Steering device for a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

Steering device (1) for a vehicle, comprising • a transverse element (2) which can be mounted in the vehicle so as to be rotatable about a steering axis (4), • at least one handle (3) attached to the transverse element (2) for rotating the steering device (1) about the steering axis (4), wherein the handle (3) is rotatable relative to the transverse element (2) about a pivot axis (5), and • at least one damping element (10) for damping the rotational movement of the handle (3) relative to the transverse element (2), characterized in that • the damping element (10) is designed to dampen the rotational movement of the handle (3) relative to the transverse element (2) depending on the speed, • wherein a dilatant fluid is used in the damping element (10) to dampen the rotational movement, or • wherein the damping element (18) - is designed as a centrifugal brake, or - is designed as an eddy current brake.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a steering device for a vehicle and a vehicle.

[0002] Currently, vehicles are usually equipped with round steering wheels. These consist of a ring connected to the center section via spokes. The rotational movement applied by the driver to the steering wheel is translated into a steering position of the vehicle's wheels. A steering device described here with two handles, for example, designed as steering horns, which are gripped by the driver's two hands, also performs the same function as a steering wheel.

[0003] US 3 196 709 A shows a steering device with projecting arms, each arm having at its outer end a handle which is rotatable relative to the arm; with adjustable means for controlling the frictional resistance to the rotation of the handle relative to the arm.

[0004] DE 10 2016 115 466 A1 shows a control horn for the steering of a motor vehicle, with a hub fastened to a steering shaft, which is connected to two steering handles projecting laterally in opposite directions and has a motor-driven adjusting device by means of which the steering handles can be moved from a use position with a greater distance from the hub to a standby position with a smaller distance from the hub and vice versa.

[0005] DE 10 2016 224 993 A1 relates to a steering wheel for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering wheel hub which is rotatably mounted about a main axis of rotation, a steering wheel rim which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the steering wheel hub, and at least one grip sleeve which is rotatably mounted on the steering wheel rim about a sleeve axis of rotation, wherein the sleeve axis of rotation extends transversely to the main axis of rotation.

[0006] JP H11 - 48 985 A shows a steering device with two rotatable handles.

[0007] US 2013 / 0 014 604 A1 shows a steering device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering device for a vehicle which enables safe and comfortable steering of the vehicle.

[0009] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The subclaims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0010] The problem is thus solved by a steering device for a vehicle. The vehicle is, in particular, a two-track motor vehicle. The steering device in the vehicle is rotated by the driver in order to change the steering position of at least one wheel of the vehicle. In particular, the steering position of the two front wheels of the vehicle is changed.

[0011] The steering device comprises a cross member. The cross member is designed to be mounted in the vehicle. The cross member is rotatable relative to the vehicle. The axis of this rotation is referred to in the context of the present invention as the "steering axis." In particular, the cross member is mounted on a steering column of the vehicle. In a steer-by-wire vehicle, the steering column may be omitted under certain circumstances. In this case, the cross member is mounted in the vehicle so that it can rotate, and the rotational movement is transmitted to the steer-by-wire steering system.

[0012] The steering device further comprises at least one handle. The handle is attached to the cross member. As will be described in more detail, the steering device preferably comprises two handles on opposite sides of the cross member so that the steering device can be grasped by both hands of the driver.

[0013] The at least one handle is used by the driver to rotate the steering device about the steering axis. Furthermore, the handle is rotatable relative to the cross member about a rotation axis. This rotation axis is, in particular, angled relative to the steering device.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the steering axle is located centrally on the cross member, and a handle is arranged on either side of the steering axle. This allows the driver to turn the steering device with both hands simultaneously or alternatively with the left and / or right hand.

[0015] The rotatable connection between the handle and the cross member allows the driver to always hold the handle in a comfortable and ergonomic position while steering. In a preferred embodiment of the steering device described here, the rotation of the handle relative to the cross member occurs solely through the movement of the steering device caused by the driver. Thus, preferably, no motor drive of the handle is provided. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the rotation of the handle does not generate any operator input from the driver, but merely serves ergonomic steering.

[0016] However, it should be noted that, for example, in an emergency situation, the driver may want to rotate the steering mechanism around the steering axis as quickly as possible. Such a rapid movement initiated via the handle does not necessarily result in an immediate rotation of the steering mechanism around the steering axis, and thus does not necessarily result in immediate steering of the vehicle, as the applied force may initially cause the handle to rotate around the rotation axis. Under certain circumstances, the applied force may only cause the entire steering mechanism to rotate around the steering axis after the handle has reached a limit stop.

[0017] To prevent this steering delay, especially in emergency situations, the invention provides at least one damping element in the steering device that dampens the rotational movement of the handle relative to the cross member. According to the invention, the damping element is designed to provide speed-dependent damping of the rotational movement. This speed-dependent damping is designed such that the damping increases with increasing speed.

[0018] Within the scope of the present invention, the structure is sometimes described with reference to only one handle and one damping element. However, two handles, each with a damping element, or two handles damped by a common damping element are preferably provided.

