System and method for measuring intermediate steering shaft stick-slip rattle

Abstract

A testing system for an intermediate steering shaft includes a steering input motor, the steering input motor including a shaft. A first U-shaped connector includes a first end connected to the shaft of the steering input motor. The intermediate steering shaft includes a first shaft coupled to a second end of the first U-shaped connector, a slider connected to the first shaft, and a second shaft connected to the slider. A second U-shaped connector includes a first end connected to the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft. The motor includes a shaft and is configured to simulate steering loads. An adapter is configured to connect the second end of the second U-shaped connector to the shaft of the motor. The adapter is configured to cause eccentric rotation of the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of presenting the general context of this disclosure. The work of the currently named inventors within the scope described in this section, as well as aspects of this specification that might not have been prior art at the time of application, are neither expressly nor implicitly acknowledged as prior art to this disclosure.

[0002] This disclosure relates to systems and methods for measuring stick-slip clunk in intermediate steering shaft components. Background Technology

[0003] The driver of a vehicle uses a steering wheel to turn the front wheels. In certain situations (such as in a parking lot), turning the steering wheel may cause components of the vehicle's steering system to stick, require additional force, and / or generate noise. Such noise may be offensive to the vehicle's passengers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A testing system for an intermediate steering shaft includes a steering input motor, the steering input motor including a shaft. A first U-shaped connector includes a first end connected to the shaft of the steering input motor. The intermediate steering shaft includes a first shaft coupled to a second end of the first U-shaped connector, a slider connected to the first shaft, and a second shaft connected to the slider. A second U-shaped connector includes a first end connected to the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft. The motor includes a shaft and is configured to simulate steering loads. An adapter is configured to connect the second end of the second U-shaped connector to the shaft of the motor. The adapter is configured to cause eccentric rotation of the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

[0005] Among other features, the first U-joint, the second U-joint, and the intermediate steering shaft are arranged at angles corresponding to vehicle orientation. The first and second U-joints include double Cardan joints. An accelerometer is configured to measure the acceleration of at least one of the shafts of the motor, the shaft of the steering input motor, the first shaft of the intermediate steering shaft, and the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft. A controller is configured to control the torque applied by the motor during testing.

[0006] Among other features, the controller is further configured to: cause the steering input motor to reciprocate through a predetermined angle at the steering wheel speed, starting from one or more initial angles; and record the acceleration during rotation. The controller compares the measured acceleration with a predetermined threshold and selectively identifies faults based on the comparison result.

[0007] Among other features, the adapter includes a hole that extends axially and is offset from the central axis of the adapter by a predetermined offset. The predetermined offset is within a predetermined range of 2 mm to 4 mm. The eccentric rotation causes the first and second axes of the intermediate steering shaft to reciprocate relative to the slider.

[0008] A method for testing a test system for an intermediate steering shaft includes: connecting a first end of a first U-shaped connector to a shaft of a steering input motor; connecting a first shaft of the intermediate steering shaft to a second end of the first U-shaped connector, wherein the intermediate steering shaft includes a slider connected to the first shaft and a second shaft connected to the slider; connecting a first end of a second U-shaped connector to the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft; and connecting an adapter between the second end of the second U-shaped connector and the shaft of a motor configured to simulate steering loads. The adapter is configured to cause an eccentric rotation of the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft when the shaft of the steering input motor rotates.

[0009] Among other features, the method includes arranging the first U-joint, the second U-joint, and the intermediate steering shaft at an angle corresponding to the vehicle orientation. The first U-joint and the second U-joint include double universal joints. The method includes measuring the acceleration of at least one of the shaft of the motor, the shaft of the steering input motor, the first shaft of the intermediate steering shaft, and the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

[0010] Among other features, the method includes: controlling the torque applied by the motor to simulate a steering load; causing the steering input motor to rotate reciprocally through a predetermined angle at a steering wheel speed, starting from one or more initial angles; and recording the acceleration during rotation.

