for manual selection of gear ratios. The operating device is thus adjustable between different operating modes or conditions, as will be described in further detail below. As can be seen in Fig. 1 , the operating device consists of a selector lever 1 and an operating console 2, in which the selector lever is articulated for positioning into dif- ferent operating positions, which are to be transformed into different operating conditions of the device to be operated, in the illustrated example different gear ratios of the automated transmission. The operating device can be switched between a number of operating modes, whereby, at least in some operating modes, the lever is dispiaceable between different operating positions. The different operating modes and operating positions shall, by means of not shown sensor means and/or transmission means, transmit the positions, and possibly also directions of movement, of the lever, for operation of the device to be operated, in this case an automated transmission, for adjustment thereof between different operating conditions and gear ratio positions. Examples of transmission members are mechanical wires, link arms, push rods, hydraulic, electric or optical transmission by wire or radio. Examples of electrical sensors for determining the operating modes and positions of the lever are displayed and described in the Patent Publication WO 97/01455. Another type of electrical sensor is displayed and described in the Swedish Patent Application No. 9702977-1. The mechanical configuration of the operating device can be made according to several different technical solutions. For an entirely electrical or optical sensing and transmission of positions, e.g. a joystick type lever with a ball or cardan type joint can be used. Further examples of solutions are displayed and described in the Swedish Patent Applications No. 9702507-6, 9702508-4, 9702510-0 and 9704814- 4. As can be gathered from the various technical solutions referred to above, the selector lever is guided in various operating paths and into various positions by means of solutions not shown in the present application. It is as such possible, that various slots 3 in a cover member 4 of the operating console 2 guide the movement pattern. Hereby, the selector lever extends through the slots 3 and is guided by the slot walls, but such guidance alone will not provide an ergonomically satisfactory feeling for the operator. In Fig. 1 , no lever head or lever knob at the top of the lever is shown. Such a knob should best be gripped by the operator for moving the lever between the various operating modes and operating positions. The basic idea of the present invention is to create a movement pattern for the selector lever that is highly ergonomic for the operator, and minimises the risk of unintentional operating movements. This is achieved, according to the invention, through dividing the movement pattern into several movement paths, which are arranged so as to allow changing the lever position by a direct movement between singular primary operating positions, whereas operating positions of a more secondary nature, which are used more seldom, are located outside of the most frequent movement pattern. Furthermore, some movement paths are arranged so as to devi- ate from the locations and directions of the primary movement paths, thereby avoiding unintentional selection movements into certain positions. For example, some movement paths may be given an extension deviating from a straight line, necessitating a movement in two directions in order to reach certain operating positions. This change of direction may occur partly from one movement path to another, partly within one single path. One of the two operating modes is, in the illustrated example, a manual operating mode for an automated transmission, where the driver, by moving the lever into different positions, determines when to shift the automated transmission. This is done, for example, by moving the lever from an initial position M in one direction to a first operating position M+, whereby an upshift of one step is performed, or, alternatively, by moving the lever in the opposite direction to an operating position M-, whereby a downshift of one step is performed. Preferably, the operating device is arranged in such a manner that the lever is biased to return to the initial position M. The second operating mode is an automatic shifting mode, where the automated transmission is upshifted or downshifted automatically between different gear ratios in accordance with certain predetermined conditions, such as the engine rotational speed or the vehicle speed, etc. This second operating mode comprises at least one operating position D. In the first embodiment, according to Figs. 1 and 2, the movement pattern is formed by a multitude of movement paths for the selector lever, the first operating mode being formed by a first movement path 5 having three operating positions, i.e. an initial position M, one upshift operating position M+ and one downshift operating position M-. Preferably, the selector lever is spring biased so as to return to the initial position when the operator releases the lever. The second operating mode consists, in the illustrated first embodiment, of practi- cally only one operating position, i.e. the drive position D. Between the drive position D and the initial position M runs a second movement path 6. The four operating positions M, M+, M- and D, and the movement paths 5 and 6, form a frequently used, primary movement pattern