Longitudinally adjustable operating unit, kit of parts and steering-by-wire system

Abstract

The invention relates to a longitudinally adjustable operating unit (1) for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle (2) by a user, comprising: a telescopic pull-out device (4) having a guide tube (5), according to the invention, at least one first pull-out tube (6) is guided in or on the guide tube relative to the guide tube (5) and can be moved in translation by means of a rotatable spindle (8), which extends at least partially coaxially and axially in the first pull-out tube (6), the telescopic pull-out device (4) is coupled on one side to a steering device (7); and a plurality of electrically insulated conductors (9) extending axially through the telescopic pull-out device (4) in order to electrically connect an axially fixed first electrical connector (10) to a second electrical connector (11) that is axially movable by the pull-out device (4), where the electrical conductors (9) are combined to form a cable assembly (12), the cable assembly extends in an axial direction through the pull-out device (4) and has a longitudinally elastic shape.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a longitudinally adjustable operating unit for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle by a user, the operating unit comprising a telescopic pulling-out device having a guide tube, in or on which a first pulling-out tube is guided so as to be displaceable translationally relative to the guide tube, and the telescopic pulling-out device being coupled on the one hand to a steering device, wherein actuation of the steering device representing the steering direction causes rotation of a spindle which extends at least partly coaxially and axially in the first pulling-out tube, and wherein a plurality of electrically insulating conductors extend axially through the telescopic pulling-out device for electrically connecting a first electrical connection which is axially fixed to a second electrical connection which can be axially displaced by means of the pulling-out device. The invention also relates to a parts kit and a steer-by-wire system. Background Art

[0002] Electric steering devices are used in motor vehicles, among other applications, for receiving a direction request from a driver and converting this direction request into a corresponding movement of one or more road-end wheels. Compared with purely mechanical steering devices, electric steering devices can be divided into electric power steering devices and fully electric steering devices, namely so-called "steer-by-wire" steering devices. In particular, the advantage of these steer-by-wire steering devices is that the operating unit can be positioned relatively freely in the vehicle independently of mechanical connecting parts, which, in addition to saving costs, for example, when differentiating between right-hand drive vehicles and left-hand drive vehicles, also improves the accident behavior due to the absence of a steering column. In addition, the operating unit can also be brought into a retracted position, for example for use with fully automatic steering.

[0003] A steer-by-wire steering system within the meaning of the invention should be understood to mean a steering system which basically comprises a so-called handwheel actuator (HWA), for example an actuator system surrounding the command vehicle steering wheel, and a roadwheel actuator (RWA), namely an actuator acting on a steering mechanism connected to the vehicle wheels. Here, the steering signal is transmitted from the HWA to the RWA via a wire.

[0004] Such a system is fundamentally known from the prior art. For example, DE 10 2015 224 602 A1 discloses an adjustable steering column for a steer-by-wire steering device for a motor vehicle, the steering column including an actuating unit which includes a steering spindle mounted in a housing unit such that the steering spindle can rotate about a longitudinal axis, wherein the housing unit has a first housing tube and at least one second housing tube is arranged non-rotatably relative to the longitudinal axis and is mounted in the first housing tube in a telescopic, axially displaceable manner, wherein an actuator is connected to the first housing tube and the second housing tube, the second housing tube can be axially moved into and out of the first housing tube by the actuator, and a spindle drive includes a threaded spindle arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis and rotatable by an electric servo motor, the electric servo motor being supported on one housing tube and screwed into a spindle nut, the spindle nut being non-rotatably attached to the other housing tube, wherein the threaded spindle extends within the first housing tube and the spindle nut is attached to the second housing tube.

