Patent Description:
<CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose various shifting devices for vehicles.

<CIT> describes a shift operation device of automatic transmission that is operated not only in an automatic shift mode in which a speed ratio is changed automatically depending on a running condition of a vehicle, but also in a manual shift mode in which a speed ratio is changed manually by operating the shift operation device. In the shift operation device taught by <CIT>, a range shift slot in which a shift lever is moved in the automatic shift mode and a gear shift slot in which the shift lever is moved in the manual shift mode are formed parallel to each other, and the range shift slot and the gear shift slot are connected to each other through a transverse connection slot. Specifically, in the automatic shift mode, the shift lever is moved in the slot to select a drive range from a drive range (D), a reverse range (R), and so on, and a shifting operation is caused automatically depending on a running condition of the vehicle. The shift mode is shifted from the automatic shift mode to the manual shift mode by moving the shift lever from the range shift slot to the gear shift slot via the connection slot. In the manual shift mode, an upshifting of the gear stage is caused by moving the shift lever to an upshifting position, and a downshifting is caused by moving the shift lever to a downshifting position. That is, in the manual shift mode, the gear stage is selected manually by the driver.

<CIT> describes a shift lever device which can be used commonly in a right-hand vehicle and a left-hand vehicle. In the right-hand vehicle and the left-hand vehicle, the shift lever is operated in opposite directions to change gear. According to the teachings of <CIT>, therefore, a manual switch and a frame body having a switch engaging part are designed to be reversed so that shift lever device may be fit not only in the right-hand vehicle but also in the left-hand vehicle without altering parts. For this reason, the number of parts of the shift lever device may be reduced.

<CIT> describes a shift lever device in which a shift lever is tilted to right or left to shift a shift mode between an automatic mode and a manual mode. In the shift lever device taught by <CIT>, an operating range or a gear stage is shifted by moving the shift lever back and forth while tilting right or left. To this end, in the shift lever device taught by <CIT>, a slot in which the shift lever is moved to shift the operating range and a slot in which the shift lever is moved to shift the gear stage are also formed parallel to each other.

<CIT> describes an electric vehicle having a shift device. The electric vehicle taught by <CIT> is not provided with a transmission and a clutch, and powered only by a motor. According to the teachings of <CIT>, an operating mode of the electric vehicle may be selected from an electric vehicle mode and a virtual manual mode. In the electric vehicle mode, an operating range of the electric vehicle is selected by operating the shift device. Whereas, in the virtual manual mode, a change in torque in a conventional vehicle having a manual transmission during manual shifting may be imitated by manipulating the shift device. According to the teachings of <CIT>, specifically, a virtual gear stage may be shifted among a plurality of stages by manipulating the shift device.

As described, in the shift operation device taught by <CIT>, the range shift slot and the gear shift slot are formed parallel to each other, and the operating range and the gear stage are selected by manipulating the shift lever in the slots. A selected operating range or gear stage may be confirmed visually by a driver. In the shift operation device taught by <CIT>, however, only the upshifting position and the downshifting position are available in the gear shift slot. Therefore, the gear stage may not be shifted to a stage at least two stages lower or higher than the current stage.

In addition, in the shift operation device taught by <CIT>, the range shift slot and the gear shift slot are formed parallel to each other. Therefore, the shift operation device taught by <CIT> has to be downsized to conserve space. For example, in the electric vehicle described in <CIT>, it is necessary to arrange six shift positions to imitate the behavior of the conventional vehicle having a manual transmission during manual shifting. In the electric vehicle of this kind, it is also necessary to arrange positions to select the operating range in the shifting device. Therefore, given that the range shift slot and the gear shift slot are formed in the shifting device of the electric vehicle of this kind as described in <CIT>, a size of the shifting device has to be increased and a structure of the shifting device has to be complicated by the gear shift slot.

