WO2019016579A1

WO2019016579A1 - A steering assembly for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2019016579A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/054361
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jaykumar Bhattad; Rohit KANSHETTI
Original assignee: Faurecia India Private Limited
Priority date: 2017-07-19
Filing date: 2017-07-19
Publication date: 2019-01-24

Abstract

A steering assembly (100) for a vehicle is provided. The steering assembly (100) includes a steering wheel (10), a sensor and a mounting assembly (50). The sensor is provided for monitoring a steering angle of the steering wheel (10) and being connectable with an actuator for the steering wheel (10) of the vehicle. The mounting assembly (50) is provided for arranging the steering wheel (10) thereon. Therefore, the mounting assembly (50) is pivotally arranged on a door panel (200) of the vehicle for being movable to configure a stowage position in which the mounting assembly (50) along with the steering wheel (10) is flushed against the door panel (200) in autonomous drive mode and a driving position in which the mounting assembly (50) along with the steering wheel (10) is moved away from the door panel (200) for being operated by a driver in a self-drive mode.

Description

A Steering Assembly for a Vehicle

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a steering assembly for a vehicle, more particularly, the present invention relates to a steering assembly for autonomously driven vehicles.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Most of the vehicles, at present have a mechanical steering system with a steering column. As a steering wheel is directly coupled to the steering column, the position of the steering wheel cannot be changed. In some vehicles small degree movement is provided. Futuristic trend in vehicle reveals that, the steering column would be replaced by electronic drives, providing designer a freedom of positioning the steering at user's convenience. Also, in autonomous drive vehicles, in autonomous mode the steering wheel is not at all required. Presence of the steering wheel in an autonomous drive mode is not essential, and therefore the steering wheel occupies space, which can be used for other useful purposes. At present, there are no steering system which can be moved in autonomous drive mode. [0003] Therefore, there is a need to provide a steering system for vehicles, which will overcomes few or all of the drawbacks of the existing steering system.

Objects of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a steering assembly for a vehicle, for example for an autonomously driven vehicle.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a steering assembly for a vehicle, which can be moved in an autonomous drive mode creating more space by reducing obstruction.

[0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a steering assembly for a vehicle, which is robust in construction but not bulky.

[0007] Further object of the present invention is to provide a steering assembly for a vehicle, which is slimmer in design.

[0008] Further one object of the present invention is to provide a steering assembly for a vehicle, which cost effective in construction and assembly.

[0009] A further object is a steering assembly that is arranged at the door of the vehicle, in particular to a side door. Summary of the invention

[0010] According to the present invention, a steering assembly for a vehicle is provided. The steering assembly includes a vehicle door, a steering wheel, a sensor and a mounting assembly for mounting the steering wheel on the vehicle door, herein after referred as "door". The sensor is provided for monitoring a steering angle of the steering wheel. A steering angle of the steering wheel is a displacement, for example a rotation, out of a neutral position in order to change the driving direction of the vehicle. The sensor being connectable, either by wire or wireless, with an actuator for steering at least one wheel of the vehicle. The steering wheel need not to be round and can have any shape suitable for being held by a person in order to indicate a driving direction. The mounting assembly is provided for arranging the steering wheel thereon. Therefore, the mounting assembly is pivotally arranged on a door panel of the door of the vehicle for being movable to configure a stowage position in which the mounting member along with the steering wheel is flushed against the door panel or otherwise arranged in parallel with the door panel in for example an autonomous drive mode of the vehicle and is arranged in a driving position in which the mounting member along with the steering wheel is moved away from the door panel for being operated by a driver in a self-drive mode. Preferably the mounting assembly is mechanically supported by a structural part of the door, which structural part is covered by a door panel, usually a decorative panel at the interior side of the vehicle. [0011] A further embodiment of the mounting assembly includes a supporting column, a guide and a connecting member. The supporting column is pivotally arranged on the door panel. The guide is extending outward laterally from the supporting column. The connecting member is slidably arranged on the guide. Also, sliding members are provided for mounting the connecting member. The sliding members slidably arranged on the supporting column for arranging the connecting member thereon. The mounting assembly may include a locking member for locking the position of the sliding members on the guide. [0012] In one embodiment, the guide is a collapsible joint having a hollow tube with rollers disposed therein, and a tube slidably extending from the hollow tube with rollers therebetween. The tube and the guide are "U" shaped.