[0005] DE 10 2018 212 696 B3 also discloses an adjustment drive device for a motor vehicle's motor-adjustable steering column, the adjustment drive device including a motor drive unit and an external threaded spindle having an external thread and a coaxial internal thread, an internal threaded spindle engaging in the coaxial internal thread, wherein the external threaded spindle and the internal threaded spindle can be driven by the drive unit to rotate relative to each other about an axis. To provide an adjustment drive device that requires a lower drive torque and provides an optimized free adjustment path, DE 10 2018 212 696 B3 proposes that the external threaded spindle engages in a drive nut by its external thread, wherein the drive nut or the internal threaded spindle can be driven to rotate by the drive unit and is supported relative to the drive unit in the axial direction.

[0006] Regarding further development of autonomous driving, the goal is to enable the driver of a vehicle in autonomous driving mode to retract the steering wheel almost completely towards the dashboard, thereby achieving an improved comfort zone without a steering wheel that could be perceived as a disturbance, which also allows for completely new design concepts for the passenger compartment.

[0007] This new design of the passenger compartment in an autonomous motor vehicle typically results in special requirements for the steering wheel to be retracted, particularly with regard to the required travel distance, which is usually much greater than the travel distance of a telescopic steering column in a non-autonomous vehicle.

[0008] Implementing a greater travel distance on a longer spindle using methods known from the prior art is crucial in terms of installation space and stability. For example, in a conventional concept, the spindle would need to be longer than the steering column, which would result in a collision with the steering wheel during retraction. Additionally, due to the presence of penetrators in the direction of the driver, the passive safety of the vehicle is significantly impaired.

[0009] In the spindle drive device mentioned at the beginning, the spindle nut on the spindle drive device is usually self-locking, which means that in the event of an accident, the impact force on the steering wheel is supported by the self-locking mechanism, which increases the risk of injury. Inserting a collision element between the slide and the spindle nut reduces the risk of injury to the driver in the event of an accident by allowing the steering wheel to yield or move backward when a force is applied.

[0010] In a safety steering column of the above type, such a collision element is used to enable the steering wheel (or the housing tube connected to the steering wheel) to be pushed away by a distance of 80 mm to 120 mm in the event of an accident. When the steering wheel extends, for example, in the event of a collision, this further reduces the impact on the driver's head and minimizes the injury.

[0011] In addition to the challenge of meeting the safety requirements of the telescopic operating unit, it is usually difficult to establish an electrical connection between the telescopic steering unit and the fixed part of the corresponding telescopic extension, in which multiple control elements are located in modern vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved longitudinally adjustable operating unit for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle by a user, which can provide a simple and safe electrical contact between the telescopic end and the fixed end of the operating unit. Another object of the present invention is to implement a parts kit that allows for simplified assembly of a longitudinally adjustable operating unit for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle by a user. Additionally, an object of the present invention is to provide a steer-by-wire system having an optimized longitudinally adjustable operating unit.

[0013] This object is achieved by a longitudinally adjustable operating unit for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle by a user, the operating unit comprising: a telescopic pull-out device having a guide tube, at least a first pull-out tube being guided in or on the guide tube relative to the guide tube and being displaceable translationally by means of a rotatable spindle, the spindle extending at least partially coaxially and axially in the first pull-out tube, wherein the telescopic pull-out device is coupled on the one hand to a steering device; and a plurality of electrically insulating conductors extending axially through the telescopic pull-out device for electrically connecting a first electrical connection fixed axially to a second electrical connection displaceable axially by the pull-out device, wherein the electrical conductors are combined to form a cable assembly extending axially through the pull-out device and having a longitudinally elastic shape.

[0014] This has the advantage that during the cabling of the operating unit, a dynamic length compensation in the axial direction and a positioning in or on the pull-out device of the operating unit can be achieved. The longitudinally elastic shape of the cable assembly, which can also be referred to as a cable harness, allows the positioning to be determined, for example, by the intrinsic stresses generated by twisting the insulating electrical conductors without additional components, especially in the radial inner and outer directions, which significantly reduces the risk of undesired jamming or shearing of the cable assembly when the pull-out device is telescoped. This means that two functions can be provided by the longitudinally elastic cable assembly: on the one hand, a length compensation function, and a protection function against mechanical damage to the longitudinally elastic cable assembly during the telescoping of the pull-out device.

