JP2006064097A - Automatic transmission display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily judge a failure of a display device by displaying information in a display circuit even in the condition wherein an automatic shift mode is selected. <P>SOLUTION: A meter ECU carries out a program comprising a step for detecting shift position (S1100) when the automatic shift mode is selected (YES in S1000), a step for lighting a LED corresponding to a first display unit (S1200), and a step for displaying a letter A in the display circuit (S1300). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device for an automatic transmission, and more particularly to a display device for an automatic transmission having an automatic transmission mode and a manual transmission mode.

  Conventionally, a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission having an automatic transmission mode and a manual transmission mode is provided with a display device that displays information in accordance with the selected transmission mode. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2-133240 (Patent Document 1) discloses a display device for an automatic transmission of an automobile that immediately shows the state of the transmission to the driver without distracting from driving. The automatic transmission includes a selection lever for pre-selecting individual or multiple gears that are automatically shifted. The automatic transmission enables full-automatic operation for selecting a gear position or semi-automatic operation in which a gear position that is automatically shifted can be manually selected. The display device is a display device for an automatic transmission of an automobile controlled electronically or electrohydraulicly. The display device makes it possible to visually perceive the pre-selected gear position corresponding to the position of the selection lever in the fully automatic operation by the first display element having the sign or symbol of the combination of letters and numbers. The display device includes a second display element provided at a distance from the first display element that allows the selected gear stage to be visually identified. In the display device, the second display element is configured to display only during semi-automatic operation in which the gear position is manually preliminarily selected.

According to Patent Document 1, there is provided a display device that displays the state of the transmission, in particular, the pre-selected gear position, in an impressive and easy-to-understand manner to the driver without distracting the driver during semi-automatic driving. The Furthermore, since the second display element acts only during semi-automatic operation, it is possible to easily and effectively distinguish which driving method the transmission is operating in, and the structure is simple.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-133240 (Japanese Patent No. 2840860)

  However, in the automatic shift display device having the automatic shift mode and the manual shift mode, if the display is distinguished according to the shift mode, the driver may not notice the failure of the display device that is not displayed. For example, the display element that is lit in the manual shift mode is not lit while the automatic shift mode is selected, and thus there is a problem that it cannot be determined whether or not the display element has failed. In Patent Document 1, since the second display element acts only during semi-automatic operation, the same problem occurs.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device for an automatic transmission that can easily determine a failure of the display device.

  A display device for an automatic transmission according to a first aspect of the invention is a display device that displays the state of an automatic transmission having an automatic transmission mode and a manual transmission mode. The automatic transmission has a plurality of shift speeds or shift ranges that can be selected in the manual mode. The display device includes means for selecting one of the automatic transmission mode and the manual transmission mode, means for selecting a shift position of the automatic transmission, and a first display for displaying the shift position. Different from the first display means, a second display means for displaying information in accordance with the shift speed or the shift range in the manual shift mode, and the shift speed (and in the manual shift mode in the automatic shift mode. Control means for controlling to display information different from information corresponding to the shift range) on the second display means.

  According to the first invention, the first display means displays the shift position. Unlike the first display means, the second display means displays information corresponding to the shift speed or the shift range in the manual shift mode. The control means displays information (for example, information based on the state of automatic shift in the automatic shift mode) different from the information displayed in the manual shift mode on the second display means during the automatic shift mode. Thus, even when the automatic transmission mode is selected, the information is displayed on the second display means, so that the driver can determine whether or not the second display means is out of order. it can. Therefore, it is possible to provide a display device for an automatic transmission that can easily determine whether or not a display device has failed.

  In the automatic transmission display device according to the second invention, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the different information is information based on the state of the automatic transmission in the automatic transmission mode. The control means includes means for controlling to change the displayed information according to the information based on the state.

  According to the second invention, the different information is information based on the state of the automatic transmission in the automatic transmission mode (for example, information indicating a state in which the automatic transmission mode is selected). The control means changes the displayed information according to the information based on the state. For example, when the automatic transmission mode is selected from the manual transmission mode, the control unit displays information indicating the state in which the automatic transmission mode is selected on the second display unit. Thereby, even in a state where the automatic transmission mode is selected, the driver can determine whether or not the second display unit is out of order. Further, the driver can confirm the selected shift mode on the second display means.

  In the automatic transmission display device according to the third invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second invention, the different information is information indicating a state in which the automatic transmission mode is selected.

