Steering control member with fixed hub and non-circular profile

Abstract

A steering control device includes a steering column, a hub fixedly connected to the steering column, and a support member fixedly connected to the hub. The support member has a continuous outer surface including a center point. A steering member is movably mounted on the support member, and a steering module is mounted in the support member. The steering module converts movement of the steering member relative to the support member into a steering position signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicles, and more specifically, to vehicles having a steering control member comprising a fixed center hub and a non-circular profile. Background Technology

[0002] Most private and commercial vehicles include steering controls in the form of wheels with a rotating center hub and a circular profile. Other vehicles, such as certain racing cars with limited steering requirements, may include steering controls with a rotating center hub and a non-circular profile. For example, top-tier fuel-powered racing cars require minimal steering and therefore employ bowtie-shaped steering controls. Bowtie-shaped designs are typically found in the smaller cockpits of racing cars.

[0003] Modern vehicle designers are incorporating more and more technology into smaller packages, and consumers are expecting more and more vehicle features. Therefore, there is a contradiction between the combination of vehicle size and technological features. Steering wheel-style steering controls require a large footprint in the passenger compartment, which may obstruct the visibility of displays and / or other features. A large footprint may also hinder entry and exit from the vehicle. The steering wheel itself requires space, and operating the steering wheel also requires space. Manufacturers welcome steering control technologies that require a smaller footprint for the controls themselves and the space needed to operate them. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a non-limiting example, a steering control device is disclosed, including a steering column, a hub fixedly connected to the steering column, and a support member fixedly connected to the hub. The support member has a continuous outer surface including a center point. A steering member is movably mounted on the support member, and a steering module is mounted in the support member. The steering module converts the motion of the steering member relative to the support member into a steering position signal.

[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, the steering component includes a continuous strip that rides on the support component.

[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, the steering module includes a gear arranged in a hub that is operatively connected to the steering output member.

[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, the continuous belt includes a plurality of teeth that engage with gears arranged in a hub, the plurality of teeth converting the motion of the continuous belt into rotation of the gears.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, the intermediate gear is operatively connected between the gears in the continuous belt and the hub.

[0009] In addition to one or more features described herein, the steering output component includes an encoder coupled to the gear, which converts the rotation of the gear into a steering signal.

[0010] In addition to one or more features described herein, the steering module includes a first sensor disposed on a support member and a second sensor disposed on a continuous belt.

[0011] In addition to one or more features described herein, the steering module includes a controller operatively connected to a first sensor and a second sensor, which converts the position of the continuous belt relative to a support member into a steering position signal.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first sensor includes a first plurality of sensors arranged around the support member, and the second sensor includes a second plurality of sensors disposed on a continuous strip.

[0013] In addition to one or more features described herein, the hub is radially offset relative to the center point of the support member.

[0014] According to another non-limiting example, a vehicle is disclosed, comprising a body and a plurality of wheels supporting the body. At least one of the plurality of wheels is a steerable wheel. A steering control device is operatively connected to the steerable wheel. The steering control device includes a steering column, a hub fixedly connected to the steering column, and a support member fixedly connected to the hub. The support member has a continuous outer surface including a center point. A steering member is movably mounted on the support member, and a steering module is mounted in the support member. The steering module converts the motion of the steering member relative to the support member into a steering position signal.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, the steering component includes a continuous strip that rides on the support component.

[0016] In addition to one or more features described herein, the steering module includes a gear arranged in a hub that is operatively connected to the steering output member.

[0017] In addition to one or more features described herein, the continuous belt includes a plurality of teeth that engage with gears arranged in a hub, the plurality of teeth converting the motion of the continuous belt into rotation of the gears.

[0018] In addition to one or more features described herein, the intermediate gear is operatively connected between the gears in the continuous belt and the hub.

[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, the steering output component includes an encoder coupled to the gear, which converts the rotation of the gear into a steering signal.

[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, the steering module includes a first sensor disposed on a support member and a second sensor disposed on a continuous belt.

[0021] In addition to one or more features described herein, the steering module includes a controller operatively connected to a first sensor and a second sensor, which converts the position of the continuous belt relative to a support member into a steering position signal.

[0022] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first sensor includes a first plurality of sensors arranged around the support member, and the second sensor includes a second plurality of sensors disposed on a continuous strip.

[0023] In addition to one or more features described herein, the hub is radially offset relative to the center point of the support member.

