Patent Publication Number: US-2015075313-A1

Title: Auto transmission lever mouse device for shift by wire system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/180,299, filed Jul. 11, 2011, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application Number 10-2010-0066958 filed Jul. 12, 2010, the entire contents of which applications are incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a shift by wire system, particularly an AT (Auto Transmission) lever mouse device that can be more conveniently operated and implement complicated functions in various ways. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In general, an AT lever of a shift by wire system is largely divided into a lever type, a dial type, and a column type. 
       FIG. 1A  is an example of a lever type ( 1 ) of AT lever,  FIG. 1B  is an example of a dial type ( 2 ) of AT lever, and  FIG. 1C  is an example of a column type ( 3 ) of AT lever. 
     The various lever types improve operation feeling by operation distance (stroke) that is shorter than mechanical AT levers of the related art, but are very inconvenient in terms of an ergonomic motion operation trace. 
     For example, the entire arm is necessarily moved to operate the lever type  1  and the column type  3 , and it is required bend and turn the wrist to operate the lever type  2 . 
     When shifting the gear by using H-MATIC (Hyundai-Automatic) functions, it is required to strengthen safety of preventing mis-operation of the lever, and accordingly, a + button and − button are applied. 
     It is easy to apply the + button and − button in lever type  1  and safety can be strengthened when shifting the gear by using the H-MATIC functions, but dial type  2  or column type  3  has a structural limit that the + button and − button cannot be applied. 
     Therefore, there is a disadvantage that it is impossible to implement shifting by using the H-MATIC functions in dial type  2  or column type  3 . 
     The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Various aspects of the present invention provide for an AT lever mouse device for a shift by wire system that can considerably reduce a motion operation trace of a human body by making it possible to press a button only with a finger and turn a dial, with the button held with the hand, and can implement multi-tasking by operating a + button and a + button in various ways which are provided to strength safety when shifting the gear by using an H-MATIC functions. 
     Various aspects of the present invention provide for an AT lever mouse device for a shift by wire system, including a mouse shaped to be operable by fingers while being held by a hand, a pair of A-button and B-button disposed at the mouse and generating and transmitting to an ECU operation signals generated when being pressed by fingers, and a shifting operation unit disposed at the mouse and transmitting to the ECU shift range position signals generated when being turned by fingers. 
     The AT lever mouse device for a shift by wire system further includes a display that displays the shifted states of the shift ranges on the mouse. 
     The mouse includes a knob housing having a shape similar to a computer mouse, with an empty internal space and an open bottom, and a base plate shaped in a flat plate and coupled to the open bottom of the knob housing. 
     The knob housing has a side opening formed by cutting off a portion of the frame forming one side of the knob housing such that a portion of the shifting operation unit is exposed to be operated by a finger, and a button seat formed by cutting off a portion of the frame from the top to the front of the knob housing such that the pair of A-button and B-button, which are pressed with fingers, are seated. 
     The pair of A-button and B-button generate different operation signals, which is recognized by the ECU, in accordance with the degree of pressing such that various control logics of the ECU is selectively executed. 
     The pair of A-button and B-button each include a button body, which has a slot fitted on the guider protruding in the internal space of the knob housing of the mouse at one side, a spring elastically supporting the button body, and a switch generating the operation signal by contacting with the button body. 
     The shifting operation unit includes an operation dial for determining selected positions of the shift ranges in the shift ranges implemented at turning angles made about a hinge pipe, a solenoid restricting the rotation of the operation dial, an operation feeling generator transmitting operation feeling from the shift ranges switched by the rotation of the operation dial, and a shift range detector generating position signals about the information on the selected shift ranges by the rotation of the operation dial. 
     A solenoid shaft of the solenoid is fitted in a position hole bored coaxially with a shaft hole for fitting the hinge shaft in the operation dial and the number of position holes is not the same as the number of shift ranges implemented by rotation of the operation dial. 
     The operation feeling generator has a groove coaxially formed with the shaft hole for fitting the hinge pipe in the operation dial, and a bullet elastically supported by a bullet spring and keeping in contact with the surface of the groove. 
     The groove has a trace made by repetitive smooth conical curves when expanding straight from 0° to 360°, and when the distance between the start point and the end point of one smooth conical curve is one pitch, the one pitch is defined as the distance between the adjacent shift ranges. 
     The bullet has a spherical end that is in contact with the groove and is accommodated in a hollow case fixed to the base plate of the mouse and elastically supported by the bullet spring. 
