Hand-wheel actuator with a steering angle limiter

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for limiting a steering angle in a hand-wheel actuator (HWA) (1) for a steer-by-wire steering system (SBW) of a vehicle, comprising a mechanical steering angle limiter (6), which is associated with a steering shaft (4), a force feedback transmission or a force feedback motor, and the ready-to-install steering angle limiter (6) forming a functional unit includes a housing (8) into which at least one driver insert (10) interacting with a connection or surrounding structure of the steering angle limiter (6) is permanently and captively inserted, which is permanently fixed in the housing (8) and / or in the outer housing (5).

Description

[0001] P241141

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Hand-wheel actuator with a steering angle limiter

[0004] The invention relates to a device for limiting a steering angle in a hand-wheel actuator (HWA) for a steer-by-wire steering system (SBW) of a vehicle with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] A steer-by-wire steering system for steering adjustable wheels on a vehicle's steering axle essentially consists of a hand-wheel actuator (HWA), an actuator for the vehicle's control element, in particular a steering wheel, and a road-wheel actuator (RWA). The steering commands from the person operating the vehicle are transmitted electronically to the steering system without mechanical or hydraulic assistance. The control element can be moved by the occupant into an ergonomically convenient position by means of a longitudinal movement using the hand-wheel actuator. The steering signal is transmitted from the HWA to the RWA via a wire, which then transmits the steering movement of the control element to the steerable vehicle wheels, for example, via steering rods. A steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle as described above is known from DE 102015224 602 A1.

[0006] A steer-by-wire steering system within the meaning of the present invention is understood to be a steering system which essentially consists of a so-called hand-wheel actuator (HWA), an actuator system around the vehicle's steering wheel, and a road-wheel actuator (RWA), the actuator system that is connected to the steering mechanism of the steerable vehicle wheels. The steering signal is transmitted from the HWA to the RWA via a wire.

[0007] Such systems are generally known from the prior art. WO 2023 147 808 A1 discloses a steer-by-wire steering system in which a steering angle limiter, also called a steering angle limiter, is integrated to limit steering wheel rotation. The steering angle limiter surrounds the steering shaft and is operatively connected to it. P241141

[0008] - 2 - The stationary steering angle limiter comprises a split stop ring, the two rotatable ring halves of which are assigned to separate tangential stops and are variably adjustable relative to each other. Each ring half can be adjusted via an engagement element connected to the steering shaft, whereby, starting from a neutral position of the steering shaft, the steering angle is limited upon reaching either the first or the second stop, depending on the direction of rotation, and consequently the steering wheel rotation ends.

[0009] KR 10 2018 002 8235 A relates to another steering angle limiter in a steer-by-wire system. The assembly comprises a steering shaft guided through a housing with an associated steering wheel and a steering angle limiter designed as a bolt, referred to as a locking unit, which is arranged outside the housing to restrict the rotation of the steering wheel within a predetermined range of angles.

[0010] German patent DE 10 2020 128 101 A1 describes a steering angle limiter consisting of a threaded spindle with an associated threaded nut, which is axially movable when the threaded spindle is rotated. To stop axial movement of the threaded nut and thus the rotation of the threaded spindle, a stop arm extending from the threaded nut and parallel to the axis of the threaded spindle can be rusted against a stop pin protruding perpendicularly from the threaded spindle.

[0011] Other known steering angle limiters exhibit solutions where, for example, a housing ramp disc incorporates bending tabs that act as drivers and engage in receptacles of an outer housing of the steering column. The geometry of these bending tabs is adapted to the customer-specific connection geometry, which consequently cannot be used for multiple customer projects, resulting in a large number of variants and high manufacturing costs. Steering angle limiters with spring-loaded soft-stop stops are also known, which, disadvantageously, do not generate a reduced return impulse and impair steering comfort. Other known steering angle limiters are, due to their installation position and design, P241141

[0012] - 3 -

[0013] The design and / or the resulting limiting moments are installed with play and are therefore prone to wear, which can trigger safety-relevant defects.

[0014] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of providing a steering angle limiter for a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle that is functionally improved compared to the prior art, is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, ensures an optimized soft-stop function and can be integrated into the surrounding structure in a cost-effective manner.

[0015] To solve the problem, a steering angle limiter with the features of claim 1 is proposed. Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the figures, and the accompanying description.

[0016] According to claim 1, a ready-to-install, pre-assembled steering angle limiter forming a functional unit is provided, in the housing of which at least one drive element, which interacts with a connection or surrounding structure and transmits steering angle limiting moments, is permanently and securely inserted.

