JP4248390B2 - Steering device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering operation device provided in a vehicle, and more particularly to a steering operation device used in an operation unit of a steer-by-wire type steering system.

Nowadays, as a steering system provided in a vehicle, a so-called steer-by-wire steering system, that is, the system is steered under electrical control regardless of an operation force applied to an operation member such as a steering wheel provided in an operation unit. A steering system in which wheels are steered according to the operation of an operation member by the power of a power source provided in the section is being studied. In this steering system, since the operation member and the steered portion are not normally connected so as to be able to transmit rotation, it is necessary to define the operation range of the operation member at the operation portion for convenience of steering operation. Therefore, as described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 below, the steering operation device that constitutes the operation unit is provided with a slide member that interlocks with the operation member, and the operation member is provided with a stopper that defines the movement range of the slide member. The operating range is specified.
JP 2001-106111 A JP 2001-130426 A JP 2001-114123 A Patent No. 2814375

  However, in the steering operation devices described in Patent Documents 2 to 4, the stopper has only a function of defining a certain operation range. In a steer-by-wire type steering system, it is possible to relatively reduce the operation range, and this is often done. However, there is a case where a manual operation mechanism for turning the wheel by the operation force of the operation member in consideration of a system failure or the like is provided, and in the case of steering by the manual operation mechanism, an operation range larger than the normal operation range is set. It is desirable to do. In such a case, a steering operation device having a stopper that can define only a certain operation range has a problem that a necessary operation amount cannot be secured. Therefore, in the steering operation device described in Patent Document 1, the operation range is expanded by retracting the stopper and moving the slide member interlocked with the operation member more than usual. However, the steering device has a problem that the steering operation device itself becomes large in order to move more slide members. In view of such a situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a compact steering operation device that can expand an operation range of an operation member.

In order to solve the above problems, a steering operation device according to the present invention is a steering operation device provided in a steer-by-wire type steering system, and includes (A) an operation member to be rotated, and (B) connected to the operation member. A rotation axis that is rotated by the operation of the operation member, (C) a displacement body that can move along a predetermined trajectory, and (D) a motion conversion between rotation of the rotation axis and movement of the displacement body, A motion conversion mechanism that links the operating member and the displacement body so that the displacement body moves by an amount of movement corresponding to the operation amount of the member; and (E) the displacement body that moves along the trajectory at a set position. It is premised on that it is provided with locking means for restricting the operation range of the operation member by locking.

The steering operation device of the present invention prohibits the motion conversion by the motion conversion mechanism, thereby releasing the linkage between the operation member and the displacement body and allowing the operation member and the displacement body to move freely. An operation range non-restricted state realization mechanism that realizes a state where the operation range of the member is not restricted is provided.

Effects and effects of the invention

The steering operation device of the present invention is based on the premise that the operation range of the operation member is restricted by locking the displacement body interlocked with the operation member, and the movement of the displacement body is not a movement corresponding to the operation of the operation member. it is, is intended to expand the operation range. Since there is no expansion of the moving range of the moving body due to expansion of the operation range, compact steering apparatus is realized.

Aspects of the Invention

  In the following, some aspects of the invention that can be claimed in the present application (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “claimable invention”) will be exemplified and described. As with the claims, each aspect is divided into sections, each section is numbered, and is described in a form that cites the numbers of other sections as necessary. This is merely for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the claimable inventions, and is not intended to limit the combinations of the constituent elements constituting those inventions to those described in the following sections. In other words, the claimable invention should be construed in consideration of the description accompanying each section, the description of the embodiments, etc., and as long as the interpretation is followed, another aspect is added to the form of each section. In addition, an aspect in which constituent elements are deleted from the aspect of each item can be an aspect of the claimable invention.

In each of the following items, the combination of the items (1), (4), (6), and (7) corresponds to claim 1, and the technology of item (10) is added to claim 1. The limitation by the technical feature corresponds to claim 2, and the limitation by the technical feature of the item (2) to claim 1 or 2 corresponds to claim 3 .

(1) An operation member, a displacement body that is linked to the operation member and is displaced by a displacement amount corresponding to the operation amount of the operation member, and a latch that locks the displacement body to restrict the operation range of the operation member. A steering operation device provided in a steer-by-wire steering system,
A steering operation device comprising an operation range non-restricted state realization mechanism for realizing a state where the operation range of the operation member is not restricted.

