Test vehicle for full-speed test of steer-by-wire mechanism

Abstract

The utility model discloses a test vehicle for a full-speed test of a steer-by-wire mechanism. The test vehicle comprises a vehicle body, a center console, a mechanical steering mechanism, a steer-by-wire mechanism to be tested and an electric power steering system. The electric power-assisted steering system comprises a driving unit, a control unit and a power-assisted unit, the driving unit is used for driving the vehicle body to steer; the control unit is in communication connection with the power assisting unit, and the power assisting unit is connected with the driving unit and used for driving the driving unit to operate; the mechanical steering mechanism is mounted at a driving position of the center console, and the to-be-tested steering-by-wire mechanism is mounted at a co-driving position of the center console; the mechanical steering mechanism is connected with the driving unit and used for driving the driving unit to operate; the to-be-tested steer-by-wire mechanism is in communication connection with the control unit and is used for driving the control unit to operate. According to the test vehicle, the real vehicle test of the to-be-tested steer-by-wire mechanism under the full speed is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of steer-by-wire mechanisms, and in particular to a test vehicle for full-speed testing of steer-by-wire mechanisms. Background Art

[0002] As the development trend of future steering technology and a necessary equipment for autonomous driving, all OEMs and steering component companies are currently investing a lot of manpower and material resources in the research and development of wire-controlled steering mechanisms. However, at present, in the development and testing stage, since the functional safety ASIL level of the currently developed wire-controlled steering mechanisms cannot meet the driving requirements at high speeds, the tests of wire-controlled steering mechanisms on test vehicles can generally only be carried out at low speeds, making the test results of wire-controlled steering mechanisms incomplete, which hinders the research and development of wire-controlled steering mechanisms. Utility Model Content

[0003] To solve at least one aspect of the above problems, the utility model provides a test vehicle for full-speed testing of a wire-controlled steering mechanism, comprising a vehicle body, a center console, a mechanical steering mechanism, a wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested and an electric power steering system; the electric power steering system comprises a drive unit, a control unit and a power-assisting unit; the drive unit is used to drive the vehicle body to steer; the control unit is communicatively connected to the power-assisting unit, and the power-assisting unit is connected to the drive unit for driving the drive unit to operate; the mechanical steering mechanism is installed at the driver's seat of the center console, and the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested is installed at the co-pilot seat of the center console; the mechanical steering mechanism is connected to the drive unit for driving the drive unit to operate; the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested is communicatively connected to the control unit for driving the control unit to operate; during normal testing, the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested drives the drive unit to operate through the control unit and the power-assisting unit; when a fault occurs in the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested, the mechanical steering mechanism drives the drive unit to operate.

[0004] Through the above technical scheme, the test vehicle of the present application can be obtained by making simple modifications to the existing automobile, that is, the steering system is replaced with an electric power steering system, the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested is installed at the co-pilot seat of the center console, and the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested is communicatively connected with the control unit of the electric power steering system, and the mechanical steering mechanism is mechanically connected with the drive unit of the electric power steering system. In this way, the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested can control the steering during normal testing, and the mechanical steering mechanism takes over and controls the steering when a fault occurs, thereby meeting the safety requirements for actual vehicle testing of the wire-controlled steering mechanism, thereby realizing actual vehicle testing of the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested at full speed. In addition, the test vehicle of the present application has low modification cost and short cycle, which helps to shorten the research and development cycle of the wire-controlled steering mechanism and reduce the research and development cost of the wire-controlled steering mechanism.

[0005] Preferably, the driving unit includes a rack and a driving gear, the power unit includes a motor and a transmission gear, and the electric power steering system also includes an electric power steering body; the two ends of the electric power steering body are respectively connected to the wheels of the vehicle body, the rack and the electric power steering body are slidably connected along the extension direction of the electric power steering body, the transmission gear and the driving gear are both meshed with the rack, the driving gear is connected to the mechanical steering mechanism, the transmission gear is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor, and the motor is connected to the control unit for communication. Through the above technical scheme, a specific structure for replacing the electric power steering system is disclosed. When the test is normal, the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested sends a signal through the communication connection with the control unit, the control unit controls the motor to rotate, the motor drives the transmission gear to rotate, and the transmission gear drives the rack to move to achieve steering; when a fault occurs, the mechanical steering mechanism drives the driving gear to rotate, and the driving gear drives the rack to move to achieve steering.

[0006] Preferably, the rack includes a first tooth portion and a second tooth portion, and the transmission gear and the driving gear are respectively meshed with the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion.