[0017] The concept according to the invention enables the use of standardized, modular steering angle limiters, where the connection to the customer-specific connection design is achieved with easily and cost-effectively adapted drive inserts. Due to the associated high degree of standardization, no variants of the core assembly of the steering angle limiter are required. Advantageously, the connection from the steering angle limiter to the customer-specific connection geometry or connection design can be achieved with easily and cost-effectively adaptable drive inserts. On the other hand, the design of the steering angle limiter according to the invention, which enables consistent standardization, fulfills the requirement for individual and / or customer-specific solutions, which, for example, include an optimally damped soft-stop with reduced return impulse. Furthermore, the height of the P241141 to be transmitted

[0018] - 4 -

[0019] Steering angle limiting torques can be flexibly adapted to specific customer needs by adjusting the number and / or design of the drive inserts.

[0020] The steering angle limiter, which includes drive elements, also meets the increased requirements for the limiting torque and offers effective protection against excessively high component stresses, high horizontal and / or vertical forces, and effectively prevents plastic deformation. This prevents undesirably large rotational play and / or negative sliding behavior between the steering angle limiter and the surrounding structure, which generates unwanted noise and / or negatively affects steering feel. Advantageously, the steering angle limiter designed according to the invention prevents safety-relevant defects.

[0021] The manufacture of the steering angle limiter according to the invention advantageously does not require the high tooling costs associated with stamping and forming tools, compared to previous customer-specific solutions. Further reductions in manufacturing costs result from the standardization of the steering angle limiter, which leads to a significantly reduced number of variants.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the drive insert is preferably self-retaining, i.e., captive, pressed into the housing of the steering angle limiter and / or its connection geometry, and fixed in position by a positive fit and / or a material bond. Preferably, in the installed state, the drive insert engages positively on the inside with an opening in the housing of the steering angle limiter. On the outside, the drive insert engages with a receiving window, a radially inwardly directed projection, a pocket, a groove, or a recess in the outer housing. For this purpose, an external groove is provided in the drive insert, which is designed to receive the radially oriented projection or recess of the outer housing. Preferably, the external groove of the drive insert accommodates the entire pocket or recess of the outer housing.To increase the total force-transmitting contact area, the drive element can also be used with a large number of small P241141.

[0023] - 5 -

[0024] Pockets are received by means of suitable projections on the drive insert. Advantageously, each projection or recess also includes an inwardly pointing leg that forms an axial end stop for the steering angle limiter.

[0025] Preferably, the drive element fills the entire opening in the steering angle limiter housing, thus providing a large surface area for transmitting the limiting torques and reducing the surface pressure on these transmission surfaces. Furthermore, the manufacturing of the steering angle limiter housing and / or the outer housing is simplified compared to known solutions, as only the openings, receiving windows, or pockets need to be punched, milled, or laser-cut, and no additional forming operations are required. This allows for reduced tooling costs and increased press stroke rates, resulting in lower manufacturing costs.

[0026] The outer housing can have any cross-sectional geometry, i.e., for example, a round or polygonal shape, with the round outer housing being combinable with drive inserts adapted to the round outer housing. Preferably, the gap between the outer housing and the steering angle limiter is designed to be as narrow as possible, so that the drive insert is subjected to shear and not bending, which has a beneficial effect on the achievable maximum permissible stop torque. The design of the drive insert allows for easy axial insertion of the steering angle limiter. If the insert is designed with an axially effective self-retaining mechanism, no additional locking elements or supplementary stamping or riveting operations are required, resulting in a cost advantage.Optionally, the radially inward-facing outer housing projection can have an axial end stop effective in one direction, e.g. in the form of an embossing or reshaped retaining claws.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the drive insert is provided for in an axially one-sided open groove, a slot or an elongated hole of a radially according to P241141

[0028] - 6 - engages with the inwardly directed housing projection, with the closed slot end serving as an axially acting end stop to determine the mounting position. The drive insert can optionally have an axially acting self-locking mechanism, such as a detent or snap-in, at least on one side, to fix the steering angle limiter axially in both directions. This arrangement allows for easy axial insertion of the steering angle limiter. The closed slot or groove end of the housing projection simultaneously secures the steering angle limiter in position within the housing. Advantageously, the self-locking mechanism requires no additional locking elements or supplementary embossing and / or crimping operations. Furthermore, a soft-stop function can be integrated into such a drive insert.The end of the groove forms a fixed stop for assembly, which defines the axial assembly target position and consequently avoids an unintentional assembly error through the so-called Poka-Yoke method, i.e., through a corresponding design.