As also described, according to the teachings of <CIT>, the parts of the shift lever device may be used commonly in the right-hand vehicles and the left-hand vehicles. However, although the parts of the shift lever device may be used commonly in the right-hand vehicles and the left-hand vehicles, a shift pattern may not be reversed in the right-hand vehicle and the left-hand vehicle. In other words, the shift lever device taught by <CIT> may not be applied to a vehicle in which a plurality of shift pattern are available.

In the shift lever device taught by <CIT>, the two slots are also formed parallel to each other. Therefore, the shift lever device taught by <CIT> has the same technical problems as <CIT>.

Thus, in the foregoing shifting devices configured to select the automatic shift mode and the manual shift mode, the range shift slot and the gear shift slot are formed. Therefore, in the foregoing shifting devices, a selected shift mode, a selected operating range, and a selected gear stage may be confirmed visually by confirming a position of the shift lever. However, since the two slots are required, sizes of the foregoing shifting devices are not compact enough, and hence it is preferable to downsize and simplify the foregoing shifting devices. In addition, it is preferable to improve visibility of the selected operating range and shift positions in the foregoing shifting devices.

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention have been conceived noting the foregoing technical problems, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shifting device for vehicles in which a selected shift position can be confirmed easily, and which can be fitted easily in vehicles.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a shifting device for a vehicle as defined in appended claim <NUM>.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the selector slot and the shift slots used in the first shifting mode to guide the shift lever may be congruent with a part of the selector slot and the shift slots used in the second shifting mode to guide the shift lever. In addition, the base position and the shift positions available in the first shifting mode correspond to the base position and predetermined shift positions in the second shifting mode.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the indicator may have a mode indicating function to indicate the shifting mode selected from the first shifting mode and the second shifting mode.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the mode indicating function may include: a function to indicate the selected shifting mode by letters; a function to change a color of a background of the indicated diagram depending on the selected shifting mode; and a function to change a pattern of the background depending on the selected shifting mode.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the indicator may have a function to highlight the shift position selected by operating the shift lever being indicated in the diagram.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the indicator may have a function to indicate the shift positions by letters, and the function to highlight the selected shift position may include a function to highlight the selected shift position by indicating the letters representing the selected position in different manners.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the shift positions available in the second shifting mode may include a plurality of forward positions, and the indicator may have a function to instruct a driver to shift the shift position in accordance with a change in a driving condition of the vehicle.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the function to instruct the driver to shift the shift position may include: a function to indicate a predetermined instruction message; a function to change a color of a background of the indicated background; a function to change a pattern of the background; and a function to blink an indication of a recommended shift position to be selected.

In a non-limiting embodiment, an operating mode of the vehicle may be selectable in the second shifting mode from a first operating mode in which an upshifting is caused at a predetermined speed of the vehicle, and a second operating mode in which the upshifting is caused at a higher speed of the vehicle than the predetermined speed. In addition, the indicator may have a function to change a timing to blink the indication of the recommended shift position to be selected.

Thus, in the shifting device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shift lever is guided by the selector slot and the shift slot from the base position to the desired shift position. In the first shifting mode, a movable range of the shift lever within the selector slot and the shift slots is restricted by the restriction member. Whereas in the second shifting mode, the restriction of the movable range of the shift lever is cancelled so that the shift lever is allowed to move to any of available shift positions in the second mode. That is, the selector slot and the shift slots used in the first shifting mode are congruent with a part of the selector slot and the shift slots used in the second shifting mode. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, therefore, the shifting mode may be selected from at least two modes. In addition, an operating range in the first shifting mode and a gear stage in the second shifting mode may be changed by operating the common shift lever. For this reason, the shifting device may be downsized to be fitted easily in vehicles.

In the shifting device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driver is not allowed to visibly confirm configurations of the selector slot and the shift slots used in the first shifting mode, and the selector slot and the shift slots used in the second shifting mode. However, the diagrams indication shift patterns in the first shifting mode and the second shifting mode are indicated by the indicator mounted on the shift lever. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, therefore, the selected operating mode and the selected shift position may be confirmed visibly.

