CA1107836A - Rotary motion sensing apparatus for a steering wheel assembly - Google Patents
Rotary motion sensing apparatus for a steering wheel assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA1107836A CA1107836A CA327,673A CA327673A CA1107836A CA 1107836 A CA1107836 A CA 1107836A CA 327673 A CA327673 A CA 327673A CA 1107836 A CA1107836 A CA 1107836A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- steering wheel
- column
- supporting member
- wheel assembly
- steering
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D15/00—Steering not otherwise provided for
- B62D15/02—Steering position indicators ; Steering position determination; Steering aids
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Steering Controls (AREA)
- Length Measuring Devices With Unspecified Measuring Means (AREA)
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY
A steering wheel assembly has a steering column and a steering wheel which is rotatably movable relative to the steering column. A supporting member is connected to the column and a rotatable member connected to the steering wheel is positioned about the column to move with the steering wheel relative to the supporting sleeve in a rotary direction. A sensing device is positioned between the rotatable member and supporting member to sense rotation of the steering wheel.
STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY
A steering wheel assembly has a steering column and a steering wheel which is rotatably movable relative to the steering column. A supporting member is connected to the column and a rotatable member connected to the steering wheel is positioned about the column to move with the steering wheel relative to the supporting sleeve in a rotary direction. A sensing device is positioned between the rotatable member and supporting member to sense rotation of the steering wheel.
Description
~1~7836 STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY
Technical Field This invention relates to steering wheel assemblies and, more particularly, to an apparatus for detecting rotary motion of a rotatable steering wheel.
Background Art Power steering systems often have rotatable steering wheels which are rotated to steer the vehicle.
Since the system reacts to the rotation of the steering wheel to provide fluid power for steering, it is important to know when the steering wheel rotates. Sensing rotation of the steering wheel with precision is difficult because standard motion sensing devices must be precisely aligned. Alignment is difficult because members of the power steering system such as the steering wheel and steering column move relative to each other during normal use.
It is desirable to have an apparatus which accurately senses rotation of the steering wheel and is not affected by other relative motion between the steering wheel and steering column.
Disclosure of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel assembly having a steering column; a steering wheel connected to the column and rotatably movable relative to the column; a supporting -member positioned about the column and connected thereto;
a rotatable member positioned about the column and rotatable relative to the supporting member with the steering wheel; means positioned between the rotatable member and supporting member, for sensing rotation of the rotating member relative to the supporting member; and means for connecting the rotatahle member to the steering wheel so as to transfer only rotary motion to the rotatable member from the steering wheel.
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Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, partial longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic transverse view taken along line II-II of FIG. l;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic transverse view taken along line III-III of FIG. l;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating another embodiment; and FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIGS. 1 and 4, but illustrating another embodiment.
Best Mode For Carrying Out The Invention Referring to FIG. 1, a rotary motion sensing apparatus 10 is provided for a steering wheel assembly 12.
The steering wheel assembly 12 has a hollow steering column 14 and a steering wheel 16 positioned atop the column 14.
The wheel 16 is connected for steering a vehicle in a conventional manner and rotates relative to the column 14 about a longitudinal axis 18 of the column 14.
The apparatus 10 includes a supporting sleeve 20 having a central hub portion 22 and a peripheral, cup-like portion 24 which has an upwardly extending lip 26 and a flange 28 extending outwardly from the lip 26. There is a shoulder or ridge 30 which extends inwardly from the lip 26 toward the hub 22. The lip 26, flange 28 and shoulder 30 have an inverted "T" longitudinal cross sectional configuration as best seen in FIG. 1.
The supporting sleeve 20 is positioned about the circumference of the column 14 with the hub 22 partially extending along the length of the column 14.
The portion of the hub 20 nearest the steering wheel 16 has an indentation or ridge 32 which has a yeneral bac~-wards "L" configuration with the long leg of the "L"
being parallel to the axis 18 of the column 14 and with the shorter leg extending outwardly towards the periphery 24.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower portion of the hub 22 forms a clamp 36 for connecting the hub 22 7~;~6 and sleeve 20 to the steering column 14. The clamp 36 consists of two flanges 38,40 each having an opening 42,44 through which a nut and bolt assembly fit 46. The flanges 38,40 are spaced apart so that as the bolt is tightened, the flanges 38,40 are drawn together thereby securing the hub 22 to the column 14.