[0029] It is further proposed that the drive element in the steering angle limiter be received in a recess or opening. For installation, the steering angle limiter is first inserted into the outer housing without the drive elements. Once the desired mounting position is reached, the drive elements are inserted radially from the outside into the housing and secured against loss, for example, by snapping, stamping, or pressing. Thus, no additional locking elements or stamping operations are required for the axial securing of the steering angle limiter in the outer housing, which can simultaneously incorporate a soft-stop function. This design simplifies the manufacturing of the connecting structure, as only the opening needs to be punched out and no further forming operations are required.

[0030] In another embodiment, the drive inserts are designed with a radially spring-loaded snap-fit ​​mechanism that engages in a corresponding opening in the outer housing, thereby defining the final mounting position of the steering angle limiter and permanently fixing its position in the outer housing. For installation, the steering angle limiter with the mounted drive inserts is first inserted into the outer housing. The elastic snap element of the P241141 is then...

[0031] - 7 -

[0032] The drive insert is pressed radially inwards through the outer housing. Upon reaching the intended mounting position, the snap element engages in the corresponding opening / recess in the outer housing, thus permanently fixing the steering angle limiter.

[0033] Another embodiment provides that the drive element is arranged between the steering angle limiter and a non-circular outer housing, and that the drive element is preferably snapped, clipped, or pressed into the steering angle limiter housing for securing it. Torque support of the drive element is provided exclusively by the non-circular inner contour of the outer housing. This concept requires no additional geometric elements on the outer housing, such as projections, openings, or grooves, thereby reducing tooling and part manufacturing costs. If the embodiment is additionally equipped with a snap-fit ​​connection to the outer housing, axial assembly until the steering angle limiter snaps into the desired position represents a simple and cost-effective installation. A significant advantage of this embodiment lies in the large surfaces that can reliably and permanently transmit high stop torques.

[0034] A preferred further embodiment includes a drive insert made of an elastically resilient, relatively soft plastic. This allows the steering angle limiter to rotate within the housing in an elastically resilient manner, thus damping the impact impulse energy and reducing the return energy. Thermoplastics, elastomers, or silicones are particularly suitable materials for this purpose. For cost advantages, especially in large production runs, it is advantageous to manufacture the drive insert as a two-component injection-molded part. To achieve optimized component strength, the drive insert can be injection-molded from a glass fiber-reinforced plastic. Alternatively, drive inserts made of sintered metal or stamped and formed sheet steel, as well as machined drive inserts, can also be used. P241141

[0035] - 8 -

[0036] A preferred further embodiment provides that the drive element, acting as a soft stop with damping function, consists of a hard and a soft material component, particularly one made of plastic. Furthermore, a drive element can be used that has an elastic geometry composed of different materials, including at least one hard central zone and two soft end zones. The end zones, made of a softer material, advantageously result in a desired increased progressive spring characteristic. For this purpose, the drive element includes sub-zones with differing hardness and / or strength, whereby the soft material component enables a compression damping effect. In this effect, the soft material displaced by twisting the elastic drive element relative to the housing absorbs the impact energy. This results in a high-quality, tactile feedback at the steering wheel.At the same time, this protects and relieves stress on the steering angle limiter mechanism, increases its service life, and, due to the reduced impulse forces, allows for a downsizing of the steering angle limiter. By appropriately designing the elastically springy geometry of the drive element, its stop behavior can be customized to specific customer requirements.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, the drive insert is provided with at least one recess, also called an opening, to represent a soft-stop function. During operation, when the suspension compresses, the distance of the opening decreases, resulting in frictional damping at both axial boundary surfaces of the receiving window and / or an increase in normal force due to the lateral contraction caused by the increased width of the drive insert, which is made of soft plastic.

[0038] A preferred further embodiment includes a steering angle limiter whose drive element is elastically resilient to dampen the impact energy in the rotational direction. As a soft stop, an inner, harder central zone of the drive element, preferably designed as a two-component injection-molded component, is partially elastically connected to at least one outer end zone via a soft connection. The central zone includes a central pin that engages in a corresponding opening in the outer housing. This connection ensures a P241141

[0039] - 9 - desired relative movement for both the snap-action function and the soft-stop function in the direction of rotation. Furthermore, a progressive spring characteristic can be achieved through the non-full-surface contact of the soft material in the outer end zone.