[0015] Depending on the selected stiffness of the insulating electrical conductors used, the shape of the longitudinally elastic cable assembly can be adjusted, for example, by the material, the conductor cross-section and / or the thickness and material of the insulating layer, without additional components. Generally speaking, this also means that the longitudinally elastic cable assembly requires fewer connection points to the surrounding housing or structural components compared to a conventional cable harness. The reduction in the number of necessary components directly results in lower manufacturing and assembly costs, as well as greater design freedom for the surrounding components of the longitudinally elastic cable assembly.

[0016] In this case, it is particularly preferred that the longitudinally elastic shape of the cable assembly is a helical shape and / or a zigzag shape.

[0017] The longitudinally elastic design of the zigzag shape in particular results in a planar, flat cable assembly, which preferably obtains its longitudinal elasticity from the course of the electrical conductors in the zigzag shape in the plane. For the purposes of the present application, the term zigzag shape also includes all wavy shapes in which the cable assembly extends in a plane, such as sine waves, rectangular waves, sawtooth waves, which can achieve a longitudinally elastic cable assembly.

[0018] For the purposes of the present application, the helical shape as presented by the cable assembly is a curve that winds around a cylindrical imaginary housing with a constant gradient. The helical shape can also be referred to as the shape of a helix, the shape of a spiral, the shape of a cylindrical helix, or the shape of a spiral.

[0019] Preferably, the helical cable assembly has a minimum radius in the radial direction. Preferably, the helical cable assembly also has a maximum radius in the radial direction, the maximum radius being greater than the minimum radius in the radial extension. It is also preferred that the minimum radius is constant in the axial direction and / or the maximum radius is constant in the axial direction.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferred that the helical cable assembly has a large number of helical windings. The desired compensation length of the helical cable assembly can be set in particular by the number of windings and the minimum and maximum radii.

[0021] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the insulating layers of the electrical conductors are firmly connected to each other such that, in the helical cable assembly, the positioning of the electrical conductors relative to each other is fixed.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the guide tube has an octagonal cross-sectional profile that has a tube height H, and the minimum radius of the helical cable assembly corresponds to between 55% and 80% of the tube height H of the guide tube. The maximum radius of the helical cable assembly is preferably between 80% and 100% of the tube height H of the guide tube. If the maximum radius of the cable assembly corresponds to 100% of the tube height H of the guide tube, then the cable assembly will be in close contact with the guide tube and will not "sag", thereby further reducing the risk of crushing or collision. If an outer radius less than 100% of the tube height H is selected, contact between the guide tube and the cable assembly can be prevented.

[0023] In this case, according to an advantageous further refinement of the invention, it is also conceivable to incorporate a helically pre-bent plastic rod or metal rod into the cable assembly in order to increase the helical stiffness and to define the minimum bending radius thereon. This means that electrical conductors with a relatively low hardness can also be used to form the helical cable assembly.

[0024] The operating unit according to the invention is particularly suitable for steer-by-wire systems in which a force feedback actuator (FFA) is installed in or on the steering device such that the torque-transmitting steering shaft is eliminated accordingly, meaning that there is also installation space for the helical cable assembly inside such a telescopic operating unit. In this case, it is particularly preferred that the helical cable assembly is coupled to the force feedback actuator at its axially displaceable end.

[0025] In particular, the force feedback actuator can be designed as an electric motor. The motor can be designed as an axial flux motor or a radial flux motor. A motor configured as a radial flux motor can also be designed as an internal rotor or an external rotor.

[0026] In principle, the helical cable assembly can extend radially inside and / or outside the pulling device. Preferably, the longitudinally elastic cable assembly extends radially inside the pulling device, and in particular, inside the axially fixed guide tube of the pulling device. It is also preferred that the longitudinally elastic cable assembly extends at least partially inside the axially movable pulling tube.

[0027] In this context, it is also advantageous that contact between the helical cable assembly and the inner surface of the guide tube can be avoided, since the guide tube can be used as a heat dissipation element for the internal electronic operating unit.

