Relative guide device for a steering arrangement arranged on the wheel-carrier side

Abstract

A relative guide device (1) for a steering arrangement (31) is arranged on the wheel-carrier side for the spatial guidance and maintenance of the relative spatial orientation of the steering arrangement (31) with respect to a vehicle body (40). At least one telescopic movement apparatus (2) for movably connecting the steering arrangement (31) is arranged on the wheel-carrier side to the vehicle body (40). A steering force transmission device (30) transmits a steering force to a wheel (R) of a vehicle having a relative guide device (1), and to a wheel suspension (50) for a vehicle.

Claims

1. A relative guide device for a steering arrangement arranged on a wheel-carrier side and for spatial guidance and maintenance of a relative spatial orientation of the steering arrangement with respect to a vehicle body, the relative guide device comprising: a guide apparatus configured to move a first connecting element relative to the vehicle body, wherein the guide apparatus is a parallelogram guide; and a telescopic movement apparatus configured to movably connect the steering arrangement arranged on the wheel-carrier side to the first connecting element.

2. The relative guide device according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic movement apparatus comprises at least one extendable element and at least one slide bearing apparatus, wherein the at least one extendable element is guided in the at least one slide bearing apparatus so as to be linearly movable.

3. The relative guide device according to claim 1, wherein the guide apparatus comprises two guide elements, wherein each of the two guide elements is connectable to the vehicle body by a first joint and connected to the first connecting element by a second joint, and wherein one of the first and second joints is a ball joint and another of the first and second joints is a swivel joint.

4. The relative guide device according to claim 1, wherein the guide apparatus comprises two guide elements, the first connecting element, and a second connecting element, wherein a ball joint is arranged at a first end of each of the guide elements and a swivel joint is arranged at a second end of each of the guide elements, and wherein the connecting elements connect the two guide elements to one another at the second end thereof in such a way that the connecting elements are rotatable relative to the guide elements by means of the swivel joints.

5. A steering force transmission device for transmitting a steering force to a wheel of a vehicle, the steering force transmission device comprising: a steering arrangement which is arranged on a wheel-carrier side and which moves with a steering axis of a vehicle wheel relative to a vehicle body, a steering force transmission shaft for transmitting the steering force from a steering force apparatus arranged on the vehicle body to the steering arrangement, and a relative guide device according to claim 1, wherein the steering force transmission shaft is designed to be telescopic in order to continuously ensure a transmission of the steering force when a position of the steering axis and thus the steering arrangement changes relative to the vehicle body, wherein the steering force transmission shaft is designed as a Cardan shaft, wherein two Cardan joints of the Cardan shaft have a same bending angle, and wherein a housing part of the steering arrangement is connected to the relative guide device by a cylinder joint.

6. The steering force transmission device of claim 5: wherein the steering force transmission shaft comprises two joint forks, one of which is arranged on the steering arrangement and the other on the steering force apparatus, and wherein the joint forks are positioned in a plane.

7. The steering force transmission device of claim 5: wherein the steering arrangement is a steering gear, and wherein the steering gear is a bevel gear.

8. The steering force transmission device of claim 7, further comprising a sensor for detecting a wheel rotation arranged on a bevel gear wheel, an axis of rotation of which forms an axis of rotation of the vehicle wheel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The steering arrangement is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the associated drawings. Schematically, it can be seen that:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a relative guide device and a steering force transmission device on a wheel suspension;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a 3-dimensional view of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a side view of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the relative guide device, the steering force transmission device and the wheel suspension with a first steering angle;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the relative guide device, the steering force transmission device and the wheel suspension with a second steering angle;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the relative guide device, the steering force transmission device and the wheel suspension with a third steering angle;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a wheel suspension from the prior art;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a diagram to illustrate the steering torque of the wheel suspension or of the wheel from FIG. 7 with respect to the steering angle; and

(10) FIG. 9 shows a diagram to illustrate the actuator angle of the wheel suspension or of the wheel from FIG. 7 with respect to the steering angle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) In the description below, the same reference symbols are used for the same components.

(12) FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a relative guide device 1 and a steering force transmission device 30 on a wheel suspension 50.

(13) Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows a 3-dimensional view of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3 shows a side view of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

(14) For the sake of simplicity and brevity, FIGS. 1 to 3 are described together below.

