Apparatus for optoelectronically detecting a selector lever position, selector lever apparatus, method for producing an apparatus and method for optoelectronically detecting a selector lever position wherein predetermined light intensities or filtered wavelengths are assigned to predetermined positions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10094469-B2
Application number	US-201515321571-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 19, 2015
Priority date	Jun 24, 2014
Publication date	Oct 9, 2018
Grant date	Oct 9, 2018

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for the optoelectronic detection of different positions of a selection lever for selecting different gear steps of a gearshift transmission, in particular a motor vehicle transmission. The detection device can be coupled to the selection lever, and comprises at least one light source for emitting light, and one light sensor for detecting the emitted light. The detection device is distinguished in that the light sensor is provided for detecting a light intensity, or a wavelength of the emitted light, respectively, filtered by means of a light filter that can be disposed in a light path between the at least one light source and the light sensor, and to transmit data regarding the detected light intensity, or wavelength, respectively, to an evaluation device. Predetermined light intensities, or predetermined filtered wavelengths, respectively, are assigned thereby to predetermined selection lever positions, which are selected form different positions of the selection lever.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A detection device for the optoelectronic detection of different positions of a selection lever for selecting different gear steps of a gearshift transmission, wherein the detection device is configured to be coupled to the selection lever, the detection device comprising:
at least one light source for emitting light, and
a light sensor for detecting the emitted light, wherein the light sensor is configured to detect a light intensity or a wavelength of the emitted light,
wherein the light sensor is configured to transmit data regarding the detected light intensity or wavelength to an evaluation device, wherein predetermined light intensities or predetermined filtered wavelengths are assigned to predetermined positions of the selection lever.

2. The detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the detection device further comprises a light well which delimits a light space in which the at least one light source is disposed, wherein a light entry is attached to the selection lever adjacent to the light space such that the light entry can move in relation to the at least one light source, wherein the light sensor is coupled to the light entry such that the light sensor senses at least a portion of the emitted light entering the light entry.

3. The detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the light sensor is configured to be attached to the selection lever, wherein the light entry is located in the light sensor.

4. The detection device according to claim 1 , wherein a waveguide is configured to be attached to the selection lever, wherein the waveguide comprises a light exit disposed opposite a sensor surface of the light sensor, wherein the light exit is coupled to the light entry via a waveguide element through which the portion of the emitted light entering the light entry is conducted to the light exit.

5. The detection device according claim 2 , wherein the selection lever can assume a plurality of positions for selecting a gear step, wherein a light source is disposed in the light well for each of the plurality of positions that can be assumed by the selection lever, wherein each adjacent light source is shielded from the neighboring light source by a light shielding element disposed therebetween, and wherein each adjacent light source is designed to emit light having different intensities.

6. The detection device according to claim 2 , wherein the light well has a passage leading to the light sensor, and a light reflecting element is configured to be attached to the selection lever, wherein the light reflecting element forms the light entry and a light exit, wherein the portion of the emitted light entering the light entry is reflected toward the passage via the light exit.

7. The detection device according to claim 2 , wherein a light filter is configured to be attached to the selection lever in a light path between the light source and the light sensor, wherein the light filter has a plurality of different color filter elements for a predetermined filtering of the portion of the emitted light entering the light entry, wherein the number of different color filter elements corresponds to the number of different selection lever positions, wherein each color filter element forms the light entry with a surface facing the light source.

8. The detection device according claim 1 , wherein the light sensor and the at least one light source are disposed on a common carrier element.

9. A selection lever device for a gearshift transmission in a motor vehicle transmission, comprising:
a selection lever configured to move between different positions for selecting different gear steps of the gearshift transmission, wherein the selection lever has a coupling point for coupling to a detection device according to claim 1 .

10. A method for producing a device for the optoelectronic detection of different positions of a selection lever for selecting different gear steps of a gearshift transmission, comprising:
providing at least one light source for emitting light and a light sensor, wherein the light sensor is configured to detect a light intensity or a wavelength of the emitted light that is filtered by a light filter disposed in a light path between the at least one light source and the light sensor, wherein the light sensor is configured to transmit data regarding the detected light intensity or wavelength to an evaluation device, wherein predetermined light intensities or predetermined filtered wavelengths are assigned to predetermined positions of the selection lever positions, and
arranging the at least one light source and the light sensor such that at least a portion of the light emitted by the at least one light source can be detected by the light sensor.

11. A method for the optoelectronic detection of different positions of a selection lever for selecting different gear steps of a gearshift transmission, comprising:
moving the selection lever into a position differing from the initial position of the selection lever, and
detecting a portion of a light emitted by at least one light source, wherein a light sensor is provided for detecting a light intensity, or a wavelength of the emitted light filtered by a light filter that can be disposed in a light path between the at least one light source and the light sensor, wherein the light sensor is configured to transmit data regarding the detected light intensity or wavelength to an evaluation unit, wherein predetermined light intensities or predetermined filtered wavelengths are assigned to predetermined positions of the selection lever.

12. The detection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a light filter disposed in a light path between the at least one light source and the light sensor, wherein the light filter is configured to filter the emitted light.

13. The detection device according to claim 2 , wherein the light well has at least one reflective surface on a portion of the light well facing the light space.

14. The detection device according to claim 5 , wherein each light source emits light having a different intensity than the other light sources.

15. The detection device according to claim 5 , wherein the light sources obtain different intensities through a series resistor located upstream of the light sources.

16. The detection device according to claim 5 , wherein at least one of the light sources is a different type of light source than the other light sources, and wherein the light source of a different type produces different intensity light than the other light sources.

17. The detection device according to claim 2 , wherein a primary emission direction of the at least one light source is oriented parallel a central axis of the light space.

18. The detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the detection device detects different positions of the selection lever of a gearshift transmission in a power-driven vehicle transmission.

19. The detection device according to claim 2 , wherein the light sensor is disposed outside the light well.

20. The selection lever device according to claim 9 , wherein the selection lever has a bearing, the detection device further comprising a waveguide configured to be attached to the selection lever, wherein the waveguide comprises a light entry and comprises a light exit disposed opposite a sensor surface of the light sensor, wherein the light exit is coupled to the light entry via a waveguide element through which the portion of the emitted light entering the light entry is conduct

Assignees

• Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen

Inventors

• Kirilenko Alexander
• Strassburg Karsten
• Rake Ludger

Classifications

• H03K17/941 Primary

  using an optical detector (H03K17/968 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01D5/26

  characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light · CPC title

• H03K17/968

  using opto-electronic devices · CPC title

• G01D5/34

  the beams of light being detected by photocells · CPC title

• F16H59/105 Primary

  consisting of electrical switches or sensors · CPC title