[0011] Among other features, the method includes comparing the measured acceleration to a predetermined threshold and selectively identifying faults based on the comparison result. The adapter includes a hole that extends axially and is offset from the central axis of the adapter by a predetermined offset. The predetermined offset is within a predetermined range of 2 mm to 4 mm. The eccentric rotation causes the first and second axes of the intermediate steering shaft to reciprocate relative to the slider.

[0012] A testing system for an intermediate steering shaft includes a steering input motor comprising a shaft. A first U-joint includes a first end connected to the shaft of the steering input motor. The intermediate steering shaft includes a first shaft coupled to a second end of the first U-joint, a slider connected to the first shaft, and a second shaft connected to the slider. A second U-joint includes a first end connected to the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft. The motor includes a shaft and is configured to simulate steering loads. An adapter is configured to connect the second end of the second U-joint to the shaft of the motor. The adapter is configured to cause eccentric rotation of the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft. The first U-joint, the second U-joint, and the intermediate steering shaft are arranged at an angle corresponding to vehicle orientation. The first U-joint and the second U-joint include double universal joints. An accelerometer is configured to measure the acceleration of at least one of the motor shaft, the steering input motor shaft, the first shaft of the intermediate steering shaft, and the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

[0013] The present invention also includes the following solutions:

[0014] Option 1. A testing system for an intermediate steering axle, comprising:

[0015] A steering input motor, the steering input motor including a shaft;

[0016] A first U-shaped connector, the first U-shaped connector including a first end, the first end being connected to the shaft of the steering input motor;

[0017] The intermediate steering shaft includes a first shaft coupled to the second end of the first U-shaped joint, a slider connected to the first shaft, and a second shaft connected to the slider;

[0018] The second U-shaped connector includes a first end that is connected to the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft;

[0019] A motor, the motor including a shaft and configured to simulate a steering load; and

[0020] An adapter configured to connect a second end of the second U-shaped connector to the shaft of the motor, wherein the adapter is configured to cause an eccentric rotation of the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

[0021] Option 2. The test system according to Option 1, wherein the first U-shaped joint, the second U-shaped joint and the intermediate steering shaft are arranged at an angle corresponding to the vehicle orientation.

[0022] Option 3. The test system according to Option 1, wherein the first U-shaped connector and the second U-shaped connector include a double universal joint.

[0023] Option 4. The test system according to Option 1 further includes an accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration of at least one of the shaft of the motor, the shaft of the steering input motor, the first shaft of the intermediate steering shaft, and the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

[0024] Option 5. The test system according to Option 4 further includes a controller configured to control the torque applied by the motor during the test.

[0025] Option 6. The test system according to Option 5, wherein the controller is further configured to:

[0026] This causes the steering input motor to rotate reciprocally through a predetermined angle at the speed of the steering wheel, starting from one or more initial angles; and

[0027] Record the acceleration during rotation.

[0028] Option 7. The test system according to Option 6, wherein the controller compares the measured acceleration with a predetermined threshold and selectively identifies faults based on the comparison result.

[0029] Option 8. The test system according to Option 1, wherein the adapter includes a hole that extends axially and is offset from the central axis of the adapter by a predetermined amount.

[0030] Option 9. The test system according to Option 8, wherein the predetermined offset is within a predetermined range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0031] Option 10. The test system according to Option 1, wherein the eccentric rotation causes the first and second axes of the intermediate steering shaft to reciprocate relative to the slider.

[0032] Option 11. A method for a testing system for an intermediate steering shaft, comprising:

[0033] Connect the first end of the first U-shaped connector to the shaft of the steering input motor;

[0034] The first shaft of the intermediate steering shaft is connected to the second end of the first U-shaped connector, wherein the intermediate steering shaft includes a slider connected to the first shaft and a second shaft connected to the slider;

[0035] Connect the first end of the second U-shaped connector to the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft; and

[0036] Connect the adapter between the second end of the second U-shaped connector and the shaft of the motor configured to simulate steering load.

