Operating arrangement for a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating arrangement for a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle, comprising a mechanical operating element (4) arranged in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle for inputting a steering command by the hand of a driver of the motor vehicle. The operating element (4) can be pivoted in a rotational manner on both sides about an axis of rotation (3) that is parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. The operating arrangement also comprises a feedback device for generating haptic feedback to the driver. Furthermore, the operating element (4) is arranged on a carriage (1) that can move translationally on both sides on guides (2) along an axis that is parallel to the vehicle's transverse axis.

Description

The present invention relates to an operating arrangement for a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle.Prior ArtIn order to implement the steering intention of a driver, steering wheels are currently used in passenger cars. By presetting an angle at the steering wheel, the driver can determine a rack position and thus the direction in which the vehicle controls. In conventional vehicles, the steering wheel and wheels are mechanically connected to one another. The rotational movement is transmitted from the steering wheel via the steering column and intermediate steering shaft to a gear which transmits the rotational movement into a translatory movement of the rack. This in turn ensures the rotation of the wheels into the desired position.An example of an alternative control element is a joystick which originates from the gaming area. Areas in which the steering of vehicles by a joystick is applied are, for example, the aviation or the Nkw area.The development in the automotive industry towards highly automated driving leads to new desires with regard to the steering system. For example, many automobile manufacturers wish to prevent the steering wheel from turning in the event that the autopilot assumes control of the vehicle. By omitting the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels and instead communicating the steering request via cable (steer-by-wire), this request can be realized. Another assumption is that the driver, when driving with autopilots, has the steering wheel in the way it is currently positioned. If the driver no longer has to drive himself, he could work with a laptop or read newspaper, for example, while driving. For this purpose, the steering wheel is more in the way of the driver; a storage would be more useful, for example.In order to be able to realize these requirements for vehicles in the future, a new vehicle interior concept including an alternative operating concept is required. In addition, it is desirable to provide the driver with feedback relating to a respective driving situation, in analogy to a conventional steering system with mechanical drive-through.DE 10 2017 211 253 A1 discloses an operating arrangement for a steer-by-wire steering system, wherein the operating element is rotated by rotating the forearm of the driver when the hand is placed on the surface. In addition, a feedback device is provided, with which haptic feedback of the operating element to the driver can be generated as a function of a driving situation.Due to the mounting on an axis of rotation, depending on the lever arm, a folding movement of the forearm (classic joystick) or a rotational movement of the forearm results for the operator, as in the operating arrangement according to DE 10 2017 211 253 A1. The folding movement of the forearm in a classic joystick is ergonomically not optimal and cannot be executed very precisely either.It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a mechanism, in particular for classical joysticks, which permits ergonomic and precise movement.The invention is achieved with an operating arrangement for a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1.Disclosure of the InventionThe present invention provides an operating arrangement for a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle, having a mechanical operating element arranged in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle for inputting a steering request of a driver of the motor vehicle, wherein the operating element is mounted such that it can be pivoted about a predefined axis of rotation and can also be displaced translationally along an axis which is parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle. Due to the fact that during the rotational pivoting the operating element is simultaneously displaced in translation, an ergonomic movement of the forearm of the driver is achieved. For this purpose, the axis of rotation of the operating element is arranged on a carriage which can be displaced translationally on both sides on guides.In addition, the operating arrangement comprises a feedback device for generating a haptic feedback to the driver of the motor vehicle.Advantageous embodiments and refinements emerge from the dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures.According to a preferred development, it is provided that the translatory movement and the rotatory movement of the operating element are mechanically positively coupled. The relationship between translatory and rotatory movement can be adjusted by means of the transmission ratio of the coupling gear.This positive coupling can be implemented in a first embodiment by a rack and pinion gear. The rotational movement of the operating element rotates a gear wheel which meshes with a toothed rack arranged fixedly on the housing. As a result, the operating element is simultaneously displaced translationally along a guide during pivoting.In a second embodiment, the positive coupling can be carried out by a belt transmission. The rotational movement of the operating element rotates a belt wheel which meshes with an open toothed belt arranged fixed to the housing.In a third embodiment, the positive coupling can be implemented by a traction drive. The rotational movement of the operating element rotates a gear wheel, wherein a first open traction means is fastened with one end to the gear wheel and with the other end to the housing, and wherein a second open traction means is fastened with one end to the gear wheel and with the other end to the housing. The gear wheel can be a belt wheel or a cable drum.In a fourth embodiment, the positive coupling can be implemented by a wheel which rolls on a path which is arranged fixedly on the housing.The four embodiments mentioned have a feedback device with an electric motor. For this purpose, the electric motor can act on the carriage via a screw drive. Alternatively, the motor can also be designed as a linear motor in order to act on the translatory movement of the slide.The electric motor of the feedback device can also act directly or via a gear mechanism on the axis of rotation of the operating element. Combinations are likewise possible in the mentioned embodiments of the feedback device.According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the translatory movement and the rotatory movement of the operating element are not mechanically coupled, but rather have a degree of freedom with respect to one another. The rotational and / or translatory position can be detected with corresponding sensors, wherein the position signals can be used via an algorithm for controlling individual functions.According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the translatory movement and the rotatory movement of the operating element are not mechanically coupled, but are connected to the same feedback device. This can be effected, for example, via a belt drive. The force level of the translatory movement relative to the moment level of the rotatory movement can be established via the transmission ratio of the transmission.Brief Description of the DrawingsEmbodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the figures and are explained in more detail in the following description of the figures.It shows: FIG. 1 shows an operating arrangement according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows an operating arrangement according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 shows an operating arrangement according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 shows an operating arrangement according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 shows an operating arrangement according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 shows an operating arrangement according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1 shows an operating arrangement according to the invention according to a first embodiment. A carriage 1 can be displaced translationally on guides 2. The rotational axis 3 of the operating element 4 is located on the carriage 1.A gearwheel 10 is fixed on the axis of rotation 3 and meshes with a toothed rack 11 fixedly arranged on the housing. This realizes a positive coupling of the translatory and rotatory movement. The driver engages around the operating element 4 and pivots it to the left or to the right according to his steering request. The gearwheel 10 is thus rotated and, at the same time, the carriage 1 with the operating element 4 is displaced translationally along the guide.FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the control arrangement according to the invention. The embodiment differs from the coupling gear, which here has been realized by a belt gear. A strap 21 is open and is fixedly attached with its two ends to the housing. A belt wheel 20 is fixed on the axis of rotation 3, the belt 21 meshing with the belt wheel 20. Two deflecting rollers 22 on the carriage 1 serve to guide the belt 21 upwards.FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the control arrangement according to the invention. The coupling gear is realized by a traction drive or belt drive. On the rotation axis 3 there is a gear wheel 30, which can be a belt wheel or a cable drum. In addition, the belt transmission comprises two open belts 31 and 32. The first belt 31 is fastened with one end to the gear wheel 30 and with the other end to the housing. The second belt 32 is fastened opposite the belt 31 with one end to the gear wheel 30 and with the other end to the housing.FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the control arrangement according to the invention. The coupling gear is realized in that a wheel 40, which is seated on the rotational axis 3, rolls on a track 41.FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the control arrangement according to the invention. The translatory movement and the rotatory movement of the operating element are not mechanically coupled. The driver can pivot the operating element 4 with its axis of rotation 3. Independently of this, the driver can displace the operating element 4, which is arranged on the carriage 1, along the guides 2.FIG. 6 shows in a sixth embodiment that the translatory movement and the rotatory movement of the operating element are not mechanically coupled, but are connected to the same feedback device. In this case, a revolving belt transmission with a closed belt is used. A belt wheel 20 is fixed on the axis of rotation 3, the belt 23 meshing with the belt wheel 20. Two deflection rollers 22 on the carriage 1 serve for guiding the belt 23 upwards or for achieving a wrap around of 180° of the belt wheel 20. In addition, the belt 23 is guided around two belt pulleys 24, 25 which are arranged fixed to the housing at the two end points of the displacement path. The feedback motor can then act on the belt pulley 20 or on one of the two pulleys 24, 25.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2017 211 253 A1 [0006, 0007]

