Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
  • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
  • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
  • B62D1/22—Alternative steering-control elements, e.g. for teaching purposes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
  • B62D3/00—Steering gears
  • B62D3/02—Steering gears mechanical
  • B62D3/12—Steering gears mechanical of rack-and-pinion type

Definitions

• the invention relates to partially autonomous vehicles with steering wheels, possibly of the automotive type, and more specifically the devices that make it possible to control the steering wheels (or the steering) of such vehicles.
• partially autonomous vehicle means a vehicle that can be driven manually during manual driving phases and automatically during autonomous driving phases.
• certain vehicles for example dedicated to teaching driving (driving school) or to particular functions (such as for example cleaning streets), include a control device allowing a passenger to control their steering wheels whether he is sitting in a front right or left seat.
• a control device generally comprises a first wheel secured to a first steering column coupled to a first steering box providing an offset of the rotational movement of the first steering column in the vertical direction (of the vehicle) and coupled to a bar steering wheel coupled indirectly to the steering wheels, a second flywheel secured to a second steering column coupled to a second steering box providing an offset of the rotational movement of the second steering column in the vertical direction (identical to that provided by the first steering column).
• steering gear and coupling means providing an indirect coupling of the first and second flywheels so that an action on one of them induces exactly and simultaneously the same action on the other and thus on the steering wheels .
• these coupling means may comprise two gears which are fixedly secured respectively to the first and second steering columns and coupled together by a chain.
• these coupling means may comprise a bar whose two opposite ends are provided with a first notched gear cone, and two second notched gear cones secured to the ends of the first and second steering columns. and meshing respectively the first two toothed gear cones.
• these coupling means may comprise a bar whose two opposite ends are provided with a first notched gear cone, and two second notched gear cones rotatably coupled respectively to the first and second steering gear boxes. .
• the first steering wheel, the first steering column and the first steering gear are specifically arranged for a vehicle having a
• the second steering wheel, the second steering column and the second steering box are specifically arranged for a vehicle having a right-hand drive or having a left-hand drive.
• the steering bar one must be provided specifically for driving on the left and another
• the invention is therefore particularly intended to improve the situation.
• a device intended to control the steering wheels of a vehicle, and comprising: a first steering wheel dedicated to driving on the left and secured to a first steering column coupled to a first steering gear,
• Coupling means coupling indirectly between the first and second flywheels so that an action on one of them induces exactly and simultaneously the same action on the other.
• first and second steering columns each comprise) an end housed in one of the first and second steering boxes and provided with a first gimbal portion
• a steering rod comprising a first end, provided with a second cardan part, complementary to the first gimbal parts and adapted to be secured to the first or the first
• a gimbal portion of the first or second steering column depending on whether the vehicle is arranged for left-hand or right-hand drive, and a second end adapted to be indirectly coupled to the steering wheels.
• control device may comprise other characteristics which can be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:
• each first gimbal portion may be arranged in the form of a U-shaped fork
• the second gimbal portion may be arranged in the form of a U-shaped fork adapted to be secured to one or the other
• its coupling means may comprise a coupling rack adapted to be mounted in translation in a dashboard crossmember vehicle and comprising first and second ends provided with first notches meshing second notches rotatably coupled to the first and second steering columns via respectively the first and second steering boxes;
• first and second steering boxes can be coupled to the dashboard cross member
• Its coupling means may comprise a hollow tube adapted to be fixedly secured to the dashboard cross member and housing in translation at least a central portion of the coupling rack) located between its first and second ends.
• its first and second steering boxes can be rotatably mounted on the hollow tube so as to allow changes in inclination of the first and second steering columns independent of each other;
• first and second axes each comprising a first portion, provided with second notches meshing first notches of one of the first and second ends, and a second portion, on the one hand, installed parallel to one of the first and second columns) and provided with third notches, housed in one of the first and second steering boxes and coupled to a coupling element of the latter, and, secondly, coupled to the first part via a ball joint connection to allow a conservation of the parallelism between its second part and the first or second associated steering column in case of change of inclination thereof;
• each ball joint connection may be able to allow displacement of the first associated part relative to the coupling rack without modification of their meshing
• the coupling elements can be first fixed gears fixed respectively to the ends of the first and second steering columns which are provided with the first gimbal parts;
• the third notches may be part of second fixed gears fixed respectively and respectively to the second parts of
• the second notches can be sprocket teeth of the first parts of the first and second axes
• each of the first and second steering boxes may) comprise a first housing secured to one of the first and second steering columns and rotatably mounted on the hollow tube, and a second housing fixedly secured to the first housing.
