STEERING FUNCTION-EQUIPPED HUB UNIT
20210155283 · 2021-05-27
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
B60G2206/50
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60G2204/418
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B62D5/0403
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60G21/051
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B62D7/1581
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B62D5/0418
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B62D7/146
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60G2204/43
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60G2206/20
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
Abstract
Provided is a steering function-equipped hub unit for steering a rear wheel configured to be supported by a suspension device including a torsion beam and a pair of trailing arms. The hub unit includes: a turning shaft-equipped hub bearing including a turning shaft extending in a vertical direction and configured to rotatably support the rear wheel; a unit support member supporting the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing such that the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing is rotatable about a turning axis; and a steering actuator separate from the unit support member and configured to rotationally drive the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing. The steering actuator is attached to the suspension device at a position higher than a lowermost surface of the torsion beam and between a rotation support part of the suspension device and the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing.
Claims
1. A steering function-equipped hub unit for steering a rear wheel of a vehicle, which is configured to be supported by a suspension device including a torsion beam and a pair of trailing arms, the steering function-equipped hub unit comprising: a turning shaft-equipped hub bearing including a turning shaft extending in a vertical direction and configured to rotatably support the rear wheel; a unit support member supporting the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing such that the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing is rotatable about a turning axis of the turning shaft; and a steering actuator separate from the unit support member and configured to rotationally drive the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing about the turning axis, wherein the steering actuator is attached to the suspension device at a position higher than a lowermost surface of the torsion beam of the suspension device and between a rotation support part of the suspension device and the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing.
2. The steering function-equipped hub unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steering actuator includes a linear motion mechanism main body and a linear motion output part capable of advancing and retreating with respect to the linear motion mechanism main body and configured to provide a steering force to an outer ring of the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing, and the linear motion mechanism main body is attached to the suspension device such that the linear motion output part advances and retreats in a left-right direction of the vehicle body.
3. The steering function-equipped hub unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the trailing arms further includes a communication hole communicating a vehicle inner side with a vehicle outer side, and a part of the linear motion output part is located within the communication hole.
4. The steering function-equipped hub unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the steering actuator is disposed at a location where the steering actuator overlaps with the trailing arms in a side view.
5. The steering function-equipped hub unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspension device further includes a spring sheet, and the steering actuator is fixed to the spring sheet.
6. The steering function-equipped hub unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspension device has left and right side parts, each of the side parts being attached with the unit support member, and the single steering actuator is configured to steer left and right rear wheels.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments and the drawings are given only for the purpose of illustration and explanation, and are not to be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way whatsoever, which scope is to be determined by the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to denote like parts throughout the several views. In the figures,
[0025]
[0026]
[0027]
[0028]
[0029]
[0030]
[0031]
[0032]
[0033]
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0034] A steering function-equipped hub unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
[0035] Schematic Structure of Steering Function-Equipped Hub Unit
[0036] As shown in
[0037] As shown in
[0038] Turning Shaft-Equipped Hub Bearing 15
[0039] The turning shaft-equipped hub bearing 15 connects a member on a vehicle body side to the rear wheel 9R (
[0040] In the illustrated example, the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing 15 is an angular ball bearing including the outer ring 19 as a stationary ring, the inner ring 18 as a rotary ring, and the rolling elements 20 arranged in double rows. The inner ring 18 includes a hub axle part 18a that includes a hub flange 18aa and constitutes a raceway surface on the outboard side and an inner ring part 18b that constitutes a raceway surface on an inboard side. The rear wheel 9R (
[0041] The turning shafts 16b, 16b are trunnion shaft-type parts provided so as to upwardly and downwardly protrude from an outer periphery of the outer ring 19. Each of the turning shafts 16b is coaxial with the turning axis A. Although the respective turning shafts 16b are integrally formed on the outer ring 19 in the illustrated example, it is also possible, for instance, to provide fittable annular parts on an outer peripheral surface of the outer ring 19 and then provide the turning shafts so as to protrude upwardly and downwardly from outer peripheries of the annular parts. The expression “integrally formed” means that the outer ring 19 and the turning shafts 16b are shaped as a part of a single object made of a single material through, e.g., forging or mechanical processing, instead of being constituted by multiple elements jointed together.
[0042] A brake includes the brake rotor and a non-illustrated brake caliper. The brake caliper is attached to brake caliper attachment parts 22 at two upper and lower positions, each of the brake caliper attachment parts being formed integrally with the outer ring 19 so as to protrude in an arm-like manner.