[0007] Preferably, the mechanical steering mechanism comprises a first steering wheel and a steering column, the first steering wheel is fixedly connected to a first end of the steering column, the steering column is connected to a driving position of a center console, and the second end of the steering column is fixedly connected to a driving gear.

[0008] Preferably, a mounting hole is provided at the co-pilot seat of the center console; the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested includes a second steering wheel and an angle simulation device, the second steering wheel is connected to the angle simulation device, the angle simulation device is installed in the mounting hole, and is communicatively connected to the control unit.

[0009] Preferably, the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested further comprises a rotation limiting structure, the rotation limiting structure is connected to the angle simulation device, and the rotation limiting structure is connected to the inner wall of the mounting hole.

[0010] Preferably, the angle simulation device and the rotation limiting structure are detachably connected to the inner wall of the mounting hole, so that different wire-controlled steering mechanisms to be tested can be replaced, which helps to reduce testing costs.

[0011] Preferably, it also includes a first pedal assembly and a second pedal assembly; the first pedal assembly is installed below the driver's seat of the center console and connected to the throttle system and brake system of the vehicle body; the second pedal assembly is installed below the co-pilot seat of the center console and connected to the throttle system and brake system of the vehicle body. Through the above technical solution, a set of pedal assemblies is added to the co-pilot seat on the basis of the existing automobile, so that the driver can control the steering through the wire control steering mechanism to be tested and control the throttle system and brake system through the pedal assembly at the same time, and control the steering through the mechanical steering mechanism and control the throttle system and brake system through the original pedal assembly at the same time, which helps to improve safety and driving feel.

[0012] Preferably, the second pedal assembly is fixedly connected to the first pedal assembly via a connecting piece, and the second pedal assembly is connected to the throttle system and the brake system of the vehicle body via the connecting piece and the first pedal assembly. Through the above technical solution, the newly added pedal assembly is connected to the original pedal assembly via the connecting piece to achieve connection with the throttle system and the brake system, so that the modification scope is small, the modification is simple, and the modification cost is low.

[0013] The utility model provides a test vehicle for full-speed testing of a wire-controlled steering mechanism, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] (1) By replacing the steering system on the existing automobile with an electric power steering system, mechanically connecting the mechanical steering mechanism on the existing automobile with the drive unit of the electric power steering system, and then installing the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested at the co-pilot seat of the center console of the existing automobile, and communicating with the control unit of the electric power steering system, the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested can be controlled by the wire-controlled steering mechanism during normal testing, and the mechanical steering mechanism takes over and controls the steering when a fault occurs, thereby meeting the safety requirements for the actual vehicle test of the wire-controlled steering mechanism, thereby realizing the actual vehicle test of the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested at full speed, and the test vehicle of the present application can be simply modified on the existing automobile, with low modification difficulty, low modification cost and short cycle, which helps to shorten the research and development cycle of the wire-controlled steering mechanism and reduce the research and development cost of the wire-controlled steering mechanism.

[0015] (2) By adding a set of pedal assemblies to the co-pilot seat on the basis of the existing automobile, and fixing the added pedal assembly to the original pedal assembly through a connector, the driver can control the steering through the wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested and control the throttle system and the brake system through the pedal assembly at the same time. The driver can control the steering through the mechanical steering mechanism and control the throttle system and the brake system through the original pedal assembly at the same time, which helps to improve safety and driving feel, and the modification difficulty and cost are low. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to better understand the above and other purposes, features, advantages and functions of the present invention, reference may be made to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings refer to the same components. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the accompanying drawings are intended to schematically illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention and have no limiting effect on the scope of the present invention, and the components in the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0018] Figure 2A partial schematic diagram of a test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a steer-by-wire mechanism of a test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a mechanical steering mechanism of a test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown.

[0021] Description of reference numerals:

[0022] 1. Center console; 2. Mechanical steering mechanism; 21. First steering wheel; 22. Steering column; 3. Wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested; 31. Second steering wheel; 32. Angle simulation device; 33. Rotation limit structure; 4. Electric power steering system; 41. Electric power steering body; 42. Rack; 421. First gear portion; 422. Second gear portion; 43. Drive gear; 44. Transmission gear; 45. Motor; 46. Control unit; 5. First pedal assembly; 6. Second pedal assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following is a description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, including various details of the embodiments of the present disclosure to facilitate understanding, which should be considered as merely exemplary. Therefore, it should be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Similarly, for the sake of clarity and conciseness, descriptions of well-known functions and structures are omitted in the following description.