• the invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of automobile type, and comprising steering wheels and a control device of the type of that presented above and coupled to the steering wheels.
• this vehicle may also include a driver assistance device capable of driving it independently without the intervention of a passenger and to warn the latter when he must regain control by acting at least on the first or second steering wheel control device.
• CAD / CAM Computer Assisted Design / Drawing Assisted by Computer
• FIG. 1 diagrammatically and functionally illustrates an example of a vehicle comprising a control device according to the invention
• FIG. 2 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view of the front side, an exemplary embodiment of a control device according to the invention, suitable for driving on the left,
• FIG. 3 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view of the front side and partially in transparency, a portion of an exemplary embodiment of coupling means of a control device according to the invention, housed in a second housing of FIG. a second steering box
• FIG. 4 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view of the rear side, a part of an exemplary embodiment of a control device according to the invention, suitable for driving on the right
• FIG. 5 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view of the front side, another part of the exemplary embodiment of the coupling means of FIG. 3, after their coupling with a dashboard cross member (very partially shown); and first and second steering boxes (not shown), and before the rotation coupling of the gears,
• FIG. 6 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view of the front side, the coupling means of FIGS. 3 and 5 after their coupling to the dashboard cross member and to the first and second steering boxes, and
• FIG. 7 schematically illustrates, in a view from above, a portion of the coupling means of FIGS. 3 and 5, in the absence of the first housing;
• the object of the invention is notably to propose a DC control device intended to control steered wheels RD of a vehicle VA.
• the vehicle VA is automotive type. This is for example a car. But) the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It concerns indeed any type of vehicle comprising at least two seats placed next to each other and allowing the passengers they host to drive. Therefore, it relates in particular to land vehicles such as, for example, cars, coaches (or buses), trucks, road vehicles, agricultural vehicles, and construction machinery.
• land vehicles such as, for example, cars, coaches (or buses), trucks, road vehicles, agricultural vehicles, and construction machinery.
• the vehicle VA is dual total control. This is for example a driving school car. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle VA. It concerns indeed any type of vehicle comprising a) control device comprising two flywheels coupled together indirectly so that an action on one of them induces exactly and simultaneously the same action on the other and therefore on the steering wheels.
• the direction X is the longitudinal direction of the VE vehicle, which is substantially parallel to the lateral sides with the side doors
• the Y direction is the transverse direction of the vehicle VA, which is perpendicular to the direction X
• the direction Z is the vertical direction of the vehicle VA, which is perpendicular to the
• FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a non-limiting example of a vehicle VA according to the invention, here of automotive type, and comprising a powertrain, two RD steered wheels, a DC control device, and first PF1 and second PF2 pedals. brake and first
• PA1 and second PA2 accelerator pedals because it is dual total control.
• a control device DC comprises at least first first V1 and second V2 respectively associated with first S1 and second S2 seats, first
• the powertrain is conventional, and therefore includes only a heat engine MT for driving its steering wheels.
• the powertrain could be of the hybrid type and therefore could include at least one engine and at least one engine (electric or hydraulic or compressed air), associated (e) means of energy storage, or all-electric type.
• the powertrain also comprises, in particular, an EM clutch, a BV gearbox, and a CS supervision computer.
• the operation of the powertrain is controlled by the supervision computer CS.
• the first seat S1 is intended to receive a first passenger clean to act on the first wheel V1 and the first accelerator pedals PA1 and PF1 brake.
• the second seat S2 is installed next to the first seat S1 and intended to receive a second passenger clean to act on the second steering wheel V2 and here on the second accelerator pedal PA2 and brake PF2.
• the second accelerator pedal PA2 is able to act in the same way and at the same time as the first accelerator pedal PA1. In other words the first PA1 and second PA2 accelerator pedals act identically on the acceleration.
• the second brake pedal PF2 is able to act in the same way and at the same time as the first brake pedal PF1. In other words the first PF1 and second PF2 brake pedals act so
• first PF1 and second PF2 brake pedals can be coupled to each other via a BF bar.
• the first steering wheel V1 is dedicated to driving on the left and secured to the first steering column CD1 which is also coupled to the first steering box BD1 which ensures an offset of the rotational movement of
• the first steering column CD1 in the vertical direction Z of the vehicle. It allows the first passenger who sits on the first seat S1 to control the direction of movement of the vehicle VA.