[0037] The adapter is configured to cause an eccentric rotation of the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft when the shaft of the steering input motor rotates.

[0038] Option 12. The method according to Option 11, further comprising arranging the first U-shaped joint, the second U-shaped joint, and the intermediate steering shaft at an angle corresponding to the vehicle orientation.

[0039] Option 13. The method according to Option 11, wherein the first U-shaped connector and the second U-shaped connector comprise a double universal joint.

[0040] Option 14. The method according to Option 11, further comprising measuring the acceleration of at least one of the shaft of the motor, the shaft of the steering input motor, the first shaft of the intermediate steering shaft, and the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

[0041] Option 15. The method according to Option 14 further includes:

[0042] The torque applied by the motor is controlled to simulate steering load;

[0043] This causes the steering input motor to rotate reciprocally through a predetermined angle at the speed of the steering wheel, starting from one or more initial angles; and

[0044] Record the acceleration during rotation.

[0045] Option 16. The method according to Option 15 further includes comparing the measured acceleration with a predetermined threshold and selectively identifying faults based on the comparison result.

[0046] Option 17. The method according to Option 11, wherein the adapter includes a hole that extends axially and is offset from the central axis of the adapter by a predetermined offset.

[0047] Option 18. The method according to Option 17, wherein the predetermined offset is within a predetermined range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0048] Option 19. The method according to Option 11, wherein the eccentric rotation causes the first and second axes of the intermediate steering shaft to reciprocate relative to the slider.

[0049] Option 20. A test system for an intermediate steering axle, comprising:

[0050] A steering input motor, the steering input motor including a shaft;

[0051] A first U-shaped connector, the first U-shaped connector including a first end, the first end being connected to the shaft of the steering input motor;

[0052] The intermediate steering shaft includes a first shaft coupled to the second end of the first U-shaped joint, a slider connected to the first shaft, and a second shaft connected to the slider;

[0053] The second U-shaped connector includes a first end that is connected to the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft;

[0054] A motor, the motor including a shaft and configured to simulate a steering load;

[0055] An adapter configured to connect a second end of the second U-shaped connector to the shaft of the motor, wherein the adapter is configured to cause an eccentric rotation of the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft;

[0056] The first U-shaped connector, the second U-shaped connector, and the intermediate steering shaft are arranged at an angle corresponding to the vehicle's orientation; and

[0057] Wherein, the first U-shaped connector and the second U-shaped connector include a double universal connector; and

[0058] An accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration of at least one of the shaft of the motor, the shaft of the steering input motor, the first shaft of the intermediate steering shaft, and the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

[0059] Other applicable areas of this disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0060] This disclosure will be more fully understood from the specific embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0061] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of an example of a test bench for the intermediate steering axis (I-axis) of a steering system of a vehicle designed for testing sticky, dull noise, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0062] Figure 2 The graph shows the position of the pinion as a function of time.

[0063] Figure 3AThis is a diagram illustrating one end of the non-offset adapter;

[0064] Figure 3B This is a diagram illustrating one end of an offset adapter according to this disclosure; and

[0065] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a method for measuring I-axis stick-slip muffled sound on a test bench, based on the present disclosure.

[0066] In the accompanying drawings, reference numerals may be used repeatedly to identify similar and / or identical elements. Detailed Implementation

[0067] Component-level stick-slip muffled noise testing has been used to identify the intermediate steering shaft (I-axis) of the steering system that is likely to generate noise. For example, at relatively low vehicle speeds (and with high steering force), a stick-slip muffled noise may occur during parking maneuvers when the steering wheel is turned in the opposite direction, and this may occur when driving the vehicle in the forward (forward) and / or backward (reverse) directions.

[0068] In some sticky-slip muffled sound tests, the I-axis is evaluated by keeping it straight, applying net torque to it, and tapping the slider on the I-axis. In these tests, the I-axis is not oriented at the correct vehicle angle and does not rotate. Such tests are no longer effective in identifying certain patterns of sticky-slip muffled sounds.

