Steer-by-wire column

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of drive-by-wire steering columns, comprising: steering column and road feeling simulator, the steering column includes pipe column lower pivot lower section area, the road feeling simulator includes simulator output shaft, the simulator output shaft with the pipe column lower pivot lower section area is detachably connected by fastener.The pipe column lower pivot lower section area of the steering column of the utility model and the simulator output shaft of road feeling simulator are detachably connected by fastener, the shaft body of the lower pivot of integrated steering column and the output shaft of road feeling simulator is disconnected, segmented pipe column lower pivot lower section area and the output shaft of road feeling simulator are detachably connected by fastener, not only steering column and road feeling simulator can be respectively individually processed and manufactured, but also the former two can be respectively individually transported.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vehicle-related technology, and in particular to a steer-by-wire column. Background Technology

[0002] As a next-generation steering technology, steer-by-wire systems break many limitations of traditional mechanical steering systems by eliminating the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steering column and relying entirely on electric power for steering. This innovation not only gives greater freedom in the design of vehicle steering characteristics but also provides the hardware foundation for the deep integration of intelligent driving and active safety functions.

[0003] Structurally, the steer-by-wire system mainly consists of two key components: the steering column and the tactile feedback system. The steering column comprises the column housing and the column pivot. The column housing serves as a support and protection structure, providing a stable mounting space for the column pivot, which transmits the mechanical rotation of the steering wheel to sensors mounted on it. The tactile feedback system consists of the analog feedback housing and the analog feedback output shaft. The analog feedback housing houses the internal force feedback components, while the analog feedback output shaft simulates steering resistance to provide the driver with realistic road feel feedback, ensuring a consistent driving experience.

[0004] However, current technologies present significant technical bottlenecks in the connection structure between the steering column and the tactile feedback unit. For example, patent document CN117549956A discloses an integrated design where the lower section of the steering column's lower shaft and the output shaft of the tactile feedback unit are connected by a single shaft, with each section fulfilling the functions of the lower section of the steering column's lower shaft and the output shaft of the tactile feedback unit, respectively. While this design simplifies the assembly process to some extent, it reveals numerous problems in actual production and application. In the manufacturing process, the shaft must simultaneously meet the different precision requirements of both the steering column and the tactile feedback unit, significantly increasing the complexity of the manufacturing process. The superposition of two different precision standards leads to a substantial increase in the scrap rate during manufacturing and requires high-precision machining equipment and specialized technicians, significantly increasing production costs. Furthermore, in the transportation process, the shaft's long length and fragile structure make it highly susceptible to deformation during transport, leading to its scrap and further increasing transportation and time costs. These factors combined result in a persistently high production cost for this shaft. Utility Model Content

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to address the technical problem of difficult manufacturing caused by the integrated structural design of the lower section of the steering column and the analog feedback output shaft of the hand feel analog feedback device in the existing technology, and to provide a steer-by-wire column.

[0006] This utility model provides a steer-by-wire column, including: a steering column and a road feel simulator. The steering column includes a lower section of the lower pivot shaft, and the road feel simulator includes a simulator output shaft. The simulator output shaft and the lower section of the lower pivot shaft are detachably connected by fasteners.

[0007] Furthermore, the simulator output shaft is a tubular shaft, and the lower section of the lower rotating shaft of the tubular column is a solid shaft; or the simulator output shaft is a solid shaft, and the lower section of the lower rotating shaft of the tubular column is a tubular shaft; and The solid shaft is inserted into the tubular shaft.

[0008] Furthermore, the outer wall of the solid shaft is anti-rotationally fitted to the inner wall of the tubular shaft, and the outer wall of the solid shaft and the inner wall of the tubular shaft are at least partially fitted without gaps.

[0009] Furthermore, the solid shaft is prismatic, and the inner circumferential contour of the tubular shaft is prismatic.

[0010] Furthermore, the tubular shaft has several light holes arranged along its axis, and the solid shaft has a through hole corresponding to the position of each light hole. The fastener passes through the light holes of the tubular shaft and the through holes of the solid shaft in sequence and abuts against the inner wall of the tubular shaft.

