CN219821559U

CN219821559U - Steering gear and steering system

Info

Publication number: CN219821559U
Application number: CN202321181476.0U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李响
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2023-05-16
Filing date: 2023-05-16
Publication date: 2023-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 2033-05-16

Abstract

The utility model relates to a steering gear, comprising: a housing; a moving member for driving the wheels to turn; a measuring mechanism for measuring a relative movement amount of the moving member with respect to the housing, the measuring mechanism comprising: a plurality of main inductors spaced apart from each other by a first pitch and a plurality of vernier inductors spaced apart from each other by a second pitch along the moving direction; a main measuring device that provides a main output signal based on the sensing with the main sensing body and a vernier measuring device that provides a vernier output signal based on the sensing with the vernier sensing body to determine the relative movement amount from the main output signal and the vernier output signal. The utility model also relates to a corresponding steering system. The utility model has the advantages that: the measuring mechanism of the steering gear can accurately measure the relative movement amount of a moving member for driving the wheels to steer as a steering signal on the one hand, and has low manufacturing cost on the other hand.

Description

Steering gear and steering system

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to a steering gear and a steering system. The utility model relates in particular to the field of automotive steering systems.

Background

In order to steer the wheels, the vehicle has a steering system. Steering systems commonly used at present are electric power steering systems, steer-by-wire systems, and the like. The steering system includes at least a steering wheel mechanism and a steering gear, wherein in the electric power steering system, the steering wheel mechanism is connected to the steering gear via a mechanical component such as a steering column, a universal joint, etc., while the steer-by-wire system does not have such a physical connection. The steering wheel mechanism includes a steering wheel for operation by a driver, and a steering gear for providing steering assistance and steering the wheels in response to the driver's operation of the steering wheel. For this purpose, the steering gear comprises a displacement element which can be driven by a booster motor, the linear movement of which is transmitted directly or indirectly to the wheels and thereby drives them into rotation. For a rack-and-pinion steering gear, the moving member is, for example, a rack.

Existing steering systems typically use a steering wheel angle sensor to detect the steering wheel angle and use it as a steering signal. The accuracy of the steering wheel turning angle sensor itself is limited and the steering wheel is connected to the steering gear, for example, via a plurality of mechanical parts, so the steering wheel turning angle does not accurately represent the wheel turning behavior. Especially for advanced driving assistance systems requiring high precision steering signals, steering wheel angle of rotation is disadvantageous as steering signal.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the utility model is to provide a steering gear whose measuring mechanism can precisely measure the relative movement of a moving member for driving the steering of the wheels as a steering signal on the one hand and which is inexpensive to manufacture on the other hand.

According to a first aspect of the present utility model, there is provided a steering gear comprising:

a housing;

the moving piece is accommodated in the shell and moves relatively to the shell along the moving direction so as to drive the wheels to turn;

a measuring mechanism for measuring a relative movement amount of the moving member with respect to the housing, the measuring mechanism comprising:

a plurality of main inductors and a plurality of cursor inductors fixed with respect to one of the housing and the mover, the plurality of main inductors being spaced apart from each other by a first pitch along the moving direction, the plurality of cursor inductors being spaced apart from each other by a second pitch different from the first pitch along the moving direction;

