DE102022134115A1 - Length-adjustable control unit, kit-of-parts and steer-by-wire system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a length-adjustable operating unit (1) for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle (2) by a user, comprising a telescopic extension device (4) with a guide tube (5), in or on which at least a first extension tube (6) is guided relative to the guide tube (5) and can be displaced in translation by means of a rotatable spindle (8) which runs coaxially and axially at least in sections in the first extension tube (6), wherein the telescopic extension device (4) is coupled on the one hand to a steering means (7), and a plurality of electrically insulated conductors (9) extend axially through the telescopic extension device (4) in order to electrically connect a first, axially fixed electrical connection (10) to a second electrical connection (11) which can be displaced axially by the extension device (4), wherein the electrical conductors (9) form a cable arrangement which extends in the axial direction through the extension device (4) and has a length-elastic shape. (12) are summarised.

Description

The present invention relates to a length-adjustable operating unit for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle by a user, comprising a telescopic extension device with a guide tube, in or on which a first extension tube is guided so as to be translationally displaceable relative to the guide tube and the telescopic extension device is coupled on the one hand to a steering means, wherein an actuation of the steering means representing a steering direction causes a rotation of a spindle which runs coaxially and axially at least in sections in the first extension tube, wherein a plurality of electrically insulated conductors extend axially through the telescopic extension device in order to electrically connect a first, axially fixed electrical connection to a second electrical connection which is axially displaceable by the extension device. The invention further relates to a kit of parts and a steer-by-wire system.

Electric steering devices are used - among other things in motor vehicles - to receive a driver's direction request and translate it into corresponding movements of one or more wheels. In contrast to purely mechanical steering devices, a distinction is made between electrically assisted steering devices and fully electric steering devices, so-called "steer-by-wire" steering devices. These steer-by-wire steering devices in particular have the advantage that the control unit can be positioned relatively freely within the vehicle, independent of mechanical connecting components, which, in addition to saving costs when distinguishing between, for example, right- and left-hand drive vehicles, also leads to improved accident behavior due to the lack of a steering column. Furthermore, the control unit can be put into a stowed position, which is also used, for example, for fully automatic steering.

A steer-by-wire steering system in the sense of the present invention is a steering system which essentially consists of a so-called hand wheel actuator (HWA), for example the actuators around the commanding vehicle steering wheel, and a road wheel actuator (RWA), i.e. the actuators acting on the steering mechanism connected to the vehicle wheels. The steering signal is transmitted from the HWA to the RWA by wire.

Such systems are basically known from the state of the art. For example, the EN 10 2015 224 602 A1 an adjustable steering column for a steer-by-wire steering device of a motor vehicle, comprising an actuating unit which comprises a steering spindle mounted in a casing unit so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis, wherein the casing unit has a first casing tube in which at least one second casing tube is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the longitudinal axis and is mounted so as to be axially displaceable in a telescopic manner, wherein an actuating drive is connected to the first and second casing tubes, by which the second casing tube can be axially extended and retracted relative to the first casing tube, and which comprises a spindle drive with a threaded spindle arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis, which can be driven in rotation by an electric actuator, which is supported on one casing tube and which is screwed into a spindle nut which is attached to the other casing tube so as to be rotationally fixed, wherein the threaded spindle extends within the first casing tube and the spindle nut is attached to the second casing tube

The EN 10 2018 212 696 B3 Furthermore, an adjustment drive for a motor-adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle is known, comprising a motor drive unit and an external threaded spindle, which has an external thread and a coaxial internal thread, into which an internal threaded spindle engages, wherein the external threaded spindle and the internal threaded spindle can be driven by the drive unit relative to one another about an axis. In order to provide an adjustment drive that requires a lower drive torque and offers an optimized free adjustment path, the EN 10 2018 212 696 B3 that the external thread of the external threaded spindle engages a drive nut, whereby the drive nut or the internal threaded spindle can be driven in rotation by the drive unit and is supported in the direction of the axis relative to the drive unit.

With regard to the further development towards autonomous driving, the driver of the vehicle would like to be given the opportunity to retract the steering wheel almost completely towards the dashboard during autonomous driving in order to achieve an improved comfort area without a steering wheel that may be perceived as annoying, which also allows completely new design concepts for the passenger compartment.

Such new designs of the passenger compartment in autonomously driving motor vehicles often result in special requirements for the retractable steering wheel, in particular with regard to the required travel distance, which is usually much greater than the travel distance for an extendable steering column in a non-autonomously driving automobile.

