Patent Publication Number: US-2020278023-A1

Title: Shift device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a shift device at which a shift body is moved, and a shift position is changed. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the shift device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application National Publication (JP-A) No. 2016-539836, a locking element engages with the locking contour of an operating element, and rotation of the operating element is locked. Further, an anchor pin is engaged with an anchoring contour of the operating element by spring force. 
     Here, in such a shift device, it is desirable to be able to lock rotation of the operating element by a simple structure. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In view of the above-described circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a shift device that can restrict movement of a shift body by a simple structure. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A shift device of a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a shift body that is supported at a vehicle body side, and that is moved to change a shift position thereof; an urged portion that is provided at one of the vehicle body side or the shift body, and that is urged; an engaging portion that is provided at another of the vehicle body side or the shift body, that engaged with the urged portion by urging force such that the shift body is urged toward a shift position side, and that disengages with the urged portion against the urging force such that the shift body is moved from a shift position; and a restricting portion that restricts disengagement of the urged portion with the engaging portion, such that movement of the shift body from a shift position is restricted. 
     A shift device of a second aspect of the present invention comprises, in the shift device of the first aspect of the present invention, a limiting portion that limits engagement of the urged portion with the engaging portion by the urging force. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     In the shift device of the first aspect of the present invention, the shift body is supported at the vehicle body side. The shift body is moved, and the shift position thereof is changed. The urged portion is provided at one of the vehicle body side or the shift body, and the engaging portion is provided at the another of the vehicle body side or the shift body. The urged portion is engaged with the engaging portion by urging force, and the shift body is urged toward a shift position side. The engagement of the urged portion with the engaging portion is cancelled against the urging force, and the shift body is moved from a shift position. 
     Here, the restricting portion restricts the canceling of the engagement of the urged portion with the engaging portion, and movement of the shift body from a shift position is restricted. Therefore, by using the urged portion and the engaging portion, movement of the shift body from a shift position can be restricted, and movement of the shift body can be restricted by a simple structure. 
     In the shift device of the second aspect of the present invention, the limiting portion limits the engaging of the urged portion with the engaging portion that is due to urging force. Therefore, the shift body can be moved from a shift position in a state in which urging force is not applied thereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing main portions of a shift device relating to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view showing main portions of the shift device relating to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a drawing showing a time when a rotor cam is disposed at a reference position. 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view showing main portions of the shift device relating to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a drawing showing a time when the rotor cam is rotated in one direction from the reference position. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view showing main portions of a shift device relating to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     Main portions of a shift device  10  relating to a first embodiment of the present invention are shown in  FIG. 1  in an exploded perspective view. Main portions of the shift device  10  are shown in  FIG. 2A  in a perspective view. Note that, in the drawings, the upward direction of the shift device  10  is indicated by arrow UP. 
     The shift device  10  relating to the present embodiment is set at a console (not illustrated) of a vehicle (an automobile), and is disposed at the vehicle front side and the vehicle transverse direction inner side of the driver&#39;s seat (not illustrated) of the vehicle. The upper side of the shift device  10  coincides with the upper side of the vehicle. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2A , a plate  12  that serves as a vehicle body side is provided at the shift device  10 . The plate  12  is fixed to the interior of the console. 
     A knob  14 , which is substantially shaped as a cylindrical tube having a bottom and serves as a shift body (an operating body), is supported at the upper side of the plate  12 . The interior of the knob  14  opens toward the lower side, and the knob  14  can rotate (move) around the vertical direction. The knob  14  can rotate a predetermined range in one direction (the direction of arrow A in  FIG. 1  and the like) and in another direction (the direction of arrow B in  FIG. 1  and the like). The knob  14  can be disposed at, for example, a “P” position (parking position), an “R” position (reverse position), an “N” position (neutral position) and a “D” position (drive position) that serve as shift positions, in that order from the another direction side toward the one direction side. 
     The knob  14  is passed-through the console so as to be able to rotate, and projects-out into the vehicle cabin, and the knob  14  is rotatingly operated by a vehicle occupant. A rotating mechanism (not illustrated) serving as a moving mechanism is mechanically connected to the knob  14 . Due to the rotating mechanism being driven, the knob  14  can rotate in at least one of the one direction and the another direction. 
     A click surface  16  that structures a click mechanism is formed at the inner peripheral side of the lower end portion of the knob  14 . The click surface  16  faces toward the lower side, and extends in the peripheral direction (the rotation peripheral direction) of the knob  14 . Plural concave portions  16 A serving as an engaging portion are provided at the click surface  16 . The plural concave portions  16 A are disposed continuously in the peripheral direction of the knob  14 , and the portions between the concave portions  16 A are curved in the peripheral direction of the knob  14 . 
