Modular power steering

Abstract

A modular power steering device includes a rotatable shaft that can be selectively rotated to cause a steering movement of at least one wheel. The housing supports the rotatable shaft for rotation relative to the housing about the axis of the shaft. A first rotary input assembly is provided for transmitting a steering command from a steering component to the rotatable shaft. A second rotary input assembly is operatively connected to the rotatable shaft. The second rotary input assembly is configured to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft. The device includes a plurality of drive stations. Each drive station is configured to selectively receive both the first rotary input assembly and the second rotary input assembly at different times for operative connection to the rotatable shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for steering steerable wheels, and more particularly to a modular electric steering device for steering steerable wheels of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle such as a heavy truck. Background Art

[0002] A known vehicle steering device comprises a steering member that is movable in an axial direction to cause a steering movement of a steerable wheel, particularly for a commercial vehicle, such as a heavy truck. A pinion is arranged to mesh with a rack portion of the steering member. A steering column interconnects the pinion and the vehicle steering wheel. A ball nut assembly is connected to the externally threaded portion of the steering member. A motor is connected to the ball nut assembly. The motor can be operated to cause the ball nut assembly to rotate relative to the steering member, thereby causing the steering member to move axially relative to the vehicle. The movement of the steering member is controlled by an input unit that transmits an operator command from a steering wheel or other operator input device. Exemplary electric vehicle steering devices are disclosed in U.S. Patents US 8 567 554 and US 8360 197, which are incorporated herein by reference. Summary of the invention

[0003] In one aspect, a modular power steering device is provided. A rotatable shaft is selectively rotatable to cause a steering movement of at least one wheel. A housing supports the rotatable shaft for rotation about an axis of the shaft relative to the housing. A first rotary input assembly is provided for transmitting a steering command from a steering component to the rotatable shaft. A second rotary input assembly is operatively connected to the rotatable shaft. The second rotary input assembly is configured to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft. The device includes a plurality of drive stations. Each drive station is configured to selectively receive both the first rotary input assembly and the second rotary input assembly at different times for operative connection to the rotatable shaft.

[0004] In one aspect, a device for steering a steerable wheel is provided. A rotatable shaft is selectively rotatable to cause a steering movement of at least one wheel. A housing supports the rotatable shaft for rotation about an axis of the shaft relative to the housing. A steering component is manipulated by a vehicle operator to provide a steering command to the device. A first rotary input assembly is provided to transmit a steering command from the steering component to the rotatable shaft. A second rotary input assembly is operatively connected to the rotatable shaft. The second rotary input assembly is operable to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft. The device includes a plurality of drive stations. Each drive station is configured to selectively receive both the first rotary input assembly and the second rotary input assembly at different times for operative connection to the rotatable shaft. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] For a better understanding, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one aspect of a modular electric power steering apparatus;

[0007] Figure 2A yes Figure 1 a perspective side view of the device in a first example use configuration;

[0008] Figure 2B is corresponding to Figure 2A An exploded perspective side view of

[0009] Figure 2C is corresponding to Figure 2A A three-dimensional side view of

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 a perspective side view of the device in a second example use configuration;

[0011] Figure 4A yes Figure 1 A perspective side view of the device in a third example use configuration; and

[0012] Figure 4B is corresponding to Figure 4A Exploded perspective side view of . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0014] The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" used herein may also include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprising ..." used herein may indicate the presence of the features, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0015] As used herein, the term "and / or" may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0016] Spatially relative terms, such as "below," "beneath," "below," "above," "over," and the like, may be used herein to facilitate descriptions of the relationship of one element or feature to other element(s) or feature(s), as shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms may also include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientations shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would be oriented "above" the other elements or features.

[0017] The expression "at least one of X and Y" used herein may be interpreted as including X, Y, or a combination of X and Y. For example, if an element is described as having at least one of X and Y, the element may include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y at a particular time, and the selection may change over time. Conversely, the expression "at least one of X" may be interpreted as including one or more Xs.

[0018] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure, the "first" element discussed below may also be referred to as the "second" element. The order of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the claims or drawings unless otherwise specifically noted.

[0019] The present invention comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of the following features in any combination.