a main measuring device and a vernier measuring device fixed relative to the other of the housing and the movable member, the main measuring device providing a main output signal based on the sensing with the main sensing body and the vernier measuring device providing a vernier output signal based on the sensing with the vernier sensing body to determine the relative movement amount by the main output signal and the vernier output signal.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the main inductor and the vernier inductor are configured as inductive plates, the main measuring device and the vernier measuring device comprise measuring plates and provide a main output signal and a vernier output signal, respectively, based on a capacitance between the measuring plates and the inductive plates.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the main sensor and the vernier sensor are configured as magnets, and the main measuring device and the vernier measuring device provide a main output signal and a vernier output signal, respectively, based on a hall effect, an AMR effect, a GMR effect or a TMR effect.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, a distance between the first and the last of the plurality of main inductors is greater than or equal to a distance between two end positions of the moving member relative to the housing.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the distance between the first and the last cursor inductors of the plurality of cursor inductors is greater than or equal to the distance between the two terminal positions of the moving member relative to the housing.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present utility model, the distance between the first and second of the plurality of main inductors is equal to the distance between the first and second of the plurality of cursor inductors, and the total number of cursor inductors is at least one more than the total number of main inductors.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the plurality of main inductors and the plurality of cursor inductors are arranged in two rows adjacent to each other and aligned end to end respectively.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the primary measuring device comprises at least two primary measuring units that are redundant to each other, which have a distance in the direction of movement.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the cursor measuring device comprises at least two cursor measuring units that are redundant to each other, the at least two cursor measuring units having a distance in the direction of movement.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the main sensor and the cursor sensor are arranged on the moving member, and the main measuring device and the cursor measuring device are arranged on the housing.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the main sensor and the cursor sensor are integrated in a guide bar, the guide bar having a slide, the main measuring device and the cursor measuring device being integrated in a slider, the slider sliding along the slide.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the slideway has two runners which are C-shaped in cross section, open towards each other, the slider having on both sides one flange each for sliding in the runners.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the guide strip is arranged on a platform part of the displacement member.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the housing comprises a housing body and a cover, the slider being fixed to the cover and facing the main measuring device and the cursor measuring device respectively towards the main sensor and the cursor sensor.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the flange is provided with a spring adapted to pretension the slider against the guide strip in the direction of the platform.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the displacement element is configured as a rack.

According to an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the measuring means comprise a distance determination unit for determining the amount of relative movement from the main output signal and the cursor output signal.

According to a second aspect of the present utility model there is provided a steering system comprising at least a steering wheel mechanism and a steering gear as described above.

The utility model has the positive effects that: the measuring mechanism of the steering gear can accurately measure the relative movement amount of a moving member for driving the wheels to steer as a steering signal on the one hand, and has low manufacturing cost on the other hand.

Drawings

The principles, features and advantages of the present utility model may be better understood by describing the present utility model in more detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings include:

fig. 1 shows schematically in perspective view an example of the area of a measuring mechanism of a steering gear according to the utility model.

Fig. 2 schematically shows an example of a graph of the main output signal and the cursor output signal with respect to the amount of relative movement.

Fig. 3 schematically shows an example of the distribution of the main sensor and the cursor sensor.

Fig. 4 schematically shows an example of a main measuring device and a vernier measuring device.

Fig. 5 schematically shows an example of the case body and the cover in a perspective view.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a perspective view of the cover and an example of a main measuring device and a vernier measuring device arranged on the cover.

Fig. 7 schematically shows an example of a cover in a perspective view.

Fig. 8 schematically shows an example of a slider in a perspective view.

Fig. 9 schematically shows an example of a region of the moving member provided with a main sensor and a cursor sensor in a perspective view.

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantageous technical effects to be solved by the present utility model more apparent, the present utility model will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and a plurality of exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the utility model.

In this respect, the utility model proposes a steering gear with a measuring device that can directly and precisely detect the relative movement or relative position of a moving part that drives the wheels to turn. The relative movement amount of the moving member obtained by the measuring mechanism can be used as a high-precision steering signal.

Fig. 1 shows schematically in perspective view an example of the area of a measuring mechanism of a steering gear according to the utility model. The steering gear may also include other components such as a steering gear shaft, a booster motor, a tie rod, etc., which are not shown. Other parts of the diverter are for example well known from the prior art and are not described in detail here.

As shown in fig. 1, the diverter includes:

a housing 1;

a moving member 2 accommodated in the housing 1, the moving member 2 relatively moving in a moving direction a with respect to the housing 1 to steer the wheels;

a measuring mechanism for measuring a relative movement amount of the moving member 2 with respect to the housing 1, the measuring mechanism including:

a plurality of main inductors 3 and a plurality of cursor inductors 4 fixed with respect to one of the housing 1 and the mover 2, the plurality of main inductors 3 being spaced apart from each other by a first spacing 31 (see fig. 3) along the moving direction a, the plurality of cursor inductors 4 being spaced apart from each other by a second spacing 42 (see fig. 3) different from the first spacing 31 along the moving direction a;

a main measuring device 5 and a vernier measuring device 6 fixed with respect to the other of the housing 1 and the mover 2, the main measuring device 5 providing a main output signal based on the sensing with the main sensing body 3 and the vernier measuring device 6 providing a vernier output signal based on the sensing with the vernier sensing body 4 to determine a relative movement amount by the main output signal and the vernier output signal.