     A click body  18 , which is substantially annular and serves as an urged body and structures the click mechanism, is provided at the lower side of the knob  14 . The click body  18  is disposed coaxially at the interior of the knob  14 , and is supported at the upper side of the plate  12  so as to be movable in the vertical direction and so as to be unable to rotate. A pair of click pins  20 , which are substantially shaped as solid cylinders and serve as an urged portion, are provided integrally with the click body  18 . The pair of click pins  20  face one another across the central axis of the click body  18 . The click pins  20  project-out toward the upper side, and the upper surfaces of the click pins  20  are curved in shapes that are convex toward the upper side. Supporting holes  20 A that are solid cylindrical are formed coaxially within the click pins  20 , and the supporting holes  20 A open toward the lower side. 
     Springs  22  (compression coil springs), which serve as an urging portion and structure the click mechanism, are provided at the lower sides of the respective click pins  20  of the click body  18 . The springs  22  are fit-together with the interiors of the supporting holes  20 A of the click pins  20 . The springs  22  span between the plate  12  and the bottom surfaces (the upper surfaces) of the supporting holes  20 A of the click pins  20 , and the springs  22  urge the click body  18  toward the upper side. At times when the knob  14  is disposed at the respective shift positions, due to the urging forces of the springs  22 , the click pins  20  are inserted in (engaged with) the concave portions  16 A of the click surface  16  of the knob  14 , and the knob  14  is held at the respective shift positions. At times when the knob  14  is rotatingly operated between the shift positions, the click pins  20  separate from the concave portions  16 A (the engagement with the concave portions  16 A is cancelled) while the click body  18  is moved toward the lower side against the urging forces of the springs  22 . Thereafter, while the click body  18  is moved toward the upper side by the urging forces of the springs  22 , the click pins  20  are inserted in the concave portions  16 A, and a clicking sensation is imparted to the rotational operation of the knob  14 . 
     Inclined surfaces  18 A serving as a moving portion are formed at radial direction outer side portions of the click body  18 , at the respective peripheral direction positions between the click pins  20 . The inclined surfaces  18 A are inclined in directions of heading toward the lower side while heading toward the one direction side. Permitting surfaces  18 B serving as a permitting portion are formed at radial direction outer side portions of the click body  18 , at further toward the one direction sides than the respective inclined surfaces  18 A. The permitting surfaces  18 B extend from the lower ends of the inclined surfaces  18 A toward the one direction sides, at the lower ends of the inclined surfaces  18 A or at vertical direction positions that are further toward the lower side than the inclined surfaces  18 A. Restricting plates  18 C, which are substantially rectangular plate shaped and serve as a restricting portion, are formed integrally with the click body  18  at positions that are apart from the respective inclined surfaces  18 A toward the one direction sides. The restricting plates  18 C extend in the peripheral direction of the click body  18  at vertical direction positions of the upper end portions of the inclined surfaces  18 A, and face the permitting surfaces  18 B in the vertical direction. Limiting surfaces  18 D serving as a limiting portion are formed at the click body  18  at the another direction sides of the respective inclined surfaces  18 A. The limiting surfaces  18 D extend from the upper ends of the inclined surfaces  18 A toward the another direction sides, at the vertical direction positions of the upper ends of the inclined surfaces  18 A. 
     A rotor cam  24 , which is substantially annular and serves as an operating member (rotating member) and structures the restricting portion and the limiting portion, is provided at the lower side of the knob  14 . The rotor cam  24  is rotatably supported at the upper side of the plate  12 , and is disposed coaxially with the knob  14  at the radial direction outer side of the click body  18 . A pair of operating projections  24 A, which are shaped as L-shaped plates in cross-section and serve as an operating portion, are provided integrally with the rotor cam  24 . The pair of operating projections  24 A face one another across the central axis of the rotor cam  24 . The proximal end side portions of the operating projections  24 A project-out toward the upper side. The distal end side portions of the operating projections  24 A project-out toward the radial direction inner side of the rotor cam  24 . The rotated position of the rotor cam  24  is located at the reference position (start position), and the distal end side portions of the operating projections  24 A are disposed at the upper sides of the another direction side (the inclined surface  18 A side) end portions of the permitting surfaces  18 B of the click body  18  (see  FIG. 2A ). 
     A driving mechanism  26 , which structures the restricting portion and the limiting portion, is mechanically connected to the rotor cam  24 . The driving mechanism  26  is driven, and the rotor cam  24  can rotate in the one direction and the another direction. 