[0011] Furthermore, the light hole is disposed on the edge of the tubular shaft, and the through hole is disposed on the edge of the solid shaft.

[0012] Furthermore, the optical aperture includes a first optical aperture and a second optical aperture, and the through hole includes a first through hole aligned with the first optical aperture and a second through hole aligned with the second optical aperture.

[0013] Furthermore, the diameter of the first optical aperture is smaller than the diameter of the second optical aperture.

[0014] Furthermore, the fastener is a threaded fastener, and the through hole is provided with at least a threaded section that is threadedly connected to the threaded fastener.

[0015] Furthermore, the solid shaft is clover-shaped, and the inner circumferential contour of the tubular shaft is clover-shaped.

[0016] The lower section of the steering column shaft of this invention is detachably connected to the output shaft of the road feel simulator via fasteners. This separates the integrated lower shaft of the steering column and the output shaft of the road feel simulator, and detachably connects the segmented lower section of the steering column shaft and the output shaft of the road feel simulator via fasteners. This allows the steering column and the road feel simulator to be manufactured separately, and the two can be transported separately. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a steer-by-wire column according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between a solid shaft and a tubular shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is an axial cross-sectional view of the connection between a solid shaft and a tubular shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a radial cross-sectional view of the connection between a solid shaft and a tubular shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a light hole being formed on a tubular shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a radial cross-sectional view of the connection between a solid shaft and a tubular shaft according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Marker description 1. Steering column; 11. Lower section of the lower pivot shaft area; 111. Protrusion; 112. Recess; 12. Upper section of the lower pivot shaft area; 13. Interface torque transmission application area; 2. Road feel simulator; 21. Simulator output shaft; 211. Protrusion; 212. Groove; 31. First aperture; 32. Second aperture; 33. First through hole; 34. Second through hole; 35. First fastener; 36. Second fastener; 4. Guide cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical components are indicated by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" used in the following description refer to directions in the accompanying drawings, while the terms "inner" and "outer" refer to directions toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively.

[0020] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 The figure shown is an embodiment of the present invention, a steering column for steer-by-wire, including: a steering column 1 and a road feel simulator 2. The steering column 1 includes a lower section region 11 of the lower pivot shaft of the column, and the road feel simulator 2 includes a simulator output shaft 21. The simulator output shaft 21 and the lower section region 11 of the lower pivot shaft of the column are detachably connected by fasteners.

[0021] Specifically, the steering column 1 includes a lower section 11 of the lower pivot shaft, and the road feel simulator 2 includes a simulator output shaft 21. The simulator output shaft 21 and the lower section 11 of the lower pivot shaft are detachably connected by fasteners. The fasteners can be threaded fasteners.

[0022] In some embodiments, the steering column 1 further includes an upper section region 12 of the lower pivot shaft connected to the lower section region 11 of the lower pivot shaft. The upper section region 12 of the lower pivot shaft is sleeved and connected to the upper pivot shaft, and the interface of the upper pivot shaft is connected to the steering wheel.

[0023] In some embodiments, the steering column 1 is further fitted with an outer cylinder and a guide cylinder 4.

[0024] In some embodiments, the steering column 1 includes a column housing and a column shaft, wherein the column housing serves as a support and protection structure, providing a stable installation space for the column shaft, and the column shaft includes an upper column shaft and a lower column shaft, wherein the lower column shaft includes a lower section region 11 and an upper section region 12 connected to the lower column shaft.

[0025] In some embodiments, the lower pivot shaft further includes an interface torque transmission application area 13. The simulator output shaft 21 is connected to the lower pivot shaft in the interface torque transmission application area 13 to effectively transmit torque. Specifically, the road feel simulator 2 transmits torque and feedback force to the steering wheel via the lower pivot shaft connected to the simulator output shaft 21 through a closed-loop process of "sensor information acquisition - controller calculation and processing - actuator output feedback". The road feel simulator 2 consists of a simulation feedback housing and a simulator output shaft 21. The simulation feedback housing is used to install the internal force feedback components, while the simulator output shaft 21 provides the driver with realistic road feel feedback by simulating steering resistance, ensuring the continuity of the driving experience.

