Wheel module and vehicle having same

Abstract

The present embodiments provide a wheel module and a vehicle having same, the wheel module comprising: a knuckle rotatably coupled to a lower arm, coupled to a vehicle body, to steer a road wheel; a connection link having a lower end coupled to the upper end of the knuckle; a steering system fixed to the vehicle body and coupled to the upper end of the connection link to rotate the connection link and thereby steer the road wheel; a suspension system having one end coupled to the knuckle and the other end coupled to the connection link; a wheel driving system installed on the inside of the road wheel to provide a rotational force to the road wheel; and a braking system installed on the inside of the wheel driving system to adjust the rotational speed of the road wheel.

Description

Wheel module and vehicle equipped therewith

[0001] The present embodiments relate to a wheel module and a vehicle having the same.

[0002] In general, automobiles are equipped with a drive system in which power generated from an engine is transmitted to the road wheels through power transmission devices such as a crankshaft and a transmission, a steering system to control the direction of travel of the automobile, a braking system to control the speed of the automobile, and a suspension system to absorb shock from the road surface caused by driving.

[0003] However, as electric vehicles using electric motors instead of engines have been developed and put into use recently, in-wheel motor systems that mount electric motors on road wheels are also being developed.

[0004] However, since these in-wheel motor systems are structured to require separate steering systems, braking systems, and suspension systems to be installed in the vehicle, there is not much difference in volume or weight compared to conventional engine vehicles, and there were many problems in terms of reducing the overall weight of the vehicle and reducing fuel efficiency.

[0005] In particular, with the recent rise of autonomous driving in automobiles, there is a growing need for research on wheel modules that can significantly reduce the assembly process when assembling them into automobiles while ensuring precision, reliability, and durability for each road wheel by integrating the drive system, steering system, braking system, and suspension system into each road wheel, as well as reducing the weight and fuel efficiency of the entire automobile.

[0006] Accordingly, the present embodiments have been devised against the background described above, and can provide a wheel module and a vehicle equipped therewith that can secure precision, reliability, durability, etc. of a wheel module, and can drastically reduce the assembly process for assembling a wheel module to a vehicle.

[0007] In addition, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0008] According to the present embodiments, a wheel module can be provided that includes a lower arm coupled to a body of a vehicle, a knuckle having a lower end rotatably coupled to the lower arm to steer a road wheel, a steering link having a lower end coupled to an upper end of the knuckle, and a steering drive unit having one end fixed to the body of the vehicle and coupled to an upper end of the steering link to rotate the steering link.

[0009] In addition, according to the present embodiments, an automobile may be provided that includes a wheel module including an inner frame provided at an inner lower portion of a wheel housing space of an automobile body, an upper frame provided at an upper portion of the wheel housing space, a lower arm having one end coupled to the inner frame, a knuckle having a lower end rotatably coupled to the other end of the lower arm to steer a road wheel, a steering link having a lower end coupled to an upper end of the knuckle, and a steering drive unit having one end fixed to the upper frame and coupled to an upper end of the steering link to rotate the steering link.

[0010] As described above, according to the present embodiments, the precision, reliability, durability, etc. of the wheel module can be secured, and the assembly process for assembling the wheel module to the automobile can be drastically reduced.

[0011] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views showing wheel modules according to the present embodiments.

[0012] Figures 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views showing some of the wheel modules according to the present embodiments.

[0013] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing some of the wheel modules according to the present embodiments;

[0014] Figures 6 to 8 are perspective views showing some of the wheel modules according to the present embodiments.

[0015] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a wheel module according to the present embodiments before being assembled into a vehicle.

[0016] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a wheel module according to the present embodiments assembled into a vehicle.

[0017] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. When adding reference numerals to components in each drawing, identical components may have the same numerals as much as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. In addition, when describing the present embodiments, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present technical idea, the detailed description may be omitted. When "includes," "has," "consists of," etc. are used in this specification, other parts may be added unless "only" is used. When a component is expressed in the singular, it may include a plural unless there is a special explicit description.