[0028] The strain relief for the helical cable assembly can advantageously be attached to the axially movable connecting piece of the operating unit, which can also be referred to as the "exit" of the pulling device.

[0029] The steering device can preferably be designed as a steering wheel. In principle, the steering device can also be designed as, for example, a joystick.

[0030] According to another preferred further improvement of the present invention, it can also be provided that a plurality of electrical conductors are arranged one above the other in the radial direction, wherein particularly advantageous radial stiffness and axial stiffness of the helical cable assembly can be achieved. In particular, such a helical cable assembly has a relatively high radial stiffness and a relatively low axial stiffness, and thus has advantageous axial flexibility for axial adjustment.

[0031] It can be preferred that the helical cable assembly at least partially surrounds the main shaft in the axial direction. In this context, it is also advantageous that the helical cable assembly extends coaxially with the main shaft and the main shaft at least partially passes through the helical cable assembly. The advantage of this design is that it provides a particularly compact and reliable version of the operating unit.

[0032] Furthermore, according to an equally advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided that the guide tube is axially fixed and the helical cable assembly extends at least partially inside the guide tube, which can also contribute to the high operating reliability of the operating unit, since the helical cable assembly at least partially extends through the axially fixed region of the pulling device, and in these regions, the risk of the cable assembly being squeezed by the telescopic component of the pulling device is low.

[0033] According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided that the main shaft is at least partially surrounded by a protective sleeve and the helical cable assembly at least partially surrounds the protective sleeve. This has the particular effect that the protective sleeve can provide further improved impact protection for the helical cable assembly relative to the main shaft. In this context, it is also preferred that the protective sleeve is arranged in a non-rotatable manner, wherein the main shaft can rotate within the protective sleeve, which can also reduce, for example, the wear between the protective sleeve and the helical cable assembly. Therefore, it is also preferred that the helical cable assembly at least partially abuts against the protective sleeve with its inner sheath surface. The protective sleeve is preferably made by plastic molding.

[0034] Furthermore, the present invention can be further improved such that the longitudinal elastic cable assembly is at least partially received in a corresponding longitudinal elastic cable channel having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile. In this context, it is also preferred that the helical cable assembly is at least partially received in a corresponding helical cable channel having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile. The advantage of this design is that the cable channel can be used as a support to maintain the shape and position of the elongate or helical cable assembly. Due to the U-shaped profile, the cable channel can be made relatively rigid in the radial direction in a helical shape, while the cable channel for length compensation remains relatively flexible in the axial direction. In the case of a helical shape, it is also preferred that the groove opening of the U-shaped profile points in the axial direction. The cable channel can also be improved for impact and extrusion protection of the helical cable assembly. The cable channel is preferably made of plastic. It can be understood that when the cable assembly has a zigzag-shaped design and then, for example, the groove opening is positioned in the radial direction, the cable channel assumes this zigzag shape.

[0035] In an equally preferred embodiment of the present invention, it can also be provided that the main shaft is at least partially surrounded by a helical element, the rotational direction of the helical element being oriented in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the helical cable assembly, and the helical element at least partially engages through the helical cable assembly. For example, it can be envisaged that the helical element rotates clockwise and the helical cable assembly rotates counterclockwise. Such a helical element can also be optimized for extrusion and impact protection of the helical cable assembly.

[0036] It is also advantageous that the present invention is further improved such that the telescopic pulling device has an energy absorption device that can absorb energy in the axial direction through plastic deformation of the energy absorption device when a predetermined mechanical energy acting axially on the pulling device is exceeded.

[0037] The advantage of this is that it increases the safety of the user in the event of an accident. According to another preferred embodiment of the object of the present invention, it can be provided that the energy absorption device is designed in the form of a material opening in the guide tube, which enables very simple but effective energy absorption, especially since due to the flexibility of the spiral cable assembly, sufficient installation space for plastic deformation can also be provided inside the guide tube.