[0020] Figure 1 A modular power steering device 100 is depicted for steering steerable wheels, including a rotatable shaft 102 that can be selectively rotated to cause steering movement of at least one wheel (shown schematically at 104). For example, the rotatable shaft 102 can be in driving engagement with a sector gear 106 that is configured to steer the wheels in a known manner.

[0021] The housing 108 supports the rotatable shaft 102 for rotating the rotatable shaft 102 about the shaft axis S relative to the housing 108. A steering component (e.g., a steering wheel, in Figure 1110 ) is manipulated by a vehicle operator to provide a steering command to the device 100. By using a first rotary input assembly 112, a steering command can be transmitted from the steering component 110 or from any other steering command source (e.g., an autonomous vehicle component) to the rotatable shaft 102. The first rotary input assembly 112 is shown in the drawings as an input shaft module having a torque angle sensor, but a person of ordinary skill in the art will be able to provide an appropriate first rotary input assembly 112. The first rotary input assembly 112 may include an input feature 114 as shown in the drawings for connection to the rotatable shaft 102 in any desired manner. For example, the depicted input feature 114 is an input shaft that can be inserted into the inner transmission feature 116 in a male-female manner to achieve the desired connection.

[0022] The second rotary input component (in Figure 1 The first and second rotary input assemblies 112 and 118 are schematically shown as an electronic power pack in the figure and are operably connected to the rotatable shaft 102. The second rotary input assembly 118 is configured to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft 102. Similarly, the second rotary input assembly 118 may include an input feature 114' for attachment to the rotatable shaft 102 in any desired manner. For example, the input feature 114' may be an input shaft that can be inserted into the inner transmission feature 120. For the specific use environment of the present invention, a person of ordinary skill in the art can easily set the mechanical connection between the rotatable shaft 102 and each of the first and second rotary input assemblies 112 and 118.

[0023] In the depicted exemplary use environment, the first rotary input assembly 112 provides a small rotational force indicating the direction and magnitude of the steering command. The second rotary input assembly 118 can provide steering assistance in response to the rotational input based on the steering command from the first rotary input assembly 118, which reaches a level that is mechanically sufficient to achieve the desired effect of moving the rotatable shaft 102 to move the sector gear 106 and thereby steer the wheel 104. Different vehicle manufacturers have different desired physical configurations for the device 100, depending on the volume and three-dimensional shape of the space available in the vehicle cabin area where the device 100 is to be installed. For example, for some vehicle types, it may be desirable to have the first rotary input assembly 112 and the second rotary input assembly 118 both arranged along the axis S of the shaft, while for other vehicle types, it may be desirable to provide a second rotary input assembly 118 oriented perpendicular to the axis S of the shaft. However, manufacturers of the device 100 generally prefer to avoid having to design a separate custom device 100 configuration for each vehicle use environment to reduce inventory, design, record maintenance and other manufacturing and inventory costs.

[0024] To address this configuration issue, the device 100 includes a plurality of drive stations 122, wherein each drive station 122 is located at least one of a different orientation and a different position relative to the rotatable shaft 102 than the other drive stations 122. Each drive station 122 is configured to selectively receive both the first rotary input assembly 112 and the second rotary input assembly 118 at different times for operative connection to the rotatable shaft 102. In other words, the device 100 has a modular configuration such that each of the first rotary input assembly 112 and the second rotary input assembly 118 can be operatively connected to the rotatable shaft 102 via the drive station 122 and associated components in a variety of configurations (however, it is contemplated that at any predetermined time, only one of the first rotary input assembly 112 and the second rotary input assembly 118 will be attached to any one selected drive station 122.).

[0025] For example, when there are two drive stations 122 provided by the device 100, the first rotary input assembly 112 can be operatively connected to a selected one of the two drive stations 122, while the second rotary input assembly 118 is operatively connected to the other of the two drive stations 122. In this two-station example, the positions of the first rotary input assembly 112 and the second rotary input assembly 118 can be "swapped" or switched at the two available drive stations 122 as needed to provide more desirable configuration factors for different vehicle configurations. In summary, the first rotary input assembly 112 and the second rotary input assembly 118 are each configured to simultaneously (in parallel) operate different drive stations 122 connected to the rotatable shaft 102.