[0018] Additionally, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used to describe components of the present disclosure. These terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature, order, sequence, or number of the components are not limited by the terms.

[0019] In a description of the positional relationship of components, when it is described that two or more components are "connected," "combined," or "connected," it should be understood that the two or more components may be directly "connected," "combined," or "connected," but that the two or more components may also be further "interposed" with another component to be "connected," "combined," or "connected." Here, the other component may be included in one or more of the two or more components that are "connected," "combined," or "connected" to each other.

[0020] In the description of the temporal flow relationship related to components, operation methods, or manufacturing methods, for example, when the temporal or flow relationship is described as “after”, “following”, “next to”, “before”, etc., it may also include cases where it is not continuous, unless “immediately” or “directly” is used.

[0021] Meanwhile, when numerical values ​​or corresponding information (e.g., levels, etc.) for components are mentioned, even without separate explicit description, the numerical values ​​or corresponding information may be interpreted as including an error range that may occur due to various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external impact, noise, etc.).

[0022] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing wheel modules according to the embodiments, FIGS. 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views showing a part of the wheel modules according to the embodiments, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the wheel modules according to the embodiments, FIGS. 6 to 8 are perspective views showing a part of the wheel modules according to the embodiments, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a wheel module according to the embodiments before being assembled to a vehicle, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a wheel module according to the embodiments after being assembled to a vehicle.

[0023] As illustrated in these drawings, the wheel module (100) according to the present embodiments includes a lower arm (150) coupled to the body of a vehicle, a knuckle (120) having a lower end rotatably coupled to the lower arm (150) to steer a road wheel (104), a steering link (130) having a lower end coupled to the upper end of the knuckle (120), and a steering drive unit (110) fixed to the body of the vehicle and coupled to the upper end of the steering link (130) to rotate the steering link (130).

[0024] First, referring to FIG. 1, a drive system and a braking system (106) are mounted on the inside of a road wheel (104), a tire (102) is coupled to the outside of the road wheel (104), and a knuckle (120) coupled to a lower arm (150) has a lower portion that is rotatably supported by the lower arm (150), and an upper portion of the knuckle (120) is coupled to a suspension system (140) and a steering link (130).

[0025] The lower arm (150) coupled to the body of the automobile is coupled to the knuckle (120), and the knuckle (120) coupled to the road wheel (104) is rotatably coupled to the lower arm (150) at its lower end and rotates by the steering drive unit (110) to rotate the road wheel (104).

[0026] The knuckle (120) has a body part (121) having a wheel connection hole (121a) that is connected to a road wheel (104), an arm connection part (125) that extends from the lower side of the body part (121) and has a hinge hole (122S) through which a hinge shaft (152) that is rotatably connected to a lower arm (150) passes, a suspension connection part (123) that extends upward from the upper side of the body part (121) and has a connection hole (123a) that is connected to a suspension system (140), and a link connection part (122) that extends horizontally from the upper side of the body part (121) and has a connection hole (122a) that is connected to a steering link (130).

[0027] The steering drive unit (110) is fixedly connected to the body of the automobile and rotates the knuckle (120) via the steering link (130).

[0028] The upper part of the steering link (130) is connected to the steering drive unit (110), and the lower part of the steering link (130) is connected to the knuckle (120) to transmit the steering rotational force of the steering drive unit (110) to the knuckle (120).

[0029] The steering drive unit (110) includes a steering actuator (101) driven by an electric signal, an electronic control unit (103) that controls the driving of the steering actuator (101), a drive unit housing (105) in which the steering actuator (101) and the electronic control unit (103) are built, and a housing fixing unit (107) that is provided at the lower end of the drive unit housing (105) and is fixed to the body (200) of the vehicle by a fastening member (200a), and transmits the driving force of the steering actuator (101) to the steering link (130).