[0038] Depending on the loading state, the material opening can be rectangular. Particularly preferably, the material openings are designed to be substantially the same. It is also preferred that the material openings are positioned across the outer surface of the guide tube in a grid-like pattern. In principle, other shapes for the material openings, such as having an angled profile or a wavy profile, are also possible. Thus, the energy absorption device can be particularly preferably designed as a plasticized metal frame.

[0039] Instead of the material opening, it is also conceivable to mount, screw and / or rivet individual energy absorption devices, sometimes also referred to as collision elements, to the guide tube.

[0040] Finally, the present invention can also be advantageously implemented such that the spiral cable assembly includes a first group of electrical conductors and a second group of electrical conductors, wherein the conductor cross-section of the first group of electrical conductors is different from the conductor cross-section of the second group of electrical conductors. In particular, this can be used to provide a spiral cable assembly having power-carrying conductors and control conductors, wherein the power-carrying conductors have a larger conductor cross-section and the control conductors have a smaller conductor cross-section. This means that a combined power and control cable assembly can be provided.

[0041] In this context, it is further preferred that the electrical conductors in the first group of electrical conductors are arranged radially one above the other, and the electrical conductors in the second group of electrical conductors are arranged radially one above the other, wherein the first group of electrical conductors and the second group of electrical conductors extend axially spaced apart from each other in the spiral cable assembly. This quasi-stratified arrangement of the two conductor groups allows for the formation of particularly advantageous axial flexibility and radial stiffness of the cable assembly.

[0042] The object of the present invention can also be achieved by a longitudinally adjustable operating unit for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle by a user, the operating unit comprising: a telescopic pulling-out device having a guide tube, at least a first pulling-out tube being guided in or on the guide tube relative to the guide tube and being translatable by means of a rotatable spindle extending parallel to the axis of the first pulling-out tube, wherein the telescopic pulling-out device is coupled on the one hand to a steering device; and a plurality of electrically insulating conductors extending axially through the telescopic pulling-out device for electrically connecting an axially fixed first electrical connection to a second electrical connection which can be axially displaced by the pulling-out device, wherein the electrical conductors are combined to form a cable assembly which extends axially through the pulling-out device and has a longitudinally elastic configuration. In particular, it can also be provided that the spindle extends outside the first pulling-out tube. The spindle can also extend outside the guide tube. It should be understood that all of the foregoing advantageous embodiments should also be read in conjunction with this secondary embodiment of the longitudinally adjustable operating unit according to the invention. Due to the axially parallel arrangement of the spindles, an even more compact operating unit can be achieved.

[0043] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a parts kit for forming a longitudinally adjustable operating unit for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle by a user, the parts kit comprising: a telescopic pulling-out device having a guide tube, a first pulling-out tube being guided in or on the guide tube for translatable movement relative to the guide tube, and

[0044] a plurality of electrically insulating conductors, the plurality of electrically insulating conductors being combined into a helical cable assembly and configured to extend axially through the mounting position of the pulling-out device.

[0045] The advantage resulting therefrom is that the components of the longitudinally adjustable operating unit to be installed can be provided in a particularly convenient manner. The parts kit can be, for example, a packaging unit. In addition, the parts kit can be designed as a combination of individual storage containers for storing the individual components or corresponding component groups of the parts kit.

[0046] Finally, the object of the present invention can also be achieved by a steer-by-wire system for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle by a user, the steer-by-wire system comprising a longitudinally adjustable operating unit according to one of claims 1 to 11. Description of the Drawings

[0047] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings without limiting the general concept of the invention.