[0026] However, it is contemplated that when the device 100 is assembled for a particular vehicle configuration, the particular device 100 will be “set up” with the first rotary input assembly and the second rotary input assembly 118 located at predetermined drive stations, and that this “set up” will not change during the useful life of the particular device 100. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate how a relatively modest inventory of spare device 100 parts in a variety of configurations may be deployed to meet the needs of a variety of vehicle types during the original manufacture of the vehicle or during a subsequent repair or restoration process, given the modular nature of the device.

[0027] It is also contemplated that the housing 108 may include one or more removable covers (a cover in Figure 1124). Each removable cover 124 is associated with at least one drive station 122. When present, the cover 124 is installed on a drive station 122 that does not simultaneously receive one of the first rotary input assembly 112 and the second rotary input assembly 118. Thus, more than two drive stations 122 may be provided to a particular device 100, and the cover 124 may be used to "cap off" any drive stations 122 that are not in use. In some cases, only one of the first rotary input assembly 112 or the second rotary input assembly 118 may be provided to a device 100, and in such a case, the cover 124 may be assigned to all but one of the drive stations 122 of the particular device 100.

[0028] The drive stations 122 may each include suitable components to operatively cooperate with both the first rotary input assembly 112 and the second rotary input assembly 118 at different times. They may be the same components for both types of assemblies, or different components may be provided for each assembly type, wherein only the components not in use at any given time are not connected to the incompatible components. However, it is contemplated that one of ordinary skill in the art will provide the drive stations 122 wherein the incompatible components will not mechanically interfere with the compatible components in use at that time.

[0029] FIG. 2A to FIG. 4B Shows Figure 1 Several non-limiting example use configurations of the device 100, wherein each use configuration is suitable for inclusion in a vehicle having a corresponding shape / volume that can be used to accommodate the device 100 in that use configuration, but may not accommodate the device 100 in other use configurations. FIG. 2A to FIG. 4B Each of the configurations of use includes the same housing 108 (and corresponding internal components) and first and second rotary input assemblies 112 and 118, but each configuration of use assembles these components differently through the use of a drive station 122. In this specification, element number "122" is used to refer to one or more drive stations together and / or to refer to one or more drive stations without distinction between them, while various combinations with "superscript" markings are used to indicate a specific one of the drive stations to make the description clear.

[0030] In the drawings, the first drive station 122' is coaxially positioned along the shaft axis S and is directly adjacent to the first end 126 of the rotatable shaft 102 (at Figure 1 As previously described, the first drive station 122' may include at least one of the inner transmission feature 116 and the outer transmission feature 120 for operatively connecting to the first rotary input assembly 112 and / or the second rotary input assembly 118, or may include any other mechanical components to achieve the desired operative connection.

[0031] Similarly, a second drive station 122" is coaxially positioned along the shaft axis S and directly adjacent the second end 128 of the rotatable shaft 102. The second drive station 122" is oriented opposite and spaced apart from the first drive station 122'. Similar to any drive station 122 provided to the device 100, the second drive station 122" may include at least one of an inner drive feature 116 and an outer drive feature 120 for operatively connecting to the first rotary input assembly 112 and / or the second rotary input assembly 118, or may include any other mechanical components to achieve a desired operative connection.

[0032] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C The device 100 is depicted as including a lateral drive station 122''. The lateral drive station 122'' includes a power input (at Figure 2B The power input 230 is shown as 230 in the figure, which is configured to receive the rotational power from the first rotational input assembly 112 or the second rotational input assembly 118. The rotational power is oriented about the rotational input assembly axis R, which is substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis S. The power input 230 may also or alternatively be configured to transfer the rotational power from the first rotational input assembly 112 or the second rotational input assembly 118 to another drive station 122, such as but not limited to the first drive station 122' or the second drive station 122". FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C , the first rotary input assembly 112 is operatively connected to the first drive station 122', the removable cover 124 "blocks off" the second drive station 122", and the second rotary input assembly 118 is operatively connected to the lateral drive station 122'".