  The mode described in this section regulates the operation range of the operation member by locking the displacement body interlocked with the operation of the operation member such as the steering wheel, and for example, makes the displacement body not locked. Thus, it is an aspect having a function of releasing the restriction of the operation range. According to the aspect described in this section, with a simple configuration, a steering operation device (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “operation device”) capable of selectively realizing a restricted state and a restricted state of the steering operation range. Become. In that sense, the aspect described in this section can be an aspect provided with a steering operation range variable mechanism.

  The “displacement body” referred to in this section may be displaced by movement, or may be displacement that does not involve movement, such as rotation. In other words, “displacement” in this section is a concept including that the posture of the displacement body such as the rotational angle position changes. Further, the “operation amount of the operation member” corresponds to an operation angle of the steering wheel or the like when the operation member is a steering wheel, for example. For example, the neutral state where the wheels are not steered is used as a reference, and the degree of operation from the reference can be used as the operation amount. Further, the “locking means” is not particularly limited, but as a simple one, for example, it has a locking member, and the displacement body or a part thereof is brought into contact with the displacement body to displace the displacement body. When a stopper mechanism such as blocking is employed, the locking means can be configured including the locking member.

  (2) The steering operation device according to (1), wherein the steering operation device includes a displacement body urging mechanism that urges the displacement body in a direction to prevent displacement of the displacement body.

  According to the aspect described in this section, for example, by urging the displacement body, it is possible to apply an operation reaction force to the operation member linked thereto. That is, an operation device including an operation reaction force applying mechanism is realized. Further, for example, the displacement body can be positioned at a position where the displacement body is not displaced by the urging force, and the operation member linked to the displacement body can be returned to the neutral state. That is, an operating device having a neutral state return mechanism is realized. As the urging force generating means, for example, an elastic body such as a spring (including an air spring), a magnet that generates attractive force or repulsive force, and the like can be adopted. That is, a mechanism for urging the displacement body with an urging force corresponding to the operation amount of the operation member can be easily realized. The operation device according to the aspect described in this section can incorporate an operation reaction force applying mechanism and a neutral state return mechanism into a mechanism that regulates the steering operation range, and can be made compact even though it is multifunctional.

  (3) The operation range non-restricted state realizing mechanism is a locking means retracting mechanism for retracting the locking means so as to realize a state where the displacement body is not locked. Steering operation device.

  The mode described in this section includes, for example, a mode of retracting the stopper member in the displacement direction of the displacement body, a mode of moving in a direction crossing the displacement direction, etc. when the stopper mechanism described above is employed. . The locking means retracting mechanism is a simple operation range non-regulated state realization mechanism.

  (4) The displacement body disengagement release mechanism for releasing the linkage of the displacement body to the operation member so that the operation range non-restricted state realization mechanism realizes a state in which the displacement body is not displaced according to the operation amount of the operation member. The steering operation device according to item (1) or (2).

  The aspect described in this section includes an aspect in which, for example, a state in which the displacement body is not displaced even when the operation member is operated is included. Rather than increasing the amount of displacement of the displacement body, the operation range is expanded, but the displacement body is not locked by not displacing the displacement body, and the operation range is expanded by entering that state. As will be described later, in the case where the displacement body is a moving body, the movement area of the displacement body is not enlarged, so that the movement area secured in the apparatus is small, and the compactness of the operating device can be obtained. Can be achieved.

  (5) The steering operation device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the displacement body is a rotation body that rotates by a rotation angle corresponding to an operation amount of the operation member.

  The aspect described in this section is one aspect of the aspect in which the displacement body is displaced without being moved. According to this aspect, the movement area of the displacement body does not need to be secured in the apparatus, and thus the compact body is compact. An operating device is realized. For example, when the operation member is rotated like a steering wheel or the like, a configuration that rotates according to the rotation of the operation member can be employed. More specifically, a mode in which the rotating shaft itself that rotates together with the operation member is a rotating body, a mode in which some member is attached to the rotating shaft to rotate the rotating shaft, directly with the rotating shaft or via a speed reduction mechanism, etc. It is possible to employ various modes such as a mode in which the connected rotating members are rotating bodies.

  (6) The steering operation according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the displacement body is a moving body that moves by a movement amount corresponding to the operation amount of the operation member along a predetermined trajectory. apparatus.

  The aspect described in this section is an aspect of an aspect that employs a moving displacement body. The “trajectory” referred to in this section is not a concept meaning a substantial thing but an abstract concept such as a moving path of a displacement body and a trajectory when moved. Further, the trajectory is not limited to a straight trajectory, and may be a curved trajectory such as a circular trajectory centered on one arbitrary point. If a moving body is adopted as the displacement body, a simple operation device is realized. Further, when adopting a moving body, when the purpose is to make the operating device compact, as described above, a displacement body linkage releasing mechanism that can enjoy the advantage that the moving area of the moving body can be reduced is also employed. It is desirable.