Referring to FIG. 4, the upper portion of the hub 22' of the supporting sleeve 20' has flat end 48 instead of the indentation 32. The flat end 48 is spaced a preselected distance from the steering wheel 16'.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the apparatus 10 includes a rotating member 50 which is circumferentially positioned about the column 14 and rotatable relative to the supporting sleeve 20. The rotating member 50 has a central hub portion 52 seated in the sleeve indentation 32 and a peripheral cap-like portion 54 which has a downwardly extending lip 56.
The sleeve lip 26 and the rotating member lip 56 abut each other in the assembled position and define a chamber 58. An opto-interrupter 60 having an infra red light source 61 is mounted on a circuit board 62 and positioned within the chamber 58 with the circuit board 62 resting on the shoulder 30 of the peripheral portion 24 of the supporting sleeve 20. The opto-interrupter 60 ' includes a light detector, such as a photodetector or photocell 59, mounted opposite the light source 61 which picks up the interrupted light signals from the light ~ source 61 as is well known in the art.
; The rotating member 50 has a plurality of teeth 64 which are arranged for intermittently interrupting the beam of light emitted by the opto-interrupter. In a pre-ferred embodiment the tooth-to-tooth separation was 11 degrees and 15 minutes. The teeth 64 and opto-interrupter 60 comprise a sensing means 66 for sensing rotation of the rotating member 50 relative to the supporting sleeve 20.
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- 3a -Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, connecting means 70 connects the rotating member 50 to the steering wheel 16 for transferring only rotary motion of the wheel 16 to the rotating member 50 to maintain proper alignment of the teeth 64 and opto-interrupter 60. The connecting means 70 includes a flange 72 which extends outwardly away from the A
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hub 22 and upwardly away from cap-like portion 54 in a direction towards the steering wheel. The flange 72 has a threaded opening 74 and a set screw 76 screw-threadably positioned therein. The set screw 76 engages with an opening 78 in the base of the steering wheel 16 and when the wheel 16 rotates, the set screw 76 rotates with it. The screw 76 and opening 78 are sized so that only rotary wheel motion which is substantially perpendicular to the axis 18 of the column 14 is transferred to the set screw 76 and on to the rotating member 50. This is accomplished by providing sufficient space between the screw 76 and walls of the opening in the direction in which it is desired to not transmit motion.
Referring to FIG. 4, hub 52' of the rotating member 50' sits atop the hub 22' of the supporting sleeve 20' and snugly about the column 14' so that the rotating member 50' rotates in a plane perpendicular to the axis 18' of the column 14'. .-Referring to FIG. 5, the lip 26' of the supporting sleeve 20' is modified so that it no longer has an inverted "T" shape, but has an external sloping step configuration and an internal "L" configuration.
The sloping step is positioned adjacent the steering wheel 16'.
The steering wheel 16' has a downwardly extending protrusion 80 which is generally aligned with, but spaced a small distance from, sloping step-shaped lip 26' forming a chamber 58' therebetween. The wheel 16' has a second protrusion 82 which abuts the top of the sleeve 20' or column 14'.
The rotating member 50' consists of the hub portion 52' and the plurality of teeth 64. The rotating member 50' is connected to the wheel 16' by set screw 76' which is preferably threadably mateable with the opening 78' in the wheel 16'. The relationship between the screw 78' and rotating member opening 74' is 9uch that only rotary wheel motion is transferred to the rotating member 50'.
~7~3~
Industrial Applicability As an operator rotates the steering wheel 16 during normal steering maneuvers, the wheel 16 rotates about the axis 18 of the column in a plane perpendicular to the axis 18 and also in planes not perpendicular to the axis. As the wheel 16 rotates, motion is imparted to the set screw 76. Because of the space which exists between the set screw 76 and openings 78 only motion in a plane perpendicular to the axis 18 of the column 14 is transferred to the set screw 76.
The rotary movement of the set screw 76 causes the rotating member 50 to rotate about the vertical axis 18 of the column 14. The close fit between the hub 52 of the rotating member 50 and the sleeve indentation 32 or column 14 maintains concentricity between rotating member and the cup like portion 24 and resists motion of the rotating member 50 other than rotary motion. In this manner, the teeth 64 are always properly aligned for proper operation of the opto-interrupter 60.
Other aspects, obbjects and advantages of this `; 20 invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.
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Technical Field This invention relates to steering wheel assemblies and, more particularly, to an apparatus for detecting rotary motion of a rotatable steering wheel.
Background Art Power steering systems often have rotatable steering wheels which are rotated to steer the vehicle.
Since the system reacts to the rotation of the steering wheel to provide fluid power for steering, it is important to know when the steering wheel rotates. Sensing rotation of the steering wheel with precision is difficult because standard motion sensing devices must be precisely aligned. Alignment is difficult because members of the power steering system such as the steering wheel and steering column move relative to each other during normal use.
