Steering feedback brake

Abstract

The steering feedback brake includes: a housing member; a steering column rotatably accommodated in the housing member and arranged in a first direction; a first gear member coupled to the steering column to rotate together with the steering column; and a motor component including a motor housing coupled to the housing component to cover the housing component opening, and a motor shaft rotatably coupled to the motor housing and having a second gear component engaged with the first gear component. According to the utility model, the inter-shaft distance between the steering column which comprises the first gear component and is arranged along the first direction and the motor shaft which comprises the second gear component and is arranged together with the steering column along the first direction can be adjusted, so that the backlash between the first gear component and the second gear component can be adjusted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a steering feedback brake, and more specifically, to a steering feedback brake applied to a steer-by-wire (SBW) system. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, vehicle power steering systems are hydraulic steering systems, which generate hydraulic pressure using an engine-powered oil pump to provide steering assistance. Because hydraulic steering systems require numerous components and are relatively complex, a steer-by-wire (SBW) system is currently under development. This system transmits the driver's steering intentions to the drive wheels via electrical signals, with no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the drive wheels.

[0003] The SBW system includes a steering feedback brake (SFA) and wheel actuators (RWA). When the steering wheel is turned, the vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU) receives the steering angle as an electrical signal and drives the RWA to steer the drive wheels accordingly. The SBW system can easily change the steering ratio based on vehicle driving conditions, thereby improving driving comfort and vehicle stability.

[0004] Traditional SFAs (Self-Fueled Components) consist of a speed reducer and an electric motor, with the speed reducer including worm gear reducers, belt reducers, and planetary gear reducers. These speed reducers have complex mechanical structures due to their structural characteristics, leading to high manufacturing costs and a high probability of quality control problems. Furthermore, these speed reducers are prone to noise due to gear backlash. Therefore, these shortcomings require improvement.

[0005] The background technology of this utility model has been disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-2023-0013858 (published on January 27, 2023, entitled "Vehicle Steering Feedback Brake"). Utility Model Content

[0006] Various embodiments are designed for steering feedback brakes that can adjust backlash to address the aforementioned problems.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the steering feedback brake includes: a housing component; a steering column rotatably housed within the housing component and arranged in a first direction; a first gear component coupled to the steering column for rotation with the steering column; and a motor component including a motor housing coupled to the housing component to cover an opening in the housing component, and a motor shaft rotatably coupled to the motor housing and having a second gear component meshing with the first gear component.

[0008] The motor shaft can be arranged together with the steering column in the first direction.

[0009] The motor part can further include a flange provided in the motor housing so as to be able to abut the housing part and have a first through-hole through which a fastener to be fastened to a threaded hole in the housing part extends.

[0010] The first through-hole can be provided as an elongated opening in a second direction crossing the first direction.

[0011] The diameter of the first through-hole can be greater than the diameter of the threaded hole.

[0012] A plurality of first through-holes can be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the flange.

[0013] The motor part can further include a guide protrusion protruding from the motor housing in the first direction in a circumferential direction of the motor housing and inserted into the housing part.

[0014] A gap can be defined between the guide protrusion and the opening to allow the motor housing to move in the second direction.

[0015] The housing part can further include a second through-hole provided in the second direction, and the steering feedback brake can further include a pin part engaged to the second through-hole to support the guide protrusion.

[0016] An axial distance between the steering column and the motor shaft can vary according to a rotation direction of the pin part.

[0017] The first gear part can be made of a plastic material or a metal material, and the second gear part can be made of a plastic material.

[0018] According to the present application, an axial distance between a steering column containing the first gear part and arranged in the first direction and a motor shaft containing the second gear part and arranged in the first direction together with the steering column can be adjusted, so that a backlash between the first gear part and the second gear part can be adjusted.

[0019] In addition, according to the present application, the first gear part is made of a metal material, and the second gear part engaged with the first gear part is made of a plastic material, so that noise generated by a backlash between the first gear part and the second gear part can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a single-side sectional view schematically showing a steering feedback brake according to a first embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is an enlarged sectional view of a section "A" of

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 1An enlarged perspective view of section "A".

[0023] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the coupling relationship between the housing component and the motor component in a steering feedback brake according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing a steering feedback brake according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed along a first direction.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a steering feedback brake according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Enlarged cross-sectional view of section "A".

[0027] Figure 9 yes Figure 7 An enlarged perspective view of section "A".

