STEERING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A steering device for a vehicle, having an actuator, which is provided to exert an axial force on a push rod. The push rod is pivotally connected to respective coupling rods on both sides. The respective coupling rods are pivotally connected to respective deflection levers. The respective deflection levers are pivotally connected to respective tie rods. The respective tie rods are pivotally connected to respective steering levers which are being operatively connected to respective hub carriers to steer respective wheels of a vehicle axle in accordance with axial movement of the push rod. The deflection levers alter a transmission ratio between the push rod and the respective tie rods to lower the axial force at the actuator.

Claims

1-7. (canceled)

8. A steering device for a vehicle, comprising an actuator (1), which is provided to exert an axial force on a push rod (2), the push rod (2) is pivotally connected to respective coupling rods (3a, 3b) on both sides, the respective coupling rods (3a, 3b) are pivotally connected to respective deflection levers (4a, 4b), the respective deflection levers (4a, 4b) are pivotally connected to respective tie rods (5a, 5b), and the respective tie rods (5a, 5b) are pivotally connected to respective steering levers (6a, 6b), the respective steering levers (6a, 6b) being operatively connected to respective hub carriers (7a, 7b) to steer respective wheels (8a, 8b) of a vehicle axle (9) in accordance with axial movement of the push rod (2), and the respective deflection levers (4a, 4b) are provided to alter a transmission ratio between the push rod (2) and the respective tie rods (5a, 5b) to lower the axial force at the actuator (1).

9. The steering device according to claim 8, wherein the respective deflection levers (4a, 4b) have a first and a second leg (15a, 15a, 15b, 15, the first and the second legs (15a, 15a, 15b, 15b) are rotatably engaged with each other.

10. The steering device according to claim 8, wherein the respective deflection levers (4a, 4b) are at least partially fixed, the respective deflection levers (4a, 4b) have hinge joints (10a, 10b) for implementing a swivel movement.

11. The steering device according to claim 8, wherein the actuator (1) is operatively connected to an input shaft (11), the actuator (1) is provided to transform a rotational movement of the input shaft (11) into a translatory movement of the push rod (2).

12. The steering device according to claim 8, wherein the push rod (2) is designed as a toothed rack.

13. The steering device according to claim 8, wherein the actuator (2) and the two deflection levers (4a, 4b) are arranged on different horizontal planes (14a, 14b).

14. Use of a steering device according to claim 8, in a car or commercial vehicle.

15. A steering device for a vehicle, the steering device comprising an actuator which is provided to exert an axial force on a push rod, the push rod having axially opposite first and second ends, the first end of the push rod is pivotally connected to first coupling rod and the second end of the push rod is pivotally connected to a second coupling rod, the first coupling rod is pivotally connected to a first deflection lever and the second coupling rod is pivotally connected to a second deflection lever, the first deflection lever is pivotally connected to a first tie rod and the second deflection lever is pivotally connected to a second tie rod, the first tie rod is pivotally connected to a first steering lever and the second tie rod is pivotally connected to a second steering lever, the first and the second steering levers are operatively connected to first and second hub carriers, respectively, to steer first and second wheels, respectively, of a vehicle axle in accordance with axial movement of the push rod, and the first and the second deflection levers alter a transmission ratio between the push rod and the first and the second tie rods, respectively, to lower the axial force at the actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail based on the drawings below. In the figures

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a greatly simplified schematic plan view of a steering device according to the invention, and

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the steering device according to the invention according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, a steering device according to the invention for a vehiclenot shown herehas an actuator 1, which is operatively connected to an input shaft 11 and a push rod 2. The actuator 1 is provided to convert rotational movement of the input shaft 11 into translatory movement of the push rod 2. Consequently, upon rotation of the input shaft 11 in a first direction of rotation, axial movement of the push rod 2 in the direction of a first wheel 8a occurs. Accordingly, upon rotation of the input shaft 11 in a second direction of rotation, axial movement of the push rod 2 in the direction of a second wheel 8b occurs. The two wheels 8a, 8b are part of a vehicle axle 9 and are rotated in accordance with rotational movement of the input shaft 11 via the steering device at least partially about the respective steering axes 17a, 17b.