[0024] The above-described features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages, of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Other features, advantages, and details appear only by way of example in the following detailed description, which refers to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 It is a side view of a vehicle including steering control, based on a non-limiting example;

[0027] Figure 2 It is based on the non-restrictive example. Figure 1 A perspective view of the steering control unit;

[0028] Figure 3 It is a section taken along line 3-3. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the steering control device;

[0029] Figure 4 It is a section taken along line 4-4. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the steering control device;

[0030] Figure 5 It is a section taken along line 5-5. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the steering control device;

[0031] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of steering control based on another non-limiting example; and

[0032] Figure 7 It is a block diagram depicting a steering module based on a non-limiting example. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The following description is exemplary in nature only and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or use. It should be understood that in all the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0034] According to the non-restrictive example, the vehicle in Figure 1 The vehicle 10 is generally designated as 10. The vehicle 10 includes a body 12 supported on a plurality of wheels 16. At least one of the plurality of wheels 16 is a steerable wheel. That is, changing the position of at least one of the plurality of wheels 16 relative to the body 12 will cause the vehicle 10 to change direction. In the non-limiting example shown, both front wheels (not separately labeled) of the plurality of wheels 16 are steerable. The body 12 partially defines a passenger compartment 20 having seats 23 located behind an instrument panel 26. A steering control device 30 is arranged between the seats 23 and the instrument panel 26. The steering control device 30 is operated to control the orientation of the steerable wheels.

[0035] refer to Figure 2 And continue to refer to Figure 1 The steering control unit 30 is supported by a steering column 32, which, according to a non-limiting example, includes a hollow cross-section defining a conduit 35. A fixed hub 38 is fixedly attached to the steering column 32. The hub 38 may include a hollow interior 40. Figure 5 ). Bracket or support component 42 ( Figure 3 It is connected to hub 38. Support member 42 includes a continuous outer surface 44 and a continuous inner surface 46 defining a center point 48. In a non-limiting example, hub 38 is radially offset relative to center point 48.

[0036] refer to Figure 3 and 4 And continue to refer to Figure 2 The support member 42 includes a first side surface 49 and a second side surface 50. The second side surface 50 is opposite to the first side surface 49. In a non-limiting example, the first side surface 49 includes a first groove 52, and the second side surface includes a second groove 54. The first and second grooves 52 and 54 are arranged adjacent to a continuous inner surface 46. In a non-limiting example, a steering member 57 extends around the support member 42 and rides on a continuous outer surface 44.

[0037] In a non-limiting example, the steering member 57 takes the form of a continuous strip 59 having an outer side 61, a first side 63, and a second side 65 opposite to the first side 63. The first side 63 and the second side 65 are connected by the outer side 61. In a non-limiting example, the first side 63 includes a first edge 67 riding in a first recess 52, and the second side 65 includes a second edge 69 riding in a second recess 54.

[0038] In a non-limiting example, a first friction-reducing surface 71 is disposed on a first side surface 49 of the support member 42, and a second friction-reducing surface 73 is disposed on a second side surface 50. The first friction-reducing surface 71 may take the form of a substantially solid smooth member 74 formed of, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), plastic, felt, or lubricating metal. Similarly, the second friction-reducing surface 73 may be formed of a substantially solid smooth member 75. Of course, the first and second friction-reducing surfaces may be formed of a variety of materials and / or elements, and may include bearings or rollers incorporated at the first and second side surfaces 49 and 50. In a non-limiting example, the first and second friction-reducing surfaces 71 and 73 facilitate movement of the steering member 57 about the support member 42. In a non-limiting example, the outer portion 61 includes an inner surface portion 78. In a non-limiting example, the inner surface portion 78 includes a plurality of teeth 80. In a non-limiting example, the upper surface 44 of the support member 42 may include friction-reducing components such as those described herein, which facilitate movement of the teeth 80 on the support member 42.

[0039] exist Figure 5 In the non-limiting example shown, the steering control device 30 includes a steering module 82 that converts the movement of the continuous belt 59 on the support member 42 into steering command signals transmitted to the steerable wheels. In the non-limiting example, the steering module 82 includes a gear 84 arranged in a hub 38. The gear 84 is connected to a steering output member 86. In a non-limiting example, the steering output member 86 may take the form of a shaft 88 (…). Figure 1 In the form of a shaft 88, the shaft extends from the hub 38 through the steering column 32 to the steering box (not shown). In another non-limiting example, the steering output member 86 may take the form of an encoder 92, which converts the rotation of the gear 84 into an electrical signal that is transmitted to the steering controller (not shown).