[0026] The lower section of the steering column shaft of this invention is detachably connected to the output shaft of the road feel simulator via fasteners. This separates the integrated lower shaft of the steering column and the output shaft of the road feel simulator, and detachably connects the segmented lower section of the steering column shaft and the output shaft of the road feel simulator via fasteners. This allows the steering column and the road feel simulator to be manufactured separately, and the two can be transported separately.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 6 The diagram shows another embodiment of the present invention, a steer-by-wire column, including: a steering column 1 and a road feel simulator 2. The steering column 1 includes a lower section region 11 of the lower pivot shaft, and the road feel simulator 2 includes a simulator output shaft 21. The simulator output shaft 21 and the lower section region 11 of the lower pivot shaft are detachably connected by fasteners. The simulator output shaft 21 is a tubular shaft, and the lower section 11 of the lower rotating shaft is a solid shaft; or the simulator output shaft 21 is a solid shaft, and the lower section 11 of the lower rotating shaft is a tubular shaft; and The solid shaft is inserted into the tubular shaft; The outer wall of the solid shaft is anti-rotationally fitted to the inner wall of the tubular shaft, and the outer wall of the solid shaft and the inner wall of the tubular shaft are at least partially fitted without gaps. Solid shafts are prismatic in shape, and the inner circumference of tubular shafts is prismatic in shape. A number of light holes are opened on the tubular shaft and arranged along the axis of the tubular shaft. The solid shaft is provided with a through hole corresponding to the position of each light hole. The fastener passes through the light hole of the tubular shaft and the through hole of the solid shaft in sequence and abuts against the inner wall of the tubular shaft. The light aperture is set on the edge of the tubular shaft, and the through hole is set on the edge of the solid shaft; The aperture includes a first aperture 31 and a second aperture 32; The aperture of the first aperture 31 is smaller than the aperture of the second aperture 32; The fastener is a threaded fastener, and the through hole is provided with at least a threaded section that is threaded to connect with the threaded fastener. Specifically, either the simulator output shaft 21 or the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft can be a tubular shaft or a solid shaft. The solid shaft is inserted into the tubular shaft. That is, when the simulator output shaft 21 is a solid shaft and the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft is a tubular shaft, the simulator output shaft 21 is inserted into the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft. When the simulator output shaft 21 is a tubular shaft and the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft is a solid shaft, the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft is inserted into the simulator output shaft 21.

[0028] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, taking the simulator output shaft 21 as a solid shaft and the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft of the tubular column as a tubular shaft as an example, the simulator output shaft 21, which is a solid shaft, is inserted into the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft of the tubular column, which is a tubular shaft.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, taking the simulator output shaft 21 as a solid shaft and the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft as a tubular shaft as an example, the outer wall of the simulator output shaft 21, which is a solid shaft, and the inner wall of the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft, which is a tubular shaft, are in a non-rotational fit. That is to say, in the working state, there will be no relative rotation between the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft and the simulator output shaft 21. The outer wall of the solid shaft and the inner wall of the tubular shaft are at least partially in close contact without gaps. The simulator output shaft 21 and the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft are coaxially arranged, and their axes coincide.

[0030] The solid shaft is prismatic in shape, and the inner circumference of the tubular shaft is also prismatic, so that the outer wall of the solid shaft and the hole wall of the tubular shaft are fitted together without rotation. In this embodiment, the two upper outer edges of the prismatic solid shaft fit seamlessly with the two upper inner edges of the prismatic tubular shaft, while there is a certain gap between the two lower outer edges of the prismatic solid shaft and the two lower inner edges of the prismatic tubular shaft.

[0031] like Figure 5 As shown, taking the simulator output shaft 21 as a solid shaft and the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft of the column as a tubular shaft as an example, several optical holes are opened on the tubular shaft along its axial direction.

[0032] Preferably, the aperture is located on the edge of the tubular shaft.

[0033] Preferably, two light holes are provided, including a first light hole 31 and a second light hole 32.

