Torque feedback device and vehicle steering system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a torque feedback device and a vehicle steering system, and the torque feedback device comprises a stator housing which is internally provided with a containing cavity; one end of the rotating shaft is inserted into the accommodating cavity, and the rotating shaft is rotationally connected with the stator shell; the rotor is arranged on the rotating shaft in a sleeving mode and located in the containing cavity, and the rotor comprises a first surface, a second surface and a third surface, the first surface and the second surface are oppositely arranged, and the third surface is connected with the first surface and the second surface; the magnetic response material is arranged in the accommodating cavity; the magnetic field generator is arranged on the outer ring of the rotor and is opposite to the third surface of the rotor, and the projection, in the direction perpendicular to the third surface, of one end of the magnetic field generator is located between the first surface and the second surface. The torque feedback device provided by the embodiment of the utility model can improve the output torque under the same power and limited size.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to vehicle steering control technical field, especially related to a torque feedback device and vehicle steering system. BACKGROUND

[0002] The steering transmission system of a vehicle is one of the most important transmission systems in the vehicle, and in the steering system, the steering torque feedback unit is used to realize the control and perception of the vehicle steering by the vehicle operator, and plays a very important role.

[0003] The magnetic response material changes in fluidity according to the strength of the magnetic field. When the magnetic field generator does not generate a magnetic field, the viscosity or shear flow resistance of the magnetic response material is low, and the shaft and rotor become easy to rotate. When a magnetic field is generated by the magnetic field generator, the viscosity or shear flow resistance of the magnetic response material becomes large, and exerts a brake on the shaft and rotor. Therefore, the torque feedback unit using the magnetic response material is widely used in the field of automobiles.

[0004] However, the space for the torque feedback unit in the vehicle manufacturing is limited, and it is required to have a smaller structure as much as possible. The torque provided by the current torque feedback unit is limited, and cannot provide sufficient force for the steering system. SUMMARY

[0005] The technical problem solved by the utility model is to provide a torque feedback device and vehicle steering system, which can improve the torque provided by the torque feedback device and provide greater force or reaction force for vehicle steering.

[0006] To solve the above technical problem, the utility model embodiment provides a torque feedback device, which comprises: a stator shell, a containing chamber is arranged in the stator shell; a rotating shaft, one end of the rotating shaft is inserted into the containing chamber and is rotationally connected with the stator shell; a rotor, the rotor is sleeved on the rotating shaft and located in the containing chamber, the rotor comprises a first surface, a second surface arranged oppositely, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface; a magnetic response material, the magnetic response material is arranged in the containing chamber; a magnetic field generator, the magnetic field generator is arranged on the outer ring of the rotor and opposite to the third surface of the rotor, and the projection of one end of the magnetic field generator in the direction perpendicular to the third surface is located between the first surface and the second surface.

[0007] Optionally, the projection of one end of the magnetic field generator in the direction perpendicular to the third surface is located at the central position of the first surface and the second surface.

[0008] Optionally, it further comprises an isolation plate, the isolation plate is arranged between the third surface of the rotor and the magnetic field generator, and the isolation plate is also used to close the containing chamber.

[0009] Optionally, the isolation plate is made of non-magnetic material.

[0010] Optionally, the magnetic field generator comprises a magnetic core and a coil, and the coil is arranged around the periphery of the magnetic core.

[0011] Optionally, the protection shell is arranged on the stator shell, and the coil and the magnetic core are arranged in the protection shell.

[0012] Optionally, the rotating shaft and the stator shell are rotatably connected through a bearing.

[0013] Optionally, the output shaft is sleeved outside the rotating shaft and arranged coaxially with the rotating shaft.

[0014] Optionally, the mounting base is rotatably connected to the end of the rotating shaft away from the output shaft.

[0015] Correspondingly, the utility model also provides a vehicle steering system, including steering mechanism and above-mentioned torque feedback device, torque feedback device is connected with steering mechanism.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the technical scheme of the utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] The torque feedback device provided by the technical scheme can generate a magnetic field through the magnetic field generator, the magnetic field generator is arranged opposite to the third surface of the rotor, one end of the magnetic field generator is projected between the first surface and the second surface in the direction perpendicular to the third surface, the magnetic field generator is arranged in a staggered manner with the rotor, so that the magnetic force lines generated by the magnetic field generator can not only pass through the first surface and the second surface of the rotor, but also pass through the third surface of the rotor, the magnetic response material is magnetized under the action of the magnetic field, and the torque is transmitted through the binding force between the magnetic response materials and the friction force between the magnetic response materials and the working surface of the rotor, the working surface area of the rotor is increased, and the torque generated by the torque feedback device can be increased under the condition of the same power and limited use space.

