Steering device of a vehicle having a steering wheel

Abstract

The utility model relates to a steering device (1) of vehicle with steering wheel (2), the steering wheel can be adjusted between the steering end position of the extension of steering position area and the steering end position of moving in the longitudinal direction of steering shaft (9) through adjusting mechanical device (6). Steering wheel (2) can additionally move between the steering position of steering position area and the folded stationary position through adjusting mechanical device (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a steering device with a steering wheel for a vehicle according to the present utility model. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle steering systems, as known in practice, are typically equipped with adjustment mechanisms that allow the steering wheel position to be adapted to different operators along the longitudinal direction of the steering axis and also along the vehicle's height, thereby improving driving comfort.

[0003] Furthermore, it is known that the steering wheel can be adjusted from a steering position (in which the vehicle can be controlled or steered by the driver during driving) to a folded resting position, in which the steering wheel is pivoted out of the operator's grip area in order to provide a larger interior space area for vehicle passengers, depending on the situation.

[0004] A foldable steering wheel is known from DE 10 2022 211 225 A1, which can be transferred from a steering position to a stationary position by translation and rotation and from a stationary position to a steering position.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2021 203 496 A1 describes a foldable handle assembly and a steering device having such a handle assembly. The steering wheel is arranged in the stationary position of the vehicle body to increase the free space between the driver's seat and the dashboard or instrument panel, for example, during autonomous driving operation. Utility Model Content

[0006] The objective of this invention is to provide a steering device for a vehicle with a steering wheel, wherein the steering wheel is movable within a steering position area and additionally can be adjusted between a steering position and a stationary position within the steering position area in a manner and method that is simple and inexpensive to design and advantageous in terms of structural space.

[0007] According to this invention, the task is accomplished using a steering device according to this invention.

[0008] The steering device of the vehicle according to the present invention includes a steering wheel that can be adjusted by an adjusting mechanism in a steering position region, that is, at least along the longitudinal direction of the steering axis, between an extended steering end position and an inserted steering end position.

[0009] According to this invention, the steering wheel can be moved additionally between a steering position and a folded rest position within the steering position area by means of an adjusting mechanical device.

[0010] In other words, to improve driving comfort, the steering wheel can be moved longitudinally toward or away from the driver via an adjusting mechanism along the steering axis. Additionally, the steering wheel can be adjusted via the same adjusting mechanism in a space-efficient and inexpensive manner between a steering position and a folded resting position within the steering position area. In the steering position, the driver can control the vehicle through steering movements of the steering wheel in a manner known to them. In the resting position, the steering wheel is preferably pivoted or folded below the instrument panel or dashboard from the driver's grip area. In the resting position, for example during autonomous driving or in a decoupled driving state, the operator can be provided with the largest possible range of motion within the vehicle's interior space.

[0011] The adjustment mechanism may include a drive unit, by means of which the adjustment shaft can be adjusted relative to the steering shaft along the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft together with the steering wheel. The adjustment shaft may be connected to the steering shaft and the steering wheel in a way that resists relative rotation.

[0012] In a structurally advantageous embodiment of the steering device according to the present invention, the adjusting shaft is constructed as a hollow shaft. Subsequently, it is possible to arrange a coupling shaft in the adjusting shaft in a simple and structurally advantageous manner, the coupling shaft being fixedly connected to the adjusting shaft along the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft and rotatably supported in the adjusting shaft.

[0013] In another structurally advantageous embodiment of the steering device, the coupling shaft is at least partially constructed as a hollow shaft, and a fixed control shaft is embedded in the hollow shaft region of the coupling shaft.

[0014] Furthermore, it can be specified that the control shaft has at least one longitudinal control groove and at least one threaded control groove connected to the longitudinal control groove on its outer side. The coupling shaft can be operatively connected to the control shaft via at least one coupling element. It is possible that the coupling element is fixedly connected to the coupling shaft or positioned within the coupling shaft and embedded in the longitudinal control groove or threaded control groove according to the adjustment path of the coupling shaft.

