STEERING ARRANGEMENT OF A VEHICLE, STEERING SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE AND VEHICLE

Abstract

A vehicle steering assembly includes a housing configured for operative connection to a steering column of the vehicle, and one or more steering handles disposed on the housing. The one or more steering handles are rotatably mounted on the housing for rotation relative to the housing between an extended position and a folded position about respective steering handle axes.

Description

[0001] The subject matter of the invention relates to vehicles and in particular to a steering arrangement of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1, to a steering system of a vehicle with such a steering arrangement and to a vehicle with such a steering arrangement.

[0002] A steering arrangement of the type is essentially derived from WO 2024 / 045 960 A1. Steering arrangements of an essentially comparable type are derived from documents CN 1 13 232 713 A and DE 10 2020 109 918 A1.

[0003] Further steering arrangements with steering handles rotatable relative to a housing are described in the publications CN 1 06 627 724 B, DE 10 2018 010 022 A1, CN 1 14 179 898 B, US 2021 / 0 387 660 A1, EP 3 415 785 A1, JP 2008 307 926 A and FR 3 066 463 A1.

[0004] A conventional vehicle steering system includes a steering wheel that is fixed in size and position within the vehicle's passenger compartment. However, the driver's needs regarding the use of the steering system differ in highly automated vehicles, such as those at Level 4 (LV4) or in automated electric vehicles (AEVs), from those in a conventional vehicle. This presents the potential to improve the use of interior space within the passenger compartment by adapting the steering system.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a steering arrangement, a steering system and a vehicle with which the interior space in the passenger compartment of a vehicle can be better utilized.

[0006] This problem is solved by a steering arrangement characterized by the features of claim 1, by a steering system characterized by the features of claim 3, and by a vehicle characterized by the features of claim 4.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described here, an airbag module is arranged in the housing.

[0008] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a vehicle's steering system comprises a steering column and a steering assembly according to the invention, which is operationally connected to the steering column and rotatable about a steering column axis. The steering assembly includes a housing configured for operational connection with the steering column and two steering handles arranged on opposite lateral sides of the housing. The two steering handles are rotatably mounted on the housing to rotate relative to the housing between an extended position and a folded-down position about the corresponding steering handle axes.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described here, an airbag module is arranged in the housing.

[0010] In a further embodiment according to the invention, a vehicle comprises a vehicle body that defines a passenger compartment and a steering system of the vehicle, which is arranged in the passenger compartment. The steering system comprises a steering column and a steering arrangement according to the invention.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described here, an instrument panel is located in the passenger compartment, and the steering column protrudes from a steering opening in the instrument panel. The steering handle can optionally be moved, at least partially, into the steering opening.

[0012] The features and advantages described above, as well as further embodiments and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0013] Further features, advantages and details appear only as examples in the following detailed description, which refers to the drawings; they show: Fig. 1 a side view of an embodiment of a vehicle; Fig. 2 a perspective partial view of an embodiment of an instrument panel and a steering column of a vehicle; Fig. 3 a partially disassembled view of an embodiment of a steering handle of a vehicle; Fig. 4 a perspective partial view of an embodiment of a steering handle in a normal driving position; Fig. 5 a perspective partial view of an embodiment of a steering handle in a retracted position; Fig. 6 another perspective partial view of an embodiment of a steering handle in a retracted position; Fig. 7 a perspective partial view of an embodiment of a housing interface to a steering column; Fig. 8 an embodiment of a steering handle in a normal driving position; Fig. 9 a further illustration of an embodiment of a steering handle in a normal driving position; and Fig. 10 A representation of an embodiment of a steering handle in a retracted position.

[0014] The following description is merely exemplary. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference symbols denote similar or corresponding sections and features.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment, in Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12, which defines a passenger compartment 14. The vehicle 10 also includes a powertrain 16, which provides energy for propulsion and electrical power for the operation of the vehicle systems. Several wheels 18 are operationally connected to the powertrain 16, and at least two of the wheels 18 are steerable. An instrument panel 20 is arranged in the passenger compartment 14, and a steering mechanism 22 extends from the instrument panel 20 into the passenger compartment 14.

[0016] In Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the instrument panel 20 together with the steering assembly 22. The steering assembly 22 includes a steering column 24 with a steering handle 26, which is operationally connected to it. According to some embodiments, a steering column cover 38 is attached, which at least partially covers the steering column 24. The rotation of the steering column 24 about a column axis 28 via the steering handle 26 turns the wheels 18 to steer the vehicle 10. The steering handle 26 includes a housing 30 and steering frame 32, which project laterally from each side 34 of the housing 30. As shown in the partially disassembled view of the Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the steering handle 26 further includes an airbag module 36, which is arranged in the housing 30. The housing 30 has a housing opening 40 through which the steering handle 26 is operationally connected to the steering column 24. The steering handle 26 is operationally connected to the steering column 24 in such a way that the steering column 24 is locked to the steering handle 26 in a rotationally fixed manner, so that it can rotate with the steering handle 26.

[0017] The steering arrangement 22 is between a normal driving position, which is in Fig. 4 is shown, and a stowed or retracted position, which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the steering frames 32 are movable. To move from the ordinary driving position to the retracted position, the steering frames 32 are rotated about the corresponding steering frame axes 42 in order to fold the steering frames 32 to the lateral sides 34 of the housing 30. As shown in Figure 5, the steering frames 32 are movable. Fig. As best shown in Figure 6, once the steering frames 32 are folded down, the steering assembly 22 can also be moved by moving the steering assembly 22 along the column axis 28 in order to retract it into a steering opening 44 in the instrument panel 20. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, one or more housing grooves 60 are defined in the housing 30 at the housing opening 40. The supplementary column features 62 of the steering column 24 are accommodated in the housing grooves 60 to maintain the orientation of the rotation of the steering handle 26 relative to the steering column 24 and to maintain this orientation when the steering handle 26 is moved relative to the steering column 24 along the column axis 28.

