Steering assembly and vehicle with a steering assembly

Abstract

Steering assembly (2) comprising a housing (3) which includes at least one steering component (4), characterized in that the housing (3) includes at least one stabilizer component (5), namely a gearbox, for an active stabilizer system (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a steering assembly comprising a housing that includes at least one steering component.

[0002] The invention also relates to a steering system that includes such a steering assembly and to a vehicle that includes such a steering assembly.

[0003] From DE 10 2009 033 430 A1, a steering actuator with a steering housing is known. The steering actuator has a drive spindle arranged in the steering housing and an electric motor effectively connected to the drive spindle, wherein the drive spindle has a thread for converting a rotational movement generated by the electric motor into a translational movement of the drive spindle.

[0004] In addition to steering actuators, vehicles often also feature stabilization systems, particularly to improve lateral tilt and roll behavior when cornering and / or to avoid or reduce pitching movements when starting or braking.

[0005] There are active stabilization systems in which an actively controlled actuator is arranged between the stabilizer rod halves of a split stabilizer, which twists the stabilizer rod halves against each other depending on the driving situation in order to counteract a lateral tilt of the vehicle.

[0006] Such active stabilization systems are known in a wide variety of designs.

[0007] From DE 10 2005 031 036 A1, a swivel motor for roll control by rotating two vehicle stabilizers relative to each other is known. The swivel motor consists of at least an adjustment drive with an electric motor, a swivel motor gearbox, and a housing. The swivel motor is arranged between the vehicle stabilizers, which can also be considered as halves of a single stabilizer, and is designed to rotate these stabilizer halves relative to each other as required, based on a suitable control system.

[0008] From DE 10 2006 040 109 A1, an active, split vehicle stabilizer with an integrated swivel motor is known. The vehicle stabilizer serves for roll control and has an adjustment drive with a motor, a gearbox, and a housing. A sensor for detecting the torsion angle of the stabilizer section is attached to one housing section; the sensor's encoder is fixed to the stabilizer section, or vice versa.

[0009] From DE 10 2008 048 950 A1, a pressure-medium-actuated swivel motor for a vehicle is known, which is arranged in a split stabilizer and with which the two stabilizer halves can be swivelled relative to each other to compensate for vehicle movements. The swivel motor has a piston that is axially displaceable in a housing and working chambers arranged on both sides of the piston. By pressurizing the working chambers in conjunction with one or more coupling elements, a torque can be generated between the stabilizer halves. There is a connection between the working chambers, which can be closed or opened by means of a valve depending on the vehicle's driving condition.

[0010] From DE 10 2009 013 053 A1, a stabilizer for the chassis of a motor vehicle is known, comprising at least two stabilizer elements which are rotatable for roll control by means of at least one electric motor actuator and which are each connected to the chassis via at least one connecting rod. The stabilizer can be decoupled by means of at least one hydraulic release device.

[0011] From EP 2 011 674 A1, a stabilizer arrangement is known, comprising a two-part stabilizer whose stabilizer sections perform a rotational relative movement to each other and exert a restoring force under opposing torsional loads. The restoring force is adjustable by means of an actuator in conjunction with a gearbox, wherein the stabilizer arrangement has at least one further spring, independent of any torsional spring action of the stabilizer sections, which effects a torsional spring action.

[0012] A similar device is known from DE 10 2009 006 385 A1. Specifically, this document discloses a swivel motor for an active roll stabilizer, the drive of which can be connected to one half of a split stabilizer and the stator side of which can be connected to another half.

[0013] From DE 10 2008 010 131 A1, a roll stabilizer for a motor vehicle is known, comprising a first and a second stabilizer element, each of which can be assigned to and / or is associated with a wheel of a common transverse axis of the motor vehicle. The roll stabilizer has a housing designed for fixed mounting to the motor vehicle, in which the two stabilizer elements are mounted to perform pivoting movements in the same and opposite directions. Furthermore, an actuator device is provided, comprising an electric motor and a transmission gearbox, wherein the electric motor is designed and / or arranged to generate torque and the transmission gearbox to transmit the torque to the stabilizer elements, and wherein the electric motor is mounted in a manner decoupled from the pivoting movement of the stabilizer elements.

