Steering Transmission for Electromechanical Steering System for a Vehicle and Electromechanical Steering System for a Vehicle

Abstract

A steering transmission for an electro-mechanical steering system for a vehicle includes an electric motor, a servo transmission, and an angle transmission for connecting a steering column of the steering system to a control stalk of the steering system. The angle transmission is a mechanically driven recirculating-ball transmission with a ball nut, which is engaged with a segment shaft of the steering transmission that is/can be connected to the steering stalk. A spindle of the recirculating-ball transmission is continuous. The spindle is connected to an output shaft of the servo transmission on one side. The servo transmission is/can be driven by the electric motor.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. A steering transmission for an electromechanical steering system for a vehicle, comprising: an electric motor; a servo transmission; and an angle transmission for connecting a steering column of the steering system to a control stalk of the steering system, wherein the angle transmission is a mechanically driven recirculating-ball transmission with a ball nut which is engaged with a segment shaft of the steering transmission that is connectable to the control stalk, a spindle of the recirculating-ball transmission is continuous, and the spindle is connected to an output shaft of the servo transmission on one side, and the servo transmission is drivable by the electric motor.

12. The steering transmission as claimed in claim 11, wherein the servo transmission is a planetary transmission, the planetary transmission has planet wheels with an identical number of teeth and geometry, the planet wheels mesh with two independent ring gears with different numbers of teeth, and the planet wheels are drivable by the electric motor via a carrier.

13. The steering transmission as claimed in claim 11, wherein the servo transmission is an eccentric planetary transmission, the eccentric planetary transmission has a common planet wheel, the common planet wheel meshes with two ring gears, wherein a difference in the number of teeth between the two rings gears is greater than or equal to 1, and the planet wheel is mounted eccentrically on a carrier which is drivable by the electric motor.

14. The steering transmission as claimed in claim 13, wherein a tip of the planet wheel is formed so as to be cut away depending on an engagement cross section.

15. The steering transmission as claimed in claim 13, wherein the planet wheel is mounted in an adjustable manner on a carrier in order to adjust a gearwheel clearance of a gearwheel engagement between the planet wheel and at least one of the two ring gears.

16. The steering transmission as claimed in claim 12, wherein tooth regions of the planet wheels and/or the ring gears are formed with a profile shift.

17. The steering transmission as claimed in claim 13, wherein tooth regions of the common planet wheel and/or the ring gears are formed with a profile shift.

18. The steering transmission as claimed in claim 11, wherein the ball nut of the recirculating-ball transmission has a linear guide which is configured to absorb radial loads introduced by a toothing between the segment shaft and the ball nut.

19. The steering transmission as claimed in claim 18, wherein the linear guide is a plain bearing.

20. The steering transmission as claimed in claim 18, wherein the linear guide is a multi-layer plain bearing or a plastics plain bearing.

21. The steering transmission as claimed in claim 18, wherein the linear guide is a rolling bearing.

22. The steering transmission as claimed in claim 18, wherein the linear guide is a needle bearing or a combination of a needle bearing and a rolling bearing.

23. An electromechanical steering system for a vehicle, comprising: a steering column; a control stalk; and a steering transmission connecting the steering column and the control stalk, the steering transmission comprising: an electric motor; a servo transmission; and an angle transmission for connecting the steering column of the steering system to the control stalk of the steering system, wherein the angle transmission is a mechanically driven recirculating-ball transmission with a ball nut which is engaged with a segment shaft of the steering transmission that is connectable to the control stalk, a spindle of the recirculating-ball transmission is continuous, and the spindle is connected to an output shaft of the servo transmission on one side, and the servo transmission is drivable by the electric motor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle with an electromechanical steering system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a steering transmission according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the steering transmission of FIG. 2;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a partial portion of the steering transmission of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the steering transmission of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 or FIG. 4;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the steering transmission of FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 or FIG. 5;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a steering transmission according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the steering transmission of FIG. 7;

[0028] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the steering transmission of FIG. 7 or FIG. 8;

[0029] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the steering transmission of FIG. 7, FIG. 8 or FIG. 9; and

