KR102075346B1 - Variable steering wheel system and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a variable steering wheel system and an operating method thereof. The variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a steering column whose length is variable along a central axis by a column actuator unit; and a steering wheel rotating with respect to the steering column by a wheel actuator unit. The present invention can ensure the safety of a driver.

Description

Variable steering wheel system and how it works {VARIABLE STEERING WHEEL SYSTEM AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a variable steering wheel system and a method of operation thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a variable steering wheel system capable of folding a steering wheel and adjusting a length of a steering column and a method of operating the same.

Recently, the development of autonomous vehicles that control the speed and direction of the vehicle without direct operation of the driver is being made, and the development results of commercialization are being revealed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSSA) has established a concrete concept of self-driving vehicles.

According to the concept established by the NHTSA, the technical stages of autonomous vehicles can be classified from Level 0 to Level 4. Level 0 is No Automation, where the driver always controls safety functions such as braking, speed regulation and steering, and is responsible for traffic monitoring and safe operation. Level 1 is Function-specific Automation. In this case, the driver owns control of the vehicle except for some functions in a normal driving or crash situation. Level 2 is Combined Function Automation, where two or more automatic controls work in concert, with the driver still responsible for monitoring and safety and owning control of the vehicle. Limited Self-Driving Automation, in which a vehicle controls all safety functions in a specific traffic environment, but when the driver needs control, it gives the driver an intermittent control. Finally, Level 4 is Full Self-Driving Automation, where the autonomous driving system controls all safety functions and monitors the condition. Conventionally, Level 2 technology has been developed, and Level 3 technology is being actively developed.

If the technology development of autonomous vehicles is completed up to Level 3, the driver rarely needs to operate the vehicle for steering and speed control while driving. Accordingly, studies have been actively conducted on the handling of steering wheels that do not require the driver's operation during vehicle movement.

(Patent Document 0001) KR 10-1856524 (2018. 05. 11.)

The present invention is to solve the above-described problems, it is compatible with the conventional vehicle steering mechanism structure to prevent the driver confusion caused by the change of the operation mechanism, the driver's seat space without significant change of the conventional steering mechanism structure To provide a steering wheel system that can be secured.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a steering wheel system to independently move the airbag / display mounting portion to secure the space of the driver's seat, to ensure the safety of the driver.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a steering wheel system that does not transmit the steering force of the steering wheel to the steering column when the steering wheel is folded.

In the variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the driver may switch between the manual mode and the autonomous driving mode, and the steering column and the wheel actuator portion having a variable length along the central axis by the column actuator portion. And a steering wheel that rotates with respect to the steering column, wherein in the autonomous driving mode, the wheel actuator portion may rotate the steering wheel at a predetermined angle and the column actuator portion may reduce the length of the steering column.

In addition, the hub of the steering wheel is configured to be separated from the rim of the steering wheel, the hub is fixed to one end of the steering column and moves together with the steering column, the rim and the hub It can be rotated about the steering column independently.

In addition, the rim may be configured by connecting a plurality of parts, and in the autonomous driving mode, the plurality of parts of the rim may move to reduce the overall size of the steering wheel.

Further, in the autonomous driving mode, the steering wheel may be rotated toward the leg room of the vehicle.

The apparatus may further include a clutch unit configured to transmit or block steering force of the steering wheel to the steering column. In the autonomous driving mode, the clutch unit may block the steering force between the steering wheel and the steering column.

The steering column may include a first column and a second column having one end facing the first column and the other end connected to the steering wheel and reciprocating in the axial direction of the first column. And a first clutch gear provided in the first column and a second clutch gear provided in the second column. In the manual mode, the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear mesh with the second column and the first clutch gear. The steering force is transmitted between one column, and in the autonomous driving mode, the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear may be disengaged by the movement of the second column so that the steering force may be blocked.