  (7) The steering operation device includes a rotation shaft connected to the operation member, and a motion conversion mechanism that realizes a motion conversion between the rotation of the rotation shaft and the movement of the displacement body along the predetermined trajectory. The steering operation device according to item (6), comprising:

  The aspect described in this section is an aspect in which a moving mechanism of the displacement body is embodied in the aspect in which the above-described moving body is employed as the displacement body. This is a mode that is particularly effective when the operation member is a rotary operation member such as a steering wheel. More specifically, for example, various mechanisms such as a ball screw mechanism described later, a rack and pinion mechanism, and the like can be employed as the motion conversion mechanism.

  (8) The motion conversion mechanism includes a ball screw provided on the rotating shaft, a ball nut provided on the displacement body and meshed with the ball screw, and a nut rotation prohibiting unit that prohibits rotation of the ball nut. The steering device according to item (7), wherein the steering device is a ball screw mechanism.

  The mode described in this section is a mode in which a limitation relating to the motion conversion mechanism is added. Since the ball screw mechanism is a mechanism that can easily and smoothly convert between a rotational motion and a linear motion, it is suitable as a mechanism for moving the displacement body.

(9) A displacement body disengagement release mechanism for releasing the linkage of the displacement body to the operation member so that the operation range non-restricted state realization mechanism realizes a state in which the displacement body is not displaced according to the operation amount of the operation member. And
The steering operation device according to item (7) or (8), wherein the displacement body linkage release mechanism prohibits the motion conversion by the motion conversion mechanism.

  To put it plainly, the aspect described in this section is an aspect in which the displacement body is not moved by not performing the motion conversion by the motion conversion mechanism when the motion conversion mechanism is employed. For example, by providing a mechanism for canceling motion transmission in any part of the motion conversion mechanism, it is possible to prohibit movement of the displacement body when the operating member is operated.

(10) The motion conversion mechanism includes: a ball screw provided on the rotating shaft; a ball nut provided on the movable body and meshing with the ball screw; and a nut rotation prohibiting unit that prohibits rotation of the ball nut. A ball screw mechanism having
The steering operation device according to item (9), wherein the displacement body linkage canceling mechanism cancels the prohibition of rotation of the ball nut by the nut rotation prohibiting means.

  The mode described in this section is a mode in which the link between the operation member and the displacement body is released when a ball screw mechanism is employed as the motion conversion mechanism. If the rotation of the ball nut is allowed, the ball screw and the ball nut can be rotated integrally, and motion conversion is not performed.

  Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition to the following examples, the present invention is implemented in various modes including various modes modified and improved based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the mode described in the above [Mode of Invention]. be able to.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows an outline of a steer-by-wire type steering system in which the steering operation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided. In this system, the operation unit 10 and the steering unit 12 are mechanically separated, and the power source provided in the steering unit 12 is independent of the operation force applied to the steering wheel 14 as a steering operation member. This is a steering system that steers the steered wheels 16 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “wheels 16”) by power. In this system, the operation unit 10 and the steering unit 12 are connected to each other including a mechanism for transmitting the operation force so that the wheel 16 can be steered by the operation force applied to the operation member 14 at the time of a failure. The connecting part 18 is also provided.

  The operation unit 10 is mainly composed of the steering operation device 20 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “operation device 20”) of the first embodiment of the present invention. The operating device 20 includes a steering wheel 14 that is rotated by a driver, and is fixed to a vehicle body, specifically, an instrument panel reinforcement. As will be described in detail later, the operation device 20 functions as a sensor for detecting the operation amount (operation angle) of the steering wheel 14, a function for regulating the range of the steering operation, a reaction force against the rotation operation of the steering wheel 14, That is, it has a function of applying an operation reaction force. As will be described in detail later, the mechanism for applying the operational reaction force includes two mechanisms: a mechanism that relies on the biasing force of the spring and a mechanism that relies on the rotational force of the reaction force applying motor. In the system, the former is the main mechanism, and the latter is the mechanism for adjusting the operation reaction force.