[0069] According to the system and method of this disclosure, stick-slip muffler noise of the I-axis is measured on a test bench. The I-axis is arranged between the steering motor and a motor (such as a torque reaction motor) simulating the load of the steering system. The I-axis is arranged with respect to the vehicle angles and length for a given vehicle to reproduce the vehicle geometry and physical characteristics. A net torque is applied between the steering motor and the torque reaction motor as the I-axis rotates.

[0070] In some instances, an offset adapter located on the pinion side of the shaft generates an eccentricity (or eccentric rotation) to cause a stroke change (stroking) of the telescopic slider of the I-axis during rotation. This movement mimics the geometry and physical characteristics of conditions that can cause stick-slipping noises in a vehicle, such as parking maneuvers. The slider changes stroke during normal vehicle operation due to deformation of the body-mounted bushing and steering gear bushing. The offset adapter replicates the stroke-changing motion without requiring a separate actuator.

[0071] An accelerometer mounted on the I-axis records acceleration changes corresponding to clicking and bumping sounds generated in the I-axis during rotation. These clicking and bumping sounds are closely related to the sticky, dull noises heard when the I-axis is mounted in a vehicle. Therefore, the testing system and method according to this disclosure improve the identification of unacceptable sticky, dull noises in the I-axis.

[0072] Now for reference Figure 1 This diagram illustrates a test system 100 for the intermediate steering shaft (I-axis) of a vehicle's steering system. The test system 100 includes a first motor 104, such as a torque-reaction motor, which simulates the load on the vehicle's steering system when the steering wheel is rotated. In other words, the first motor 104 rotates in the same direction as the direction of steering wheel rotation to provide torque in the opposite direction and simulate the steering load during operation.

[0073] The shaft 108 of the first motor 104 is connected to the first end 116 of the U-joint 114 via an adapter 112. The second end of the U-joint 114 is connected to the upper I-shaft 124 of the I-shaft 125. The lower shaft 128 of the I-shaft 125 is connected to the upper I-shaft 124 via a slider 126, and is also connected to the shaft 136 of the U-joint 134. The slider 126 allows the upper I-shaft 124 of the I-shaft 125 to extend or retract relative to the lower shaft 128 of the I-shaft 125. In some instances, the U-joints 114 and 134 include a double universal joint. In some instances, the U-joints 114 and 134, the upper I-shaft 124, the lower shaft 128, and the slider 126 are all part of the I-shaft assembly under test.

[0074] Accelerometer 132 is attached around shaft 136 (and / or other rotating parts) of U-joint 134. In some instances, accelerometer 132 is glued or fastened to the outer surface of shaft 136. One or more additional accelerometers 132 may be used in other locations if desired. Shaft 140 of U-joint 134 is connected to shaft 148 of steering input motor 150.

[0075] Controller 170 is configured to control the first motor 104 and the steering input motor 150. Controller 170 is configured to control the first motor 104 to simulate steering load. Controller 170 is configured to control the steering input motor 150 to rotate at a representative steering wheel speed. Controller 170 also receives the output of accelerometer 132 (and other accelerometers, if used).

[0076] Now for reference Figure 2 The graph shows the pinion position as a function of time when the steering wheel motor rotates at a representative steering wheel speed. As can be seen, the test system measures a peak acceleration of 180° during the test. This peak acceleration is closely related to the sticky, muffled sound.

[0077] Now for reference Figure 3AThe adapter 200 includes a cylindrical body 210 having a hole 214 coaxial with the cylindrical body 210. A slot 218 may be formed on opposite sides of the cylindrical body 210 between the hole 214 and the radial outer surface of the cylindrical body 210, along a portion of the axial length of the cylindrical body 210. In some instances, the slot 218 is used to fix the rotation of the adapter 200 relative to another axis.