In addition, the selected shifting mode may also be indicated by letter on the indicator so that the driver is allowed to confirm the selected shifting mode more easily.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shift lever may be held not only at the desired shift position but also at the base position. In any of those cases, a currently selected operating range or shift position is indicated on the indicator while being highlighted. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, therefore, the driver is allowed to confirm the selected operating range or shift position easily in any of those cases.

In order to operate the vehicle in a preferable condition in the second mode, an instruction to shift the shift position to a recommended position may be indicated on the indicator. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, therefore, the driver is allowed to operate the vehicle in such a manner as to optimize energy efficiency in the second mode.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments shown below are merely examples of the present invention which should not limit a scope of the present invention.

Turning now to <FIG>, there is shown a structure of a vehicle <NUM> to which the shifting device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the vehicle <NUM>, a transmission <NUM> is connected to an output shaft of a prime mover <NUM> so that a driving force generated by the prime mover <NUM> is delivered to a pair of drive wheels <NUM> to propel the vehicle <NUM> through the transmission <NUM> and a final reduction unit <NUM>. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the prime mover <NUM> includes an internal combustion engine, a motor, and a drive unit comprising the engine and the motor. The transmission <NUM> is configured to multiply the torque delivered from the prime mover <NUM>, to interrupt torque transmission, and to output the torque while reverse a direction of the torque (i.e., a rotational direction). According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transmission <NUM> has a continuously variable speed change function to change a speed ratio continuously in accordance with a speed of the vehicle <NUM> and a required driving force represented by a position of an accelerator pedal. In addition, the transmission <NUM> may also serve as a virtual geared transmission to change a speed ratio stepwise. For example, a belt-driven continuo0usly variable transmission, and a hybrid drive unit comprising a planetary gear unit as a power split mechanism connected to the engine and the motor may be adopted as the transmission <NUM>.

A shifting mode of the transmission <NUM> may be selected form an automatic mode as a first shifting mode in which a speed change operation is caused automatically in accordance with a running condition of the vehicle <NUM>, and a manual mode as a second shifting mode in which a speed ratio (i.e., a virtual gear stage) is shifted manually among predetermined ratios stepwise. The shifting mode of the transmission <NUM> is shifted electrically between the automatic mode and the manual mode, and the shifting operation of the transmission <NUM> is also executed electrically. Given that the belt-driven continuously variable transmission is adopted as the transmission <NUM>, a speed change operation is executed in an optimally fuel efficient manner in accordance with a running condition of the vehicle <NUM> by changing an effective running diameter of a belt applied to pulleys. Given that the vehicle <NUM> is a hybrid vehicle, a speed of the engine is adjusted by the motor in line with an optimally fuel efficient curve by the motor.

In order to control the vehicle <NUM> in the above-explained manner, the vehicle <NUM> is provided with a controller <NUM> as an electronic control unit. The controller <NUM> comprises a microcomputer as its main constituent configured to perform calculation based on incident data transmitted from sensors and switch utilizing formulas and maps install in advance. The controller <NUM> transmits calculation results in the form of command signals to e.g., the transmission <NUM> to establish a desired speed ratio or to bring the transmission <NUM> into a neutral stage.

To this end, data relating to a running condition of the vehicle <NUM> such as a position of the accelerator pedal and a speed of the vehicle <NUM> are sent to the controller <NUM>. In addition, the controller <NUM> receives a signal to shift the shifting mode of the transmission <NUM> between the automatic mode and the manual mode from a mode selector switch <NUM>, a signal to halt the vehicle <NUM> in a parking range from a parking switch <NUM>, and a signal to change a speed ratio of the transmission <NUM> from a shifting device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> also transmits an indication signal to an indicator <NUM> so as to indicate a selected operating range or a selected stage on the indicator <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, there is shown a structure of the shifting device <NUM> according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The shifting device <NUM> comprises a shift lever (also known as gear stick and gear lever) <NUM> that is manipulated by a driver. In the shifting device <NUM>, specifically, the shift lever <NUM> is supported by a support section <NUM> in a pivotal manner so that the shift lever <NUM> is allowed to move not only in the longitudinal direction (tentatively referred to as X-axis) but also in a width direction (tentatively referred to as Y-axis) of the vehicle <NUM>. That is, the X-axis and the Y-axis orthogonally crossed at the support section <NUM> so that the shift lever <NUM> is allowed to be tilted along the X-axis and the Y-axis. A structure of the support section <NUM> is shown in <FIG> in more detail. As illustrated in <FIG>, a hemispherical support member <NUM> is mounted on a predetermined portion of the shift lever <NUM> in such a manner that a hemispherical surface of the support member <NUM> is slidably held in a hemispherical depression <NUM> formed on a predetermined stationary member. Thus, the shift lever <NUM> is vertically supported by the support member <NUM> and the depression <NUM> so that the shift lever may pivot <NUM> degrees about the support section <NUM>.