[0030] And, the upper part of the suspension system (140) is supported and connected to the steering link (130) and the lower part is connected to the knuckle (120), so that the suspension system (140) is supported by the steering link (130) and the knuckle (120) and absorbs the shock of the road surface transmitted through the tire (102) and the road wheel (104).

[0031] The driving system and braking system (106) that drive the road wheel (104) are composed of a rotor that is coupled with the road wheel (104) and rotates together with the rotor, and a stator that rotates the rotor, but a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] The housing fixing part (107) is formed in a flange shape that protrudes radially outward from the lower end of the drive housing (105) and is fixed to the body (200) of the automobile. The housing fixing part (107) may be formed integrally with the drive housing (105) or formed separately and coupled to the drive housing (105). In the present embodiments, the housing fixing part (107) is coupled to the drive housing (105) as an example.

[0033] At least two fastening holes (107a) spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction are formed to penetrate upward and downward in the housing fixing portion (107) formed to protrude more radially than the driving housing (105).

[0034] The steering link (130) includes an upper link (131) coupled to a steering drive shaft (101a) of a steering actuator (101), a lower link (135) coupled to an upper portion of a knuckle (120), and a connecting link (133) connecting the upper link (131) and the lower link (135).

[0035] An insertion hole (132) is formed at one end of the upper link (131) into which a steering drive shaft (101a) is coupled, and an upper connecting portion facing each other is provided at the other end of the upper link (131), so that the upper end of the connecting link (133) is rotatably connected to the upper hinge shaft (131a).

[0036] The lower part of the connecting link (133) is provided with lower connecting portions facing each other, and is connected to two lower links (135) by a first lower hinge axis (135a), and the lower link (135) is connected to a link connecting portion (122) formed in the body portion (121) of the knuckle (120) by a second lower hinge axis (135b).

[0037] The steering drive unit (110) connects the steering drive shaft (101a) and the upper link (131) and may further include a rotation support member (160) that supports the rotation of the upper link (131).

[0038] Here, the rotation support member (160) may include a first rotation support member (161) that is coupled to the steering drive shaft (101a) and the upper link (131) to transmit the rotational force of the steering drive shaft (101a), and a second rotation support member (163) that is coupled to the outer circumference of the first rotation support member (161) and fixed to the housing fixing part (107) to support the rotation of the first rotation support member (161).

[0039] A steering drive shaft (101a) is coupled to the inside of the first rotation support member (161), and the lower part of the first rotation support member (161) is coupled to the upper link (131), so that when the steering drive shaft (101a) rotates, the upper link (131) is rotated to perform steering.

[0040] A spherical cloud member (167) is coupled between the outer surface of the first rotation support member (161) and the inner surface of the second rotation support member (163), and when the first rotation support member (161) and the upper link (131) rotate, the cloud member (167) moves to support the rotation.

[0041] A first fixing groove (161h) is formed on the outer surface of the first rotation support member (161) to support and secure the cloud member (167), and a second fixing groove (163h) is formed on the inner surface of the second rotation support member (163) to support and secure the cloud member (167).

[0042] The first settling groove (161h) and the second settling groove (163h) are formed as circular grooves facing each other, so that the cloud member (167) moves in the circular direction along the first settling groove (161h) and the second settling groove (163h).

[0043] In addition, the first settling groove (161h) and the second settling groove (163h) may be formed as a pair of one row or may be formed in two or more rows. In the present embodiments, an example of two rows being formed vertically is illustrated.

[0044] At the center of the first rotation support member (161), a shaft coupling hole (168) is provided to which a steering drive shaft (101a) is coupled, and a spline portion (101S, 168S) in which mountains and valleys are continuously arranged in the circumferential direction is provided on the outer surface of the steering drive shaft (101a) and the inner surface of the shaft coupling hole (168).