It is desirable to have an apparatus which accurately senses rotation of the steering wheel and is not affected by other relative motion between the steering wheel and steering column.
Disclosure of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel assembly having a steering column; a steering wheel connected to the column and rotatably movable relative to the column; a supporting -member positioned about the column and connected thereto;
a rotatable member positioned about the column and rotatable relative to the supporting member with the steering wheel; means positioned between the rotatable member and supporting member, for sensing rotation of the rotating member relative to the supporting member; and means for connecting the rotatahle member to the steering wheel so as to transfer only rotary motion to the rotatable member from the steering wheel.
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Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, partial longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic transverse view taken along line II-II of FIG. l;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic transverse view taken along line III-III of FIG. l;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating another embodiment; and FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIGS. 1 and 4, but illustrating another embodiment.
Best Mode For Carrying Out The Invention Referring to FIG. 1, a rotary motion sensing apparatus 10 is provided for a steering wheel assembly 12.
The steering wheel assembly 12 has a hollow steering column 14 and a steering wheel 16 positioned atop the column 14.
The wheel 16 is connected for steering a vehicle in a conventional manner and rotates relative to the column 14 about a longitudinal axis 18 of the column 14.
The apparatus 10 includes a supporting sleeve 20 having a central hub portion 22 and a peripheral, cup-like portion 24 which has an upwardly extending lip 26 and a flange 28 extending outwardly from the lip 26. There is a shoulder or ridge 30 which extends inwardly from the lip 26 toward the hub 22. The lip 26, flange 28 and shoulder 30 have an inverted "T" longitudinal cross sectional configuration as best seen in FIG. 1.
The supporting sleeve 20 is positioned about the circumference of the column 14 with the hub 22 partially extending along the length of the column 14.
The portion of the hub 20 nearest the steering wheel 16 has an indentation or ridge 32 which has a yeneral bac~-wards "L" configuration with the long leg of the "L"
being parallel to the axis 18 of the column 14 and with the shorter leg extending outwardly towards the periphery 24.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower portion of the hub 22 forms a clamp 36 for connecting the hub 22 7~;~6 and sleeve 20 to the steering column 14. The clamp 36 consists of two flanges 38,40 each having an opening 42,44 through which a nut and bolt assembly fit 46. The flanges 38,40 are spaced apart so that as the bolt is tightened, the flanges 38,40 are drawn together thereby securing the hub 22 to the column 14.
Referring to FIG. 4, the upper portion of the hub 22' of the supporting sleeve 20' has flat end 48 instead of the indentation 32. The flat end 48 is spaced a preselected distance from the steering wheel 16'.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the apparatus 10 includes a rotating member 50 which is circumferentially positioned about the column 14 and rotatable relative to the supporting sleeve 20. The rotating member 50 has a central hub portion 52 seated in the sleeve indentation 32 and a peripheral cap-like portion 54 which has a downwardly extending lip 56.
The sleeve lip 26 and the rotating member lip 56 abut each other in the assembled position and define a chamber 58. An opto-interrupter 60 having an infra red light source 61 is mounted on a circuit board 62 and positioned within the chamber 58 with the circuit board 62 resting on the shoulder 30 of the peripheral portion 24 of the supporting sleeve 20. The opto-interrupter 60 ' includes a light detector, such as a photodetector or photocell 59, mounted opposite the light source 61 which picks up the interrupted light signals from the light ~ source 61 as is well known in the art.
; The rotating member 50 has a plurality of teeth 64 which are arranged for intermittently interrupting the beam of light emitted by the opto-interrupter. In a pre-ferred embodiment the tooth-to-tooth separation was 11 degrees and 15 minutes. The teeth 64 and opto-interrupter 60 comprise a sensing means 66 for sensing rotation of the rotating member 50 relative to the supporting sleeve 20.
~, :
.
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- 3a -Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, connecting means 70 connects the rotating member 50 to the steering wheel 16 for transferring only rotary motion of the wheel 16 to the rotating member 50 to maintain proper alignment of the teeth 64 and opto-interrupter 60. The connecting means 70 includes a flange 72 which extends outwardly away from the A
, lP~7~3~
hub 22 and upwardly away from cap-like portion 54 in a direction towards the steering wheel. The flange 72 has a threaded opening 74 and a set screw 76 screw-threadably positioned therein. The set screw 76 engages with an opening 78 in the base of the steering wheel 16 and when the wheel 16 rotates, the set screw 76 rotates with it. The screw 76 and opening 78 are sized so that only rotary wheel motion which is substantially perpendicular to the axis 18 of the column 14 is transferred to the set screw 76 and on to the rotating member 50. This is accomplished by providing sufficient space between the screw 76 and walls of the opening in the direction in which it is desired to not transmit motion.