The wheel actuator unit may include a first power transmission member disposed on the steering wheel, a second power transmission member for transmitting power to the first power transmission member, and a first actuator for rotating the second power transmission member, The second power transmission member, the first power transmission member, and the steering wheel may be rotated by the first actuator.

The column actuator unit may include a fixed gear provided on a vehicle body of the vehicle, a third power transmission member disposed on the steering column and engaged with the fixed gear, and a second actuator configured to rotate the third power transmission member. The steering column may move relative to the vehicle body by the rotation of the third power transmission member by the second actuator.

The column actuator unit may include a fixed gear provided in a vehicle body of the vehicle, a third power transmission member disposed in the second column and engaged with the fixed gear, and a second actuator configured to rotate the third power transmission member. The second column may be moved relative to the vehicle body and the first column by the third power transmission member by the second actuator to reduce the length of the steering column.

The apparatus may further include a guide part for supporting the steering column with respect to a vehicle body of the vehicle and guiding movement of the steering column. In the autonomous driving mode, the steering column may move along the guide part.

The apparatus may further include a guide part for supporting the steering column with respect to the vehicle body of the vehicle and guiding the movement of the steering column. In the autonomous driving mode, the second column moves along the guide part to extend the length of the steering column. Can be reduced.

In addition, the column actuator portion includes a hydraulic cylinder, the second column is connected to the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder is moved by the hydraulic cylinder relative to the vehicle body of the vehicle and the first column to reduce the length of the steering column You can.

In the operating method of the variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to switch between a manual mode and an autonomous driving mode controlled by a driver, and when operating in the autonomous driving mode, the steering wheel is previously driven to the steering column. A steering wheel rotating step of rotating the steering wheel at a predetermined angle and a steering column variable step of reducing the steering column to a predetermined length along a central axis, and when operating in the manual mode, returning the steering wheel and the steering column to their original positions. You can,

In addition, the hub of the steering wheel is configured to be separated from the rim of the steering wheel, the hub of the steering wheel is fixed to one end of the steering column and moves together with the steering column, the rim of the steering wheel and the hub It can be rotated about the steering column independently.

In addition, the rim of the steering wheel is configured by connecting a plurality of parts, when operating in the autonomous driving mode, a plurality of parts of the rim is moved further to reduce the rim folding step of reducing the overall size of the steering wheel It may include.

The steering column may include a first column and a second column having one end facing the first column and the other end connected to the steering wheel and reciprocating in the axial direction of the first column. The step may move the second column axially toward the first column to block steering force transmission between the first column and the second column.

In addition, in the steering column variable step, the engagement force between the first clutch gear provided in the first column of the steering column and the second clutch gear provided in the second column may be released and the steering force may be blocked.

Variable steering wheel system and its operation method according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to secure the driver's seat space without major changes in the conventional steering mechanism structure.

In addition, confusion of the driver due to the change of the operating mechanism can be prevented.

It is also compatible with the conventional vehicle steering mechanism structure.

In addition, the driver's seat space is secured, but the airbag / display mounting unit moves independently of the steering wheel, thereby ensuring driver safety.

In addition, when the steering wheel is folded, the steering force of the steering wheel is blocked from being transmitted to the steering wheel, thereby preventing the vehicle from malfunctioning due to an incorrect operation of the steering wheel.

1 is a view showing a state change state of the variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of a variable wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing a wheel actuator unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing a steering column and a clutch unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a side view of a variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a state taken as line VI-VI ′ in FIG. 5.
7 is a view for explaining a column actuator unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a view for explaining a column actuator unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a view showing a change state of the steering wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a flowchart of a method of operating a variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a variable steering wheel system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the embodiments of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the terms "comprise", "have" or "include" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described on the specification. Or other features or numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof may be understood to not exclude in advance.