• the second steering wheel V2 is dedicated to driving on the right and secured to the second steering column CD2 which is also coupled to the second
• BD2 steering box which provides an offset of the rotational movement of the second steering column CD2 in the vertical direction Z (identical to that provided by BD1) and which is coupled thereto (BD1) via coupling means MC described further. It allows the second passenger who sits on the second seat S2 to control the direction of movement of the vehicle
• the first steering column CD1 comprises an end housed in the first steering box BD1 and provided with a first part of
• the second steering column CD2 comprises an end housed in the second steering box BD2 and provided with a first cardan portion PC1.
• the BAD steering bar includes first EB1 and second EB2 opposite ends.
• the first end EB1 is provided with a second cardan portion PC2 which is complementary to the first cardan portions PC1 of the ends of the first CD1 and second CD2
• PC2 cardan part of the first end EB1 of the steering bar BAD is secured to the first gimbal portion PC1 of the end of the first steering column CD1.
• the vehicle VA is arranged for a right-hand drive (as illustrated in FIG. 4)
• each first cardan part PC1 can be arranged in the form of a U-shaped fork, and the second cardan part PC2 can be arranged
• the coupling between the steering bar BAD and the end of one of the steering columns may, for example, be by means of an unmountable mounting of an axis (for example by press).
• the second end EB2 of the steering bar BAD is adapted to be coupled indirectly to the RD steering wheels (here the front wheels) via, for example, a CRD steering rack (see FIG. 2).
• the coupling means MC are arranged so as to couple together indirectly the first V1 and second V2 flying so that a
• first CD1 and second CD2 identical steering columns it is possible to use first CD1 and second CD2 identical steering columns, first BD1 and second BD2 identical steering boxes, and a single direction bar BAD. It may even be possible to use
• the first identical V1 and second V2 flywheels The result is not only cost reduction, but also simplification of stock management and assembly line feeding.
• the coupling means MC may comprise at least one rack of
• this coupling rack CC comprises first and second E1 and E2 opposite ends and provided
• first notches (or teeth or toothing) C1 which meshing second notches (or teeth or toothing) C2 rotatably coupled to the first CD1 and second CD2 steering columns via respectively the first BD1 and second BD2 steering boxes.
• the dashboard cross TP advantageously allows to support it without the need to provide additional support means. This provides great stability, with minimal play, and rigidity to the MC coupling means. In addition, this avoids unnecessarily cluttering an area of the dashboard PB or the engine compartment.
• the use of a DC coupling rack reduces the noise generated and the wear, which makes the coupling means MC less fragile.
• the various constituents may further be dimensioned to hold the efforts.
• first BD1 and second BD2 steering boxes can be adapted to be coupled to the dashboard transom TP.
• the coupling means MC can also comprise a hollow tube TC fixedly secured to the dashboard cross member TP and translational housing at least a central portion PC of the coupling rack CC, located between its first E1 and second E2 ends. This joining can, for example, be by screwing or welding.
• the first BD1 and second BD2 steering boxes are preferably rotatably mounted on the hollow tube TC in order to allow changes in inclination of the first CD1 and second CD2 columns. direction who are independent
• the central portion PC of the coupling rack CC may be circular cylindrical, so as to be housed in a circular cylindrical hollow tube TC or also having a circular cylindrical inner housing.
• each of them includes first CB1 and second CB2 casings.
• Each first housing CB1 is then secured to one of the first CD1 and second CD2 steering columns and rotatably mounted on
• each second casing CB2 is fixedly secured to the first casing CB1 associated.
• first CB1 and second CB2 housings can, for example, be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal (including steel or aluminum). But they could be made of metal
• the coupling means MC may also comprise first A1 and second A2 axes each comprising a first portion PA1 and a second portion PA2 coupled together by a ball joint LR, to facilitate the aforementioned inclination changes, in particular.