[0014] In addition to the aforementioned types of active stabilizer systems, there are also active stabilizer systems with multiple actuators, in which each actuator is exclusively assigned to one wheel suspension. With such a system, the ride height of one wheel relative to the body can be adjusted independently of the setting of another wheel, and in particular, independently of the ride height of the wheel on the same vehicle axle. Such a system has the advantage that the wheels of a vehicle axle can be subjected to forces and / or torques in the same direction, for example, to counteract pitching motions during acceleration and / or braking. Such a system is known, for example, from DE 10 2010 037 180 A1 and DE 10 2010 037 555 A1.

[0015] From DE 10 2008 041 415 A1, an electric power steering system for a vehicle is known, comprising a steering gear housing and an electric roll stabilizer. The roll stabilizer is arranged separately and at a specific distance parallel to the steering gear housing.

[0016] DE 10 2008 000 590 A1 discloses a chassis system comprising both an electrically driven steering system and an adjustable stabilizer system. For space-saving installation, the steering system and the stabilizer system are mounted together on a front axle carrier of the chassis, the steering system preferably having at least one mounting point for attaching the stabilizer system. This at least one mounting point is preferably located on a flange of the steering housing. The two systems are arranged, for example, side by side or parallel to each other. This arrangement is particularly compact because the stabilizer system is attached directly to the steering housing at the mounting points and can be pivoted around the motor axis of the steering system. This is achieved, for example, by redesigning and / or repositioning the flange on the steering housing.

[0017] DE 10 2014 215 881 A1 discloses a wheel suspension for a steerable axle of a motor vehicle, comprising two wheel carriers positioned opposite each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle, each rotatably supporting a wheel. Each wheel carrier is articulated to a designated structure via at least one wheel-guiding link. The wheel suspension also includes a steering unit connected to the two wheel carriers and featuring a steering rod extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The steering rod is displaceable along its longitudinal axis such that the two wheel carriers can pivot about a respective steering axis. The wheel suspension also incorporates stabilizer elements for roll stabilization, ensuring that when one of the two wheels compresses or rebounds, the other wheel moves in tandem with it.The steering rod forms at least part of a torsion bar stabilizer and is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis, so that the steering rod can be rotated and / or torsionally rotated when one of the two wheels compresses and / or rebounds, in such a way that a torque generated by the compressing and / or rebounding wheel can be transferred to the other wheel for roll stabilization.

[0018] DE 10 2013 209 144 A1 discloses a chassis device for a motor vehicle with a steering device and at least one device for influencing driving dynamics, wherein the steering device and the at least one device for influencing driving dynamics are connected to each other in a power-transmitting manner in order to improve the chassis device structurally and / or functionally.

[0019] DE 10 2014 008 042 A1 discloses a steerable axle of a motor vehicle, wherein the axle has a steering gear and a stabilizer, and the steering gear is fixed to a subframe. The stabilizer extends between two wheel suspensions and is arranged on them. Furthermore, the stabilizer is fixed to the subframe, wherein the mountings of the stabilizer and the steering gear on the subframe are arranged one above the other in a projection.

[0020] Typically, the steering system and the active stabilizer system in a vehicle are separate components. This means that the steering components and the stabilizer system components are manufactured separately, usually by different suppliers. Furthermore, the components are installed separately and each requires its own installation space.

[0021] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a steering assembly which can be used in a space-saving manner with regard to a stabilizer system also to be used in the vehicle, whereby in particular the possibility is created to manage with fewer components overall.

[0022] The problem is solved by a steering assembly characterized in that the housing includes at least one stabilizer component, namely a gearbox, for an active stabilizer system.

[0023] Furthermore, it is another object of the present invention to provide a steering system which can be designed in a space-saving manner with regard to a stabilizer system that is also to be used in the vehicle.

[0024] The problem is solved by a steering system that includes a steering assembly according to the invention.

[0025] Furthermore, it is another object of the present invention to provide a vehicle in which both a steering system and a stabilizer system can be accommodated in a space-saving manner.

[0026] The problem is solved by a vehicle that includes a steering assembly according to the invention and / or a steering system with a steering assembly according to the invention.

[0027] In accordance with the invention, it was first recognized that a steering assembly can be designed in such a way that synergistic effects can be exploited with regard to a stabilizer system also to be used in the vehicle. This advantageously reduces the overall installation space required and, moreover, the effort required to install the steering system and the active stabilizer system. In particular, the steering components and stabilizer components, which are arranged together in a housing of the steering assembly, can jointly use other components, such as a common control device, which is explained in more detail below.