[0024] As used herein, the term "including" and its variations mean open inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise stated, the term "or" means "and / or". The term "based on" means "based at least in part on". The terms "an example embodiment" and "an embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc. may refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may also be included below.

[0025] In order to at least partially solve one or more of the above-mentioned problems and other potential problems, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a test vehicle for full-speed testing of a wire-controlled steering mechanism, comprising a vehicle body, a center console 1, a mechanical steering mechanism 2, a wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested 3 and an electric power steering system 4; the electric power steering system 4 comprises a drive unit, a control unit 46 and a power unit; the drive unit is used to drive the vehicle body to steer; the control unit 46 is communicatively connected to the power unit, and the power unit is connected to the drive unit for driving the drive unit to operate; the mechanical steering mechanism 2 is installed at the driver's seat of the center console 1, and the wire-controlled steering mechanism 3 to be tested is installed at the co-pilot seat of the center console 1; the mechanical steering mechanism 2 is connected to the drive unit for driving the drive unit to operate; the wire-controlled steering mechanism 3 to be tested is communicatively connected to the control unit 46 for driving the control unit 46 to operate; during normal testing, the wire-controlled steering mechanism 3 to be tested drives the drive unit to operate through the control unit 46 and the power unit; when a failure occurs in the wire-controlled steering mechanism 3 to be tested, the mechanical steering mechanism 2 drives the drive unit to operate.

[0026] Specifically, Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the electric power steering system 4 includes a drive unit, a control unit 46 and a power unit; the drive unit is used to drive the vehicle body to steer; the control unit 46 is communicatively connected to the power unit, and the power unit is connected to the drive unit to drive the drive unit to operate; in some embodiments, the drive unit includes a rack 42 and a drive gear 43, the power unit includes a motor 45 and a transmission gear 44, and the electric power steering system 4 also includes an electric power steering body 41; both ends of the electric power steering body 41 are respectively connected to the wheels of the vehicle body; the rack 42 is slidably connected to the electric power steering body 41 along the extension direction of the electric power steering body 41, and the transmission gear 44 and the drive gear 43 are both meshed with the rack 42, preferably, the rack 42 includes a first tooth portion 421 and a second tooth portion 422, and the transmission gear 44 and the drive gear 43 are respectively meshed with the first tooth portion 421 and the second tooth portion 422; the transmission gear 44 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor 45, and the motor 45 is communicatively connected to the control unit 46.

[0027] The mechanical steering mechanism 2 is installed at the driving position of the center console 1, and the mechanical steering mechanism 2 is connected to the drive unit for driving the drive unit to operate; specifically, the mechanical steering mechanism 2 includes a first steering wheel 21 and a steering column 22, the first steering wheel 21 and the first end of the steering column 22 are fixedly connected by a spline, the steering column 22 is connected to the driving position of the center console 1, and the second end of the steering column 22 is connected to the drive unit. In some embodiments, the second end of the steering column 22 is fixedly connected to the drive gear 43.

[0028] The wire-controlled steering mechanism 3 to be tested is installed at the co-pilot seat of the center console 1, and the wire-controlled steering mechanism 3 to be tested is communicated with the control unit 46 for driving the control unit 46 to operate; specifically, a mounting hole is opened at the co-pilot seat of the center console 1; the wire-controlled steering mechanism 3 to be tested includes a second steering wheel 31, an angle simulation device 32 and a rotation limiting structure 33; the second steering wheel 31 is connected to the angle simulation device 32 via a spline, the angle simulation device 32 is installed in the mounting hole, and is communicated with the control unit 46; the rotation limiting structure 33 is connected to the angle simulation device 32 via a spline, and the rotation limiting structure 33 is connected to the inner wall of the mounting hole; preferably, the angle simulation device 32 and the rotation limiting structure 33 are both detachably connected to the inner wall of the mounting hole.

[0029] During normal testing, the wire-controlled steering mechanism 3 to be tested drives the drive unit to operate through the control unit 46 and the power-assisting unit; when a fault occurs in the wire-controlled steering mechanism 3 to be tested, the mechanical steering mechanism 2 drives the drive unit to operate; in some embodiments, during normal testing, the driver rotates the second steering wheel 31 to drive the angle simulation device 32 to rotate, and the angle simulation device 32 sends a steering angle signal to the control unit 46, and the control unit 46 controls the motor 45 to rotate, and the motor 45 drives the transmission gear 44 to rotate, and the transmission gear 44 drives the rack 42 to move to achieve steering; when a fault occurs, the driver rotates the first steering wheel 21 to drive the steering column 22 to rotate, and the steering column 22 drives the drive gear 43 to rotate, and the drive gear 43 drives the rack 42 to move to achieve steering.