(15) Shown in more detail, FIGS. 1 to 3 show a wheel suspension 50 for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle.

(16) Here, the wheel suspension 50 comprises a wheel carrier 51, a relative guide device 1 and a steering force transmission device 30.

(17) Briefly summarized previously to provide an overview, according to FIGS. 1 to 3, a steering arrangement 31 of the steering force transmission device 30, which is arranged on the wheel-carrier side and connected to the wheel carrier 51, is formed to be relatively rotatable with respect to the wheel carrier 51. The steering arrangement 31, formed as a steering gear 31, can thus always be guided to a vehicle body 40 by means of the relative guide device 1 with the same spatial orientation.

(18) Explained more specifically, the relative guide device 1 serves to spatially guide the steering gears 31 arranged on the wheel-carrier side in such a way that the relative spatial orientation of the steering gear 31 to a vehicle body 40 (only indicated as a reference symbol) can be maintained.

(19) Maintaining the spatial orientation of the steering gear 31 with respect to a vehicle body 40 is preferably understood here to mean that the steering gear comprises, for example, a housing part 19, the spatial orientation of which is guided unchanged to the vehicle body 40.

(20) In other words, maintaining the spatial orientation of the steering gear 31 is understood to mean that it cannot be spatially rotated, but rather that its normal vector, which is perpendicular to the housing part 19 of the steering gear 31, always remains oriented in the same direction.

(21) Here, the normal vector of the housing part 19 is aligned in the direction of the vehicle body 40, wherein the normal vector is aligned with the side of the vehicle body 40 on which the relative guide device 1 is arranged.

(22) According to FIGS. 1 to 3, the relative guide device 1 has a telescopic movement apparatus 2 for movably connecting the steering gear 31 arranged on the wheel-carrier side to the vehicle body 40.

(23) As can easily be seen from the figures, the telescopic movement apparatus 2 has a first end 3 and a second end 4.

(24) Here, the telescopic movement apparatus 2 is interlockingly fastened with the first end 3 thereof to a guide apparatus 5 of the relative guide device 1.

(25) At the second end 4 thereof, however, it is movably fastened to the steering gear 31. In the present case, this is achieved, among other things, in that a connecting part 18 for forming a cylinder joint is arranged at the second end 4 of the movement apparatus 2.

(26) It can also be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3 that the telescopic movement apparatus 2 comprises two extendable elements 21 and two slide bearing apparatus 22, wherein each extendable element 21 is guided so as to be linearly movable in a slide bearing apparatus 22.

(27) As already indicated, the relative guide device 1 has a guide apparatus 5 for spatial guidance of the movement apparatus 2.

(28) In the present case, the guide apparatus 5 is designed as a parallelogram guide.

(29) As can also be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the movement apparatus 2 is arranged on the guide apparatus 5, wherein the guide apparatus 5 comprises two guide elements 6, 7. The guide elements 6, 7 movably connect the telescopic movement apparatus 2 to the vehicle body 40.

(30) In the present case, this is achieved in that the guide apparatus 5 has two joints 16, 17 for compensating a relative movement of the telescopic movement apparatus 2 with respect to a vehicle body 40.

(31) The joints 16, 17 are designed as ball joints, wherein each joint 16, 17 is arranged at the first end 8, 9 of a guide element 6, 7.

(32) Furthermore, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show that a second end 10, 11 of a guide element 6, 7 of the guide apparatus 5 is fastened to the telescopic movement apparatus 2 or to the slide bearing apparatus 22.

(33) For this purpose, the guide apparatus 5 has two connecting elements 12, 13 for fastening the telescopic movement apparatus 2 to the guide elements 6, 7, wherein each connecting element 12, 13 is arranged at a second end 10, 11 of the guide elements 6, 7.

(34) More precisely, the connecting elements 12, 13 are each connected to the respective or corresponding guide element 6, 7 via a swivel joint 14, 15.

(35) For the sake of simplicity, the above explanations are briefly summarized again below.

(36) As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the guide apparatus 5 comprises two guide elements 6, 7 and two connecting elements 12, 13, wherein the connecting elements 12, 13 connect the second ends 10, 11 of the two guide elements 6, 7 to one another in a rotatable manner.