[0028] Since the housing of such a steering assembly contains at least one stabilizer component, the remaining stabilizer components require fewer housings and / or smaller housings than in a stabilizer system completely separate from the steering system. Therefore, installation spaces that are too small for a conventional stabilizer system can now be advantageously used for the remaining stabilizer components. Ultimately, this can also result in an overall weight saving.

[0029] The steering assembly according to the invention can advantageously be designed in such a way that, together with a stabilizer system, it ultimately occupies a smaller installation space than separate systems, so that a larger installation space is available for other vehicle components in the vehicle.

[0030] The steering assembly according to the invention has the distinct advantage that it saves installation space in the area of ​​a vehicle axle, which already contains a large number of other vehicle components, such as chassis components, drivetrain components, transfer cases, or brake components. This applies to both a front axle and a rear axle, depending on whether a vehicle has front-wheel steering, rear-wheel steering, or both.

[0031] Furthermore, such a steering assembly has the particular advantage that the actuators of the active stabilizer device, if it has multiple actuators, can be arranged very close together because no installation space is required between the actuators for separate actuator housings. In this way, the actuators can be positioned at a greater distance from the associated wheel suspensions, which makes it possible to design the stabilizer device's torsion bars to be longer. The longer torsion bars easily increase the torsional rigidity of such a system, especially when cost-effective materials such as spring steel are used for the torsion bars.

[0032] In a special design, an actuator or drive motor for an active stabilizer system is arranged within the housing as an additional stabilizer component. A particular advantage here is that these especially sensitive stabilizer components are protected from external influences, such as dirt and dust, within the steering assembly housing. Furthermore, these stabilizer components can be advantageously controlled by control electronics also located within the housing, which also controls a steering actuator. This effectively avoids the need to route control lines out of the housing and into a separate stabilizer system housing.

[0033] Furthermore, this design has the particular advantage that the stabilizer component arranged in the housing, which is configured as an actuator or drive motor for an active stabilizer system, can be connected to the same power supply line as a steering actuator also arranged in the housing. This advantageously avoids the need to run separate power supply lines to different housings. The power supply can advantageously provide a supply voltage greater than 12 V, and in particular 36 V or 48 V, via the power supply line. Advantageously, thinner cables can be used in this design than in a 12 V version, with the additional advantage of lower heat generation due to the reduced electrical current.

[0034] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the stabilizer component arranged together with the steering component in the housing is designed and intended as a stabilizer component for a wheel-selective, active stabilizer system. With such a system, the height of one wheel relative to the body can advantageously be adjusted independently of the setting of another wheel, and in particular independently of the height of the wheel on the same vehicle axle.

[0035] In particular, the steering assembly can comprise a first stabilizer component and a second stabilizer component, wherein the first stabilizer component is designed and intended to be coupled to a first wheel suspension, and the second stabilizer component is designed and intended to be coupled to a second wheel suspension different from the first wheel suspension.

[0036] The housing can advantageously include a steering actuator for power steering and / or for superimposed steering.

[0037] In particular, such a steering actuator, as already mentioned, can be controlled by control electronics that also control the stabilizer component. Specifically, the control electronics can be located together with the steering actuator and the stabilizer component in the housing. Alternatively, it is also possible for the control electronics to be located in a separate control housing that is attached to the housing, as explained in detail below.

[0038] As already mentioned, it may be advantageous for the steering assembly to include control electronics for controlling the actuator and / or the drive motor and / or the transmission and / or the steering actuator.

[0039] In a very special design, the control electronics are arranged in the housing of the steering assembly, resulting in further space savings and advantageous protection of the control electronics by the housing.

[0040] Alternatively, the control electronics can be housed in a control enclosure attached to the chassis. This design has the particular advantage that the control electronics are not exposed to direct interference from other components located in the same enclosure. Furthermore, the control enclosure can be opened and / or replaced independently of the steering assembly housing during maintenance and repairs.

[0041] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the control electronics are arranged in a control housing, which is attached to the housing by means of a mounting adapter. This advantageously allows for secure mounting and, for example, quick, uncomplicated and / or tool-free attachment and detachment from the housing in the event of repairs.