[0028] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the coupling relationship between the housing component and the motor component in a steering feedback brake according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 11 and Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of a steering feedback brake according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed along a first direction. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, for clarity and convenience, the thickness of lines or the dimensions of components shown in the drawings may be enlarged. Furthermore, the terms to be described below are functionally defined according to the present invention, and these terms may vary depending on the intent of the user or operator or common practice in the prior art. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the entire contents of this specification.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a steering feedback brake according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged cross-sectional view of section "A"; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of section "A"; Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the coupling relationship between the housing component and the motor component in a steering feedback brake according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5is a sectional view showing the steering feedback brake according to the first embodiment of the present application as viewed in a first direction.

[0032] Referring to Figures 1-5 , according to the first embodiment of the present application, the steering feedback brake 1 includes a housing member 100, a steering column 200, a first gear member 300, and a motor member 400, which will be described below.

[0033] The housing member 100 forms a schematic outline of the steering feedback brake 1 according to the first embodiment of the present application, and can generally support the steering column 200, the first gear member 300, and the motor member 400, which will be described below.

[0034] The specific shape of the housing member 100 is not limited to the shape shown in the accompanying drawings, but in the first embodiment of the present application, various design changes are allowed within the technical idea that the steering feedback brake 1 can be generally supported in a shape. Figure 1

[0035] The housing member 100 can be formed in a shape having a hollow barrel. The steering column 200 can be accommodated within the housing member 100.

[0036] Both longitudinal sides of the housing member 100 can be open. One longitudinal side of the housing member 100 adjacent to the motor member 400 described below can be provided with an opening 100A. The opening 100A can be formed in one side of the housing member 100 in the longitudinal direction of the housing member 100.

[0037] A through-hole 100b can be formed in the other longitudinal side of the housing member 100. The through-hole 100b can be formed in the other side of the housing member 100 in the longitudinal direction of the housing member 100. One side of the steering column 200 can protrude from the housing member 100 through the through-hole 100b.

[0038] The steering column 200 can be axially installed on the inner side of the housing member 100. The steering column 200 can be arranged in a first direction. In addition, the steering column 200 can be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing member 100. That is, the first direction can be the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the housing member 100. In addition, the first direction can be the same direction as the direction of the central axis AX1 of the steering column 200.

[0039] ​Spline 201 can be provided on one side of the steering column 200, which is exposed through a through-hole 100B formed on the other longitudinal side of the housing member 100. The spline 201 can be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the steering column 200. A steering wheel (not shown) can be coupled to the side of the steering column 200 on which the spline 201 is formed. Accordingly, the steering column 200 can be axially rotated as the steering wheel is rotated.

[0040] The inner side of the housing member 100 can accommodate a bearing 20 that rotatably supports the steering column 200. The bearing 20 can be installed between the housing member 100 and the steering column 200. The bearings 20 can be placed apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the housing member 100.

[0041] The first gear member 300 can be coupled to the steering column 200. The first gear member 300 can be coupled to the other side of the steering column 200, which faces the opening 100a formed on the longitudinal side of the housing member 100. The steering column 200 can be axially coupled to the first gear member 300. The other side of the steering column 200 can be axially coupled to the central portion of the first gear member 300.

[0042] The first gear member 300 can be rotated with the steering column 200. The first gear member 300 can be rotated in the same direction as the rotation direction of the steering column 200. The first gear member 300 can include a helical gear.

[0043] The first gear member 300 can be made of a plastic material. In another embodiment, the first gear member 300 can be made of a metallic material such as steel.

[0044] The motor member 400 can be coupled to the housing member 100. The motor member 400 can be powered by an external power source to generate a rotational force. The motor member 400 can employ various motors, such as an AC, DC, or BLDC motor, which converts a power input from the external power source into a rotational force, and can generate a reaction force in a certain direction to prevent the steering column 200 from being rotated as the steering wheel is rotated.

[0045] The reaction force generated by the motor member 400 enables a driver to feel a change in the steering direction by hand when the steering wheel is rotated.

[0046] The motor member 400 includes a motor housing 410, a motor shaft 420, a flange 430, and a guide protrusion 440.

[0047] The motor housing 410 can be coupled to the housing member 100. The motor housing 410 can be coupled to one longitudinal side of the housing member 100 in which the opening 100a is formed. The motor housing 410 can be arranged adjacent to one longitudinal side of the housing member 100 to cover the opening 100a of the housing member 100, and the motor housing 410 can be coupled to the housing member 100 in a direction together with the longitudinal direction of the housing member 100.

[0048] The motor shaft 420 can be rotatably coupled to the motor housing 410. The motor shaft 420 can be arranged in the first direction. The motor shaft 420 can protrude from the motor housing 410 in the first direction. The motor shaft 420 can be inserted into the housing member 100 through the opening 100a of the housing member 100.

[0049] The motor shaft 420 can be spaced apart from the steering column 200 and can be arranged together with the steering column 200. The motor shaft 420 can have a second gear member 421 engaged with the first gear member 300. The second gear member 421 can be provided on the side of the motor shaft 420 inserted into the housing member 100.

[0050] The second gear member 421 can be formed of a metal material, such as steel. The second gear member 421 can include a helical gear. The second gear member 421 can be integrally manufactured with the motor shaft 420.

[0051] A flange 430 can be provided on the motor housing 410. The flange 430 can protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the motor housing 410 and can be formed in the circumferential direction of the motor housing 410. The flange 430 can abut the outer surface of the housing member 100 facing the direction in which the motor housing 410 is located.

[0052] The flange 430 can be provided with first through holes 431. The first through holes 431 can be provided to penetrate the flange 430 in the thickness direction. The first through holes 431 can be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the flange 430. At least three first through holes 431 can be formed in the flange 430.

[0053] The fastening members 10 can extend through the first through holes 431 and be fastened to the housing member 100. Each of the fastening members 10 can be illustrated as a bolt or a bolt-like member engaged and coupled to the housing member 100. The motor housing 410 can be fixed to the housing member 100 by screwing the fastening members 10 through the first through holes 431 into the threaded holes 101 formed in the housing member 100.

[0054] A first through-hole 431 having a shape of an elongated opening can be formed at a position crossing the first direction in a second direction. The second direction can refer to a direction of an axial distance between the center axis Ax1 of the steering column 200 and the center axis Ax2 of the motor shaft 420. Also, the second direction can refer to a direction in which the parallelly disposed center axis Ax1 of the steering column 200 and the center axis Ax2 of the motor shaft 420 approach or move away from each other.

[0055] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a steering feedback brake according to a first embodiment of the present application, viewed in a first direction.

[0056] Referring to Figure 6 A diameter of the first through-hole 431 can be formed to be larger than a diameter of the threaded hole 101 formed in the housing member 100 in a thickness direction.

[0057] The guide protrusion 440 can protrude from the motor housing 410 in the first direction and can be formed in a circumferential direction of the motor housing 410. The guide protrusion 440 can be inserted into the housing member 100 through the opening 100a of the housing member 100.

[0058] A diameter of the guide protrusion 440 is set to be smaller than a diameter of the opening 100a formed in the housing member 100. A gap G can be formed between the guide protrusion 440 and the opening 100a to allow the motor housing 410 to move in the second direction. The gap G can be in a range of 0.1 cm to 0.3 cm.

[0059] The opening 100a can be formed in a shape of an elongated opening in the second direction. Both sides of the opening 100a can abut both sides of the guide protrusion 440, and the opening 100a can guide linear motion of the guide protrusion 440.

[0060] Before connecting the motor housing 410 to the housing member 100, the fastener 10 is pre-installed into the threaded hole 101 formed in the housing member 100 through the first through-hole 431, and then, by moving the motor housing 410 in the second direction, an axial distance between the center axis Ax1 of the steering column 200 and the center axis Ax2 of the motor shaft 420 is adjusted, thereby adjusting a backlash between the first gear member 300 and the second gear member 421.

[0061] When the motor housing 410 moves in the second direction, an axial distance between the steering column 200 and the motor shaft 420 is changed.

[0062] After adjusting the inter-axis distance between the center axis AX1 of the steering column 200 and the center axis AX2 of the motor shaft 420, the fastening member 10 is tightened to firmly fix the motor housing 410 to the housing member 100 so that the motor housing 410 does not move in the second direction.

[0063] Figure 7 is a single cross-sectional view schematically showing a steering feedback brake according to a second embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 is Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cross-section "A". Figure 9 is Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the cross-section "A". Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a coupling relationship between a housing member and a motor member in a steering feedback brake according to a second embodiment of the present application. Figure 11 and Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a steering feedback brake according to a second embodiment of the present application, viewed in a first direction.

[0064] Referring to Figures 7-12 , the steering feedback brake 2 according to the second embodiment of the present application can include a housing member 100, a steering column 200, a first gear member 300, a motor member 400, and a pin member 120.

[0065] In describing the steering feedback brake 2 according to the second embodiment of the present application, only different embodiments of the housing member 100 and the pin member 120 of the steering feedback brake 1 which are not described in the steering feedback brake 1 according to the first embodiment of the present application are described.

[0066] For the remaining configurations of the steering feedback brake 2 according to the second embodiment, the description of the steering feedback brake 1 according to the first embodiment can be directly applied.

[0067] The housing member 100 can provide a second through-hole 110. The second through-hole 110 can be formed through an outer circumferential surface of the housing member 100 in the second direction. The second through-hole 110 can be formed on the opening 100a side of the housing member 100. The second through-hole 110 can be internally threaded along the inner circumferential surface.

