Direct drive steering wheel

Abstract

This invention provides a direct-drive steering wheel, a motor bracket, a rotating body rotatably mounted within the motor bracket, one end of which has a stepped section with at least one step whose diameter decreases axially, and each step independently contains a magnetic coil; a central shaft fixedly connected to the motor bracket at one end, coaxially extending through the interior of the rotating body, with the central shaft and each step of the stepped section independently forming an air gap magnetic circuit; a rotor shaft fixedly connected to the end of the stepped section away from the rotating body; and a steering wheel body with a steering column detachably connected to the rotor shaft, the rotating body rotating synchronously with the steering wheel body. This invention employs an external rotor structure and, through a stepped multi-stage magnetic circuit design, achieves magnetic flux superposition within the same volume, resulting in increased torque density and reduced response delay.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of direct drive steering wheel technology, and specifically to a direct drive steering wheel. Background Technology

[0002] As a core peripheral in racing simulation games, direct-drive steering wheels directly output torque to the steering wheel shaft via a motor, achieving realistic force feedback without gear transmission. In related technologies, direct-drive steering wheels generally employ an internal rotor motor structure: the outer housing serves as the central shaft, fixed to a motor bracket. The user manipulates the steering wheel to drive the central shaft to rotate, and the central shaft cuts the magnetic field of the central shaft to output a reaction torque to the user.

[0003] Regarding the aforementioned technologies, the internal rotor motor, being a single air-gap magnetic circuit, suffers from insufficient torque density, resulting in limited output torque for the same volume. This necessitates increasing the motor size or adding counterweights to meet the strong feedback demands of gaming scenarios, leading to bulky equipment. Furthermore, the relatively long magnetic circuit path results in a magnetic field establishment time exceeding 5ms, causing steering wheel feedback in competitive games to lag behind visual actions. Therefore, existing technologies suffer from insufficient torque density and excessively high response latency. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a direct-drive steering wheel to solve the problems of insufficient torque density and high response delay in existing direct-drive steering wheels.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a direct-drive steering wheel using the following technical solution:

[0006] Firstly, a direct-drive steering wheel, including

[0007] Motor bracket;

[0008] A rotating body is rotatably mounted inside the motor bracket. One end of the rotating body is provided with a stepped section. The diameter of the stepped section decreases gradually along the axial direction, with at least one step. Each step is independently provided with a magnetic coil.

[0009] A central shaft is fixedly connected to the motor bracket at one end. The central shaft is coaxially disposed inside the rotating body. The central shaft contains a permanent magnet. The central shaft and each step of the stepped section independently form an air gap magnetic circuit.

[0010] The rotor shaft is fixedly connected to the end of the stepped portion away from the rotating body.

[0011] The steering wheel body is provided with a steering column, which is detachably connected to the rotor shaft, and the rotating body rotates synchronously with the steering wheel body.

[0012] As an optimization of a direct-drive steering wheel, the motor bracket is provided with a limiting hole, and one end of the central shaft is provided with a limiting step, which is inserted and snapped into the inner wall of the limiting hole.

[0013] As an optimization of a direct-drive steering wheel, the side wall of the limiting step is provided with threads, which, in conjunction with a nut, fix the central shaft to the motor bracket.

[0014] As an optimization of a direct-drive steering wheel, two stator bearings are sleeved around the central shaft. The outer ring of one stator bearing is embedded in the inner wall of the rotor shaft, and the outer ring of the other stator bearing is embedded in the inner wall of the rotating body.

[0015] As an optimization of a direct-drive steering wheel, the side wall of the rotor shaft is provided with a keyway, and the inner wall of the steering column is provided with a radial flange, which is axially inserted into the keyway.