[0078] Now for reference Figure 3B The adapter 250 includes a cylindrical body 260 having a hole 264 offset from the axis of the cylindrical body 260 by a predetermined offset distance d. In some instances, 1 mm < d < 5 mm. In some instances, 2 mm < d < 4 mm (e.g., d = 3 mm). The offset distance determines the degree of change in the slider stroke experienced during rotation—increasing the offset increases the distance of the stroke change.

[0079] A slot 268 may be formed on opposite sides of the cylindrical body 260 between the hole 264 and the radial outer surface of the cylindrical body 260, along a portion of the axial length of the cylindrical body 260. In some instances, the slot 268 is used to fix the rotation of the adapter 250 relative to another axis.

[0080] Reference Back Figure 1 The test system 100 according to this disclosure uses a torque reaction motor, a steering input motor, and an offset adapter to more accurately represent the physical characteristics of the I-axis when mounted in a vehicle. Specifically, the test system 100 generates bending conditions experienced by the I-axis with a double universal joint when loaded. These bending conditions can lead to stick-slip, dull noises, and existing test systems do not generate these conditions.

[0081] The testing system also simulates vehicle conditions by applying a torque to the I-axis matching that present during parking maneuvers and rotating the I-axis back and forth with its static net torque. This loading and rotation procedure is the most consistent procedure for producing sticky, dull noises in a vehicle.

[0082] Furthermore, current testing measures the sticky, muffled sound effect as a sudden change in the measured sliding force, rather than directly measuring the bumps that cause the noise using an accelerometer. An accelerometer placed directly on the I-axis is the most accurate way to measure the event causing the noise and is directly correlated with the noise heard by the vehicle's occupants. In some instances, acceleration data is compared to one or more pre-defined acceleration thresholds. The location and magnitude of the muffled sound are matched to those directly observed within the vehicle.

[0083] Now for reference Figure 4This illustrates a method 300 for testing the I-axis of a vehicle steering system on a test bench. At 310, the test bench is set with the I-axis in the vehicle coordinate system, and N is set to equal to 1. At 314, an accelerometer is mounted on the I-axis. At 318, a motor attached to an offset adapter is used to apply a representative torque opposite to the direction of motion to the I-axis.

[0084] At 322, the starting angle is set to a first value. At 326, a motor attached to the column adapter is used to rotate the I-axis 90 degrees (or one or more other predetermined angle ranges) at a representative steering wheel speed, starting from the starting angle, when measuring acceleration. At 328, the method determines whether N = TH1, where TH1 is a positive integer corresponding to the number of times the test is performed for a specific starting angle. If 328 is false, the method continues at 330, sets N = N+1, and continues at 326.

[0085] If 328 is true, the method continues at 332 and determines whether to perform the test at one or more other starting angles. If 332 is true, the method continues at 334, changes the starting angle, resets N to 1, and then continues at 326. When 332 is false, the I-axis is evaluated based on the acceleration measured during the test. In some instances, the measured acceleration is compared to one or more acceleration thresholds or acceleration functions.

[0086] The foregoing description is illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, its application, or its uses. The broad teachings of this disclosure can be implemented in various forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes specific examples, its true scope should not be so limited, as other modifications will become apparent upon examination of the accompanying drawings, specification, and the following claims. It should be understood that one or more steps within the method may be performed in a different order (or simultaneously) without altering the principles of this disclosure. Furthermore, while each of the embodiments described above is described as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of this disclosure may be implemented in features of any of other embodiments and / or combined with features of any of other embodiments, even if such combinations are not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and substitutions of one or more embodiments for each other remain within the scope of this disclosure.

[0087] Various terms are used to describe spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.), including "connection," "joint," "coupled," "adjacent," "closely adjacent," "on top of," "above," "below," and "set." Unless explicitly described as "direct," when describing the relationship between the first and second elements in the above disclosure, the relationship can be a direct relationship in which no other intermediate elements exist between the first and second elements, but it can also be an indirect relationship in which one or more intermediate elements exist between the first and second elements (spatially or functionally). As used herein, the phrases A, B, and C should be interpreted using the non-exclusive logic "or" to mean logic (A or B or C) and should not be interpreted as meaning "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."

