Independent corner module

Abstract

To provide an independent corner module capable of imparting a wide steering angle to a wheel as a steering drive part between a fixed frame and an axle gear link and the axle gear link rotate independently with driving force of the steering drive part.SOLUTION: An independent corner module includes a knuckle located while fastened to a wheel, an axle gear link fastened to guide up / down movements of the knuckle, a fixed frame fixed to a vehicle body adjacently to the axle gear link, a steering drive part located between the axle gear link and the fixed frame and capable of applying driving force, wherein the steering drive part is configured to rotate along the fixed frame in response to the driving force of the steering drive part, and the axle gear link is also configured to rotate simultaneously based upon the steering drive part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an independent corner module, and more preferably, to an independent corner module configured such that a steering drive unit and an axle gear link rotate independently in response to a driving force of the steering drive unit located between a fixed frame and the axle gear link, so as to apply a wide steering angle to a wheel.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional vehicle suspension devices connect an axle and a vehicle body to prevent vibrations and impacts received by the axle from the road surface during vehicle travel from being directly transmitted to the vehicle body, thereby preventing damage to the vehicle body and cargo and improving the ride comfort. Such a suspension device includes a suspension spring that alleviates impacts received from the road surface, a shock absorber that suppresses the free vibration of the suspension spring to improve the ride comfort, and a stabilizer that suppresses the rolling of the vehicle. Commercial vehicle suspension devices mainly use an integral axle type suspension device in which left and right wheels are connected to one axle. As the suspension spring, a leaf spring or an air spring is mainly used.

[0003] On the other hand, a steering device of a commercial vehicle using an integral axle type suspension device includes a pitman arm that is attached to and rotates about an output shaft of a steering gear, a drag link that transmits the movement of the pitman arm to a knuckle arm, a knuckle arm that operates a knuckle spindle in response to the movement of the drag link, and a tie rod that connects the left and right knuckle arms. FIG. 1 shows a suspension system in which one end of a shock absorber is fixed to a vehicle body frame. In a vehicle equipped with an integral axle type suspension device and a steering device using the air spring as described above, the air spring merely serves to replace a leaf spring and cannot significantly contribute to improving the ride comfort and handling characteristics, and it is difficult to secure a design freedom in terms of structural characteristics to achieve precise geometry. Furthermore, recently, an independently steerable suspension device has been developed in which the steering angle input of the wheel is performed via a motor assembly for each suspension device. However, in the case of the above-described independently steerable suspension device, there have been problems in stably transmitting the rotational force applied from the steering motor to the knuckle and the wheel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an independent corner module that provides independent rotation of a steering drive unit and an axle gear unit. Further, the present invention provides an axle gear link that can rotate simultaneously with the steering drive unit with respect to the rotating steering drive unit in response to a single driving force of the steering drive unit. The object of the present invention is not limited to the above object, and other objects of the present invention not mentioned will be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Further, the object of the present invention can be realized by the means shown in the claims and combinations thereof.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The independent corner module for achieving the object of the present invention described above includes the following configuration. The independent corner module according to the present invention includes a knuckle fastened to a wheel, an axle gear link fastened to guide the vertical movement of the knuckle, a fixed frame fixed to the vehicle body adjacent to the axle gear link, and a steering drive unit positioned between the axle gear link and the fixed frame and capable of applying a driving force. The steering drive unit is configured to move along the fixed frame in response to the driving force of the steering drive unit, and at the same time, the axle gear link is configured to rotate.

[0007] Further, the steering drive unit includes a carrier link configured to surround at least a part of the axle gear link and the fixed frame and move along the fixed frame, a motor configured to apply a rotational force, and a steering gear unit extending from the rotation axis of the motor and configured to mesh with the fixed frame and the axle gear link.

[0008] Further, the axle gear link further includes a link guide unit configured to guide the steering drive unit, and a gear unit configured to rotate the link guide unit when the steering drive unit meshes with the steering drive unit and rotates.

[0009] Further, the fixed frame further includes a frame gear portion formed at one end facing the steering drive unit.