[0018] In the retracted position, the folded steering frames 32 can be at least partially recessed into the instrument panel 20 at the steering opening 44, as also in Fig. Figure 6 shows that retracting the steering arrangement 22 improves the adaptability of the passenger compartment 14 and its available space when the use of the steering arrangement 22 is not necessary.

[0019] In the Fig. Sections 8-10 describe in more detail the folding of the steering frames 32. Each steering frame 32 has a frame body 46 extending between a first frame end 48 and a second frame end 50. According to some embodiments, the frame bodies 46 are essentially C-shaped; however, those skilled in the art will readily understand that this shape is merely exemplary and that other shapes of the steering frames 32 are possible.

[0020] At least one section of the frame bodies 46 of the steering frames 32 extends into an interior 52 of the housing 30. The first frame ends 48 are operationally connected by spur gears 54. The spur gears 54 mesh with each other at a meshing point 56 between the steering frame axes 42. According to some embodiments, the spur gears 54 are arranged coaxially with the steering frame axes 42. The spur gears 54 mesh with each other in such a way that when one steering frame 32 is caused to rotate about its steering frame axis 42, the other steering frame 32 is also caused to rotate about its corresponding steering frame axis 42.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the folding process of the steering frames 32 is motorized. For example, in the embodiments shown, an electric motor 58 is arranged in the housing 30 and is connected to one or more spur gears 54 via a gear 64 of the motor. If the electric motor 58 is operated, for example, by the operation of a motor switch 66 connected to the electric motor 58, the rotation of the gear 64 of the motor drives the rotation of the spur gears 54 and their corresponding steering frames 32 between the ordinary operating position, as shown in Fig. 9 is shown, and the folded-over position, approximately as in Fig. Figure 10 shows an example. A person skilled in the art will understand that this arrangement of the electric motor 58 is merely exemplary. According to other embodiments, the electric motor 58 can, for example, drive the spur gears 54 directly without the connection via the motor's gear.

[0022] By allowing the steering handle 26 to be folded towards the instrument panel 20 and extended in the folded position, the currently disclosed configurations significantly reduce the size of the steering handle 26 and create more space within the passenger compartment 14. This is particularly advantageous in parking situations where space is limited. The folding and extension functions offer the driver additional convenience, allowing them to adjust the steering handle 26 according to their preferences and comfort. The housing 30 ensures that safety features such as the airbag module 36 are seamlessly integrated into the steering handle 26, while complying with the vehicle's safety standards. The inclusion of electrical components for automatic movements aligns the steering system with modern vehicle developments, enhancing the overall appeal and technological sophistication of the vehicle.

Claims

[1] Steering arrangement (22) of a vehicle (10) comprising: a housing (30) configured for operational connection with a steering column (24) of the vehicle (10); and one or more steering handles (26) arranged on the housing (30), wherein the one or more steering handles (26) are rotatably mounted on the housing (30) to rotate relative to the housing (30) between an extended position and a folded-down position about corresponding steering handle axes (42); wherein the one or more steering handles (26) are two steering handles (26) arranged on laterally opposite sides of the housing (30), wherein the steering arrangement (22) further comprises two spur gears (54) in the housing (30) and wherein each steering handle (26) of the two steering handles (26) is operationally connected to a corresponding spur gear (54) of the two spur gears (54) and wherein the two spur gears mesh inside the housing (30); wherein the rotation of the two spur gears (54) rotates the two steering handles (26) about their corresponding steering handle axes (42); and wherein the steering arrangement (22) further comprises a motor (58) in the housing (30) which is operationally connected to at least one spur gear (54) of the two spur gears (54) in order to drive the rotation of the two spur gears (54); wherein the housing (30) has a housing opening (40) which accommodates the steering column (24) of the vehicle (10), wherein the steering assembly (22) is configured to rotate together with the steering column (24) about a steering column axis (28); characterized by , that the steering assembly (22) is configured to move selectively translationally along the steering column axis (28) relative to the steering column (24), for this purpose the steering assembly (22) further has one or more alignment grooves (60) in the housing opening (40) to align the steering assembly (22) in the direction of rotation with the steering column (24), wherein the steering column (24) has additional column features (62) which are received by the alignment grooves (60) and which maintain the rotational alignment of the steering handle (26) relative to the steering column (24) and retain this alignment when the steering handle (26) is moved relative to the steering column (24) along the column axis (28). [2] Steering arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising an airbag module (36) arranged in the housing (30). [3] Steering system of a vehicle (10) comprising: a steering column (24); and a steering arrangement (22) according to claim 1 or 2, which is operationally connected to the steering column (24) and is rotatable about a steering column axis (28). [4] Vehicle (10) comprising: a vehicle body (12) that defines a passenger compartment (14); a steering system of the vehicle (10) which is arranged in the passenger compartment (14), the steering system comprising: a steering column (24); and a steering arrangement (22) according to claim 1 or 2, which is operationally connected to the steering column (24) and is rotatable about a steering column axis (28). [5] Vehicle (10) according to claim 4, further comprising an instrument panel (20) arranged in the passenger compartment (14), wherein the steering column (24) protrudes from a steering opening in the instrument panel (20); wherein the steering handle (26) can optionally be moved translationally at least partially into the steering opening.

Images