[0048] In the drawings:

[0049] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the operating unit is shown in a three-dimensional axial cross-section,

[0050] Figure 2 The electric machine is shown in a perspective view,

[0051] Figure 3 The helical cable assembly in the U-shaped cable channel is shown in an exposed perspective view,

[0052] Figure 4 A perspective view showing an embodiment of the operating unit with an exposed guide tube is shown,

[0053] Figure 5 The parts kit is shown in a schematic view,

[0054] Figure 6 A motor vehicle with a steer-by-wire system is shown in a schematic block diagram,

[0055] Figure 7 A cable assembly with a zigzag shape is shown in a schematic view. Detailed Description

[0056] Figure 1 The longitudinally adjustable operating unit 1 is shown, which is used by the user to influence the driving direction of the motor vehicle 2. The operating unit includes a telescopic pulling device 4 having a guide tube 5, and a first pulling tube 6 is guided on the guide tube so as to be able to move translationally relative to the guide tube 5. The first pulling tube 6 is in turn surrounded by a second pulling tube 17, wherein the second pulling tube 17 is guided on the first pulling tube 6 such that it can move translationally. The pulling tubes 6, 17 and the guide tube 5 are arranged such that they cannot rotate relative to each other by having a polygonal profile, which prevents the tubes 5, 6, 17 formed of sheet metal from rotating relative to each other.

[0057] The pulling tubes 6, 17 of the pulling device 4 can be moved translationally by means of a rotatable main shaft 8, the main shaft can be driven by a motor 18, and the main shaft extends coaxially and axially at least partially in the first pulling tube 6. Even if not shown in, it is still possible that the rotatable main shaft 8 does not extend coaxially as shown, but extends parallel to the axis of the first pulling tube. In particular, it can also be provided that the main shaft 8 extends outside the first pulling tube 6. The main shaft 8 can also extend outside the guide tube 5. Due to the axially parallel arrangement of the main shaft 8, an even more compact operating unit 1 can be achieved axially. Figure 1

[0058] The telescopic first pulling tube 6 is coupled to a force feedback actuator 3, and the force feedback actuator is in turn connected to the steering device 7. Therefore, the force feedback actuator 3 can move translationally together with the steering device 7 via the pulling device 4. Figure 1 ​shows the pulling device 4 in its fully retracted operating state, and it is easy to see how the main shaft 8 engages in the guide tube 5 and the pulling tubes 6, 17.

[0059] A plurality of electrically insulating conductors 9 extend axially through the telescopic pulling device 4 to electrically connect the axially fixed first electrical connector 10 to the second electrical connector 11, and the second electrical connector can move axially through the pulling device 4. In the illustrated design example, the axially movable electrical connector 11 is the force feedback actuator 3. However, the axially movable electrical connector 11 can also be the control unit or a similar unit of the operating unit 1.

[0060] Figure 1 It is clearly shown that the electrical conductors 9 are combined to form a helical cable assembly 12 that extends axially through the pulling device 4. In the helical region, the plurality of electrical conductors 9 are arranged radially one above the other.

[0061] This helical cable assembly 12 extends coaxially with the main shaft 8, and the main shaft 8 at least partially passes through the helical cable assembly 12.

[0062] The guide tube 5 is axially fixed, and the helical cable assembly 12 at least partially extends within the first pulling tube 6, where the helical cable assembly 12 does not contact the inner lateral surface of the pulling tube 6. In Figure 1 the illustrated embodiment, the main shaft 8 is surrounded by a protective sleeve 13, while the helical cable assembly 12 at least partially surrounds the protective sleeve 13 and can rest with its inner radius against the outer surface of the protective sleeve 13. The protective sleeve 13 is designed to be non-rotatable, such that there is no relative movement between the protective sleeve 13 and the cable assembly 12 in the circumferential direction.

[0063] Figure 3 An embodiment of the helical cable assembly 12 is shown, in which the helical cable assembly 12 is at least partially received in a corresponding helical cable channel 14 having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile.

[0064] Figure 4 It is clearly shown that the telescopic pulling device 4 has an energy absorption device 15 that is capable of absorbing energy in the axial direction through plastic deformation of the energy absorption device 15 when a predetermined mechanical energy acting axially on the pulling device 4 is exceeded. In the illustrated embodiment, the energy absorption device 15 is in the form of a material opening 16 in the guide tube 5.