[0030] In some embodiments, the test vehicle of the present application also includes a first pedal assembly 5 and a second pedal assembly 6; the first pedal assembly 5 is installed below the driver's seat of the center console 1, and is connected to the throttle system and brake system of the vehicle body; the second pedal assembly 6 is installed below the co-pilot seat of the center console 1, and is connected to the throttle system and brake system of the vehicle body; preferably, the second pedal assembly 6 and the first pedal assembly 5 are fixedly connected by a connecting member, and the connecting member can be selected as a connecting rod, a connecting strip or a connecting frame, and the two ends of the connecting rod or the connecting strip or the connecting frame are respectively fixedly connected to the first pedal assembly 5 and the second pedal assembly 6, and the second pedal assembly 6 is connected to the throttle system and brake system of the vehicle body through the connecting member and the first pedal assembly 5.

[0031] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, and the above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The selection of terms used herein is intended to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or technical improvements in the market, or to enable other persons of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present invention.

Claims

1. A test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism, characterized in that: It includes a vehicle body, a center console (1), a mechanical steering mechanism (2), a wire-controlled steering mechanism to be tested (3), and an electric power steering system (4); The electric power steering system (4) comprises a drive unit, a control unit (46) and a power unit; the drive unit is used to drive the vehicle body to steer; the control unit (46) is connected to the power unit for communication, and the power unit is connected to the drive unit for driving the drive unit to operate; The mechanical steering mechanism (2) is installed at the driver's seat of the center console (1), and the wire-controlled steering mechanism (3) to be tested is installed at the co-pilot's seat of the center console (1); the mechanical steering mechanism (2) is connected to the drive unit to drive the drive unit to operate; the wire-controlled steering mechanism (3) to be tested is connected to the control unit (46) for communication and is used to drive the control unit (46) to operate; During normal testing, the controlled-by-wire steering mechanism (3) to be tested drives the driving unit to operate via the control unit (46) and the power-assisting unit; when a fault occurs in the controlled-by-wire steering mechanism (3) to be tested, the mechanical steering mechanism (2) drives the driving unit to operate.

2. A test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving unit comprises a rack (42) and a driving gear (43), the power unit comprises a motor (45) and a transmission gear (44), and the electric power steering system (4) further comprises an electric power steering body (41); the two ends of the electric power steering body (41) are respectively connected to the wheels of the vehicle body, the rack (42) and the electric power steering body (41) are slidably connected along the extension direction of the electric power steering body (41), the transmission gear (44) and the driving gear (43) are both meshed with the rack (42), the driving gear (43) is connected to the mechanical steering mechanism (2), the transmission gear (44) is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the motor (45), and the motor (45) is communicatively connected to the control unit (46).

3. A test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rack (42) comprises a first tooth portion (421) and a second tooth portion (422), and the transmission gear (44) and the driving gear (43) are respectively meshed with the first tooth portion (421) and the second tooth portion (422).

4. A test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The mechanical steering mechanism (2) comprises a first steering wheel (21) and a steering column (22), the first steering wheel (21) is fixedly connected to a first end of the steering column (22), the steering column (22) is connected to a driving position of a center console (1), and the second end of the steering column (22) is fixedly connected to a driving gear (43).

5. A test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The center console (1) is provided with a mounting hole at the co-pilot seat; the wire-controlled steering mechanism (3) to be tested comprises a second steering wheel (31) and an angle simulation device (32); the second steering wheel (31) is connected to the angle simulation device (32); the angle simulation device (32) is installed in the mounting hole and is communicatively connected to the control unit (46).

6. A test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The controlled-by-wire steering mechanism (3) to be tested further comprises a rotation limiting structure (33), wherein the rotation limiting structure (33) is connected to the angle simulation device (32), and the rotation limiting structure (33) is connected to the inner wall of the mounting hole.

7. A test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The angle simulation device (32) and the rotation limiting structure (33) are both detachably connected to the inner wall of the mounting hole.

8. A test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a first pedal assembly (5) and a second pedal assembly (6); the first pedal assembly (5) is installed below the driving seat of the center console (1) and is connected to the throttle system and brake system of the vehicle body; the second pedal assembly (6) is installed below the co-pilot seat of the center console (1) and is connected to the throttle system and brake system of the vehicle body.

9. A test vehicle for full-speed testing of a steer-by-wire mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second pedal assembly (6) and the first pedal assembly (5) are fixedly connected via a connecting piece, and the second pedal assembly (6) is connected to the throttle system and the brake system of the vehicle body via the connecting piece and the first pedal assembly (5).

Images