[0030] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the steering transmission of FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 or FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle 100 with an electromechanical steering system 110 according to an exemplary embodiment. The vehicle 100 is a motor vehicle, in particular a utility (commercial) vehicle, such as for example a truck or the like. The steering system 110 has a steering column 114 and a control stalk 116. The steering column 114 is connected to a steering wheel 112. The steering wheel 112 may also be part of the steering system 110. The control stalk 116 is coupled to steerable wheels via suitable devices, by way of example an axle of the vehicle 100. Moreover, the steering system 110 has a steering transmission 120. The steering transmission 120 is designed as an electromechanical steering transmission or with an electromechanical drive. The steering column 114 and the control stalk 116 are connected together by means of the steering transmission 120 or via the steering transmission 120. In this case, a segment shaft 122 of the steering transmission 120 is also shown in FIG. 1. The segment shaft 122 is connected to the control stalk 116. Further detail is provided relative to the steering transmission 120 with reference to the following figures.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a steering transmission 120 according to an exemplary embodiment. The steering transmission 120 in this case is shown in an oblique view. The steering transmission 120 corresponds or is similar to the steering transmission of FIG. 1. Thus the steering transmission 120 is provided for an electromechanical steering system for a vehicle. The steering transmission 120 comprises an electric motor 230, a servo transmission 240 or a servo transmission unit 240 and an angle transmission 250. Moreover, the steering transmission 120 comprises the segment shaft 122 and an input shaft 221. The segment shaft 122 is/can be coupled to a control stalk of the steering system. The segment shaft 122 serves for transmitting a pivoting mobility via the control stalk to a steering rod of the steering system, which for example moves the front wheels of the vehicle in a desired direction. The input shaft 221 is/can be coupled to a steering column of the steering system.

[0033] The angle transmission 250 is configured in order to connect the steering column of the steering system, which is coupled to the input shaft 221, to the control stalk of the steering system, which is coupled to the segment shaft 122. The angle transmission 250 is a mechanically driven recirculating-ball transmission. In this case, the angle transmission 250 has a spindle 252 and a ball nut 254 which is coupled or in engagement with the segment shaft 122 via a toothed portion 256. The spindle 252 is designed to be continuous. The spindle 252 extends between the input shaft 221 and the servo transmission 240. The spindle 252 is connected at one end via a torsion bar to the input shaft 221. At the opposing end, the spindle 252 is connected to the servo transmission 240, more specifically to an output shaft of the servo transmission 240. The servo transmission 240 is/can be driven by the electric motor 230. The electric motor 230 is connected to the servo transmission 240. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the servo transmission 240 is designed as a planetary servo transmission or planetary transmission. The servo transmission 240 is connected between the electric motor 230 and the angle transmission 250.

[0034] The steering transmission 120 has by way of example dimensions which correspond to an installation space of for example 160 millimeters?210 millimeters?160 millimeters.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the steering transmission 120 of FIG. 2. In FIG. 3 the steering transmission 120 is shown in a partial sectional view. In this case, a first ring gear 342, a second ring gear 344, a carrier 346 and one of a plurality of planet wheels 348 are also shown as components of the servo transmission 240. The servo transmission 240 which is designed as a planetary transmission or planetary servo transmission has a plurality of planet wheels 348. The planet wheels 348 have an identical number of teeth and an identical geometry. The first ring gear 342 and the second ring gear 344 are independent of one another. Moreover, the first ring gear 342 and the second ring gear 344 have different numbers of teeth. The planet wheels 348 mesh with the ring gears 342 and 344. The planet wheels 348 are coupled via the carrier 346 to the electric motor 230 and are/can be driven thereby.

[0036] According to the exemplary embodiment shown here, the planetary servo transmission unit or servo transmission 240 comprises a conventional planetary gear train with two ring gears 342 and 344 with internal toothing or internal gearwheels as central wheel shafts and a carrier 346 or a carrier shaft which is driven by a torque of the electric motor 230. The carrier 346 comprises, for example, three circumferentially arranged planets or planet wheels 348. Each planet meshes with two ring gears 342 and 344 or outer wheels. Resulting gearwheel engagement forces are absorbed by planet bearings which are mounted on planet pins, wherein the forces are transmitted to the carrier 346 or planet carrier. The first ring gear 342 is fastened to a housing of the steering transmission 120 and thus may not rotate. The second ring gear 344 is directly connected to the spindle 252 by a shaft-hub connection or the like and represents the output shaft of the servo transmission 240.