[0065] Finally, Figure 2It is clearly shown that the spiral cable assembly 12 has a first group of electrical conductors 9a and a second group of electrical conductors 9b, wherein the conductor cross-section of the first group of electrical conductors 9a is different from that of the second group of electrical conductors 9b. The electrical conductors 9 in the first group of electrical conductors 9a are arranged radially one above the other in a spiral region, and the electrical conductors 9 in the second group of electrical conductors 9b are also arranged radially one above the other in a spiral region, wherein the first group of electrical conductors 9a and the second group of electrical conductors 9b extend axially spaced apart from each other in the spiral region of the spiral cable assembly 12. This arrangement of the electrical conductors 9 is sometimes also referred to as a flat cable. When observed in cross-section, it has been proven that a ratio of the width of the cable assembly 12 to the height of the cable assembly 12 of at least 3:1 is particularly advantageous for the formation of the necessary longitudinal elastic member 22.

[0066] Figure 5 Shown is a parts kit 19 for forming a longitudinally adjustable operating unit 1 for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle 2 by a user. The parts kit includes a telescopic pulling device 4 having a guide tube 5, and a first pulling tube 6 is guided in or on the guide tube so as to be able to move translationally relative to the guide tube 5; and includes a plurality of electrically insulating conductors 9 which are combined to form a cable assembly 12 having a longitudinally elastic shape and are configured to extend axially through the mounting position of the pulling device 4. In the example shown, the cable assembly is spiral.

[0067] Finally, Figure 6 Shown is a steer-by-wire system 20 for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle 2 by a user, which steer-by-wire system has a longitudinally adjustable operating unit 1, such as an adjustable operating unit known, for example, from Figure 1 among others.

[0068] The operating unit 1 is connected to the steering wheel 7 and transmits the current steering wheel angle as an electrical signal via the vehicle on-board electronics to the RWA (road wheel actuator) 21, and then the RWA applies the steering wheel angle to the vehicle wheels using a motor. The operating unit 1 also provides the necessary force feedback for the direction control of the vehicle 2. For vehicle concepts with highly automated driving functions, the operating unit 1 can have a telescopic device 4 having a large stroke range of >200 mm, with which the steering wheel 7 can be retracted into the dashboard. The operating unit 1 has a force feedback actuator 3 which determines the steering wheel angle and generates a force feedback steering wheel force.

[0069] Figure 7 Shown is an alternative version of the cable assembly 12 in a zigzag shape. This zigzag shape is different from the spiral shape and extends in one plane. Figure 7Two different views of the operating unit 1 in [text not provided] illustrate this. Figure a shows a top view of the operating unit 1 in the direction of gravity, while Figure b shows a side view of the operating unit 1, similar to Figure 1 the illustration in Figure 7 As shown in Figure b of

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Therefore, the above description should not be considered restrictive, but rather illustrative. The appended claims should be understood to mean that the stated features exist in at least one embodiment of the present invention. This does not exclude the existence of other features. In the case where the claims and the above description define a "first" feature and a "second" feature, such naming is used to distinguish between two features of the same type and does not define a priority order.

[0071] List of Reference Numerals

[0072] 1 Operating unit

[0073] 2 Motor vehicle

[0074] 3 Force feedback actuator

[0075] 4 Pulling device

[0076] 5 Guide tube

[0077] 6 Pull-out tube

[0078] 7 Steering device

[0079] 8 Spindle

[0080] 9 Electrical conductor

[0081] 10 Axially fixed electrical connection

[0082] 11 Axially movable electrical connection

[0083] 12 Cable assembly

[0084] 13 Protection sleeve

[0085] 14 Cable channel

[0086] 15 Energy absorption device

[0087] 16 Material opening

[0088] 17 Pull-out tube

[0089] 18 Motor

[0090] 19 Parts Kit

[0091] 20 Steer-by-Wire System

[0092] 21 RWA (Road Wheel Actuator)