[0040] In a non-limiting example, the continuous belt 59 is operatively connected to the gear 84. Figure 5 In the non-limiting example shown, the intermediate gear 94 serves as an interface between the gear 84 and the plurality of teeth 80. However, it should be understood that the plurality of teeth 80 may also be directly connected to the gear 84. Using this arrangement, the driver operates the continuous belt 59 on the support member 42. The movement of the continuous belt 59 is transmitted to the gear 84 via the intermediate gear 94. The intermediate gear 94 rotates the shaft 88 (…). Figure 1 This controls the steerable wheels. Alternatively, the rotation of gear 84 can be read by encoder 92 and then sent to the steering controller.

[0041] Now refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7In the description of a steering module 96 according to another non-limiting example, the same reference numerals denote corresponding portions in corresponding views. In the non-limiting example, the steering module 96 includes a first sensor 100 arranged on a support member 42 and a second sensor 102 connected to a continuous belt 59. In the non-limiting example, the first sensor 100 may take the form of a first plurality of sensors 104 arranged around the support member 42, and the second sensor 102 may take the form of a second plurality of sensors 106 arranged around the continuous belt 59.

[0042] In a non-limiting example, a first plurality of sensors 104 and a second plurality of sensors 106 are connected to a controller 110 having a steering signal conversion module 112. The steering signal conversion module 112 converts the relative position signals of the continuous belt 59 and the support member 42 into steering commands 118 that are transmitted to the steering wheels. The structure for converting the signals from the steering conversion module 112 to the steerable wheels can vary and can include all electrical control paths, mechanical control paths, and hybrid electrical and mechanical control paths.

[0043] In this regard, it should be understood that this disclosure describes various non-limiting examples of steering control devices that occupy a small footprint in the passenger compartment and are operated without requiring large hand movements to turn the wheels. The steering control device may include a purely mechanical interface with the vehicle, a purely electrical interface with the vehicle, or a hybrid interface with the vehicle.

[0044] While the foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and equivalents can replace its elements without departing from its scope. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from its essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within its scope.

Claims

1. A steering control device, comprising: Steering column; A hub that is fixedly connected to the steering column; A support member fixedly connected to the hub, the support member having a continuous outer surface including a center point; A steering component that is movably mounted on a support member; as well as A steering module installed in the support member converts the motion of the steering member relative to the support member into a steering position signal. The steering component can move within a plane. The steering component includes gear teeth facing a direction extending within the plane. The gear teeth are configured to rotate orthogonal to an axis extending from the plane, and The first friction-reducing surface is disposed on a first side surface of the support member, and the second friction-reducing surface is disposed on a second side surface. The first and second friction-reducing surfaces are formed by a substantially solid smooth member, and the first and second friction-reducing surfaces facilitate the movement of the steering member around the support member.

2. The steering control device according to claim 1, wherein, The steering component includes a continuous belt that rides on the support member and moves relative to the support member.

3. The steering control device according to claim 2, wherein, The steering module includes a gear arranged in the hub, which is operatively connected to a steering output member including the shaft.

4. The steering control device according to claim 3, wherein, The gear teeth engage with gears arranged in the hub, and the multiple teeth of the continuous belt convert the motion of the continuous belt into the rotation of the gears.

5. The steering control device according to claim 4 further includes an intermediate gear operably connected between the gear in the continuous belt and the hub.

6. The steering control device according to claim 3, wherein, The steering output component includes an encoder coupled to the gear, which converts the rotation of the gear into a steering signal.

7. The steering control device according to claim 2, wherein, The steering module includes a first sensor disposed on the support member and a second sensor disposed on the continuous belt.

8. The steering control device according to claim 7, wherein, The steering module includes a controller operatively connected to the first and second sensors, which converts the position of the continuous belt relative to the support member into a steering position signal.

9. The steering control device according to claim 8, wherein, The first sensor includes a first group of multiple sensors arranged around the support member, and the second sensor includes a second group of multiple sensors disposed on the continuous strip.

10. The steering control device according to claim 1, wherein, The hub is radially offset relative to the center point of the support member.

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