[0015] During adjustment of the steering wheel along the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft, the coupling element can be guided in the longitudinal control groove of the control shaft, causing the coupling shaft to perform a linear adjustment movement relative to the control shaft in the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft. Furthermore, it can be specified that during adjustment of the steering wheel between its rest position and its steering position within the steering position region, the coupling element is guided in a threaded control groove. This results in the coupling shaft performing both a linear adjustment movement relative to the control shaft in the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft and a rotational movement relative to the control shaft.

[0016] The longitudinal control groove and the threaded control groove can be configured such that the steering wheel is moved by the adjusting mechanism from the extended steering end position to the inserted steering end position, and then adjusted from the inserted steering end position to the rest position. In other words, the inserted steering end position corresponds to a steering position from which the steering wheel can be moved by the adjusting mechanism toward the folded rest position.

[0017] The coupling shaft can be connected to the drive lever of the multi-joint assembly of the adjusting mechanism via a transmission device. This allows the steering wheel to be connected to the steering shaft with anti-rotational capability via the drive lever and to be guided by the drive lever to move between a steering position and a stationary position during rotation of the coupling shaft.

[0018] The transmission device may include a coupling shaft gear that is rotatably connected to the coupling shaft.

[0019] Furthermore, the transmission device may also have a coupling rod gear, which meshes with the coupling shaft gear and is connected to the coupling rod in a way that resists relative rotation. Subsequently, the distance between the connection areas of the coupling shaft and the drive lever can be bridged in a simple manner and by a simple design.

[0020] The coupling rod can be connected to another coupling rod gear in an anti-rotational manner, which engages with a drive gear, which in turn is connected to a drive lever in an anti-rotational manner.

[0021] In a simplified embodiment of the steering device according to the present invention, the multi-joint assembly includes at least two control levers through which the steering wheel is connected to the steering shaft in a rotationally inverse manner, and these control levers forcibly guide the steering wheel between a steering position and a stationary position during adjustment movements.

[0022] The angle between the steering axis and the horizontal plane can be changed by an additional adjustment mechanism, and the steering wheel can be adjusted in the height direction by another adjustment mechanism, so that the steering wheel position can be adapted to different operators with minimal effort, thereby improving driving comfort.

[0023] Furthermore, this utility model also relates to a vehicle that implements the electric steering device described in detail above.

[0024] Further features of this invention can be obtained from the claims, drawings, and description of the drawings. The above description of features and combinations thereof, as well as the features and combinations thereof mentioned subsequently in the description of the drawings and / or shown only in the drawings, may be used not only in the combinations described separately, but also in other combinations or individually. Attached Figure Description

[0025] This utility model will now be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 A three-dimensional front view of a vehicle's steering system with a steering wheel arranged in the steering position is shown.

[0027] Figure 2 The steering device is shown to correspond to Figure 1 The illustration shows the steering wheel in its folded, stationary position.

[0028] Figure 3 It shows according to Figure 1 Side view of the steering device;

[0029] Figure 4 It shows according to Figure 1 A side view of the steering mechanism, in which multiple components of the steering mechanism are shown in a simplified cross-sectional view;

[0030] Figure 5 It shows in Figure 4 A magnified view of region V shown in detail in the image;

[0031] Figure 6 It shows in Figure 4 A magnified view of region VI, which is shown in detail in the image; and

[0032] Figure 7 A three-dimensional view of another embodiment of the steering device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1 A three-dimensional front view of a vehicle's steering system 1 in its installation position is shown. The steering system 1 includes a steering wheel 2 arranged in a steering position area. Within the steering position area, the driver can manually control or steer the vehicle using the steering wheel 2 in known manners and methods.