[0040] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments. Identical components or components with the same function are identified by corresponding reference numerals. The following are shown:

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a hand-wheel actuator of a steer-by-wirre steering system with an integrated steering angle limiter according to the invention;

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a 3D view of a ready-to-install steering angle limiter with a drive insert in a first embodiment;

[0043] Fig. 3 shows a section of an outer housing of the hand-wheel actuator according to Fig. 1 in a 3D view;

[0044] Fig. 4 shows the outer housing according to Fig. 3 in a sectional view with integrated steering angle limiter housing and drive insert of the first embodiment;

[0045] Fig. 5 shows the drive insert according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 as a single part in a 3D view;

[0046] Fig. 6 shows the steering angle limiter with the first embodiment of the drive insert in a sectional view; P241141

[0047] - 10 -

[0048] Fig. 7 shows the steering angle limiter with the second embodiment of the drive insert in a sectional view;

[0049] Fig. 8 shows the outer housing in a 3D view with the drive insert according to Fig. 7;

[0050] Fig. 9 shows an enlarged view of the drive insert according to Fig. 7, inserted in the outer housing;

[0051] Fig. 10 shows a section of the outer housing with a snapped-in drive insert in a third embodiment;

[0052] Fig. 11 shows the drive insert according to Fig. 10 with associated outer housing in a 3D view;

[0053] Fig. 12 shows a section of the outer housing with a spring-loaded drive insert in a fourth embodiment;

[0054] Fig. 13 shows a section of the outer housing with a spring-loaded drive insert in a fifth embodiment;

[0055] Fig. 14 shows a sixth embodiment of the drive insert used in a receiving window;

[0056] Fig. 15 shows a seventh embodiment of the drive insert made of plastic;

[0057] Fig. 16 shows a drive insert of the eighth embodiment, which is supported exclusively on the inside of the outer housing; P241141

[0058] - 11 -

[0059] Fig. 17 shows a section of the outer housing with a spring-loaded drive insert in a ninth embodiment;

[0060] Fig. 18 shows a section of the outer housing with a spring-loaded drive insert in a tenth embodiment;

[0061] Fig. 19 shows a section of the outer housing with a multi-part drive insert in an eleventh embodiment;

[0062] Fig. 20 shows the drive insert according to Fig. 19 as a single component, view from the left according to Fig. 19.

[0063] Fig. 1 shows a hand-wheel actuator (HWA) 1 of a vehicle's steer-by-wire steering system, which allows the user to influence the vehicle's direction of travel without a direct connection between a steering wheel 2 (also called a control unit) and the steered vehicle wheels (not shown). The steering angle of the steering wheel 2 is determined by means of rotation angle sensors and transmitted via cable (by wire) and a road-wheel actuator (RWA) to a steering mechanism for adjusting the steering wheels. The HWA 1 shown in Fig. 1, which is known in principle from the prior art, comprises an actuable telescopic extension 3, wherein a rotatable steering shaft 4 (also called a steering column), together with the associated end-end steering wheel 2 and a tubular outer housing 5, is axially displaceable.A mechanical steering angle limiter 6 is arranged along the steering shaft 4 and is enclosed on the outside by a connecting structure, the tubular outer housing 5, which is inserted into a guide element 9 of the HWA 1.

[0064] Fig. 2 shows the steering angle limiter 6 in perspective as a complete, ready-to-install functional unit. The structure of the steering angle limiter 6, known from the prior art, includes, among other things, a disc element 32, P241141

[0065] - 12 - whose internal teeth engage with a corresponding toothing of the steering shaft 4 (not shown). The steering angle limiter 6 is operatively connected to the outer connection structure, the outer housing 5, via several circumferentially distributed drive inserts 10, each inserted into openings 23 of the housing 8. For this purpose, the drive insert 10 forms an external groove 48 into which, in the installed state, a local, radially inwardly oriented projection 27 of the outer housing 5 (shown in Fig. 3) engages in a form-fitting manner.

[0066] Figure 3 shows a 3D view of a section of the outer housing 5, illustrating the positions and distribution of the drive inserts 10 within the outer housing 5. Several recesses 30 are provided in the outer contour of the outer housing 5, each with a radially inwardly extending projection 27 designed to receive a drive insert 10. Each projection 27 has a radially inwardly oriented leg 49 at its end, which forms an axial end stop for the housing 8 and consequently for the steering angle limiter 6. In the installed state, the drive insert 10 is secured in position by at least one snap lug 43 of the projection 27, which engages positively in a recess 47 (shown in Figure 5) of the drive insert 10.

