Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
  • G01D5/12—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means
  • G01D5/14—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage
  • G01D5/142—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage using Hall-effect devices
  • G01D5/145—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage using Hall-effect devices influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
  • B62D15/00—Steering not otherwise provided for
  • B62D15/02—Steering position indicators ; Steering position determination; Steering aids
  • B62D15/021—Determination of steering angle
  • B62D15/0215—Determination of steering angle by measuring on the steering column
  • B62D15/022—Determination of steering angle by measuring on the steering column on or near the connection between the steering wheel and steering column
• • 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
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
  • F16C33/72—Sealings
  • F16C33/723—Shaft end sealing means, e.g. cup-shaped caps or covers
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C41/00—Other accessories, e.g. devices integrated in the bearing not relating to the bearing function as such
  • F16C41/007—Encoders, e.g. parts with a plurality of alternating magnetic poles
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
  • F16C19/02—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows
  • F16C19/04—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly
  • F16C19/06—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly with a single row or balls
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C2326/00—Articles relating to transporting
  • F16C2326/20—Land vehicles
  • F16C2326/24—Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns

Definitions

• Instrumented rolling bearing device in particular for a control wheel.
• the present invention relates to an instrumented rolling bearing device which can be used in particular in association with a control wheel, for example for a handling machine or a public works machine.
• the rolling bearing is of the type comprising an external element and an internal element, between which at least one row of rolling elements is provided. One of these elements remains fixed relative to a frame, while the other can be rotated by the electric control wheel.
• the instrumented bearing comprises means for detecting the parameters of rotation of the rotating element, so as to control an electric or electro-hydraulic actuator.
• An electric steering control is used more and more commonly in handling machines, for example forklifts or certain public works machines.
• the steering wheel actuated in rotation by the driver, is mounted on a fixed support by means of one or two rolling bearings to which a rotation detection system is added, whether or not integrated with the rolling bearings.
• This detection system delivers a signal representative of the rotation of the steering wheel (angle, direction and angular speed) which is routed to a signal processing system, then to an electronic control logic system which in turn sends appropriate signals to electric or electro-hydraulic actuators which cause the orientation of the vehicle wheels according to the orders given by the driver.
• An example of such a device is illustrated in the request for French patent 2,782,970, in which a steering wheel braking system has also been provided in order to generate a resistant torque promoting the precision and reliability of driving the vehicle.
• the detection electronics like the processing electronics and the control electronics are generally produced in the form of separate units, distant from each other and connected to each other by connection systems.
• Such a dispersion of the electronic modules has the disadvantage of making them more sensitive to external electromagnetic disturbances, the connection cables using the role of antenna.
• connection cables are exposed to the risk of damage by accidental cutting or tearing.
• the object of the present invention is to eliminate these difficulties and to produce an instrumented rolling bearing device which is more reliable, easier to assemble and more compact than the devices known up to now.
• the instrumented rolling bearing device which can be used in particular for a control wheel of a handling machine provided with an electric steering control system, comprises an external element and an internal element, the one is movable in rotation relative to the other which is fixed, by means of at least one row of rolling elements arranged between said elements.
• the device also includes means for detecting the rotation parameters of the rotating element.
• the device of the invention also includes electronic means for processing the signals emitted by the detection means and electronic means for controlling at least one actuator electrically connected to the device.
• the device can be produced as a set modular, economical to manufacture and easy to install.
• the electronic signal processing means make it possible to process and adapt the final signal to the requirements of the application.
• These means may include in particular a logic BUS type interface for the transmission and reliability of the information detected, a signal filter for better electro-magnetic or electrostatic protection compatible with the environment of the application and a system of signal redundancy analysis with emission of a fault signal in the event of detection failure.
• the electronic means for piloting make it possible to generate the final signal in the form of a voltage and / or an intensity for the control of one or more electrical, electromagnetic or electro-hydraulic actuators acting for example on the mechanism. orientation of the wheels of a vehicle as a function of the angular displacement of a control wheel, detected by the detection means.