A through hole <NUM> penetrates through a center of the depression <NUM>, and a lower section of the shift lever <NUM> is inserted loosely into the through hole <NUM> to be joined to a balancer <NUM>. The balancer <NUM> is adapted to maintain the shift lever <NUM> at a neutral position and to return the shift lever <NUM> to the neutral position. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the balancer <NUM>, springs are arranged around the lower section of the shift lever <NUM> along e.g., the X-axis and the Y-axis to keep the shift lever <NUM> at the neutral position.

An internal mechanism of the shifting device <NUM> is covered by a panel <NUM> as a part of an interior panel of the vehicle <NUM>. An upper section of the shift lever <NUM> protrudes from the panel <NUM>, and a shift knob <NUM> is attached to an upper end of the shift lever <NUM>. An intermediate section of the shift lever <NUM> above the panel <NUM> and a hole of the panel <NUM> through which the shift lever <NUM> penetrates are covered by a rubber cover <NUM>.

In order to operate the shift lever <NUM> in a same manner as a shift lever of a conventional manual transmission, a first guide plate <NUM> is arranged underneath the panel <NUM>, and the shift lever <NUM> also penetrates through the first guide plate <NUM>. In the first guide plate <NUM>, a transverse selector slot <NUM> and a plurality of longitudinal shift slots <NUM> are formed to guide the shift lever <NUM>, and a width of each of the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> is slightly wider than a diameter of the shift lever <NUM>. That is, in the first guide plate <NUM>, the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> are designed into a so called "H-type" shift pattern. Specifically, one end of the selector slot <NUM> is joined to one of the shift slots <NUM> extending in one of longitudinal directions to guide the shift lever <NUM> to a reverse position (R) located at a leading end of one of the shift slots <NUM>.

The remaining three shift slots <NUM> extend perpendicular to the selector slot <NUM> and parallel to one another to guide the shift lever <NUM> to first to sixth forward positions located at each end of the shift slots <NUM>. Specifically, the first forward position (<NUM>) is located next to the reverse position at one end of another one of the shift slots <NUM>, and the second forward position (<NUM>) is located at the other end of another one of the shift slots <NUM> across the selector slot <NUM>. Likewise, the third forward position (<NUM>) is located next to the first forward position at one end of still another one of the shift slots <NUM>, and the fourth forward position (<NUM>) is located at the other end of still another one of the shift slots <NUM> across the selector slot <NUM>. Further, the fifth forward position (<NUM>) is located next to the third forward position at one end of yet another one of the shift slots <NUM>, and the sixth forward position (<NUM>) is located at the other end of yet another one of the shift slots <NUM> across the selector slot <NUM>. Thus, the reverse position and the odd forward positions are located in order at one ends of the shift slots <NUM>, and even forward stages are located in order at the other ends of the shift slots <NUM>. In the first guide plate <NUM> thus designed, a neutral position (N) as a base position is located at an intersection between the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slot <NUM> extending between the third forward position and the fourth forward position. As explained, the first guide plate is oriented such that the selector slot <NUM> extends in the width direction of the vehicle <NUM>, therefore, the driver is allowed to operate the shift lever <NUM> in a same manner as a shift lever of the conventional vehicle having a manual transmission.