In addition, the components shown in the embodiments of the present invention are independently shown to represent different characteristic functions, and do not mean that each component is made of separate hardware or one software component unit. That is, each component may be described by listing each component for convenience of description, and at least two of the components may be combined to form one component, or one component may be divided into a plurality of components to perform a function. The integrated and separated embodiments of each of these components are also included within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In addition, the following embodiments are provided to more clearly explain to those skilled in the art, the shape and size of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for more clear description.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view showing a state change state of the variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram of a variable wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the variable steering wheel system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be switched between a manual mode and an autonomous driving mode controlled by a driver, by the column actuator 300. It may include a steering wheel 100 that rotates with respect to the steering column 200 by the steering column 200 and the wheel actuator unit 400 is variable in length along the central axis. The column actuator 300 and the wheel actuator 400 may operate according to a control signal of the controller 500. Here, the control unit 500 may be an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of the vehicle and may be a dedicated ECU for the steering system. In addition, the control unit 500 may be controlled in conjunction with another module of the vehicle, for example, a body control module (BCM) or a seat position control module of the driver's seat.

1 (a) is a view showing a manual mode of a variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 (b) is an autonomous driving mode of a variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows. 1A and 1B, when the vehicle is switched from the manual driving mode to the autonomous driving mode, the variable steering wheel system 10 may also be switched from the manual mode to the autonomous driving mode. When the variable steering wheel system 10 switches to the autonomous driving mode, the wheel actuator 400 rotates the steering wheel 100 at a predetermined angle with respect to the steering column 200 and the column actuator 300 is steered. The length of the column 200 can be reduced.

In more detail, when the variable steering wheel system 10 switches from the manual mode to the autonomous driving mode, the variable steering wheel system 10 may perform the first operation and the second operation. The first operation may be to rotate the steering wheel 100 by the wheel actuator 400, the second operation may be to reduce the length of the steering column 200 by the column actuator 300. . The first operation may rotate with respect to the steering column 200 when the steering wheel 100 rotates. Hereinafter, the axial direction of the steering column 200 is assumed to be the x-axis, and the vertical direction of the same plane as the x-axis is assumed to be the y-axis and the direction perpendicular to the xy plane is the z-axis. Rotation of the steering wheel 100 with respect to the steering column 200 may be a rotation about the z axis shown in FIG. 1 in a clockwise direction. Since the steering wheel 100 rotates clockwise about the z axis, the steering wheel 100 may be rotated toward the leg room of the vehicle. When the steering wheel 100 rotates, the steering wheel 100 may rotate at a predetermined angle, and the angle may be predetermined. The rotation angle may be determined according to the internal chassis and the internal space structure of the vehicle in which the variable steering wheel system 10 is installed. The steering wheel 100 may include a rim 110, a hub 120, and an airbag / display mounting portion 121. Here, the airbag / display mounting unit 121 may be attached to or coupled to the hub 120 in the driver's direction, and the airbag may be accommodated therein and a display may be mounted on the front portion. In the first operation, the hub ( The 120 and the rim 110 may be separated from each other and may rotate independently of each other when the steering wheel 100 rotates. The rim 110 rotates, but as shown in FIG. 1B, the hub 120 does not rotate like the rim 110 and may be positioned as it is at the initial position. In the second operation, the length of the steering column 200 may be reduced along the central axis of the steering column 200, that is, in the negative direction of the x-axis. The hub 120 may be fixed to one end of the steering column 200. As the steering column 200 is reduced in the second operation, the hub 120 having the fixed position in the first operation may move in the negative direction of the x-axis.

The variable steering wheel system 10 switched to the autonomous driving mode may have a form in which the steering wheel 100 is accommodated in the leg room through the first operation and the second operation as mentioned above. Therefore, it is possible to expand the space available to the driver in the driver's seat, and the expanded space is used as a space where the driver can take a productive activity or rest other than driving when the vehicle is driven in autonomous driving mode. Can be. In addition, since the hub 120 moves independently of the rim 110, the airbag / display mounting portion 121 coupled with the hub 120 may also not rotate. The airbag / display mounting unit 121 may continuously face the driver even in the autonomous driving mode, so that the driver may perform activities using a display included in the airbag / display mounting unit 121. In addition, in the event of an accident, the airbag for the driver can operate, thereby ensuring the safety of the driver.