• the electronic signal processing means and the electronic means for piloting are arranged on a fixed circuit board in rotation.
• a simple change of printed circuit allows the device to be adapted to another application.
• a connector is directly connected to the electronic control means and can cooperate with a connection cable connected to the actuator to communicate the control orders to the latter.
• a closing cover preferably closes the device on the side of the printed circuit board.
• the connector is advantageously provided directly on the closure cover.
• the device comprises a bearing comprising two bearing rings, one secured to the movable element in rotation and the other secured to the non-rotating element, the rolling elements being mounted between the two rings .
• the means for detecting the rotation parameters advantageously comprises a sensor secured to the fixed element and an encoder secured to the movable element in rotation.
• two sensors can be provided and mounted on the fixed element in two places on the periphery.
• the sensors and the encoder can also be mounted directly on the rolling bearing rings.
• each sensor includes a connection output directly connected to the electronic signal processing means. This avoids any connection cable.
• the fixed element comprises a tubular portion and a radial portion provided with means for fixing the device on a support.
• the movable element in rotation comprises a tubular portion and a radial portion provided with means for fixing a drive member such as a control wheel.
• the instrumented rolling bearing device comprises an external element 1 intended for housing and fixing the rolling bearing device, of annular shape, comprising a tubular portion 2 and a radial portion 3 extending at one end of the tubular portion towards the outside.
• the radial portion 3 is provided with a plurality of fixing holes 4 able to receive screws for fixing on a fixed frame 5, shown diagrammatically.
• the rolling bearing device further comprises an inner element 6 centered on the same axis 7 as the outer element 1.
• the inner element 6 has an annular shape with a U-section and includes a tubular portion 8, one end of which is closed off. by a radial portion 9.
• a plurality of holes 10 is provided through the tubular portion 9 to receive screws shown diagrammatically at 11, for example intended for fixing a rotary operating handwheel 12, shown diagrammatically in dotted lines.
• the exterior 1 and interior 6 elements are made of stamped sheet metal in the example illustrated.
• a ball bearing 13 is mounted between the outer 1 and inner elements 6.
• the ball bearing 13 comprises a row of balls 14 disposed between an outer ring 15 mounted in the bore of the tubular portion 2 of the outer element 1, and an inner ring 16 mounted on the tubular portion 8 of the inner element 6.
• the rolling elements such as the balls 14 of the rollers, needles, etc., could be mounted directly in contact with the exterior elements 1 and interior 6 by means of rolling tracks arranged on said elements outside and inside.
• the outer ring 15, fitted in the bore of the tubular portion 2 of the outer element 1, is provided with a raceway 15a for the rolling elements 14.
• the inner ring 16, fitted on the outer surface of the portion tubular 8 of the inner element 6, is provided with a raceway 16a for the rolling elements 14.
• the outer ring 15 is further provided with two symmetrical grooves 18 and 19 formed on its bore, on either side of the raceway 15a.
• the groove 18 allows the attachment of a sealing member 20 which rubs against a bearing surface of the inner ring 16.
• the groove 19 allows the attachment of a sensor block referenced 21 as a whole.
• the sensor unit 21 comprises two detection elements 22, 23, produced for example in the form of Hall effect cells, arranged diametrically opposite and embedded in a synthetic material forming an annular part 24 of the sensor unit 21.
• the sensor unit 21 is fixed to the front face of the outer ring 15 by means of an annular axial portion 25 which cooperates with the groove 19 and is partially housed inside the bore of the non-outer ring. rotating 15, so that the detection elements 22, 23 can be partially disposed between the two rings 15 and 16.
• the two detection elements 22, 23 each cooperate with a single coding ring 31 mounted opposite the sensor block 21 on the surface external cylindrical of the rotating inner ring 16, so as to be driven in rotation by the latter.
• the encoder ring 31 can be produced for example in the form of a multipole magnetic ring.
• the mounting of the encoder ring 31 is done by means of a support 32 which is received in part between the rings 15 and 16.