[0043] Unit Support Member and the Like
[0044] As shown in
[0045] Each of the unit support members 3 is fixed to an attachment part 34 provided to one end portion (a rear end portion) of a corresponding trailing arm Ta. Each of the unit support members 3 is removably fixed to an outboard side surface of corresponding one of the left and right attachment parts 34 through a bolt or the like. Each trailing arm Ta has the other end portion provided with a rotation support part Taa. The left and right rotation support parts Taa, Taa are supported so as to be rotatable relative to the vehicle body 10a (
[0046] As shown in
[0047] Each of the turning shafts 16b is formed with a female thread part, and a bolt 23 is screwed into the female thread part. The bolt 23 screwed into the female thread part applies a pressing force to an end face of the inner ring 4a, with a pressing member 24 of a disk shape interposed between the bolt and the end face of the inner ring 4a, so as to apply an appropriate preload to each rolling bearing. Thus, strength and durability of the respective rotation-permitting support components 4 can be ensured. The initial preload is set such that the preload is maintained even when the weight of the vehicle acts on the steering function-equipped hub unit 1. Thus, the steering function-equipped hub unit 1 can securely have the rigidity required for a steering device. It should be noted that the rotation-permitting support components 4 are not limited to tapered roller bearings. The rotation-permitting support components 4 may be, for example, angular ball bearings depending on use conditions such as a maximal load ratio. Even in that case, a preload can be applied to the respective bearings in the same manner as above.
[0048] As shown in
[0049] This makes it possible to arbitrarily change the attachment height of the steering actuator 5 and the distance between the steering actuator 5 and the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing 15, providing more flexibility of mounting the steering actuator 5 in the vehicle 10. Further, when mounting the steering actuator in the vehicle 10, a toe angle can be adjusted by changing the length of the ball joint Bj and the position of the steering actuator 5. Typically, a non-illustrated for protection against water and dust is attached near the ball joint Bj.
[0050] Steering Actuator 5
[0051] As shown in
[0052] The steering actuator 5 includes a motor 26 that is a rotational drive source, a non-illustrated a speed reducer configured to reduce a speed of rotation of the motor 26, and a linear motion mechanism 25. The linear motion mechanism 25 is a mechanism configured to convert a forward/reverse rotation output from the speed reducer into a reciprocating linear motion of the output rod 25a. The motor 26 is, for example, a permanent magnet synchronous motor, or it may be a direct current motor or an induction motor. The speed reducer may be, for example, a winding-type transmission mechanism such as a belt transmission mechanism or a gear train.
[0053] The linear motion mechanism 25 may be a feed screw mechanism of a slide screw type, such as a trapezoid screw or a triangle screw. In this example, a feed screw mechanism with a trapezoid sliding screw is used. The linear motion mechanism 25 includes the feed screw mechanism and a linear motion mechanism main body 25A. The linear motion mechanism main body 25A is a cover for covering constituting parts such as the feed screw mechanism. The feed screw mechanism includes a non-illustrated nut part and the output rod 25a that is a screw shaft. The output rod 25a is non-rotatable with respect to the linear motion mechanism main body 25A. It is also possible to use a mechanism for directly transmitting a driving force from the motor 26 to the linear motion mechanism 25 without involving a speed reducer.
[0054] The steering actuator 5 is attached to the suspension device Rs at a position higher than a lowermost surface Lv of the torsion beam Tb of the suspension device Rs and between the rotation support part Taa of the suspension device Rs and the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing 15. Specifically, the linear motion mechanism main body 25A is fixed to a side surface of the torsion beam Tb of the suspension device Rs at a position near a longitudinal end of the torsion beam. The linear motion mechanism main body 25A extends in a left-right direction of the vehicle body and is fixed to the torsion beam Tb such that the output rod 25a can advance and retreat in the left-right direction. The linear motion mechanism main body 25A is disposed such that the output rod 25a faces the outboard side.
[0055] The position of the arm part 17 of the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing 15 changes depending on the direction in which the steering actuator 5 is disposed. In order to efficiently steer the rear wheel with small energy, it is desirable to straightly move the arm part 17 back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the turning shaft 16b (
Effects and Advantages
[0056] The turning shaft-equipped hub bearing 15 that support the rear wheel 9R can be arbitrarily rotated about the turning axis A by driving the steering actuator 5. Thus, an optimal steering angle can be achieved. For example, the steering angle of the rear wheel 9R can be arbitrarily controlled according to travel conditions of the vehicle 10. For example, the steering angle of the rear wheel 9R may be matched with a phase of a front wheel 9F so as to suppress a yaw generated in the vehicle 10 during steering and to enhance the stability of the vehicle 10. Further, the steering angles on the left and right sides may be independently adjusted while traveling straight so as to ensure the stability of traveling of the vehicle 10.
[0057] Since the steering actuator 5 is a separate component from the unit support member 3, the steering actuator 5 having an increased size can be disposed without causing interference with existing components. Thus, a stroke amount of the output rod 25a can be increased so as to achieve a desired steering angle.
