JPH0547423B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field This invention relates to a steering wheel used in a vehicle that enables power steering to compensate for the time delay that occurs from steering operation to when the steering wheel actually moves. Regarding.

Background technology In power steering used in vehicles,
Hydraulic circuit connects power cylinder and steering
The control valve is mechanically switched by the wheel to supply and discharge pressure oil to the power cylinder, and the control valve is connected to the steering shaft, links, gears, etc. of the machine. Since the steering wheels are connected to each other, the time between the steering operation and the actual movement of the steering wheel is affected by the play of the steering wheel due to the inertia of the steering wheel and steering shaft, and the bumps and play of the links and gears. This caused a time delay.

In order to compensate for the time delay that occurs during steering, in other words, the steering delay, conventionally a steering force sensor or a steering amount sensor is placed on the steering shaft to sense the steering force and steering amount. The sensed steering force or amount was then used to operate the control valve.

However, since these steering force sensors and steering amount sensors detect distortion and displacement of the steering shaft, they are affected by the inertia of the steering wheel itself, making it difficult to accurately detect steering force and steering amount. Ta.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-3735 discloses a steering force detection device, but in this steering force detection device, the steering wheel has a partially broken steering wheel core metal, and It is assembled with a steering wheel outer skin that is covered so as to be relatively movable, and a pair of springs that are arranged in series between the core metal and the outer skin at the break point of the core metal, and electrical contacts are made. Since the spring is closed by a predetermined steering force, the spring constant is set corresponding to the predetermined steering force, so-called, the spring is set to a large spring constant. Otherwise, the electrical contacts would be constantly opened and closed. As a result, there is a time delay until the steering force reaches a predetermined value, and there is a limit to the correction of the time delay that occurs from the so-called steering operation until the steered wheels actually move.

OBJECTIVES AND PROBLEMS OF THE INVENTION The objects and problems of the present invention are to provide a system that allows the steering wheel to move from the steering wheel to the actual movement of the steering wheel without being affected by the inertia of the steering wheel itself and without any substantial delay when the steering force is applied. An object of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel for use in a vehicle, which enables power steering to correct time delays occurring in the vehicle.

Summary of the invention related to the object/problem Contents of the claimed invention In relation to the above-mentioned object/problem, a steering wheel of the present invention includes a hub fixedly supported on a steering shaft, and a hub fixedly supported at a predetermined interval. A steering wheel ring that is fixedly supported between a pair of spokes that protrudes from the spokes, and a steering wheel ring that is fixedly supported between the tips of the spokes, and that is supported by the steering wheel ring in a state that is relatively movable in the direction of rotation. a ring cover for transmitting force to the steering wheel ring side;
The bending beam includes a bending beam fixedly supported on the hub side and the ring cover side, and a strain gauge fixedly disposed on the bending beam. The bending beam is assembled into a cantilever between the hub side and the ring cover side, allowing the ring cover to be elastically bent with very little force. This makes it possible to detect minute changes and to compensate for the time delay in power steering that occurs from the steering operation until the steered wheels actually move during steering.

Description of Specific Examples Specific examples of the steering wheel of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a specific example 10 of the steering wheel of the present invention used for power steering of an automobile.

The steering wheel 10 includes a metal hub 11 fixedly supported by a steering shaft 40, a pair of metal spokes 12 and 13, a metal steering wheel ring 14, and a bending beam. 15
, a synthetic resin spoke cover 16, a synthetic resin ring cover 17, a strain gauge 18, and a synthetic resin horn cover 19.

The pair of spokes 12 and 13 are connected to the hub 1
1 and protrudes radially from its hub 11 at predetermined intervals.

Further, a gusset 20 is welded between the spokes 12 and 13 on their base sides, and the gusset 20 is used not only for reinforcement but also for guiding the spoke cover 16.

The steering wheel ring 14 is
The cutting point 23 was located at the center between the spokes 12 and 13, and was welded between the tips of the spokes 12 and 13 to be fixedly supported by the spokes 12 and 13.

The bending beam 15 is made of a leaf spring material, and its base is screwed to the gusset 20 to be fixed to the hub 11 side, and the cutting point 2 is fixed to the hub 11 side.
3, extend the tip slightly to the outside of the steering wheel ring 14, fit the tip into the groove 27 formed on the inner surface of the spoke cover 16, and fix it. , its hub 11 side and ring cover 17
It was assembled on a cantilever between the sides. Of course,
When no steering force is applied, the bending beam 15 is centered at the cutting point 23, as shown, and the steering
An appropriate gap is formed between the cut ends 21 and 22 of the wheel ring 14.

As a result of the cantilever combination between the hub 11 side and the ring cover 17 side, the bending beam 15 is elastically bent and distorted with a very small force, and , it became possible to detect minute displacements of the ring cover 17 with respect to the steering wheel ring 14. In particular, the force that elastically bends the bending beam 18 is caused by the wheel inertia exerting on the steering wheel ring 1.
4 and ring cover 17,
It became very small.