for the selector lever, which is utilised during vehicle travel. Besides the primary, frequently used movement pattern, the invention exhibits a secondary movement pattern for low-frequency use, i.e. in the form of the operating positions of neutral N, parking P and reverse R. Beside the fact that these positions are used more seldom, it is important for safety reasons that the selector lever will not be unintentionally moved into these positions. Between the drive position D and the neutral position N, a third movement path 7 is arranged, which on one hand has an angled shape, on the other is angled relative to the primary movement path 6. The movement path 7 consists of two sections 8, 9, angled in relation to each other. A further movement path 10, between the neutral position N and the parking position P, extends at an angle to the section 9. From the neutral position N to the reverse position R extends a further movement path 11, being angled and exhibiting two sections 12, 13, angled in relation to each other. Through the angled sections, corners 14, 15 are created, causing the rectilinear operating movement of the respec- tive section to change direction at the respective comer, whereby a sideways movement is required in order to move the lever further. This counteracts unintentional operating movements. Fig. 3 shows, by way of a second embodiment, a modified movement pattern. Hereby, the movement path for the first operating mode is the same as for the first embodiment and exhibits a movement path 16, with the operating positions M, M+ and M-. From the first operating mode of this second embodiment, two movement paths 17, 18 extend, i.e. one movement path 17 to the drive position D and one separate movement path 18 to the neutral position N. Between the drive position D and the neutral position N runs a further movement path 19. In this embodiment, the neutral position N has been upgraded so as to be regarded as part of the primary, frequently used movement pattern, within which certain operating positions can be selected directly, without having to pass intermediate operating positions. Through this, a path configuration having three movement paths 17, 18, 19 is achieved, cre- ating three corners N, D and M, which can be reached from each other without having to pass any other operating position. In order to create a more distinct movement towards the initial position M for the drive position D and the neutral position N, the movement paths 17, 18 may advantageously deviate from a straight line and may for example be arched, in the manner shown in the figure. To the neutral position N, a secondary movement pattern is connected in the form of guide paths 20, 21. The movement path 20 is angled both in relation to the other movement paths, and in itself, by exhibiting two sections 22, 23, angled relative to each other to form a corner 24, counteracting any unintentional selection movement into the parking position by creating the necessity of performing a change of direction. The movement path 21 leads to the reverse position R. The movement paths described above are only to be regarded as examples within the scope of the invention. The movement pattern of the first embodiment could for example be modified so as to let the movement paths deviate from a straight line and rather follow the dash-dotted lines shown in Fig. 2. Also in this case, the direction of movement is changed, leading to a certain resistance against an unintentional operating movement.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Operating device, comprising a selector lever (1) and an operating console (2), and being provided with a device by means of which the lever is mova- bly arranged in relation to the operating console, for displacement between a number of operating positions, the operating positions of said selector lever being intended to be transformed into a corresponding operating condition of a device to be operated, said operating positions comprising at least two different operating modes; a first operating mode, in which the lever is adjustable by moving the lever between a number of operating positions, and a second operating mode, into which the lever can be set by moving the lever from at least one of the positions in the first operating mode, characterised in that the selector lever (1) is arranged to be operated in a movement pattern defined by a multitude of movement paths (5- 24), which are divided into partly primary, frequently used movement paths (5, 6/16, 17, 18, 19) comprising primary, frequently used operating positions (M, M+, M-, D/N) of which certain operating positions are directly connected to each other via certain movement paths, and partly secondary, less frequently used movement paths (7, 10, 11,20,21). 2. Operating device according to claim 1, characterised in that three of said operating paths (17, 18, 19) define a triangular configuration having three corners, defining three operating positions (N, D, M) that can be reached without passing intermediate operating positions. 3. Operating device according to claim 1, characterised in that some of the secondary movement paths (7, 10, 11, 20) are angled in relation to adjacent movement paths as well as within themselves, demanding a change of direction to perform the operating movement.

Inventors: SKOGWARD KENNETH, SKOGWARD, KENNETH
Applicants: KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE AB, SKOGWARD KENNETH, SKOGWARD, KENNETH
Application year: 1999
Main classification: F16H59
IPC codes: B60K20, F16H59