3 is a view showing a wheel actuator unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the wheel actuator 400 may include a first power transmission member 410, a second power transmission member 420, and a first actuator 430. The first actuator 430 may include a motor, and preferably, may be a step motor capable of precise rotation angle control. The first power transmission member 410 may be disposed on the rotation shaft of the steering wheel 100. Coupling member 411 may be located on the rotating shaft. The coupling member 411 may transmit the rotation using the x axis of the steering wheel 100 as the rotation axis, that is, the rotation by the driver's operation to the steering column 200. In addition, when the first power transmission member 410 is coupled with another configuration of the steering wheel 100 so that the first power transmission member 410 rotates the z axis on the rotation axis, the steering wheel 100 also rotates the z axis on the rotation axis. Can be. The second power transmission member 420 may be disposed to be engaged with the first power transmission member 410 to transmit power to the first power transmission member 410. The first actuator 430 may be connected to the second power transmission member 420 to rotate the second power transmission member 420 on the x axis. In addition, the first actuator 430 may be coupled to a part of the steering column 200 to fix the position. When the first actuator 430 operates to rotate the second power transmission member 420 on the x axis, the first power transmission member 410 meshed with the second power transmission member 420 may rotate the z axis on the rotation axis. As the first power transmission member 410 rotates the z axis, the steering wheel 100 may rotate the z axis. For example, the first power transmission member 410 may be a worm wheel, and the second power transmission member 420 may be a worm gear, but is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the wheel actuator unit 420 has been described using the worm wheel and the worm gear as an example, but of course, it can also be implemented by a combination of various sensors and actuators.

4 is a view showing a steering column and a clutch unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the variable steering wheel system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a clutch unit 600. The clutch unit 600 may transmit or block a steering force of the steering wheel 100 to the steering column 200. The clutch unit 600 may transmit steering force of the steering wheel 100 in the manual mode, and block the steering force in the autonomous driving mode.

4 (a) shows the steering column and the clutch unit in the manual mode state. Referring to FIG. 4A, the steering column 200 may include a first column 210 and a second column 220. The clutch unit 600 may include a first clutch gear 610 and a second clutch gear 620. In one embodiment, the first column 210 may be a hollow tube, one end may be provided with a first clutch gear 610 of the clutch unit 600, the other end is configured to transmit the steering force to the wheel Can be connected. For example, the configuration capable of transmitting steering force connected to the first column 210 to the wheels may be a steering rack or a steering gear.

The second column 220 may be a hollow tube, one end of which is closed by a cover 222 and the other end of which is opened. The second column 220 includes a housing 221 surrounding the outside of the first column 210 and a shaft 223 connected to and fixed to the hub 120 at one end thereof and extending through the inside of the housing 221. It may include. One end of the shaft 223 may be provided with a second clutch gear 620. The housing 221 and the shaft 223 are fixed to each other through the cover 222 and cannot move independently, and the housing 221, the cover 222, and the shaft 223 may be integrally formed.

When the steering wheel 100 rotates the x axis by the driver's operation, since the housing 221 and the shaft 223 rotate together, the second clutch gear 620 may also rotate the x axis by the rotation axis. In addition, when the second clutch gear 620 rotates the x axis, the first clutch gear 610 meshed with the second clutch gear 620 may rotate based on the x axis. Thus, steering force of the steering wheel 100 can be transmitted from the second column 220 to the first column 210 via the second clutch gear 620 and the first clutch gear 610, and finally the vehicle Can be delivered up to the wheels.