[0019] In particular, the damping element can be designed such that, at sufficiently high speeds, damping occurs down to a speed of almost zero with respect to the rotation of the handle relative to the cross member. In this respect, the damping element can also be referred to as a braking element, since it leads to an almost or complete braking of the rotational movement of the handle relative to the cross member.

[0020] The damping element is specifically designed to dampen the handle at any angle of rotation. Thus, it is not only dampened or completely braked at any end stop of the handle, but the handle is dampened or braked at any angle of rotation, particularly depending on the speed.

[0021] The damping element can be located in the cross member, in the handle, or between the cross member and the handle. Regardless of the damping element's positioning, the rotational movement of the handle relative to the cross member is dampened.

[0022] According to the invention, a dilatant fluid is used in the damping element to dampen the rotational movement. This dilatant fluid is thus located in the damping element and is set in motion when the handle rotates about the rotational axis. The dilatant fluid can also be referred to as a shear-thickening fluid. The dilatant fluid has the property of becoming more viscous under shear load as the shear force increases. This dilatant fluid thus enables speed-dependent damping.

[0023] Such a dilatant fluid is made, for example, from an oil mixed with cornstarch, or a liquid suspended with nanoparticles is used.

[0024] The damping element can also be described as a rotation damping element because it dampens the rotational movement of the handle around the rotation axis.

[0025] Preferably, the damping element comprises a rotor and a stator. The rotor and stator are arranged coaxially to one another and rotatable relative to one another. The described fluid is located between the rotor and stator in a corresponding free space.

[0026] The movement of the rotor relative to the stator generates the shearing motion in the fluid. Specifically, a fluid-filled chamber is formed between the rotor and stator, the volume of which changes during the rotational movement. In particular, the fluid in the chamber is displaced from the chamber upon corresponding movement of the rotor relative to the stator, resulting in shear stress on the fluid and its thickening.

[0027] For example, an annular free space is provided between the rotor and stator, coaxial with the rotational axis and filled with the fluid. Preferably, the rotor and stator each have at least one extension extending radially to the rotational axis into this free space. During the rotational movement, the two extensions can move toward each other, with a fluid-filled chamber (part of the free space) formed between the two extensions, the volume of which decreases with the corresponding direction of rotation.

[0028] As an alternative to the above-described design of the damping element with a fluid, it is also possible for the damping element to be designed as a centrifugal brake. In a centrifugal brake, friction linings are pressed together at a sufficiently high rotational speed, thereby creating the braking effect.

[0029] Furthermore, it is possible to design the damping element as an eddy current brake in order to generate a braking of the rotational movement around the axis of rotation depending on the speed.

[0030] It is also possible to install an actuator on the damping element, which is controlled by a control unit. The damping element could be, for example, a brake that is actuated by the actuator. This actuation by the actuator can be achieved, for example, by an electric motor or electromagnetically.

[0031] Furthermore, it is possible, for example, for the damping element to be fluid-filled, using a magnetoreological fluid. The actuator then generates a magnetic field when controlled by the control unit to change the viscosity of the magnetoreological fluid. This also makes it possible to specifically slow down or dampen the rotational movement of the handle.

[0032] The actuator is controlled by the control unit, particularly depending on the vehicle's condition or driving situation. Thus, even when using an actuator, the damping of the handle's rotational movement can be speed-dependent. The control unit can preferably measure the handle's rotational speed via a sensor and control the actuator accordingly.

[0033] However, it is also possible for the control unit to control the actuator depending on another driving situation or another vehicle condition. Such a vehicle condition could, for example, be a certain vehicle speed. A corresponding driving situation could occur, for example, if the vehicle detects a relatively dangerous driving situation.

[0034] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the axis of rotation is inclined by 60° to 120°, preferably 70° to 110°, particularly preferably 80° to 100°, relative to the steering axis.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the handle can be rotated relative to the cross member by a maximum of 20°, preferably a maximum of 15°. In particular, end stops are provided on the steering device to limit the handle's rotation. Within this range, this provides an advantage in the ergonomic operation of the steering device.

[0036] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the handle is designed as a rod. The rod is arranged vertically and can be gripped by the rider's hand so that, from top to bottom, the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger rest on the rod. In addition to a straight shape, the rod can also have an ergonomically adapted shape.

[0037] The rod can preferably be attached to the cross member at its upper end and / or at its lower end and / or between the two ends. However, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the rod is designed as a horn. The horn is characterized in that it is attached to the cross member only at its lower end, thus leaving the upper portion of the horn free for grasping by the hand.

[0038] The invention further comprises a vehicle. The vehicle is, in particular, a two-track motor vehicle. The vehicle comprises one of the steering devices just described. The transverse element is mounted in the vehicle so that it can rotate about the steering axis. The steering axis is coaxial with a steering column or a corresponding element of a steer-by-wire steering system. The advantageous embodiments and subclaims described in the context of the steering device according to the invention find correspondingly advantageous application for the vehicle according to the invention.

[0039] Further details, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a steering device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic side view of the steering device according to the invention, Fig. 3 a variant of the steering device according to the invention, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of the speed-dependent damping on the steering device according to the invention, Fig. 5 a first variant for the design of the damping element of the steering device according to the invention, and Fig. 6 a second variant for the design of the damping element of the steering device according to the invention.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a steering device 1 from the driver's perspective. The steering device 1 comprises a transverse element 2. An airbag, for example, can be arranged in the transverse element 2.