With the same measuring range, the measuring mechanism according to the utility model has a higher accuracy and a lower manufacturing cost than the known linear sensor.

Fig. 2 schematically shows an example of a graph of the main output signal and the cursor output signal with respect to the amount of relative movement. The basic principle of determining the amount of relative movement is explained based on this example. Here, the ordinate is the value of the main output signal and the cursor output signal, and the abscissa is the value of the relative movement amount of the movable element 2 with respect to the housing 1. The solid line represents the curve M of the main output signal and the dashed line represents the curve N of the cursor output signal. When the movable element 2 moves relative to the housing 1, the main measuring device 5 and the cursor measuring device 6 move through the main sensor 3 and the cursor sensor 4, respectively. The measuring signal is, for example, at a maximum when the measuring unit of the measuring device is facing one of the inductors, and at a minimum when the measuring unit of the measuring device is located between two inductors. Thus, as shown in fig. 2, the main output signal and the cursor output signal are periodic functions with respect to the relative movement amount, respectively, and they have different periods based on the different first pitch 31 and second pitch 42, so that the relative movement amount can be obtained therefrom. For example, for one main output signal value C0, as shown in fig. 2, there are a plurality of (only two are exemplarily identified here) relative movement amounts S1, S2 corresponding thereto, and by means of the cursor output signal values obtained simultaneously, the correct relative movement amount can be uniquely determined, for example, if the cursor output signal value is C1, the relative movement amount is S1, and if the cursor output signal value is C2, the relative movement amount is S2. It is also conceivable to uniquely determine the relative movement amount based on a mathematical operation result such as a difference between the main output signal and the cursor output signal.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the main sensor 3 and the vernier sensor 4 are configured as sense plates, the main measuring device 5 and the vernier measuring device 6 comprise measuring plates and provide a main output signal and a vernier output signal, respectively, based on the capacitance between the measuring plates and the sense plates.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the main sensor 3 and the cursor sensor 4 are configured as magnets, and the main measuring device 5 and the cursor measuring device 6 provide a main output signal and a cursor output signal, respectively, based on the hall effect, the AMR (Anisotropic Magneto Resistance) effect, the GMR (GiantMagneto Resistance) effect or the TMR (Tunnel Magneto Resistance) effect. For this purpose, the main measuring device 5 and the vernier measuring device 6 comprise, for example, corresponding magnetoresistive elements.

It is also possible that: the main inductor 3 and the main measuring device 5 and the vernier inductor 4 and the vernier measuring device 6 respectively relate to one of capacitance induction and magnetic induction; alternatively, the main measuring device 5 operates based on the hall effect, while the vernier measuring device 6 operates based on the AMR effect, and the like.

The main output signal and the vernier output signal are, for example, current signals or voltage signals.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, a distance between the first and second main induction bodies 3 of the plurality of main induction bodies 3 is greater than or equal to a distance between two terminal positions of the moving member 2 with respect to the housing 1; and/or, the distance between the first cursor inductor 4 and the second cursor inductor 4 in the plurality of cursor inductors 4 is larger than or equal to the distance between the two terminal positions of the moving member 2 relative to the housing 1. In this way, in the operating state, the main measuring device 5 and the cursor measuring device 6 are always located between the first and the last two of the plurality of main inductors 3 and the plurality of cursor inductors 4, respectively, throughout the relative movement stroke of the moving element 2 with respect to the housing 1. The two end positions of the moving member 2 relative to the housing 1 correspond to the extreme positions of the left and right turns of the wheel.

Fig. 3 schematically shows an example of the distribution of the main sensor 3 and the cursor sensor 4.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, as shown in fig. 3, the distance between the first and second main inductors 3 of the plurality of main inductors 3 is equal to the distance between the first and second cursor inductors 4 of the plurality of cursor inductors 4, and the total number of cursor inductors 4 is at least one more than the total number of main inductors 3. Thereby facilitating signal processing.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, as shown in fig. 3, a plurality of main inductors 3 and a plurality of cursor inductors 4 are arranged in two columns adjacent to each other and aligned head to tail, respectively. Thereby making the measuring mechanism compact in size.