Figure 4 (b) shows the steering column and the clutch unit in the autonomous driving mode. Referring to FIG. 4B, when the vehicle enters the autonomous driving mode, the second column 220 may move in the negative x-axis direction. Since the first column 210 is a hollow tube, the second clutch gear 620 may be moved into the first column 210. Due to the movement of the second clutch gear 620, the engagement of the second clutch gear 620 and the first clutch gear 610 may be released. When the engagement of the first clutch gear 610 and the second clutch gear 620 is released, since the steering force of the steering wheel 100 is no longer transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle, even if the steering wheel 100 is operated by a driver's mistake The driving direction of the vehicle entering the autonomous driving mode can be prevented from changing.

4, the first clutch gear 610 formed in the first column 210 is shown as an inner gear, and the second clutch gear 620 formed in the shaft 223 is shown as an outer gear. It is not limited to this. In another embodiment, when the shaft 223 is provided in the form of a hollow tube and the outer diameter of the first column 210 is smaller than the inner diameter of the shaft 223, the first column 210 is formed as a central axis. The first clutch gear 610 formed in the column 210 may be formed as the second clutch gear 620 formed in the shaft 223. In another embodiment, the second clutch gear may be formed inside the housing 221, and the first clutch gear may be formed outside the first column 210. In the present embodiment, for example, the clutch unit 600 includes the first clutch gear 610 and the second clutch gear 620, for example, but is not limited to this, the friction force through the surface contact, not the gear Of course, various types of clutches can be used.

5 is a view showing the side of the variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a view showing a state taken in the line VI-VI 'in FIG. 5 and 6, the column actuator part 300 of the variable steering wheel system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a fixed gear 310, a third power transmission member 320, and a second Actuator 330 may be included. The second actuator 330 may be a motor, and preferably, may be a step motor.

Variable steering wheel system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a guide portion 700. The guide part 700 is provided to support the steering column with respect to the vehicle body of the vehicle and to guide the movement of the steering column 200. The guide part 700 may include a guide member 710, a guide rail 720, and a bearing 730. Can be. The guide member 710 and the guide rail 720 may include a first guide member 710a and a first guide rail 720a, a second guide member 710b, and a second guide rail on both sides of the steering column 200. 720b) may be provided respectively.

The fixed gear 310 is provided in the vehicle body 11 of the vehicle, and may be coupled to and fixed to the vehicle body 11. The fixed gear 310 may be a rack gear. The third power transmission member 320 may be disposed on the steering column 200 to be engaged with the fixed gear 310. For example, the power transmission member 320 may be a worm gear. The second actuator 330 may be connected to the second column 220 of the steering column 200 through the fixing member 340. A bearing 730 may be fitted into and fixed to an outer diameter of the second column 220. The bearing 730 may be a ball bearing, and an inner ring (inner race) of the bearing 730 may be connected to the second column 220. It can be fixed by interference fit. One end of the fixing member 340 may be provided to be fixed to an outer race (outer race) of the bearing 730.

When the second actuator 330 is operated to rotate the third power transmission member 320, the third power transmission member 320 may move reciprocally along the fixed gear 310, that is, along the x axis in the drawing. When the third power transmission member 320 moves, the second actuator 330 connected to the third power transmission member 320 may move, and the steering column 200 connected through the fixing member 340 and the bearing 730. ) Can be moved.

Referring to the movement of the steering column 200 in detail, the steering column 200 may penetrate the inner ring of the bearing 730. The inner ring of the bearing 730 may be fixed to the outer surface of the housing 221 of the second column 220 by interference fit. Since the bearing 730 and the housing 221 are fixed to each other, they can move together. When the steering wheel 100 is rotated with respect to the x axis by the driver's operation, the second column 220 may also rotate with the steering wheel 100 using the x axis as the rotation axis. However, the column actuator part is supported by the bearing 730. 300 and the guide portion 700 may be free to rotate the rotation axis x axis. That is, the rotational movement based on the x axis of the steering wheel 100 may act only on the second column 220. However, the reciprocating linear motion in the x-axis direction by the second actuator 330, the fixed gear 310, and the third power transmission member 320 may affect only the second column 220 due to the bearing 730. . As shown in FIG. 4B, when the second column 220 moves in the negative x-axis direction, only the second column 220 moves in the negative x-axis direction and the first column 210 is positioned. Since there is no change, the engagement of the first clutch gear 610 and the second clutch gear 620 provided in the first column 210 and the second column 220 may be released. In addition, the entire length of the steering column 200 may be reduced due to the movement of the second column 220. The variable steering wheel system 10 can reduce the overall length of the steering column 200, thereby extending the available space of the driver's seat and allowing the steering wheel 100 to be stored in the leg room.