[0010] Further, the carrier link further includes at least one or more first roller portions positioned on the inner surface of the carrier link where the fixed frames are adjacent to each other, or on the inner surface of the carrier link where the axle gear links are adjacent to each other.

[0011] Further, the carrier link further includes at least one or more second roller portions located at one end in the height direction where the fixed frame and the carrier link are adjacent to each other, or at one end in the height direction where the axle gear link and the carrier link are adjacent to each other.

[0012] Further, corresponding to the driving force of the steering drive unit, the steering drive unit is configured to move to both ends of the fixed frame.

[0013] Further, when the steering drive unit is located at both ends of the fixed frame, the steering drive unit is configured to be located at both ends of the axle gear link.

[0014] Further, the axle gear link further includes a vertical guide portion configured such that one end of the knuckle moves up and down.

[0015] Further, it further includes a buffer portion having one end fastened to the knuckle and the other end fastened to the axle gear link and configured to support the vertical movement of the knuckle.

[0016] Further, each surface of the axle gear link and the fixed frame that are adjacent to and face each other is configured to have an arc shape with the same center.

[0017] The independent corner module according to the present invention includes a knuckle fastened to a wheel, an axle gear link that guides the movement of the knuckle, a fixed frame fixed to a vehicle body, and a steering drive unit that can apply a driving force to the axle gear link and the fixed frame, and the steering drive unit and the axle gear link move by the driving force of the steering drive unit.

[0018] Further, when the driving force of the steering drive unit is applied, the steering drive unit moves along the fixed frame, and the axle gear link is configured to rotate.

[0019] Another independent corner module according to the present invention includes an axle gear link fastened to guide the movement of the wheel, a fixed frame fixed to the vehicle body, and a steering drive unit capable of applying a driving force to the axle gear link and the fixed frame, and is characterized in that the steering drive unit and the axle gear link move by the driving force of the steering drive unit.

[0020] Further, when the driving force of the steering drive unit is applied, the steering drive unit is configured to move along the fixed frame and the axle gear link rotates.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] The present invention can obtain the following effects according to the above-described embodiments and the configurations, usage relationships described below. The present invention has the effect of providing a wider steering angle in which the steering drive unit and the axle gear link rotate independently and are applied to the wheel. Further, the present invention includes an upper and lower guide portion between the axle gear link and the knuckle, and has the effect of providing structural stability capable of absorbing the vertical behavior applied to the wheel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 5C

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples of the present invention can be deformed into various forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the following examples. This example is provided to more fully explain the present invention to those having average knowledge in the art.

[0024] Also, terms such as "... knuckle", "... link", "... part", and "... frame" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this can be realized by hardware or a combination of hardware.

[0025] Hereinafter, examples will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components are given the same drawing numbers, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0026] The present invention relates to an independent corner module 10. In the case of a multi-wheeled vehicle, it can include each independent corner module 10 fastened to the vehicle body, and the independent corner module is configured to have a steering angle of 90 degrees in the left-right direction. Since the independent corner module 10 can be fixed to the vehicle body, it can be fastened to the vehicle body by welding or bolting, etc., and can be energized with a battery located on the vehicle body so that electric power can be applied from the vehicle body to the steering drive unit 100. In this way, the independent corner module 10 is configured to be fixed to the vehicle body by a normal method and at the same time be energized with the vehicle.

[0027] Hereinafter, the independent corner module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to a configuration including a wheel 500 located on the left side of a vehicle.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows the independent corner module 10, and FIG. 3 shows the fastening relationship between the fixed frame 300 and the axle gear link 200 centered on the steering drive unit 100. As shown in the figure, it includes a wheel 500 positioned to face the outside of the vehicle and a knuckle 400 fastened to the wheel 500. It includes an axle gear link 200 located inside the knuckle 400 and fastened to one end of the knuckle 400. A fixed frame 300 fastened to the vehicle body and a steering drive unit 100 positioned between the fixed frame 300 and the axle gear link 200 and configured to apply a driving force are provided. Therefore, when the driving force of the steering drive unit 100 is applied, the axle gear link 200 can move integrally with the axle gear link 200 so as to input the rotation angle of the wheel.

