Patent ID: 12202553

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In this process, thicknesses of lines shown in the drawings and sizes of constituent elements may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. Further, the following terms are defined, considering their functions in the present disclosure, and may be varied according to intentions and customs of a user or a manager. Thus, the terms used herein should be defined based on the contents of the entire specification.

FIG.1is an external perspective view illustrating a steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.2is an exploded perspective view illustrating the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, a steering apparatus for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a rack housing100, a rack bar200, a housing300, a first sensing section400, and a second sensing section500.

The rack housing100is provided to the vehicle body. The rack housing100has a cylindrical shape, and can be fixedly installed in the vehicle body. The rack housing100can communicate with the housing300.

The rack bar200is inserted into an inner portion of the rack housing100, and can move linearly in a lengthwise direction (or an axial direction) of the rack housing100. The rack bar200passes through the rack housing100, is moved according to manipulation of the steering wheel disposed at the driver's seat, and thereby can change angles of the driving wheels.

The magnet210can be mounted on the on-center section that is the central portion of the rack bar200. To add to explanation, the magnet210is rested at an upper end of the central portion of the rack bar200.

The term “on-center section” refers to a region of the central portion of the rack bar200. Thus, when the rack bar200is located in the middle of the on-center section, the steering wheel is disposed in a neutral position. That is, in a case in which the rack bar200is within the on-center section, the steering wheel is disposed in the neutral position. In a case in which the rack bar200is outside of the on-center section, the steering wheel deviates from the neutral region.

The rack bar200is gear-connected by a driving means (not illustrated), and can be moved in the axial direction as the driving means is driven according to manipulation of the steering wheel.

The housing300is mounted on the rack housing100. The housing300can be attached to the rack housing100to communicate with the rack housing100.

The first sensing section400is mounted on the housing300. The first sensing section400is rotated in mesh with the rack bar200, and senses an amount of movement of the rack bar200.

The first sensing section400is mounted on the housing300in a rotatable manner, and a part thereof protrudes from the housing300toward the rack bar200, and can be meshed with the rack bar200.

The first sensing section400and the rack bar200can be coupled in a rack-pinion mode. Accordingly, the linear motion of the rack bar200is converted into a rotational motion of the first sensing section400. The first sensing section400is rotated to correspond to the amount of movement of the rack bar200.

That is, when the amount of movement of the rack bar200is large, an amount of rotation of the first sensing section400becomes large in proportion. When the amount of movement of the rack bar200is small, the amount of rotation of the first sensing section400is reduced. The amount of rotation measured from the first sensing section400is transmitted to the control unit (not illustrated), and the control unit can accurately calculate a rotation angle of the driving wheels on the basis of the amount of rotation of the first sensing section400.

The rack housing100according to the present embodiment includes a housing body section110, a housing mount section120, and a housing hole section121.

The housing body section110has a hollow cylindrical shape having open opposite ends such that the rack bar200is disposed in a penetrated form. The rack bar200is disposed in the inner portion of the housing body section110in a penetrated form. The housing body section110may be formed such that an outer surface thereof has an angled shape, and may be fixed to the vehicle body by a separate fixing means.

The housing mount section120is formed in the housing body section110. The housing300is mounted on the housing mount section120.

The housing mount section120can be formed in an outer circumferential surface of the housing body section110in a recess shape. The housing mount section120can be provided with a first housing mount section120aon which the housing300is mounted, and a second housing mount section120bformed on an upper side of the first housing mount section120aand on which the second sensing section500is mounted.

The first housing mount section120acan be formed in an outer surface of the housing mount section120in a stepped shape. Thereby, the housing300is position-fixed on the housing mount section120while being hung on the first housing mount section120a.

The second housing mount section120bcan be formed in an outer surface of the housing mount section120in a stepped shape. Thereby, the second sensing section500is position-fixed on the housing mount section120while being hung on the second housing mount section120b.

The housing hole section121includes a first housing hole section121aformed on the first housing mount section120a, and a second housing hole section121bformed on the second housing mount section120b.

The housing body section110communicates with the exterior of the housing through the first housing hole section121a. When the housing300is mounted on the first housing mount section120a, the first sensing section400is disposed in the first housing hole section121aat an inner portion of the housing300.

The housing body section110communicates with an outer portion of the housing through the second housing hole section121b. The second sensing section500is inserted into the second housing hole section121b, and is installed on the housing body section110while being hung on the first housing mount section120a.

FIG.3is an exploded perspective view illustrating a housing of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.3, the housing300according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a lower housing310and an upper housing320.

The lower housing310has a shape in which an upper side thereof is open, and the upper housing320covers the opened portion of the lower housing310. The upper housing320and the lower housing310can be assembled up and down. An O-ring or silicone is applied to a contact portion between the lower housing310and the upper housing320, and can interrupt inflow of foreign materials into the interior.

The lower housing310can include a lower storage section311, a lower support section312, a lower opening section313, and a lower enlarging sections314.

The lower storage section311has a shape in which an upper side thereof is open. The lower storage section311includes a lower storage bottom part311a, and a lower storage edge part311bextending upward from an edge of the lower storage bottom part311a.