  According to the third invention, the different information is information indicating a state in which the automatic transmission mode is selected. Thereby, even in a state where the automatic transmission mode is selected, the driver can determine whether or not the second display unit is out of order. Further, the driver can confirm the selected shift mode on the second display means.

  In the display device for an automatic transmission according to the fourth invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second invention, different information is information indicating a shift position.

  According to the fourth invention, the different information is information indicating the shift position. Thereby, even in a state where the automatic transmission mode is selected, the driver can determine whether or not the second display unit is out of order. Furthermore, the driver can confirm the selected shift position on the second display means.

  In the automatic transmission display device according to the fifth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect of the invention, the different information is information on the gear ratio corresponding to the gear position.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the different information is information on the gear ratio corresponding to the gear position. For example, a plurality of shift stages that can be selected in the manual shift mode or a gear ratio corresponding to the shift range is divided into two regions. In the automatic shift mode, the control means displays information indicating an area corresponding to the speed ratio of the selected shift speed on the second display means. Thereby, even in a state where the automatic transmission mode is selected, the driver can determine whether or not the second display unit is out of order. Further, the driver can confirm the region corresponding to the speed ratio of the selected gear position on the second display means.

  Hereinafter, a display device for an automatic transmission according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic transmission display device according to the present embodiment includes a combination meter 100, an ECT (Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission) _ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 200, a neutral start switch 202, and an IG switch. 300 and a shift lever assembly 400.

  A neutral start switch 202 is connected to the ECT_ECU 200. The neutral start switch 202 transmits to the ECT_ECU 200 a shift position signal corresponding to the position of a shift lever (not shown) provided in the driver's seat. Based on the received shift position signal, the ECT_ECU 200 transmits a control signal to a solenoid valve provided in an automatic transmission (not shown) mounted on the vehicle to control the shift of the automatic transmission. In the present embodiment, the automatic transmission may be a continuously variable type or a stepped type.

  The shift lever assembly 400 includes an upshift switch 402, a downshift switch 404, and a manual shift mode switch 406.

  The automatic transmission has an automatic transmission mode that automatically changes the transmission gear ratio, and a plurality of shift stages or shift ranges, and the shift stage or shift range is stepped based on a driver change instruction. And a manual transmission mode to be changed to For example, the driver can select either the automatic transmission mode or the manual transmission mode by operating the shift lever to turn on or off the manual transmission mode switch 406.

  When manual shift mode switch 406 is turned on or off, ECT_ECU 200 transmits information about the selected shift mode to meter ECU 104 included in combination meter 100. Further, the IG switch 300 is connected to the manual shift mode switch 406.

  The combination meter 100 includes a display circuit 102, a meter ECU 104, a communication interface 106, a power supply circuit 108, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) 110 to 120, and an LED lighting circuit 122.

  The meter ECU 104 and the power supply circuit 108 are connected. The power supply circuit 108 supplies predetermined power to the meter ECU 104.

  The LEDs 110 to 120 indicate “P (Parking)” indicating a parking state, “R (Reverse)” indicating a reverse traveling state, “N (Neutral)” indicating a power cut-off state, and “D (Drive) indicating a forward traveling state. “2 (2nd)” indicating the forward traveling state fixed at the second speed, and “L (Low)” indicating the forward traveling state fixed at the first speed are lit.

  The LEDs 110 to 120 are connected to the LED lighting circuit 122. The LED lighting circuit 122 is connected to the meter ECU 104. The meter ECU 104 transmits a control signal to the LED lighting circuit 122. Based on the control signal transmitted from the meter ECU 104, the LED lighting circuit 122 conducts and lights any of the LEDs 110 to 120. The LEDs 110 to 120 and the LED lighting circuit 122 constitute a “first display unit”. The first display unit is not particularly limited to using LEDs as long as it can display information indicating the selected shift position. For example, the first display unit may be configured with an LCD or the like instead of the LEDs 110 to 120.