  The steered portion 12 is mainly composed of a wheel steered device 24 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “steered device 24”) that is fixed to the vehicle body and reciprocates the steered rod 22 in the axial direction. Although illustration of the inside is omitted, the steered device 24 includes a steered motor as a power source, and a ball nut that meshes with a ball screw formed on the steered rod 22 is rotationally driven by the steered motor. By doing so, the steered rod 22 is moved in the axial direction. Each end of the steered rod 22 is connected to a tie rod 28 via a ball joint 26, and the other end of the tie rod 28 is a steering for holding the wheel 16 rotatably via another kind of ball joint 30. It is connected to a knuckle arm 34 that is a part of the knuckle 32. With such a connection structure, the wheel 16 is steered by moving the steered rod 22 in the axial direction. The steered device 24 has a function as a sensor that detects the amount of movement of the steered rod 22 (a kind of steered amount).

  This steering system is controlled by a steering electronic control unit 40 (steering ECU, hereinafter simply referred to as “ECU 40”) included in the steering system. The ECU 40 includes a driver, such as a computer, various motors, various actuators, and the like. The ECU 40 obtains a signal θ related to the operation amount of the steering wheel 14 detected by the operating device 20 and a signal δ related to the amount of movement of the steered rod 22 detected by the steered device 24, and based on them, the wheel The steered motor included in the steered device 24 is controlled and driven so that the 16 steered amount becomes an amount corresponding to the operation amount of the steering wheel 14.

  This steering system is a vehicle speed sensitive steering system, and has a function of increasing an operation reaction force in accordance with the vehicle body speed in order to increase the steering operation when the vehicle body speed is high. Control for that is also performed. The vehicle is provided with a wheel speed sensor 42 that detects the wheel rotation speed for each wheel including the steered wheels 16 (only one wheel is shown in the figure, and the other wheel is not connected). The ECU 40 is configured to obtain a signal v related to the wheel rotation speed of each wheel detected by each wheel speed sensor 42 and obtain a vehicle body speed therefrom. The ECU 40 controls and drives a reaction force application motor provided in the operation device 20 based on the calculated vehicle body speed. As a result, the steering wheel 14 is given an increase in the reaction force due to the vehicle speed.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the steering operation device 20 according to the first embodiment, showing a perspective view seen from the upper front side of the left front of the vehicle, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the operation device 20 seen from the left side of the vehicle. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the operating device 20 taken along line AA in FIG. 2 and 3 show a state in which the steering wheel 14 is removed.

  The operating device 20 includes a housing 50, and a shaft 52 is rotatably held by the housing 50, and the steering wheel 14 is attached to one end of the shaft 52. Specifically, the housing 50 includes a tube 54 having a substantially cylindrical shape, a front end cap 56 and a rear end cap 58 that are fixedly provided at both open ends of the tube 54, and a gear on the front side of the front end cap 56. The shaft 52 includes a front casing 60 that houses a mechanism and the like, and the shaft 52 is inserted into a shaft hole 62 provided in each of the front end cap 56 and the rear end cap 58, and the bearing 64. Is held rotatably. The shaft 52 has a hollow shape except for the rear end portion 66, and a serration is formed in the rear end portion 66, and the rear end portion 66 is serrated to the boss portion 68 of the steering wheel 14. Thus, the shaft 52 and the steering wheel 14 are connected so as not to be relatively rotatable.

  A portion of the shaft 52 located inside the tube 54 is a large-diameter portion 80 having a large outer diameter, and two external thread grooves 82 on which the bearing balls roll are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 80. By being formed, the large diameter portion 80 is a ball screw. On the other hand, a slide member 84 whose inner peripheral portion is a ball nut holding a bearing ball is disposed in the tube 54 so as to be screwed with a ball screw which is a large-diameter portion 80 of the shaft 52.

  The slide member 84 has a flange portion 86 having an outer peripheral diameter slightly smaller than the inner peripheral diameter of the tube 54 at an intermediate portion in the axial direction (front-rear direction). On the outer peripheral portion of the flange portion 86, 12 engaged grooves 88 each extending in the axial direction are formed at equal pitch intervals in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, an elongated hole 90 extending in the axial direction is formed in the upper portion of the tube 54, and a locking key 92 having a lower portion formed in an arc shape is gently fitted in the elongated hole 90. The locking key 92 is guided by the wall surface of the elongated hole 90 and is movable in the radial direction (vertical direction). When the locking key 92 is moved downward, the locking key 92 can be fitted into the locked groove 88.

