Steering device for a superposition steering system

• US 8,002,075 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2008
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Germany GmbH (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata - Petri AG (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Markfort, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Winner; Tony H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KNUTSON, JACOB D
• Application Number:
  US12/016,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20080141814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 180/443, 180/444, 180/446, 280/192
• US Class Current: 180/443
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/10 Hubs; Connecting hubs to steering columns, e.g. adjustable B62D1/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/008 Changing the transfer ratio between the steering wheel and the steering gear by variable supply of energy, e.g. by using a superposition gear

Abstract

A steering device for a superposition steering system is provided using at least one actuator. The device is based on the object of producing a superposition steering system which requires no additional installation space in the steering column. The actuator for the superposition steering system is therefore arranged in the steering wheel.

Claims

1. A steering device for a superposition steering system of a vehicle, comprising a rotatable steering shaft, a steering wheel fastened to the steering shaft for rotating the steering shaft with rotation of the steering wheel and with at least one actuator, characterized in that the actuator for the superposition steering system is arranged in the steering wheel and is configured to be operable to allow an angle of rotation of the steering wheel to be different than an angle of rotation of the steering shaft, the actuator has a worm gear mechanism including a large worm gear that has a circumference extending thereabout and toothing formed on the large worm gear that extends completely about the circumference thereof, and characterized in that the actuator has at least one motor for driving a driven worm gear engaged with the large worm gear.

2. The steering device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the large worm gear is connected coaxially to the steering shaft, and in that the driven worm gear comprises two smaller worm gears that are connected in each case to one electric motor and engaged with the large worm gear.

3. The steering device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the large worm gear has a sleeve which engages over the steering shaft for connection to the steering shaft, the rotationally secure connection being effected via a steering wheel journal.

4. The steering device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the motors are arranged at least partially in the spokes of the steering wheel.

5. The steering device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the lead of the worm gear mechanism is of sufficient magnitude that there is self locking.

6. The steering device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that activation of the motors which is dependent on speed of the vehicle is provided, a steering lock being reduced at high speed and the steering lock being increased at low speed.

7. The steering device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a power steering system having a controllable input moment which reacts to the steering angle difference of the superposition steering system is arranged after the actuator for the superposition steering system.

8. The steering device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that regulation is provided which reduces the input moment of the power steering system if steering angles are added and increases it if steering angles are subtracted.

9. The steering device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a non-positive, positively locking or frictional connection is provided between the steering wheel and a component which is fixed to the vehicle, in order to fix the steering wheel.

10. The steering device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the actuator is arranged above a steering wheel base, and in that an electromagnetic friction clutch is arranged as steering wheel fixing means between the underside of the steering wheel base and a steering shaft casing.

11. The steering device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the friction clutch has an annular clutch part which is guided by means of guide pins in an inwardly protruding section of the steering shaft casing.

12. The steering device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that at least one additional, programmable servoactuator which is connected to a component which is fixed to the vehicle is provided between the superposition steering system which is situated in the steering wheel and the power steering system.

13. The steering device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the additional servoactuator is connected to a steering column receptacle.

14. The steering device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the actuator is assigned to a housing, in which the large worm gear and the driven worm gear are mounted, for setting the spacing between the axes of the large worm gear and the driven worm gear of the actuator of the superposition steering system and/or for introducing vibrations.

15. The steering device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator.

16. The steering device of claim 1, wherein the large worm gear has a cylindrical configuration.

17. The steering device of claim 3, wherein the sleeve is formed as a separate part.