     Operation of the present embodiment is described next. 
     In the shift device  10  of the above-described structure, at times when the knob  14  is disposed at the respective shift positions, due to the urging forces of the springs  22 , the click pins  20  of the click body  18  are inserted in the concave portions  16 A of the click surface  16  of the knob  14 , and the knob  14  is held at the respective shift positions. At times when the knob  14  is rotated between the shift positions, the click pins  20  separate from the concave portions  16 A while the click body  18  is moved toward the lower side against the urging forces of the springs  22 . Thereafter, while the click body  18  is moved toward the upper side by the urging forces of the springs  22 , the click pins  20  are inserted into the concave portions  16 A, and a clicking sensation is imparted to the rotational operation of the knob  14 . 
     On a first occasion that is at a time when the knob  14  is disposed at a predetermined shift positions (e.g., the “P” position) (e.g., in a case in which the brake of the vehicle is not operated by the vehicle occupant), due to the driving mechanism  26  being driven and the rotor cam  24  being rotated in the one direction from the reference position, the distal end side portions of the operating projections  24 A of the rotor cam  24  are moved to the lower sides of the restricting plates  18 C of the click body  18 , and the distal end side portions of the operating projections  24 A restrict movement of the restricting plates  18 C toward the lower side (see  FIG. 2B ). Therefore, due to movement of the click body  18  toward the lower side being restricted and separation of the click pins  20  from the concave portions  16 A being restricted, the click pins  20  restrict rotation of the concave portions  16 A, and rotation of the knob  14  from the predetermined shift position is restricted (locked). 
     On the other hand, in a case in which the state of the first occasion, which is at a time when the knob  14  is disposed at a predetermined shift position (e.g., the “P” position) is cancelled (e.g., in a case in which the brake of the vehicle is operated by the vehicle occupant), due to the driving mechanism  26  being driven and the rotor cam  24  being rotated in the another direction, the rotor cam  24  is disposed at (returned to) the reference position, and the distal end side portions of the operating projections  24 A permit movement of the restricting plates  18 C toward the lower side (see  FIG. 2A ). Therefore, movement of the click body  18  toward the lower side is permitted, and separation of the click pins  20  from the concave portions  16 A is permitted. Due thereto, the click pins  20  permit rotation of the concave portions  16 A, and restricting of rotation of the knob  14  from the predetermined shift position is canceled (unlocked). 
     On a second occasion (e.g., a case in which the engine of the vehicle is turned OFF in a state in which the knob  14  is disposed at other than a specific shift position (e.g., the “P” position)), before the rotating mechanism is driven and the knob  14  is rotated toward the specific shift position, the driving mechanism  26  is driven, and the rotor cam  24  is rotated in the another direction from the reference position. Due thereto, the distal end side portions of the operating projections  24 A of the rotor cam  24  are moved to the upper sides of the limiting surfaces  18 D via the inclined surfaces  18 A of the click body  18 , and the distal end side portions of the operating projections  24 A move the click body  18  toward the lower side against the urging forces of the springs  22 . Therefore, insertion of the click pins  20  into the concave portions  16 A is limited, and application of the urging forces of the springs  22  to the knob  14  is limited. Due thereto, at the time when the rotating mechanism is driven, and the knob  14  is rotated toward the specific shift position, the knob  14  is rotated in a state in which the urging forces of the springs  22  are not applied to the knob  14 . 
     On the other hand, at the time when the rotating mechanism is driven, and the knob  14  is rotated to the specific shift position, due to the driving mechanism  26  being driven and the rotor cam  24  being rotated in the one direction, the rotor cam  24  is disposed at (returned to) the reference position, and the click body  18  is moved toward the upper side by the urging forces of the springs  22 . Therefore, the click pins  20  are inserted into the concave portions  16 A by the urging forces of the springs  22 , and the knob  14  is held at the specific shift position. 
     Here, as described above, the rotor cam  24  (the operating projections  24 A) restrict the separating of the click pins  20  from the concave portions  16 A, and rotation of the knob  14  from the predetermined shift position is restricted. Therefore, by using the click body  18  (the click pins  20 ) and the click surface  16  (the concave portions  16 A), rotation of the knob  14  from the predetermined position can be restricted, and rotation of the knob  14  can be restricted by a simple structure, and the number of parts can be reduced. 
     Further, as described above, at the time when the rotating mechanism is driven, and the knob  14  is rotated toward the specific shift position, the rotor cam  24  (the operating projections  24 A) limit insertion of the click pins  20  into the concave portions  16 A by the urging forces of the springs  22 . Therefore, the rotating mechanism can rotate the knob  14  in a state in which the urging forces of the springs  22  are not applied to the knob  14 , and the rotating mechanism can easily rotate the knob  14 . 
