Shift device

A shift device provided in a vehicle having an engine, wherein the shift device has a plurality of shift ranges and sets a predetermined range from the plurality of shift ranges, the shift device comprising:

• a velocity sensor for detecting a velocity of the vehicle and generating a velocity signal;
• an engine speed sensor for detecting an engine speed of the engine and generating an engine speed signal;
• a shift lever for setting the predetermined shift range;
• a permanent magnet arranged on a distal end of the shift lever;
• a plurality of electromagnets, each arranged to face the permanent magnet in accordance with the shift range;
• a plurality of magnetic sensors, each arranged to face one of the electromagnets, wherein each magnetic sensor detects a position of the permanent magnet and generates a position signal;
• a control circuit connected to the velocity sensor, the engine speed sensor, the electromagnets, and the magnetic sensors for determining whether the shift lever has been operated unintentionally by the operator in accordance with the velocity signal, the engine speed signal, and the position signal;
• and
• a notification device connected to the control circuit for notifying the operator that the shift lever has been unintentionally operated when the control circuit determines that the shift lever has been unintentionally operated by the operator.