[0016] As an optimization of a direct-drive steering wheel, the motor bracket is a metal stamping or injection molding part.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0018] (1) Significantly improved torque density: The innovative external rotor structure is adopted. The multi-level independent magnetic coils of the rotating body and the stepped part form multiple air gap magnetic circuits in parallel with the central shaft permanent magnet. Through the stepped multi-level air gap magnetic circuit design, the magnetic flux is superimposed in the same volume. The magnetic flux superposition effect improves the torque density compared with the traditional single magnetic circuit structure, achieving high torque output in a compact space and completely eliminating the need for additional counterweights.

[0019] (2) Response delay is greatly reduced: The air gap distance of each stage of the magnetic circuit is significantly shortened compared to the traditional motor structure, and the magnetic field establishment time is sharply reduced, ensuring that the force feedback is synchronized with the competitive game screen;

[0020] (3) Comprehensive optimization of positioning accuracy: The circumferential rotation of the central shaft is restricted by the mechanical interlock between the limiting step and the limiting hole of the bracket, and the axial movement of the central shaft is suppressed by the pre-tightening of the screw thread nut, thus eliminating the magnetic field coupling error caused by the stator displacement;

[0021] (4) Enhanced assembly convenience: The detachable connection structure between the steering column and the rotor shaft is adapted to the portability requirements of e-sports equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a direct-drive steering wheel according to an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of a direct-drive steering wheel according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 3 This is an axial explosion diagram of a direct-drive steering wheel according to an embodiment of this application.

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Motor bracket; 11. Limiting hole; 2. Rotating body; 20. Auxiliary bearing; 21. Stepped section; 22. Magnetic coil; 3. Central shaft; 31. Limiting step; 4. Rotor shaft; 41. Keyway; 5. Steering wheel body; 51. Steering column; 52. Radial flange; 6. Stator bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the technical solution and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model and its beneficial effects will be described in further detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments of this utility model are not limited thereto.

[0028] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0029] All standard parts used in this utility model can be purchased from the market, and irregular parts can be customized according to the description and drawings. The specific connection methods of each part adopt conventional methods such as bolts, rivets, and welding that are mature in the prior art. The machinery, parts and equipment adopt conventional models in the prior art, and the circuit connection adopts conventional connection methods in the prior art, which will not be described in detail here.

[0030] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-3 This application will be described in further detail below.

[0031] This application provides a direct-drive steering wheel, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0032] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The system includes a motor bracket 1, a rotating body 2, a central shaft 3, a rotor shaft 4, and a steering wheel body 5. The motor bracket 1 serves as the mounting base, and the rotating body 2 and the central shaft 3 form the motor structure. The motor bracket 1 includes two L-shaped structural components, which are assembled by screws to form a frame structure with a semi-rectangular cross-section. Furthermore, the motor bracket 1 can be a stamped metal part or an injection-molded part. The rotating body 2 includes a hollow cylindrical outer shell, a direction encoder chip mounted on the inner wall of the outer shell, and a magnetic induction coil 22. The rotating body 2 is rotatably mounted inside the frame structure of the motor bracket 1 via an auxiliary bearing 20. In the motor structure, the rotating body 2 serves as the rotor of the motor. One end of the rotating body 2 is integrally formed with a stepped portion 21. The diameter of the stepped portion 21 decreases axially with at least one step. Each step contains an independently installed magnetic coil 22. The magnetic coils 22 are independent of each other. In this embodiment, the stepped portion 21 includes three steps, with one magnetic coil 22 installed in each step. The central shaft 3 is cylindrical and contains a permanent magnet. The top of the central shaft 3 has a wire inlet hole. The wires of the central shaft 3 are connected to the magnetic coils 22 and the direction encoder chip through the wire inlet hole for power supply and direction control. The bottom end of the central shaft 3 is fixedly connected to the motor bracket 1, and the central shaft 3 is coaxially installed inside the rotating body 2. In the motor structure, the central shaft 3 serves as the stator of the motor. During the rotation of the rotating body 2 around the central shaft 3, the central shaft 3 and the magnetic coils 22 in each step of the stepped portion 21 independently form an air gap magnetic circuit, corresponding to independent torque outputs and forming different torque densities. The rotor shaft 4 is fixedly connected to the end of the stepped portion 21 away from the rotating body 2, serving as a part of the rotating body 2 extending outward toward the motor bracket 1. It should be noted that... Figure 3The exploded view shown only illustrates the internal structure by showing the separation of the rotor shaft 4 and the rotating body 2. In the actual product, they are fixedly connected by non-removable methods such as welding, casting, or machining. The steering wheel body 5 is the control component that the user directly contacts. The steering wheel body 5 extends downwards and is fixedly mounted with a steering column 51. The steering column 51 is detachably connected to the rotor shaft 4 to form an integral unit, allowing the rotating body 2 to rotate synchronously with the steering wheel body 5. This transmits the user's operation to the rotating body 2 in real time. The rotating body 2 outputs torque relative to the central axis 3, simulating real resistance feedback to the user. A circuit board is installed inside the steering wheel body 5. Multiple magnetic coils 22 are connected in parallel to the circuit board, and a direction encoder chip is connected to the circuit board, transmitting the rotation position signal to the circuit board via wires. The circuit board is connected to the host computer running the competitive game, converting the torque of the magnetic coils 22 into a signal and feeding it back to the competitive game program, thus adapting to the strong feedback requirements of different game scenarios.