Claims

Operator control arrangement for a steer-by-wire steering system of a motor vehicle, having a mechanical operator control element (4) which is arranged in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and is intended for inputting a steering request by the hand of a driver of the motor vehicle, it being possible for the operator control element (4) to be pivoted rotationally on both sides about an axis of rotation (3) which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, having a feedback device for generating a haptic feedback to the driver of the motor vehicle, characterized in that the operator control element (4) is arranged on a carriage (1) which is able to move translationally on both sides on guides (2) along an axis which is parallel to the transverse axis of the vehicle.Operating arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the translatory movement and the rotatory movement of the operating element (4) are mechanically positively coupled.Operating arrangement according to Claim 2, characterized in that the positive coupling is formed by a toothed rack gear, wherein the rotational movement of the operating element (4) rotates a toothed wheel (10) which meshes with a toothed rack (11) arranged fixed to the housing.Operating arrangement according to Claim 2, characterized in that the positive coupling is realized by a belt transmission, wherein the rotational movement of the operating element rotates a belt wheel (20) which meshes with an open toothed belt (21) which is arranged fixed to the housing.Operating arrangement according to Claim 2, characterized in that the positive coupling is realized by a traction drive, wherein a gear wheel (30) is rotated by the rotational movement of the operating element (4), wherein a first open traction means (31) is fastened with one end to the gear wheel (30) and with the other end fixed to the housing, and wherein a second open traction means (32) is fastened with one end to the gear wheel (30) and with the other end fixed to the housing.Operating arrangement according to Claim 2, characterized in that the positive coupling is carried out by a wheel (40) which rolls on a track (41) which is arranged fixed to the housing.Operating arrangement according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the feedback device has an electric motor which acts on the slide via a gear mechanism.Operating arrangement according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the feedback device has an electric motor which acts directly or via a transmission on the axis of rotation (3) of the operating element.Operating arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the translatory movement and the rotatory movement of the operating element (4) are not coupled.Operating arrangement according to Claim 9, characterized in that the feedback device has an electric motor which acts directly or via a gear mechanism on the axis of rotation (3) of the operating element (4), or in that the electric motor acts via a gear mechanism on the slide (1).Operating arrangement according to Claim 9, characterized in that the feedback device has an electric motor which acts simultaneously on the rotational movement and on the translatory movement of the operating element (4) via a transmission.

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