Implementing longer travel distances using longer spindles using the approaches known from the state of the art is critical in terms of installation space and stability. For example, with conventional concepts, the spindle would have to be longer than the steering column, which would lead to a collision with the steering wheel when retracting. In addition, passive vehicle safety is significantly reduced because there is a penetrator in the driver's direction.

In the spindle drives mentioned at the beginning, the spindle nut on the spindle drive is usually self-locking, which means that in the event of an accident, an impact force on the steering wheel is supported by the self-locking mechanism, which increases the risk of injury. By interposing a crash element between the slider and the spindle nut, the risk of injury to the driver is reduced in the event of an accident, as the steering wheel can give way or retreat when force is applied.

Such crash elements are used in safety steering columns of the type outlined above to enable the steering wheel (or the steering column tube connected to the steering wheel) to be pushed away over a distance of 80-120mm in the event of an accident. This means that when the steering wheel is extended in the event of a crash, the impact on the driver's head is further mitigated and injuries are minimized.

In addition to the challenge of meeting safety requirements for highly telescopic control units, it is still often difficult to establish an electrical connection between the telescopic steering device, which in modern vehicles contains a number of control elements, and the fixed part of the corresponding telescopic extension.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an improved length-adjustable control unit for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle by a user, which can provide simple and safe electrical contact between the telescopic end and the fixed end of the control unit. It is also the object of the invention to realize a kit of parts that allows simplified assembly of a length-adjustable control unit for influencing the direction of travel of a motor vehicle by a user. Furthermore, it is the object of the invention to provide a steer-vy-wire system that has an optimized length-adjustable control unit.

This object is achieved by a length-adjustable operating unit for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle by a user, comprising a telescopic extension device with a guide tube, in or on which at least a first extension tube is guided relative to the guide tube and can be translated by means of a rotatable spindle which runs coaxially and axially at least in sections in the first extension tube, wherein the telescopic extension device is coupled on the one hand to a steering means, and a plurality of electrically insulated conductors extend axially through the telescopic extension device in order to electrically connect a first, axially fixed electrical connection to a second electrical connection which can be axially displaced by the extension device, wherein the electrical conductors are combined to form a cable arrangement which extends in the axial direction through the extension device and has a length-elastic shape.

This has the advantage that when wiring an operating unit, dynamic length compensation in the axial direction as well as positioning in or on the pull-out device of the operating unit can be achieved. The length-elastic shape of the cable arrangement, which can also be referred to as a cable harness, allows defined positioning, particularly in the radial inner and outer direction, using the inherent stress generated, for example by twisting the insulated electrical conductors without additional components, which significantly reduces the risk of unwanted jamming or shearing of the cable arrangement when the pull-out device is telescoped. This means that two functions can be provided by the length-elastic cable arrangement: Firstly, a length compensation function and a protective function against mechanical damage to the length-elastic cable arrangement when the pull-out device is telescoped.

Depending on the selected stiffness of the insulated electrical conductors used, which can be adjusted, for example, by the material, the cable cross-section and/or the thickness of the insulation and its material, no additional components are required to stabilize the shape of the longitudinally elastic cable arrangement. As a rule, this also means that fewer connection points of the longitudinally elastic cable arrangement to surrounding housings or structural parts are required than with conventional cable harnesses. This reduction in the number of necessary components leads directly to lower manufacturing and assembly costs as well as greater design freedom for the surrounding components of the longitudinally elastic cable arrangement.

In this context, it is particularly preferred that the length-elastic shape of the cable arrangement is helical and/or meander-shaped.

A meandering, length-elastic shape leads in particular to a flat, level cable arrangement, which preferably obtains its length elasticity through the meandering course of the electrical conductors in one plane. In the sense of this application, the term meandering also includes all wave-like shapes of a cable arrangement that run in one plane, such as sinusoidal, rectangular, sawtooth-shaped waveforms, which can realize a length-elastic cable arrangement.

For the purposes of this application, a helix shape, such as that shown by the cable arrangement, is a curve that winds around an imaginary cylinder shell at a constant gradient. A helix shape can also be referred to as a screw shape, helical shape, cylindrical spiral shape or helical shape.