• the support 32 of annular shape with T section, is fitted on the outer cylindrical surface of the rotating ring 16 and abuts against a front surface of the latter. A portion of the encoder ring 31 is thus located between the rings 15 and 16 and a portion projects outside.
• Most of the outer cylindrical surface of the encoder ring 31 is opposite the two detection elements 22, 23 with a slight air gap.
• a braking member can also be provided so as to generate a friction torque between the movable members in rotation and the stationary members and thus improve the precision in the rotational movements of the control wheel.
• a braking member reference may be made to French patent application No. 2,782,970.
• the rotation parameters of the rotating inner ring 16 and therefore of the control wheel are detected by the encoder ring 31 which moves in front of the sensor block 21 provided with its two independent sensor elements 22, 23.
• Each of the sensor elements 22, 23 redundantly provides its own information on the angular displacement of the encoder 31 to the electronic information processing circuit.
• Each sensor 22, 23 can advantageously include two independent detectors, in order to give information both on the value and on the direction of the angular displacement.
• a printed circuit board 33 arranged in a radial plane and in the axial extension of the bearing, is fixed to the sensor unit 21 by any suitable means, such as screws, staples, gluing, ultrasonic welding, etc.
• the printed circuit board 33 includes both electronic means 34 for processing the signals and electronic means 35 constituting a control logic for an actuator, referenced 36, and illustrated in the dotted figure.
• the actuator 36 can be, for example, an electric or electro-hydraulic cylinder serving to the orientation of the wheels of a vehicle.
• the sensors 22, 23 are directly connected to the printed circuit of the plate 33 by the short connections 22a, 23a. The connection between the detection means, the electronic signal processing means and the electrical control logic means is therefore made directly, in an extremely small space and without having to use connection cables. This avoids the drawbacks already mentioned above linked to the use of such connection cables.
• the device as a whole is closed on the side of the printed circuit board 33 by a closure cover 37, made for example of synthetic material, secured by any appropriate means to the outside edge of the tubular portion 2 of the outside element 1.
• the cover 37 further comprises a connector 38 whose pins 39 are electrically connected directly to the output of the control electronics provided on the printed circuit board 33.
• the connection is made '' a practically direct way, without connection cable, with great compactness and eliminating any risk of deterioration.
• the external element 1 could be made to comprise a bottom radial wall extending inwards from the free edge of the tubular portion 2 opposite the radial portion 3, and coming to close axially the housing delimited radially by the tubular portion 2.
• the detection device and the printed circuit board would then be housed in a space closed axially by said radial wall, and on the opposite side by ball bearing 13, without adding a cover closing 37 additional.
• connection means will be provided for the cable 40 and the printed circuit board 33.
• the device of the present invention has many advantages. First of all, its great simplicity allows economical manufacturing. In addition, its modularity allows it to adapt with the same basic structure of the rolling bearing to different applications in simply changing the circuit board. Its reliability is excellent when handling the bearing, all of the elements and parts being perfectly protected. Finally, the device is very easy to install, a single unitary assembly integrating the support and fixing means for the control wheel and all of the electronic means.
• the sensor unit 21 and the encoder ring 31 are in direct contact with the rings 15 and 16, which promotes the reduction of the axial size of the instrumented rolling bearing device.
• the printed circuit board 33 is designed to be in contact with the sensor unit 21, and to be housed with the detection assembly in the tubular portion 2 which receives the ball bearing 13. A set of reduced radial dimensions is obtained, comprising detection means and means for controlling an actuator.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)
• Transmission And Conversion Of Sensor Element Output (AREA)
• Indicating Or Recording The Presence, Absence, Or Direction Of Movement (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8854021

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (38)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 2000
  • 2000-09-06 FR FR0011357A patent/FR2813644B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2001
  • 2001-09-05 AU AU2001286026A patent/AU2001286026A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-09-05 EP EP01965380A patent/EP1315913A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-09-05 WO PCT/FR2001/002752 patent/WO2002021006A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2001-09-05 US US10/363,213 patent/US6908229B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-09-05 JP JP2002525385A patent/JP2004508510A/ja active Pending

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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