[0033] Figure 3 Another use configuration of the device 100 is depicted, wherein the lateral drive station 122"' is positioned proximate the second end 128 of the rotatable shaft 102, which is similar to the FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C This is in contrast to the more centrally located lateral drive station 122''. Figure 3 The lateral drive station 122'' includes a power redirection module, which is schematically shown at 332 and is located inside the corresponding portion of the housing 108. The power redirection module 332 may include a gear train or may be otherwise configured to mechanically redirect received rotational power (along the rotational input assembly axis R) to an orientation about a direction parallel to the axis S of the shaft.

[0034] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B Another use configuration of the apparatus 100 is depicted, wherein the parallel drive station 122 IV The power transmission module 434 is spaced apart from the rotatable shaft 102 and is configured to transmit the received rotational power to the first drive station 122' or the second drive station 122". The parallel drive station 122 IVIt may also or alternatively be a “stand-alone” drive station that is separate from the other drive station(s) of apparatus 100 .

[0035] As in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B As shown in FIG. 1 , the parallel drive station 122 IV The power input 230 is configured to receive rotational power from the first rotational input assembly 112 or the second rotational input assembly 118, the rotational power being oriented about a rotational input assembly axis R that is substantially parallel to the shaft axis S. The power transfer module 434 transfers and / or redirects (e.g., “U-turns” such as “redirecting”) the rotational power from the first rotational input assembly 112 or the second rotational input assembly 118 using belts (one or more), gears (one or more), and / or any other desired mechanical components. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B ) to the first drive station 122 ′ or the second drive station 122 ″, and / or directly transferred and / or redirected to the rotatable shaft 102.

[0036] The second rotary input assembly 118 is shown as FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B Oriented in a "back" or "twelve o'clock" rotational position on top of housing 108 with drive station 122 parallel IV However, it is conceivable that parallel drive stations 122 IV The power input 230 and the power transfer module 434 can be oriented in any other rotational position (e.g., "three o'clock," "six o'clock," "nine o'clock," or any other desired parallel orientation relative to the rotational axis 102), wherein the power input portion 230 and the power transfer module 434 are thereby configured to reorient and / or transfer rotational power from the first rotational input component 112 or the second rotational input component 118 as required by a particular use environment.

[0037] Although aspects of the present disclosure have been specifically shown and described with reference to the above exemplary aspects, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional aspects may be conceived. For example, the specific methods of using the device described above are merely illustrative; those skilled in the art may readily determine any number of tools, step sequences, or other means / options for placing the above device or its components in a position substantially similar to that shown and described herein. In order to maintain the clarity of the drawings, certain repeated components shown are not specifically numbered, but those skilled in the art will recognize the element numbers that should be associated with the unnumbered components based on the numbered components; in the drawings, the presence or absence of element numbers is not intended or implied to distinguish between similar components. A "predetermined" state may be determined at any time before the structure being manipulated actually reaches that state, and at the latest until the "predetermination" is made just before the structure is about to reach the predetermined state. The term "substantially" is used herein to indicate a specified quality to a large extent but not necessarily entirely - a "substantial" quality allows for relatively few possibilities of including non-quality items. Although certain components described herein are shown as having specific geometric shapes, all structures of the present disclosure may have any suitable shape, size, configuration, relative relationship, cross-sectional area, or any other physical characteristics desired for a particular application. Any structure or feature described with reference to one aspect or configuration may be provided to any other aspect or configuration alone or in combination with other structures or features, as it would be impractical to describe the various aspects and configurations discussed herein as having all the options discussed with respect to all other aspects and configurations. Apparatus or methods incorporating any of these features should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based on the following claims and any equivalents thereof.

[0038] Other aspects, objects and advantages can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A modular power steering device, comprising: a rotatable shaft that is selectively rotatable to cause steering movement of at least one wheel; a housing supporting the rotatable shaft for rotation relative to the housing about an axis of the rotatable shaft; a first rotary input assembly for transmitting a steering command from a steering component to the rotatable shaft; as well as a second rotational input assembly operatively connected to the rotatable shaft, the second rotational input assembly configured to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft; Wherein, the apparatus comprises a plurality of drive stations, and each drive station is configured to selectively receive both the first rotary input assembly and the second rotary input assembly at different times for operative connection to the rotatable shaft.

2. The modular power steering device according to claim 1, wherein: The housing includes a removable cover associated with at least one drive station, the cover being mounted on a drive station that does not simultaneously receive either the first rotary input assembly or the second rotary input assembly.

