DE102022110041A1 - Length-adjustable control unit for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle by a user - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a length-adjustable operating unit (1) for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle (2) by a user, in particular for use in a steer-by-wire system (3), comprising an electric motor (4), which transmits torque with a Spindle (6) is connected and a spindle nut (7) is operatively connected to the spindle (6) in such a way that a rotation of the spindle (6) causes a translational offset of the spindle nut (7) relative to the spindle (6), the motor ( 4) is fixed in position relative to a first jacket tube (8), and the spindle nut (7) is connected to an inner guide tube (10), which is arranged at least in sections axially displaceable within the jacket tube (8), so that the jacket tube (8) and the inner guide tube (10) forms a telescopic extension (11) which can be actuated by the motor (4), the spindle (6) extending in the axial direction from a region (12) facing the actuation direction on a first end face (13) of the casing tube ( 8) extends in the direction of the second end face (14) of the casing tube (8) facing away from the actuation direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a length-adjustable operating unit for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle by a user, in particular for use in a steer-by-wire system, comprising an electric motor which is connected to a spindle in a torque-transmitting manner and a spindle nut is thus operatively connected to the spindle is that a rotation of the spindle causes a translational offset of the spindle nut relative to the spindle, wherein the motor is fixed in position relative to a first casing tube, and the spindle nut is connected to an inner guide tube, which is arranged at least in sections axially displaceable within the casing tube, so that the casing tube and the inner guide tube form a telescopic extension that can be actuated by the motor.

Electric steering devices are used - among other things in motor vehicles - to receive a driver's direction request and to convert it into corresponding movements of one or more wheels. Compared to purely mechanical steering devices, a distinction is made between electrical steering devices between electrically assisted steering devices and fully electric steering devices, so-called “steer-by-wire” steering devices. These steer-by-wire steering devices in particular have the advantage that the control unit can be positioned relatively freely within the vehicle independently of mechanical connection components, which, in addition to cost savings when distinguishing between, for example, right-hand and left-hand drive vehicles, also improves accident behavior due to the absence a steering column. Furthermore, the control unit can be brought into a stowage position, which is also used, for example, with fully automatic steering.

A steer-by-wire steering system in the context of the present invention is to be understood as meaning a steering system which essentially consists of a so-called hand wheel actuator (HWA), for example the actuator system around the commanding vehicle steering wheel, and a road wheel actuator ( RWA), i.e. the actuator system that acts on the steering mechanism connected to the vehicle wheels. The steering signal is transmitted from the HWA to the RWA via wire.

Such systems are basically known from the prior art. This is how it reveals DE 10 2015 224 602 A1 an adjustable steering column for a steer-by-wire steering device of a motor vehicle, comprising an actuating unit which comprises a steering spindle rotatably mounted in a casing unit about a longitudinal axis, the casing unit having a first casing tube in which at least a second casing tube is rotationally fixed with respect to the longitudinal axis arranged and telescopically axially displaceably mounted, an actuator being connected to the first and second casing tube, of which the second casing tube can be axially retracted and extended relative to the first casing tube, and which comprises a spindle drive with a spindle drive arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis an electric servomotor rotatably drivable threaded spindle which is supported on a casing tube and which is screwed into a spindle nut which is attached to the other casing tube in a rotationally fixed manner, the threaded spindle extending within the first casing tube, and the spindle nut being attached to the second casing tube

The DE 10 2018 212 696 B3 an adjustment drive for a motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle is also known, comprising a motor drive unit and an external threaded spindle which has an external thread and a coaxial internal thread into which an internal threaded spindle engages, the external threaded spindle and the internal Threaded spindle can be driven by the drive unit to rotate relative to one another about an axis. In order to provide an adjustment drive that requires a lower drive torque and offers an optimized free adjustment path, the DE 10 2018 212 696 B3 proposes that the external threaded spindle engages with its external thread in a drive nut, wherein the drive nut or the internally threaded spindle can be driven in rotation by the drive unit and is supported in the direction of the axis relative to the drive unit.