The helical cable arrangement preferably has a minimum radius in the radial direction. The helical cable arrangement preferably also has a maximum radius in the radial direction, which is larger in the radial extension than the minimum radius. It is further preferred that the minimum radial is constant in the axial direction and/or the maximum radius is constant in the axial direction.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the helical cable arrangement has a plurality of spiral turns. In particular, the desired compensation length of the helical cable arrangement can be set by the number of turns and the minimum and maximum radius.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the insulations of the electrical conductors are firmly connected to one another, so that the positioning of the electrical conductors relative to one another in the helical cable arrangement is fixed.

It is particularly preferred that the guide tube has an octagonal cross-sectional contour with a tube height H and the minimum radius of the helical cable arrangement corresponds to between 55-80% of the tube height H of the guide tube. Particularly preferably, the maximum radius of the helical cable arrangement is between 80-100% of the tube height H of the guide tube. If the maximum radius of the cable arrangement corresponds to 100% of the tube height H of the guide tube, then the cable arrangement rests on the guide tube and cannot "sag", which further reduces the risk of crushing or collisions. If an outer radius smaller than 100% of the tube height H is selected, contact between the guide tube and the cable arrangement can be prevented.

In this context, according to an advantageous further development of the invention, it would also be conceivable to integrate a helically pre-bent plastic rod or metal rod into the cable arrangement in order to increase the spiral stiffness and to define the minimum bending radius. This means that electrical conductors with a comparatively low stiffness can then also be used to form the helical cable arrangement.

The control unit according to the invention is particularly suitable for steer-by-wire systems in which the force feedback actuator (FFA) is installed in or on the steering means, so that the associated elimination of the torque-transmitting steering shaft also means that there is space inside such a telescopic control unit for the helical cable arrangement. In this context, it is particularly preferred that the helical cable arrangement is coupled to a force feedback actuator at its axially displaceable end.

The force feedback actuator can be designed in particular as an electric motor. The motor can be designed as an axial flux motor or a radial flux motor. It is also possible to design a motor configured as a radial flux motor as an internal rotor or external rotor.

It is fundamentally possible for the helical cable arrangement to run radially inside the pull-out device and/or radially outside the pull-out device. It is preferred that the length-elastic cable arrangement runs radially inside the pull-out device and in particular inside the axially fixed guide tube of the pull-out device. It is also preferred that the length-elastic cable arrangement extends at least in sections inside the axially displaceable pull-out tube.

In this context, it is also advantageous that contact of the helical cable arrangement with the inner surface of the guide tube can be avoided, since the guide tube may function as a heat-dissipating element for an internal electronic control unit.

A strain relief for the helical cable arrangement can advantageously be attached to the axially displaceable connection of the control unit, which can also be referred to as the “output” of the pull-out.

The steering device can preferably be designed as a steering wheel. In principle, it would also be possible to design the steering device as a joystick, for example.

According to a further preferred development of the invention, it can also be provided that a plurality of the electrical conductors are arranged one above the other in the radial direction, whereby particularly favorable radial and axial stiffnesses of the helical cable arrangement can be achieved. In particular, such helical cable arrangements have a comparatively high radial stiffness and a comparatively low axial stiffness and thus an axial flexibility that is favorable for axial adjustment.

It may be preferred that the helical cable arrangement encloses the spindle in the axial direction at least in sections. In this context, it is also advantageous that the helical cable arrangement runs coaxially to the spindle and that the spindle passes through the helical cable arrangement at least in sections. The advantage of this design is that it makes it possible to provide a particularly compact and reliable design of an operating unit.

Furthermore, according to a likewise advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the guide tube is axially fixed and the helical cable arrangement extends at least in sections within the guide tube, which can also contribute to a high level of operational reliability of the control unit, since the helical cable arrangement extends at least in sections through axially fixed areas of the pull-out device and in these areas the risk of the cable arrangement being crushed by telescoping components of the pull-out device is low.

According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the spindle can be surrounded by a protective sleeve at least in sections and the helical cable arrangement surrounds the protective sleeve at least in sections. This can achieve the effect in particular that the protective sleeve can provide further improved collision protection of the helical cable arrangement with respect to the spindle. In this context, it is further preferred that the protective sleeve is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner, with the spindle being rotatable within the protective sleeve, which can also reduce, for example, the abrasion between the protective sleeve and the helical cable arrangement. It can therefore also be preferred that the helical cable arrangement rests with its inner surface on the protective sleeve at least in sections. The protective sleeve is preferably formed from a plastic.

Furthermore, the invention can also be further developed in such a way that the length-elastic cable arrangement is accommodated at least in sections in a corresponding length-elastic cable duct with a U-shaped cross-sectional contour. In this context, it is also preferable that the helical cable arrangement is accommodated at least in sections in a corresponding helical cable duct with a U-shaped cross-sectional contour. The advantage of this design is that the cable duct can have a supporting effect in order to keep the length-elastic or helical cable arrangement in shape and position. Due to the U-shaped profile, the cable duct can be designed to be relatively stiff in the radial direction in a helical shape, while it remains relatively soft in the axial direction for length compensation. In this case, it is also preferred in the case of a helical shape that the slot opening of the U-shaped profile points in an axial direction. The cable duct can also improve the collision and crush protection for the helical cable arrangement. The cable duct is preferably made of a plastic. It is understood that if the cable arrangement is designed in a meandering manner, the cable duct takes on this meandering shape and the groove opening is then positioned, for example, in the radial direction.

In a likewise preferred embodiment of the invention, it can also be provided that the spindle is at least partially surrounded by a helical element whose direction of rotation is oriented opposite to the direction of rotation of the helical cable arrangement and the helical element passes through the helical cable arrangement at least partially. For example, it would be conceivable for the helical element to be clockwise rotating and the helical cable arrangement to be anti-clockwise rotating. Such a helical element also makes it possible to optimize the crushing and collision protection for the helical cable arrangement.

It may also be advantageous to further develop the invention in such a way that the telescopic extension device has an energy absorber tion means which, when a predefined mechanical energy acting axially on the pull-out device is exceeded, enables energy absorption in the axial direction through plastic deformation of the energy absorption means. The advantage that can be achieved in this way is that safety for the user can be increased in the event of an accident. According to a further preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the invention, it can be provided that the energy absorption means is designed in the form of material openings in the guide tube, which enables very simple but effective energy absorption, particularly since sufficient space for plastic deformation can be provided inside the guide tube due to the flexibility of the helical cable arrangement.

Depending on the load case, the material openings can be rectangular. The material openings are particularly preferably designed to be essentially identical. It is also preferred that the material openings are positioned in a grid-like manner over the outer surface of the guide tube. In principle, other shapes for the material openings would also be possible, such as with angular or wavy contours. The energy absorption means can therefore particularly preferably be designed as a plasticizing metal framework.

It would also be conceivable to install, screw and/or rivet a separate energy absorption medium, which is sometimes also referred to as a crash element, to the guide tube instead of the material openings.

Finally, the invention can also be advantageously designed such that the helical cable arrangement has a first group of electrical conductors and a second group of electrical conductors, wherein the line cross-section of the first group of electrical conductors is different from the line cross-section of the second group of electrical conductors. This makes it possible in particular to provide a helical cable arrangement which has power supply conductors and control conductors, wherein the power supply conductors have the larger line cross-section and the control conductors have the smaller line cross-section. Combined power supply and control cable arrangements can thus be provided.

In this context, it is further preferred that the electrical conductors of the first group of electrical conductors are arranged radially one above the other and the electrical conductors of the second group of electrical conductors are arranged radially one above the other, with the first group of electrical conductors and the second group of electrical conductors running axially spaced from one another in the helical cable arrangement. This quasi layered arrangement of the two conductor groups can create a particularly favorable axial flexibility and radial rigidity of the cable arrangement.

The object of the invention can also be achieved by a length-adjustable operating unit for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle by a user, comprising a telescopic extension device with a guide tube, in or on which at least a first extension tube is guided relative to the guide tube and can be displaced in translation by means of a rotatable spindle which runs axially parallel to the first extension tube, wherein the telescopic extension device is coupled on the one hand to a steering means, and a plurality of electrically insulated conductors extend axially through the telescopic extension device in order to electrically connect a first, axially fixed electrical connection to a second electrical connection which can be displaced axially by the extension device, wherein the electrical conductors are combined to form a cable arrangement which extends in the axial direction through the extension device and has a length-elastic shape. It can also be provided in particular that the spindle runs outside the first extension tube. It can also be provided that the spindle runs outside the guide tube. It goes without saying that all of the above advantageous embodiments also apply to this subordinate embodiment of the invention of a length-adjustable operating unit. The axially parallel arrangement of the spindle also allows for even more axially compact operating units to be realized.

The object of the invention is further achieved by a kit of parts for forming a length-adjustable operating unit for influencing a direction of travel of a motor vehicle by a user, comprising a telescopic pull-out device with a guide tube, in or on which a first pull-out tube is guided so as to be translationally displaceable relative to the guide tube, and a plurality of electrically insulated conductors which are combined to form a helical cable arrangement and are configured to a mounting position extending in the axial direction through the pull-out device.

The advantage that this offers is that the components of the length-adjustable control unit that are to be assembled can be provided in a particularly convenient way. The kit of parts can, for example, be used to package It is also possible to design the kit-of-parts as a collection of separate storage containers for storing the individual components or the respective component groups of the kit-of-parts.

Finally, the object of the invention can also be achieved by a steer-by-wire system for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle by a user, comprising a length-adjustable operating unit according to one of claims 1-11.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to figures without limiting the general inventive concept.

• 1 eine Ausführungsform einer Bedieneinheit in einer perspektivischen Axialschnittdarstellung,
• 2 eine helixförmige Kabelanordnung in einer freigestellten perspektivischen Ansicht,
• 3 eine helixförmige Kabelanordnung in einem U-förmigen Kabelkanal in einer freigestellten perspektivischen Ansicht,
• 4 eine Ausführungsform einer Bedieneinheit mit einem freigestellten Führungsrohr in einer perspektivischen Darstellung,
• 5 ein Kit-of-Parts in einer schematischen Darstellung,
• 6 ein Kraftfahrzeug mit einem Steer-by-Wire-System in einer schematischen Blockschaltdarstellung,
• 7 eine mäanderförmige Kabelanordnung in einer schematischen Darstellung.

It shows:

• 1 an embodiment of an operating unit in a perspective axial section view,
• 2 a helical cable arrangement in a cut-out perspective view,
• 3 a helical cable arrangement in a U-shaped cable duct in a cut-out perspective view,
• 4 an embodiment of an operating unit with an exposed guide tube in a perspective view,
• 5 a kit-of-parts in a schematic representation,
• 6 a motor vehicle with a steer-by-wire system in a schematic block diagram,
• 7 a meandering cable arrangement in a schematic representation.

The 1 shows a length-adjustable operating unit 1 for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle 2 by a user, comprising a telescopic extension device 4 with a guide tube 5, on which a first extension tube 6 is guided so as to be translationally displaceable relative to the guide tube 5. The first extension tube 6 is in turn surrounded by a second extension tube 17, wherein the second extension tube 17 is guided so as to be translationally displaceable on the first extension tube 6. The extension tubes 6, 17 and the guide tube 5 are arranged in a rotationally fixed manner relative to one another in that they have a polygonal contour, which prevents the tubes 5, 6, 17 formed from a sheet metal from rotating relative to one another.

The extension tubes 6,17 of the extension device 4 can be moved in a translational manner by means of a rotatable spindle 8 which can be driven by the motor 18 and which runs coaxially and axially at least in sections in the first extension tube 6. Even if it is 1 is not shown, it is nevertheless possible for the rotatable spindle 8 to run not coaxially as shown, but axially parallel to the first extension tube. In this case, it can also be provided in particular that the spindle 8 runs outside of the first extension tube 6. It can also be provided that the spindle 8 runs outside of the guide tube 5. The axially parallel arrangement of the spindle 8 then makes it possible to realize even more compact control units 1 in axial terms.

The telescopic first extension tube 6 is coupled to a force feedback actuator 3, which in turn is connected to a steering means 7. The force feedback actuator 3 can thus be moved together with the steering means 7 in a translational manner via the extension device 4. The 1 shows the extension device 4 in its fully retracted operating state and one can clearly see how the spindle 8 engages in the guide tube 5 and the extension tubes 6,17.

A plurality of electrically insulated conductors 9 extend axially through the telescopic pull-out device 4 in order to electrically connect a first, axially fixed electrical connection 10 to a second electrical connection 11 that can be axially displaced by the pull-out device 4. In the embodiment shown, the axially displaceable electrical connection 11 is the force feedback actuator 3. The axially displaceable electrical connection 11 could also be a control unit of the operating unit 1 or the like.

You can tell by the 1 It is good that the electrical conductors 9 are combined to form a cable arrangement 12 which extends in the axial direction through the pull-out device 4 and has a helical shape. A plurality of the electrical conductors 9 are arranged one above the other in the radial direction in the area of the helical shape.

This helical cable arrangement 12 runs coaxially to the spindle 8 and the spindle 8 passes through the helical cable arrangement 12 at least in sections.

The guide tube 5 is axially fixed and the helical cable arrangement 12 extends at least partially within the first extension tube 6, whereby the helical cable arrangement 12 does not contact the inner surface of the extension tube 6. The spindle 8 is in the embodiment shown of the 1 surrounded by a protective sleeve 13, while the helical cable arrangement 12 surrounds the protective sleeve 13 at least in sections and with its inner Radius can rest on the outer surface of the protective sleeve 13. The protective sleeve 13 is designed to be rotationally fixed so that there is no relative movement between the protective sleeve 13 and the cable arrangement 12 in the circumferential direction.

In the 3 an embodiment of the helical cable arrangement 12 is shown, in which the helical cable arrangement 12 is at least partially accommodated in a correspondingly helical cable duct 14 having a U-shaped cross-sectional contour.

Based on 4 It is easy to understand that the telescopic pull-out device 4 has an energy absorption means 15 which, when a predefined mechanical energy acting axially on the pull-out device 4 is exceeded, enables energy to be absorbed in the axial direction by means of a plastic deformation of the energy absorption means 15. In the embodiment shown, the energy absorption means 15 is designed in the form of material openings 16 in the guide tube 5.

Finally, the 2 It is good that the helical cable arrangement 12 has a first group of electrical conductors 9a and a second group of electrical conductors 9b, the line cross-section of the first group of electrical conductors 9a being different from the line cross-section of the second group of electrical conductors 9b. The electrical conductors 9 of the first group of electrical conductors 9a are arranged radially one above the other in the area of the helical shape and the electrical conductors 9 of the second group of electrical conductors 9b are also arranged radially one above the other in the area of the helical shape, the first group of electrical conductors 9a and the second group of electrical conductors 9b running axially spaced from one another in the area of the helical shape in the helical cable arrangement 12. Such an arrangement of the electrical conductors 9 is occasionally also referred to as a flat cable. In order to form the necessary length elasticity 22, it has proven particularly advantageous that the ratio of the width of the cable arrangement 12 to the height of the cable arrangement 12, viewed in cross section, is at least 3:1.

In the 5 a kit of parts 19 is shown for forming a length-adjustable operating unit 1 for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle 2 by a user. It comprises a telescopic pull-out device 4 with a guide tube 5, in or on which a first pull-out tube 6 is guided so as to be translationally displaceable relative to the guide tube 5, and a plurality of electrically insulated conductors 9, which are combined to form a cable arrangement 12 with a length-elastic shape and are configured to an assembly position extending in the axial direction through the pull-out device 4. In the example shown, the cable arrangement is helical.

In the 6 Finally, a steer-by-wire system 20 for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle 2 by a user is shown, which has a length-adjustable operating unit 1, as is known for example from 1 is known.

The control unit 1 is connected to the steering wheel 7 and transmits the current steering wheel angle as an electronic signal via the on-board vehicle electronics to the RWA (road wheel actuator) 21, which then applies the steering wheel angle to the vehicle wheels using a motor. The control unit 1 also provides the driver with the necessary force feedback for the directional guidance of the motor vehicle 2. For vehicle concepts with highly automated driving functions, the control unit 1 can have a telescopic extension device 4 with a large travel path of >200mm, with which the steering wheel 7 can be retracted into the dashboard. The control unit 1 has a force feedback actuator 3, which determines the steering wheel angle and generates the force feedback steering wheel forces.

The 7 shows an alternative design of the cable arrangement 12 in a meander shape. This meander-shaped shape runs in a plane, unlike the shape of the helix. This is shown by the two different views of the control unit 1 in the 7 clearly. In Figure a, the control unit 1 is shown in a top view viewed in the direction of gravity, while Figure b shows a side view of the control unit, analogous to the illustration in the 1 . Due to the meandering shape, it is possible, for example, that such a meandering cable arrangement 12 can be laid on the bottom of the first extension tube 6 and thus runs in the direction of gravity below the spindle 8 through the extension tube 6, as shown in Figure b of the 7 can be seen.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures. The above description is therefore not to be regarded as restrictive, but as explanatory. The following patent claims are to be understood in such a way that a named feature is present in at least one embodiment of the invention. This does not exclude the presence of further features. If the patent claims and the above description define 'first' and 'second' features, this designation serves to Separation of two similar characteristics without establishing a ranking.