[0037] A number of teeth of the first ring gear 342 is slightly less than that of the second ring gear 344, resulting in a positive stationary transmission ratio of slightly more than 1.0. The importance of the stationary transmission ratio is the characteristic ratio for planet gearwheel sets when the carrier shaft is fixed and a central shaft drives the other. With a given gearwheel set configuration this results in a high ratio, which is determined by the Willis equation. For efficient gearwheel contact, the gearwheel teeth of the servo transmission 240 may be designed as low-loss teeth which provide prolonged sliding or slippage for improved efficiency.

[0038] The first ring gear 342 may have a number of teeth Z.sub.H1 of 53, Z.sub.H1=53. The second ring gear 344 may have a number of teeth Z.sub.H2 of 55, Z.sub.H2=55. Each planet wheel 348 may have a number of teeth Z.sub.P of 23, Z.sub.P=23. A torque of the electric motor 230 may be, for example, 20 Newton meters. An efficiency ? of the servo transmission 240 may be 90.85 percent. In this case, a torque of, for example, 512 Newton meters may be transmitted to the spindle 252 by the servo transmission 240. An efficiency ? of the angle transmission 250 may be, for example, 90 percent. A transmission ratio i.sub.BS of the angle transmission 250 may be, for example, 18, i.sub.BS=18. A total transmission ratio i.sub.GES may be, for example, 495, i.sub.GES=495. A torque transmitted from the angle transmission 150 to the segment shaft 122 may in this case be, for example, 8197 Newton meters.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a partial portion of the steering transmission 120 of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. In FIG. 4 the steering transmission 120 is shown in a partial sectional view. The partial portion shown in FIG. 4 of the steering transmission 120 comprises the electric motor 230, the servo transmission 240 and a partial portion of the spindle 252.

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the steering transmission of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. In FIG. 5 the steering transmission 120 is shown in a side view. In particular, the view in FIG. 5 corresponds to the view of FIG. 2 with the exception that the perspective is different.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the steering transmission of FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 or FIG. 5. In FIG. 6 the steering transmission 120 is shown in a plan view of the electric motor 230. In particular, the view in FIG. 6 corresponds to the view of FIG. 2 or FIG. 5 with the exception that the perspective is different. In this case, due to the drawing, the segment shaft 122 and the electric motor 230 are explicitly shown as components of the steering transmission 120.

[0042] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a steering transmission 120 according to an exemplary embodiment. The steering transmission 120 in this case is shown in an oblique view. The steering transmission 120 in FIG. 7 corresponds to the steering transmission of FIG. 2 with the exception that the servo transmission 240 is configured as an eccentric transmission, eccentric planetary transmission or planetary eccentric transmission.

[0043] The steering transmission 120 has by way of example dimensions which correspond to an installation space of, for example, 180 millimeters?235 millimeters?180 millimeters.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of the steering transmission 120 of FIG. 7. In FIG. 8 the steering transmission 120 is shown in a partial sectional view. The view in FIG. 8 is similar to the view of FIG. 3. In this case, a first ring gear 342, a second ring gear 344 and a common planet wheel 348 or planet wheel pair are also shown as components of the servo transmission 240. The common planet wheel 348 meshes with the two ring gears 342 and 344. In this case, a difference in the number of teeth between the two ring gears 342 and 344 is greater than or equal to 1. The common planet wheel 348 is mounted eccentrically on a carrier which is/can be driven by the electric motor 230.

[0045] The servo transmission 240 which is designed as planetary eccentric servo transmission unit or eccentric transmission comprises a conventional planetary gear train with two ring gears 342 and 344 or inner gearwheels as central wheel shafts and a carrier or a carrier shaft which is driven by a torque of the electric motor 230. The carrier is directly connected to a rotor shaft of the electric machine or the electric motor 230 and has a planet wheel 348 which meshes with both ring gears 342 and 344. The resulting gearwheel engagement forces are absorbed by planet bearings which are mounted on a planet pin, wherein the forces are transmitted to the carrier or planet carrier. The first ring gear 342 is fastened to a housing of the steering transmission 120 and thus is not able to rotate. The second ring gear 344 is directly connected to the spindle 252 via a shaft-hub connection and represents an output shaft of the servo transmission 240.

[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment, a connection of the planet pin to the carrier or the carrier shaft is performed in an adjustable manner. During assembly, therefore, an eccentric connection may be adjusted such that a gearwheel clearance of the gearwheel engagement between the planet wheel 348 and one of the two ring gears 342 and 344 may be eliminated. A gearwheel engagement without gearwheel clearance permits changes to a rotational direction of the servo transmission 240 or the steering transmission 120 without torque interruption.