With regard to the further development towards autonomous driving, the driver of the vehicle would like to be given the opportunity to retract the steering wheel almost completely towards the dashboard during autonomous driving in order to achieve an improved comfort level without a steering wheel that may be perceived as disturbing, which is also completely new Design concepts for the passenger cell are permitted.

With such new designs of the passenger cell in autonomously driving motor vehicles, there are often special requirements for the steering wheel to be retracted, in particular with regard to the required travel distance, which is usually significantly greater than the travel distance for an extendable steering column in a non-autonomously driving automobile.

Implementing larger travel distances over longer spindles with the approaches known from the prior art is important in terms of installation space and stability critical. For example, in conventional concepts the spindle would have to be longer than the steering column, which would lead to a collision with the steering wheel when retracting. In addition, passive vehicle safety is significantly worsened because there is a penetrator in the driver's direction.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved length-adjustable operating unit compared to the prior art for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle by a user, in particular for use in a steer-by-wire system.

This object is achieved by a length-adjustable operating unit for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle by a user, in particular for use in a steer-by-wire system, comprising an electric motor which is connected to a spindle in a torque-transmitting manner and a spindle nut is thus connected to the spindle is operatively connected that a rotation of the spindle causes a translational offset of the spindle nut relative to the spindle, the motor being fixed in position relative to a first jacket tube, and the spindle nut is connected to an inner guide tube, which is arranged at least in sections axially displaceable within the jacket tube, so that the jacket tube and the inner guide tube form a telescopic extension that can be actuated by the motor, the spindle extending in the axial direction from a region facing the actuation direction on a first end face of the jacket tube in the direction of a second end face of the jacket tube facing away from the actuation direction.

This has the advantage that when the telescopic extension is extended, the spindle does not extend in the direction of the driver, but away from him, which in particular significantly reduces the risk of injury to the driver in the event of an accident.

With the length-adjustable operating unit, travel lengths of greater than 200 mm can be implemented, which means that the operating unit is particularly suitable for use within a passenger compartment of an autonomous motor vehicle. For this purpose, the spindle preferably has a length of greater than 200mm, preferably between 200-1,000mm, most preferably between 200-500mm.

The motor can be designed as an axial flux motor or radial flux motor. Furthermore, it is possible to design a motor configured as a radial flux motor as an internal rotor or external rotor.

The motor is coupled via a rotor shaft to an actuator mechanism that includes a spindle drive. The spindle drive converts a rotational movement of the spindle into a linear movement of the spindle nut using a spindle and a spindle nut, which are geared together. In its simplest form, a spindle drive can be formed from the spindle and the spindle nut, with the thread of the threaded spindle meshing directly in a corresponding internal thread of the threaded spindle nut

In order to minimize these friction losses, the spindle drive can also be designed as a roller threaded spindle drive, in which rollers or balls are arranged between the spindle and the spindle nut, so that a rolling or. Rolling movement is realized, which leads to significantly better efficiency of the spindle drive mechanics.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the casing tube, the outer guide tube and the inner guide tube are arranged coaxially to a common axis of rotation, which contributes to a particularly compact design.

According to a further preferred development of the invention, it can also be provided that the spindle has an axis of rotation which is aligned axially parallel to the common axis of rotation of the telescopic extension, which also makes it possible to realize axially compact embodiments of the operating unit.

The invention can also be advantageously designed in such a way that the casing tube, the outer guide tube (if present) and the inner guide tube have a polygonal, in particular octagonal, cross-sectional contour, which enables an advantageous division of the displacement bearings, for example three front displacement bearings on approx . 12/4/8 o'clock and three rear sliding bearings at approx. 2/6/10 o'clock. The displacement bearings can preferably be designed as plain bearings made of plastic. Most preferably, the casing tube, the outer guide tube (if present) and/or the inner guide tube are made of sheet metal.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the spindle is coupled to a slide which can be translated in translation through the spindle and which is connected on the one hand to the inner guide tube and on the other hand to the spindle nut, whereby the spindle and the motor of the operating unit are better suited to given installation space situations are customizable.