     The shift range detector includes at least one or more magnets disposed at the operation dial and rotating with the operation dial, and a sensor circuit board detecting different magnitude of magnetic force from the magnets by a phase difference due to rotation of the magnets, and transmitting signals according to the magnitude of the detected magnetic force to the ECU. 
     The magnets are two magnets disposed inside the coaxial circle defined by the position holes of the operation dial and arranged at 180° from each other. 
     Other aspects of the present invention provide for an AT lever mouse device for a shift by wire system, including a shifting operation unit that is disposed at a side of a mouse shaped to be held by a hand, and transmits shift range position signals generated when being turned by fingers to an ECU, and a pair of A-button and B-button that is disposed at the front of the mouse, and generates different operation signals such that additional control logics, other than a shift range control logic of the ECU, are selected, in accordance with the time for which the A-button and the B-button are pressed by fingers. 
     The additional control logics of the ECU are a function of starting an engine, a customer-directional safety control function defined by a customer, and an interface function for communication with a DIS (Driver Information System) controlling devices mounted in a vehicle. 
     The function of starting an engine is selected by an operation signal generated when the pair of A-button and B-button are simultaneously pressed, the customer-directional safety control function is selected by an operation signal generated when the A-button or the B-button is individually pressed or an operation signal generated when the pair of A-button and the B-button are simultaneously pressed, and the interface function is selected by an operation signal generated when the pair of A-button and the B-button are simultaneously pressed. 
     The AT lever mouse device of the present invention has a mouse shape, such that it is possible to improve grip feeling in operation and reduce fatigue of the driver by minimizing the motion trace of the human body. 
     Further, the AT lever mouse device of the present invention makes it possible to reduce the cost and conveniently start the engine, as compared with using a specific engine start button, because it is possible to start the engine by using a + button and a − button that are provided to strengthen safety in shifting by using H-MATIC functions, without using a specific engine start button. 
     In addition, the AT lever mouse device of the present invention makes it possible to combine various control logics that can be tuned by the + button and the − button, such that it is possible to implement various convenient control methods, in addition to shift-lock, and considerably improve control safety. 
     Moreover, the AT lever mouse device of the present invention makes it possible to communicate with a DIS (Driver Information System) controlling various devices in a vehicle, using the + button and the − button at the P-range and the N-range where the vehicle safely stops, and provide convenience of executing a menu provided by a device that is in a communication state by using a dial for selecting the shift ranges. 
     The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C are views showing the configuration of an AT lever of a shift by wire system according to the related art. 
         FIG. 2  is a view showing the configuration of an AT lever mouse device for an exemplary shift by wire system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4B ,  FIG. 5A , and  FIG. 5B  are view showing the configurations of the parts in the exemplary AT lever mouse device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A ,  FIG. 6B , and  FIG. 6C  are views illustrating the operation of the exemplary AT lever mouse device according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. 
     In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the AT lever mouse device includes a mouse  10  that is formed in a shape of a computer mouse for a computer to be operated by fingers while being held in a hand, a button unit  20  that is disposed at the front portion of mouse  10  and generates operation signals, a shifting operation unit  30  that is disposed at a side of mouse  10  and generates selected shift range (P, R, N, D, and M) signals, and a display  40  that is disposed on the top of mouse  10  and displays selected shift ranges. 
     Mouse  10  includes a knob housing  11  that can be held with a hand, such as a computer mouse, and has an empty internal space and a bottom that is open, and a base plate  16  that is shaped in a flat plate and coupled to the open bottom of knob housing  11 . 
     Knob housing  11  and base plate  16  are coupled in various ways, such as using a groove and a protrusion that is fitted in the groove, screws, or an adhesive. 
     Knob housing  11  has a side opening  12  that is formed by cutting off a portion of the frame forming one side of knob housing  11 , a guider  13  that protrudes from the inner wall of knob housing  11  toward the internal space, a window  14  that is formed by cutting off a portion of the frame forming the top of knob housing  11 , and a button seat  15  that is formed by cutting off a portion of the frame formed from the top to the front of knob housing  11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , guider  13  is formed in a rectangle with a small thickness and disposed inside the space of button seat  15 . 
     Button unit  20  includes a pair of A-button  21  and a B-button  22  that generate operation signals when softly pressed by a finger and the pair of A-button  21  and B-button  22  are basically provided with the function of the + button and the − button that strengthen safety by preventing mis-operation of a lever in shifting by using H-MATIC functions, such that A-button  21  corresponds to the + button and B-button  22  corresponds to the − button. 