Claims

1. A longitudinally adjustable operating unit (1) for influencing, by a user, the direction of travel of a motor vehicle (2), the operating unit comprising: A telescopic pulling device (4) having a guide tube (5), at least a first pulling tube (6) being guided in or on the guide tube relative to the guide tube (5) and being translatable by means of a rotatable main shaft (8), the main shaft at least partially extending coaxially and axially in the first pulling tube (6), the telescopic pulling device (4) being coupled on the one hand to a steering device (7); and a plurality of electrically insulating conductors (9), the plurality of electrically insulating conductors extending axially through the telescopic pulling device (4) to electrically connect an axially fixed first electrical connector (10) to a second electrical connector (11) that can be axially moved by the pulling device (4). It is characterized in that the electrical conductors (9) are combined to form a cable assembly (12), the cable assembly extending axially through the pulling device (4) and having a longitudinally elastic shape.

2. The operating unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The longitudinally elastic shape of the cable assembly (12) is designed as a helical shape and / or a zigzag shape.

3. The operating unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The helical cable assembly (12) at least partially encloses the main shaft (8) in the axial direction.

4. The operating unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A plurality of the electrical conductors (9) are arranged one above the other in the radial direction.

5. The operating unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The guide tube (5) is axially fixed, and the longitudinally elastic cable assembly (12) at least partially extends within the guide tube (5).

6. The operating unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that The main shaft (8) is at least partially surrounded by a protective sleeve (13), and the helical cable assembly (12) at least partially surrounds the protective sleeve (13).

7. The operating unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that The longitudinally elastic cable assembly (12) is at least partially received in a corresponding longitudinally elastic cable channel (14) having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile.

8. The operating unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The main shaft (8) is at least partially surrounded by a helical element, the rotational direction of the helical element being oriented in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the helical cable assembly (12), and the helical element at least partially engaging through the helical cable assembly (12).

9. The operating unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The helical cable assembly (12) has a first group of electrical conductors (9a) and a second group of electrical conductors (9b), the conductor cross-section of the first group of electrical conductors (9a) being different from the conductor cross-section of the second group of electrical conductors (9b).

10. The operating unit (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The electrical conductors (9) in the first group of electrical conductors (9a) are arranged one above the other in the radial direction, and the electrical conductors (9) in the second group of electrical conductors (9b) are arranged one above the other in the radial direction, wherein the first group of electrical conductors (9a) and the second group of electrical conductors (9b) extend axially spaced apart from each other in the helical cable assembly (12).

11. A longitudinally adjustable operating unit (1) for influencing, by a user, the direction of travel of a motor vehicle (2), the operating unit comprising: A telescopic pulling device (4) having a guide tube (5), at least a first pulling tube (6) being guided in or on the guide tube relative to the guide tube (5) and being displaceable translationally by means of a rotatable main shaft (8) which extends axially parallel to the first pulling tube (6), the telescopic pulling device (4) being coupled on the one hand to a steering device (7); and a plurality of electrically insulating conductors (9) which extend axially through the telescopic pulling device (4) to electrically connect an axially fixed first electrical connector (10) to a second electrical connector (11) which can be displaced axially by the pulling device (4), characterized in that, the electrical conductors (9) are combined to form a cable assembly (12) which extends axially through the pulling device (4) and has a longitudinally elastic shape.

12. A kit of parts (19) for forming a longitudinally adjustable operating unit (1) for influencing, by a user, the direction of travel of a motor vehicle (2), the operating unit comprising · a telescopic pulling-out device (4) having a guide tube (5) in or on which a first pulling-out tube (6) is guided so as to be displaceable relative to the guide tube (5) in a translational manner, and · a plurality of electrically insulated conductors (9) which are combined to form a cable assembly (12) having a longitudinally elastic shape and are configured to extend axially through the mounting location of the pulling-out device (4).

13. A steer-by-wire system (20) for influencing, by a user, the direction of travel of a motor vehicle (2), the steer-by-wire system comprising a longitudinally adjustable operating unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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