In order to restrict an operating range of the shift lever <NUM> in the automatic mode, a second guide plate <NUM> as a restriction member is arranged underneath the first guide plate <NUM>. To this end, in the second guide plate <NUM>, a transverse selector slot <NUM> and two longitudinal shift slots <NUM> are formed to guide the shift lever <NUM>.

In the second guide plate <NUM>, the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> are formed to be congruent with a part of the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> of the first guide plate <NUM>. In the second guide plate <NUM>, specifically, the selector slot <NUM> is congruent with a portion of the selector slot <NUM> of the first guide plate <NUM> between the neutral position and the shift slot <NUM> extending between the fifth forward position and the sixth forward position. One end of the selector slot <NUM> is joined to one of the shift slots <NUM> which is congruent with the shift slot <NUM> of the first guide plate <NUM> extending between the fifth forward position and the sixth forward position. In the second guide plate <NUM>, a reverse range position (R) is located at one end of one of the shift slots <NUM>, a drive range position (D) is located at the other end of one of the shift slots <NUM>, and a neutral range position (N) is located between the reverse range position and the drive range position.

The other end of the selector slot <NUM> is joined to the other one of the shift slots <NUM> which is congruent with a portion of the shift slot <NUM> of the first guide plate <NUM> between the neutral position and the fourth forward position, and a brake range position (B) is located at a leading end of the other one of the shift slots <NUM>. In the second guide plate <NUM>, a base position (Ba) is located at an orthogonal corner between the other end of the selector slot <NUM> and the other one of the shift slots <NUM>.

Thus, in the second guide plate <NUM>, the base position is located underneath the neutral position of the first guide plate <NUM>, the shift slot <NUM> extending between the reverse range position and the drive range position is located underneath the shift slot <NUM> of the first guide plate <NUM> extending between the fifth forward position and the sixth forward position, and the brake range position is located underneath the fourth forward position of the first guide plate <NUM>. In order to shift the shifting mode between the automatic mode and the manual mode, the second guide plate <NUM> may be reciprocated vertically between a lower limit level immediately above the support section <NUM> and an upper limit level immediately below the first guide plate <NUM>.

For example, the second guide plate <NUM> may be reciprocated by a pantograph mechanism formed of four linkages. In this case, the second guide plate <NUM> is connected to the pantograph mechanism, and the second guide plate <NUM> is reciprocated by elongating and contracting the pantograph mechanism by a dedicated actuator or a rack and pinion mechanism. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second guide plate <NUM> is reciprocated by a mechanism adapted to translate a horizontal motion into a vertical motion.

Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, a pair of supporting plates <NUM> are arranged orthogonally on both sides of the second guide plate <NUM> extending parallel to the shift slots <NUM>. In each of the supporting plates <NUM>, a pair of oval guide holes <NUM> are formed, and each of the oval guide holes <NUM> is inclined with respect to the reciprocating direction of the second guide plate <NUM> at a same angle. That is, the oval guide holes <NUM> are inclined to be parallel to each other. Specifically, each of the oval guide holes <NUM> is inclined in such a manner that one end closer to a side where the drive range position is located is situated higher than the other end closer to a side where the reverse range position is located. As described, the supporting plates <NUM> are opposed to each other across the second guide plate <NUM>, and a pin <NUM> is inserted into each of the oval guide holes <NUM> in a slidable manner.

That is, the second guide plate <NUM> is supported while being allowed to reciprocate only in the vertical direction. Whereas, the supporting plates <NUM> are supported while being allowed to be reciprocated horizontally only in the extending direction of the shift slots <NUM> by an actuator <NUM>. Therefore, when the second guide plate <NUM> is moved horizontally by the actuator <NUM>, the pins <NUM> slide along the oval guide holes <NUM> so that the second guide plate <NUM> is moved vertically at an angle of obliquely of the oval guide holes <NUM>.

For example, in the manual mode, the second guide plate <NUM> is moved downwardly to the lower limit level so that the shift lever <NUM> is allowed to pivot more flexibly about the support section <NUM> within the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> of the first guide plate <NUM>. To this end, in the manual mode, the second guide plate <NUM> is moved close to the support section <NUM> as much as possible. In addition, it is preferable to set a width of each of the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> slightly wider than the diameter of the shift lever <NUM>.