[0088] In the accompanying drawings, the direction of the arrows (as indicated by the arrows) generally represents the flow of information (such as data or instructions) of interest in the illustration. For example, when components A and B exchange various types of information, but the information transmitted from component A to component B is relevant to the illustration, the arrow may point from component A to component B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no other information is transmitted from component B to component A. Furthermore, for information sent from component A to component B, component B may send a request for the information or an acknowledgment of receipt of the information to component A.

[0089] In this application (including the definitions below), the term "circuit" may be used in place of the terms "module" or "controller". The term "module" may refer to, be part of, or include the following modules in a system-on-a-chip: application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC); digital, analog, or mixed-signal analog / digital discrete circuits; digital, analog, or mixed-signal analog / digital integrated circuits; combinational logic circuits; field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs); processor circuitry (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that executes code; memory circuitry (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that stores code executed by the processor circuitry; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or some or all of the above.

[0090] The module may include one or more interface circuits. In some instances, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless interfaces connected to a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or a combination thereof. The functionality of any given module in this disclosure may be distributed among multiple modules connected via the interface circuits. For example, multiple modules may allow for load balancing. In another instance, a server (also known as a remote or cloud) module may perform some functions on behalf of a client module.

[0091] As used above, the term "code" can include software, firmware, and / or microcode, and can refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, data structures, and / or objects. The term "shared processor circuitry" includes a single processor circuitry that executes some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group processor circuitry" includes processor circuitry that, in combination with additional processor circuitry, executes some or all of the code from one or more modules. References to multiple processor circuitry include multiple processor circuitry on a discrete die, multiple processor circuitry on a single die, multiple cores of a single processor circuitry, multiple threads of a single processor circuitry, or combinations thereof. The term "shared memory circuitry" includes a single memory circuitry that stores some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group memory circuitry" includes memory circuitry that, in combination with additional memory, stores some or all of the code from one or more modules.

[0092] The term memory circuit is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. As used herein, the term computer-readable medium does not include transient electrical or electromagnetic signals propagated through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium can therefore be considered tangible and non-transient. Non-limiting examples of non-transient tangible computer-readable media are non-volatile memory circuits (such as flash memory circuits, erasable programmable read-only memory circuits, or masked read-only memory circuits), volatile memory circuits (such as static random access memory circuits or dynamic random access memory circuits), magnetic storage media (such as analog or digital magnetic tape or hard disk drives), and optical storage media (such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs).

[0093] The apparatus and methods described in this application can be partially or fully implemented by a special-purpose computer configured to perform one or more specific functions implemented by a computer program. The function blocks, flowchart components, and other elements described above serve as software specifications that can be converted into computer programs through routine work by a technician or programmer.

[0094] The computer program includes processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium. The computer program may also include or depend on stored data. The computer program may include a basic input / output system (BIOS) for interacting with the hardware of a dedicated computer, device drivers for interacting with specific devices of the dedicated computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, and so on.

[0095] The computer program may include: (i) descriptive text to be parsed, such as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), XML (Extensible Markup Language), or JSON (JavaScript Object Annotation); (ii) assembly code; (iii) object code generated from source code by a compiler; (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter; (v) source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time (JIT) compiler; and so on. As an example only, source code can be written using the syntax of languages ​​including: C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Swift, Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, etc. Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, HTML5 (Hypertext Markup Language, Version 5), Ada, ASP (Active Server Pages), PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor), Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Visual Lua, MATLAB, SIMULINK and

Claims

1. A testing system for an intermediate steering shaft, comprising: A steering input motor, the steering input motor including a shaft; A first U-shaped connector, the first U-shaped connector including a first end, the first end being connected to the shaft of the steering input motor; The intermediate steering shaft includes a first shaft coupled to the second end of the first U-shaped joint, a slider connected to the first shaft, and a second shaft connected to the slider; The second U-shaped connector includes a first end that is connected to the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft; A motor, the motor including a shaft and configured to simulate a steering load; as well as An adapter configured to connect a second end of the second U-shaped connector to the shaft of the motor, wherein the adapter is configured to cause an eccentric rotation of the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

2. The testing system according to claim 1, wherein the first U-shaped joint, the second U-shaped joint, and the intermediate steering shaft are arranged at an angle corresponding to the vehicle orientation.