The guide unit 700 may support the steering column 200 with respect to the vehicle body 11 of the vehicle and guide the movement of the steering column 200. One end of the guide member 710 may be fixed to the outer ring of the bearing 730, the other end may be guided by the guide rail 720. The guide rail 720 may be fixed to the vehicle body 11, and one end of the guide member 710 may be inserted into the guide rail 720. Of course, the guide rail 720 may be any structure that can guide the movement of the guide member 710 even if the rail is not in the form of a rail. The guide member 710 and the guide rail 720 not only support the steering column 200 but also enable linear movement in the x-axis direction of the second column 220 by the second actuator 330.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the column actuator 300 includes the fixed gear 310, the worm gear 320, and the second actuator 330, but is not limited thereto. The combination of various sensors and actuators is not limited thereto. Can be used. For example, the cable may be fixed to the second column 220 and an actuator may adjust the length of the cable to move the second column 220.

7 is a view for explaining a column actuator unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, a hydraulic cylinder 350 may be applied to a column actuator unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. The hydraulic cylinder 350 may include a piston 351 and a piston rod 352. The hydraulic cylinder 350 may be fixed to the vehicle body 11 of the vehicle. The piston rod 352 may be connected to the fixing member 340. Therefore, when the piston 351 is moved by the hydraulic difference inside the hydraulic cylinder 350, the piston rod 352 moves in accordance with the movement of the piston 351, the fixing member 340 connected to the piston rod 352 as well I can move it. When the fixing member 340 moves, the steering column 200 coupled to the fixing member 340 may also move together. The movement of the steering column 200 and the operation of the guide part 700 are the same as in the above-described embodiment.

8 is a view for explaining a column actuator unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the column actuator unit according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a hydraulic cylinder 350. The pressure cylinder 350 may include a piston 351 and a piston rod 352. In the present embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder 350 may be fixedly provided in the first column 210 unlike in the above-described embodiment. One end of the piston rod 352 may be fixed to the cover 222 of the second column 220 through the shaft 223. In addition, a second clutch gear 620 may be provided on the shaft 223. When the piston 351 moves to the hydraulic difference inside the hydraulic cylinder 350, the piston rod 352 moves in accordance with the movement of the piston 351, and the second column 220 and the first column 220 connected to the piston rod 352 are moved. The two clutch gears 620 can also move together. When the second clutch gear 620 moves in the negative direction of the x-axis, the second clutch gear 620 is disengaged from the first clutch gear 610. According to the present embodiment, as in the above-described embodiment, a guide part for fixing the steering column to the vehicle body may not be necessary.

According to the variable steering wheel system according to the above embodiments, it is possible to switch to the autonomous driving mode of the steering wheel without a large change in the conventional steering wheel structure. In addition, the steering wheel is folded and moved to the leg room of the vehicle, thereby increasing the driver's space in the autonomous driving mode. In addition, in the autonomous driving mode, the steering force of the steering wheel is blocked from being transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle, thereby reducing the risk of an accident. In addition, by separating the hub and the rim, not the whole of the steering wheel, and rotating the rim toward the leg room of the vehicle independently of the hub, the hub with the airbag can still be directed towards the driver, thereby You can guarantee safety. In addition, even when the vehicle breaks down while the steering wheel is folded over the leg room in the autonomous driving mode, the driver manually deploys the stored steering wheel to return the variable steering wheel system 10 to the manual mode. After that, the vehicle can be driven directly.