In order to detect a shift position or a range position selected by operating the shift lever <NUM>, the shifting device <NUM> is provided with a position detector <NUM>. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the position detector <NUM> comprises: a selector sensor such as an MR-IC that detects a movement of the shift lever <NUM> in the transverse direction within the selector slots <NUM> and <NUM>; and a shift sensor such as a Hall element in the longitudinal direction within the shift slots <NUM> and <NUM>. Thus, the position detector <NUM> detects the selected shift position or range position based on a combination of a detected position of the shift lever <NUM> in the transverse direction and a detected position of the shift lever <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. That is, a selected stage is detected in the manual mode, and a selected operating range is detected in the automatic mode. For example, if the shift lever <NUM> is positioned at the sixth forward position of the first guide plate <NUM> in the automatic mode, the controller <NUM> determines that the reverse range is selected. Likewise, if the shift lever <NUM> is positioned at the fifth forward position of the first guide plate <NUM> in the automatic mode, the controller <NUM> determines that the drive range is selected.

In order to detect a movement of the shift lever <NUM> to a predetermined position and to hold the shift lever <NUM> at the predetermined position, the shifting device <NUM> is further provided with a detent mechanism. In a conventional shifting device of an automatic transmission, a shift lever is allowed to reciprocate in one direction, and a conventional detent mechanism employed in the conventional shifting device is adapted to hold the shift lever in one direction. Therefore, the shift lever <NUM> may be held not only in the transverse direction but also in the longitudinal direction by arranging such detent mechanisms in the shifting device <NUM> to hold the shift lever <NUM> in both transverse and longitudinal directions. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, a pair of elastic projections <NUM> are arranged in the vicinity of an end edge of e.g., the shift slot <NUM> to narrow the width of the shift slot <NUM>. The pair of elastic projections <NUM> may also be arranged in the vicinity of each end edge of the shift slots <NUM> of the second guide plate <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> of the first guide plate <NUM>. In this case, when the shift lever passes though a clearance between the elastic projections <NUM>, a reaction force established by the elastic projections <NUM> is applied temporarily to the shift lever <NUM>. Therefore, an execution of shifting operation may be detected based on a change in an operating force to move the shift lever <NUM>. In addition, after the completion of shifting operation, the shift lever <NUM> may be held at a desired position.

In the shifting device <NUM>, since the first guide plate <NUM> and the second guide plate <NUM> are covered by the panel <NUM>, the driver is not allowed to visibly confirm the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> of the first guide plate <NUM>, and the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> of the second guide plate <NUM>. Even if the panel <NUM> has a see-through design, it would be difficult for the driver to confirm range positions of the second guide plate <NUM> situated underneath the first guide plate <NUM>. In the shifting device <NUM>, therefore, a diagram of the shift pattern in the selected shifting mode is indicated by the indicator <NUM>.

As described, the indicator <NUM> is controlled by the controller <NUM>. Specifically, the controller determines a current position of the shift lever <NUM> based on the detection signal transmitted from the position detector <NUM>, and indicates a selected operating range or a selected stage on the indicator <NUM>. To this end, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a liquid crystal indicator is adopted as the indicator <NUM>. Therefore, desired letters, diagrams, patterns etc. may be indicated arbitrarily in a desired color on the indicator <NUM>, and brightness and luminescence of the indicator <NUM> may be adjusted arbitrarily. In addition, the indicator <NUM> may be turned on and off arbitrarily and hence the indicated letters and patterns may blink on and off. Specifically, the indicator <NUM> is arranged on a top surface of the knob <NUM> mounted on the upper end of the shift lever <NUM>. Instead, the indicator <NUM> may also be arranged on e.g., the panel <NUM> in the vicinity of the shift lever <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, there are shown the diagrams of the shift patterns indicated on the indicator <NUM>. Specifically, <FIG> shows a first pattern indicated in the automatic mode. As depicted in <FIG>, the indicator <NUM> has a circular screen, and the base position (Ba) is indicated at the center of the screen. In the first pattern, arrows <NUM> extending from the base position (Ba) along the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> of the second guide plate <NUM> are indicated to indicate directions to the shift positions available to select in the automatic mode: the reverse range position (R); the neutral range position (N); the drive range position (D); and the brake range position (B). In addition, a concolor background or a patterned background may be indicated as a background <NUM>.