  A display circuit 102 is further connected to the meter ECU 104. The display circuit 102 uses, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, but is not particularly limited to this as long as it can display information. For example, the display circuit 102 may be composed of LEDs. When the manual transmission mode is selected in the automatic transmission, the display circuit 102 displays information corresponding to the selected shift speed or shift range. That is, when either the upshift switch 402 or the downshift switch 404 is turned on and the shift speed or the shift range is changed to the speed increasing side or the speed reducing side, the meter ECU 104 indicates the changed speed stage. Control is performed so that information is displayed on the display circuit 102. The display circuit 102 constitutes a “second display portion”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the combination meter 100 includes a speed meter 502, a tachometer 504, a fuel meter 506, a water temperature meter 508, LEDs 110 to 120 constituting a first display unit, and a second display unit. And a display circuit 102 which constitutes the above.

  In this embodiment, the LEDs 110 to 120 and the display circuit 102 are provided between the speed meter 502 and the tachometer 504, but the position is not particularly limited to this.

  When the driver operates the shift lever, the ECT_ECU 200 detects the shift position in accordance with the shift position signal detected from the neutral start switch 202. The ECT_ECU 200 transmits a shift position signal to the meter ECU 104. The meter ECU 104 lights any one of the LEDs 110 to 120 based on the shift position signal. For example, when “P” is selected by the driver's operation of the shift lever, the meter ECU 104 controls the LED 110 to light the letter “P”.

  When the manual shift mode is selected, the meter ECU 104 receives information on the selected shift speed or shift range from the ECT_ECU 200. The meter ECU 104 displays information indicating the selected gear position on the display circuit 102. The display circuit 102 is composed of seven segments. These seven segments are combined to display letters, numbers or symbols. Note that the display by the display circuit 102 is not limited to display by a combination of seven segments.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the driver operates the shift lever along the shift path formed in the shift gate 124 to move the shift lever to a desired position. The driver can select the power transmission state of the automatic transmission by changing the position of the shift lever. For example, when the driver moves the position of the shift lever to the position “D”, the automatic transmission enters a forward traveling state. Specifically, based on the shift position signal corresponding to the forward travel state transmitted from the neutral start switch 202, the ECT_ECU 200 controls the automatic transmission to enter the forward travel state.

  When the driver moves the shift lever to the “M” position indicating the manual shift mode, the manual shift mode switch 406 is turned on. When the ECT_ECU 200 receives the ON signal of the manual shift mode switch 406, the manual shift mode is selected. At this time, when the driver moves the shift lever back and forth from the “M” position, either the upshift switch 402 or the downshift switch 404 is turned on.

  In the present embodiment, upshift switch 402 is turned on when the shift lever is moved in the forward direction (upward in FIG. 3). When the upshift switch 402 is turned on, the ECT_ECU 200 controls the automatic transmission so as to change to the speed-up side gear ratio, or to change to the speed-up side gear stage or shift range.

  When the shift lever is moved in the backward direction (downward in FIG. 3), the downshift switch 404 is turned on. When the downshift switch 404 is turned on, the ECT_EU 200 controls the automatic transmission so as to obtain a reduction gear ratio, or to change to a reduction gear stage or a shift range.

  In the display device of the automatic transmission configured as described above, if information is not displayed on the second display unit in a state where the automatic transmission mode is selected, it is determined whether or not the second display unit is broken. Can not do it.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when the automatic transmission mode is selected, the meter ECU 104 displays information on the second display unit that is different from the information corresponding to the gear position displayed in the manual transmission mode or the transmission range. It is characterized in that it is controlled to

  With reference to FIG. 4, a control structure of a program executed by meter ECU 104 included in the display device of the automatic transmission according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In step (hereinafter, step is referred to as S) 1000, meter ECU 104 determines whether or not the automatic transmission has been switched from the manual transmission mode to the automatic transmission mode. The switching from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode can be determined, for example, based on whether or not the position of the shift lever has been switched from the “M” position to the “D” position. That is, meter ECU 104 determines whether or not manual shift mode switch 406 is turned on. If the manual shift mode is switched to the automatic shift mode (YES in S1000), the process proceeds to S1100. If not (NO in S1000), meter ECU 104 waits until the manual shift mode is switched to the automatic shift mode.

  In S1100, meter ECU 104 detects the shift position. In S1200, meter ECU 104 turns on the LED corresponding to the shift position detected by the neutral start switch. In this embodiment, when switching from the manual shift mode to the automatic shift mode, the driver moves the shift lever from the “M” position to the “D” position. Therefore, the automatic transmission is controlled so as to enter the forward traveling state in the automatic transmission mode. Meter ECU104 lights LED116.

