KR100459022B1 - Apparatus for confirming steering wheel angle of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering angle checking device for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a steering angle checking device for a vehicle so that the steering angle can be accurately detected when the vehicle turns while driving.

Steering angle confirmation apparatus of the vehicle of the present invention, the steering shaft mounted to the lower portion of the steering wheel is penetrated to be rotatable and fixed in place of the vehicle body; A first band spring having one end fixedly coupled to an outer circumference of the steering shaft in the housing and wound several times in a clockwise direction and the other end fixedly coupled to an inner surface of the housing; A first pressure sensor fixedly coupled to one surface of the first band spring and outputting an electrical signal by an external pressure; A second band spring spaced apart from the first band spring by a predetermined interval, one end of which is fixedly coupled to an outer circumference of the steering shaft in the housing, the second band spring of which is wound a plurality of times in a counterclockwise direction, and the other end of which is fixed to an inner surface of the housing; A second pressure sensor fixedly coupled to one surface of the second band spring and outputting an electrical signal by an external pressure; And a microcomputer that calculates an average value of electrical signals output from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensors, and calculates a rotation direction and an angle of the steering wheel according to the average value.

Description

Steering angle check device of vehicle {APPARATUS FOR CONFIRMING STEERING WHEEL ANGLE OF A VEHICLE}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering angle checking device for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a steering angle checking device for a vehicle so that the steering angle can be accurately detected when the vehicle turns while driving.

In general, the steering device of the vehicle is a device for switching the alignment state of the front wheel, which is the steering wheel, to arbitrarily change the traveling direction of the driving vehicle. When the driver directly operates the steering wheel during steering, its steering force passes through the steering shaft. It is transmitted to the steering gear and link mechanism to change the alignment of the front wheels.

In addition, when the vehicle is turning, the turning degree is used as input data of various devices such as a power steering device or an electronic suspension device. For this purpose, the degree of steering according to the turning of the vehicle is measured based on the changing angle of the steering shaft. have.

On the other hand, the angle of change of the steering shaft during the steering of the vehicle is detected through a steering angle detection sensor, a variable resistance type was conventionally used as the steering angle detection sensor. The variable resistance type steering angle detection sensor is provided with a resistor in the circumferential direction of the substrate, and detects a change in resistance by sliding a metal contact on the resistor, and the driver rotates the steering wheel to the left and right. The contact slides on the resistor to detect the steering angle through the resistance change.

However, according to the conventional variable resistance type steering angle detection sensor, noise occurs when the metal contact slides over the resistor, and in particular, when the driver releases the steering wheel while the steering wheel is rotated to the left or right, the steering wheel returns to its original position. In this case, the noise of sliding the metal contact point on the resistor is increased, and the steering wheel returns to its original position, which acts as a frictional force, which deteriorates the riding comfort of the luxury vehicle.

In order to solve this problem, Korean Utility Model Publication No. 2000-0006158 (encoder-type steering angle sensor) has proposed a non-contact steering angle detection sensor that does not generate noise when steering wheel is operated and does not generate friction when steering wheel returns. .

1 is a view schematically showing a steering angle detection sensor of a conventional vehicle, the conventional steering angle detection sensor is coupled to the steering shaft 11 integrally for detecting a plurality of steering angles concentrically while rotating in the same direction and angle during steering. A pair of rotary plates 14 each provided with a slit 12 and one neutral position discriminating slit 13, and a pair of upper and lower spaced one side of the rotating plate 14 facing the steering angle sensing slit 12. The photosensor comprises a first photosensor 16 and a second photosensor 17 arranged at left and right sides of the neutral sensing photosensor 15 and the neutral sensing photosensor 15, respectively. It is composed of

Therefore, when the steering shaft 11 is rotated during the steering of the vehicle, the rotating plate 14 also rotates in the same direction and speed. At this time, the first photosensor 16 and the second photosensor 17 are rotating plates. Through a plurality of steering angle detection slits 12 formed concentrically on (14) to generate a pulse having a different phase according to the transmission or blocking of light, and detects the direction and speed of steering during steering through this pulse. You can do it.

However, in the detection of the steering angle through the steering angle detection sensor as described above, the neutral sensing photosensor 15 and the first photosensor 16 and the second photo port installed toward the rotating plate 14 mounted on the steering shaft 11. In particular, the detection of the steering angle by the photosensors is performed by the sensor 17, and the detection of the steering angle is caused by the transmission and blocking of light through the steering angle detecting slit 12 and the neutral position determining slit 13 of the rotating plate 14. It is made by transmitting a pulse having a phase difference, when dust or foreign matter is caught in the steering angle detection slit 12 and the neutral position determination slit 13 provided in the rotating plate 14 by sending an incorrect detected signal It causes a malfunction of the device, and even when any one of the three photosensors does not function properly, it also causes a malfunction of the device by sending an incorrectly detected signal. All.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, the object of the present invention is to make the detection of the steering direction and angle accordingly when the vehicle turns while driving by using a pressure sensor made of a piezoelectric element without malfunction, The present invention provides a vehicle steering angle confirmation device capable of preventing a decrease in reliability of detection data due to malfunction of a device.