Whereas, <FIG> shows a second pattern indicated in the manual mode. In the second pattern, a diagram <NUM> corresponding to a shift pattern governed by the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> of the first guide plate <NUM> is indicated on the screen. In the diagram <NUM>, the shift positions available to select in the manual mode are indicated. The reverse position R and the 1st to 6th forward positions are indicated on each end of the diagram <NUM>, and a dot representing the neutral position N is indicated between the third position <NUM> and the fourth position <NUM>. In the second pattern, a concolor background or a patterned background may be also be indicated as a background <NUM>. Graphic data about the first pattern and the second pattern may be stored in the controller <NUM>.

As described, the shifting mode is switched between the automatic mode and the manual mode by operating the mode selector switch <NUM>, and the selected shifting mode is indicated on the indicator <NUM>. For example, in a case that the automatic mode is selected, the first pattern shown in <FIG> is indicated on the indicator <NUM>, and the second guide plate <NUM> is lifted to the upper limit level so as to restrict the movable range of the shift lever <NUM> within the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> formed in the second guide plate <NUM>. Whereas, in a case that the manual mode is selected, the second pattern shown in <FIG> is indicated on the indicator <NUM>, and the second guide plate <NUM> is moved downwardly to the lower limit level so as to allow the shift lever <NUM> to pivot more flexibly about the support section <NUM> within the selector slot <NUM> and the shift slots <NUM> of the first guide plate <NUM>. That is, the restriction on the pivotal movement of the shift lever <NUM> is cancelled. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, therefore, the selected shifting mode as well as the operating range positions and the shift position may be confirmed visually. As an option, the selected shifting mode may be confirmed more easily by changing the color and the pattern of the backgrounds <NUM> and <NUM>. In addition, the indicator <NUM> may have a mode indicating function to indicate e.g., a sign "A" or "Auto" in an available space of the first pattern in the case that the automatic mode is selected, and to indicate e.g., a sign "M" or "Manual" in an available space of the second pattern in the case that the manual mode is selected.

As also described, a position of the shift lever <NUM> may be detected based on the detection signals from the selector sensor and the shift sensor of the position detector <NUM>, and the detected position of shift lever <NUM> may also be indicated on the indicator <NUM>. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, therefore, a pointer dot shown in <FIG> may be moved in the indicator <NUM> to follow a movement of the shift lever <NUM> so as to highlight a current position of the shift lever <NUM>. For example, in order to highlight the selected mode, the above-mentioned signs indicating the selected mode may be indicated in boldface and in a desired font. Further, in order to highlight the current position of the shift lever <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, an open circle or dot may be indicated on the shift position. Otherwise, the remaining shift positions may be blurred or shaded to relatively highlight the current shift position. In addition, the current position of the shift lever <NUM> may also be highlighted by changing a size or font of the number or letter representing the current shift position.

In the manual mode, a recommended speed ratio (i.e., a recommended virtual gear stage) may be indicated on the indicator <NUM>. In the manual mode, the virtual gear stage is selected at the driver's own discretion, but the virtual gear stage selected by the driver may be different from a recommended stage in which the vehicle <NUM> can be accelerated as intended in an optimally fuel efficient manner. In order to indicate the recommended stage on the indicator <NUM>, a two-dimensional map for determining the recommended gear stage based on a position of the accelerator pedal and a speed of the vehicle <NUM> is stored in the controller <NUM>. To this end, the controller <NUM> has an instruction function to indicate the recommended stage on the indicator <NUM> so as to instruct the driver to shift the virtual gear stage to the recommended stage, in a situation where a stage other than the recommended stage is currently selected. For example, an instruction message to shift the recommended stage may be indicated on the indicator <NUM>. Otherwise, it is also possible to blink the number of the recommended stage indicated on the indicator <NUM>. In addition, a message to instruct the driver to execute upshifting may be indicated on the indicator <NUM> when accelerating the vehicle <NUM>, and a message to instruct the driver to execute downshifting may be indicated on the indicator when decelerating the vehicle <NUM>. For these purposes, the color or pattern of the background <NUM> may be changed to instruct the driver to execute upshifting or downshifting. Otherwise, a blinking speed of the pointer dot may be changed to instruct the driver to execute upshifting or downshifting.