[0029] The wheel 500 is configured to be located at the outermost corner of the knuckle 400, and the inner end of the knuckle 400 is inserted into and located in the upper and lower guide portions 230 of the axle gear link 200. Further, a buffer portion 240 is included, which is configured such that one end is fastened to the knuckle 400 and the other end is fixed to the axle gear link 200, and is configured to absorb the vertical flow applied from the wheel.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the buffer portion 240 is composed of a shock absorber or a coil spring. In this way, the knuckle 400 moves along the upper and lower guide portions 230 located on the axle gear link 200 to guide the vertical flow applied from the wheel, and is configured to absorb the impact applied from the wheel 500 to the corner module by the configuration of the buffer portion 240 located between the knuckle 400 and the axle gear link 200.

[0031] A rotational force can be applied via a motor 120 positioned in a steering drive unit 100, and the steering drive unit 100 is configured to be rotatable with respect to a fixed frame 300 by the generated driving force. Further, when a driving force is applied to the steering drive unit 100, an axle gear link 200 is configured to rotate with respect to the steering drive unit 100. The steering drive unit 100 includes a carrier link 110 configured to surround at least a part of the axle gear link 200, configured to surround at least a part of the fixed frame 300, and configured to be movable along the fixed frame 300 when a driving force is applied. The steering drive unit 100 also includes a motor penetrating in the height direction of the carrier link 110, and a rotation shaft of the motor 120 extends downward and is fastened to the axle gear link 200 and the fixed frame 300, respectively. More preferably, it is configured to be fastened to the axle gear link 200 and the fixed frame 300 via a steering gear portion 130 positioned on the rotation shaft of the motor 120.

[0032] The steering gear portion 130 rotates corresponding to the rotation amount of the motor 120, and the carrier link 110 is configured to move along the fixed frame 300 in proportion to the rotation amount of the motor 120 with respect to the fixed frame 300. At the same time, the axle gear link 200 fastened to the steering gear portion 130 is configured to rotate with respect to the steering gear portion 130. Further, the axle gear link 200 is configured to rotate with respect to the center of the wheel 500 in cross section.

[0033] That is, when a rotational force of the motor 120 is applied, the steering drive unit 100 and the axle gear link 200 are configured to rotate simultaneously, and the rotation central axes of the steering drive unit 100 and the axle gear link 200 are configured to coincide. Further, the distance that the steering drive unit 100 moves along the fixed frame 300 is configured to be equal to the distance that the axle gear link 200 moves along the steering drive unit 100.

[0034] The axle gear link 200 includes a link guide portion 210 configured to be at least partially surrounded by the carrier link 110 so as to guide the steering drive portion 100, and further includes a gear portion 220 located on one surface of the link guide portion 210 so as to be fastened to the steering gear portion 130. The link guide portion 210 is configured to have an arc shape with respect to the center of the wheel 500 in cross section. Each surface of the axle gear link 200 and the fixed frame 300 that are adjacent to and face each other is configured to have a circular arc shape with the same center, so that the steering drive portion 100, the axle gear link 200, and the fixed frame 300 are configured to move relative to each other along one arc-shaped surface that faces each other.

[0035] The fixed frame 300 is configured to have the same interval as the link guide portion 210 of the axle gear link 200. More preferably, one end of the fixed frame 300 facing the steering drive portion 100 is composed of an arc with the same shape as the link guide portion 210 of the axle gear link 200. Further, the interval between the axle gear link 200 and the fixed frame 300 is such that the steering gear portion 130 is positioned so as to be fastened to each of the axle gear link 200 and the fixed frame 300. Therefore, the gear portion 220 and the frame gear portion 310 are each fastened to the steering gear portion 130, and the axle gear link 200 and the steering drive portion 100 are configured to be driven integrally in response to the drive of the steering gear portion 130.