[0027] The actuator 1 is provided to exert an axial force on the push rod 2. In this case, the push rod 2 is formed in one part and has two distal ends. At the respective distal ends, the push rod 2 is pivotally connected to the respective coupling rods 3a, 3b. The respective ball joints 12a, 12b are arranged between the push rod 2 and the respective coupling rods 3a, 3b. Further, the respective coupling rods 3a, 3b are pivotally connected to the respective levers 4a, 4b, and the respective ball joints 12c, 12d being provided there as well.

[0028] The respective deflection levers 4a, 4b have a first and a second leg 15a, 15a, 15b, 15b, wherein the respective first legs 15a, 15a are rotationally engaged with the respective second legs 15b, 15b. Consequently, any angle enclosed between the two respective legs 15a, 15b and 15a, 15b is always constant. The respective deflection levers 4a, 4b are arranged at least partially attached at the frame and thus at least partially movable, in particular pivotally attached to a frame 13 of the vehicle. Furthermore, the respective deflection levers 4a, 4b have hinge joints 10a, 10b, wherein the respective hinge joints 10a, 10b enable rotational movement of the respective deflection levers 4a, 4b at the frame 13. Further, the respective deflection levers 4a, 4b are pivotally connected to respective tie rods 5a, 5b, wherein respective ball joints 12e, 12f are also provided there. The respective deflection levers 4a, 4b are provided to alter a gear ratio between the push rod 2 and the respective tie rods 5a, 5b, to lower the axial force at the actuator 1. In particular, the respective deflection levers 4a, 4b generate a level transmission ratio, which is largely constant along an entire steering angle, between the push rod 2 and the respective tie rods 5a, 5b. The steering kinematics of the steering device is considerably improved.

[0029] The respective tie rods 5a, 5b are pivotally connected to respective steering levers 6a, 6b, wherein respective ball joints 12g, 12h are arranged between the respective tie rods 5a, 5b and the respective steering levers 6a, 6b. The respective steering levers 6a, 6b interact with the respective hub carriers 7a, 7b to steer the respective wheels 8a, 8b of the vehicle axle 9 in accordance with the axial movement of the push rod 2.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the steering device shown in FIG. 1, wherein in FIG. 2 shows in particular that the actuator 1 and the two deflection levers 4a, 4b are arranged on different horizontal planes 14a, 14b. In this case, the actuator 1 is arranged on a first horizontal plane 14a and the two deflection levers 4a, 4b are arranged on a second horizontal plane 14b. The two horizontal planes 14a, 14b are spaced apart, wherein the distance between the two horizontal planes 14a, 14b is bridged by means of the respective coupling rods 3a, 3b. The respective wheels 8a, 8b are attached to the vehicle via an independent suspension and connected to the vehicle via the respective upper arm planes 16a, 16a and the respective lower arm planes 16b, 16b. To form respective shock absorbing struts, respective shock absorbers 18a, 18b and respective springs 19a, 19b are provided in addition to the respective hub carriers 7a, 7b, wherein the respective hub carriers 7a, 7b, the respective shock absorbers 18a, 18b and the respective springs 19a, 19b are operatively connected to on another.

[0031] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment above. Further options for development can be found in the description and the claims. In particular, individual articulated connections can also be implemented using rubber bearings. Furthermore, other articulated connection options having at least one degree of freedom are conceivable.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0032] 1 actuator

[0033] 2 push rod

[0034] 3a, 3bcoupling rods

[0035] 4a, 4b deflection levers

[0036] 5a, 5b tie rods

[0037] 6a, 6b steering levers

[0038] 7a, 7b hub carriers

[0039] 8a, 8b wheels

[0040] 9 vehicle axle

[0041] 10a, 10b hinge joints

[0042] 11 input shaft

[0043] 12a-12h ball joints

[0044] 13 frame

[0045] 14a, 14b horizontal plane

[0046] 15a, 15a first leg

[0047] 15b, 15b second leg

[0048] 16a, 16a upper arm planes

[0049] 16b, 16b lower arm planes

[0050] 17a, 17b steering axes

[0051] 18a, 18b shock absorbers

[0052] 19a, 19b springs