  A mounting seat 94 is formed at the upper center in the axial direction of the outer peripheral portion of the tube 54, and a solenoid device 96 is mounted on the mounting seat 94. The solenoid device 96 has a structure in which a plunger 102, an electromagnetic coil 104, and a compression coil spring 106 are incorporated in a casing composed of a base plate 98 and a cover 100, and the distal end portion of the plunger 102 is attached to a locking key 92. It is inserted into the provided mounting hole and fixedly attached to the locking key 92. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the electromagnetic coil 104 is excited. In this state, the plunger 102 moves forward, and the locking key 92 is inserted into one of the 12 locked grooves 88 provided on the slide member 84. Engageable state. Conversely, if the electromagnetic coil 104 is demagnetized, the plunger 102 is retracted by the biasing force of the spring 106, and the locking key 92 and the locked groove 88 are not engaged.

  In a state where the locking key 92 and any one of the locked grooves 88 are engaged, rotation of the slide member 84 around the central axis of the shaft 52 is prohibited, and according to the rotation of the shaft 52, that is, steering. The slide member 84 is moved in the axial direction according to the operation amount of the wheel 14. On the contrary, in a state where the locking key 92 and the locked groove 88 are not engaged, the rotation of the slide member 84 is allowed, and the slide member 84 does not move in accordance with the operation amount of the steering wheel 14. It becomes a state.

  In the operation device 20, the shaft 52 functions as a rotating shaft coupled to the steering wheel 14, and the slide member 84 functions as a moving body that moves along a predetermined track, that is, a displacement body. A ball screw mechanism including a ball screw provided on the shaft 52, a ball nut provided on the slide member, and a nut rotation prohibiting means constituted by a locked groove 88 and a locking key 92 engaged therewith. The ball screw mechanism is configured to function as a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotation of the shaft 52 into a linear movement of the slide member. Further, the configuration including the locked groove 88, the locking key 92, and the solenoid device 96 has a function of canceling the prohibition of the rotation of the ball nut, that is, the prohibition of the rotation of the slide member 84, in other words, the motion by the motion conversion mechanism. It has a function of prohibiting conversion, and functions as a displacement body linkage release mechanism that releases linkage between the steering wheel 14 and the slide member 84.

  As described above, in a state where the locking key 92 and the locked groove 88 are engaged, the slide member 84 moves by a movement amount corresponding to the operation amount of the steering wheel 14. The position of the slide member 34 shown in FIG. 3 is a position in a state where the steering wheel 14 is not operated, that is, a neutral state. When the steering operation is started, the slide member 84 is moved from the neutral position to the position of the steering wheel 14. Move forward or backward according to the direction of operation. Incidentally, in the case of a right turn operation, it moves forward, and in the case of a left turn operation, it moves backward. When the steering operation proceeds, the end surface of the slide member 84 comes into contact with the annular convex portion 110 formed on the front end cap 56 and the rear end cap 58 constituting the housing 50, and the slide member 84 is prohibited from further movement. Is done. Accordingly, the steering wheel 14 cannot be operated any further. That is, the annular convex portion 110 functions as a stopper for locking the slide member 84, that is, a locking means, and the operation range of the steering wheel 14 is restricted by the function. Incidentally, in this operating device 20, in a state where the operating range of the steering wheel 14 is restricted, it can be operated by approximately 3/4 rotation from the neutral state to the right turning direction and the left turning direction, respectively.

  Further, compression coil springs 120 having the same structure and spring characteristics are disposed between the front end cap 56 and the slide member 84 and between the rear end cap 58 and the slide member 84, respectively. Specifically, one end of each spring 120 is supported by the end faces of the front end cap 56 or the rear end cap 58 facing each other, and the other end is the front end cap 56 or the rear end cap of the flange portion 86 of the slide member 84. 58 is supported through a thrust bearing 122 on a surface facing 58. The two springs 120 are configured to urge the slide member 84 in opposite directions by the respective compression reaction forces, and are compressed in a state where the slide member 84 is located at the neutral position. The urging force in this state is balanced. When the slide member 84 moves in the axial direction from the neutral position, the two springs 120 lose their balance of urging forces, and the difference between the urging forces is the urging force in a direction that prevents the movement of the slide member 84. Act on. That is, the two springs 120 function as a displacement body urging mechanism. The difference between the urging forces of the two springs 120 is a force corresponding to the amount of movement of the slide member 84, and the force is applied as a reaction force to the operation of the steering wheel 14. It constitutes a reaction force application mechanism. Further, when the operation of the steering wheel 14 is interrupted, the slide member 84 is moved to a position where the urging forces of the two springs are balanced, that is, to the neutral position, and the steering wheel 14 is set to the neutral state. The two springs constitute a neutral state return mechanism.