[0045] Accordingly, when the steering drive shaft (101a) rotates by the steering actuator (101), no slip occurs with the first rotation support member (161), and the driving force can be transmitted to the upper link (131) through the first rotation support member (161).

[0046] In addition, a link coupling portion (161T) extending radially from the lower end of the first rotation support member (161) and coupled to the upper link (131) and the fastening member (134) may be provided.

[0047] That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the link coupling portion (161T) is positioned on the upper portion of the upper link (131), and the upper link (131) and the link coupling portion (161T) are connected by a fastening member (134) so ​​that the upper link (131) can be more firmly connected to the first rotation support member (161).

[0048] In addition, a protruding end (165) protruding downward from the lower center of the first rotating support member (161) and coupled to an insertion hole (132) formed in the upper link (131) may be provided, and an opening communicating with an axis coupling hole (168) may be provided on the inside of the protruding end (165).

[0049] Accordingly, when the first rotation support member (161) is combined with the upper link (131), the protruding end (165) can be inserted into the insertion hole (132) and then combined with the fastening member (134), thereby enabling assembly at an accurate position.

[0050] And, the steering drive shaft (101a) passes through the shaft coupling hole (168), the end portion is positioned inside the opening, and a screw portion is formed at the end portion, so that a fastening nut (166) is screwed onto the screw portion of the steering drive shaft (101a) and is supported and fixed to the lower end of the first rotation support member (161).

[0051] In this way, the steering drive shaft (101a) is supported and connected to the lower end of the first rotation support member (161) by a fastening nut (166), thereby preventing slippage between the steering drive shaft (101a) and the first rotation support member (161) more firmly, and preventing vibration and noise caused by play in the spline portion (101S, 168S).

[0052] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 together with FIGS. 1 to 8, the automobile according to the present embodiments comprises an inner frame (201) provided at the inner lower portion of a wheel housing space arranged at a corner portion of a body (200), an upper frame (215) provided at the upper portion of the wheel housing space, a first housing frame (211) and a second housing frame (212) connected to the inner frame (201) and spaced apart from each other in the upper portion of the wheel housing space in both directions, a lower arm (150) having one end coupled to the inner frame (201), a knuckle (120) having a lower end rotatably coupled to the other end of the lower arm (150) to steer a road wheel (104), a steering link (130) having a lower end coupled to the upper portion of the knuckle (120), one end of which is fixed to the upper frame (215) and coupled to the upper end of the steering link (130). It may include a wheel module (100) including a steering drive unit (110) that rotates a steering link (130).

[0053] The steering drive unit (110) may include a steering actuator (101) driven by an electric signal, an electronic control unit (103) that controls the driving of the steering actuator (101), a drive unit housing (105) in which the steering actuator (101) and the electronic control unit (103) are built, and a housing fixing unit (107) that is formed in a flange shape that protrudes radially outward from the lower end of the drive unit housing (105) and is fixed to the upper frame (215) as a fastening member.

[0054] Here, the steering drive unit (110) including the steering actuator (101), electronic control unit (103), drive housing (105), and housing fixing unit (107) is the same as described above, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] A wheel housing space in which a wheel module (100) is mounted is arranged at a corner of the automobile body (200), and an inner frame (201) arranged in the front-rear direction of the automobile is provided at the inner lower part of the wheel housing space, to which a lower arm (150) is connected.

[0056] At the upper part of the wheel housing space, a first housing frame (211) and a second housing frame (212) are spaced apart from each other in the direction of both sides of the vehicle, with the lower part connected to the inner frame (201), and an upper frame (215) is provided at the upper part of the wheel housing space, connecting the first housing frame (211) and the second housing frame (212), to which a steering drive unit (110) is coupled.

[0057] The upper frame (215) is provided with a cut hole (215a) through which the drive housing (105) passes, so that the drive housing (105) is placed on the upper side of the upper frame (215), and the housing fixing part (107) is supported on the lower side of the upper frame (215) and fixed by being joined with a fastening member (200a).