  In S1300, meter ECU 104 lights display circuit 102. The information displayed on the display circuit 102 is not particularly limited as long as the information is different from the information corresponding to the gear position.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, “A (Automatic)” indicating that the automatic transmission mode is selected may be displayed. Alternatively, the meter ECU 104 may display a shift position such as “D”.

  Further, the meter ECU 104 may display information on the gear ratio corresponding to the gear position on the display circuit 102. That is, a plurality of shift speeds that can be selected in the manual shift mode or a speed ratio corresponding to the shift range is divided into a plurality of areas, and the area corresponding to the selected shift speed or the speed ratio of the shift range is divided. Information to be displayed may be displayed. For example, a gear ratio corresponding to a plurality of shift speeds or shift ranges is divided into two regions “L (Low)” and “H (High)”, and selected as shown in FIG. Either “L” or “H” may be displayed on the display circuit 102 in accordance with the selected gear position or the gear ratio of the gear range.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, a plurality of shift speeds or shift ranges are divided into two regions “U (Under drive)” and “O (Over drive)” according to the gear ratio. In addition, either “U” or “O” may be displayed on the display circuit 102 in accordance with the selected shift speed or the gear ratio of the shift range.

  Alternatively, the gear ratios corresponding to a plurality of gear speeds are divided into three regions of “Low”, “Middle”, and “High”, and according to the gear ratios of the selected gear speeds, FIG. As shown, the bar level (number of bars) may be displayed on the display circuit 102 so as to change in three stages.

  An operation of meter ECU 104 included in the automatic transmission display device according to the present embodiment based on the above configuration and flowchart will be described.

  If the driver selects the manual shift mode while the vehicle is traveling forward, the position of the shift lever is moved to a position indicating “M”. When the driver moves the position of the shift lever from the “M” position to the “D” position, the manual transmission mode switch is turned off. That is, the automatic transmission mode is selected (YES in S1000). When the automatic transmission mode is selected, the position of the shift lever is at the position “D” (S1100), so that the automatic transmission is controlled to enter the forward traveling state in the automatic transmission mode. At this time, in the first display section, the LED 116 lights up “D” corresponding to the forward traveling state (S1200). Then, the display circuit 108 displays the character “A” (S1300).

  As described above, according to the display device for an automatic transmission according to the present embodiment, the first display unit displays the shift position. Unlike the first display unit, the display circuit displays information corresponding to the shift speed or the shift range in the manual shift mode. The meter ECU displays, on the display circuit, information based on the state of the automatic shift in the automatic shift mode, which is different from the information displayed in the manual shift mode during the automatic shift mode. Thus, even when the automatic transmission mode is selected, the information is displayed on the display circuit, so that the driver can determine whether or not the display circuit is broken. Therefore, it is possible to provide a display device for an automatic transmission that can easily determine whether or not a display device has failed.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the whole display apparatus of the automatic transmission which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the combination meter in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the shift gate of the automatic transmission in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed by meter ECU contained in the display apparatus of the automatic transmission which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the character and symbol displayed on a display circuit in the display apparatus of the automatic transmission which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  100 combination meter, 102 display circuit, 104 meter ECU, 106 communication interface, 108 power supply circuit, 110-120 LED, 122 LED lighting circuit, 150 IG switch, 200 engine ECU, 202 neutral start switch, 300 ECT_ECU, 400 shift lever Assembly, 402 Upshift switch, 404 Downshift switch, 406 Manual shift mode switch.

Claims (5)

A display device for displaying a state of an automatic transmission having an automatic transmission mode and a manual transmission mode, wherein the automatic transmission has a plurality of shift stages or a shift range that can be selected in the manual mode,
Means for selecting one of the automatic transmission mode and the manual transmission mode;
Means for selecting a shift position of the automatic transmission;
First display means for displaying the shift position;
Different from the first display means, second display means for displaying information according to the shift stage or the shift range in the manual shift mode;
A display device for an automatic transmission comprising: control means for controlling to display information different from the information on the second display means in the automatic transmission mode. The different information is information based on a state of the automatic transmission in the automatic transmission mode,
The display device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes means for controlling to change the displayed information in accordance with information based on the state.   The display device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, wherein the different information is information indicating a state in which the automatic transmission mode is selected.   The display device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1, wherein the different information is information indicating the shift position.   The display device for an automatic transmission according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the different information is information on a gear ratio corresponding to the gear position.

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