9 is a view showing a change state of the steering wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention. 9, the rim 110 of the steering wheel 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured by connecting a plurality of parts (110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f). In the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle, the plurality of parts 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, and 110f may be received from each other to reduce the overall size of the steering wheel 100. In one embodiment, if the variable steering wheel system 10 is in manual mode, the plurality of parts 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, 110f are connected to each other so that the rim 110 is a rim of a conventional steering wheel. A similar form can be achieved. When the driver is in the manual mode, since the shape or the method of use of the steering mechanism does not change significantly, even if the variable steering wheel system 10 of the present invention is applied to a vehicle, the driver can smoothly adapt without any discomfort. When the variable steering wheel system 10 is switched to the autonomous driving mode, the parts of the rim 110 may move with each other and overlap each other. 9 illustrates a state in which at least six parts of the rim 110 overlap with two parts. Thereafter, the length of the spokes is reduced so that the size of the entire wheel is reduced so that the rims 110b and 110e can be moved closer to the hub 120.

Since the rim can be changed so that the overall size of the steering wheel 100 can be reduced, the steering wheel 100 can be accommodated more appropriately in the leg room of the vehicle without changing the internal design of the vehicle.

Hereinafter, a method of operating a variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The operating method of the variable steering wheel system is similar to the variable steering wheel system and will be described briefly.

10 is a flowchart of a method of operating a variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, a method of operating a variable steering wheel system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a steering wheel rotation step S910 and a steering column variable step S920. When the variable steering wheel system operates in the autonomous driving mode, the steering wheel rotation step S910 may be a step of rotating the steering wheel at a predetermined angle with respect to the steering column, and the steering column variable step S920 may be a steering column. Moving along a central axis or reducing to a predetermined length. When the variable steering wheel system is operated in the manual mode, the steering wheel and the steering column can be returned to their original positions.

As mentioned in the variable steering wheel system, the steering column includes a first column and a second column, one end of which is directed towards the first column and the other end of which is connected to the steering wheel and reciprocates in the axial direction of the first column. can do. In addition, the steering column variable step S920 may include moving the second column axially toward the first column to block steering force transmission between the first column and the second column. The steering force may be cut off when the engagement between the first clutch gear provided in the first column of the steering column and the second clutch gear provided in the second column is released. In the present exemplary embodiment, the steering wheel is first rotated to the leg room of the vehicle and the steering column is moved, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may operate in the reverse order.

11 is a flowchart of a method of operating a variable steering wheel system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, the method of operating the variable steering wheel system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a rim folding step S900. The rim of the steering wheel may be configured by connecting a plurality of parts. When the variable steering wheel system operates in the autonomous driving mode, the rim folding step S900 may reduce the overall size of the steering wheel by moving each of the plurality of parts of the rim.

Although the present invention has been described by specific embodiments such as specific components and limited embodiments and drawings, it is provided to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations from this description.

Accordingly, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, and all of the equivalents or equivalents of the claims, as well as the appended claims, fall within the scope of the spirit of the present invention. I will say.

10: variable steering wheel system 100: steering wheel
110: figure 120: hub
200: steering column 210: first column
220: second column 300: column actuator portion
310: fixed gear 320: third power transmission member
400: wheel actuator portion 410: first power transmission member
420: second power transmission member 500: control unit
600: clutch portion 610: first clutch gear
620: second clutch gear 700: guide portion
710: guide member 720: guide rail
730: bearing

Claims (17)