In order to select an operating mode of the vehicle <NUM> from a plurality of modes according to the driver's preference in the manual mode, a plurality of shift maps to cause an upshifting of the virtual gear stage at different timings may be stored in the controller <NUM>. For example, in order to select the operating mode of the vehicle <NUM> from a sports mode as a second operating mode and an economy mode as a first operating mode, a shift map for operating the vehicle <NUM> in the sports mode and a shift map for operating the vehicle <NUM> in the economy mode may be stored in the controller <NUM>. In this case, the shift map for operating the vehicle <NUM> in the sports mode is configured such that an upshift curve is set at a high speed side. In the sports mode, therefore, a timing to execute an upshifting is delayed with respect to an increase in a speed of the vehicle <NUM> so that the vehicle is propelled by a relatively larger driving force. Whereas, the shift map for operating the vehicle <NUM> in the economy mode is configured such that an upshift curve is set at a low speed side. In the economy mode, therefore, a timing to execute an upshifting is advanced so that the engine is operated at a low speed thereby improving a fuel efficiency or an energy efficiency.

Thus, the upshifting is caused at different timings in the sports mode and the economy mode. Therefore, it is preferable to instruct the driver to shift the virtual gear stage to the recommended stage while notifying the selected operating mode of the vehicle <NUM>. To this end, for example a timing to blink the pointer dot may be changed in the sports mode and the economy mode.

Claim 1:
A shifting device (<NUM>) for a vehicle (<NUM>), comprising:
a shift lever (<NUM>) that is moved to a desired shift position, wherein the shift lever (<NUM>) is supported by a support section (<NUM>) in a pivotal manner so that the shift lever is allowed to move in a longitudinal direction and an orthogonal width direction of the vehicle;
a plurality of shift slots (<NUM>, <NUM>) that guide the shift lever (<NUM>) to a plurality of shift positions; and
a plurality of selector slots (<NUM>, <NUM>) that guide the shift lever (<NUM>) from a base position to the shift slots (<NUM>, <NUM>),
a shifting mode is selected from a first shifting mode and a second shifting mode to control a driving force to propel the vehicle (<NUM>) in different manners,
the shifting device (<NUM>) further comprising:
a first guide plate (<NUM>) comprising a first selector slot (<NUM>) and plurality of first shift slots (<NUM>);
a restriction member, the restriction member being a second guide plate (<NUM>) comprising a second selector slot (<NUM>) and a plurality of second shift slots (<NUM>), and is arranged underneath the first guide plate (<NUM>) and arranged to be reciprocated vertically, wherein the restriction member is configured to:
restrict a movement of the shift lever (<NUM>) into a predetermined shift slot (<NUM>) toward a predetermined shift position in the first shifting mode by moving to an upper level, and
cancel the restriction of the movement of the shift lever (<NUM>) in the second shifting mode by moving to a lower level; and
an indicator (<NUM>) that indicates a first pattern when the first shifting mode is selected, and that indicates a second pattern when the second shifting mode is selected,
wherein the first pattern indicates a diagram indicating directions from the base position to the shift positions available in the first shifting mode in which the movement of the shift lever (<NUM>) is restricted by the restriction member,
the second pattern indicates a diagram indicating the base position and the shift positions available in the second shifting mode in which the restriction of movement of the shift lever (<NUM>) is cancelled.