The lower support section312is formed on the lower storage section311, and supports the first sensing section400in a rotatable manner. One or more lower support sections312are formed depending on the structure of the first sensing section400, and can support rotation of the first sensing section400. In this case, a bearing for reducing rotation resistance can be provided to the lower support section312.

The lower opening section313is formed on one side of the lower storage section311, and communicates with the rack housing100to expose the first sensing section400to an outer surface of the lower storage section311. The lower opening section313is formed on one surface of the lower storage edge part311b, and may have a shape corresponding to that of the housing hole section121.

The lower enlarging sections314extend from one side of the lower storage section311, and are coupled to the rack housing100. The lower enlarging sections314extend from one surface of the lower storage section311to left and right opposite sides respectively, and can confront the housing mount section120. The lower enlarging sections314can be attached to the housing mount section120.

The upper housing320according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes an upper storage section321, an upper support section322, an upper opening section323, and upper enlarging sections324.

The upper storage section321has a shape in which a lower side thereof is open. The upper storage section321can include an upper storage ceiling part321aand an upper storage edge part321b. The upper storage edge part321bis formed on an edge of the upper storage ceiling part321aand extends downward.

The upper support section322is formed on the upper storage section321, and supports the first sensing section400so as to be rotatable. One or more upper support sections322are formed depending on the structure of the first sensing section400, and can support rotation of the first sensing section400. In this case, a bearing for reducing rotational resistance can be provided to the upper support section322.

The upper opening section323is formed on one side of the upper storage section321, and communicates with the rack housing100to expose the first sensing section400to an outer surface of the upper storage section321. The upper opening section323is formed on one surface of the upper storage edge part321b, and may have a shape corresponding to that of the housing hole section121. In this case, the first sensing section400can be exposed to the exterior through the upper opening section323and the lower opening section313.

Depending on the design, the first sensing section400can be exposed only through any one of the lower opening section313and the upper opening section323. In this structure, the other of the lower opening section313and the upper opening section323can be omitted.

The upper enlarging sections324extends from one side of the upper storage section321, and is coupled to the rack housing100. The upper enlarging sections324extend from a front surface of the upper storage section321to opposite left and right sides thereof, and can confront the housing mount section120. The upper enlarging sections324can be attached to the housing mount section120.

FIG.4is a side view illustrating the first sensing section of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.5is a plan view illustrating the first sensing section of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.4and5, the first sensing section400according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a transfer gear part410, a sensing gear parts430, and a sensing board part440.

The transfer gear part410is mounted on the housing300in a rotatable manner. The transfer gear part410can be rotated in meshed with the rack bar200. The transfer gear part410is mounted on the lower support section312and the upper support section322in a rotatable manner.

The transfer gear part410includes a sensing transmission part420and a transmission shaft part421. The sensing transmission part420is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the transmission shaft part421. The sensing transmission part420is rotated about the transmission shaft part421. The sensing transmission part420can be rotated in mesh with the rack bar200.

While the rack bar200is in mesh with the transfer gear part410, a linear motion of the rack bar200is converted into a rotational motion at the transfer gear part410. The sensing transmission part420may have a spur gear shape.

One or more sensing gear parts430are mounted on the housing300in a rotatable manner. The sensing gear parts430is meshed with the sensing transmission part420, and is rotated in cooperation with rotation of the sensing transmission part420.

One or more sensing gear parts430may be disposed.

In a case in which the number of the sensing gear parts430is two, the two sensing gear parts430can be meshed with the sensing transmission part420at the same time. In addition, any one of the two sensing gear parts430may be directly meshed with the sensing transmission part420, and the other may be meshed with any one of the sensing gear parts430rather than the sensing transmission part420.

Magnets431can be mounted on the sensing gear parts430.

The sensing board part440senses rotations of the sensing gear parts430. The sensing board part440senses rotation amounts of the sensing gear parts430, and can calculate an amount of movement of the rack bar200rotating the sensing gear parts430on the basis of the sensed rotation amounts.

The sensing board part440measures magnetisms of the magnets431of the rotated sensing gear parts430, and thereby can measure amounts of rotation of the sensing gear parts430. The sensing board part440is disposed above the sensing gear parts430, and is mounted on the upper housing320.

It is possible to diversify sensor output according to system requirement performance through a gear ratio combination between the sensing transmission part420and the sensing gear parts430.

FIG.6is an exploded perspective view illustrating the second sensing section of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1,2, and6, the second sensing section500according to the present embodiment includes a holder510, a sensing board part520, and a cover part530.

The holder510is mounted on the housing mount section120formed on the housing body section110. The holder510is mounted on the second housing mount section120b.

An outer surface of the holder510is formed with a mounting recess or a mounting hole511in which the sensing board part520is mounted. The holder510is inserted into the second housing hole section121bformed on the second housing mount section120b. The sensing board part520can be disposed at the second housing hole section121b.

The sensing board part520is a type of linear sensor, is mounted on an inner side of the holder510, and senses an amount of movement of the rack bar200in the on-center section.