(37) Furthermore, a ball joint 16, 17 is arranged at each of the first ends 8, 9 of the guide elements 6, 7 and a swivel joint 14, 15 is arranged at each of the second ends 10, 11 of the guide elements 6, 7.

(38) Furthermore, the connecting elements 12, 13 are connected to the guide elements 6, 7 at their second end 10, 11 in such a way that the connecting elements 12, 13 are rotatable relative to the guide elements 6, 7 by means of swivel joints 14, 15.

(39) As already mentioned at the outset of the description of the figures, FIGS. 1 to 3 also show a steering force transmission device 30 for transmitting a steering force to a wheel R of a vehicle.

(40) The steering force transmission device 30 has a steering gear 31 arranged on the wheel-carrier side, which is arranged on the steering axis L of a vehicle wheel R, and a steering force transmission shaft 32 for transmitting the steering force from a steering force apparatus 33 arranged on the vehicle body 40 to the steering gear 31.

(41) As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the steering force transmission shaft 32 is designed to be telescopic in order to continuously ensure a transmission of the steering force when the position of the steering axis L and thus the steering gear 31 changes relative to the vehicle body 40.

(42) Specifically, the figures show that the steering force transmission shaft 32 is designed as a Cardan shaft, wherein the two Cardan joints have the same bending angle for compensating for irregularities in the Cardan shaft 32.

(43) FIGS. 1 to 3 also show that a housing part 19 of the steering gear 31 comprises a receptacle 20, into which a connecting part 18 of the movement apparatus 2 is inserted to form a cylinder joint.

(44) Shown in more detail, the receptacle 20 is formed at the second end 4 of the telescopic movement apparatus 2.

(45) In addition, the steering force transmission shaft 32 has two joint forks, one of which is arranged on the steering gear 31 and the other on the steering force apparatus 33. Both joint forks are designed in such a way that they lie in one plane.

(46) As already indicated, the steering gear 31 is designed as a bevel gear, wherein the bevel wheels 34, 35 have a palloid toothing.

(47) Furthermore, a sensor 36 (only indicated as a reference symbol) for detecting the wheel rotation is arranged on the bevel gear wheel 35, the axis of rotation L of which forms the axis of rotation of the vehicle wheel R.

(48) Finally, it should also be mentioned that, as an alternative to the force transmission device 30, it is also possible for the wheel suspension 50 to have a steering force actuator (not shown).

(49) In such a case, the steering force actuator is arranged on the wheel carrier 51 and is designed to be relatively rotatable with respect to the wheel carrier 51, so that the steering force actuator can always be guided with the same spatial orientation to a vehicle body 40 by means of the relative guide device 1.

(50) In the end, the steering force actuator differs from an alternative to a steering gear in that the steering force is generated directly on the wheel carrier and does not have to be transferred to the wheel carrier.

(51) FIGS. 1 to 3 are described again below, but in other words.

(52) In FIGS. 1 to 3, the concept of a steering system or wheel suspension 50 for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, is shown.

(53) On the right-hand side (see in particular FIGS. 2 and 3), the steering force apparatus 33 is attached to the vehicle or to the body 40 in a fixed manner to the frame.

(54) Starting from this actuator or the steering force apparatus 33, a double universal joint shaft, or Cardan shaft for short, with integrated length compensation is used for transmitting the torques.

(55) Furthermore, it is favorable if the two inner joint forks lie in one plane.

(56) If these prerequisites are met structurally, the angle error is compensated and the torque can be passed on to the wheel carrier 51 without fluctuations.

(57) The illustrated steering gear 31 including the bevel gear stage is responsible for the direct introduction of the torque into the wheel carrier 51.

(58) The bevel gear stage is necessary in the present design so that the torque can be deflected by 90° in its effective direction.

(59) The steering gear 31 is fully supported by means of suitable components. Shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3, a receptacle 20 for the relative guide device 1 is located at the left end of the housing part 19.

(60) The cylinder joint, realized by the receptacle 20 and the connecting part 18, ensures that the entire system can compensate for the compression and rebound movement.

(61) A further compensation of an angular movement (camber on the wheel R during the steering process) can be omitted, since the kinematics of the wheel suspension 50 result in a camber-free movement during the steering process.

(62) A tooth system was selected for the toothing of the bevel wheels, which is characterized by a high degree of overlap and smooth running.