  As described above, in a state where the locking key 92 and the locked groove 88 are not engaged, the rotation of the slide member 84 is allowed, and the steering wheel 14 is operated in this state. Due to the action of the two springs 120, the slide member 84 rotates together with the shaft 52, that is, integrally with the shaft 52 while maintaining the neutral position. As a result, the end portion of the slide member 84 does not contact the annular convex portion 110 of the front end cap 56 and the rear end cap 58, and the operation beyond the restricted operation range as described above is possible. is there. That is, the displacement body disengagement release mechanism including the solenoid device 96 and the like described above functions as an operation range non-restricted state realizing mechanism that realizes a state where the operation range of the steering wheel 14 is not restricted. In 20, the operation range of the steering wheel 14 is expanded by the function of the operation range non-regulated state realization mechanism.

  In the operating device 20, in the space defined by the front end cap 56 and the front casing 60, the output pulley 130 and the large-diameter gear 132 are relatively rotated at the front end of the shaft 52 extending into the space. It is provided as possible. On the output pulley 130, a belt 134 that connects the input pulley of the operating force transmission device existing in the connecting portion 18 described later and the belt itself is strung. Further, a motor seat 136 is formed on the front end upper portion of the front casing 60, and a reaction force applying motor 138 is attached to the motor seat 136. The motor shaft 140 of the reaction force applying motor 138 is rotatably held by a bearing 142 in a state of extending into the front casing 60. A small-diameter gear 144 is provided at the tip of the motor shaft 140 so as not to rotate relative to the motor shaft 140, and the small-diameter gear 144 is meshed with the large-diameter gear 132 described above. The structure is such that the shaft 52 is rotated by the rotation of the reaction force applying motor 138, and an operating reaction force is applied to the steering wheel 14 by generating a rotational force that resists the operation of the steering wheel 14. . As described above, the operation reaction force application mechanism using the reaction force application motor 138 as a power source is an auxiliary operation reaction force application when the operation reaction force application mechanism using the two springs 120 is the main mechanism. This mechanism is used for adjusting the reaction force.

  A rotation angle sensor 146 that detects the rotation angle of the motor shaft 140 is provided at the front end of the reaction force applying motor 138. The output signal of the rotation angle sensor 146 becomes a signal indicating the rotation angle of the motor shaft 140, that is, the operation amount of the steering wheel 14, and the rotation angle sensor 146 functions as an operation amount sensor. Although detailed description is omitted, the rotation angle sensor 146 is an incremental sensor, and therefore, when the vehicle is started, when the operation range of the steering wheel 14 is switched from the non-regulated state to the regulated state, the steering wheel Calibration for matching the neutral state of 14 and the neutral state of the steered portion 12 is performed. As described above, when the steering wheel 14 is not operated in the non-regulated state of the operation range, the slide member 84 is positioned at the neutral position by the action of the two springs 120. It can be done easily.

  Next, the configuration of the connecting portion 18 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. The connecting portion 18 is mainly configured by an operation force transmission device 150 that transmits an operation force applied to the steering wheel 14 to the steering device 24. Generally speaking, the operating force transmission device 150 includes an input pulley 152 to which an operating force is input, an output roller 154 for outputting the rotational force of the input pulley 152 to the steering device 24, an output roller 154, and a wheel steering device 24. A transmission cable 158 strung over the input roller 156 included in the guide, a guide tube 160 that guides the transmission cable 158, an electromagnetic clutch 162 that selectively switches between a connected state and a disconnected state of the input pulley 152 and the output roller 154, and the like. It is comprised including. The electromagnetic clutch 162 connects the input pulley 152 and the output roller 154 in the demagnetized state, and releases the connection in the excited state. In addition, while the rack is formed in the steering rod 22, and the pinion is provided in the input roller 156, the steered device 24 has a rack and pinion mechanism, and the input roller 156 is rotated. Thus, the wheel 16 is steered.