[0018] Further, one end of the magnetic field generator is projected between the center positions of the first surface and the second surface in the direction perpendicular to the third surface. In the direction perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface, the staggered distance between the magnetic field generator and the rotor is 1 / 2 of the width of the third surface, and the magnetic field generator is arranged at this position, which is beneficial to make the magnetic force lines generated by the magnetic field generator pass through the third surface more, improve the magnetic flux, and thus is beneficial to further increase the torque.

[0019] Further, the isolation plate is arranged between the third surface of the rotor and the magnetic field generator, and the isolation plate is also used for closing the containing chamber. The isolation plate is arranged between the third surface and the magnetic field generator, and the isolation plate also closes the containing chamber, so that the magnetic response material in the containing chamber is closed in the containing chamber, the magnetic response material is prevented from contacting the magnetic field generator to cause failure or invalidation of the magnetic field generator, and the service life of the magnetic field generator is beneficial to be increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a sectional structure schematic view of a torque feedback device in an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the torque feedback device in an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 2 is a structure exploded schematic view of the torque feedback device shown in the figure;

[0023] Figure 4 is a magnetic field line distribution schematic view of a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] As described in the background, the torque feedback device using the magnetic response material has been widely applied in the automobile field, but the current torque feedback device has the defects that the provided torque is limited and cannot provide sufficient acting force or reaction force for the automobile.

[0025] In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a torque feedback device, a magnetic field generator is used for generating a magnetic field, the magnetic field generator and the third surface of the rotor are oppositely arranged, and the projection of one end of the magnetic field generator in the direction perpendicular to the third surface is located between the first surface and the second surface. In the direction perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface, the position of the magnetic field generator is offset from the position of the rotor. According to the "minimum magnetic resistance principle", the magnetic flux is closed along the path with the minimum magnetic resistance, the magnetic field line generated by the magnetic field generator can pass through the first surface, the second surface and the third surface of the rotor, the working surface area of the rotor is increased, the magnetic response material is magnetized under the action of the magnetic field, and the torque is transmitted through the binding force between the magnetic response materials and the friction force between the magnetic response material and the rotor working surface. The increase of the rotor working surface area is beneficial to increase the torque generated by the torque feedback device, can provide greater acting force or reaction force for the vehicle steering system, and improves the stability of the vehicle steering system.

[0026] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, characteristics and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional structure schematic view of the torque feedback device in an embodiment of the utility model; Figure 2 is a partial cutaway after the three-dimensional view of torque feedback device in an embodiment of the utility model; Figure 3 is Figure 2 the structure exploded schematic view of torque feedback device shown in figure 2; Figure 4 is the magnetic field line distribution schematic view of the magnetic field generated by magnetic field generator.

[0028] in combination with reference Figures 1 to 3 , the torque feedback device includes: stator housing 10, the stator housing 100 inside is provided with containing chamber 11;Shaft 20, one end of the rotating shaft 20 is inserted into the containing chamber 11, and is rotatably connected with the stator housing 10;Rotor 30, the rotor 30 is set on the rotating shaft 20 and is located in the containing chamber 11, the rotor 30 includes oppositely arranged first surface 31, second surface 32, and third surface 33 between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32;Magnetic response material (not shown), the magnetic response material is arranged in the containing chamber 11;Magnetic field generator 40, the magnetic field generator 40 is arranged at the outer circle of the rotor 30 and is opposite to the third surface 33 of the rotor 30, and the projection of one end of the magnetic field generator 40 in the direction perpendicular to the third surface 33 is located between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32.

[0029] in combination with reference Figure 1 , the torque feedback device further includes: mounting base 50 and output shaft 60, one end of the rotating shaft 20 is rotatably connected with the mounting base 50, and the other end of the rotating shaft 20 is connected with the output shaft 60.

[0030] Further, the mounting base 50 is fixedly connected with the stator housing 10.

[0031] Further, the other end of the rotating shaft 20 is coaxially arranged with the output shaft 60, and the output shaft 60 is arranged outside the rotating shaft 20, the rotating shaft 20 and the output shaft 60 are synchronous rotation, and the output shaft 60 is used for being connected with the steering mechanism such as steering wheel in vehicle steering system.

[0032] In some embodiments, the stator housing 10 can be made of metal material, such as aluminum alloy, steel, cast iron, etc.;The stator housing 10 can also be made of non-metallic material, such as plastic, polymer, etc.;The stator housing 10 can also be made of magnetic material, non-magnetic material or combination with other materials.