(63) The use of two double-row angular contact ball bearings (not shown) as bearings for the bevel wheels 34, 35 can be optimally reconciled with the available installation space.

(64) The bearing seat is located directly on the shaft journal of the wheel carrier 51, on which the torque is introduced.

(65) Another aspect in the implementation of the steering system or the wheel suspension 50 is the guidance of the steering gear 31 to the frame or to the vehicle body 40.

(66) This must ensure that the rear wall of the housing or the housing part 19 is guided parallel to the frame connection/to the vehicle body 40. As already mentioned several times in the present description, such a guidance is implemented by the relative guide device 1.

(67) Because of the constant spatial orientation of the housing part 19, it is ensured that the steering angle can be determined directly via the shaft journal of the wheel carrier 51.

(68) FIG. 1 is briefly described again below.

(69) FIG. 1 shows the components of the wheel suspension 50, the relative guide device 1 and the steering force transmission device 30.

(70) Here, the relative guide device 1 consists of a guide apparatus 5, which subsequently guides a length-variable or telescopic movement apparatus 2, which helps to compensate for the movement of the steering axis.

(71) Through the connection to the gear housing or to the housing part 19 of the steering gear via a cylinder joint, the wheel stroke movement is also secured.

(72) Furthermore, the length variability is implemented by means of two rods or extendable elements 21 which are attached to the parallel guide or to the guide apparatus 5 via sliding bushings or slide bearing apparatus 22.

(73) The parallel guide or the relative guide device 1 has two ball joints for realizing the wheel stroke movement.

(74) Cylinder joints are used towards the wheel carrier 51, since the wheel stroke movement is not yet to be compensated for at this point.

(75) The steering force transmission shaft 32 itself has a splined shaft profile for transmitting the torques and two universal joints which allow the torques to be diverted by a certain angle.

(76) The required length variability of the steering force transmission shaft 32 results from the kinematics of the steering axis, and thus from the kinematics of the wheel suspension 50.

(77) FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the relative guide device 1, the steering force transmission device 30 and the wheel suspension 50 with a first steering angle.

(78) In contrast, FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the relative guide device 1, the steering force transmission device 30 and the wheel suspension 50 with a second steering angle.

(79) And FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the relative guide device 1, steering force transmission device 30 and wheel suspension 50 with a third steering angle.

(80) Starting from FIG. 5, the wheel R is rotated clockwise in order to bring it into the position shown in FIG. 4, whereas a counterclockwise rotation brings the wheel R into the position according to FIG. 6.

(81) With the help of the presented relative guide device 1, the steering force transmission device 30 and the wheel suspension 50, it is possible to park a vehicle in a simple manner perpendicular to an existing parking space.

(82) Furthermore, it is also possible to turn a vehicle, in particular an automobile, on the spot.

(83) It is also possible to continuously configure the steering angle of a wheel R to the left and/or right so that the wheel positions, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, can be assumed from normal driving of a vehicle. In this way, the road traffic is minimally disturbed or impaired.

(84) Finally, it should also be mentioned that FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a wheel suspension from the prior art, FIG. 8 shows a diagram to illustrate the steering torque of the wheel suspension or of the wheel from FIG. 7 with respect to the steering angle, and FIG. 9 shows a diagram to illustrate the actuator angle of the wheel suspension or of the wheel from FIG. 7 with respect to the steering angle.

(85) FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 were already explained at the outset of the description.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(86) 1 Relative guide device 2 Telescopic movement apparatus 3 First end of the movement apparatus 4 Second end of the movement apparatus 5 Guide apparatus 6 Guide element 7 Guide element 8 First end of the guide element 9 First end of the guide element 10 Second end of the guide element 11 Second end of the guide element 12 Connecting element 13 Connecting element 14 Swivel joint 15 Swivel joint 16 Ball joint 17 Ball joint 18 Connecting part 19 Housing part of the steering gear/steering arrangement 20 Receptacle 21 Extendable element 22 Slide bearing apparatus 30 Steering force transmission device 31 Steering arrangement/steering gear 32 Steering force transmission shaft/Cardan shaft 33 Steering force apparatus 34 Bevel gear wheel 35 Bevel gear wheel 36 Sensor 40 Vehicle body 50 Wheel suspension 51 Wheel carrier L Steering axis R Vehicle wheel