In order to achieve the above object, the steering angle confirmation apparatus of the vehicle of the present invention, the steering shaft mounted to the lower portion of the steering wheel is rotatable and fixedly installed in place of the vehicle body; A first band spring having one end fixedly coupled to an outer circumference of the steering shaft in the housing and wound several times in a clockwise direction and the other end fixedly coupled to an inner surface of the housing; A first pressure sensor fixedly coupled to one surface of the first band spring and outputting an electrical signal by an external pressure; A second band spring spaced apart from the first band spring by a predetermined interval, one end of which is fixedly coupled to an outer circumference of the steering shaft in the housing, the second band spring of which is wound a plurality of times in a counterclockwise direction, and the other end of which is fixed to an inner surface of the housing; A second pressure sensor fixedly coupled to one surface of the second band spring and outputting an electrical signal by an external pressure; And a microcomputer that calculates an average value of electrical signals output from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensors, and calculates a rotation direction and an angle of the steering wheel according to the average value.

In the above-described configuration, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor is preferably composed of a plurality of pressure sensors are fixedly spaced apart at regular intervals on one surface of the first band spring and the second band spring, respectively.

Preferably, the first band spring and the second band spring are installed so as not to apply pressure to the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor when the steering wheel is in a neutral state.

Preferably, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensors are installed such that they are located in a straight line when the steering wheel is in a neutral state.

Preferably, the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor is made of a piezoelectric element.

1 is a view schematically showing a steering angle detection sensor of a conventional vehicle;

2 is a view schematically showing a state in which a steering angle checking apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed;

3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line A-A 'of FIG.

4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line B-B 'of FIG. 2;

5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an apparatus for checking a steering angle of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

6A and 6B are cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which a steering wheel is rotated to the left in a steering angle checking apparatus of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6A is a first pressure sensor and a first band spring of the present invention. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the second pressure sensor and the second band spring of the present invention;

7A and 7B are cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which a steering wheel is rotated to the right in a steering angle checking apparatus of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7A is a first pressure sensor and a first band spring of the present invention. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the second pressure sensor and the second band spring of the present invention.

*** Explanation of symbols on main parts of drawing ***

100: steering wheel, 200: steering shaft,

300: housing, 400: first band spring,

500: first pressure sensor, 600: second band spring,

700: second pressure sensor, 800: microcomputer

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but is presented by way of example only.

FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a state in which a steering angle checking apparatus for a vehicle is installed according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB ′ of FIG. 2. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an apparatus for checking a steering angle of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2 to 5, the steering angle check device of the present invention, the steering wheel 100; A steering shaft 200 mounted below the steering wheel 100; A housing 300 through which the steering shaft 200 is rotatable and fixedly installed in place of the vehicle body; A first band spring 400 having one end fixedly coupled to an outer circumference of the steering shaft 200 in the housing 300, wound several times in a clockwise direction, and the other end fixedly coupled to an inner surface of the housing 300; A plurality of first pressure sensors 500 which are fixedly spaced apart from one surface of the first band spring 400 by a predetermined interval and output an electrical signal by an external pressure; The first band spring 400 is spaced at a predetermined interval so that one end is fixedly coupled to the outer circumference of the steering shaft 200 in the housing 300, and the other end is wound in the counterclockwise direction to the other end on the inner surface of the housing 300. A second band spring 600 fixedly coupled; A plurality of second pressure sensors 700 which are fixedly spaced apart from one surface of the second band spring 600 by a predetermined interval and output an electrical signal by an external pressure; The microcomputer 800 calculates an average value of electrical signals output from the first pressure sensor 500 and the second pressure sensor 700 and calculates a rotation direction and angle of the steering wheel 100 according to the average value. It is configured to include.

In the above-described configuration, the first pressure sensor 500 and the second pressure sensor 700 may be any one that can sense the pressure, but is generally implemented as a well-known piezoelectric element. Do. In this case, the piezoelectric element generates a voltage when a pressure is applied, and a mechanical deformation occurs when an electric field is applied, and the piezoelectric element is capable of converting mechanical vibration energy into electrical energy and electrical energy into mechanical vibration energy. The conversion efficiency is very high.

In addition, the plurality of first pressure sensors 500 and the second pressure sensors 700 may be installed to be in a straight line when the steering wheel is in a neutral state.