[0033] When the user manipulates the steering wheel body 5 to rotate the steering column 51, the rotor shaft 4 drives the rotating body 2 to rotate synchronously. At this time, the magnetic coil 22 of the rotating body 2 and the three independent magnetic coils 22 in the stepped section 21 all rotate around the central axis 3. In the magnetic field formed by the permanent magnet of the central axis 3, they cut the magnetic field lines step by step, forming four parallel independent air gap magnetic circuits. The stepped magnetic circuit topology increases the magnetic flux per unit volume, improves the torque density, and improves the output torque while maintaining a compact volume, completely eliminating the need for additional counterweights. At the same time, because each magnetic coil 22 is independent, the distance of the air gap magnetic circuit is shortened, and the magnetic field establishment time is sharply reduced, ensuring that the steering wheel feedback and the action of the racing game screen are completely synchronized, thereby improving the torque density and reducing the response delay.

[0034] In the preferred embodiment of this application, reference is made to Figure 2 and Figure 3 A limiting hole 11 is provided on the motor bracket 1. The limiting hole 11 is an oblong hole. One end of the central shaft 3 is integrally formed with a limiting step 31. The cross section of the limiting step 31 is oblong. The limiting step 31 is inserted and snapped into the limiting hole 11. The side wall of the limiting step 31 abuts against the inner wall of the limiting hole 11. The central shaft 3 is prevented from rotating by mechanical interlocking, thereby achieving circumferential positioning. This reduces the relative position error between the stator permanent magnet and the rotor coil, avoids torque fluctuation caused by displacement, and avoids the problem of decreased magnetic field coupling accuracy caused by stator displacement.

[0035] Furthermore, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3The limiting step 31 has threads integrally formed on its sidewall, which are distributed on the arc-shaped outer circumference of the limiting step 31. The threads allow a nut to be threaded onto the limiting step 31, with the nut abutting against the outer wall of the motor bracket 1 to limit the axial runout of the central shaft 3. The preload of the nut resists the axial impact force from the user, avoiding a decrease in magnetic field coupling accuracy and improving the user's gaming experience.

[0036] In the preferred embodiment of this application, reference is made to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Two stator bearings 6 are installed around the central shaft 3. The outer ring of one stator bearing 6 is embedded in the inner wall of the rotor shaft 4, and the outer ring of the other stator bearing 6 is embedded in the inner wall of the rotating body 2. The two mating stator bearings 6 rigidly support and counteract the radial centrifugal force when the steering wheel is turned at high speed, thereby improving the stability of torque output and enhancing the user's gaming experience.