[0034] In this embodiment, light holes are opened on the edge. Therefore, when the fastener passes through and is tightened, the force on the two sides of the edge can be tightly fitted with the corresponding two sides of the solid shaft without gap. This can increase the tight contact area between the simulator output shaft 21 and the lower section area 11 of the lower shaft of the column, thereby improving the connection reliability between the simulator output shaft 21 and the lower section area 11 of the lower shaft of the column, and improving the reliability of the steer-by-wire system.

[0035] This embodiment has two holes. If only a single hole is used, the connection strength is insufficient and failure is likely to occur during torque transmission. However, if more than two holes are used, for example, three holes with three fasteners, it will lead to an "over-constraint situation" between the tubular shaft and the solid shaft. On the one hand, the third hole and the third fastener may be suspended and do not provide any fastening effect. On the other hand, the continuity of force / motion transmission between the solid shaft and the tubular shaft may be disrupted due to the "constraint exceeding the design limit," resulting in a situation similar to "locking."

[0036] Correspondingly, a through hole is also provided on the edge of the solid shaft, through which the fastener passes sequentially through the light hole of the tubular shaft and the through hole of the solid shaft, and abuts against the inner wall of the tubular shaft. Preferably, as shown in the figure... Figure 3 As shown, corresponding to the light aperture, two through holes are provided, including a first through hole 33 and a second through hole 34. Similarly, the fasteners include a first fastener 35 that is inserted into the first light aperture 31 and the first through hole 33 in sequence, and a second fastener 36 that is inserted into the second light aperture 32 and the second through hole 34 in sequence.

[0037] Fasteners are inserted into the light holes of the tubular shaft and the through holes of the solid shaft, respectively. During pre-tightening, the pre-tightening order of the two fasteners is not specified. During subsequent torque tightening, the fastener corresponding to the hole closer to the road feel simulator is tightened first, followed by the fastener corresponding to the hole closer to the steering column (tightening torque 2 Nm), to ensure at least partial tight contact between the outer wall of the solid shaft and the inner wall of the steering column shaft. The simulator output shaft 21 is detachably connected to the lower section 11 of the lower steering column shaft via fasteners.

[0038] To avoid incorrect tightening sequence during production, the first aperture 31 is set as a small aperture, and the second aperture 32 is set as a large aperture. The torque tightening sequence is to tighten the small aperture first, then the large aperture, which serves as a preventative measure.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first aperture 31 is close to the road feel simulator 2, and the second aperture 32 is close to the steering column 1.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first aperture 31 is close to the steering column 1, and the second aperture 32 is close to the road feel simulator 2.

[0041] The fasteners are threaded fasteners, such as bolts. The tubular shaft has a smooth hole in its bore wall for the fastener to pass through, and the solid shaft has a through hole with a threaded section that allows for threaded connection with the fastener.

[0042] The number of apertures, through holes, and fasteners is multiple, with each aperture, threaded hole, and fastener corresponding one-to-one. Each fastener has an aperture corresponding to it that passes through and is threaded into its corresponding threaded hole. Preferably, the number of apertures, through holes, and fasteners is two.

[0043] In one embodiment, the solid shaft is clover-shaped, and the inner circumferential profile of the tubular shaft is clover-shaped.

[0044] The solid shaft is designed in a clover-like shape, meaning its outer circumferential surface has four protrusions, with grooves formed between each pair of protrusions. Similarly, the tubular shaft also has a clover-like outer contour, meaning its outer circumferential surface has four protrusions, with recesses formed between each pair of protrusions. Correspondingly, the protrusions on the outer circumferential surface of the solid shaft match the protrusions on the outer circumferential surface of the tubular shaft, and the grooves on the outer circumferential surface of the solid shaft match the recesses on the outer circumferential surface of the tubular shaft, ensuring a non-rotating fit between the outer wall of the solid shaft and the bore wall of the tubular shaft. In another embodiment of this invention, a through hole is formed on the protruding edge of the tubular shaft, and a through hole is also formed on the protruding edge of the solid shaft. Fasteners pass sequentially through the through hole in the tubular shaft and the through hole in the solid shaft, abutting against the inner wall of the tubular shaft.

