Steering System for a Vehicle

Abstract

Please replace the original Abstract with the following new Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a steering gear, two knuckles of two steerable wheels, a steering actuator, a plurality of sensors, and a processing unit. The steering gear is connected to a first knuckle of the two knuckles and the steering gear is connected to a second knuckle of the two knuckles. The steering gear is connected to the steering actuator. The sensors are mounted at locations associated with the steering gear. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to acquire steering system position information. Each of the plurality of sensors are configured to provide acquired steering system information to the processing unit.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A steering system for a vehicle, the steering system comprising: a steering gear; two knuckles of two steerable wheels; a steering actuator; a plurality of sensors; and a processing unit; wherein, the steering gear is connected to a first knuckle of the two knuckles and the steering gear is connected to a second knuckle of the two knuckles; wherein, the steering gear is connected to the steering actuator; wherein, the plurality of sensors are mounted at locations associated with the steering gear; wherein, each of the plurality of sensors is configured to acquire steering system position information; and wherein, each of the plurality of sensors are configured to provide the acquired steering system information to the processing unit.

12. The steering system according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a steering position on at least one of the two knuckles and/or an associated connection rod.

13. The steering system according to claim 11, wherein at least one first sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a steering position on the first knuckle and/or associated connection rod, and at least one second sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a steering position on the second knuckle and/or associated connection rod.

14. The steering system according to claim 11, wherein the connection between the steering gear and two knuckles comprises an output shaft of the steering gear, and at least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a steering position on the output shaft.

15. The steering system according to claim 11, wherein the connection between the steering gear and steering actuator comprises a torque transmitting unit or input shaft, and at least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a steering position on the torque transmitting unit or input shaft.

16. The steering system according to claim 15, wherein at least two of the plurality of sensors are configured to measure a steering position on the torque transmitting unit or input shaft.

17. The steering system according to claim 11, wherein at least one sensor is mounted on a steering column.

18. The steering system according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to determine a steering position on the basis of an internal measurement of the steering gear.

19. The steering system according to claim 18, wherein at least two of the plurality of sensors are configured to determine a steering position on the basis of an internal measurement of the steering gear.

20. The steering system according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to acquire linear position information and/or at least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to acquire angular position information.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an example of a steering system for a vehicle.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an example of a redundant sensor layout for a steering system;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an example of a redundant sensor layout for a steering system; and

[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an example of a redundant sensor layout for a steering system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an example of a steering system 10 for a vehicle. The steering system comprises a steering gear 1, two knuckles 9 of two steerable wheels, a steering actuator 3, a plurality of sensors 5, 6, and a processing unit 8. The steering gear is connected to a first knuckle of the two knuckles and the steering gear is connected to a second knuckle of the two knuckles. The steering gear is connected to the steering actuator. The plurality of sensors are mounted at locations associated with the steering gear. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to acquire steering system position information. Each of the plurality of sensors are configured to provide the acquired steering system information to the processing unit.

[0035] In an example, the processing unit is a vehicle dynamics control ECU.

[0036] In an example, the steering gear is connected to each knuckle via an associated connection rod.

[0037] According to an example, at least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a steering position on at least one of the two knuckles and/or associated connection rod.

[0038] According to an example, at least one first sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a steering position on the first knuckle and/or associated connection rod and at least one second sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a steering position on the second knuckle and/or associated connection rod.

[0039] According to an example, the connection between the steering gear and two knuckles comprises an output shaft of the steering gear. At least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a steering position on the output shaft.

[0040] According to an example, the connection between the steering gear and steering actuator comprises a torque transmitting unit or input shaft 2. At least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure a steering position on the torque transmitting unit or input shaft.

[0041] According to an example, at least two of the plurality of sensors are configured to measure a steering position on the torque transmitting unit or input shaft.

[0042] According to an example, at least one sensor is mounted on a steering column.

[0043] According to an example, at least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to determine or measure a steering position on the basis of an internal measurement of the steering gear.

[0044] According to an example, at least two of the plurality of sensors are configured to determine or measure a steering position on the basis of an internal measurement of the steering gear.

[0045] In an example, at least one sensor is located internal to the steering gear.

[0046] According to an example, at least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to acquire linear position information and/or at least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to acquire angular position information.

[0047] In an example, at least one of the plurality of sensors is configured to measure torque on any of the steering gear internal parts.

[0048] FIGS. 2-4 show further details of a redundant sensor layout for a steering system. The sensor layout is provided for redundant steering control architecture. The steering systems contains a steering gear 1, a steering actuator 3 which can provide a servo support to a manual operation or a torque overlay for a driverless operation, a torque transmitting unit 2, the steering gear and actuator and steering control electronics 4. Redundant steering position sensors 5, 6 provide information to the vehicle dynamics control ECUs (processing unit), which can be at the same time. The sensors are designed so that the control system can determine the reliability of the measurement. When one of the sensors 5 has an error the other one 6 can still provide steering system position information to the control electronics.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows one example of the redundant sensor layout. Steering position is to be measured using at least two sensors on the knuckles of the steered wheels 5 and on the input shaft (or torque transmitting unit) 2 or output shaft 6 of the steering gear 1. Torque measurement 7 on any of the steering gear internal parts can be also provided for control.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows another example of the redundant sensor layout. The redundant steering angle measurement is provided via an integrated steering gear 1. The steering gear includes at least two steering position sensors internally 5, 6 dedicated to determine steering system position. Torque measurement 7 on any of the steering gear internal parts can be also provided for control.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows another example of th redundant sensor layout. Steering position measurement with sensors 5, 6 is realized on the torque transmitting unit 2 between the steering gear 1 and the steering actuator unit 3, e.g. this sensor placement can be realized in the steering column. Torque measurement 7 on any of the steering gear internal parts can be also provided for control.

[0052] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing a claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.

[0053] In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items re-cited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are re-cited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0054] 1—steering gear

[0055] 2—torque transmitting unit or input shaft to steering gear

[0056] 3—steering actuator

[0057] 4—steering control electronics

[0058] 5—position measurement sensor

[0059] 6—position measurement sensor

[0060] 7—torque measurement sensor

[0061] 8—processing unit or ECU

[0062] 9—knuckles of steerable wheels

[0063] 10—steering system