     The pair of A-button  21  and B-button according to various embodiments of the present invention are provided with a function of generating operation signals to implement multi-tasking in various ways, such as starting of engine, safe control, and more improved convenience for the drive, in addition to the function of generating operation signals for shift-lock with the function of strengthening safety in shifting by using H-MATIC functions. 
     As an example of the multi-tasking, a function is to change position signals of the shift ranges by making an interval for pressing A-button  21  or B-button  22  different at a specific shift range or starts the engine by simultaneously pressing A-button  21  and B-button  22 . 
       FIG. 4A  is an exploded view of A-button  21  and B-button  22  that are assembled with button seat  15  of knob housing  11 , and as shown in the figure, A-button  21  and B-button  22  are implemented by the same components. 
     A-button  21  includes a button body  21   a  with a slot  21   aa  at one side, a spring  21   b  elastically supporting button body  21   a,  and a switch  21   c  generating control signals by contacting with button body  21   a.    
     B-button  22  includes a button body  22   a  with a slot  22   aa  at one side, a spring  22   b  elastically supporting button body  22   a,  and a switch  22   c  generating operation signals by contacting with button body  22   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , button body  21   a  of A-button  21  and button body  22   a  of B-button  22  are assembled, with the straight portion abutted, and guider  13  of knob housing  11  is fitted in slots  21   aa  and  22   aa  of button bodies  21   a  and  22   a.    
     Switches  21   c  and  22   c  constitute an electric circuit, together with an electronic control unit (ECU) (or other suitable controller mounted in the vehicle), such that the ECU generates control signal corresponding to the signals from switches  21   c  and  22   c , using a logic or a program stored therein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , shifting operation unit  30  includes an operation dial  31  that is turned about a hinge pipe  32  to select one shift range of the P, R, N, D, and M shift ranges in accordance with the turning angle, a solenoid  33  that restricts the turn of operation dial  31  for shift lock, an operation feeling generator  35  that makes the driver feel the operation feeling at the shift range changed by turning operation dial  31 , and a shift range detector that generate position signals about the information of the shift range changed by turning operation dial  31 . 
     Hinge pipe  32  coupled to operation dial  31  is fixed to base plate  16  coupled to the bottom of knob housing  11  of mouse  10 . 
     The shift ranges of operation dial  31  are the P, R, N, D, and M ranges and the shift ranges are sequentially implemented, such as P=&gt;R=&gt;N=&gt;D=&gt;M, with the increase in a turning angle of operation dial  31 . 
     A plurality of position holes  31   a  are formed in operation dial  31  at regular intervals, coaxially with a shaft hole where hinge pipe  32  is fitted, such that a shaft  33   a  of solenoid  33  is fitted in position holes  31   a  to implement the shift lock function. 
     Solenoid  33  is disposed above or under operation dial  31 . 
     In various embodiments, since various functions can be implemented by using the pair of A-button  21  and B-button  22 , the number of implemented shift ranges P, R, N, D, and M and the number of position holes  31   a  do not agree with each other and the number of position holes  31   a  is relatively larger. 
     As in  FIG. 5 , a groove  31   b  is formed inward at one side of operation dial  31 , coaxially outside a coaxial circle formed by position holes  31   a.    
     Groove  31   b  has a trace made by repetitive smooth conical curves when expanding straight from 0° to 360°. 
     Therefore, assuming that the distance between the start point and the end point of one smooth conical curve of the repetitive smooth conical curves of groove  31   b  is one pitch, the one pitch is defined as the distance between the adjacent shift ranges P-R, R-N, N-D, and D-M. 
     Therefore, as operation dial  31  turns and groove  31   b  moves one pitch, the operator of operation dial  31  can know that the shift range is switched from the P-range to the R-range, from the movement of operation feeling generator  31  along the smooth conical curve between the start point and the end point of the pitch. 
     Operation feeling generator  35  includes a hollow case  35   c  fixed to base plate  16  and a bullet  35   a  elastically supported by a bullet spring  35   b  accommodated in case  35   c.    
     Bullet  35   a  has a spherical end to minimize friction resistance with groove  31   b.    
     The shift range detector includes a sensor circuit board fitted on hinge pipe  32  fixed to base plate  16  and magnets  36   a  and  36   b  disposed on one side of operation dial  31  to change magnetic force detected by sensor circuit board  34  in accordance with the turning angle of operation dial  31 . 