[0067] Fig. 4 shows a 3D sectional view of the housing 8 of the steering angle limiter 6 in its installed position. The housing 8 of the steering angle limiter 6 is inserted into the non-circular outer housing 5. Several drive inserts 10, also called mounting inserts, are provided to fix the position of the housing 8 of the steering angle limiter 6. These drive inserts interact with circumferentially distributed, internally projecting projections 27 (shown in Fig. 3) or grooves or recesses of the outer housing 5. A radially inwardly oriented leg 49, which forms an axial end stop, defines a specific installation position of the steering angle limiter 6.

[0068] Fig. 5 shows the drive insert 10 according to Fig. 2 as a single component in a 3D view, which has two opposing edge zones 25, 26 that can optionally be elastically designed. The edge zones 25, 26 simplify the assembly of the P241141.

[0069] - 13 -

[0070] The drive insert 10 is held in place by an external snap-in mechanism in a receiving window 7, also called an opening, or on the inner projection 27 of the outer housing 5. In the installed position, at least one snap lug 43 of the projection 27 (shown in Fig. 3) engages in the release 47 of the drive insert 10. Furthermore, the drive insert 10 is held internally in the opening 23 of the housing 8 by the steering angle limiter 6 via retaining lugs 24 located on both end faces.

[0071] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the outer housing 5, the steering angle limiter 6, and the drive insert 10 according to Figure 2. The drive insert 10 is secured in position by a projection 27 in the outer housing 5, which engages positively in a receptacle 21 of the drive insert 10. On the inside, the drive insert 10 forms a radially oriented projection 22 that engages in a corresponding opening 23 of the housing 8 of the steering angle limiter 6.

[0072] Figures 7 to 9 show the second embodiment of the drive insert 11 in conjunction with the steering angle limiter 6 and the surrounding structure, the outer housing 5. Similar to Figure 6, the drive insert 11 forms a radially oriented projection 22 on its inner side, which engages in the corresponding opening 23 of the housing 8. On its outer side, the drive insert 11 is rusted into a receiving window 28 of a radially stepped section of the outer housing 5, which forms a recess 30. The steering angle limiter 6 is thus simultaneously secured axially in the outer housing.

[0073] Figures 10 and 11 show the drive insert 12, which, after the steering angle limiter 6 has been inserted, can be radially inserted from the outside into the receiving window 7 of the outer housing 5, with the drive insert 12 simultaneously engaging positively with the opening 23 of the housing 8 on the inside with the projection 22. To fix the drive insert in position within the outer housing 5, protruding elastic snap lugs 31 of the drive insert 12 engage behind the outer contour of the receiving window 7 and P241141.

[0074] - 14 - cause an effective snap-fit ​​assembly 29, which simultaneously secures the steering angle limiter 6 axially in the housing 8.

[0075] Figures 12 to 20 show sections of the steering angle limiter 6 with the outer housing 5 in conjunction with further drive inserts 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, each of which includes a soft-stop function and all of which include at least one section made of an elastic material. The drive inserts 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20 each engage a corresponding opening 23 of the housing 8 with a radially oriented projection 22 on the inside.

[0076] Figures 12 to 15 show elastically springy drive inserts 13, 14, 15, 16 acting in the direction of rotation. In Figures 12 and 13, the spring force of the drive inserts 13, 14 is symbolically represented by a compression spring. According to Figure 14, the drive insert 15, inserted in the receiving window 7, forms two spaced-apart openings 33, with the drive insert 15 being supported on the side walls of the receiving window 7 by means of knobs 35 on both sides. The circumferentially acting steering angle limiting moments that develop during operation are indicated by arrows M. The steering angle limiting moment reduces the distance between the openings 33 by deflection, so that, due to a lateral contraction, indicated by arrows Q, the frictional damping at both axial limiting surfaces of the receiving window 7 increases. The figure.Figure 15 shows the drive element 16 inserted in a receiving window 7, in which the circumferentially oriented end zones 36, 37 made of softer material are combined with a central zone 38 made of a harder material to achieve a progressive spring characteristic.

[0077] According to Fig. 16, the drive insert 17 for torque support is supported exclusively on the inner surface of the non-circular outer housing 5. The drive insert 18 shown in Fig. 17 forms an elastic geometry by means of elastic, thin-walled, curved, end-end spring arms 44, 45, which are supported on the outer housing 5. The drive insert 19 according to Fig. 18 comprises, in addition to the P241141

[0078] - 15 -

[0079] The drive insert 18 consists of two components 41, 42 made of different elastic plastics. For axial securing, a radial pin 39 of the drive insert 19 engages in an opening 40 of the outer housing 5.