[0034] Furthermore, the steering wheel 2 can be moved from the steering position area by adjusting the drive lever 3 and the two control levers 5A and 5B of the multi-joint assembly 4 of the adjustment mechanism 6. Figure 2 In the folded rest position shown, control levers 5A and 5B are rotatably connected to the steering wheel 2 in the region of rotation joints 5C and 5D. Additionally, drive lever 3 is rotatably connected to the steering wheel 2 in the region of rotation joint 3A. In the rest position, the steering wheel 2 pivots to the region below the vehicle's instrument panel 7, releasing the area of ​​the interior space 8 between the driver's seat and the instrument panel 7. This is advantageous, for example, during autonomous driving operation of the vehicle equipped with steering device 1 or in the vehicle's deactivated operating state. Subsequently, the additional interior space area becomes available for use by the operator seated in the driver's seat.

[0035] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The steering device 1 in its fully extended position is shown in a side view, corresponding to the steering termination position of the steering position region, wherein... Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the steering device 1 is also shown.

[0036] The steering wheel 2 can be adjusted along the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft 9 within the steering position area by means of the adjusting mechanism 6, so as to increase or decrease the distance between the steering wheel 2 and the driver's seat in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle. For this purpose, the adjusting mechanism 6 includes a drive unit 10, by means of which the adjusting shaft 11 can be adjusted relative to the steering shaft 9 along the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft 9 together with the steering wheel 2. The drive lever 3 and control levers 5A, 5B are connected to the steering wheel 2 in a rotationally resistant manner in the peripheral direction of the steering wheel 2, and are also connected to the steering shaft 9 in a rotationally resistant manner, so that the steering motion of the driver's side of the steering wheel 2 is transmitted to the steering shaft 9 through the multi-joint assembly 4.

[0037] The adjusting shaft 11 is connected to the steering shaft 9 and the steering wheel 2 in a way that resists relative rotation and is constructed as a hollow shaft. The coupling shaft 12 is rotatably supported in the adjusting shaft 11 and is fixedly connected to the adjusting shaft 11 in the axial direction. Additionally, the coupling shaft 12 is partially constructed as a hollow shaft, wherein a fixed control shaft 13 is embedded in the hollow shaft region 14 of the coupling shaft 12.

[0038] The control shaft 13 has a longitudinal control groove 16 and a threaded control groove 17 connected to the longitudinal control groove 16 on its outer side 15. The coupling shaft 12 is operatively connected to the control shaft 13 by at least one coupling element 24, preferably a ball. Here, the coupling element 24 is radially outwardly embedded in a recess 25 of the coupling shaft 12, which is constructed inside the hollow shaft region 14. The recess 25 and the coupling element 24 are matched such that the coupling element 24 is held in the recess 25 in the installed position and cannot move relative to the coupling shaft 12. The coupling element 24 is embedded in the longitudinal control groove 16 or the threaded control groove 17 depending on the axial position of the coupling shaft 12 relative to the control shaft 13.

[0039] The coupling element 24, connected by the control shaft 13 and the coupling shaft 12, allows the steering wheel 2 to be adjusted within the steering position region. During this adjustment, the coupling element 24 moves within the longitudinal control slot 16 of the control shaft 13 and prevents the coupling shaft 12 from rotating about its longitudinal axis. In other words, during the adjustment of the steering wheel 2 within the steering position region, the coupling shaft 12 performs a linear adjustment movement relative to the steering shaft 9 and relative to the control shaft 13 along an adjustment path extending between the fully extended and fully engaged steering end positions within the steering position region.

[0040] If the steering wheel 2 is positioned in the fully engaged steering end position, the additional drive of the drive unit 10 causes the coupling element 24 to be drawn from the longitudinal control slot 16 and into the threaded control slot 17. Subsequently, the coupling element 24 follows the helical path of the fixed threaded control slot 18, and the coupling shaft 12 is translated in the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft 9 and simultaneously rotates about its longitudinal axis relative to the control shaft 13.