     Magnets  36  and  36   b  are arranged inside the coaxial circle defined by position holes  31  of operation dial  31 , at 180° from each other. 
     As described above, since it is possible to know the change amount in turning angle of operation dial  31  from sensor circuit board  34  detecting the magnetic force of magnets  36   a  and  36   b,  the driver can switch the shift ranges only by turning operation dial  31 . 
     The ECU (or a controller mounted in the vehicle) constituting an electric circuit for controlling solenoid  33  also constitutes an electric circuit with sensor circuit board  34 , such that the ECU generates control signals corresponding to signals from sensor circuit board  34 , using the logic or program stored therein. 
     Display  40  is a part that displays the selected shift range and may be implemented in various ways, but is usually implemented by an image display unit, such as an LED or an LCD, and constitutes an electric circuit to display the selection with the ECU (or a controller mounted in the vehicle). 
     The mouse type of AT lever may implements a basic function of outputting operation signals for the positions of the selected ranges and implementing operation feeling according to the shifting, a function of preventing mis-operation in shifting by using the H-MATIC functions, a shift-lock function of preventing the ranges from being switched under a predetermined condition, a function of starting the engine by using a button, a customer-directional safety control function that is set by the customer, and an interface function for communicating with an DIS (Driver Information System) controlling the devices mounted in the vehicle. 
     The basic function implemented in various embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 6A , the driver holds mouse  10  with the fingers, except the thumb, on A-button  21  and B-button  22 , and turns operation dial  31  protruding from one side of mouse  10  with the thumb. 
     As operation dial  31  where the force from the thumb is applied is turned about hinge pipe  32  as a fixed shaft, the phases of magnets  36   a  and  36   b  on operation dial  31  change in accordance with the turning angle of operation dial  31 . 
     Sensor circuit board  34  that does not rotate under magnets  36   a  and  36   b  detect the magnetic force of magnets  36   a  and  36   b,  such that as the phases of magnets  36   a  and  36   b  change, sensor circuit board  34  detects the magnetic force changed by the phase change and generates a signal. 
     When receiving the signal transmitted from sensor circuit board  34 , the ECU recognizes the selected shift range from the change value of the magnetic force and generates a control signal for switching to the shift range. 
     As described above, since the driver toggles only with the thumb, the motion for shifting can be minimized. 
     Further, the operator turning operation dial  31  receives shifting feeling from operation dial  31  and the shifting feeling is provided from operation feeling generator  35  that keeps the close contact with groove  31   b  of operation dial  31 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , as operation dial  31  is turned and groove  31   b  moves one pitch, movement is generated in operation feeling generator  35 , along the smooth conical curve with one pitch from the start point to the end point. 
     The movement of operation feeling generator  35  is implemented by bullet  35   a  elastically supported by bullet spring  35   b.    
     That is, bullet  35   a  presses down bullet spring  35  at the peak of the smooth conical curve and moves up at the opposite position by the elastic restoring force of bullet spring  35   b.    
     In this process, operation dial  31  receives the up-down movement of bullet  35   a  elastically supported by bullet spring  35   b  and the up-down movement is transmitted to the thumb that is in contact with operation dial  31 , such that the operator can know the change of the shift ranges (P-range→R-range) due to the rotation of operation dial  31  from the shifting feel. 
     In various embodiments, since the function of preventing mis-operation in shifting by using H-MATIC functions is implemented only when operation dial  31  is at the M-range, operation dial  31  is maximally turned to the M-range, before the function is implemented by the pair of A-button  21  and B-button  22 . 
     This is because the position of the shift range defined by operation dial  31  sequentially changes in the order of P=&gt;R=&gt;N=&gt;D=&gt;M in accordance with the increases in turning angle of operation dial  31 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , A-button  21  and B-button  22  have button bodies  21   a  and  22   a  coupled to guider  13  of knob housing  11  by slots  21   aa  and  22   aa , respectively, such that when the pair of A-button  21  and B-button  22  are pressed together, with operation dial  31  turned to the M-range, guide  13  keep the movement of A-button  21  and B-button  22  stable. 
     As button bodies  21   a  and  22   a  pressed by the finger moves down to be in contact with switches  21   c  and  22   c  while compressing springs  21   b  and  22   b,  switches  21   c  and  22   c  generate electric signals in response to the contact, and when the ECU recognizes the signals, the ECU implements a state where the shifting control by using H-MATIC functions is possible. 