[0045] like Figure 6As shown, taking the simulator output shaft 21 as a solid shaft and the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft of the tubular column as a tubular shaft as an example, the simulator output shaft 21, which is a solid shaft, is set to a clover shape, that is, the outer peripheral surface of the simulator output shaft 21 has four protrusions 211, and a groove 212 is formed between each pair of protrusions 211. The outer peripheral contour of the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft of the tubular column, which is a tubular shaft, is clover-shaped, that is, the outer peripheral surface of the lower section region 11 of the lower rotating shaft of the tubular column has four protrusions 111, and a recess 112 is formed between each pair of protrusions 111. Correspondingly, the protrusions 211 on the outer peripheral surface of the simulator output shaft 21 match the protrusions 111 on the outer peripheral surface of the lower rotating shaft of the tubular column, and the groove 212 on the outer peripheral surface of the simulator output shaft 21 matches the recess 112 on the outer peripheral surface of the lower rotating shaft of the tubular column, so that the outer wall of the simulator output shaft 21 and the hole wall of the lower rotating shaft of the tubular column are in a non-rotational fit.

[0046] In order to meet the anti-rotation fit requirements between the outer wall of the solid shaft and the bore wall of the tubular shaft, the inner circumferential contour of the tubular shaft and the cross-section of the solid shaft of this invention can also be set as polygons such as triangles, squares, hexagons and octagons.

[0047] This embodiment employs a segmented shaft, with a non-rotating fit between the outer wall of the solid shaft and the inner wall of the tubular shaft, preventing relative rotation between the two. Furthermore, the outer wall of the solid shaft and the inner wall of the tubular shaft are at least partially fitted without gaps, thus effectively transmitting torque during steering. Additionally, the inclusion of through holes and apertures for fastener engagement further enhances the reliability of the steer-by-wire system.

[0048] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A steer-by-wire column, characterized in that, include: The steering column (1) and the road feel simulator (2) are provided. The steering column (1) includes a lower section region (11) of the lower pivot shaft. The road feel simulator (2) includes a simulator output shaft (21). The simulator output shaft (21) and the lower section region (11) of the lower pivot shaft are detachably connected by fasteners.

2. The steer-by-wire column according to claim 1, characterized in that: The simulator output shaft (21) is a tubular shaft, and the lower section (11) of the lower rotating shaft of the tubular column is a solid shaft; or the simulator output shaft (21) is a solid shaft, and the lower section (11) of the lower rotating shaft of the tubular column is a tubular shaft; and The solid shaft is inserted into the tubular shaft.

3. The steer-by-wire column according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer wall of the solid shaft is anti-rotationally fitted to the inner wall of the tubular shaft, and the outer wall of the solid shaft and the inner wall of the tubular shaft are at least partially fitted without gaps.

4. The steer-by-wire column according to claim 3, characterized in that, The solid shaft is prismatic, and the inner circumferential contour of the tubular shaft is prismatic.

5. The steer-by-wire column according to claim 4, characterized in that, The tubular shaft has several light holes arranged along its axis, and the solid shaft has a through hole corresponding to the position of each light hole. The fastener passes through the light holes of the tubular shaft and the through holes of the solid shaft in sequence, and abuts against the inner wall of the tubular shaft.

6. The steer-by-wire column according to claim 5, characterized in that, The light aperture is disposed on the edge of the tubular shaft, and the through hole is disposed on the edge of the solid shaft.

7. The steer-by-wire column according to claim 5, characterized in that, The aperture includes a first aperture (31) and a second aperture (32), and the through hole includes a first through hole (33) aligned with the first aperture (31) and a second through hole (34) aligned with the second aperture (32).

8. The steer-by-wire column according to claim 7, characterized in that, The aperture of the first aperture (31) is smaller than the aperture of the second aperture (32).

9. The steer-by-wire column according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fastener is a threaded fastener, and the through hole has at least a threaded section that is threadedly connected to the threaded fastener.

10. The steer-by-wire column according to claim 3, characterized in that, The solid shaft is clover-shaped, and the inner circumferential contour of the tubular shaft is clover-shaped.

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