WO2020048754A1

WO2020048754A1 - Steering column module for a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2020048754A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/071950
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Knopp; Mirko PRZYBYLSKI; Peter Marx; Christopher Kreis; Ernst Wilske
Original assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2018-09-05
Filing date: 2019-08-15
Publication date: 2020-03-12
Also published as: DE102018121610A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering column module (10) for a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle (100), having a force-feedback actuator (11), a sensor unit (11.1) for sensing an operating parameter of a steering wheel (101) of the vehicle (100), and a control unit (11.2), wherein the steering column module (10) is fastenable as an individually handleable module (10) to the vehicle (100).

Description

description

Steering column module for a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle

The invention relates to a steering column module for a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Modern series vehicles have a steering wheel, a steering column and a steering intermediate shaft as components of a mechanical coupling between a steering wheel and one

Steering gear. Planned future vehicle generations allow automated driving, in which a driver no longer has to intervene in the steering and / or control of the vehicle. In such vehicles, mechanical is increasingly used

Coupling system between the steering wheel and the steering gear is dispensed with. This creates new room for maneuver for essential design criteria in the area of

Dashboards, comprehensive package, design, crash behavior and interior concepts away from a defined seating position of the driver (e.g. lying position, position against the direction of travel, etc.). Nevertheless, automobile manufacturers should be able to differentiate themselves from the competition through vehicle-specific driving / steering performance. In addition, the customer's wish for individual driving (steering) should be met. In addition, there will be driving situations for which purely automated driving is difficult to practice, such as: B. in maneuvering and loading operations, on one

rough terrain, inadequate infrastructure, etc. Thus future vehicle generations will also require input / output modules including a steering wheel between the driver and the vehicle.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved steering column module for automatically, in particular highly automatically, moving vehicles. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a flexible or cross-model steering column module for vehicles, in particular for automatic, in particular highly automatic, driving vehicles

Provide vehicles.

The object of the invention is achieved by a steering column module with the features of independent claim 1, in particular from the characterizing part. Preferred developments of the invention are listed in the dependent claims. Features that are disclosed for the individual aspects of the invention can be combined with one another in such a way that with respect to the disclosure of the aspects of the invention of the invention always

is or can be mutually referenced. The invention provides a steering column module for a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a force feedback actuator, a sensor unit for detecting an operating parameter of a steering wheel of the vehicle and a control unit for the steering column module, the steering column module can be attached to the vehicle as an individually manageable module.

An operating parameter of the steering wheel in the sense of the invention can be understood as an angle of rotation and / or a torque of the steering wheel. The control unit can act as central control electronics for the steering column module for controlling all of it

Components are understood. Under a steer-by-wire steering system, one can

Steering system can be understood, in which there is no mechanical coupling between a steering wheel and a steering gear, the steering commands between the steering wheel and the steering gear being transmitted via data bus.

The idea of the invention is that a steering column module is provided which can be attached to the vehicle as an individually manageable module. In other words, the steering column module is designed in the form of a one-box system. The steering column module is designed for vehicles with a level of automation at level three (highly automatic driving) or four (fully automatic driving). The steering column module combines at least the force feedback actuator and the sensor unit as well as the control unit in the context of a single, individually manageable module in an integral design. Advantageously, a steering column module in the sense of the invention can all functionally essential components of a steering column in a steer-by-wire steering system as part of a single one

Unite manageable module in integral construction. Despite the increased demands on the reliable function, the increased comfort and the reliable, increased safety, the design of the steering column module as an individually manageable module reduces the installation space requirement on the modern steering columns.

Furthermore, in a steering column module, the invention can provide that the force feedback actuator acts as an input instrument for a change of direction command from a driver to a steering gear and for generating a haptic, acoustic and / or optical

Feedback of a simulated driving state to the driver is carried out. The force feedback actuator can thus be operated in both directions. As part of a

Depending on the driving situation, the force feedback actuator transmits the manual steering commands (torque or angular velocity) from the steering wheel to the vehicle. The torque can be increased to compensate for friction

(smooth steering) or to generate a holding torque against the direction of rotation. in the As part of automated driving, the force feedback actuator can provide appropriate haptics on the steering wheel depending on the driving situation.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in a steering column module that the sensor unit has at least one torque sensor and / or at least one angle sensor. In other words, the sensor unit can provide at least one torque sensor and / or at least one angle sensor redundantly. A high level of reliability can thus be made possible. Torque can be an important operating parameter for haptic feedback. An angle of rotation can be an important operating parameter for a change of direction command.

Furthermore, the invention can provide for a steering column module that at least one torque sensor of the sensor unit has a mechanical angle of rotation limitation and / or an adjustable torsional strength. A mechanical rotation angle limitation can ensure that the components of the steering wheel, such as. B. a torsion spring to the airbag, not be overused. Depending on the customer needs, the adjustable

Torsional strength of the torque sensor a corresponding difficulty or ease of movement of the steering column module are made possible.