According to a further preferred development of the invention, it can also be provided that the motor is positioned in the axial direction in the area facing in the actuation direction on the first end face of the casing tube.

This can ensure that the motor of the spindle drive does not come into conflict with any force feedback actuator that may be present due to the arrangement “at the front” (in the axial direction in the area on the first end face of the casing tube facing the actuation direction) and instead only a comparatively thin spindle can be positioned past the force feedback actuator. Furthermore, the spindle guide is more stable when the motor is arranged “at the front”, especially in conjunction with the slide on the spindle nut, because in the extended state the spindle nut is close to the motor, which can be firmly mounted on the housing. If the motor were instead arranged at the rear, the spindle nut would be “at the front” of the spindle end when extended, which is floating.

Furthermore, according to a likewise advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the motor forms a first bearing for a first distal end of the spindle. The bearing can be provided by the motor directly or indirectly, for example by a gearbox coupled to the motor, whereby the spindle can then also be mounted in the gearbox.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the spindle is received with a second distal end in a second bearing, which is fixed in position relative to the casing tube. In this way, the effect can be achieved in particular that with a comparatively long spindle, for example more than 200mm, a sufficiently stable storage of the spindle can be achieved, since, for example, one-sided storage within or through the motor is often not sufficient.

Furthermore, the invention can also be further developed in such a way that the motor has an axis of rotation and the spindle has an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation of the spindle and the axis of rotation of the motor being essentially orthogonal to one another, which also promotes a particularly compact axial design.

In a likewise preferred embodiment variant of the invention, it can also be provided that the operating unit has a force feedback actuator, which is arranged on the second end face of the casing tube facing away from the actuation direction. A force feedback actuator can in particular be designed as an electric motor, which provides a torque for influencing a steering torque for feedback to a driver.

It can also be advantageous to further develop the invention in such a way that the force feedback actuator has an axial extent and the second bearing is arranged in the axial direction within the axial extent of the force feedback actuator, which results in an axially compact design Control unit can be further optimized.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the invention, it can be provided that the spindle nut is coupled to a connecting element that connects the spindle nut to the slide, the connecting element being in the fully retracted operating state of the telescopic extension in the axial direction within the axial extent of the force feedback Actuator is arranged, which also contributes to an axially particularly compact design of the control unit. Furthermore, the structurally variable connecting piece enables the connection between the spindle nut and the slide to be guided around, for example, the force feedback actuator or other adjacent components of the operating unit.

Finally, the invention can also be advantageously designed in such a way that the inner guide tube is arranged at least in sections axially displaceable axially within an outer guide tube in a translational manner relative to the latter, and within the casing tube the outer guide tube is arranged in an axially displaceable manner at least in sections, so that the casing tube, the The outer guide tube and the inner guide tube form the telescopic extension that can be actuated by the motor, whereby the extension or the adjustment length of the telescopic extension can be increased.

The invention will be explained in more detail below using figures without restricting the general idea of the invention.

• 1 eine erste Ausführungsform der Bedieneinheit in einer schematischen Darstellung in einem vollständig eingefahrenen und einem vollständig ausgefahrenen Betriebszustand des Teleskopauszugs,
• 2 eine freigestellte Spindel mit Motor und Schieber in einer Aufsicht,
• 3 eine zweite Ausführungsform der Bedieneinheit in einer perspektivischen Darstellung in einem vollständig eingefahrenen und einem vollständig ausgefahrenen Betriebszustand des Teleskopauszugs,
• 4 ein Steer-by-Wire-Lenksystem mit einer längenverstellbaren Bedieneinheit in einer schematischen Blockschaltansicht.

It shows:

• 1 a first embodiment of the operating unit in a schematic representation in a fully retracted and a fully extended operating state of the telescopic extension,
• 2 an isolated spindle with motor and slider in a top view,
• 3 a second embodiment of the operating unit in a perspective view in a completely retracted and a fully extended operating state of the telescopic extension,
• 4 a steer-by-wire steering system with a length-adjustable control unit in a schematic block diagram.