Variable steering wheel system that can be switched between driver-controlled manual and autonomous driving modes.
A steering column whose length is varied along the central axis by the column actuator part;
A steering wheel that rotates with respect to the steering column by a wheel actuator portion; And
And a clutch unit configured to transmit or block steering force of the steering wheel to the steering column.
The steering column,
First column; And
And a second column having one end facing the first column and the other end connected to the steering wheel and reciprocating in the axial direction of the first column.
In the manual mode, the clutch portion allows steering force transmission between the first column and the second column,
In the autonomous driving mode, the wheel actuator unit rotates the steering wheel at a predetermined angle, and the column actuator unit reduces the length of the steering column by moving the second column axially toward the first column, The clutch unit is a variable steering wheel system that blocks the transmission of steering force between the first column and the second column.
The method of claim 1,
The hub of the steering wheel is configured to be separated from the rim of the steering wheel,
The hub is fixed to one end of the steering column and moves with the steering column,
And the rim is rotatable relative to the steering column independently of the hub.
The method of claim 2,
The rim is composed of a plurality of parts are connected,
In the autonomous driving mode,
And the plurality of parts of the rim move to reduce the overall size of the steering wheel.
The method of claim 1,
In the autonomous driving mode, the steering wheel is rotated toward a leg room of the vehicle.
delete The method of claim 1,
The clutch unit,
A first clutch gear provided in the first column; And
A second clutch gear provided in the second column;
In the manual mode, the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear are engaged to transfer the steering force between the second column and the first column,
In the autonomous driving mode, the variable steering wheel system of the first clutch gear and the second clutch gear is released by the movement of the second column is the steering force is cut off.
The method of claim 1,
The wheel actuator unit,
A first power transmission member disposed on the steering wheel;
A second power transmission member for transmitting power to the first power transmission member; And
Includes; a first actuator for rotating the second power transmission member,
And the second power transmission member, the first power transmission member, and the steering wheel are rotated by the first actuator.
The method of claim 1,
The column actuator unit,
A fixed gear provided on a vehicle body;
A third power transmission member disposed on the steering column and engaged with the fixed gear; And
And a second actuator for rotating the third power transmission member.
And the steering column is moved relative to the vehicle body by rotation of the third power transmission member by the second actuator.
The method of claim 6,
The column actuator unit,
A fixed gear provided on a vehicle body;
A third power transmission member disposed in the second column and engaged with the fixed gear; And
And a second actuator for rotating the third power transmission member.
And the second column is moved relative to the vehicle body and the first column by the third power transmission member by the second actuator to reduce the length of the steering column.
The method of claim 1,
A guide part for supporting the steering column with respect to a vehicle body and guiding movement of the steering column,
In the autonomous driving mode, the steering column moves along the guide portion.
The method of claim 6,
A guide part for supporting the steering column with respect to a vehicle body and guiding movement of the steering column,
In the autonomous driving mode, the second column is moved along the guide to reduce the length of the steering column variable steering wheel system.
The method of claim 6,
The column actuator portion includes a hydraulic cylinder,
And the second column is connected to the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder and moved by the hydraulic cylinder relative to the vehicle body and the first column to reduce the length of the steering column.
The method of operation of the variable steering wheel system that can be switched between the driver's manual mode and autonomous driving mode.
When operating in the autonomous driving mode,
A steering wheel rotation step of rotating the steering wheel at a predetermined angle with respect to the steering column; And
And a steering column variable step of reducing the steering column to a predetermined length along a central axis.
When operating in the manual mode, the steering wheel and the steering column are returned to their original positions,
The steering column,
First column; And
And a second column having one end facing the first column and the other end connected to the steering wheel and reciprocating in the axial direction of the first column.
The step of varying the steering column is to move the second column axially toward the first column to block steering force transmission between the first column and the second column.
The method of claim 13,
The hub of the steering wheel is configured to be separated from the rim of the steering wheel,
The hub of the steering wheel is fixed to one end of the steering column and moves together with the steering column,
The rim of the steering wheel is rotatable relative to the steering column independently of the hub.
The method of claim 13,
The rim of the steering wheel is configured by connecting a plurality of parts,
When operating in the autonomous driving mode,
And a rim folding step of moving the plurality of parts of the rim to reduce the overall size of the steering wheel.
delete The method of claim 13,
The steering column variable step,
Method of operating the variable steering wheel that the steering force is blocked by disengagement of the first clutch gear provided in the first column of the steering column and the second clutch gear provided in the second column.

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