[0041] The coupling shaft 12 is connected to the drive lever 3 of the multi-joint assembly 4 of the adjusting mechanism 6 via a transmission device 18. The transmission device 18 includes a coupling shaft gear 19, which is anti-rotatably connected to the coupling shaft 12. Additionally, the transmission device 18 also has a coupling rod gear 20, which meshes with the coupling shaft gear 19 and is anti-rotatably connected to a coupling rod 21. The coupling rod 21 is anti-rotatably connected to another coupling rod gear 22, which engages with a drive gear 23. The drive gear 23 is anti-rotatably connected to the drive lever 3.

[0042] When the coupling shaft 12 rotates accordingly, the drive lever 3 rotates about the rotation axis 23A of the drive gear 23 via the transmission device 18, guiding the steering wheel 2 and the two control levers 5A and 5B from the moved-in steering termination position toward the stationary position. Here, the drive lever 3 and the control levers 5A and 5B pivot relative to the steering wheel 2 about the rotation axes of the rotating joints 3A, 5C, and 5D. Furthermore, the drive lever 3 pivots relative to the steering shaft 9 about the rotation axis 23A. Additionally, the control levers 5A and 5B rotate relative to the steering shaft 9 about a common rotation axis 5E.

[0043] Additionally, the steering device 1 also includes an adjustment mechanism not shown in detail in the accompanying drawings, through which the angle α between the steering shaft 9 and the horizontal plane H can be changed, and the steering wheel 2 can be adjusted along the height direction Z within the steering position region.

[0044] Figure 5 The steering device 1 is shown in an enlarged view. Figure 4The detailed description refers to region V, in which a portion of the control shaft 13 and the coupling shaft 12 are arranged. Furthermore, Figure 6 The steering device 1 is shown in an enlarged view. Figure 4 The detailed description of area VI shows that a transmission device 18 is arranged in this area.

[0045] If the steering wheel 2 is positioned within the steering position area and a request is issued to adjust the steering wheel 2 to the driver's side in a stationary position, then the drive unit 10 drives the adjustment shaft 11. Subsequently, the steering wheel 2 is adjusted to the steering end position within the steering position area. Additionally, it may be specified that a further adjustment mechanism simultaneously or after reaching the steering end position moves the steering wheel 2 upwards along the height direction Z to an upper steering end position. In a further rotational drive of the drive unit 10, the steering wheel 2 is moved to a stationary position by the drive lever 3 in the aforementioned manner and method.

[0046] Figure 7 Another embodiment of the steering device 107 is shown, which differs from the steering device 1 only in that the steering wheel 2 is moved between a rest position and an engaged steering termination position by two separate drive levers 31, 32 (instead of drive lever 3), and is forcibly guided by two control levers 5A, 5B. Therefore, regarding the basic design structure and basic function of the steering device 107, refer to the above description, and... Figure 7 For components with the same structure and function, the same method is used. Figures 1 to 6 The same reference numerals are used in the accompanying drawings.

[0047] List of reference numerals

[0048] 1. Steering system of 107

[0049] 2. Steering wheel

[0050] 3. Drive lever

[0051] 3A Rotational Joint

[0052] 4 Multi-joint components

[0053] 5A, 5B control levers

[0054] 5C, 5D Rotation Joints

[0055] 5E control levers share a common axis of rotation.

[0056] 6. Adjustment mechanism

[0057] 7. Dashboard

[0058] 8. Vehicle interior space

[0059] 9. Steering Axle

[0060] 10. Drive unit

[0061] 11 Adjustment Shaft

[0062] 12 Coupled Shafts

[0063] 13 control axes

[0064] 14. Hollow shaft region of the coupled shaft

[0065] 15. Outer side of the control axis

[0066] 16 Longitudinal control slots

[0067] 17 Thread control groove

[0068] 18. Transmission device

[0069] 19 Coupled shaft gears

[0070] 20 coupling rod gears

[0071] 21 Coupling rods

[0072] 22. Other coupling rod gears

[0073] 23 Drive gear

[0074] 23A Rotation axis of the drive gear

[0075] 24 Coupling Elements

[0076] 25. Empty section of the coupling shaft

[0077] 31, 32 Drive levers

[0078] H horizontal plane

[0079] Z-axis

[0080] α angle

Claims

1. A steering device (1) for a vehicle having a steering wheel (2), the steering wheel being adjustable by an adjusting mechanism (6) between an extended steering termination position and an inserted steering termination position in the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft (9) in the steering position region, characterized in that, The steering wheel (2) can also be moved between a steering position and a folded rest position within the steering position area via the adjustment mechanism (6).