3. The testing system according to claim 1, wherein the first U-shaped connector and the second U-shaped connector comprise a double universal joint.

4. The test system of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration of at least one of the shaft of the motor, the shaft of the steering input motor, the first shaft of the intermediate steering shaft, and the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

5. The test system of claim 4, further comprising a controller configured to control the torque applied by the motor during the test.

6. The test system according to claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to: This causes the steering input motor to rotate reciprocally through a predetermined angle at the speed of the steering wheel, starting from one or more initial angles; and Record the acceleration during rotation.

7. The test system of claim 6, wherein the controller compares the measured acceleration with a predetermined threshold and selectively identifies faults based on the comparison result.

8. The test system of claim 1, wherein the adapter includes a hole that extends axially and is offset from the central axis of the adapter by a predetermined offset.

9. The test system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined offset is within a predetermined range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

10. The test system of claim 1, wherein the eccentric rotation causes the first and second axes of the intermediate steering shaft to reciprocate relative to the slider.

11. A method for testing a test system for an intermediate steering shaft, comprising: Connect the first end of the first U-shaped connector to the shaft of the steering input motor; The first shaft of the intermediate steering shaft is connected to the second end of the first U-shaped connector, wherein the intermediate steering shaft includes a slider connected to the first shaft and a second shaft connected to the slider; Connect the first end of the second U-shaped connector to the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft; and Connect the adapter between the second end of the second U-shaped connector and the shaft of the motor configured to simulate steering load. The adapter is configured to cause an eccentric rotation of the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft when the shaft of the steering input motor rotates.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising arranging the first U-shaped joint, the second U-shaped joint, and the intermediate steering shaft at an angle corresponding to the vehicle orientation.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first U-joint and the second U-joint comprise a double universal joint.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising measuring the acceleration of at least one of the shaft of the motor, the shaft of the steering input motor, the first shaft of the intermediate steering shaft, and the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: The torque applied by the motor is controlled to simulate steering load; This causes the steering input motor to rotate reciprocally through a predetermined angle at the speed of the steering wheel, starting from one or more initial angles; as well as Record the acceleration during rotation.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising comparing the measured acceleration with a predetermined threshold and selectively identifying faults based on the comparison result.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the adapter includes a hole that extends axially and is offset from the central axis of the adapter by a predetermined offset.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the predetermined offset is within a predetermined range of 2 mm to 4 mm.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the eccentric rotation causes the first and second axes of the intermediate steering shaft to reciprocate relative to the slider.

20. A test system for an intermediate steering axle, comprising: A steering input motor, the steering input motor including a shaft; A first U-shaped connector, the first U-shaped connector including a first end, the first end being connected to the shaft of the steering input motor; The intermediate steering shaft includes a first shaft coupled to the second end of the first U-shaped joint, a slider connected to the first shaft, and a second shaft connected to the slider; The second U-shaped connector includes a first end that is connected to the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft; A motor, the motor including a shaft and configured to simulate a steering load; An adapter configured to connect a second end of the second U-shaped connector to the shaft of the motor, wherein the adapter is configured to cause an eccentric rotation of the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft; The first U-shaped connector, the second U-shaped connector, and the intermediate steering shaft are arranged at an angle corresponding to the vehicle's orientation; and Wherein, the first U-shaped connector and the second U-shaped connector include a double universal connector; and An accelerometer configured to measure the acceleration of at least one of the shaft of the motor, the shaft of the steering input motor, the first shaft of the intermediate steering shaft, and the second shaft of the intermediate steering shaft.

Images