If the first sensing section400senses the amount of movement of the rack bar200without a limitation to a specific section, the second sensing section500senses the amount of movement of the rack bar200with the limitation to the on-center section.

As one example, the magnet210can be mounted on the on-center section that is the central portion of the rack bar200, and the sensing board part520can sense the magnet210mounted on the rack bar200. That is, the sensing board part520senses the magnet210mounted on the central portion of the rack bar200, and thereby can sense a position of the rack bar200within the on-center section.

The sensing board part520senses a position of the magnet210moved along with the rack bar200within a sensing range. That is, the sensed value is changed depending on the position of the magnet210, and information about the position of the magnet210sensed by the sensing board part520is transmitted to the control unit, and can accurately calculate a neutral state of the steering wheel, an alignment state of the vehicle driving wheels, and so on.

The cover part530is mounted on the holder510on which the sensing board part520is mounted, and covers an outer surface of the holder510.

The assembly and operation of the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure having the aforementioned configuration will be described as follows.

The lower housing310and the upper housing320are assembled, and the first sensing section400is mounted between the lower housing310and the upper housing320. The transfer gear part410and the sensing gear parts430meshed with the transfer gear part410are mounted on the lower support section312and the upper support section322in a rotatable manner.

The sensing board part440sensing rotations of the sensing gear parts430is mounted on the upper housing320so as to be disposed above the sensing gear parts430.

When the assembly of the first sensing section400to the housing300is completed, the rack housing100through which the rack bar200passes is attached to the housing300. In this case, the transfer gear part410is exposed from the housing300to the outer portion, is inserted into the housing body section110through the housing hole section121, and is meshed with the rack bar200. To be specific, a part of the sensing transmission part420is meshed with the rack bar200at the inner portion of the housing body section110, while protruding to the outer portion of the housing300.

In the aforementioned assembly process, the housing300in which the first sensing section400is mounted can be modulated and provided. The housing300to which the first sensing section400is attached can be commercialized by coupling the assembled housing300with the rack housing100.

When the assembly of the second sensing section500comprised of the holder510on which the sensing board part520is mounted and the cover part530mounted on an outer surface of the holder510is completed, the assembly is inserted into the housing body section110through the housing hole section121so as to correspond to the magnet210mounted on the rack bar200.

In the aforementioned assembly process, the second sensing section500can be modularized and provided, and the second sensing section500can be coupled to the rack housing100for commercialization.

In a case in which the vehicle steering is needed in a state in which the assembly is completed, the rack bar200is moved linearly, the transfer gear part410meshed with the rack bar200is rotated. As the sensing transmission part420of the transfer gear part410is rotated, the sensing gear parts430meshed with the sensing transmission part420are rotated.

When the sensing gear parts430is rotated, the sensing board part440of the first sensing section400measures rotation values of the sensing gear parts430. Afterwards, the first sensing section400transmits the measured rotation values of the sensing gear parts430to the control unit, and can accurately detect the steering angle of the vehicle driving wheels through the transmitted information.

Further, when the rack bar200enters into the on-center section, the sensing board part520of the second sensing section500senses the position of the magnet210, and thereby the rack bar200returns to the on-center section, and can precisely identify whether it is maintained within the on-center section.

Referring toFIG.7, the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can widely measure the movement and the movement amount of the rack bar200through the first sensing section400in an entire section in which the rack bar200is movable, and can precisely measure the movement and the movement amount of the rack bar200through the second sensing section500by limiting the inside of the on-center section. For an example, the position and the movement of the rack bar200can be measured within a range of ±200 mm of the first sensing section400and within a range of ±20 mm of the second sensing section500.

According to the present disclosure, since the first sensing section400capable of movement information of the rack bar200in a wide region is provided, it is possible to lower a management criterion of the sensor for managing the entire region, and to apply a cheaper sensor according to differentiation of specification of the sensor based on each section, and thus costs can be reduced.

Since the second sensing section500capable of accurately measuring the movement information of the rack bar200within a specified region, i.e. within the on-center section that is importantly managed in the vehicle, is provided, it is possible to acquire position information for accurate linear advance control in order to cope with the vehicle driving and the autonomous traveling.

In this manner, according to the present disclosure, the movement of the rack bar200is sensed through the first sensing section400, and when it is identified, by the first sensing section400, that the rack bar200enters into the on-center section, the movement of the rack bar200can be accurately measured through the second sensing section500.

Beyond the on-center section, by measuring the movement of the rack bar200to the first sensing section400, by measuring the movement of the rack bar200to the second sensing section500, and by doubling the movement information of the rack bar200to the sensing section having two different functions, it is possible to improve accuracy and to reduce manufacturing costs.

Further, the steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can accurately provide return to and maintenance of the on-center when driving because a linear movement alignment state of the vehicle wheels is identified through the second sensing section500sensing the magnet210mounted on the middle portion of the rack bar200, and it can be managed within the on-center section in the entire movement section of the rack bar200with high accuracy as inFIG.7.

Although exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure as defined in the accompanying claims. Thus, the true technical scope of the disclosure should be defined by the following claims.