[0033] The accommodating chamber 11 formed in the stator housing 10 is used to accommodate one or more rotors and a magnetic response material. In the present embodiment, the number of rotors in the accommodating chamber 11 is one.

[0034] The stator housing 10 further comprises other cavities which can accommodate components such as torque sensors.

[0035] In the present embodiment, one end of the rotating shaft 20 penetrates the accommodating chamber 11 and the rotor 30 located in the accommodating chamber 11, and the rotor 30 rotates around the axial center line of the rotating shaft 20.

[0036] Further, the rotating shaft 20 is rotationally connected to the stator housing 10 through a bearing 21 which is used to support the rotating shaft 20 to maintain its stability.

[0037] In some embodiments, the rotor 30 comprises a magnetic material such as iron or steel.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the rotor 30 is in the shape of a disc, the first surface 31 and the second surface 32 of the rotor 30 are circular bottom surfaces oppositely arranged on the disc, the third surface 33 is a side surface connecting the first surface 31 and the second surface 32, and the third surface 33 is perpendicular to the first surface 31 and the second surface 32.

[0039] In other embodiments, the rotor can also not be limited to the shape of a disc, and the present embodiment does not limit this.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the rotor 30 has a gap with the accommodating chamber 11, and in the case of no power supply, the magnetic response material is dispersed in the gap between the rotor 30 and the accommodating chamber 11, and in the case of power supply, the magnetic response material can be magnetized to transmit torque.

[0041] In some embodiments, the magnetic response material can comprise soft magnetic or magnetizable particles dispersed in a gas or a liquid.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the magnetic response material adopts magnetic powder.

[0043] Continuing to refer to Figure 1 , the torque feedback device further comprises a protective housing 41 which is arranged on the stator housing 10, and the magnetic field generator 40 is located in the protective housing 41.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the stator housing 41 has a recess which is arranged around the outer circle of the rotor 30, the magnetic field generator 40 is placed in the protective housing 41, and the protective housing 41 and the magnetic field generator 40 are jointly placed into the recess.

[0045] The protective shell 41 can prevent some impurities or magnetic powder in the device from contacting the magnetic field generator 40, thereby protecting the magnetic field generator 40.

[0046] In the embodiment, the magnetic field generator 40 includes a magnetic core and a coil wound around the magnetic core, and the magnetic field generator 40 generates a magnetic field when the coil is energized.

[0047] In some embodiments, the material of the magnetic core includes ferrite, silicon steel, soft magnetic alloy, or the like.

[0048] In the embodiment, the magnetic field generator 40 has a ring structure, and the magnetic field generator 40 is arranged around the third surface 33 of the rotor. The magnetic field generator 40 includes a first end portion 42 and a second end portion 43 opposite in a first direction, and the first direction is a direction perpendicular to the first surface 31 and the second surface 32. The projection of the first end portion 42 in the direction perpendicular to the third surface 33 is located between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32, or the projection of the second end portion 43 in the direction perpendicular to the third surface 33 is located between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32.

[0049] It should be noted that in the embodiment, the projection of the end portion of the magnetic field generator 40 in the direction perpendicular to the third surface 33 is located between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32, and does not include the two end points of the first surface 31 and the second surface 32, that is, the projection does not coincide with the first surface 31 or the second surface 32.

[0050] In addition, in the embodiment, it is only required that the projection of at least one end portion of the magnetic field generator 40 in the direction perpendicular to the third surface 33 is located between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32.

[0051] Specifically, the projection of the first end portion 42 of the magnetic field generator 40 in the direction perpendicular to the third surface 33 can be located between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32, or the projection of the second end portion 43 in the direction perpendicular to the third surface 33 can be located between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32. In addition, the projections of the first end portion 42 and the second end portion 43 in the direction perpendicular to the third surface 33 can be located between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32.

[0052] The position of the magnetic field generator 40 is set as described above, and in the first direction, the position between the magnetic field generator 40 and the rotor 30 has a certain offset. Referring to Figure 4According to the principle of minimum magnetic resistance, the magnetic flux always closes along the path with minimum magnetic resistance, thereby generating a magnetic pull. After the coil of the magnetic field generator 40 is energized, a magnetic field is generated. Part of the magnetic path of the magnetic field passes through the stator housing 10, the air gap, the first surface 31 of the rotor 30, the second surface 32, the air gap, and the stator housing 10, thereby forming a closed loop. Another part of the magnetic path of the magnetic field passes through the stator housing 10, the air gap, the isolation plate 70, the third surface 33 of the rotor 30, the second surface 32, the air gap, and the stator housing 10, thereby forming a closed loop.