The 1 shows a length-adjustable operating unit 1 for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle 2 by a user, in particular for use in a steer-by-wire system 3, as is also exemplified in the 4 is sketched. It can be seen there that the steer-by-wire system 3 has the length-adjustable control unit 1 and a steering actuator 32, which converts the steering commands into a corresponding wheel position of the motor vehicle 2. The steering commands are transmitted from the operating unit 1 to the steering actuator 32 in a wired or wireless manner, which is indicated by the dotted line. The operating unit 1 has a steering wheel 28 that can be operated by a user.

The control unit 1 of the 1 comprises an electric motor 4, which is connected to a spindle 6 in a torque-transmitting manner, and a spindle nut 7, which is operatively connected to the spindle 6 in such a way that a rotation of the spindle 6 causes a translational offset of the spindle nut 7 relative to the spindle 6.

The motor 4 is fixed in position relative to a first casing tube 8. This can be realized, for example, by a connection means or a housing in which the motor 4 and the casing tube 8 are accommodated. A direct connection of motor 4 and casing pipe 8 is also possible, for example by screwing or welding. The spindle nut 7 is connected to an inner guide tube 10, which is arranged at least in sections axially displaceable within the jacket tube 8, so that the jacket tube 8 and the inner guide tube 10 form a telescopic extension 11 that can be actuated by the motor 4. The top image of the 1 shows the telescopic extension 11 in its fully retracted operating position and the figure below 1 in its fully extended operating position.

The spindle 6 extends in the axial direction starting from a region 12 facing the actuation direction on a first end face 13 of the casing tube 8 in the direction of the second end face 14 of the casing tube 8 facing away from the actuation direction. The spindle 6 therefore does not extend in the direction of the passenger compartment, the ones in the 1 would lie to the right, but away from it, in the left direction in the 1 .

The spindle 6 is coupled to a cylindrical rod-shaped slide 16 which can be translated in translation through the spindle 6 and which is connected on the one hand to the inner guide tube 10 and on the other hand to the spindle nut 7. The coupling point is positioned on the end face of the inner guide tube 10, which is oriented in the pull-out direction, which is well reflected in the 1 can be recognized.

The 1 It can also be clearly seen that the motor 4 is positioned in the axial direction in the area 12 facing the actuation direction on a first end face 13 of the casing tube 8 and the motor 4 forms a first bearing 15 for a first distal end 17 of the spindle 6. In other words, the motor 4 is located at the end 17 of the spindle 6 facing the passenger compartment. The spindle 6 is received with a second distal end 18 in a second bearing 19, which is fixed in position relative to the casing tube 8. The spindle nut 7 is coupled to a connecting element 24 that connects the spindle nut 7 to the slide 16. In the exemplary embodiment shown 1 the spindle 6 has a length of greater than 200mm.

The motor 4 has an axis of rotation 20 and the spindle 6 has an axis of rotation 21, the axis of rotation 21 of the spindle 6 and the axis of rotation 20 of the motor 4 being essentially orthogonal to one another, which is also clear from the 2 can be recognized. You can tell from the 2 also that the motor 4 can have an unspecified gear, which is connected to the spindle 6 and the first bearing 15 of the spindle 6 is provided within the gear.

The 3 shows an embodiment of the control unit 1 with a compared to the embodiment of 1 modified telescopic extension 11. In the embodiment of 3 the inner guide tube 10 is arranged at least in sections axially within an outer guide tube 9 so that it can be translated in relation to the latter. Furthermore, the outer guide tube 9 is arranged to be axially displaceable at least in sections within the casing tube 8, so that the casing tube 8, the outer guide tube 9 and the inner guide tube 10 form the telescopic extension 11 which can be actuated by the motor 4. This is well illustrated in the image below 3 , which shows the telescopic extension 11 in a fully extended operating position, is understandable.

What the 3 can also be seen is that the operating unit 1 has a force feedback actuator 22, which is arranged on the second end face 14 of the casing tube 8 facing away from the actuation direction. The force feedback actuator 22 has an axial extension 23, with the second bearing 19 in the axial direction device is arranged within the axial extent 23 of the force feedback actuator 22.