In addition, in the case of a steering column module, the invention can provide that the control unit is designed as control electronics. The control unit can advantageously be integrated within the steering column module and control all components of the steering column module and provide a communication link to the vehicle. This means that not only a module that is easy to handle, but also a module that can be easily installed in the vehicle can be provided, which can be installed quickly and safely in the vehicle as part of a flowing production line.

In addition, in the case of a steering column module, the invention can provide that at least one reversible or irreversible crash energy absorber for absorbing an impact energy of a driver onto the steering wheel is integrated within the steering column module. Impact safety on the steering wheel can thus be made possible.

Furthermore, the invention can provide for a steering column module that within the

Steering column module a position actuator for positioning and / or determining the position of the steering wheel in a direction along a steering axis (ie an axis of rotation of the steering wheel) and / or in a direction horizontal to the steering axis and / or in a direction vertical to the steering axis and / or in a direction along one Vehicle vertical axis is integrated. Consequently the set position of the steering wheel can be recognized and according to the

Driver request can be set.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in a steering column module that an automatic and / or active center feedback unit is provided within the steering column module. For this purpose, a specially designed mechanical and / or motor unit can be provided. Nevertheless, it is also conceivable that the center feedback unit can be implemented within the force feedback actuator.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in a steering column module that at least one angle of rotation limitation is integrated in the steering column module in a direction of force transmission from the steering wheel to the force feedback actuator. The angle of rotation limitation can be a mechanical and / or electrical device. As already mentioned above, the rotation angle limitation can be installed together with the rotation angle sensor. It is also conceivable that the angle of rotation limitation can be designed as a purely mechanical stop. The rotation angle limitation ensures that excessive steering force and / or excessive steering movement does not lead to damage to the components on the steering wheel and / or within the steering column module.

In addition, the invention can provide for a steering column module that within the

Steering column module is integrated an idle stroke limitation in a power transmission direction from the force feedback actuator to the steering wheel. If the force feedback actuator fails, an idling speed limit ensures that the steering wheel has a defined one

Minimum torque is maintained to counteract uncontrolled steering movements due to a lack of counterforce.

In addition, the invention can provide for a steering column module that on

Steering column module an electrical and / or mechanical interface to the steering wheel is formed. A steering column module can thus be provided, which

can be used on a customer-specific basis and across models with different steering wheel models.

Furthermore, in a steering column module, the invention can provide that an electrical and / or mechanical interface to a central control unit of the vehicle is provided on the steering column module. A steering column module can thus be provided, which can be used with different vehicle models in a customer-specific and cross-model manner. Further measures improving the invention are described in more detail below with the description of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the figures. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. It should be noted that the figures are only descriptive and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. It shows:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a steering column module in the sense of the invention

between a steering wheel and a steering gear of a vehicle with a steer-by-wire steering system,

Fig. 2 shows a detailed representation of a steering column module in the sense of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle 100, in which

Transition from a steering wheel 101 to a steering column module 10 is arranged in the sense of the invention. Control commands are forwarded from the steering column module 10 to a steering gear 103 via data bus 102. Such a steer-by-wire steering system does not include a mechanical coupling between the steering wheel 101 and the steering gear 103. The steer-by-wire steering system shown is advantageously suitable for use in a vehicle 100 with an automation level three (highly automatic driving, the The driver must take over the driving function within 10 s in the event of a fault) or four (fully automatic driving, whereby the driver may turn to activities that do not serve to guide the vehicle, e.g. sleep, but the vehicle still has a steering wheel and pedals for manual driving).

The steering column module 10 according to the invention for a steer-by-wire steering system according to FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2. The steering column module 10 has a force feedback actuator 1 1 with sensor unit 1 1.1 for detecting an operating parameter of the steering wheel 101 of the

Vehicle 100 and a control unit 11.2 for the steering column module 10, wherein the steering column module 10 can be attached to the vehicle 100 as an individually manageable module 10.

In the sense of the invention, an angle of rotation and / or a torque of the steering wheel 101 can serve as the operating parameter of the steering wheel 101. The control unit 1 1.2 can serve as central control electronics for the steering column module 10 for controlling all of its components.

The steering column module 10 according to the invention is an individually manageable module or an individually manageable structural unit or a one-box system with all of its

Components, but at least the force feedback actuator 11 and the sensor unit 11.1 and the control unit 1 1.2 designed as part of a single module 10 which can be handled individually and in an integral construction.

Advantageously, the steering column module 10 in the sense of the invention can also combine further functionally essential components of a steering column in a steer-by-wire steering system in the context of a single module 10 that can be handled individually in an integral construction.