[0053] It should be noted that the air gap described above includes the gap between the rotor 30 and the accommodating chamber 11 and the gap between the rotor 30 and the magnetic field generator 40.

[0054] As can be seen from the above, in the present embodiment, the magnetic lines of force generated by the magnetic field generator 40 can not only pass through the first surface 31 and the second surface 32 of the rotor 30, but also pass through the third surface 33 of the rotor 30, thereby increasing the working surface area of the rotor 30. Under the action of the magnetic field, the magnetic response material begins to flow, and the torque is transmitted through the binding force between the magnetic response materials and the frictional force between the working surface of the rotor 30 and the magnetic response material. The increase in the working surface area of the rotor 30 can increase the torque, so that the torque can be increased without increasing the volume of the torque feedback device and the current of the coil, thereby providing sufficient acting force or reaction force for the vehicle steering system.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the magnetic field generator 40 is offset to the side close to the output shaft 60, that is, the projection of the first end portion 42 in the direction perpendicular to the third surface 33 is located between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32 and at the intermediate position of the first surface 31 and the second surface 32, which can make the effect of the magnetic lines of force passing through the third surface 33 optimal and be conducive to further increasing the torque.

[0056] With reference to the above description, Figures 1 to 3 The torque feedback device further comprises an isolation plate 70, which is arranged between the third surface 33 of the rotor 30 and the magnetic field generator 40 and is used to enclose the accommodating chamber 11.

[0057] There is a gap between the third surface 33 of the rotor 30 and the magnetic field generator 40, and the isolation plate 70 is installed in the gap. The isolation plate 70 encloses the accommodating chamber 11 and controls the magnetic response material in the accommodating chamber 11, thereby preventing the magnetic response material from contacting the magnetic field generator 40, so as to avoid the magnetic response material affecting the magnetic field generator 40 to cause failure or malfunction of the magnetic field generator 40, which is conducive to prolonging the service life of the magnetic field generator 40.

[0058] The isolation plate 70 is made of non-magnetic material to avoid affecting the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator 40.

[0059] In some embodiments, the isolation plate 70 is made of stainless steel or aluminum alloy.

[0060] Correspondingly, the utility model embodiment further provides a vehicle steering system, the vehicle steering system includes above-mentioned torque feedback device and steering mechanism (not shown), the torque feedback device is connected with the steering mechanism.

[0061] Specifically, the output shaft of the torque feedback device is connected with the steering mechanism.

[0062] In some embodiments, the steering mechanism includes a steering wheel or other components for controlling the steering of the vehicle.

[0063] Although the utility model discloses as above, the utility model is not limited to this. Any person skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model, can make various changes and modifications, therefore the protection scope of the utility model should be the range limited by the claims.

Claims

1. A torque feedback device, characterized in that, include: A stator housing, wherein an accommodating chamber is provided inside the stator housing; A rotating shaft, one end of which is inserted into the receiving chamber and rotatably connected to the stator housing; The rotor is sleeved on the rotating shaft and located in the receiving chamber. The rotor includes a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface. A magnetically responsive material, wherein the magnetically responsive material is disposed in the receiving chamber; A magnetic field generator is disposed on the outer ring of the rotor and opposite to the third surface of the rotor. The projection of one end of the magnetic field generator in a direction perpendicular to the third surface is located between the first surface and the second surface.

2. The torque feedback device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The projection of one end of the magnetic field generator in a direction perpendicular to the third surface is located at the center of the first and second surfaces.

3. The torque feedback device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an isolation plate disposed between the third surface of the rotor and the magnetic field generator, the isolation plate also serving to seal the receiving chamber.

4. The torque feedback device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The isolation plate is made of non-magnetic material.

5. The torque feedback device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The magnetic field generator includes a magnetic core and a coil, with the coil wound around the periphery of the magnetic core.

6. The torque feedback device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a protective housing, which is disposed on the stator housing, and the magnetic field generator is located inside the protective housing.

7. The torque feedback device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the stator housing via a bearing.

8. The torque feedback device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an output shaft, which is sleeved outside the rotating shaft and coaxially arranged with the rotating shaft.

9. The torque feedback device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a mounting base, and the end of the rotating shaft away from the output shaft is rotatably connected to the mounting base.

10. A vehicle steering system, characterized in that, It includes a steering mechanism and a torque feedback device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the torque feedback device is connected to the steering mechanism.

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