The spindle nut 7 is here also coupled to a connecting element 24 that connects the spindle nut 7 to the slide 16, the connecting element 24 being arranged in the axial direction within the axial extension 23 of the force feedback actuator 22 in the fully retracted operating state of the telescopic extension 11 , as shown in the image above 3 is shown.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures. The foregoing description is therefore not to be viewed as limiting but rather as illustrative. The following patent claims are to be understood as meaning that a stated feature is present in at least one embodiment of the invention. This does not exclude the presence of other features. If the patent claims and the above description define 'first' and 'second' features, this designation serves to distinguish two similar features without establishing a ranking.

Reference symbol list

1

Control unit

2

motor vehicle

3

Steer-By-Wire system

4

engine

6

spindle

7

spindle nut

8th

casing pipe

9

Guide tube

10

Guide tube

11

Telescopic extension

12

Area

13

front side

14

front side

15

camp

16

Slider

17

End

18

End

19

camp

20

Axis of rotation

21

Axis of rotation

22

Force feedback actuator

23

extension

24

connecting element

28

steering wheel

32

Steering actuator

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102015224602 A1 [0004]
• DE 102018212696 B3 [0005]

Claims (10)

Length-adjustable operating unit (1) for influencing the driving direction of a motor vehicle (2) by a user, in particular for use in a steer-by-wire system (3), comprising an electric motor (4), which transmits torque with a spindle (6) is connected and a spindle nut (7) is operatively connected to the spindle (6) in such a way that a rotation of the spindle (6) causes a translational offset of the spindle nut (7) relative to the spindle (6), the motor (4) relative to one first jacket tube (8) is fixed in position, and the spindle nut (7) is connected to an inner guide tube (10), which is arranged at least in sections axially displaceable within the jacket tube (8), so that the jacket tube (8) and the inner guide tube ( 10) form a telescopic extension (11) which can be actuated by the motor (4), characterized in that the spindle (6) extends in the axial direction from a region (12) facing the actuation direction on a first end face (13) of the casing tube (8 ) extends in the direction of a second end face (14) of the casing tube (8) facing away from the actuation direction. Length-adjustable control unit (1). Claim 1 , characterized in that the spindle (6) is coupled to a slide (16) which can be translated in translation through the spindle (6) and which is connected on the one hand to the inner guide tube (10) and on the other hand to the spindle nut (7). Length-adjustable operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor (4) is positioned in the axial direction in the region (12) of a first end face (13) of the casing tube (8) facing the actuation direction. Length-adjustable operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor (4) forms a first bearing (15) for a first distal end (17) of the spindle (6). Length-adjustable operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spindle (6) is received with a second distal end (18) in a second bearing (19), which is fixed in position relative to the casing tube (8). Length-adjustable operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor (4) has an axis of rotation (20) and the spindle (6) has an axis of rotation (21), the axis of rotation (21) of the spindle (6) and the axis of rotation (20) of the motor (4) runs essentially orthogonally to one another. Length-adjustable operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating unit (1) has a force feedback actuator (22) which is arranged on the second end face (14) of the casing tube (8) facing away from the actuation direction. Length-adjustable control unit (1). Claim 7 , characterized in that the force feedback actuator (22) has an axial extent (23) and the second bearing (19) is arranged in the axial direction within the axial extent (23) of the force feedback actuator (22). Length-adjustable control unit (1) according to one of the previous ones Claims 7 - 8th , characterized in that the spindle nut (7) is coupled to a connecting element (24) that connects the spindle nut (7) to the slide (16), the connecting element (24) being in the fully retracted operating state of the telescopic extension (11) in the axial direction Direction is arranged within the axial extent (23) of the force feedback actuator (22). Length-adjustable operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner guide tube (10) is arranged at least in sections axially within an outer guide tube (9) so that it can be translated in relation to the latter, and within the casing tube (8) the outer guide tube (9 ) is arranged to be axially displaceable at least in sections, so that the casing tube (8), the outer guide tube (9) and the inner guide tube (10) form the telescopic extension (11) which can be actuated by the motor (4).

Images