[0058] Accordingly, when assembling a wheel module (100) to a vehicle, the wheel module (100) is placed in the wheel housing space, the upper frame (215) and the housing fixing part (107) are fastened from the upper side with a fastening member (200a), and the inner frame (201) and the lower arm (150) are fastened from the lower side, thereby completing the assembly process and drastically reducing the assembly time.

[0059] One end of the lower arm (150) is provided with a first support member (153) that is arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and is coupled to the inner frame (201), and a second support member (155) that is arranged in the up-down direction of the vehicle and is coupled to the inner frame (201).

[0060] One end of the lower arm (150) is formed by branching into two fixed parts (151a, 151b), and each fixed part is provided with a first support member (153) and a second support member (155), and the first support member (153) and the second support member (155) are arranged in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of the vehicle and are provided perpendicular to each other.

[0061] Among the two fixing parts formed at one end of the lower arm (150), the first fixing part (151a) is provided with a first fixing hole penetrating in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the first support member (153) is coupled to the first fixing hole.

[0062] Here, the first support member (153) includes a first elastic member (153b) inserted into the first fixing hole and a first support shaft (153a) inserted into the center hole of the first elastic member (153b) and coupled to the inner frame (201).

[0063] The remaining second fixing member (151b) of the lower arm (150) is provided with a second fixing hole penetrating in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the second support member (155) is coupled to the second fixing hole.

[0064] The second support member (155) includes a second elastic member (155b) inserted into the second fixing hole and a second support shaft (155a) inserted into the center hole of the second elastic member (155b) and coupled to the inner frame (201).

[0065] Additionally, the inner frame (201) of the automobile body may be provided with a first frame bracket (223) to which a first support member (153) is coupled and a second frame bracket (225) to which a second support member (155) is coupled.

[0066] A first support hole (223a) is formed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle in the first frame bracket (223), and a first support shaft (153a) is coupled thereto, thereby enabling the lower arm (150) to rotate around the first support shaft (153a) as its central axis.

[0067] In addition, a second support hole (225a) is formed in the upper and lower direction of the vehicle in the second frame bracket (225), and a second support shaft (155a) is coupled thereto, thereby enabling the lower arm (150) to rotate with the second support shaft (155a) as its central axis.

[0068] Accordingly, even if an impact load in an irregular direction is transmitted through the wheel module (100) while the vehicle is driving, the wheel module (100) can be prevented from being deformed or damaged by absorbing the impact load within a certain range, thereby increasing durability.

[0069] As described above, according to the present embodiments, it is possible to secure the precision, reliability, durability, etc. of the wheel module, and also to drastically reduce the assembly process for assembling the wheel module into an automobile.

[0070] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure. In addition, the present embodiments are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure but rather to explain it, and therefore the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present disclosure should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the present disclosure.

[0071]

[0072] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0073] This patent application claims priority under 35 USC § 119(a) to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0114387, filed in Korea on August 30, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, this patent application claims priority in countries other than the United States for the same reasons, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. Lower arm connected to the body of the automobile; A knuckle having a lower portion rotatably connected to the lower arm to steer the road wheel; A steering link having a lower portion joined to an upper portion of the knuckle; A steering drive unit having one side fixed to the body of the vehicle and coupled to the upper end of the steering link to rotate the steering link; Wheel module including.

2. In paragraph 1, The above steering drive unit, Steering actuator driven by electrical signals; An electronic control device that controls the operation of the above steering actuator; A driving unit housing in which the steering actuator and electronic control device are built-in; A housing fixing part provided at the lower end of the above driving unit housing and fixed to the body of the above vehicle as a fastening member; Wheel module including.

3. In paragraph 2, A wheel module characterized in that the housing fixing portion is formed in a flange shape that protrudes radially outward from the lower portion of the driving unit housing.

