JPS5815347B2 - Steering angle signal generator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a steering angle signal generating device used in collision prevention devices for automobiles and the like.

In collision prevention systems that use light or radio waves to detect distance and relative speed to obstacles, determine danger, and operate automatic braking systems, driving information such as the speed and steering angle of the own vehicle is also important in making that determination. This is an important element.

This steering angle signal is usually obtained from the rotation angle of the bundle.

However, in general, the bundle rotation angle θ and the steering angle φ of the steering wheel
As shown in FIG. 1, there is so-called bundle play.

Therefore, with a steering angle signal generator that is directly coupled to the bundle shaft and generates a steering angle signal Sθ as shown in FIG. 2 that corresponds 1:1 to the bundle rotation angle θ, an accurate steering angle signal cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a steering angle signal generator capable of generating a steering angle signal Sφ that directly corresponds to the true steering angle φ of a steered wheel while being coupled to a bundle shaft. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a front view of essential parts of this embodiment as seen from line IV--IV in FIG. 3.

In the figure, 1 is a bundle, 2 is a bundle shaft, 3 is a drive gear fixed to the bundle shaft 2, 4 is a driven gear meshed with this drive gear 3, 5 is the shaft of the angle signal generator described below, 6
is an angle signal generator such as a potentiometer or shaft encoder that is directly connected to this shaft 5 and rotates.

The driven gear 4 and the shaft 5 are connected by a key groove 7 provided in the driven gear 4 and a key 8 provided in the shaft 5 and having a width narrower than the width of the key groove 1. and shaft 5 are coupled with a predetermined play.

By adjusting the thus obtained play between the driven gear 4 and the shaft 5 to be equal to the amount of bundle play, the rotation angle of the shaft 5 can be made substantially equal to the steering angle φ of the steered wheel. Therefore, from the angle signal generator 6 directly connected to this shaft 5, a steering angle signal Sφ that directly corresponds to the steering angle φ of the steered wheel is obtained.

It should be noted that, as a matter of course, if bundle 1 is not operated,
Alternatively, it is necessary to have a function of automatically returning the shaft 5 to the position where the steering angle signal Sφ-0 occurs when the bundle rotation angle θ=0°.

As described in detail above, in this invention, when obtaining a steering angle signal of a steered wheel from the rotation angle of a steering wheel, a signal is placed between the steering wheel axis and the steering wheel axis between the rotation axis of the angle detector that outputs the signal and the steering wheel axis. Since the angle of play is equal to the angle of play that exists between make it possible to make decisions.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the general relationship between the steering wheel rotation angle and the steering angle of the steered wheels, Fig. 2 is a characteristic curve diagram of a conventional steering angle signal generator, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Side view showing,
FIG. 4 is a front view of the main part of this embodiment as seen from line IV--IV in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a characteristic curve diagram of this embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a handle, 2 is a handle shaft, 3.4 is a gear, 6 is an angle signal generator, 7 is a keyway, and 8 is a key. Note that the same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A device that generates a signal corresponding to the steering angle of a steering wheel that is controlled by the rotation of the bundle and has a predetermined play angle between the rotation of the bundle shaft and the rotation of the bundle shaft. A steering angle signal generating device comprising an angle detector coupled to a rotating body rotating with an angle of play equal to the angle of play. 2. The steering angle signal generating device according to claim 1, which uses a gear coupled to a bundle shaft as the rotating body. 3. The steering angle signal generating device according to claim 1 or 2, which uses a potentiometer as the angle detector. 4. The steering angle signal generating device according to claim 1 or 2, which uses a shaft encoder as the angle detector.