Fig. 4 schematically shows an example of a main measuring device 5 and a cursor measuring device 6.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model, as shown in fig. 4, the main measuring device 5 comprises at least two main measuring units 51 which are redundant to each other, the at least two main measuring units 51 having a distance in the direction of movement a; and/or the cursor measuring device 6 comprises at least two cursor measuring units 61 that are mutually redundant, the at least two cursor measuring units 61 having a spacing in the direction of movement a. By means of redundant measuring units, the accuracy of the measuring results and the robustness of the diverter can be improved.

Fig. 5 schematically shows an example of the housing main body 10 and the cover 11 in a perspective view.

Fig. 6 schematically shows, in a perspective view, the cover 11 and one example of the main measuring device 5 and the vernier measuring device 6 arranged on the cover 11. In this case, the cover 11 is seen from the inside.

Fig. 7 schematically shows an example of the cover 11 in a perspective view.

Fig. 8 schematically shows an example of the slider 12 in a perspective view.

Fig. 9 schematically shows an example of the region of the mover 2 provided with the main sensor 3 and the cursor sensor 4 in a perspective view.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, as shown in fig. 6 and 9, the main sensor 3 and the cursor sensor 4 are provided to the moving member 2, and the main measuring device 5 and the cursor measuring device 6 are provided to the housing 1, in particular, the cover 11 of the housing 1. It is advantageous if the measuring device which is susceptible to external influences is arranged in a stationary housing 1.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model, as shown in fig. 6, 8 and 9, the main sensor 3 and the cursor sensor 4 are integrated in a guide bar 21, the guide bar 21 having a slide, the main measuring device 5 and the cursor measuring device 6 being integrated in a slide 12, the slide 12 sliding along the slide. In this case, the slide has in particular two slide grooves 210 which are C-shaped in cross section and open toward one another, the slide 12 having on both sides in each case one flange 120 for sliding in the slide groove 210. By such a modular design, the measuring device is simple to manufacture and assemble.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, as shown in fig. 9, a guide bar 21 is provided on the platform part 20 of the moving member 2.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, as shown in fig. 1 and 5, the housing 1 includes a housing main body 10 and a cover 11, and the slider 12 is fixed to the cover 11 and faces the main sensing body 3 and the vernier sensing body 4 with the main measuring device 5 and the vernier measuring device 6, respectively. Here, the case body 10 has, in particular, a notch 100 adapted to expose the main sensor 3 and the cursor sensor 4, and the cover 11 is adapted to be detachably attached to the case body 10 and cover the notch 100. The disassembly and assembly of the sensing body and the measuring device can be conveniently completed through the notch 100 of the housing body 10 and the cover 11. As shown in fig. 6, the cover 11 is further provided with a seal 110 for sealing against the housing body 10, for example.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model, as shown in fig. 8, a spring 121 is provided on the flange 120, the spring 121 being adapted to pre-load the slider 12 against the guide strip 21 in the direction of the platform 20. The flange 120 of the slider 12 can be brought into abutment with the lower surface of the slot 210 of the guide bar 21 by means of the spring 121 to ensure that the distance between the measuring device and the sensor is as constant as possible.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, the measuring mechanism comprises a distance determination unit for determining the amount of relative movement from the main output signal and the cursor output signal. As shown in fig. 6, the main measuring device 5 and the vernier measuring device 6 may be connected to a PCB board 8 via an FPC connector 7, and a distance determining unit may be provided on the PCB board 8. However, it is also conceivable that a control unit other than the steering gear receives the main output signal and the cursor output signal and determines the relative movement of the displacement member 2 with respect to the housing 1 in dependence thereon.

For simplicity, in the figures, only one of the elements is selectively labeled with a reference numeral for the same plurality of elements.

Although specific embodiments of the utility model have been described in detail herein, they are presented for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model.

List of reference numerals

1. Shell body

10. Casing body

100. Notch

11. Cover cap

110. Sealing strip

12. Sliding block

120. Flange

121. Spring

2. Moving part

20. Platform part

21. Guide strip

210. Sliding chute

3. Main inductor

31. First distance of

4. Vernier inductor

42. Second distance

5. Main measuring device

51. Main measuring unit

6. Vernier measuring device

61. Vernier measuring unit

7 FPC connector

8 PCB board

A moving direction

Curve of M main output signal with respect to relative movement

Curve of N cursor output signal relative to relative movement

C0 main output signal value

S1, S2 and C0

C1 and S1 corresponding cursor output signal value

C2 and S2 corresponding cursor output signal value

Claims

1. A diverter, the diverter comprising:

a housing (1);