[0068] The pin member 120 can be coupled to the second through-hole 110. The pin member 120 can engage the inner circumferential surface coupled to the second through-hole 110. The pin member 120 can be disposed in the second direction. The pin member 120 can extend through the second through-hole 110 to support the guide protrusion 440. The pin member 120 can be a bolt or the like in the illustration.

[0069] The shaft distance between the steering column 200 and the motor shaft 420 can be changed according to the rotation direction of the pin member 120 engaged and coupled to the second through hole 110 and extending through the second through hole 110 and supporting the guide protrusion 440.

[0070] After the motor housing 410 is coupled to the housing member 100 by screwing the fastener 10 passing through the first through hole 431 formed in the flange 430 into the threaded hole 101 formed in the housing member 100, the pin member 120 is screwed in the second through hole 110 formed in the housing member 100 in one direction, presses the guide protrusion 440, and supports the guide protrusion 440.

[0071] The guide protrusion 440 pressed by the pin member 120 moves in the second direction in which the steering column 200 is located, and the shaft distance between the center axis AX1 of the steering column 200 and the center axis AX2 of the motor shaft 420 is adjusted accordingly. Thus, the backlash between the first gear member 300 and the second gear member 421 can be adjusted.

[0072] When the motor housing 410 moves in the second direction, the shaft distance between the steering column 200 and the motor shaft 420 can be changed.

[0073] On the contrary, the guide protrusion 440 can move toward the opposite direction in which the steering column 200 is located by pressing the guide protrusion 440 by reverse rotation of the pin member 120. Thus, the shaft distance between the center axis AX1 of the steering column 200 and the center axis AX2 of the motor shaft 420 can be adjusted. Thus, the backlash between the first gear member 300 and the second gear member 421 can be adjusted.

[0074] When the motor housing 410 moves in the second direction, the shaft distance between the steering column 200 and the motor shaft 420 can be changed.

[0075] In the steering feedback brakes 1 and 2 according to the embodiments of the present application, the shaft distance between the steering column 200 having the first gear member 300 and arranged in the first direction and the motor shaft 420 having the second gear member 421 engaged with the first gear member 300 and arranged in the first direction together with the steering column 200 can be adjusted, so that the backlash between the first gear member 300 and the second gear member 421 can be adjusted.

[0076] In the steering feedback brakes 1 and 2 according to the embodiments of the present application, the first gear member 300 is made of a metal material, and the second gear member 421 is made of a plastic material, and the first gear member 300 is engaged with the second gear member 421, so that the noise generated by the backlash between the first gear member 300 and the second gear member 421 can be reduced.

[0077] While the present application has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, the embodiments are merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and other equivalents can be made without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A steering feedback brake, characterized by, Comprising: a housing part; a steering column rotatably accommodated in the housing part and arranged in a first direction; a first gear part coupled to the steering column to rotate with the steering column; and a motor part including a motor housing coupled to the housing part to cover an opening of the housing part, and a motor shaft rotatably coupled to the motor housing and having a second gear part engaged with the first gear part; the motor housing is movable in a second direction to adjust an inter-shaft distance between the steering column and the motor shaft, the second direction being transverse to the first direction. the motor shaft is arranged in the first direction with the steering column.

2. The steering feedback brake of claim 1, wherein, the motor part can further include a flange provided in the motor housing so as to be capable of abutting the housing part, and having a first through-hole through which a fastener to be fastened to a threaded hole in the housing part extends.

3. The steering feedback brake of claim 2, wherein, the first through-hole is provided as an elongated opening in the second direction, or a diameter of the first through-hole is greater than a diameter of the threaded hole.

4. The steering feedback brake of claim 3, wherein, a plurality of first through-holes can be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of the flange.

5. The steering feedback brake of claim 4, wherein, the motor part further includes a guide protrusion protruding from the motor housing in a first direction in a circumferential direction of the motor housing and inserted into the housing part.

6. The steering feedback brake of claim 4, wherein, a gap can be defined between the guide protrusion and the opening to allow the motor housing to move in the second direction.

7. The steering feedback brake of claim 6, wherein, the housing part can further include a second through-hole provided in the second direction, and the steering feedback brake can further include a pin part engagedly coupled to the second through-hole to support the guide protrusion.

8. The steering feedback brake of claim 7, wherein, the inter-shaft distance between the steering column and the motor shaft varies according to a rotational direction of the pin part.

9. The steering feedback brake of claim 8, wherein, the first gear part includes a plastic material or a metal material, and the second gear part includes a plastic material.

10. The steering feedback brake of claim 1, wherein, ​

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