     As described above, since the signals from A-button  21  and B-button  22  are recognized only as the M-range mode, not at the ranges of P, R, N, and D, mis-operation is prevented in the shifting by using H-MATIC functions, thus considerably strengthening safety. 
     Further, unlike the way of necessarily moving the entire arm back in the related art, the shifting by using H-MATIC functions is conveniently implemented only operating A-button  21  and B-button by pressing them with fingers. 
     The shift-lock function implemented in various embodiments prevents operation dial  31  from turning against the driver&#39;s intention when the driver operates operation dial  31  at the P-range without pressing down the brake pedal, or the driver operates operation dial  31  from the N-range to the R-range without pressing down the brake pedal. 
     On the contrary, since the shift-lock is not performed when a signal of the brake pedal is input to the ECU, the driver can freely turn operation dial  31 . 
     The left one in  FIG. 6B  shows when the shift-lock is not implemented, in which power is supplied to solenoid  33  and shaft  33   a  of the solenoid does not come out. 
     However, the right one in  FIG. 6B  shows when the shift-lock is implemented, in which power is not supplied to solenoid  33  and shaft  33   a  of the solenoid come out. 
     As described above, as shaft  33   a  of the solenoid comes out and moves down to be fitted in position hole  31   a , operation dial  31  with position hole  31   a  is switched to be restricted by solenoid  33 , such that operation dial  31  does not turn even if being turned by external force. 
     According to the function of starting the engine by using the button implemented in various embodiments, when a simple operation of simultaneously pressing the pair of A-button  21  and B-button  22  for one to three or more seconds, with the brake pedal pressed down, is performed, signals generated from A-button  21  and B-button  22  are transmitted to the ECU and the ECU starts the engine by transmitting the control signals. 
     As described above, since it is possible to start the engine by pressing the pair of A-button  21  and B-button  22  with two fingers, it is possible to achieve convenient operation without using a specific start button for starting the engine, as in the related art. 
     The customer-directional safe control function that is defined by the customer, implemented in various embodiments, uses the amount of time for which A-button  21  or B-button  22  is pressed by the fingers, such that it is possible to implement various functions by variously changing the time for which A-button  21  or B-button  22  is pressed. 
     As the functions, logics of switching to the P-range when A-button  21  is pressed for three or more seconds at the D-range, switching to the N-range when B-button  22  is pressed for three or more second at the D-range, or stopping the engine when A-button  21  and B-button  22  are pressed for five or more seconds at the N-range may be exemplified. 
     Even if the P, R, N, D, and M shift ranges are implemented by operation dial  31  in accordance with the various functions, a larger number of position holes  31  a than the number of shift ranges P, R, N, D, and M, which are implemented as shown in  FIG. 6D , are formed in operation dial  31 . 
       FIG. 6C  shows when A-button  21  is pressed for three or more seconds at the D-range to implement the P-range. 
     As shown in the figure, it can be seen from the figure at the left side that some position holes  31   aa ,  31   ab ,  31   ac , and  31   ad  of position holes  31   a  sequentially correspond to the order or N-range  31   ab →R-range  31   ac  →P-range  31   ad , clockwise from D-range  31   aa.    
     On the contrary, it can be seen from the figure at the right side that some other position holes  31   aa ,  31   ae ,  31   af , and  31   ag  of position holes  31   a  sequentially correspond to the order or R-range  31   ae →N-range  31   af →D-range  31   ag , counterclockwise from P-range  31   aa.    
     As described above, even if operation dial  31  is at any rotation state, as long as the operation dial can be operated to correspond to the arrangement of shift ranges P, R, N, D, and M, which are switched by some of position holes  31   a , solenoid  31  can be accurately fitted in position hole  31   a , regardless of the rotation positions of operation dial  31 , such that shift-lock with reliability can be provided. 
     The interface function implemented in various embodiments allows the driver to feel the same convenience as operating the computer mouse, by making it possible to communicate with a DIS (Driver Information System) controlling related parts, such as a navigation device or an audio mounted in the vehicle. 
     For this configuration, a control logic is implemented such that the signals generated when A-button  21  and B-button  22  are pressed select and release a menu of the device to control, and the signals generated in accordance with the turning angles of operation dial  31  moves the menu. 
     Therefore, the driver can feel convenience in that it is possible to operate desired devices by lightly pressing A-button  21  and B-button with the fingers and select and execute a menu by turning operation dial  31  with the thumb, in a safe stop state, such as the P-range and the N-range. 
     For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms front and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.