Vehicle shift control device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11022211-B2
Application number	US-201715666116-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 1, 2017
Priority date	Aug 15, 2016
Publication date	Jun 1, 2021
Grant date	Jun 1, 2021

Abstract

There is provided a vehicle shift control device. A shift mechanism is configured to shift and transmit rotation of a crankshaft extending in a width direction of a vehicle to a driving wheel. A shift pedal is configured to receive a shifting operation for the shift mechanism. A shift detection mechanism is configured to detect a shift instructed via the shift pedal. A shift actuator is configured to perform a shift operation of the shift mechanism, in response to a detection content of the shift detection mechanism. The shift detection mechanism includes a detection unit configured to rotate in response to the shifting operation of the shift pedal and a sensor configured to detect rotation of the detection unit. A rotary shaft of the detection unit and a rotary shaft of the sensor are arranged at different positions, as seen from a side.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle shift control device comprising:
a shift mechanism configured to shift and transmit rotation of a crankshaft extending in a vehicle width direction to a driving wheel;
a shift pedal configured to receive a shift operation for the shift mechanism;
a shift detection mechanism configured to detect a shift instructed via the shift pedal; and
a shift actuator configured to perform the shift operation of the shift mechanism, in response to a detection content of the shift detection mechanism,
wherein the shift detection mechanism comprises a detection unit configured to swing in response to the shift operation of the shift pedal and a sensor configured to detect swing of the detection unit,
wherein the detection unit comprises a shift plate which swings with a link shaft that swings in response to an operation on the shift pedal,
wherein the sensor detects rotation of a shaft part fixed to a link member which is coupled to the shift plate,
wherein the link member is supported by the shift plate at a rear end portion of the link member, and a front end portion of the link member is fixed to the shaft part, and
wherein the link shaft and the shaft part are arranged at different positions, as seen from the vehicle width direction.

2. The vehicle shift control device according to claim 1 ,
wherein the shift detection mechanism comprises a cover configured to accommodate therein the detection unit, and
wherein the cover is mounted to a sprocket cover.

3. The vehicle shift control device according to claim 2 , wherein the sensor is arranged outside the cover.

4. The vehicle shift control device according to claim 1 , wherein the shift mechanism is arranged below a counter shaft in a vehicle upper-below direction, the counter shaft is arranged behind the crankshaft in parallel with the crankshaft in the vehicle front-rear direction.

5. The vehicle shift control device according to claim 4 , further comprising:
a clutch actuator configured to perform a disconnection/connection operation of a clutch mechanism,
wherein the detection unit is arranged behind the clutch actuator in the vehicle front-rear direction, and
wherein the sensor is arranged between the clutch actuator and the detection unit in the vehicle front-rear direction.

6. The vehicle shift control device according to claim 1 ,
wherein a vehicle body frame comprises a body frame which extends an upper and lower direction and which swingably supports a swing arm,
wherein the sensor is arranged in front of the body frame, and
wherein the shift pedal is arranged outside the body frame in the vehicle width direction and is arranged at a rear position than a front end of the body frame.

7. A vehicle shift control device comprising:
a shift mechanism configured to shift and transmit rotation of a crankshaft extending in a vehicle width direction to a driving wheel;
a shift pedal configured to receive a shift operation for the shift mechanism;
a shift detection mechanism configured to detect a shift instructed via the shift pedal;
a shift actuator configured to perform the shift operation of the shift mechanism, in response to a detection content of the shift detection mechanism;
a counter shaft which is arranged behind the crankshaft in parallel with the crankshaft;
a clutch mechanism provided at one end of the counter shaft and configured to transmit and disconnect rotation of the crankshaft to and from the counter shaft; and
a clutch actuator configured to perform a disconnection/connection operation of the clutch mechanism,
wherein the shift detection mechanism comprises a detection unit and a sensor, the detection unit comprises a shift plate which rotates about a first shaft part serving as a rotation support point in response to an operation on the shift pedal, the sensor is arranged at different position from the first shaft part as seen from a side of a vehicle and is configured to detect rotation of a second shaft part which rotates in response to a rotation of the shift plate,
wherein the detection unit is arranged behind the clutch actuator,
wherein the sensor is arranged between the clutch actuator and the detection unit,
wherein the sensor is arranged inside an outer end face of the clutch actuator in the vehicle width direction,
wherein a motor unit of the clutch actuator is arranged so that an axial direction of the motor unit extends in an upper and lower direction, and
wherein the motor unit and the sensor are arranged at the same height as seen from the side of the vehicle.

8. The vehicle shift control device according to claim 7 ,
wherein a vehicle body frame comprises a body frame which extends the upper and lower direction and which swingably supports a swing arm,
wherein the sensor is arranged in front of the body frame, and
wherein the shift pedal is arranged outside the body frame in the vehicle width direction and is arranged at a more rear position than a front end of the body frame.

Assignees

• Suzuki Motor Corp

Inventors

• Takahashi Hideaki

Classifications

• B62M7/02 Primary

  with engine between front and rear wheels · CPC title

• F16H63/14

  the final output mechanisms being successively actuated by repeated movement of the final actuating mechanism · CPC title

• F16H61/32

  Electric motors  {, actuators or related electrical control means}  therefor · CPC title

• F16H61/36

  with at least one movement being transmitted by a cable · CPC title

• F16H63/46

  Signals to a clutch outside the gearbox · CPC title