[0037] In the preferred embodiment of this application, reference is made to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The rotor shaft 4 has three axially extending keyways 41 on its side wall, while the inner wall of the steering column 51 has three radial flanges 52 integrally formed inward. The three radial flanges 52 are inserted into the three keyways 41 to achieve a detachable connection between the steering column 51 and the rotor shaft 4, which is convenient for carrying and assembly and improves the user's gaming experience.

[0038] The experimental principle of this embodiment is as follows: In actual use, when the user operates the steering wheel body 5, the steering column 51 transmits torque through the keyway 41 of the rotor shaft 4 via three radial flanges 52, driving the rotating body 2 to rotate around the central shaft 3. At this time, the multiple independent magnetic coils 22 of the rotating body 2 and the stepped part 21 cut the magnetic field of the permanent magnet of the central shaft 3, forming a parallel air gap magnetic circuit. The magnetic flux superposition effect increases the torque density compared to the single magnetic circuit structure. Through magnetic circuit topology reconstruction, the torque density is significantly improved and the magnetic field response path is shortened, significantly reducing the response delay. In addition, the central shaft 3 achieves circumferential positioning by engaging with the limiting hole 11 of the bracket through the limiting step 31. The screw threads and nuts are used to lock and suppress axial movement, ensuring the magnetic field coupling accuracy. The stator bearing 6 is connected between the central shaft 3 and the rotor shaft 4, optimizing the force feedback transmission path and suppressing radial sway. Combining the above structural synergies, this solution innovatively adopts an external rotor structure and solves the inherent defects of the internal rotor structure in related technologies through a stepped multi-stage magnetic circuit design. It achieves high torque density output without the need for additional counterweights, while ensuring that the force feedback response is synchronized with the game screen. This completely solves the problems of bulkiness and lag in traditional direct-drive steering wheels, and has the effect of improving torque density and reducing high response latency.

[0039] Based on the disclosure and teachings of the above specification, those skilled in the art can make changes and modifications to the above embodiments. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and any obvious improvements, substitutions, or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on this utility model are within the protection scope of this utility model. Furthermore, although some specific terms are used in this specification, these terms are only for convenience of explanation and do not constitute any limitation on this utility model.

Claims

1. A direct drive steering wheel, characterized by, include Motor bracket (1); The rotating body (2) is rotatably installed in the motor bracket (1). One end of the rotating body (2) is provided with a stepped part (21). The diameter of the stepped part (21) is gradually reduced along the axial direction and is provided with at least one step. Each step is independently provided with a magnetic coil (22). A central shaft (3) is fixedly connected at one end to the motor bracket (1). The central shaft (3) is coaxially installed inside the rotating body (2). The central shaft (3) contains a permanent magnet. The central shaft (3) and each step of the stepped part (21) independently form an air gap magnetic circuit. The rotor shaft (4) is fixedly connected to one end of the stepped portion (21) away from the rotating body (2); The steering wheel body (5) is provided with a steering column (51), which is detachably connected to the rotor shaft (4). The rotating body (2) rotates synchronously with the steering wheel body (5).

2. A direct drive steering wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that The motor bracket (1) is provided with a limiting hole (11), and one end of the central shaft (3) is provided with a limiting step (31). The limiting step (31) is inserted and snapped into the inner wall of the limiting hole (11).

3. A direct drive steering wheel according to claim 2, wherein, The side wall of the limiting step (31) is provided with threads, and the threads, in conjunction with the nut, fix the central shaft (3) to the motor bracket (1).

4. A direct drive steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein, Two stator bearings (6) are sleeved around the central shaft (3). The outer ring of one of the stator bearings (6) is embedded in the inner wall of the rotor shaft (4), and the outer ring of the other stator bearing (6) is embedded in the inner wall of the rotating body (2).

5. A direct drive steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The rotor shaft (4) has a keyway (41) on its side wall and a radial flange (52) on the inner wall of the steering column (51). The radial flange (52) is axially inserted into the keyway (41).

6. A direct drive steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The motor bracket (1) is a metal stamping part or an injection molded part.

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