Torque control element for a steering system in a motor vehicle

• US 7,726,436 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2004
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Pfeiffer, Wolfgang, Koepernik, Jochen, Mayer, Werner, Harter, Werner
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming; Faye M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US10/578,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20070045035A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,028 Days
• Field of Search: 180/405, 180/408, 180/407, 180/411, 180/412, 180/413, 180/415, 340/465
• US Class Current: 180/405
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/003 Backup systems, e.g. for manual steering B62D5/30 takes precedence

Abstract

A torque control element for a steering system in a motor vehicle, and such a steering system are provided. The torque control element includes at least two electrical units, each of the electrical units being assigned a separate power supply unit, connected via at least one fuse.

Claims

1. A torque control element for a steering system in a motor vehicle, for controlling a steering device, comprising:

at least two electrical units; and

power supply units, each of the electrical units being assigned a respective one of power supply units, and each being connected via at least one fuse, wherein the at least two electrical units operate independently of one another;

wherein;

at least one of the electrical units includes a processing unit and an output-stage unit which cooperate with each other,

the processing unit and the output-stage unit of at least one of the electrical units are connected in each case via one of the fuses to the power supply unit assigned to the electrical unit, and

at least one sensor configured to monitor a steering device is assigned to the processing unit, and at least one actuator configured to control the steering device is assigned to the output-stage unit.

2. The torque control element as recited in claim 1, wherein the torque control element is a manual-torque control element for at least one of controlling and monitoring a steering handle.

3. The torque control element as recited in claim 1, wherein the torque control element is a wheel-torque control element for at least one of controlling and monitoring at least one steered vehicle wheel.

4. A steering system, comprising:

a first and a second torque control element, each of the first and second torque control elements including at least two electrical units; and

power supply units, each of the electrical units being assigned a respective one of power supply units, and each being connected via at least one fuse;

wherein the first torque control element is a manual-torque control element for a steering handle, and the second torque control element is a wheel-torque control element for at least one steered vehicle wheel, and

wherein all electrical units are accommodated in a single housing.

5. The steering system as recited in claim 4, wherein the steering handle and the at least one steered vehicle wheel are connected to each other via an electronic controlled system.

6. The steering system as recited in claim 4, wherein the steering system makes a mechanical coupling of the steering handle to the steered vehicle wheels available in the event the electronic controlled system fails.

12. The steering system as recited in claim 4, wherein the torque control element is a manual-torque control element for at least one of controlling and monitoring a steering handle.

13. The steering system as recited in claim 4, wherein the torque control element is a wheel-torque control element for at least one of controlling and monitoring at least one steered vehicle wheel.

7. A steering system, comprising:

a first and a second torque control element, each of the first and second torque control elements including at least two electrical units; and

power supply units, each of the electrical units being assigned a respective one of power supply units, and each being connected via at least one fuse;

wherein the first torque control element is a manual-torque control element for a steering handle, and the second torque control element is a wheel-torque control element for at least one steered vehicle wheel, and

wherein the electrical units of each torque control element are accommodated in one housing.

8. A steering system, comprising:

a first and a second torque control element, each of the first and second torque control elements including at least two electrical units; and

power supply units, each of the electrical units being assigned a respective one of power supply units, and each being connected via at least one fuse;

wherein the first torque control element is a manual-torque control element for a steering handle, and the second torque control element is a wheel-torque control element for at least one steered vehicle wheel, and

wherein each of the electrical units is accommodated in a separate housing.

9. A steering system, comprising:

a first and a second torque control element, each of the first and second torque control elements including at least two electrical units; and

power supply units, each of the electrical units being assigned a respective one of power supply units, and each being connected via at least one fuse;

wherein the first torque control element is a manual-torque control element for a steering handle, and the second torque control element is a wheel-torque control element for at least one steered vehicle wheel, and

wherein at least one of the electrical units includes a processing unit and an output-stage unit which cooperate with each other.

10. The steering system as recited in claim 9, wherein the processing unit and the output-stage unit of at least one of the electrical units are connected in each case via one of the fuses to the power supply unit assigned to the electrical unit.

11. The steering system as recited in claim 9, wherein at least one sensor configured to monitor a steering device is assigned to the processing unit, and at least one actuator configured to control the steering device is assigned to the output-stage unit.

14. A steering system, comprising:

a first and a second torque control element, each of the first and second torque control elements including at least two electrical units; and

power supply units, each of the electrical units being assigned a respective one of power supply units, and each being connected via at least one fuse;

wherein the first torque control element is a manual-torque control element for a steering handle, and the second torque control element is a wheel-torque control element for at least one steered vehicle wheel;

wherein;

at least one of the electrical units includes a processing unit and an output-stage unit which cooperate with each other,

the processing unit and the output-stage unit of at least one of the electrical units are connected in each case via one of the fuses to the power supply unit assigned to the electrical unit, and

at least one sensor configured to monitor a steering device is assigned to the processing unit, and at least one actuator configured to control the steering device is assigned to the output-stage unit.

15. The steering system as recited in claim 14, wherein the torque control element is a manual-torque control element for at least one of controlling and monitoring a steering handle.

16. The steering system as recited in claim 14, wherein the torque control element is a wheel-torque control element for at least one of controlling and monitoring at least one steered vehicle wheel.