[0036] The carrier link 110 is located between the arc shape of the link guide portion 210 and one end of the fixed frame 300 corresponding to the arc shape of the link guide portion 210, and is configured to surround at least a part of one end of the axle gear link 200 and one end of the fixed frame 300 adjacent to the axle gear link 200. Further, when the steering gear portion 130 rotates by the motor 120, the carrier link 110 is configured to move integrally in response to the movement of the steering gear portion 130.

[0037] Since the frame gear portion 310 of the fixed frame 300 and the gear portion 220 of the axle gear link 200, which are fastened to the steering gear portion 130, are configured with tooth profiles having the same intervals, the rotation amount of the steering drive unit 100 and the rotation amount of the axle gear link 200 are configured to be equal corresponding to the rotation of the steering gear portion 130. Therefore, when the steering drive unit 100 is located at one end of the frame gear portion 310 of the fixed frame 300, the steering gear portion 130 of the steering drive unit 100 is configured to be located at one end of the gear portion 220 of the axle gear link 200. When the steering drive unit 100 moves to such a position, the wheel 500 is switched so as to have a maximum steering angle of 90 degrees to the left and right.

[0038] Conversely, the frame gear portion 310 of the fixed frame 300 and the gear portion 220 of the axle gear link 200, which are fastened to the steering gear portion 130, include tooth profiles having different intervals from each other. However, when the wheel 500 is positioned so as to have a maximum steering angle, the steering drive unit 100 is located at one end of the frame gear portion 310 of the fixed frame 300, and the steering gear portion 130 of the steering drive unit 100 is positioned so as to be located at one end of the gear portion 220 of the axle gear link 200.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows the configuration inside the carrier link 110 of the steering drive unit 100 as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the carrier link 110 is configured to surround at least a part of the link guide portion 210 having an arc shape, and is configured to surround at least a part of one end of the fixed frame 300 that is spaced apart so as to have a shape corresponding to the link guide portion 210.

[0040] Further, the carrier link 110 is configured to include an opening formed on one side surface so that the axle gear link 200 passes through, and an opening formed on the other side surface so that the fixed frame 300 passes through. Therefore, the opposing one ends of the link guide portion 210 and the fixed frame 300 are configured to maintain the same interval by the carrier link 110.

[0041] Further, the steering gear portion 130 located inside the carrier link 110 rotates by the driving force of the motor 120 located at the upper end of the carrier link 110, and the steering drive portion 100 is configured to move along one end of the fixed frame 300. Further, the axle gear link 200 is configured such that the rotational force of the steering gear portion 130 is applied and one end of the axle gear link 200 rotates along the carrier link 110. It includes a first roller portion 111 located on the inner surface of the carrier link 110 and on the side surfaces where the fixed frame 300, the carrier link 110, and the axle gear link 200 face each other.

[0042] Further, the first roller portion 111 is located on the carrier link 110 and is formed on at least one of the two side surfaces where the carrier link 110 and the axle gear link 200 face each other, and is formed on at least one of the two side surfaces where the fixed frame 300 and the carrier link 110 face each other. That is, the first roller portion 111 is located on the inner surface configured such that the carrier link 110 surrounds the axle gear link 200, or on the inner surface of the opening through which the axle gear link 200 passes. Further, the first roller portion 111 is located on the inner surface configured such that the carrier link 110 surrounds the fixed frame 300, or on the inner surface of the opening through which the fixed frame 300 passes.

[0043] It also includes a second roller portion 112 formed at at least one position of the upper end and the lower end in the height direction of the carrier link 110. The second roller portion 112 is located at least at one or more positions at both ends in the height direction of the axle gear link 200 facing the carrier link 110, and is located on at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the carrier link 110 so as to face both ends in the height direction of the fixed frame 300. In this way, even when the carrier link 110 moves by the driving force via the first roller portion 111 and the second roller portion 112, it can be driven in a low-friction state with the axle gear link 200 and the fixed frame 300.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5A, as an example of an embodiment of the present invention, the coupling relationship of the independent corner module 10 in a state where the steering angle is 0 degrees is shown. The independent corner module 10 is configured to set the steering angle of the wheel 500 according to the user's steering input or the driving environment. Further, power is applied to drive the motor 120 of the steering drive unit 100 according to the set steering angle.