As shown in the figure, the spoke cover 16 is made of a half-molded synthetic resin product, and is placed over the spokes 12, 13 and the steering wheel ring 14 from above and below, and butts against each other. The parts are welded together and attached to the spokes 12, 13 and the steering wheel ring 14.

In addition, the spoke cover 16 is attached to the spokes 12 and 1 in such an attached state.
3 and the steering wheel ring 14, the spokes 12,
13 and steering wheel ring 14
The bending beam 1 is supported movably relative to the bending beam 1 in a groove 27 formed on the inner surface.
5 is fitted into the bending beam 15 and fixed to the bending beam 15.

Additionally, the spoke cover 16 has ball bearings 28, 29 that contact the steering wheel ring 14 and the gusset 20.
a spoke opening 24 and a ring opening 25,
26 and its spokes 12 and 13, respectively.
and smooth movement relative to the steering wheel ring 14.

The ball bearings 28 and 29 are
As long as it is a means to improve slippage, it can be replaced as appropriate.

As shown in the figure, the ring cover 17 is a molded product made of synthetic resin, cut in the direction of the ring, and manufactured to be easily placed over the steering wheel ring 14. Of course, the cut surfaces 30 and 31
is joined after the ring cover 17 is placed over the steering wheel ring 14, and both ends 3 of the ring cover 17 are
2, 33 are joined to the corresponding ring openings 25, 26 of the spoke cover 16 and are integrally connected.

Further, the ring cover 17, like the spoke cover 16, is dimensioned in advance so that an appropriate distance is formed between the ring cover 17 and the steering wheel ring 14 in the attached state. The spoke cover 16
with the steering wheel 10
It is movably supported relative to the steering wheel ring 14 in the rotational direction of the steering wheel ring 14 so that steering forces can be transmitted to the steering wheel ring 14 through the spoke cover 16.

Further, the ring cover 17 has a rib 34 protruding from the inner surface at a predetermined position, and a rib 34 is formed between the ring cover 17 and the steering wheel ring 14.
The rib 34 maintains a gap between the steering wheel ring 14 and the steering wheel ring 14 to facilitate its movement relative to the steering wheel ring 14.

The strain gauge 18 consists of electrical resistance strain wire units 37 and 38 affixed to the left and right plate surfaces 35 and 36 of the bending beam 15, and a variable aperture (Fig. and a controller (not shown) that controls the controller (not shown).

The horn cover 19 is a synthetic resin molded product and covers the hub 11. Of course, in order to improve the appearance of the steering wheel 10, the horn cover 19 is molded into a bulb shape in relation to the shape of the spoke cover 16, and the spoke openings of the spoke cover 16 are shaped like a bulb. I am facing the 24th.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned steering wheel 10 will be explained in relation to the steering operation.

Now, when a steering force to rotate the steering wheel 10 in either the left or right direction is applied to the steering wheel 10, the steering force first acts on the ring cover 17, and the ring cover 17 rotates the steering wheel 10. The spoke cover 16 is rotated relative to the wheel ring 14 in either the left or right direction, and as the ring cover 17 is rotated, the spoke cover 16 is also rotated. It is rotated relative to its spokes 12, 13 and steering wheel ring 14 in the same direction.

In this case, the spoke cover 16 and ring cover 17 are molded from synthetic resin in advance to reduce their weight and so-called inertia, and the bending beam 15
A very small piece is fixedly supported in a cantilever state between the side gazette 20 and the synthetic resin spoke cover 16 on the ring cover 17 side, and acts on the spoke cover 16 and the ring cover 17. Power and its spokes and covers 16
and a minute displacement of the ring cover 17, so that the spoke cover 16 and the ring cover 17 are elastically bendable, so that the spoke cover 16 and the ring cover 17 can be bent simultaneously with the action of the steering force. Rotationally displaced by the force, at the same time the bending beam 15 is elastically bent by its spoke cover 16 and ring cover 17, which are slightly displaced relative to the steering wheel ring 14. .

In this way, the steering force is transmitted to the spoke cover 16 and the spoke cover 16 is rotated, so that the bending beam 15 is bent to either the left or right direction, causing distortion. Accordingly, the strain gauge 18 detects the bending strain of the bending beam 15. That is, the strain gauge 18 detects minute displacements of the spoke cover 16 and ring cover 17.

In that way, the strain gauge 18
The effect of the steering force detected by the steering force and its direction is converted into an electrical signal by the strain gauge 18 and provided from the strain gauge to the controller, and the controller receives the input The power steering is driven based on the electrical signal. As a result, in this power steering, the time delay that occurs from the steering operation to the actual movement of the steered wheels is corrected and steering delay is prevented.

Also, the integrated ring cover 17 and spoke cover 16 cover the steering wheel.
Wheel ring 14 and spokes 12, 13
The bending beam 15 is rotated relative to the steering wheel.
It instantly hits one of the cut ends 21 and 22 of the ring 14.