[0047] A number of teeth of the first ring gear 342 is slightly less than that of the second ring gear 344, whereby a positive stationary transmission ratio of slightly more than 1.0 results. The importance of the stationary transmission ratio is the characteristic ratio for the planet gearwheel sets when the carrier shaft is fixed and a central shaft drives the other. In a given gearwheel set configuration this results in a high ratio which is determined by the Willis equation. The number of teeth of the common planet wheel 348 is selected such that the difference in the number of teeth of the inner gearwheels is approximately 7 or 8.

[0048] The first ring gear 342 may have a number of teeth Z.sub.H1 of 28, Z.sub.H1=28. The second ring gear 344 may have a number of teeth Z.sub.H2 of 29, Z.sub.H2=29. The common planet wheel 348 may have a number of teeth Z.sub.P of 21, Z.sub.P=21. A torque of the electric motor 230 may be, for example, 20 Newton meters. An efficiency ? of the servo transmission 240 may be, for example, 92.85 percent. In this case, a torque of for example 534 Newton meters may be transmitted onto the spindle 252 by the servo transmission 240. An efficiency ? of the angle transmission 250 may be, for example, 90 percent. A transmission ratio i.sub.BS of the angle transmission 250 may be, for example, 18, i.sub.BS=18. A total transmission ratio i.sub.GES may be, for example, 522, i.sub.GES=522. A torque transmitted from the angle transmission 150 to the segment shaft 122 may in this case be, for example, 8699 Newton meters.

[0049] A tooth geometry of the planet wheel 348 is identical for both gearwheel engagements with the two ring gears 342 and 344, which permits a simple production of the planet wheel 348. The gearwheel engagement with the fixed first ring gear 342 is in the upper region of the gearwheel teeth of the planet wheel 348 and the gearwheel engagement with the second ring gear 344 which is connected to the spindle 252 or spindle shaft is in the lower region of the gearwheel teeth of the planet wheel 348. In order to avoid disruption, tooth tips of the planets of 348 in the region of the engagement of the second ring gear 344, which is connected to the spindle 252 and has a higher number of teeth, are rotated on a smaller diameter. For efficient gearwheel contact, the gearwheel teeth may be designed as low-loss teeth which provide prolonged sliding and/or slippage for improved efficiency.

[0050] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of the steering transmission 120 of FIG. 7 or FIG. 8. In FIG. 9 the steering transmission 120 is shown in a partial sectional view. The view in FIG. 9 is similar to the view of FIG. 4. The partial portion shown in FIG. 9 of the steering transmission 120 comprises the electric motor 230, the servo transmission 240 and a partial portion of the spindle 252.

[0051] FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of the steering transmission 120 of FIG. 7, FIG. 8 or FIG. 9. In FIG. 10 the steering transmission 120 is shown in a side view. The view in FIG. 10 is similar to the view of FIG. 5. In particular, the view in FIG. 10 corresponds to the view of FIG. 7 with the exception that the perspective is different.

[0052] FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of the steering transmission 120 of FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 or FIG. 10. In FIG. 11 the steering transmission 120 is shown in a plan view of the electric motor 230. The view in FIG. 11 is similar to the view of FIG. 6. In particular, the view in FIG. 11 corresponds to the view of FIG. 7 or FIG. 10 with the exception that the perspective is different. In this case, the segment shaft 122 and the electric motor 230 are explicitly shown as components of the steering transmission 120.

[0053] With reference to the above-described figures, it should be mentioned that, according to an exemplary embodiment of the steering transmission 120, the tooth regions of the at least one planet wheel 348 and/or the ring gears 342 and 344 may also be formed with a profile shift.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0054] 100 Vehicle [0055] 110 Steering system [0056] 112 Steering wheel [0057] 114 Steering column [0058] 116 Control stalk [0059] 120 Steering transmission [0060] 122 Segment shaft [0061] 221 Input shaft [0062] 230 Electric motor [0063] 240 Servo transmission [0064] 250 Angle transmission [0065] 252 Spindle [0066] 254 Ball nut [0067] 256 Tooth portion [0068] 342 First ring gear [0069] 344 Second ring gear [0070] 346 Carrier [0071] 348 Planet wheel