[0080] In the drive insert 20 with soft-stop function shown in Figures 19 and 20, a harder inner section 50 is coupled to another harder outer section 46 via elastic connections 34. The inner section 50, made of a harder material, is elastically movable in both the circumferential and radial directions by means of the elastic connections 34. The circumferential degree of freedom provides the soft-stop function, and the radial degree of freedom provides the snap-fit ​​function. For axial securing, the inner section 50 encloses a pin 39 that engages in an opening 40 of the outer housing 5.

[0081] P241141

[0082] - 16 -

[0083] List of reference signs

[0084] 1 Hand-Wheel Actuator (HWA)

[0085] 2 Steering wheel

[0086] 3 telescopic extension

[0087] 4 Steering shaft

[0088] 5 outer casings

[0089] 6 Steering angle limiter

[0090] 7 recording windows

[0091] 8 cases

[0092] 9 Guide element

[0093] 10 drive unit

[0094] 11 Drive unit

[0095] 12 drive insert

[0096] 13 Drive unit

[0097] 14 drive unit

[0098] 15 drive unit

[0099] 16 drive insert

[0100] 17 Drive unit

[0101] 18 drive unit

[0102] 19 Drive unit

[0103] 20 drive unit

[0104] 21 recording

[0105] 22 Approach

[0106] 23 Opening

[0107] 24 holding studs

[0108] 25 Edge zone

[0109] 26 Periphery

[0110] 27 lead

[0111] 28 recording windows

[0112] 29 Mounting snap

[0113] 30 In-depth study

[0114] 31 snap fasteners

[0115] 32 disc element P241141

[0116] - 17 -

[0117] 33 recess

[0118] 34 Connection

[0119] 35 studs

[0120] 36 End zone

[0121] 37 End zone

[0122] 38 Middle zone

[0123] 39 cones

[0124] 40 Opening

[0125] 41 Component

[0126] 42 components

[0127] 43 Snap-nose

[0128] 44 Spring arm

[0129] 45 spring arm

[0130] 46 Outdoor area

[0131] 47 Exemption

[0132] 48 Outer groove

[0133] 49 thighs

[0134] 50 Indoor area

[0135] M Arrow (limiting moment)

[0136] Q arrow (lateral contraction)

Claims

P241141 - 18 - Patent claims 1. Device for limiting a steering angle in a hand-wheel actuator (HWA) (1) for a steer-by-wire steering system (SBW) of a vehicle with a mechanical steering angle limiter (6) associated with a steering shaft (4), a force feedback transmission or a force feedback motor, characterized in that a ready-to-install steering angle limiter (6) forming a functional unit is provided, in whose housing (8) at least one drive element (10 to 20) cooperating with an outer housing (5) of a connection structure is inserted, which is permanently fixed in the housing (8) and / or in the outer housing (5).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive element (10 to 20) is positively locked and securely fixed in position and for this purpose engages on the inside in an opening (23) of the housing (8) of the steering angle limiter (6) and / or on the outside cooperates with a receiving window (7, 28), a projection (27) or a recess (30) of the outer housing (5).

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outer geometry of the drive insert (10 to 20) together with the outer connection construction of the steering angle limiter (6), in particular with the outer housing (5), forms an anti-rotation device.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driver insert (11) engages in an axially one-sided open groove of a radially inwardly directed housing projection and is optionally fixed in position by means of a detent or snap-fit. P241141 - 19 - 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive element (12) can be inserted radially from the outside into the opening (7) of the outer housing (5) after installation of the steering angle limiter (6).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive element (17) is arranged between the steering angle limiter (6) and a non-circular outer housing (5) and is secured by a projection (22) engaging in an opening (23) of the housing (8).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive insert (10 to 20) is preferably made entirely of a plastic, preferably of an elastic plastic, or alternatively is designed as a 2-component injection molded component.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive insert (15) includes at least one recess (33) as a soft stop, wherein a deflection of the drive insert (15) triggers a reduction in the distance of the recess (33) and consequently a friction damping.

9. Steering angle limiter (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive element (16) as a soft stop with damping function includes a hard and at least one soft material component and / or as an elastic geometry a hard middle zone (38) and one or two soft end zones (36, 37).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive insert (20) has a hard inner area (50) as a soft stop, which is coupled to at least one hard outer area (46) in a relatively elastically movable manner by means of elastic connections (34).

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