[0045] As shown in the figure, the independent corner module 10 fixed to the vehicle body with a steering angle of 0 degrees has the steering drive unit 100 located at the center of the frame gear unit 310 of the fixed frame 300, and the steering gear unit 130 located at the center of the gear unit 220 of the axle gear link 200.

[0046] In contrast, FIG. 5B shows the independent corner module 10 in a state where the steering angle is 90 degrees to the left. In a state where the steering angle is 90 degrees to the left, the steering gear unit 130 is configured to be located at the upper end of the cross-section of the frame gear unit 310 of the fixed frame 300, and one end of the lower end of the gear unit 220 of the axle gear link 200 fastened to the steering gear unit 130 is switched to a position facing the steering gear unit 130. As a result, the wheel 500 is configured to have a maximum steering angle to the left with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Also, in an embodiment of the present invention, the independent corner module 10 can be controlled to have an angle of 90 degrees to the left.

[0047] Conversely, as shown in FIG. 5C, the independent corner module 10 in a state where the steering angle of the wheel 500 is 90 degrees to the right is shown. As shown in the figure, in a state where the steering angle is 90 degrees to the right, the steering gear unit 130 is configured to be located at the lower end of the cross-section of the frame gear unit 310 of the fixed frame 300, and one end of the upper end of the gear unit 220 of the axle gear link 200 fastened to the steering gear unit 130 is switched to a position facing the steering gear unit 130. Therefore, the independent corner module 10 of the present invention is configured to have a maximum steering angle in the right direction, and as shown in the figure, in one embodiment of the present invention, an independent corner module 10 having an angle of 90 degrees on the right side is provided.

[0048] FIG. 6 shows, as one embodiment of the present invention, the amount of rotation of each configuration configured to have a steering angle of a vehicle applied thereto. In the case of the independent corner module 10 of the present invention, one end of the axle gear link 200 configured to surround the carrier link 110 of the steering drive unit 100 is configured to have an arc shape, and the central axis of the arc shape of the axle gear link 200 is configured to have the center of the wheel 500 in cross section.

[0049] Also, one end of the fixed frame 300 configured to have a shape corresponding to the axle gear link 200 is also configured to have an arc shape, and the central axis is configured to be formed at the center of the wheel 500 in cross section. Therefore, the steering angle θs applied to the wheel 500 is determined by the following mathematical formula.

[0050] 〔Equation 1〕 θp / θo=(Rs+Ro)Rp θs×Rs=θp×Rp=θo×(Rs+Ro) (θp = rotation angle of the steering drive unit 100, θo = rotation angle of the steering drive unit 100 from the center of the wheel 500, Rs = distance from the center of the wheel 500 to one end of the axle gear link 200 in contact with the steering drive unit 100, Ro = distance from the center of the wheel 500 to one end of the fixed frame 300 in contact with the steering drive unit 100, Rp = rotation radius of the steering drive unit 100)

[0051] According to the formula 1, the steering angle is calculated by multiplying the sum of the distance from the center of the wheel 500 to one end of the axle gear link 200 in contact with the steering drive unit 100 and the distance from the center of the wheel 500 to one end of the fixed frame 300 in contact with the steering drive unit 100 by the rotation angle of the steering drive unit 100, and then dividing this by the distance from the center of the wheel 500 to one end of the axle gear link 200 in contact with the steering drive unit 100.

[0052] That is, one end having an arc shape of the axle gear link 200 and one end having an arc shape of the fixed frame 300 configured at a position corresponding to the axle gear link 200 are configured to rotate with the center of the wheel 500 as the same central axis. Therefore, the steering angle is configured to be determined from the relationship between the radius of the arc shape of one end of the axle gear link 200, the radius of the arc shape of the fixed frame 300 configured at a position corresponding to the axle gear link 200, and the rotation radius of the steering drive unit 100.