The bending beam 15 is connected to the cut ends 21, 22 of the steering wheel ring 14.
, the steering wheel ring 14 is rotated in either the left or right direction together with the ring cover 17 and the spoke cover 16, and as a result, the steering wheel ring 14 is rotated in either the left or right direction, and as a result, the steering wheel ring 14 is rotated in either the left or right direction. That power...
The steering control valve is switched.

Therefore, in the power steering, the bending beam 1 is
5 is bent and distorted, its bending
The bending strain of beam 15 is measured by its strain gauge 1.
8 detects the effect of the steering force and its direction, and the effect of the steering force and its direction sensed by the strain gauge 18 is converted into an electrical signal, with the electrical signal, The controller controls a variable throttle located in the power steering hydraulic circuit so that the action of the steering force and its direction is substantially independent of the large inertia of the steering wheel ring 14. It is detected accurately without any delay, and the delay in turning the power steering is reliably prevented.

Further, when the steering force is removed, the spring action of the bending beam 15 causes the spoke cover 16 and ring cover 17 to move in relation to the spokes 12, 13 and the steering wheel ring 14 as shown. returned to the state.

FIG. 2 shows a modified embodiment 50 of the steering wheel of the invention used in the power steering of a motor vehicle.

This steering wheel 50 is manufactured by integrating the spokes 12, 13 and the steering wheel ring 14 of the steering wheel 10 shown in FIG. 1, and the gusset 20 is omitted. In the steering wheel 50, components corresponding to those of the steering wheel 10 are given the same reference numerals.

The steering wheel 50 includes a metal hub 11 attached to a steering shaft 40, a pair of metal spokes 51 and 52 protruding from the hub 11 at a predetermined interval, and tips of the spokes 51 and 52. The steering wheel ring 53 is integrally manufactured in between, the bending beam 15 whose base is screwed to the hub 11, and the spokes 5 in the direction of rotation.
1, 52 and the steering wheel ring 53, and a spoke cover 16 having a fixed tip of the bending beam 15;
a ring cover 17 connected to the steering wheel ring 53 and movably supported relative to the steering wheel ring 53 in the rotational direction; and a strain gauge 18 attached to the bending beam 15. manufactured.

This steering wheel 50 is the same as the steering wheel 10 described above.
A ball bearing 28 is disposed on the bending beam 15 so as to be in contact with the spoke cover 16.

Moreover, in this steering wheel 50,
In the same manner as in the case of the steering wheel 10 described above, the effect of the operating force and its direction are detected.

Advantages and Benefits of the Invention As understood from the above, the steering wheel of the present invention includes a hub fixedly supported on a steering shaft, a pair of spokes protruding from the hub at predetermined intervals, and A steering wheel ring that is fixedly supported between the tips of the spokes, and a steering wheel ring that is supported by the steering wheel ring in a state that is relatively movable in the direction of rotation and that directs the steering force to the steering wheel ring side. a transmitting ring cover;
The steering wheel of the present invention includes a bending beam that is fixedly supported between the hub side and the ring cover side, and a strain gauge that is fixedly disposed on the bending beam. is divided into a steering wheel ring of large inertia and a ring cover of small inertia, and the bending beam is cantilevered between its hub side and ring cover side. It becomes elastically easy to bend with very small force and minute displacement, and when a steering operation is performed, the ring cover side is momentarily slightly displaced and the bending beam is bent. The beam is bent and distorted simultaneously under the action of the steering force, and the bending strain in the bending beam is detected by the strain gauge, thus creating a predetermined range for opening and closing electrical contacts. The spring that generates the reaction force corresponding to the steering force is eliminated, and the effect of that steering force and its direction can be detected instantaneously without being influenced by the large inertia of the steering wheel, i.e., the steering force The action and direction of the power steering can be detected accurately with virtually no delay, making it possible to compensate for the time delay in power steering that occurs from the steering operation to the actual movement of the steering wheels. power·
Steering delay is reliably prevented, and as a result, it is very useful and practical for power steering used in vehicles.

Relationship between the invention and specific examples As is clear from the specific examples of this invention described above with reference to the drawings, for those who have ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which this invention pertains, The content of this invention derives from the technical essence of the invention, which is essential to the establishment of the invention and is the nature of the invention, in order to accomplish the task of the invention, and it is objectively possible that it is inherent in the technical essence of the invention. It can be easily embodied in the manner recognized in the following.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional front view of a specific example of the steering wheel of the present invention used for power steering of an automobile, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a front view, partially in section, of a modified embodiment of the steering wheel of the present invention used for power steering of an automobile. 11...Metal hub, 12, 13...Metal spokes, 14...Metal steering wheel ring, 15...Bending beam, 1
6...Synthetic resin spoke/cover, 17...Synthetic resin ring/cover, 18...Strain/
gauge.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A hub fixedly supported on a steering shaft, a pair of spokes protruding from the hub at a predetermined interval, and a steering wheel fixedly supported between the tips of the spokes. - a ring, a ring cover that is supported by the steering wheel ring in a relatively movable state in the rotational direction and transmits steering force to the steering wheel ring, and the hub side and the ring cover. A steering wheel including a bending beam fixedly supported between sides and a strain gauge fixedly disposed on the bending beam.