• Each first part PA1 is provided with second notches (or teeth
• the first part PA1 of the first axis A1 comprises second notches C2 meshing with first notches C1 of the first end E1 of the coupling rack CC, and the first part PA1 of the second axis A2
• these second notches C2 of each first portion PA1 are sprocket teeth located on one end of the latter (PA1) and which mesh teeth defining the first notches C1 of the
• Each second part PA2 is installed parallel to one of the first CD1 and second CD2 columns of direction, and therefore in an XZ plane, and is provided with third notches (or teeth or toothing) C3 which are housed in one of the first BD1 and second BD2 steering boxes and coupled to
• the second portion PA2 of the first axis A1 is installed parallel to the first steering column CD1 and is provided with third notches C3 housed in the first direction box BD1 and coupled to a coupling element P1 of the latter (BD1), and the second part PA2 of the second axis A2 is
• Each ball joint LR coupling a first portion PA1 to a second portion PA2, is adapted to allow a conservation of parallelism
• the ball joint LR may, for example, be of the homokinetic joint type or universal joint. It makes it possible to keep the distance between the second notches C2 and the third notches C3 unchanged and to tilt the first PA1 and second PA2 portions of the first A1 and second A2 axes at respective angles.
• each ball joint LR may also be able to allow movement of the associated first part PA1 with respect to the coupling rack CC without modification of their meshing, in case of displacement of the first CD1 or second CD2 steering column. associated.
• each steering column CD1, CD2 results, for example, from the fact that the latter comprise concentric tubes coupled via male and female splines.
• P1 coupling induces the rotation drive of the first axis A1 because it is coupled to the third notches C3 of the latter (A1).
• the rotation of the first axis A1 induces the translation of the coupling rack CC in the transverse direction Y, because its second notches C2 mesh with the first notches C1 of the latter (CC).
• DC coupling induces the rotation drive of the second axis A2 because its first notches C1 mesh with the second notches C2 of the latter (A2).
• the rotation of the second axis A2 induces the rotational drive of another coupling element P1 forming part of the second steering box BD2 of the that its third notches C3 are coupled to this other coupling element P1.
• the rotational drive of this other coupling element P1 causes the rotation drive of the second steering column CD2 and thus the second steering wheel V2.
• the coupling elements P1 may be first gears which are fixedly secured respectively to the ends of the first CD1s and
• the third notches C3 may be part of second pinions P2 that are fixedly secured respectively to the second PA2 parts of the first A1 and second A2 axes and coupled to each other. rotation to the coupling elements P1 (here first gears). Alternatively, they could be defined in the second portions PA2 of the first A1 and second A2 axes.
• the coupling between the first P1 and second P2 pinions can be done in at least two ways.
• the third notches C3 of the second pinions P2 can mesh the first pinions P1.
• the coupling means MC may comprise two toothed belts.
• control means MC may also comprise, on both sides of the first P1 and second P2 pinions, two tensioners TEC intended to press each COC belt against the first P1 and second P2 associated pinions.
• the second pinions P2 (which comprise the third notches C3) are housed, like the first pinions P1, respectively in the first BD1 and second BD2 steering boxes, so as to follow the movements of the latter (BD1, BD2) in the XZ plane.
• This vertical offset is advantageously caught by the first P1 and second P2 pinions and the possible COC belt.
• the second notches C2 can be defined on the first parts PA1 of the first A1 and second A2 axes. As a variant, they could be part of fixedly fixed gears and respectively to the first parts PA1 of the first A1 and second A2 axes.
• the vehicle VA may also comprise a device for assisting the driving DA capable of driving it autonomously without the intervention of a passenger and to warn the latter when he must regain control by acting at least on the first V1 or second V2 flying.
• the VE vehicle is partially autonomous and therefore can be controlled both by its driver and by the passenger who sits next to it and who eventually provides training.
• gearbox BV is of automatic type (or the like) so that it can be controlled automatically by the supervision computer CS, in particular according to commands determined by the driver assistance device. DA.
• second passengers is preferably by means of a sound message that is broadcast by at least one loudspeaker of the vehicle VA, and which can be completed by a text message displayed on at least one screen of the vehicle VA in visibility of first and second passengers.
• the second passenger can take control of the vehicle VA if the first passenger does not, and conversely the first passenger can take control of the vehicle VA if the second passenger does not do it.
• the device In the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 1, the device
• 5 DA conduct can be realized in the form of software modules (or computer (or “software”)), or electronic circuits (or “hardware”), or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Steering Controls (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=57233689

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

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Family Cites Families (4)

• 2016
  • 2016-08-24 FR FR1657886A patent/FR3055296B1/fr active Active
• 2017
  • 2017-08-04 WO PCT/FR2017/052189 patent/WO2018037181A1/fr unknown
  • 2017-08-04 JP JP2019510355A patent/JP6899893B2/ja active Active
  • 2017-08-04 EP EP17758236.8A patent/EP3504104A1/fr not_active Withdrawn

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