[0053] The above detailed description is illustrative of the present invention. Also, the above-described content is described by showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention can be used in various other combinations, changes, and environments. That is, it can be changed or modified within the scope of the concept of the invention disclosed in this specification, the scope equivalent to the described disclosure content, and / or the scope of the technology or knowledge in the industry. The described embodiments are for explaining the best mode for realizing the technical idea of the present invention, and various changes required in the specific application fields and uses of the present invention are also possible. Therefore, the above detailed description of the invention is not intended to limit the present invention to the disclosed embodiments. Also, the appended claims should be construed to include other embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0054] 10 Independent corner module 100 Steering drive unit 110 Carrier link 111 First roller part 112 Second roller part 120 Motor 130 Steering gear part 200 Axle gear link 210 Link guide part 220 Gear part 230 Upper and lower guide part 240 Buffer part 300 Fixed frame 310 Frame gear part 400 Knuckle 500 Wheel

Claims

1. A knuckle fastened to a wheel, an axle gear link that guides the vertical movement of the knuckle, a fixed frame fixed to the vehicle body adjacent to the axle gear link, and a steering drive unit that is positioned between the axle gear link and the fixed frame and can apply a driving force, wherein the steering drive unit is configured to move along the fixed frame by the driving force of the steering drive unit, and at the same time, the axle gear link rotates, characterized in that it is an independent corner module.

2. The steering drive unit includes a carrier link configured to surround at least a part of the axle gear link and the fixed frame and move along the fixed frame, a motor configured to apply a rotational force, and a steering gear unit extending from the rotation shaft of the motor and configured to mesh with the fixed frame and the axle gear link, characterized in that it is the independent corner module according to claim 1.

3. The axle gear link further includes a link guide part configured to guide the steering drive unit, and a gear part configured to rotate the link guide part when meshing with the steering drive unit and the steering drive unit rotates, characterized in that it is the independent corner module according to claim 1.

4. The fixed frame further includes a frame gear part formed at one end facing the steering drive unit, characterized in that it is the independent corner module according to claim 1.

5. The carrier link further includes at least one or more first roller parts positioned on the inner surface of the carrier link where the fixed frames are adjacent to each other, or on the inner surface of the carrier link where the axle gear links are adjacent to each other, characterized in that it is the independent corner module according to claim 2.

6. The carrier link further includes at least one or more second roller parts positioned at one end in the height direction where the fixed frame and the carrier link are adjacent to each other, or at one end in the height direction where the axle gear link and the carrier link are adjacent to each other, characterized in that it is the independent corner module according to claim 2.

7. Corresponding to the driving force of the steering drive unit, the steering drive unit is configured to move to both ends of the fixed frame, characterized in that it is the independent corner module according to claim 1.

8. The independent corner module according to claim 7, wherein when the steering drive unit is located at both ends of the fixed frame, the steering drive units are configured to be located at both ends of the axle gear link.

9. The independent corner module according to claim 3, wherein the axle gear link further includes a vertical guide portion configured such that one end of the knuckle moves vertically.

10. The independent corner module according to claim 1, further comprising a buffer portion configured such that one end is fastened to the knuckle and the other end is fastened to the axle gear link to support the vertical movement of the knuckle.

11. The independent corner module according to claim 1, wherein each surface of the adjacent and opposing axle gear link and the fixed frame is configured to have an arc shape with the same center.

12. A knuckle fastened to a wheel, An axle gear link that guides the movement of the knuckle, A fixed frame fixed to the vehicle body, A steering drive unit capable of applying a driving force to the axle gear link and the fixed frame, and An independent corner module, wherein the steering drive unit and the axle gear link move by the driving force of the steering drive unit.

13. The independent corner module according to claim 12, wherein when the driving force of the steering drive unit is applied, the steering drive unit moves along the fixed frame and the axle gear link rotates.

14. An axle gear link fastened to guide the movement of a wheel, A fixed frame fixed to the vehicle body, A steering drive unit capable of applying a driving force to the axle gear link and the fixed frame, and An independent corner module, wherein the steering drive unit and the axle gear link move by the driving force of the steering drive unit.

15. The independent corner module according to claim 14, wherein when the driving force of the steering drive unit is applied, the steering drive unit moves along the fixed frame and the axle gear link rotates.

Images