4. In paragraph 3, A wheel module characterized in that the housing fixing part is provided with at least two fastening holes spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

5. In paragraph 2, The above steering link, An upper link coupled to the steering drive shaft of the above steering actuator; A lower link coupled to the upper portion of the above knuckle; A connecting link connecting the upper link and the lower link; Wheel module including.

6. In paragraph 5, The above steering drive unit, A wheel module further comprising a rotation support member that connects the steering drive shaft and the upper link and supports rotation of the upper link.

7. In paragraph 6, The above rotating support member is, A first rotation support member coupled to the steering drive shaft and the upper link to transmit the rotational force of the steering drive shaft; A second rotation support member that is coupled to the outer circumference of the first rotation support member and is fixed to the housing fixing part to support the rotation of the first rotation support member; Wheel module including.

8. In paragraph 7, A wheel module characterized in that a spherical cloud member is coupled between the outer surface of the first rotation support member and the inner surface of the second rotation support member.

9. In paragraph 8, A wheel module characterized in that a first mounting groove is formed on the outer surface of the first rotating support member to support and mount the cloud member.

10. In paragraph 8, A wheel module characterized in that a second mounting groove is formed on the inner surface of the second rotating support member to support and mount the cloud member.

11. In paragraph 7, A wheel module characterized in that the center of the first rotating support member is provided with a shaft coupling hole to which the steering drive shaft is coupled, and a spline portion having mountains and valleys continuously arranged in a circumferential direction is provided on the outer surface of the steering drive shaft and the inner surface of the shaft coupling hole.

12. In paragraph 11, A wheel module characterized in that it has a link coupling portion that extends radially from the lower end of the first rotating support member and is coupled to the upper link as a fastening member.

13. In paragraph 12, A wheel module characterized in that a protruding end is provided at the lower center of the first rotating support member and is coupled to an insertion hole formed in the upper link.

14. In paragraph 13, A wheel module characterized in that an opening communicating with the shaft coupling hole is provided on the inner side of the protruding end.

15. In paragraph 14, A wheel module characterized in that the end of the steering drive shaft is positioned inside the opening by penetrating the shaft coupling hole, and a screw portion is formed at the end portion, and a fastening nut is screwed into the screw portion to support and fix the lower end of the first rotation support member.

16. An inner frame provided on the inner lower part of the wheel housing space of the automobile body; An upper frame connected to the inner frame and spaced apart in both directions at the upper end of the wheel housing space, and provided at the upper end of the wheel housing space, and connecting the first housing frame and the second housing frame; A wheel module including a lower arm having one end coupled to the inner frame, a knuckle having a lower end rotatably coupled to the other end of the lower arm to steer a road wheel, a steering link having a lower end coupled to the upper end of the knuckle, and a steering drive unit having one end fixed to the upper frame and coupled to the upper end of the steering link to rotate the steering link; A car containing .

17. In paragraph 16, The above steering drive unit, Steering actuator driven by electrical signals; An electronic control device that controls the operation of the above steering actuator; A driving unit housing in which the steering actuator and electronic control device are built-in; A housing fixing part formed in a flange shape protruding radially outward from the lower end of the above driving unit housing and fixed to the upper frame as a fastening member; A car containing .

18. In paragraph 16, An automobile characterized in that one end of the lower arm is provided with a first support member arranged in the front-rear direction of the automobile and coupled to the inner frame, and a second support member arranged in the upper-lower direction of the automobile and coupled to the inner frame.

19. In paragraph 18, An automobile in which one end of the lower arm is provided with a first fixing hole penetrating in the front-rear direction of the automobile, and the first support member includes a first elastic member inserted into the first fixing hole and a first support shaft inserted into the center hole of the first elastic member and coupled to the inner frame.

20. In paragraph 18, A vehicle in which one end of the lower arm is provided with a second fixing hole penetrating in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the second support member includes a second elastic member inserted into the second fixing hole and a second support shaft inserted into the center hole of the second elastic member and coupled to the inner frame.

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