     Moreover, as described above, due to the rotor cam  24  being rotated in the peripheral direction of the knob  14 , rotation of the knob  14  is restricted, and application of the urging forces of the springs  22  to the knob  14  is limited. Therefore, differently than in a case in which the rotor cam  24  is moved in the radial direction of the knob  14 , the need to provide moving space for the rotor cam  24  at the radial direction outer side or radial direction inner side of the knob  14  can be eliminated. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Main portions of a shift device  30  relating to a second embodiment of the present invention are shown in  FIG. 3  in a cross-sectional view. 
     The shift device  30  relating to the present embodiment has a structure that is substantially similar to that of the above-described first embodiment, but differs with respect to the following points. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in the shift device  30  relating to the present embodiment, a spring base  32 , which is substantially annular and serves as a base portion, is provided coaxially at the click body  18 . The spring base  32  is supported at the upper side of the plate  12  so as to be able to move in the vertical direction and so as to be unable to rotate. 
     The pair of click pins  20  are supported at the upper side of the spring base  32  so as to be able to move in the vertical direction. The springs  22  are fit-together with the interiors of the supporting holes  20 A of the click pins  20 . The springs  22  span between the upper surface of the spring base  32  and the bottom surfaces (the upper surfaces) of the supporting holes  20 A of the click pins  20 , and the springs  22  urge the click pins  20  toward the upper side. At times when the knob  14  is rotatingly operated between shift positions, while the click pins  20  are moved toward the lower side against the urging forces of the springs  22 , the click pins  20  separate from the concave portions  16 A of the click surface  16  of the knob  14  (the engagement with the concave portions  16 A is cancelled). Thereafter, while the click pins  20  are moved toward the upper side by the urging forces of the springs  22 , the click pins  20  are inserted into the concave portions  16 A, and a clicking sensation is imparted to the rotational operation of the knob  14 . 
     The pair of permitting surfaces  18 B are formed at the lower surface of the spring base  32 . The pair of permitting surfaces  18 B face one another across the central axis of the spring base  32 , and respectively extend in the peripheral direction of the spring base  32 . Restricting surfaces  18 E serving as a restricting portion are formed at the lower surface of the spring base  32 , at the one direction sides of the respective permitting surfaces  18 B. The restricting surfaces  18 E extend in the peripheral direction of the spring base  32 . The border portions between the permitting surfaces  18 B and the restricting surfaces  18 E are inclined in directions of heading toward the lower side while heading toward the one direction side, and the restricting surfaces  18 E are disposed further toward the lower side than the permitting surfaces  18 B. The limiting surfaces  18 D are formed at the lower surface of the spring base  32 , at the another direction sides of the respective permitting surfaces  18 B. The limiting surfaces  18 D extend in the peripheral direction of the spring base  32 . The border portions between the permitting surfaces  18 B and the limiting surfaces  18 D are inclined in directions of heading toward the upper side while heading toward the another direction side, and the limiting surfaces  18 D are disposed further toward the upper side than the permitting surfaces  18 B. 
     The rotor cam  24  is disposed at the lower side of the spring base  32 . The pair of operating projections  24 A, which are substantially shaped as semicircular pillars, are provided integrally with the upper surface of the rotor cam  24 . The operating projections  24 A project-out toward the upper side. The upper surfaces of the operating projections  24 A are curved in convex shapes in the peripheral direction (the rotation peripheral direction) of the rotor cam  24 . The rotated position of the rotor cam  24  is disposed at the reference position (the start position), and the operating projections  24 A are disposed at the lower sides of the permitting surfaces  18 B of the spring base  32  and support the spring base  32  from the lower side at the permitting surfaces  18 B. 
     Insertion holes  24 B are formed in the rotor cam  24  at positions that are apart, toward the one directions sides, from the respective operating projections  24 A. The insertion holes  24 B open toward the upper side. The insertion holes  24 B extend in the peripheral direction of the rotor cam  24 . The end surfaces at the another direction sides (the operating projection  24 A sides) of the insertion holes  24 B are inclined in directions heading toward the lower side while heading toward the one direction side. 