[0058] The steering actuator 5 which is separate from the unit support member 3 is attached to the suspension device Rs between the rotation support part Taa of the suspension device Rs and the turning shaft-equipped hub bearing 15, so that it is possible to suppress increase in the moment of inertia of the suspension device Rs and to prevent deterioration of the ride quality of the vehicle during bounding or the like in comparison with a conventional configuration in which the unit support member 3 and the steering actuator 5 are integrally provided. As the heavy steering actuator 5 is mounted closer to the rotation support part Taa, the moment of inertia decreases, so that it is possible to prevent deterioration of the ride quality.
[0059] Since the steering actuator 5 is a separate component from the unit support member 3, the mechanical elements have a greater choice of arrangements, making it possible to easily mount the steering function-equipped hub unit 1 in the vehicle 10 without losing a space for the existing components such as a shock absorber. In addition, since the linear motion mechanism main body 25A is attached to the suspension device Rs such that the output rod 25a advances and retreats in the left-right direction of the vehicle body 10a, an empty space in the vehicle body 10a can be effectively used. Therefore, the steering function-equipped hub unit 1 can be easily mounted in vehicle 10 without involving a significant structural change to the vehicle 10.
[0060] The turning shaft-equipped hub bearing 15 is supported by the unit support member 3 through the rotation-permitting support components 4, 4 at two upper and lower positions so as to be rotatable about the turning axis A, and the upper and lower rotation-permitting support components 4, 4 are located within a wheel body of a rear wheel 9R. Thus, the steering function-equipped hub unit 1, which can have a highly rigid and compact configuration, can be easily mounted in a vehicle. Therefore, as the steering function-equipped hub unit 1 can be easily mounted in an existing vehicle 10, the steering function-equipped hub unit 1 can have high versatility.
Other Embodiments
[0061] In the following description, features corresponding to those described for the above embodiment are denoted with like reference numerals, and overlapping description will not be repeated. Where description is made only to a part of a feature, other part of the feature is the same as that of the embodiment described above, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Like features provide like effects. Combination of parts is not limited to those specifically described in the respective embodiments, and parts of the embodiments can also be combined as long as such a combination does not particularly cause a problem.
[0062] As shown in
[0063] As shown in
[0064] In this regard, where the linear motion output part is disposed so as to extend above the trailing arm, the layout would be limited because the linear motion output part interferes with other components such as a spring. Similarly, where the linear motion output part is disposed so as to extend below the trailing arm, it is necessary to increase the lowest ground clearance of the vehicle in order to avoid interference between the linear motion output part and the ground. In contrast, as shown in
[0065] Since the steering actuator 5 is disposed at a location where the steering actuator overlaps with the trailing arm Ta in a side view, the output rod 25a can have a reduced length in comparison with the case where the steering actuator is disposed at a location where the steering actuator does not overlap with the trailing arm in a side view.
[0066] Where the steering actuator is fixed to the torsion beam, the steering actuator acts as a rigid member against torsion of the torsion beam so that the steering actuator would suppress the torsion and thereby may worsen the ride quality. According to this configuration, the steering actuator 5 is fixed to the spring sheet Ss, so that the influence on the torsion of the torsion beam Tb is suppressed, and ride quality can be ensured.
[0067] As shown in
[0068] Steering System
[0069] As shown in
[0070] The higher-order control section 32 is a control section that is superordinate to the steering control section 30. The higher-order control section 32 may include, for example, an electronic control unit (or vehicle control unit, abbreviated as VCU) for performing general control of a vehicle.
[0071] The actuator drive control section 31 outputs current according to a current command signal inputted from the steering control section 30 so as to drive and control the steering actuator 5. In either example of
[0072] The steering system SY may operate the steering actuator 5 in response to a command from a non-illustrated automated drive device or a non-illustrated drive assistance device, instead of an operation of the steering wheel by a driver.
[0073] Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the embodiments thereof, the embodiments disclosed herein are merely examples in all respects, and are not to be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way whatsoever. The scope of the present invention is to be determined by the appended claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include any change made within the scope of claims or equivalent thereto.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0074] 1 . . . Steering function-equipped hub unit [0075] 3 . . . Unit support member [0076] 5 . . . Steering actuator [0077] 9R . . . Rear wheel [0078] 10 . . . Vehicle [0079] 10a . . . Vehicle body [0080] 15 . . . Turning shaft-equipped hub bearing [0081] 16b . . . Turning shaft [0082] 19 . . . Outer ring [0083] 25A . . . Linear motion mechanism main body [0084] 25a . . . Output rod (linear motion output part) [0085] Ta . . . Trailing arm [0086] Tb . . . Torsion beam [0087] Rs . . . Torsion beam suspension device [0088] Taa . . . Rotation support part [0089] Tab . . . Communication hole [0090] Ss . . . Spring sheet