  In the present steering system, as described above, during normal times, the wheel 16 is steered by a steer amount corresponding to the operation amount of the steering wheel 14 without depending on the operation force of the steering wheel 14. In this case, since the electromagnetic clutch 162 is energized and is in an excited state, the operating force applied to the steering wheel 14 is not transmitted to the steering device 24. In addition, the solenoid device 96 of the steering operation device 20 is also energized to be in an excited state, the slide member 84 is allowed to move in the axial direction, and the operation range of the steering wheel 14 is restricted. On the other hand, for example, when the system is in a fail state, the electromagnetic clutch 162 is deenergized without being energized, so that the wheel 16 is steered by the operating force of the steering wheel 14. The In that case, since the transmission ratio of the operating force transmission device 150 is set to a value that allows the wheels 16 to be steered with a relatively small operating force, if the operating range of the steering wheel 14 is not enlarged, The same steering amount cannot be secured. Therefore, the solenoid device 96 is not energized at the time of failure, and the operation range of the steering wheel 14 is expanded by releasing the linkage between the slide member 84 and the steering wheel 14. is there.

  In the steering operation device 20 of this embodiment, the linkage between the slide member 84 and the steering wheel 14 is released in order to expand the operation range of the steering wheel 14. Therefore, since the operation range can be expanded without increasing the moving amount of the slide member 84, the present steering operation device 20 is compact.

<Second embodiment>
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the steering operation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, showing a cross-sectional view from the left side of the vehicle, FIG. 6 and a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. Show. These drawings show a state in which the steering wheel is removed. The present steering operation device 200 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “operation device 200”) has the same function as the operation device 20 of the first embodiment. In the steering system shown in FIG. Since the steering system can be used instead, the illustration of the steering system provided with the steering operating device 200 is omitted. Further, since the operating device 200 is similar in shape and structure to the operating device 20 of the first embodiment, the overall perspective view is also omitted, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals. These descriptions are omitted, and the description thereof is omitted or simply performed.

  As in the first embodiment, the operating device 20 includes a housing 50 including a tube 54, a front end cap 56, a rear end cap 58, and a front casing 60. A shaft 52 includes a front end cap 56, a rear end cap 60, and a rear end cap 60. The cap 58 is rotatably held. The tube 54 has a stepped shape in which a large-diameter portion 202 located on the front side and a small-diameter portion 204 located on the rear side are integrally formed. The rotating member 206 is fixed to the shaft 52 in a state where the large diameter portion 80 of the shaft 52 is inserted into the space defined by the large diameter portion 202. The rotary member 206 is not rotatable with respect to the shaft 52 and cannot be moved in the axial direction by the key 208, and the center of the shaft 52 is not changed in accordance with the rotation operation of the steering wheel 14 without changing its position. It is supposed to rotate around the axis, that is, to rotate.

  In a space defined by the small diameter portion 204 of the tube 54, a torsion coil spring 220 is disposed between the rotating member 206 and the rear end cap 58. The spring 220 has, on each of both ends, straight upright portions 222 that are raised so that the wound coil wire extends in the axial direction. The rear end cap 58 is fitted and locked in locking holes 224 and 226 formed in each of the front side surfaces. The state shown in FIG. 3 is a state in which the steering wheel 14 is in a neutral state. In this state, the rotational angle position of the rotating member 206 is a neutral position, and the spring 220 is not twisted. When the steering wheel 14 is operated to rotate, the rotating member 206 rotates and the spring 220 is twisted, and the magnitude corresponding to the amount of rotation of the rotating member 206, that is, the steering wheel 14 is rotated by the torsional reaction force. An operation reaction force having a magnitude corresponding to the operation amount is applied to the steering wheel 14.

  The rotating member 206 has a locked portion 230 that protrudes downward in a state where the rotating member 206 is located at the neutral position. On the other hand, a solenoid device 96 similar to that in the first embodiment is attached to a mounting seat 94 formed above the large-diameter portion 202 of the tube 54. The plunger 102 of the solenoid device 96 has a flange portion 232 that is guided by the inner surface of the cover 100 and moves in the vertical direction, and the tip projects into the housing 50 when the electromagnetic coil 104 is excited. . The state shown in the figure is a state in which the solenoid device 96 is in an excited state. When the steering wheel 14 is rotated in the excited state, the rotating member 206 rotates, and the locked portion 230 comes into contact with and is locked at the tip of the plunger 102. As a result, further rotation of the rotating member 206 is prohibited, and the operation range of the steering wheel 14 is restricted. Incidentally, the operation range is an angle slightly smaller than 180 ° in the rotation angle of the steering wheel 14 in both the left turn operation and the right turn operation. When the electromagnetic coil 104 is demagnetized, the plunger 102 is retracted, the locked portion 230 of the rotating member 206 is not locked, and the steering wheel 14 can be operated beyond the restricted operating range. That is, the operation range of the steering wheel 14 is expanded.