As shown in FIG. 2, can be used in the context of the invention

The following components can be provided in the steering column module: a force feedback actuator 11 as an (eg electromechanical) input / output interface between a driver and the vehicle 100 as an input instrument for the direction change command and for haptic (additional, if necessary, acoustic and / or optical) Feedback of the simulated driving state to the driver; a position actuator 15 as one or more (for example electromechanical) actuator (s) 15.1, 15.2 for positioning and / or determining the position of the steering wheel 101 spatially at least in one direction x 'along an axis of rotation D (ie in a steering axis x ') of the steering wheel 101 (cf. a length determination unit 15.2) and / or in a direction y' horizontally to the steering axis x 'and / or in a direction z' vertically to the steering axis x 'and / or in a direction along a vertical axis z (cf. a height detection unit 15.1); a central control unit 1 1.2 for communication with the vehicle 100 and control of all actuators or all functionally essential components of the steering column module 10; a (according to customer requirements and / or vehicle model) mechanical and / or electrical interface 4 to the steering wheel; a (according to customer requirements and / or vehicle model) mechanical and / or electrical interface 3 to vehicle 100, in particular to a central control unit 110 of vehicle 100; at least one reversible and / or irreversible buffer or absorber 14 for the

Crash energy; a sensor unit 11.1 with a redundant torque sensor system, possibly with an integrated mechanical and / or electrical rotation angle limitation and / or variably executable or adjustable torsional stiffness, as well as a redundant steering angle sensor system; an electrical and / or mechanical (for example, variably software-controlled, for example variable software-controlled with mechanical end limitation, rotation angle limitation (not shown for reasons of simplicity); an automatic and / or active (mechanical and / or electrical)

Center feedback unit 16 of the steering wheel 101 (possibly with the support of the force feedback actuator 1 1); and / or a damping unit or idling limit to avoid

"Idle stroke" in the event of a sudden failure of the force feedback actuator (off

Not shown for reasons of simplicity).

The center feedback unit 16 can have, for example, a rod gear in which an actuating rod is acted upon on both sides by a spring. The springs can serve to return the steering wheel 101 to the central position after a steering movement.

The foregoing description of the figures describes the present invention

only in the context of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments, if it makes technical sense, can be freely combined with one another without going outside the scope of the invention.

Reference list

10 steering column module

1 1 Force feedback actuator

1 1.1 Sensor unit

1 1.2 Control unit

14 crash energy absorbers

15 position actuators

15.1 Height detection unit

15.2 Length determination unit

16 center feedback unit

1 bus

2 bus

3 interface, bus

4 interface

100 vehicle

101 steering wheel

102 control cables

103 steering gear

110 central control unit

D steering axle x vehicle longitudinal axle

y transverse vehicle axis

z vertical axis x 'direction along the steering axis

y 'direction horizontal to the steering axis (steering transverse axis) z' direction vertical to the steering axis (steering vertical axis)

Claims

1. steering column module (10) for a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle (100),

showing:

a force feedback actuator (11),

a sensor unit (1 1.1) for detecting an operating parameter of a steering wheel (101) of the vehicle (100)

and a control unit (1 1.2),

the steering column module (10) as an individually manageable module (10) on the vehicle

(100) can be fastened.

2. steering column module (10) according to claim 1,

characterized,

that the force feedback actuator (11) as an input instrument of a

Direction change command from a driver to a steering gear (103) and to generate a haptic, acoustic and / or visual feedback of a simulated driving state to the driver.

3. steering column module (10) according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized,

that the sensor unit (1.1) has at least one torque sensor and / or at least one angle sensor,

and / or that at least one torque sensor of the sensor unit (11.1) has a mechanical angle of rotation limitation and / or an adjustable torsional strength.

4. steering column module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that the control unit (1 1.2) is designed as control electronics.

5. steering column module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that within the steering column module (10) at least one reversible or irreversible crash energy absorber (14) for absorbing an impact energy on the steering wheel

(101) is integrated.

6. Steering column module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in

that within the steering column module (10) a position actuator (15) for

Positioning and / or determining the position of the steering wheel (101) in a direction (x ') along a steering axis (D) and / or in a direction (y') horizontally to the steering axis D and / or in a direction (z ') vertically to the steering axis (D) and / or in one direction along a vehicle vertical axis (z) is integrated.

7. steering column module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that an automatic and / or active within the steering column module (10)

Center feedback unit (16) is provided.

8. steering column module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that at least one rotation angle limitation is integrated within the steering column module (10) in a power transmission direction from the steering wheel (101) to the force feedback actuator (11).

9. steering column module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that at least one idling stroke limitation in a power transmission direction from the force feedback actuator (11) to the steering wheel (101) is integrated within the steering column module (10).

10. steering column module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized,

that an electrical and / or mechanical interface (4) to the steering wheel (101) is formed on the steering column module (10),

and / or that an electrical and / or mechanical interface (3) to a central control device (1 10) of the vehicle (100) is provided on the steering column module (10).