[0042] By arranging the components in different housings, namely a housing for the steering assembly and a control housing, the enclosed components are advantageously located in close proximity to each other, which, for example, allows the shared use of the same control electronics and / or power supply lines, while at the same time preventing the individual components from being exposed to interference from other components.

[0043] The control housing can be attached to the enclosure using a mounting adapter. The advantages of the mounting adapter mentioned above apply analogously here. A further mounting adapter can, in particular, be designed as a separate component.

[0044] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the mounting adapter and the other mounting adapter are identical in construction. This identical design allows the mounting adapters to be advantageously installed without any specific assignment, with the housing and the control housing preferably all being designed to function with the identical mounting adapters. This has the particular advantage that it is sufficient to manufacture and provide only a single type of identical mounting adapter for assembling the aforementioned components.

[0045] A steering system which includes a steering assembly according to the invention is advantageous and in accordance with the invention.

[0046] A vehicle according to the invention, and particularly advantageous, comprises a steering assembly according to the invention and / or a steering system that includes a steering assembly according to the invention. The vehicle can be designed, in particular, as a passenger car. However, there is no restriction in this regard. For example, the vehicle can also be designed as a truck or other commercial vehicle.

[0047] In particular, in a special version, the vehicle may have an active stabilizer system, wherein at least one stabilizer component is part of the active stabilizer system.

[0048] The invention is shown in the drawing in an exemplary and schematic manner and is described below with reference to the figures, whereby identical or similarly acting elements are mostly provided with the same reference numerals. These show: Fig. 1 schematically a first embodiment of a steering assembly according to the invention, Fig. 2 schematically an embodiment of a steering assembly not belonging to the invention with a stabilizer component attached to the housing, Fig. 3 schematically a second embodiment of a steering assembly according to the invention with two actuators as stabilizer components, Fig. 4 schematically in an exploded view a third embodiment of a steering assembly according to the invention with separately housed control electronics, Fig. 5 schematically in an exploded view an embodiment of a steering assembly not belonging to the invention and Fig. 6 schematically and by way of example a vehicle with a steering system which includes a steering assembly according to the invention,

[0049] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a steering assembly 2 according to the invention, which has a housing 3. The housing 3 includes several mechanical and / or electrical steering components 4, wherein the housing includes a stabilizer component 5 for an active stabilizer system 6. The steering assembly 2 is connected to a steering column 7, which extends into the housing 3.

[0050] The stabilizer component 5 is coupled to a first wheel suspension 8 and to a second wheel suspension 9 of a vehicle (not shown) and serves to compensate for rolling movements of the vehicle during driving.

[0051] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows an embodiment of a steering assembly 2 not belonging to the invention, which has a housing 3. Steering components 4 are arranged in the housing 3. In this embodiment, a stabilizer component 5 is attached to the housing 3. The stabilizer component 5 is part of an active stabilizer system 6.

[0052] The steering assembly 2 is connected to a steering column 7, with parts of the steering column 7 extending into the housing 3.

[0053] The housing 3 contains two steering components 4. The stabilizer component 5 is coupled to a first wheel suspension 8 and to a second wheel suspension 9 of a vehicle (not shown) and serves to compensate for rolling movements of the vehicle during driving.

[0054] Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows a second embodiment of a steering assembly 2 according to the invention, comprising a housing 3. Two actuators 11, 12 for a wheel-selective active stabilizer system 6 are arranged in the housing 3. One actuator 11 is coupled to a first wheel suspension 8, while the other actuator 12 is coupled to a second wheel suspension 9. In this embodiment, the height of the wheels 10 attached to the wheel suspensions 8, 9 relative to the vehicle body can be adjusted. This can be done, for example, in the same direction to compensate for pitching movements of the vehicle, or in opposite directions, for example, to compensate for roll movements of the vehicle.

[0055] In this embodiment, the steering assembly 2 has a steering actuator 14 and control electronics 13 for controlling the actuators 11, 12.

[0056] The control electronics 13 can control further elements of the steering assembly 2, i.e. in addition to the actuators 11, 12, for example also a steering gear and / or a steering actuator 14.