[0013] In another embodiment the guide is provide for guiding the steering wheel. A connecting member for slidably mounting the steering wheel may be arranged on the guide, which guide is pivotably arranged on the door. The steering wheel may be fixed to the connecting member or it may be demountable from the slidable connecting member. An advantage of a slidably mounted steering wheel is that the position of the steering wheel can be better adapted to the actual situation.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, the guide is telescopically collapsible for varying the length of the guide. Such a guide comprises two guide parts. One of the parts is hollow for receiving the other part. A first guide part is pivotably mounted on the door and arranged on the door panel. The connecting member for mounting the steering wheel is arranged at a second guide part. The connecting member may either be slidable along the second guide part or it may be fixed to the second guide part. An advantage of such a guide is that the volume of the mounting assembly can be reduced. In addition such a guide allows movement of the mounting assembly without hindering the driver of the vehicle.

[0015] In another embodiment, a locking mechanism is arranged on the door for looking the mounting assembly against the door in stowage position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0017] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an interior portion of a vehicle with a steering assembly of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 shows an perspective of the steering assembly in driving position and when the vehicle is in self-drive mode; [0019] Figure 3 shows the steering assembly of figure 2 without the steering wheel;

[0020] Figure 4 shows the steering assembly in a stowage position;

[0021] Figure 5 shows the steering wheel with a mounting assembly in accordance with the present invention; and [0022] Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a guide of the mounting assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0023] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising, "having, "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0024] The terms "first," "second," and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms "an" and "a" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0025] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0026] The present invention is to provide a steering assembly for example for autonomously driven vehicles. The steering assembly can be moved in autonomous drive mode creating more space by reducing obstruction. Further, the steering assembly is robust in construction but not bulky. Furthermore, the steering assembly is slimmer in design. Moreover, the steering assembly is cost effective in construction and assembly.

[0027] Referring now to figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, various views of a steering assembly 100 for a vehicle in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The steering assembly 100 includes a vehicle door (hereinafter referred as "door"), a steering wheel 10, a sensor (not shown) and a mounting assembly 50 on which the steering wheel 10 is arranged. The mounting assembly 50 is pivotally mounted on the door, such that the steering wheel 10 is pivotable relative to the door, more in particular relative to a door panel 200, which door panel 200 is at least partly covering the inner side of the door. In this way the mounting assembly 50 is arranged on the door panel 200 of the vehicle. The mounting assembly 50 being movable to configure a stowage position (refer figure 4) in which the steering wheel 10 is stored in parallel with the door panel 200. In parallel here means that the steering wheel 10 eventually is together with the mounting assembly 50, arranged in flush with the door panel 200, for example by being received in a depression of the door panel 200.

[0028] Further, the steering wheel 10 may also be positioned against or close to a surface of the door panel 200 at the interior side of the door. In the parallel position, the steering wheel 10 is arranged, such that it extends minimally in the direction perpendicular to the door panel 200 and that largest dimensions are parallel to the door panel 200. In this parallel position of the steering wheel 10, the vehicle might be in an autonomous drive mode. The steering wheel 10 is movable to a driving position (refer figures 1 & 2) in which the mounting assembly 50 is pivoted such that the steering wheel 10 is moved away from the door panel 200 for being operated by a driver in a self-drive mode of the vehicle. Preferably, the steering wheel 10 in this position is perpendicular to the main driving direction of the vehicle. The main driving direction of the vehicle is along "X" axis as shown in figure 2. So, in a direction perpendicular to the stowage position. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to arrange the mounting assembly 50 on any other interior portion of the vehicle.

[0029] The vehicles which are self-driven using electronic sensors and controls have at least two driving modes, the autonomous drive mode and self- drive mode. In autonomous drive mode, the vehicle travels on its own without human intervention and in self-drive mode the same vehicle needs human intervention, like operating of steering assembly, a brake, an accelerator and the like. In the driving position, the steering wheel 10 is in front of a driver seat 300, so that the driver can operated the steering wheel 10 to steer the vehicle. In a preferred arrangement the steering wheel 10 is arranged at a side door besides the driver of the vehicle. This side door might be a left hand door as shown in figure 1 or it may be a right hand door.