2. The steering device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment mechanism (6) includes a drive unit (10), and an adjustment shaft (11) connected to the steering shaft (9) and the steering wheel (2) in a way that resists relative rotation can be adjusted relative to the steering shaft (9) along the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft (9) by means of the drive unit and the steering wheel (2).

3. The steering device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The adjusting shaft (11) is constructed as a hollow shaft, wherein a coupling shaft (12) is arranged in the adjusting shaft (11), the coupling shaft is fixedly connected to the adjusting shaft (11) along the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft (9) and is rotatably supported in the adjusting shaft (11).

4. The steering device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The coupling shaft (12) is at least partially constructed as a hollow shaft, and a fixed control shaft (13) is embedded in the hollow shaft region (14) of the coupling shaft (12).

5. The steering device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control shaft has at least one longitudinal control groove (16) and at least one threaded control groove (17) connected to the longitudinal control groove (16) on its outer side (15). The coupling shaft (12) is operatively connected to the control shaft (13) via at least one coupling element (24). During the adjustment of the steering wheel (2) in the steering position region along the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft (9), the coupling element (24) is guided in the longitudinal control groove (16) of the control shaft (13), and the coupling shaft (12) performs a linear adjustment movement relative to the control shaft (13) in the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft (9). During the adjustment of the steering wheel (2) between the rest position and the steering position in the steering position region, the coupling element (24) is guided in the threaded control groove (17), and the coupling shaft (12) performs a linear adjustment movement relative to the control shaft (13) in the longitudinal direction of the steering shaft (9) and a rotational movement relative to the control shaft (13).

6. The steering device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The longitudinal control groove (16) and the threaded control groove (17) are configured such that the steering wheel (2) can be moved from the extended steering end position of the steering wheel (2) to the moved-in steering end position by the adjustment mechanism (6), and can then be adjusted from the moved-in steering end position to the stationary position.

7. The steering device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that, The coupling shaft (12) is connected via a transmission device (18) to the drive levers (3; 31, 32) of the multi-joint assembly (4) of the adjustment mechanism (6), wherein the steering wheel (2) is connected to the steering shaft (9) with resistance to relative rotation via the drive levers (3; 31, 32) and is guided to move between the steering position and the stationary position in the steering position region by the drive levers (3; 31, 32) during the rotation of the coupling shaft (12).

8. The steering device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The transmission device (18) includes a coupling shaft gear (19) which is connected to the coupling shaft (12) in a way that resists relative rotation.

9. The steering device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The transmission device (18) has a coupling rod gear (20), which meshes with the coupling shaft gear (19) and is connected to the coupling rod (21) in a way that resists relative rotation.

10. The steering device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The coupling rod (21) is connected to another coupling rod gear (22) in a non-rotational manner, the other coupling rod gear is engaged with the drive gear (23), and the drive gear is connected to the drive lever (3; 31, 32) in a non-rotational manner.

11. The steering device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The multi-joint assembly (4) includes at least two control levers (5A, 5B), the steering wheel (2) is connected to the steering shaft (9) in a rotationally resistant manner via the control levers, and the control levers force the steering wheel (2) to be guided between the steering position and the stationary position in the steering position area during adjustment movement.

12. The steering device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The angle (α) between the steering shaft (9) and the horizontal plane (H) can be changed by another adjustment mechanism, and the steering wheel (2) can be adjusted along the height direction (Z) by another adjustment mechanism.

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