3. The modular power steering device according to claim 1, wherein: A first drive station is coaxially positioned along the axis of the rotatable shaft and directly adjacent to the first end of the rotatable shaft.

4. The modular power steering device according to claim 3, wherein: The first drive station includes at least one of an inner transmission feature and an outer transmission feature for operative connection to the first rotary input assembly and / or the second rotary input assembly.

5. The modular power steering device according to claim 3, wherein: A second drive station is coaxially positioned along the axis of the rotatable shaft and directly adjacent to the second end of the rotatable shaft, the second drive station being oriented opposite and spaced apart from the first drive station.

6. The modular power steering device according to claim 5, wherein: The first and second drive stations each include at least one of an inner transmission feature and an outer transmission feature for operative connection to the first and / or second rotary input assembly.

7. The modular power steering device according to claim 5, wherein: The parallel drive station is spaced apart from the rotatable shaft and includes a power input portion configured to receive rotational power from the first rotational input assembly or the second rotational input assembly, the rotational power being oriented about a rotational input assembly axis substantially parallel to the axis of the rotatable shaft, the parallel drive station including a power transmission module configured to transmit the received rotational power to the rotatable shaft.

8. The modular power steering device according to claim 7, wherein: The power transmission module is configured to transmit the received rotational power to the rotatable shaft via the first drive station or the second drive station.

9. The modular power steering device according to claim 1, wherein: The transverse drive station includes a power input configured to receive rotational power from the first rotational input assembly or the second rotational input assembly, the rotational power oriented about a rotational input assembly axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rotatable shaft.

10. The modular power steering device according to claim 9, wherein: The lateral drive station includes a power redirection module configured to mechanically redirect received rotational power to an orientation about a direction parallel to an axis of the rotatable shaft.

11. The modular power steering device according to claim 1, wherein: The first and second rotary input assemblies are configured for simultaneously operating different drive stations connected to the rotatable shaft.

12. The modular power steering device according to claim 1, wherein: Each drive station is positioned relative to the rotatable shaft in at least one of a different orientation and a different position than the other drive stations.

13. A device for steering a steerable wheel, the device comprising: a rotatable shaft that is selectively rotatable to cause steering movement of at least one wheel; a housing supporting the rotatable shaft for rotation relative to the housing about an axis of the rotatable shaft; a steering member operable by a vehicle operator to provide steering commands to the device; a first rotational input assembly for transmitting a steering command from the steering component to the rotatable shaft; a second rotational input assembly operatively connected to the rotatable shaft, the second rotational input assembly being operable to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft; and Wherein, the apparatus comprises a plurality of drive stations, and each drive station is configured to selectively receive both the first rotary input assembly and the second rotary input assembly at different times for operative connection to the rotatable shaft.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein: A first drive station is coaxially positioned along the axis of the rotatable shaft and directly adjacent to the first end of the rotatable shaft.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein: The first drive station includes at least one of an inner transmission feature and an outer transmission feature for operative connection to the first rotary input assembly and / or the second rotary input assembly.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein: A second drive station is coaxially positioned along the axis of the rotatable shaft and directly adjacent to the second end of the rotatable shaft, the second drive station being oriented opposite and spaced apart from the first drive station.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein: The first drive station and the second drive station each include at least one of an inner transmission feature and an outer transmission feature for operative connection to the first rotary input assembly and / or the second rotary input assembly.

18. The device according to claim 13, wherein: The parallel drive station is spaced apart from the rotatable shaft and includes a power input portion configured to receive rotational power from the first rotational input assembly or the second rotational input assembly, the rotational power being oriented about a rotational input assembly axis substantially parallel to the axis of the rotatable shaft, the parallel drive station including a power transmission module configured to transmit the received rotational power to the rotatable shaft.

19. The device according to claim 13, wherein: The transverse drive station includes a power input configured to receive rotational power from the first rotational input assembly or the second rotational input assembly, the rotational power oriented about a rotational input assembly axis that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rotatable shaft.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein The lateral drive station includes a power redirection module configured to mechanically redirect received rotational power to an orientation about a direction parallel to an axis of the rotatable shaft.

Images