STEERING DEVICE

• US 20120132020A1
• Filed: 11/22/2011
• Published: 05/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Kunsch, Peter, Schmid, Wolfgang
• Application Number:
  US13/302,646
• Publication Number:
  US 20120132020A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/98
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/16 Steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18856 Oscillating to oscillating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1888 Geared connections

Abstract

A steering device for a wheeled vehicle having wheels includes a steering element for steering actuation with a predetermined movement path and a predetermined degree of actuation, a conversion device for converting the steering actuation to an output signal for transmission to a steering drive for steering the wheels, a connection device operatively connecting the steering element with the conversion device for transmitting the steering actuation to the conversion device, and limiting means configured to either selectively release the degree of actuation to a first maximum degree of actuation or limit the degree of actuation to a second maximum degree of actuation which is reduced compared to the first maximum degree of actuation.

Claims

1. A steering device for a vehicle having wheels, comprising:

a steering element for generating a steering actuation having a predetermined movement path and a predetermined degree of actuation,

a conversion device configured to convert the steering actuation received at an input of the conversion device to a converted steering actuation at an output of the conversion device which is connected to a steering drive for the wheels,

a connection device operatively connecting the steering element with the input of the conversion device for transmitting the steering actuation to the conversion device, and

limiting means arranged on the connection device and configured to either selectively release the degree of actuation to a first maximum degree of actuation or to limit the degree of actuation to a second maximum degree of actuation which is reduced compared to the first maximum degree of actuation.

2. The steering device of claim 1, wherein the limiting means comprise a limiting element having a release position and a limiting position, wherein the limiting element can selectively assume either the release position, in which the limiting means realize a first maximum degree of actuation, or the limiting position, in which the limiting means realize the second maximum degree of actuation.

3. The steering device of claim 2, wherein the limiting means comprise an actuating element which is drivingly connected with the limiting element, wherein control of the actuating element allows the limiting element to selectively move between the release position and the limiting position.

4. The steering device of claim 2, wherein the steering element is constructed to generate the steering actuation with a rotative motion, and wherein the limiting element releases the rotative motion in the release position and limits the rotative motion in the limiting position.

5. The steering device of claim 4, further comprising an additional conversion device which is integrated in the limiting means and configured to convert the second maximum degree of actuation to a rotation of less than 360°

.

6. The steering device of claim 2, wherein the limiting element is configured for translatory movement between the release position and the limiting position.

7. The steering device of claim 2, wherein the connection device comprises a steering column having a longitudinal axis, and wherein the limiting element is configured for movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steering column between the release position and the limiting position.

8. The steering device of claim 2, wherein the connection device comprises a steering shaft configured to transmit the steering actuation through rotation, wherein the limiting means comprises a first rotation transmission element arranged on the steering shaft for co-rotation with the steering shaft and a second rotation transmission element which is rotatably supported and which is in rotation-transmitting connection with the first rotation transmission element, wherein the two rotation transmitting elements realize a rotation transmission ratio such that the second maximum degree of actuation is converted to a rotation of the second rotation transmission element of less than 360°

.

9. The steering device of claim 8, wherein the second rotation transmission element has a limit stop which is arranged such that the rotation of the second rotation transmission element is limited by the limiting position of the limiting element to less than 360°

and is released in the release position of the limiting element.

10. The steering device of claim 8, wherein the first rotation transmission element is constructed as a gear wheel with teeth arranged on an outer circumference of the steering shaft, wherein the second rotation transmission element is constructed as a hollow gear wheel with teeth arranged on an inner circumference of the hollow gear wheel and meshing with the teeth of the first rotation transmission element, wherein the steering shaft passes through the second rotation transmission element.

11. The steering device of claim 10, wherein the limit stop is arranged on the inner circumference of the second rotation transmission element, wherein the limiting element is arranged radially within a circle circumscribed by the inner circumference of the second rotation transmission element.