[0041] The cross member 2 can be mounted in a vehicle so that it can rotate about a steering axis 4. Rotating the steering device 1 about this steering axis 4 results in the steering of the vehicle's wheels.

[0042] The steering device 1 comprises handles 3 on both sides of the cross member 2. The handles 3 are connected to the cross member. Each of the two handles 3 is rotatable relative to the cross member about a rotation axis 5. The rotation axis 5 is approximately perpendicular to the steering axis 4.

[0043] Furthermore, the steering device 1 comprises two damping elements 10. The damping elements 10 are arranged to dampen the rotational movement of the respective handle 3 relative to the cross element 2. For this purpose, the damping elements 10 can be located in the handle 3, in the cross element 2, or between the cross element 2 and the handle 3.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the steering device 1. According to Fig. 2, the rotational movement of the handle 3 around the rotation axis 5 is limited to α = 10°.

[0045] Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment in which the connection of the handle 3 to the cross element 2 is provided further down than in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. This also means that the rotation axis 5 is positioned further down.

[0046] The damping elements 10 used dampen the rotational movement of the handles 3 relative to the cross element 2 depending on the speed, so that the damping is increased as the rotational speed increases.

[0047] This speed-dependent damping is in Fig. 4 illustrates this. Fig. 4 shows on the horizontal axis the angle of rotation α of the handle 3 around the axis of rotation 5. The vertical axis in Fig. 4 shows the speed of the rotational movement. In area I, a normal steering movement occurs, with the handles 3 being moved relatively slowly around the rotational axis 5. A correspondingly fast steering movement of the driver leads to a relatively fast rotational movement of the handles 3 around the rotational axes 5. This is in area II in Fig. 4. Accordingly, with increasing speed, the damping or deceleration of the rotational movement also increases.

[0048] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show two possible designs of the damping elements 10 with dilatant fluids.

[0049] According to Fig. 5, a possible damping element 10 comprises a rotor 11 and a stator 12. Rotor 11 and stator 12 are arranged coaxially to the rotational axis 5. Between rotor 11 and stator 12 remains a free space filled with the dilatant fluid. An extension 13 extends radially inward from the rotor 11 into this free space. An extension 13 extends radially outward from the stator 12 into this intermediate space. Between the two extensions 13, a chamber 14 is formed which is filled with the dilatant fluid and whose volume decreases with a corresponding direction of rotation. As a result, the fluid flows out of this chamber, and the shear stress occurs, which thickens the fluid.

[0050] Fig. 6 shows a similar possible design of the damping element 10 with rotor 11 and stator 12. The schematic representation in Fig. Figure 6 shows that a chamber 14 for the dilatant fluid is also formed between rotor 11 and stator 12 by two seals 15. In this example, however, the volume of chamber 14 is not changed; instead, extensions 13 protrude from rotor 11 and stator 12 into this chamber 14. The friction of the extensions 14 against the fluid and / or the wavy design of the extensions 13 can also generate shear stress on the dilatant fluid.

[0051] In both examples, the stator 12 can of course be located outside and the rotor 11 inside.

[0052] In addition, it is possible to adjust the steering device 1, as shown in the Fig. 1 to 4, to use other damping elements as described in the general part. List of reference symbols: 1 steering device 2 cross element 3 handles 4 steering axle 5 axis of rotation 10 Damping element 11 Rotor 12 Stator 13 appendages 14 chamber 15 seals

Claims

[1] Steering device (1) for a vehicle, comprising • a cross element (2) which can be mounted in the vehicle so that it can rotate around a steering axis (4), • at least one handle (3) attached to the cross member (2) for rotating the steering device (1) about the steering axis (4), wherein the handle (3) is rotatable relative to the cross member (2) about a rotation axis (5), and • at least one damping element (10) for damping the rotational movement of the handle (3) relative to the transverse element (2), characterized by , that • the damping element (10) is designed for speed-dependent damping of the rotary movement of the handle (3) relative to the transverse element (2), • wherein a dilatant fluid is used in the damping element (10) to dampen the rotational movement, or • wherein the damping element (18) - is designed as a centrifugal brake, or - is designed as an eddy current brake. [2] Steering device according to claim 1, wherein the damping element (10) comprises a rotor (11) and a stator (12) which are arranged coaxially to one another and are rotatable relative to one another, the fluid being arranged between the rotor (11) and the stator (12). [3] Steering device according to claim 2, wherein a fluid-filled chamber (14) is formed between the rotor (11) and the stator (12), the volume of which changes during the rotational movement. [4] Steering device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axis of rotation (5) is inclined by 60° to 120° relative to the steering axis (4). [5] Steering device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle (3) is rotatable by a maximum of 20° relative to the transverse element (2). [6] Vehicle comprising a steering device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse element (2) is mounted in the vehicle so as to be rotatable about the steering axis (4), and wherein the steering axis (4) is aligned coaxially with a steering column or a corresponding element of a steer-by-wire steering system.

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