  With the above-described configuration, in this operating device 200, the shaft 52 functions as a rotating shaft connected to the steering wheel 14, and the rotating member 206 rotates by a rotation angle corresponding to the operation amount of the steering wheel 14. It is supposed to function as a body, that is, a displacement body. The distal end portion of the plunger 102 included in the solenoid device 96 functions as a stopper that locks the rotating member 206, that is, a locking means. The solenoid device 96 is configured so that the rotating member 206 is not locked. The locking means retracting mechanism for retracting the tip portion of this is configured. The locking means retracting mechanism has a function as an operation range non-restricted state realizing mechanism that realizes a state where the operation range of the steering wheel 14 is not restricted. In the operation device 200, the operation range non-restricted state realizing mechanism is used. Thus, the operation range of the steering wheel 14 is expanded. The torsion coil spring 220 functions as a displacement body urging mechanism that urges the rotation member 206 in a direction that prevents rotation of the rotation member 206, that is, displacement. The operation reaction force imparting mechanism described above is configured, and the neutral state return mechanism is configured.

  The configurations and functions of the output pulley 130, the large-diameter gear 132, the reaction force applying motor 138, the rotation angle sensor 146 and the like existing in the space defined by the front end cap 56 and the front casing 60 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The description thereof will be omitted. Further, the operation in the steering system in which the present steering operation device 200 is provided, specifically, the operation related to the expansion of the operation range of the steering wheel 14 at the time of a failure or the like is the same as in the case of the first embodiment. The explanation is also omitted.

  In the steering operation device 200 of this embodiment, in order to restrict the operation range of the steering wheel 14, a configuration of a rotating member 206 that rotates and a locking means that locks the rotation member 206 is adopted, and further, the operation range is expanded. In addition, a structure for retracting the locking means is employed. Since a rotating body that rotates, that is, a displacement body that does not move is used, the steering operation device 200 is compact.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a steering system provided with a steering operation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the steering operation apparatus of 1st Example. It is sectional drawing which makes a viewpoint the left side of a vehicle of the steering operation device of the 1st example. It is sectional drawing of the AA view in FIG. 3 of the steering operation apparatus of 1st Example. It is sectional drawing which makes a vehicle left side the viewpoint of the steering operation apparatus of 2nd Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the BB view in FIG. 5 of the steering operation apparatus of 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Operation part 12: Steering part 14: Steering wheel (operation member) 16: Steering wheel 18: Connection part 20: Steering operation apparatus 24: Wheel steering apparatus 40: Steering electronic control unit (ECU) 50: Housing 52 : Shaft (rotary shaft, ball screw) 84: Slide member (moving body, displacement body, ball nut) 88: Locked groove 92: Locking key (nut rotation prohibiting means) 96: Solenoid device (displacement body linkage release mechanism) , Locking means retracting mechanism, operation range non-restricted state realizing mechanism) 102: plunger (locking means) 110: annular projection (locking means) 120: compression coil spring (displacement body biasing mechanism) 138: reaction force application Motor 146: Rotation angle sensor 150: Operating force transmission device 162: Electromagnetic clutch 200: Steering operation device 206: Rotating member Rolling body, displacement body) 220: Torsion coil spring (displacement body biasing mechanism) 230: Locked portion

Claims (3)

A steering operation device deployed in a steer-by-wire steering system,
An operation member to be rotated,
A rotating shaft connected to the operating member and rotating by operating the operating member;
A displacement body movable along a defined trajectory;
Motion that performs motion conversion between rotation of the rotating shaft and movement of the displacement body, and links the operation member and the displacement body so that the displacement body moves by a movement amount corresponding to the operation amount of the operation member. A conversion mechanism;
By locking the displacement body that moves along the trajectory at a set position, a locking means that restricts an operation range of the operation member and a motion conversion by the motion conversion mechanism are prohibited. An operation range non-restricted state realization mechanism that realizes a state in which the operation range of the operation member is not restricted by releasing the link between the member and the displacement body and allowing the operation member and the displacement body to operate individually. And a steering operation device. The motion conversion mechanism includes a ball screw provided on the rotating shaft, a ball nut provided on the displacement body and meshed with the ball screw, and a nut rotation prohibiting unit that prohibits rotation of the ball nut. Screw mechanism,
2. The steering operation device according to claim 1 , wherein the operation displacement non-regulated state realization mechanism releases the prohibition of rotation of the ball nut by the relative rotation prohibiting unit. The steering operation device according to claim 1, wherein the steering operation device includes a displacement body urging mechanism that urges the displacement body in a direction to prevent displacement of the displacement body.

Images