[0030] Further, in an embodiment, the mounting assembly 50 includes a supporting column 52, a guide 54, and a connecting member 58. The supporting column 52 is pivotally arranged on a portion of a door panel 200 along "Z" axis. The guide 54 is extending outward laterally from the supporting column 52. The connecting member 58 for mounting the steering wheel 10 thereon. The connecting member 58 is slidably arranged on the guide 54. Specifically, the guide 54 is "U" shaped member and both ends of the "U" shaped member are secured with ends of the supporting column 52. Alternately, the both ends of the "U" shaped member are secured with ends of the door. Therefore, the guide 54 moves arcuately around the column 52 upon rotating the column 52. [0031] Referring now to figure 6, an embodiment of the guide 54 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the guide 54 is a collapsible joint having two guide parts. One of the parts is hollow for receiving the other part. A first guide part 54a is pivotably mounted on the door and arranged on the door panel 200. The connecting member 58 for mounting the steering wheel 10 is arranged at a second guide part 54c. The first guide part 54a and the second guide part 54c are telescopically arranged for varying the length of the guide. A set of rollers 54b may be arranged between the first guide part 54a and the second guide part 54c. The connecting member 58 may either be slidable along the second guide part 54c or it may be fixed to the second guide part 54c. An advantage of such a guide is that the volume of the mounting assembly 50 can be reduced. In addition such a guide allows movement of the mounting assembly 50 without hindering the driver of the vehicle.

[0032] In another embodiment a guide (not shown) is provided for guiding the steering wheel 10. A connecting member is provided for slidably mounting the steering wheel 10. The connecting member may be arranged on the guide and the guide is pivotably arranged on the door. The steering wheel 10 may be fixed to the connecting member or it may be demountable from the connecting member by sliding. An advantage of a slidably mounted steering wheel is that the position of the steering wheel 10 can be better adapted to the actual situation.

[0033] Further, a motor is connected to the supporting column 52 for rotating the mounting assembly 50 upon switching the driving modes from an autonomous drive mode to a self-drive mode and visa-versa. In the present embodiment, the mounting assembly 50 also includes sliding members 56a & 56b slidably arranged on each arm of the guide 54 and are connected by a connecting member 58. The connecting member 58 enables simultaneous sliding of both the sliding members 56a & 56b. The sliding members 56a & 56b have enough friction to maintain its position on the guide 54 in absence of external force. In one embodiment, the mounting assembly 50 includes a locking member (not shown) is provided for locking the position of the sliding members 56a & 56b on the guide 54. Also, a locking mechanism is provide for locking the mounting assembly 50 against the door in stowage position. The locking mechanism is arranged on the door panel 200 for latching with either the supporting column 52 or the guide 54 of the mounting assembly 50.

[0034] Referring again to figures 1, 2 & 5, the steering wheel 10 is arranged rotatably on the connecting member 58 of the mounting assembly 50. The sensor is mounted on the connecting member 58 for monitoring steering angle of the steering wheel 10 and accordingly sending signals to communicating with an actuator (not shown). The actuator accordingly operates a steering mechanism for turning the wheels of the vehicle for steering the vehicle.

[0035] Further, as the vehicle has at least two driving modes, like the autonomous drive mode and the self-drive mode, at least one switch can be provided to activate the autonomous drive mode and the self-drive mode alternatively. When the vehicle has to be configured for the self-drive mode, a motor might be operated to rotate the supporting column 52 in anti-clock wise direction (when looking downwards), which motor moves the guide 54 along with the steering wheel 10 to position the steering wheel 10 parallel to the "Y' axis providing the driver an access to steering wheel 10 for steering the vehicle. The configuration might also be performed manually. When the vehicle is switched to autonomous drive mode the supporting column 52 is rotated in clock wise direction, which move the guide 54 along with the steering wheel 10 to position the steering wheel 10 parallel to the "X' axis for moving the steering wheel 10 away from the driver into a stowage position.

[0036] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A steering assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle door comprising a door panel;

a steering wheel arranged on a mounting assembly; and

a sensor for monitoring a steering angle of the steering wheel, the sensor being suitable for communicating with an actuator for steering the vehicle;

wherein the mounting assembly is pivotally arranged on the door of the vehicle and is movable between a stowage position in which the steering wheel is in parallel with the door panel and a driving position in which the steering wheel is moved away from the door panel for being operated by a driver of the vehicle.

2. The steering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly comprises:

a guide that is pivotably mounted on the door; and

a connecting member for mounting the steering wheel on the guide, which connecting member is slidably arranged on the guide.

3. The steering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly comprises:

a guide comprising a first guide part being pivotably mounted on the door, and a second guide part on which a connecting member for mounting the steering wheel is arranged, and wherein the first guide part and the second guide part are telescopically arranged for varying the length of the guide.

4. The steering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly comprises:

a supporting column that is pivotally arranged on the door;

a guide that is extending outward laterally from the supporting column; and a connecting member for slidably mounting the steering wheel, which connecting member is slidably arranged on the guide by means of a sliding member.

5. The steering assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mounting assembly includes a locking member for locking the position of the sliding member on the guide.

6. The steering assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide is "U" shaped and both ends of the guide are pivotably arranged on the door.

7. The steering assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a locking mechanism arranged on the door for locking the mounting assembly against the door in stowage position.