Referring to FIG. 4, hub 52' of the rotating member 50' sits atop the hub 22' of the supporting sleeve 20' and snugly about the column 14' so that the rotating member 50' rotates in a plane perpendicular to the axis 18' of the column 14'. .-Referring to FIG. 5, the lip 26' of the supporting sleeve 20' is modified so that it no longer has an inverted "T" shape, but has an external sloping step configuration and an internal "L" configuration.
The sloping step is positioned adjacent the steering wheel 16'.
The steering wheel 16' has a downwardly extending protrusion 80 which is generally aligned with, but spaced a small distance from, sloping step-shaped lip 26' forming a chamber 58' therebetween. The wheel 16' has a second protrusion 82 which abuts the top of the sleeve 20' or column 14'.
The rotating member 50' consists of the hub portion 52' and the plurality of teeth 64. The rotating member 50' is connected to the wheel 16' by set screw 76' which is preferably threadably mateable with the opening 78' in the wheel 16'. The relationship between the screw 78' and rotating member opening 74' is 9uch that only rotary wheel motion is transferred to the rotating member 50'.
~7~3~
Industrial Applicability As an operator rotates the steering wheel 16 during normal steering maneuvers, the wheel 16 rotates about the axis 18 of the column in a plane perpendicular to the axis 18 and also in planes not perpendicular to the axis. As the wheel 16 rotates, motion is imparted to the set screw 76. Because of the space which exists between the set screw 76 and openings 78 only motion in a plane perpendicular to the axis 18 of the column 14 is transferred to the set screw 76.
The rotary movement of the set screw 76 causes the rotating member 50 to rotate about the vertical axis 18 of the column 14. The close fit between the hub 52 of the rotating member 50 and the sleeve indentation 32 or column 14 maintains concentricity between rotating member and the cup like portion 24 and resists motion of the rotating member 50 other than rotary motion. In this manner, the teeth 64 are always properly aligned for proper operation of the opto-interrupter 60.
Other aspects, obbjects and advantages of this `; 20 invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.
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Claims (5)
1. A steering wheel assembly having a steering column; a steering wheel connected to the column and rotatably movable relative to the column; a supporting member positioned about the column and connected thereto;
a rotatable member positioned about the column and rotatable relative to the supporting member with the steering wheel; means positioned between the rotatable member and supporting member, for sensing rotation of the rotating member relative to the supporting member; and means for connecting the rotatable member to the steering wheel so as to transfer only rotary motion to the rotatable member from the steering wheel.
a rotatable member positioned about the column and rotatable relative to the supporting member with the steering wheel; means positioned between the rotatable member and supporting member, for sensing rotation of the rotating member relative to the supporting member; and means for connecting the rotatable member to the steering wheel so as to transfer only rotary motion to the rotatable member from the steering wheel.
2. A steering wheel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means includes an opto-interrupter having an infra red light source connected to one of the supporting member and rotatable member and a light interrupter connected to the other of the rotatable member and supporting member respectively.
3. A steering wheel assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the supporting member and steering wheel define a chamber and wherein the sensing means is positioned within the chamber.
4. A steering wheel assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the supporting member and rotatable member define a chamber, the sensing means being positioned within the chamber.
5. A steering wheel assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the supporting member has an annular recess adjacent the column and the rotatable member has a hub seated in the recess.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US92101878A | 1978-06-30 | 1978-06-30 | |
| US921,018 | 1978-06-30 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1107836A true CA1107836A (en) | 1981-08-25 |
Family
ID=25444783
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA327,673A Expired CA1107836A (en) | 1978-06-30 | 1979-05-15 | Rotary motion sensing apparatus for a steering wheel assembly |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1107836A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2024122B (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS59117915U (en) * | 1983-01-29 | 1984-08-09 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | car steering sensor |
| JPS59117911U (en) * | 1983-01-29 | 1984-08-09 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | car steering column |
| EP0377097B1 (en) * | 1988-11-02 | 1992-01-29 | Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft | Steering angle sensor for a motor vehicle |
| CN101900544B (en) * | 2010-07-08 | 2012-01-04 | 长春工业大学 | Axial and tangential deformation detection device for steering wheel |
-
1979
- 1979-04-18 GB GB7913399A patent/GB2024122B/en not_active Expired
- 1979-05-15 CA CA327,673A patent/CA1107836A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2024122B (en) | 1982-09-22 |
| GB2024122A (en) | 1980-01-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |