EP1294604A1 - Motor vehicle power steering device - Google Patents

Motor vehicle power steering device

Info

Publication number
EP1294604A1
EP1294604A1 EP01945449A EP01945449A EP1294604A1 EP 1294604 A1 EP1294604 A1 EP 1294604A1 EP 01945449 A EP01945449 A EP 01945449A EP 01945449 A EP01945449 A EP 01945449A EP 1294604 A1 EP1294604 A1 EP 1294604A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
steering
actuators
wheels
control
wheel
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01945449A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Hubert Bechart
Eric Dayre
Patrice Dumetz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Renault SAS
Renault Trucks SAS
Original Assignee
Renault SAS
Renault Vehicules Industriels SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Renault SAS, Renault Vehicules Industriels SA filed Critical Renault SAS
Publication of EP1294604A1 publication Critical patent/EP1294604A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D5/00—Power-assisted or power-driven steering
    • B62D5/001—Mechanical components or aspects of steer-by-wire systems, not otherwise provided for in this maingroup
    • B62D5/003—Backup systems, e.g. for manual steering
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D5/00—Power-assisted or power-driven steering
    • B62D5/06—Power-assisted or power-driven steering fluid, i.e. using a pressurised fluid for most or all the force required for steering a vehicle
    • B62D5/10—Power-assisted or power-driven steering fluid, i.e. using a pressurised fluid for most or all the force required for steering a vehicle characterised by type of power unit
    • B62D5/12—Piston and cylinder

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a motor vehicle servo-steering device for controlling the steering angle of the left and right wheels of at least one steering axle of said vehicle and, more particularly, such a device comprising a) a manual control member of a setpoint generator for said turning angles, b) first and second turning actuators of said left and right wheels, and c) regulation means sensitive to said setpoint value for r order - - e's ⁇ ts "actuators according to two separate control chains.
  • a device of this type is known from French patent application No. 00 01417 filed on February 4, 2000 by the applicant.
  • this device comprises- a flywheel 1 constituting a manual control member of a generator 2 of a set value for the steering angle of the left and right wheels 5 and 5 'respectively , of a steering axle of the vehicle.
  • This value is determined by the driver of the vehicle, who turns the steering wheel 1.
  • the generator 2 can be constituted by a position sensor, of any known type, suitable for forming a representative signal the angular position of the steering wheel. This signal is supplied to a regulator 3 which draws from it a set value of the steering angle requested by the driver.
  • the regulator 3 also controls a force variator 12 acting on the shaft of the steering wheel 1 so that the driver finds, on this steering wheel, the friction and restoring forces which he experiences when he operates the steering wheel of a device conventional steering, these forces no longer "rising" on the steering wheel of the device of Figure 1, mechanically decoupled from the wheels 5, 5 'and the means used to maneuver them.
  • the latter are constituted by first and second actuators 9,9 'acting, in the device for the aforementioned patent application, on the turning angle of the wheels 5, 5 'respectively. As also appears in FIG.
  • each of the actuators 9, 9 ′ takes the form of a jack mounted on the wheel axle itself, between a fixed point of articulation 7, 7 ′ on this axle, respectively and an arm 8, 8 ′ for operating a rocket, articulated in 6, 6 ′ respectively, on which the wheel 5, 5 ′ is mounted respectively.
  • the arms 8, 8 ′ are connected to the rods 9 lf 9 ′ of the jacks 9, 9 ′ respectively, by, 0- -rigi-des-8r -8 -8-' ⁇ links, respectively.
  • Position sensors 10, 10 ′ sensitive to the elongation of the rods of the cylinders 9, 9 ′ respectively, supply signals to the regulator 3, the representative of these elongations.
  • the regulator 3 enslaves these elongations to set values l c , l ' c corresponding to the turning angles 0 sought for the wheels 5, 5'.
  • the control is ensured by an appropriate control of the energy E, E 'delivered to the cylinders 9, 9' to operate the rods 9 ⁇ , 9' ⁇ respectively, this energy being taken from an energy source 11 5 on board the vehicle.
  • the regulator is duly programmed to carry out the calculations necessary for the evaluation of these amounts of energy E, E ′ as well as for the formation of the control signal of the force variator 12 acting on the shaft of the flywheel 1, as we saw above. To do this, it can use various parameters representative of the state of the vehicle or of its environment, such as the speed of the vehicle, the load of this vehicle, the torque exerted by the driver on the steering wheel, the force of the side wind, 5 etc., these parameters being known to regulator 3 thanks to appropriate sensors, globally symbolized by input 4 in FIG. 1.
  • the power source 11 used to power the actuators is an electrical power source such as an alternator driven by the engine of the vehicle, assisted by a battery in the event of the engine stopping or the alternator failing. .
  • the elongation of the rods of the jacks is therefore controlled using energy drawn from this source.
  • the cylinders can be
  • the power steering device described in the aforementioned patent application comprises two chains of
  • the present invention specifically aims to achieve a serv ⁇ -direction device of the type described above, with improved operational safety.
  • the two wheels of the axle can be steered by only one of the actuators, in the event of failure of the other, which improves the operational safety of the vehicle's power steering.
  • these diagnostic means 3 ′ are incorporated into the regulator 3, conventionally constituted by a
  • 35 3 'diagnostics continuously analyze the performance of the power steering device so as to deduce therefrom the operating state of the various elements of the two control chains.
  • the diagnostic means 3' emit a signal d lf d 2 respectively for controlling a deactivation means 14, 14 'of this actuator 9, 9', respectively.
  • the actuator 9 shown is of the electro-hydraulic type, consisting of a jack with two chambers 15, 16 and a pump P driven by an electric motor M for passing a hydraulic liquid from one chamber to the other and thus moving, in one direction or the other, the rod 9 ⁇ of the jack controlling the turning of the wheel 5.
  • the motor 18 is obviously controlled by the regulator 3.
  • the deactivation means is constituted by a two-way and two-position solenoid valve 14, mounted in a fluid conduit 22 connecting the two chambers 15, 16.
  • the solenoid valve 14 passes from a position where it cuts the conduit 22 to a position where it puts the two chambers in fluid communication, via this conduit 22.'
  • An operation of the pump P optionally erratic due to the detected failure of the steering control chain wheel 5, is' then no influence on the position of the rod 9 lf displaced liquid circulating in loop in the cylinder, thanks to the conduit 22.
  • the activation of the solenoid valve 14 therefore completely deactivates the chain for controlling the turning of the wheel 5.
  • the steering control of this wheel remains however ensured by means of a coupling mechanism of the steering of the two wheels, making it possible to transmit to the wheel 5 a steering force developed in the control chain of the wheel 5 ', by the actuator 9 'forming part of this chain.
  • this coupling mechanism consists of a rigid bar 23 coupling the displacements of the rods 9%, 9 ' x of the jacks 9, 9', the ends of this bar being articulated on these rods at the rigid connections 8 ⁇ , 8',, for example.
  • one of the jacks 9, 9 ′ can control both the turning of the two wheels, in the event of a failure of one of the control chains, after deactivation of the faulty control chain as described below. above.
  • the failure rate of the solenoid valve 14 and of the computer constituting the regulator 3 and the diagnostic means 3 ' can be determined by tests carried out periodically. It is therefore possible to compare safety of operation of the device according to the invention, to that of the power steering devices of the prior art, with direction decoupled from the steering wheel and comprising one or two actuators.
  • the probability of a loss of control of the vehicle equipped with the device according to the invention is linked to that of a simultaneous failure of the two actuators, or of an actuator and its deactivation solenoid valve, or of an actuator and of the diagnostic means of faulty operation (failure). The probability of losing control of a vehicle with a single actuator power steering device is much greater.
  • the probability of vehicle unavailability due to a failure of the power steering device according to the invention is much lower than in the case of a device with a single actuator.
  • the probability of such unavailability for a device with two actuators, not coupled by a connecting rod, is much higher than in the case of the present invention, where this unavailability can only result from the simultaneous failure of the two chains of ordered.
  • the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown, which has been given only by way of example.
  • the device according to the invention could be equipped with actuators constituted by electromechanical cylinders with ball screws, in place of electro-hydraulic cylinders such as that shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2.
  • the actuator deactivation solenoid valve can be replaced by a controlled clutch, interposed between the electric motor driving the actuator and the screw / rod of the latter.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering Control In Accordance With Driving Conditions (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a device comprising: a) a manual control steering wheel (1) of a setpoint value generator (2) for turn angles of the wheels (5, 5'); b) first (9) and second (9') actuators for turning said left (5) and right (5') wheels; c) regulating means (3) sensitive to said setpoint value for controlling said actuators (9, 9') in accordance with two distinct control chains; d) means for diagnosing (3') the occurrence of a faulty operating condition of any one of said control chains; e) means (14, 14') controlled by said diagnosing means for deactivating the actuator (9, 9') forming part of the faulty chain; and d) a mechanism (23) for coupling the steering of both wheels (5, 5') associated with the faulty chain, under the control of the non-faulty chain associated with the other wheel (5, 5').

Description

La présente invention est relative à un dispositif de servo-direction de véhicule automobile, pour commander l'angle de braquage des roues gauche et droite d'au moins un essieu de direction dudit véhicule et, plus particulièrement, un tel dispositif comprenant a) un organe de commande manuelle d'un générateur de valeur de consigne pour lesdits angles de braquage, b) des premier et deuxième actionneurs de braquage desdites roues gauche et droite, et c) des moyens de régulation sensibles à ladite -valeur de- consigne pou-r commander- - e's ±ts" actionneurs selon deux chaînes de commande distinctes. The present invention relates to a motor vehicle servo-steering device for controlling the steering angle of the left and right wheels of at least one steering axle of said vehicle and, more particularly, such a device comprising a) a manual control member of a setpoint generator for said turning angles, b) first and second turning actuators of said left and right wheels, and c) regulation means sensitive to said setpoint value for r order - - e's ± ts "actuators according to two separate control chains.
On connaît un dispositif de ce type de la demande de brevet français N° 00 01417 déposée le 4 février 2000 par la demanderesse. Comme représenté à la figure 1 du dessin annexé, ce dispositif comprend- un volant 1 constituant un organe de commande manuelle d'un générateur 2 d'une valeur de consigne pour l'angle de braquage des roues gauche et droite 5 et 5' respectivement, d'un essieu directeur du véhicule.. Cette valeur est déterminée par le conducteur du véhicule, qui fait tourner le volant 1. Le générateur 2 peut être constitué par un capteur de position, de tout type connu, propre à former un signal représentatif de la position angulaire du volant. Ce signal est fourni à un régulateur 3 qui en tire une valeur de consigne de l'angle de braquage demandé par le conducteur. Le régulateur 3 commande aussi un variateur d'effort 12 agissant sur l'arbre du volant 1 pour que le conducteur retrouve, sur ce volant, les forces de frottement et de rappel qu'il éprouve lorsqu'il manœuvre le volant d'un dispositif de direction classique, ces forces ne "remontant" plus sur le volant du dispositif de la figure 1, mécaniquement découplé des roues 5, 5' et des moyens utilisés pour les manœuvrer. Ces derniers sont constitués par des premier et deuxième actionneurs 9,9' agissant, dans le dispositif de la demande de brevet précitée, sur l'angle de braquage des roues 5, 5' respectivement. Comme cela apparaît aussi sur la figure 1, chacun des actionneurs 9, 9' prend la forme d'un vérin monté sur l'essieu de roue lui-même, entre un 5 point d'articulation fixe 7, 7' sur cet essieu, respectivement et un bras 8, 8' de manœuvre d'une fusée, articulée en 6, 6' respectivement, sur laquelle est montée la roue 5, 5' respectivement. Les bras 8, 8' sont reliés aux tiges 9lf 9'χ des vérins 9, 9' respectivement, par des ,0- -liaisons r-i-g-i-des- 8r -8-'ι, respectivement.A device of this type is known from French patent application No. 00 01417 filed on February 4, 2000 by the applicant. As shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing, this device comprises- a flywheel 1 constituting a manual control member of a generator 2 of a set value for the steering angle of the left and right wheels 5 and 5 'respectively , of a steering axle of the vehicle. This value is determined by the driver of the vehicle, who turns the steering wheel 1. The generator 2 can be constituted by a position sensor, of any known type, suitable for forming a representative signal the angular position of the steering wheel. This signal is supplied to a regulator 3 which draws from it a set value of the steering angle requested by the driver. The regulator 3 also controls a force variator 12 acting on the shaft of the steering wheel 1 so that the driver finds, on this steering wheel, the friction and restoring forces which he experiences when he operates the steering wheel of a device conventional steering, these forces no longer "rising" on the steering wheel of the device of Figure 1, mechanically decoupled from the wheels 5, 5 'and the means used to maneuver them. The latter are constituted by first and second actuators 9,9 'acting, in the device for the aforementioned patent application, on the turning angle of the wheels 5, 5 'respectively. As also appears in FIG. 1, each of the actuators 9, 9 ′ takes the form of a jack mounted on the wheel axle itself, between a fixed point of articulation 7, 7 ′ on this axle, respectively and an arm 8, 8 ′ for operating a rocket, articulated in 6, 6 ′ respectively, on which the wheel 5, 5 ′ is mounted respectively. The arms 8, 8 ′ are connected to the rods 9 lf 9 ′ of the jacks 9, 9 ′ respectively, by, 0- -rigi-des-8r -8 -8-'ι links, respectively.
Ainsi les élongations des organes de sortie mobiles que constituent les tiges 9ι, 9'ι des vérins 9, 9', fixent les angles de braquage des roues.Thus the extensions of the movable outlet members which constitute the rods 9ι, 9'ι of the cylinders 9, 9 ', fix the turning angles of the wheels.
Des capteurs de position 10, 10' sensibles à 5 l'elongation des tiges des vérins 9, 9' respectivement, fournissent au régulateur 3 des signaux 1, l' représentatifs de ces élongations. Le régulateur 3 assure l'asservissement de ces élongations à des valeurs de consigne lc, l'c correspondant aux angles de braquage 0 recherchés pour les roues 5, 5' .Position sensors 10, 10 ′ sensitive to the elongation of the rods of the cylinders 9, 9 ′ respectively, supply signals to the regulator 3, the representative of these elongations. The regulator 3 enslaves these elongations to set values l c , l ' c corresponding to the turning angles 0 sought for the wheels 5, 5'.
L'asservissement est assuré par une commande appropriée de l'énergie E, E' délivrée aux vérins 9, 9' pour manœuvrer les tiges 9ι, 9'χ respectivement, cette énergie étant prélevée sur une source d'énergie 11 5 embarquée dans le véhicule.The control is ensured by an appropriate control of the energy E, E 'delivered to the cylinders 9, 9' to operate the rods 9ι, 9'χ respectively, this energy being taken from an energy source 11 5 on board the vehicle.
Le régulateur est dûment programmé pour procéder aux calculs nécessaires à l'évaluation de ces quantités d'énergie E, E' ainsi qu'à la formation du signal de commande du variateur d'effort 12 agissant sur l'arbre du 0 volant 1, comme on l'a vu plus haut. Il peut utiliser pour ce faire divers paramètres représentatifs de l'état du véhicule ou de son environnement, tels que la vitesse du véhicule, la charge de ce véhicule, le couple exercé par le conducteur sur le volant, la force du vent latéral, 5 etc., ces paramètres' étant connus du régulateur 3 grâce à des capteurs appropriés, symbolisés globalement par l'entrée 4 sur la figure 1.The regulator is duly programmed to carry out the calculations necessary for the evaluation of these amounts of energy E, E ′ as well as for the formation of the control signal of the force variator 12 acting on the shaft of the flywheel 1, as we saw above. To do this, it can use various parameters representative of the state of the vehicle or of its environment, such as the speed of the vehicle, the load of this vehicle, the torque exerted by the driver on the steering wheel, the force of the side wind, 5 etc., these parameters being known to regulator 3 thanks to appropriate sensors, globally symbolized by input 4 in FIG. 1.
La source d'énergie 11 utilisée pour alimenter les actionneurs est une source d'énergie électrique telle 5 qu'un alternateur entraîné par le moteur thermique du véhicule, assisté par une batterie en cas d'arrêt du moteur ou de défaillance de l'alternateur. L'elongation des tiges des vérins est donc commandée à l'aide d'une énergie tirée de cette source. Les vérins peuvent être desThe power source 11 used to power the actuators is an electrical power source such as an alternator driven by the engine of the vehicle, assisted by a battery in the event of the engine stopping or the alternator failing. . The elongation of the rods of the jacks is therefore controlled using energy drawn from this source. The cylinders can be
-1-0- v-é-r-i-ns -é-lec-feremé-e-an-i-que-s- à- vis- à bille ou des" vér±ïïs électrohydrauliques à pompe hydraulique animée par un moteur électrique.-1-0- v-é-ri-ns -é-lec-feremé-e-an-i-que-s- à-vis-à-bille ou des "ver ± ïois electrohydraulic hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor .
Le dispositif de servo-direction décrit dans la demande de brevet précitée comprend deux chaînes deThe power steering device described in the aforementioned patent application comprises two chains of
15 commande (3, E, 9) et (3, E', 9') agissant indépendamment sur le braquage des roues 5 et 5' respectivement. En cas de défaillance de l'une de ces deux chaînes de commande, la directivité du véhicule ne dépend plus que d'une seule des deux roues de l'essieu directeur, ce qui est15 control (3, E, 9) and (3, E ', 9') acting independently on the steering of the wheels 5 and 5 'respectively. In the event of failure of one of these two control chains, the directivity of the vehicle only depends on one of the two wheels of the steering axle, which is
20 préjudiciable à la sécurité de fonctionnement du véhicule et donc à la sécurité des passagers de ce véhicule.20 prejudicial to the operational safety of the vehicle and therefore to the safety of the passengers of this vehicle.
La présente invention a précisément pour but de réaliser un dispositif de servό-direction du type décrit ci-dessus, à sécurité de fonctionnement amélioré.The present invention specifically aims to achieve a servό-direction device of the type described above, with improved operational safety.
25 On atteint ce but de l'invention, ainsi que d'autres qui apparaîtront à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, avec un dispositif de servo-direction du type décrit en préambule de la présente description, remarquable en ce qu'il comprend en outre, en combinaison:This object of the invention is achieved, as well as others which will appear on reading the description which follows, with a power steering device of the type described in the preamble to the present description, remarkable in that it further includes, in combination:
30 1°) des moyens de diagnostic de l'occurrence d'un fonctionnement défectueux de l'une quelconque des chaînes de commande de braquage des roues,30 1) means for diagnosing the occurrence of a faulty operation of any one of the wheel turn control chains,
2°) des moyens, commandés par lesdits moyens de diagnostic, pour désactiver l'actionneur formant partie de2) means, controlled by said diagnostic means, for deactivating the actuator forming part of
35 la chaîne défaillante, et 3°) un mécanisme de couplage des braquages des deux roues, pour assurer le braquage de la roue associée à la chaîne défaillante, sous la commande de la chaîne non défaillante associée à l'autre roue. 5 Comme on le verra plus loin en détails, grâce à ces moyens de couplage, les deux roues de l'essieu peuvent être braquées par un seul des actionneurs, en cas de défaillance de l'autre, ce qui améliore la sûreté de fonctionnement de la servo-direction du véhicule.35 the failed chain, and 3) a mechanism for coupling the deflections of the two wheels, to ensure the deflection of the wheel associated with the faulty chain, under the control of the non-faulty chain associated with the other wheel. 5 As will be seen in detail below, thanks to these coupling means, the two wheels of the axle can be steered by only one of the actuators, in the event of failure of the other, which improves the operational safety of the vehicle's power steering.
-1~G D'autres- ca-ractérrst-iques et avantages du- drspo-s-irt±f- selon la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description qui va suivre et à l'examen du dessin annexé dans lequel : la figure .1 est un schéma du dispositif de-1 ~ G Others- ca-ractérrst-iques and advantages du- drspo-s-irt ± f- according to the present invention will appear on reading the description which follows and on examining the attached drawing in which: Figure .1 is a diagram of the device
15 servo-direction suivant la présente invention, déjà partiellement décrit en préambule de la présente description, et la figure 2 représente, agrandi, le détail A de la figure 1.15 power steering according to the present invention, already partially described in the preamble to this description, and Figure 2 shows, enlarged, the detail A of Figure 1.
20 Le dispositif représenté aux figures 1 et 2 du dessin annexé se distingue de celui de la demande de brevet français précitée, décrit en préambule de la présente description, en ce qu'il comprend tout d'abord des moyens de diagnostic 3' d'une défaillance d'une des deux chaînes20 The device shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing differs from that of the aforementioned French patent application, described in the preamble to this description, in that it first comprises diagnostic means 3 'of a failure of one of the two chains
25 de commande de braquage associées aux roues 5 et 5' respectivement .25 steering control associated with the wheels 5 and 5 'respectively.
Suivant un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, ces moyens de diagnostic 3' sont incorporés au régulateur 3, classiquement constitués par unAccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention, these diagnostic means 3 ′ are incorporated into the regulator 3, conventionally constituted by a
30 calculateur dûment programmé pour commander en boucle fermée le braquage des roues 5, 5', à partir de la consigne fixée par le conducteur, et pour exécuter les opérations nécessaires au diagnostic du fonctionnement des deux chaînes de commande de braquage. Ces moyens de30 computer duly programmed to control the turning of the wheels 5, 5 'in a closed loop, from the setpoint set by the driver, and to execute the operations necessary for diagnosing the operation of the two steering control chains. These means of
35 diagnostic 3' analysent en permanence les performances du dispositif de servo-direction de manière à en déduire l'état de fonctionnement des divers éléments des deux chaînes de commande. Quand cette analyse révèle que l'un des actionneurs 9, 9', par exemple est défaillant, et donc que la chaîne de commande dont il fait partie n'est pas fiable, les moyens de diagnostic 3' émettent un signal dl f d2 respectivement de commande d'un moyen de désactivâtion 14, 14' de cet actionneur 9, 9', respectivement.35 3 'diagnostics continuously analyze the performance of the power steering device so as to deduce therefrom the operating state of the various elements of the two control chains. When this analysis reveals that one of the actuators 9, 9 ', for example is faulty, and therefore that the control chain of which it is a part is not reliable, the diagnostic means 3' emit a signal d lf d 2 respectively for controlling a deactivation means 14, 14 'of this actuator 9, 9', respectively.
Sur la figure 2 on a représenté en plus de détails l'actionneur 9 et ses équipement périphériques, étant entendu que l'actionneur 9' et ses propres équipements périphériques sont identiques à ceux décrits ci-dessous et fonctionnent de même .In Figure 2 there is shown in more detail the actuator 9 and its peripheral equipment, it being understood that the actuator 9 'and its own peripheral equipment are identical to those described below and operate in the same way.
L'actionneur 9 représenté est du type électro- hydraulique, constitué d'un vérin à deux chambres 15, 16 et d'une pompe P animée par un moteur électrique M pour faire passer un liquide hydraulique d'une chambre dans l'autre et ainsi déplacer, dans un sens ou dans l'autre, la tige 9α du vérin commandant le braquage de la roue 5. Le moteur 18 est évidemment commandé par le régulateur 3.The actuator 9 shown is of the electro-hydraulic type, consisting of a jack with two chambers 15, 16 and a pump P driven by an electric motor M for passing a hydraulic liquid from one chamber to the other and thus moving, in one direction or the other, the rod 9 α of the jack controlling the turning of the wheel 5. The motor 18 is obviously controlled by the regulator 3.
Suivant .la présente invention, le moyen de désactivation est constitué par une électrovanne 14 à deux voies et deux positions, montées dans un conduit 22 de fluide raccordant les deux chambres 15, 16. Quand elle est commandée par le signal di .émis par .les moyens e diagnostic 3', 1 ' électrovanne 14 passe d'une position où elle coupe le conduit 22 à une position où elle met les deux chambres en communication de fluide, par ce conduit 22.' Un fonctionnement de la pompe P, éventuellement erratique du fait de la défaillance détectée de la chaîne de commande de braquage de la roue 5, est ' alors sans influence sur la position de la tige 9lf le liquide déplacé circulant en boucle dans le vérin, grâce au conduit 22. L'activation de 1 ' électrovanne 14 désactive donc complètement la chaîne de commande du braquage de la roue 5. Suivant la présente invention, la commande du braquage de cette roue reste cependant assurée grâce à un mécanisme de couplage des braquages des deux roues, permettant de transmettre à la roue 5 un effort de braquage développé dans la chaîne de commande de la roue 5', par l'actionneur 9' formant partie de cette chaîne.According to the present invention, the deactivation means is constituted by a two-way and two-position solenoid valve 14, mounted in a fluid conduit 22 connecting the two chambers 15, 16. When it is controlled by the signal transmitted by. the diagnostic means 3 ', the solenoid valve 14 passes from a position where it cuts the conduit 22 to a position where it puts the two chambers in fluid communication, via this conduit 22.' An operation of the pump P, optionally erratic due to the detected failure of the steering control chain wheel 5, is' then no influence on the position of the rod 9 lf displaced liquid circulating in loop in the cylinder, thanks to the conduit 22. The activation of the solenoid valve 14 therefore completely deactivates the chain for controlling the turning of the wheel 5. According to the present invention, the steering control of this wheel remains however ensured by means of a coupling mechanism of the steering of the two wheels, making it possible to transmit to the wheel 5 a steering force developed in the control chain of the wheel 5 ', by the actuator 9 'forming part of this chain.
Dans le mode de réalisation du dispositif suivant l'invention représenté aux figures 1 et 2, ce mécanisme de couplage est constitué par une barre rigide 23 couplant les déplacements des tiges 9%, 9'x des vérins 9, 9', les extrémités de cette barre étant articulée sur ces tiges au niveau des liaisons rigides 8ι, 8'χ, par exemple.In the embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, this coupling mechanism consists of a rigid bar 23 coupling the displacements of the rods 9%, 9 ' x of the jacks 9, 9', the ends of this bar being articulated on these rods at the rigid connections 8ι, 8',, for example.
Grâce à cette barre 23, l'un des vérins 9, 9' peut commander à la fois le braquage des deux roues, en cas de défaillance d'une des chaînes de commande, après désactivation de la chaîne de commande défaillante comme décrit ci-dessus.Thanks to this bar 23, one of the jacks 9, 9 ′ can control both the turning of the two wheels, in the event of a failure of one of the control chains, after deactivation of the faulty control chain as described below. above.
Bien entendu l'effort développé alors sur chaque roue par le vérin restant actif est divisé par deux, par rapport à l'effort exercé en fonctionnement normal du dispositif suivant l'invention. La dégradation des performances du dispositif suivant l'invention, en cas de braquage des roues d'un véhicule immobile ne se retrouve pas, cependant, quand le véhicule roule, l'effort de braquage à exercer alors sur les roues étant beaucoup moins important. De toute façon, les inconvénients de la dégradation signalée ci-dessus sont plus que largement compensés par les avantages que l'on tire, suivant l'invention, d'un sensible accroissement de la sûreté de fonctionnement du dispositif de braquage du véhicule, notamment dans le cas important du véhicule roulant, cas ou en outre l'inconvénient relevé disparait pratiquement.Of course the force then developed on each wheel by the cylinder remaining active is halved, compared to the force exerted in normal operation of the device according to the invention. The degradation of the performance of the device according to the invention, in the event of the steering of the wheels of a stationary vehicle is not found, however, when the vehicle is running, the steering effort to be exerted on the wheels then being much less. In any case, the drawbacks of the degradation indicated above are more than largely compensated by the advantages which one derives, according to the invention, from a significant increase in the dependability of the steering device of the vehicle, in particular in the important case of the rolling vehicle, in which case the disadvantage noted practically disappears.
Le taux de défaillance de 1 ' électrovanne 14 et du calculateur constituant le régulateur 3 et les moyens de diagnostic 3' sont déterminables par des tests exécutés périodiquement. Il est donc possible de comparer la sûreté de fonctionnement du dispositif suivant l'invention, à celle des dispositifs de servo-direction de la technique antérieure, à direction découplée du volant de direction et comprenant un ou deux actionneurs . La probabilité d'une perte de contrôle du véhicule équipé du dispositif suivant l'invention est liée à celle d'une défaillance simultanée des deux actionneurs, ou d'un actionneur et de son électrovanne de désactivation, ou encore d'un actionneur et des moyens de diagnostic de fonctionnement défectueux (panne) . La probabilité de perte de contrôle d'un véhicule à dispositif de servo-direction à actionneur unique est beaucoup plus grande.The failure rate of the solenoid valve 14 and of the computer constituting the regulator 3 and the diagnostic means 3 'can be determined by tests carried out periodically. It is therefore possible to compare safety of operation of the device according to the invention, to that of the power steering devices of the prior art, with direction decoupled from the steering wheel and comprising one or two actuators. The probability of a loss of control of the vehicle equipped with the device according to the invention is linked to that of a simultaneous failure of the two actuators, or of an actuator and its deactivation solenoid valve, or of an actuator and of the diagnostic means of faulty operation (failure). The probability of losing control of a vehicle with a single actuator power steering device is much greater.
La probabilité d'une indisponibilité du véhicule due à une défaillance du dispositif de servo-direction suivant l'invention est bien plus faible que dans le cas d'un dispositif à actionneur unique. La probabilité d'une telle indisponibilité pour un dispositif à deux actionneurs, non couplés par une barre de liaison, est beaucoup plus forte que dans le cas de la présente invention, où cette indisponibilité ne peut découler que de la panne simultanée des deux chaînes de commande.The probability of vehicle unavailability due to a failure of the power steering device according to the invention is much lower than in the case of a device with a single actuator. The probability of such unavailability for a device with two actuators, not coupled by a connecting rod, is much higher than in the case of the present invention, where this unavailability can only result from the simultaneous failure of the two chains of ordered.
Bien entendu l'invention n'est pas limitée au mode de réalisation représenté qui n'a été donné qu'à titre d'exemple. C'est ainsi que le dispositif suivant l'invention pourrait être équipé d' actionneurs constitués par des vérins électromécaniques à vis à bille, en lieu et place de vérins électro-hydrauliques tels que celui schématisé à la figure 2. Dans ce cas l' électrovanne de désactivation de l'actionneur peut être remplacée par un embrayage commandé, interposé entre le moteur électrique animant l'actionneur et la vis/tige de celui-ci. Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown, which has been given only by way of example. Thus, the device according to the invention could be equipped with actuators constituted by electromechanical cylinders with ball screws, in place of electro-hydraulic cylinders such as that shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. In this case the actuator deactivation solenoid valve can be replaced by a controlled clutch, interposed between the electric motor driving the actuator and the screw / rod of the latter.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Dispositif de servo-direction de véhicule automobile, pour commander l'angle de braquage' des roues gauche (5) et droite (5') d'au moins un essieu de direction dudit véhicule, comprenant : a) un organe de commande manuelle (1) d'un générateur (2) de valeur de consigne pour lesdits angles de braquage, b) des premier (9) et deuxième (9') actionneurs de braquage- es -i-tes- roues- gauche -(-5f -et dxσrte-- (ϋr')-, c) des moyens de régulation (3) sensibles à ladite valeur de consigne pour commander lesdits actionneurs (9, 9') selon deux chaînes de commande distinctes, dispositif caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre, en combinaison : d) des moyens de diagnostic (3') de l'occurrence d'un fonctionnement défectueux de l'une quelconque desdites chaînes de commande, e) des moyens (14, 14') commandés par lesdits moyens de diagnostic pour désactiver l'actionneur (9, 9') formant partie de la chaîne défaillante, et d) un mécanisme (23) de couplage des braquages des deux roues (5, 5'), pour assurer le braquage de la roue1. Motor vehicle power steering device, for controlling the steering angle ' of the left (5) and right (5') wheels of at least one steering axle of said vehicle, comprising: a) a control member manual (1) of a setpoint generator (2) for said steering angles, b) of the first (9) and second (9 ') steering actuators - es - i-your - wheels - left - (- 5f -and dxσrte-- (ϋr ') -, c) regulation means (3) sensitive to said set value for controlling said actuators (9, 9') according to two separate control chains, device characterized in that it further comprises, in combination: d) means for diagnosing (3 ') the occurrence of a faulty operation of any one of said control chains, e) means (14, 14') controlled by said diagnostic means for deactivating the actuator (9, 9 ') forming part of the faulty chain, and d) a mechanism (23) for coupling the deflections of the two r gills (5, 5 '), to ensure the steering of the wheel
(5, 5') associée à la chaîne défaillante, sous la commande de la chaîne non défaillante associée à l'autre roue (5',(5, 5 ') associated with the faulty chain, under the control of the non-faulty chain associated with the other wheel (5',
5) .5).
2. Dispositif conforme à la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit mécanisme de couplage est constitué par une barre rigide (23) interconnectant des organes de sortie mobiles (9X, 9'ι) desdits actionneurs (9, 9') .2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling mechanism consists of a rigid bar (23) interconnecting movable outlet members (9 X , 9'ι) of said actuators (9, 9 ').
3. Dispositif conforme à l'une quelconque des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé en ce que lesdits actionneurs (9, 9') sont des vérins électrohydrauliques, et en ce que lesdits moyens de désactivation de chacun desdits vérins comprennent une électrovanne (14, 14') permettant de mettre sélectivement en communication de fluide les deux chambres (15, 16) d'un vérin (9, 9') associé.3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said actuators (9, 9 ') are electro-hydraulic cylinders, and in that said deactivation means of each of said cylinders comprise a solenoid valve (14, 14 ') allowing the two chambers (15, 16) of an associated jack (9, 9 ') to be selectively placed in fluid communication.
4. Dispositif conforme à l'une quelconque des 5 revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé en ce que lesdits actionneurs sont des vérins électromécaniques et en ce que lesdits moyens de désactivation de chacun desdits vérins comprennent un embrayage commandé, pour isoler sélectivement le vérin associé d'un moteur électrique -1-0 d—a-n-i-ma-t-iθ-n- dud-i-t- vé-r-i-n-. 4. Device according to any one of claims 5 and 2, characterized in that said actuators are electromechanical cylinders and in that said deactivation means of each of said cylinders comprise a controlled clutch, for selectively isolating the associated cylinder d 'an electric motor -1-0 d — ani-ma-t-iθ-n- dud-it- vé-rin-.
EP01945449A 2000-06-27 2001-06-15 Motor vehicle power steering device Withdrawn EP1294604A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0008252A FR2810615B1 (en) 2000-06-27 2000-06-27 MOTOR VEHICLE POWER STEERING DEVICE
FR0008252 2000-06-27
PCT/FR2001/001869 WO2002000487A1 (en) 2000-06-27 2001-06-15 Motor vehicle power steering device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1294604A1 true EP1294604A1 (en) 2003-03-26

Family

ID=8851750

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01945449A Withdrawn EP1294604A1 (en) 2000-06-27 2001-06-15 Motor vehicle power steering device

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1294604A1 (en)
AU (1) AU6766901A (en)
FR (1) FR2810615B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2002000487A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2850939B1 (en) * 2003-02-11 2005-03-11 Renault Vehicules Ind METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
FR2850937B1 (en) * 2003-02-11 2006-02-03 Renault Vehicules Ind METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
JP6586181B2 (en) * 2018-02-20 2019-10-02 本田技研工業株式会社 Vehicle steering system

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19839953C2 (en) * 1998-09-02 2000-06-21 Daimler Chrysler Ag Steering system for non-track-bound motor vehicles

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO0200487A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6766901A (en) 2002-01-08
FR2810615A1 (en) 2001-12-28
FR2810615B1 (en) 2002-10-11
WO2002000487A1 (en) 2002-01-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
FR2772331A1 (en) STEERING FOR A VEHICLE
FR2783486A1 (en) METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A STEERING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
EP0052527B1 (en) Auxiliary device driven by the propulsion engine of an automotive vehicle
FR2721572A1 (en) Device for controlling a reaction force to a hydraulic power steering manual actuating element, in particular for a motor vehicle.
FR2787757A1 (en) STEERING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
FR2495724A1 (en) VOLUMETRIC HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION
FR2773763A1 (en) STEERING SYSTEM
FR2691934A1 (en) Device for actuating a parking brake on a motor vehicle.
FR2474717A1 (en) SPEED CONTROL OF AN ENGINE
FR2782684A1 (en) BRAKING DEVICE WITH COMBINED ASSISTANCE AND REGULATION
EP2163457B1 (en) Method and strategy for reducing the power consumption of an automobile
FR2758514A1 (en) DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE STEERING ANGLE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
FR2464850A1 (en) PERFECTED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DEVICE FOR A FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE
FR2933913A1 (en) CONTROL DEVICE ADAPTIVE TO THE EVOLUTION OF THE CHARACTERISTIC OF A CLUTCH BASED ON THE TEMPERATURE APPLIED TO A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A 4X4 PILOT SYSTEM.
DE102019121895A1 (en) TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A MAN-DRIVEN VEHICLE
FR2606711A1 (en) Air spring arrangement for double axled vehicles
FR2628695A1 (en) BRAKING SYSTEM WITH BRAKE AND TRACTION SLIDING REGULATOR
EP1294604A1 (en) Motor vehicle power steering device
FR2636031A1 (en) ALL-WHEEL STEERING FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
EP0112209A2 (en) Hydraulic distributor for a servo mechanism with limited reaction on the input member
FR2513958A1 (en) ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
FR2472500A1 (en) HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLE
FR2804647A1 (en) MOTOR VEHICLE SERVO DIRECTION DEVICE
FR2653173A1 (en) DEVICE COMPRISING A SERVOMOTOR FOR INTERVENTING IN A TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.
EP0015169B1 (en) Auxiliary propulsion circuit comprising at least one hydraulic motor

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20020320

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20030630

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20040113