Each of the first band spring 400 and the second band spring 600 applies pressure to the first pressure sensor 500 and the second pressure sensors 700 when the steering wheel 100 is in a neutral state. It is preferable to install so as not to apply.

The microcomputer 800 may be provided separately from the electronic control unit (ECU) which is in charge of the overall control of the vehicle.

In addition, the microcomputer 800 preferably includes a conventional A / D converter (not shown) capable of converting analog signals output from the first pressure sensor 500 and the second pressure sensor 700 into digital signals. Do.

Hereinafter, the operation of the steering angle checking apparatus for a vehicle of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described in detail.

First, when the steering wheel 100 is in a neutral state, the first band spring 400 and the second band spring 600 do not apply any pressure to the first pressure sensor 500 and the second pressure sensor 700. Thus, no electrical signal is provided in the microcomputer 800 to recognize that the steering wheel 100 is in a neutral state.

6A and 6B are cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which a steering wheel is rotated to the left in a steering angle check apparatus of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6A is a first pressure sensor and a first band spring of the present invention. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the second pressure sensor and the second band spring of the present invention.

6A and 6B, when the steering wheel 100 is rotated to the left in the neutral state of the steering wheel 100, the steering shaft 200 also rotates in the same direction and speed accordingly. At this time, while the first band spring 400 is wound, the first pressure sensors 500 are pressed. That is, the first pressure sensors 500 generate electrical signals in proportion to the pressure thus pressed. Thereafter, the microcomputer 800 receives the electrical signals output from the first pressure sensors 500 to recognize the direction of the steering wheel 100, that is, the left direction, and calculates an average value of the electrical signals. The angle of the steering wheel 100 is calculated according to this average value. On the other hand, the second band spring 600 is released and does not apply pressure to the second pressure sensors 700 so that no electrical signals are output from the second pressure sensors 700.

7A and 7B are cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which a steering wheel is rotated to the right in a steering angle gripping apparatus of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7A is a first pressure sensor and a first band spring of the present invention. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the second pressure sensor and the second band spring of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the steering wheel 100 is rotated to the right in the neutral state of the steering wheel 100, the steering shaft 200 also rotates in the same direction and speed. At this time, while the second band spring 600 is wound, the second pressure sensors 700 are pressed. That is, the second pressure sensors 700 generate electrical signals in proportion to the pressed pressure. Thereafter, the microcomputer 800 receives the electrical signals output from the second pressure sensors 700 to recognize the direction of the steering wheel 100, that is, the right direction, and calculates an average value of the electrical signals. The angle of the steering wheel 100 is calculated according to this average value. On the other hand, the first band spring 400 is released so as not to apply pressure to the first pressure sensors 500 so that no electrical signals are output from the first pressure sensors 500.

Therefore, by using a pressure sensor made of a piezoelectric element to detect the rotation direction and the angle of the steering wheel 100 as described above, the steering angle is accurately detected without malfunction when the vehicle turns while driving, and malfunction of the device. The reliability of the detected data can be prevented from being lowered.

Although a preferred embodiment of the steering angle confirmation apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are made within the scope of the claims and the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. It is possible and this also belongs to the present invention.

According to the steering angle confirmation device of the vehicle of the present invention as described above, by using a pressure sensor made of a piezoelectric element to detect the left and right rotation and the rotation angle of the steering wheel, the angle and direction change of the steering wheel than the conventional There is an advantage to a much simpler and more reliable realization.

Claims (5)

A housing in which a steering shaft mounted to a lower portion of the steering wheel is rotatably penetrated and fixedly installed in place of the vehicle body; A first band spring having one end fixedly coupled to an outer circumference of the steering shaft in the housing and wound several times in a clockwise direction and the other end fixedly coupled to an inner surface of the housing; A first pressure sensor fixedly coupled to one surface of the first band spring and outputting an electrical signal by an external pressure; A second band spring spaced apart from the first band spring by a predetermined interval, one end of which is fixedly coupled to an outer circumference of the steering shaft in the housing, the second band spring of which is wound a plurality of times in a counterclockwise direction, and the other end of which is fixed to an inner surface of the housing; A second pressure sensor fixedly coupled to one surface of the second band spring and outputting an electrical signal by an external pressure; And And a microcomputer for calculating an average value of electrical signals output from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensors and calculating a rotation direction and an angle of the steering wheel according to the average value. The pressure sensor of claim 1, wherein the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are formed of a plurality of pressure sensors fixedly spaced apart at regular intervals from one surface of the first band spring and the second band spring, respectively. Steering angle check device of the vehicle. The method of claim 1, wherein the first band spring and the second band spring is installed so as not to apply pressure to the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor when the steering wheel is in a neutral state. Steering angle check device of the vehicle. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensors are installed in a straight line when the steering wheel is in a neutral state. The steering angle checking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are made of piezoelectric elements.