List of reference symbols

1

Control unit

2

Motor vehicle

3

Force feedback actuator

4

Extractor

5

Guide tube

6

Extension tube

7

Steering means

8th

spindle

9

electrical conductors

10

axially fixed electrical connection

11

axially adjustable electrical connection

12

Cable arrangement

13

Protective sleeve

14

Cabel Canal

15

Energy absorbers

16

Material openings

17

Extension tube

18

engine

19

Kit of parts

20

Steer-by-wire system

21

RWA (Road Wheel Actuator)

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102015224602 A1 [0004]
• DE 102018212696 B3 [0005]

Claims (13)

Length-adjustable operating unit (1) for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle (2) by a user, comprising a telescopic extension device (4) with a guide tube (5), in or on which at least a first extension tube (6) is guided relative to the guide tube (5) and can be displaced in translation by means of a rotatable spindle (8) which runs coaxially and axially at least in sections in the first extension tube (6), wherein the telescopic extension device (4) is coupled on the one hand to a steering means (7), and a plurality of electrically insulated conductors (9) extend axially through the telescopic extension device (4) in order to electrically connect a first, axially fixed electrical connection (10) to a second electrical connection (11) which can be displaced axially by the extension device (4), characterized in that the electrical conductors (9) form a cable arrangement which extends in the axial direction through the extension device (4) and has a length-elastic shape. (12) are summarised. Control unit (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the length-elastic shape of the cable arrangement (12) is helical and/or meander-shaped. Control unit (1) after Claim 2 , characterized in that the helical cable arrangement (12) encloses the spindle (8) in the axial direction at least in sections. Operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of the electrical conductors (9) are arranged one above the other in the radial direction. Operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide tube (5) is axially fixed and the length-elastic cable arrangement (12) extends at least in sections within the guide tube (5). Control unit (1) according to one of the previous Claims 2 - 5 , characterized in that the spindle (8) is at least partially surrounded by a protective sleeve (13) and the helical cable arrangement (12) surrounds the protective sleeve (13) at least partially. Control unit (1) according to one of the previous Claims 2 - 6 , characterized in that the length-elastic cable arrangement (12) is accommodated at least in sections in a corresponding length-elastic cable duct (14) having a U-shaped cross-sectional contour Operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spindle (8) is at least partially surrounded by a helical element whose direction of rotation is oriented opposite to the direction of rotation of the helical cable arrangement (12) and the helical element passes through the helical cable arrangement (12) at least partially. Operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the helical cable arrangement (12) has a first group of electrical conductors (9a) and a second group of electrical conductors (9b), wherein the line cross-section of the first group of electrical conductors (9a) is different from the line cross-section of the second group of electrical conductors (9b). Control unit (1) after Claim 9 , characterized in that the electrical conductors (9) of the first group of electrical conductors (9a) are arranged radially one above the other and the electrical conductors (9) of the second group of electrical conductors (9b) are arranged radially one above the other, wherein the first group of electrical conductors (9a) and the second group of electrical conductors (9b) run axially spaced from one another in the helical cable arrangement (12). Length-adjustable operating unit (1) for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle (2) by a user, comprising a telescopic extension device (4) with a guide tube (5), in or on which at least a first extension tube (6) is guided relative to the guide tube (5) and can be displaced in translation by means of a rotatable spindle (8) which runs axially parallel to the first extension tube (6), wherein the telescopic extension device (4) is coupled on the one hand to a steering means (7), and a plurality of electrically insulated conductors (9) extend axially through the telescopic extension device (4) in order to electrically connect a first, axially fixed electrical connection (10) to a second electrical connection (11) which can be displaced axially by the extension device (4), characterized in that the electrical conductors (9) form a cable arrangement (12) which extends in the axial direction through the extension device (4) and has a length-elastic shape. are summarized. Kit-of-parts (19) for forming a length-adjustable operating unit (1) for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle (2) by a user, comprising • a telescopic pull-out device (4) with a guide tube (5), in or on which a first pull-out tube (6) is guided so as to be translationally displaceable relative to the guide tube (5), and • a plurality of electrically insulated conductors (9) which are combined to form a cable arrangement (12) having a length-elastic shape and are configured to form an assembly position extending in the axial direction through the pull-out device (4). Steer-by-wire system (20) for influencing a driving direction of a motor vehicle (2) by a user, comprising a length-adjustable operating unit (1) according to one of the Claims 1 - 11 .

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