     By the way, on a first occasion that is at a time when the knob  14  is disposed at a predetermined shift position (e.g., the “P” position) (e.g., in a case in which the brake of the vehicle is not operated by the vehicle occupant), due to the driving mechanism  26  being driven and the rotor cam  24  being rotated in the one direction from the reference position, the operating projections  24 A of the rotor cam  24  are moved from the lower sides of the permitting surfaces  18 B of the spring base  32  to the lower sides of the restricting surfaces  18 E, and move the spring base  32  toward the upper side. Therefore, movement of the click pins  20  toward the lower side is restricted by the spring base  32 , and separating of the click pins  20  from the concave portions  16 A is restricted. Due thereto, the click pins  20  restrict rotation of the concave portions  16 A, and rotation of the knob  14  from the predetermined shift position is restricted (locked). 
     On the other hand, in a case in which the state of the first occasion, which is at the time when the knob  14  is disposed at a predetermined shift position (e.g., the “P” position) is cancelled (e.g., in a case in which the brake of the vehicle is operated by the vehicle occupant), due to the driving mechanism  26  being driven and the rotor cam  24  being rotated in the another direction, the rotor cam  24  is disposed at (returned to) the reference position, and the spring base  32  is moved toward the lower side. Therefore, movement of the click pins  20  toward the lower side is permitted, and separation of the click pins  20  from the concave portions  16 A is permitted. Due thereto, the click pins  20  permit rotation of the concave portions  16 A, and restricting of rotation of the knob  14  from the predetermined shift position is canceled (unlocked). 
     Further, on a second occasion (e.g., a case in which the engine of the vehicle is turned OFF in a state in which the knob  14  is disposed at other than a specific shift position (e.g., the “P” position)), before the rotating mechanism is driven and the knob  14  is rotated toward the specific shift position, the driving mechanism  26  is driven, and the rotor cam  24  is rotated in the another direction from the reference position. Due thereto, the operating projections  24 A of the rotor cam  24  are moved from the lower sides of the permitting surfaces  18 B of the spring base  32  to the lower sides of the limiting surfaces  18 D, and the spring base  32  is moved toward the lower side while the restricting surface  18 E portions of the spring base  32  are inserted into the insertion holes  24 B of the rotor cam  24 . Therefore, due to the click pins  20  and the springs  22  being moved toward the lower side together with the spring base  32 , insertion of the click pins  20  into the concave portions  16 A is limited, and application of the urging forces of the springs  22  to the knob  14  is limited. Due thereto, at the time when the rotating mechanism is driven, and the knob  14  is rotated toward the specific shift position, the knob  14  is rotated in a state in which the urging forces of the springs  22  are not applied to the knob  14 . 
     On the other hand, at the time when the rotating mechanism is driven, and the knob  14  is rotated to the specific shift position, due to the driving mechanism  26  being driven and the rotor cam  24  being rotated in the one direction, the rotor cam  24  is disposed at (returned to) the reference position, and the spring base  32  is moved toward the upper side while the restricting surface  18 E portions of the spring base  32  separate from the insertion holes  24 B of the rotor cam  24 . Therefore, due to the click pins  20  and the springs  22  being moved toward the upper side together with the spring base  32 , the click pins  20  are inserted into the concave portions  16 A by the urging forces of the springs  22 , and the knob  14  is held at the specific shift position. 
     Here, in the present embodiment as well, operation and effects that are similar to the above-described first embodiment can be obtained. 
     Note that, in the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, the click pins  20  are inserted into the concave portions  16 A in the axial direction (the rotation axial direction) of the knob  14 . However, for example, the click pins  20  may be inserted into the concave portions  16 A in the radial direction (the rotation radial direction) of the knob  14 . 
     Moreover, in the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, the click surface  16  (the concave portions  16 A) is provided at the knob  14 , and the click body  18  (the click pins  20 ) is provided at the plate  12  (the vehicle body side). However, the click body  18  (the click pins  20 ) may be provided at the knob  14 , and the click surface  16  (the concave portions  16 A) may be provided at the plate  12  (the vehicle body side). 
     Further, in the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, the rotor cam  24  (the operating member) is rotated in the peripheral direction of the knob  14 . However, for example, the operating member may be moved in the radial direction (the rotation radial direction) or the axial direction (the rotation axial direction) of the knob  14 . 
     Moreover, in the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, the knob  14  (the shift body) is rotatingly operated. However, the shift body may be pivotally operated or slidingly operated. In this case, for example, by extending the knob  14  out in the radial direction and providing the operating portion so as to be able to rotate integrally therewith, the operating portion may be pivotally operated and the knob  14  rotated. 
     Further, in the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, the shift devices  10 ,  30  are set at the console. However, the shift devices  10 ,  30  may be set at the instrument panel or the column cover. 
     The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-175412 is, in its entirety, incorporated by reference into the present specification.