[0057] Fig. Figure 4 schematically shows a third embodiment of a steering assembly 2 according to the invention, which has a housing 3. Steering components 4 and an actuator 11, which is part of an active stabilizer system 6, are arranged in the housing 3.

[0058] Furthermore, the steering assembly 2 includes control electronics 13, which are arranged in a control housing 15 separate from the housing 3. The control housing 15 is held to the housing 3 by means of a mounting adapter 16. The mounting adapter 16 can alternatively also be part of the housing 3 or part of the control housing 15.

[0059] Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows an embodiment of a steering assembly 2 not belonging to the invention, comprising a housing 3, a control housing 15, and a stabilizer housing 17. An actuator 5 is arranged in the stabilizer housing 17. The control housing 15 is attached to the housing 3 by means of a mounting adapter 16. The stabilizer housing 17 is attached to the control housing 15 by means of a further mounting adapter 22.

[0060] The housing 3 contains two steering components 4. A control electronics unit 13 is located in the control housing 15, and a stabilizer component 5 is located in the stabilizer housing 17. The control electronics unit 13 controls both the steering components 4 and the stabilizer component 5.

[0061] The stabilizer housing 17 with the stabilizer component 5 is part of an active stabilizer system 6.

[0062] Fig.Figure 6 schematically and by way of example shows a vehicle 1 with a steering assembly 2 according to the invention. The wheels 10 are attached to wheel suspensions 8, the wheel suspensions 8 of the front axle 18 being coupled to the steering assembly 2. The steering assembly 2 has a housing 3. A steering column 7 of a steering system 19, coupled to a steering handle 21, is connected to the steering assembly 2, with parts of the steering column 7 extending into the housing 3. Reference symbol list: 1 vehicle 2 Steering assembly 3 cases 4 Steering component 5 Stabilizer component 6 Stabilizer system 7 Steering column 8 First wheel suspension 9 second wheel suspension 10 wheels 11 Actuator 12 additional actuators 13 Control electronics 14 Steering actuator 15 control housings 16 mounting adapters 17 Stabilizer housings 18 front axle 19 Steering 20 more wheels 21 Steering handle 22 additional mounting adapters

Claims

[1] Steering assembly (2) comprising a housing (3) which includes at least one steering component (4), characterized by , that the housing (3) includes at least one stabilizer component (5), namely a gearbox, for an active stabilizer system (6). [2] Steering assembly (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the housing (3) includes an actuator (11, 12) or a drive motor for an active stabilizer system. [3] Steering assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the housing (3) includes a steering actuator (14) for power steering and / or for superimposed steering. [4] Steering assembly (2) according to claim 2 and 3, characterized by , that the actuator (11, 12) or the drive motor is connected to the same power supply line as the steering actuator arranged in the housing (3). [5] Steering assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that a. the stabilizer component (5) is designed and intended for a wheel-selective active stabilizer system (6), and / or that b. the steering pit (2) has a first stabilizer component (5) and a second stabilizer component, wherein the first stabilizer component (5) is designed and intended to be coupled to a first wheel suspension (8), and the second stabilizer component is designed and intended to be coupled to a second wheel suspension (9) different from the first wheel suspension. [6] Steering assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by a control electronics (13) for controlling the actuator (11) and / or the drive motor and / or the transmission and / or the steering actuator (14). [7] Steering assembly (2) according to claim 6, characterized by , that a. the control electronics (13) is arranged in the housing (3), or that b. the control electronics (13) is arranged in the housing (3) and controls both a stabilizer component and the steering actuator. [8] Steering assembly (2) according to claim 6, characterized by , that a. the control electronics (13) is arranged in a control housing (15) which is attached to the housing (3), and / or that b. the control electronics (13) is arranged in a control housing (15) which is attached to the housing (3) by means of a mounting adapter (16). [9] Steering (19) comprising a steering assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. [10] Vehicle (1) comprising a steering assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and / or a steering system (19) according to claim 9. [11] Vehicle (1) according to claim 10, comprising an active stabilizer system (6), wherein the at least one stabilizer component (5) is a part of the active stabilizer system (6). [12] Vehicle according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by , that the stabilizer component arranged in the housing (3) with the steering component (4) is designed as a stabilizer component of a wheel-selective, active stabilizer system, with which the height of one wheel relative to the body can be adjusted independently of the setting at another wheel.

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