a moving member (2) accommodated in the housing (1), the moving member (2) being relatively moved with respect to the housing (1) in a moving direction to steer the wheel;

measuring means for measuring the relative movement of the moving member (2) with respect to the housing (1), the measuring means comprising:

a plurality of main inductors (3) and a plurality of cursor inductors (4) fixed relative to one of the housing (1) and the mover (2), the plurality of main inductors (3) being spaced apart from each other by a first pitch (31) along the moving direction, the plurality of cursor inductors (4) being spaced apart from each other by a second pitch (42) different from the first pitch (31) along the moving direction;

-a main measuring device (5) and a cursor measuring device (6) fixed with respect to the other of the housing (1) and the mobile (2), the main measuring device (5) providing a main output signal based on an induction with the main inductor (3) and the cursor measuring device (6) providing a cursor output signal based on an induction with the cursor inductor (4) to determine the relative movement amount from the main output signal and the cursor output signal.

2. The diverter as defined in claim 1, wherein,

the main inductor (3) and the vernier inductor (4) are configured as induction plates, the main measuring device (5) and the vernier measuring device (6) comprise measuring plates and provide a main output signal and a vernier output signal, respectively, based on capacitances between the measuring plates and the induction plates; or alternatively

The main sensor (3) and the vernier sensor (4) are configured as magnets, and the main measuring device (5) and the vernier measuring device (6) provide a main output signal and a vernier output signal, respectively, on the basis of the hall effect, the AMR effect, the GMR effect or the TMR effect.

3. The diverter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the diverter comprises at least one of the following features:

the distance between the head and tail main inductors (3) in the main inductors (3) is larger than or equal to the distance between two terminal positions of the moving piece (2) relative to the shell (1);

the distance between the head cursor inductor (4) and the tail cursor inductor (4) in the cursor inductors is larger than or equal to the distance between two terminal positions of the moving piece (2) relative to the shell (1);

the distance between the head and tail main inductors (3) in the plurality of main inductors (3) is equal to the distance between the head and tail cursor inductors (4) in the plurality of cursor inductors (4), and the total number of the cursor inductors (4) is at least one more than the total number of the main inductors (3);

the plurality of main inductors (3) and the plurality of cursor inductors (4) are arranged in two rows adjacent to each other and aligned end to end respectively.

4. The diverter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the diverter comprises at least one of the following features:

the main measuring device (5) comprises at least two main measuring units (51) which are redundant to each other, the at least two main measuring units (51) having a distance along the displacement direction;

the vernier measuring device (6) comprises at least two vernier measuring units (61) which are redundant to one another, wherein the at least two vernier measuring units (61) have a distance in the displacement direction.

5. The diverter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the diverter comprises at least one of the following features:

the main sensor (3) and the vernier sensor (4) are arranged on the moving piece (2), and the main measuring device (5) and the vernier measuring device (6) are arranged on the shell (1);

the main inductor (3) and the vernier inductor (4) are integrated in one guide strip (21), the guide strip (21) is provided with a slideway, the main measuring device (5) and the vernier measuring device (6) are integrated in one sliding block (12), and the sliding block (12) slides along the slideway.

6. Steering gear according to claim 5, characterized in that the slideway has two runners (210) which are C-shaped in cross section, open towards each other, the slide (12) having on both sides one flange (120) each for sliding in the runners (210).

7. The diverter of claim 6, wherein the diverter comprises at least one of the following features:

the guide strip (21) is arranged on the platform part (20) of the moving part (2),

the housing (1) comprises a housing body (10) and a cover (11), the slider (12) being fixed to the cover (11) and facing the main measuring device (5) and the cursor measuring device (6) respectively towards the main sensor (3) and the cursor sensor (4);

the flange (120) is provided with a spring (121), the spring (121) being adapted to pre-load the slider (12) against the guide strip (21) in the direction of the platform (20).

8. Steering gear according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the displacement element (2) is configured as a rack.

9. A steering gear according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measuring mechanism comprises a distance determining unit for determining the amount of relative movement from the main output signal and the cursor output signal.

10. Steering system, characterized in that it comprises at least a steering wheel mechanism and a steering gear according to any one of claims 1 to 9.