초록 ▼

A steer-by-wire handwheel actuator in a vehicle is presented. The handwheel actuator comprises a driver input shaft; a gear train connected to the driver input shaft; a motor responsive to control signals from a controller and variably geared to the gear train; a electro-mechanical brake responsive

A steer-by-wire handwheel actuator in a vehicle is presented. The handwheel actuator comprises a driver input shaft; a gear train connected to the driver input shaft; a motor responsive to control signals from a controller and variably geared to the gear train; a electro-mechanical brake responsive to the control signals from the controller and geared to one of the driver input shaft and the gear train; and a stop mechanism attached to a housing and coupled to one of the electro-mechanical brake and the gear train.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A steer-by-wire handwheel actuator utilizing a controller operative to accept as input thereto data from the steer-by-wire system and generate therefrom control signals in a vehicle comprising:a driver input shaft;a sear train connected to the driver input shaft;a motor responsive to the control

1. A steer-by-wire handwheel actuator utilizing a controller operative to accept as input thereto data from the steer-by-wire system and generate therefrom control signals in a vehicle comprising:a driver input shaft;a sear train connected to the driver input shaft;a motor responsive to the control signals from the controller and variably seared to the gear train;an electro-mechanical brake responsive to the control signals from the controller and geared to one of the driver input shaft and the gear train; anda stop mechanism attached to a housing and coupled to one of the electro-mechanical brake and the gear train,wherein the gear train is a pulley and gear train assembly, said gear train assembly including:a driver feedback pulley connected to the driver input shaft;a speed reducer pulley connected to the driver input shaft; anda spur gear connected to the driver input shaft. 2. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the motor includes:a motor shaft driven therefrom; anda motor pulley connected to the motor shaft and positively engaged to the speed reducer pulley. 3. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the speed reducer pulley further comprises cogs circumferentially arranged for positive engagement with the motor pulley having corresponding cogs circumferentially arranged. 4. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as sec forth in claim 3 wherein the speed reducer pulley and the motor pulley are positively engages via a cogged belt. 5. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the motor is a brushless motor and includes:a motor shaft driven therefrom; anda motor pulley connected to the motor shaft and positively coupled to the cogs of the speed reducer pulley. 6. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electro-mechanical brake includes:an electro-mechanical brake shaft driven therefrom; andan electro-mechanical brake pulley connected to the electro-mechanical brake shaft and coupled to the gear train. 7. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electro-mechanical brake is one of a magnetic particle brake and an electro-rheological device that includes:an electro-mechanical brake shaft driven therefrom; andan electro-mechanical brake pulley connected to the electro-mechanical brake shaft and coupled to the gear train. 8. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electro-mechanical brake includes:an electro-mechanical brake shaft driven therefrom; andan electro-mechanical brake pulley connected to the electro-mechanical brake shaft and coupled to the driver feedback pulley. 9. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the electro-mechanical brake is one of a magnetic particle brake and an electro-theological device that includes:an electro-mechanical brake shaft driven therefrom; andan electro-mechanical brake pulley connected to the electro-mechanical brake shaft and coupled to the driver feedback pulley. 10. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stop mechanism includes:a stop guide having a first stop end and a second stop end; anda reducing spur gear coupled to the gear train and the stop guide and operative thereby to travel between the first and second stop ends. 11. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stop mechanism includes:a stop guide having a first stop end and a second stop end; anda reducing spur gear having the stop guide and operative thereby to rotate between the first and second stop ends. 12. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stop mechanism includes:a reducing spur gear coupled to the gear train and having at least one stop guide having a first stop end and a second stop end; andat least one pin with one end disposed within said at least one stop guide and attached at other end to the housing ; said reducing gear operative to rotate therewith between the first stop end and the second stop end. 13. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stop mechanism includes:a reducing spur gear coupled to the spur gear of the gear train and having at least one stop guide having a first stop end and a second stop end; andat least one pin with one end disposed within said at least one stop guide and attached at other end to the housing; said reducing gear operative to rotate therewith between the first stop end and the second stop end. 14. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the said at least one pin is rubber coated to dampen end-to-end travel limits. 15. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:a modular unit having a biasing member to provide mechanical resistance to one of the driver input shaft and the gear train. 16. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 15 wherein the modular unit includes a ball nut assembly operably connected to said driver input shaft. 17. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 16 wherein said ball nut assembly is biased in a predetermined position corresponding to an on center steering position. 18. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 17 wherein said ball nut assembly comprises:a modular unit housing having at least one shaft opening, said at least one shaft opening being aligned with said driver input shaft;a ball screw shaft for linking to said driver input shaft, said ball screw shaft having a threaded surface;a ball nut circumferentially disposed about said ball screw shaft; said ball nut having threads configured therein for meshing engagement with said threaded surface of said ball screw, said ball nut in operable communication with said biasing member;at least one contact bearing in said housing for allowing rotation and preventing axial movement of said ball screw shaft; anda means for operably allowing translation of said ball nut when said bail screw shaft is rotated while limiting rotation of said bail nut, wherein rotation of said ball screw shaft in any direction increases a biasing farce from said biasing member to return said driver input shaft to said predetermined position. 19. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 18 wherein said biasing member includes a biasing member operably engaged with either side of said ball nut, each biasing member imparting an increasing force dependent on a direction of rotation of said ball screw shaft. 20. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 18 wherein said biasing member operably engages a first flange and a second flange defining a groove on said ball nut, rotation of said ball screw shaft in a first direction causes translation of said ball nut results in said first flange compressing said biasing member, rotation of said ball screw shaft in a second direction opposite said first direction results in said second flange compressing said biasing member. 21. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 18 wherein means include a pin extending into said housing into a complementary groove in said ball nut configured to allow axial translation relative to said ball screw shaft while limiting rotation of said ball nut. 22. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 20 wherein said pin further includes a circumferential channel configured in at least a portion thereof, said channel configured to receive an edge of a washer that is mechanically fastened to said housing, said washer operably securely retains said pin at a suitable height for allowing slidable translation and limiting rotation of said ball nut having said groove in operable communication with said pin. 23. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said motor provides up to about 4 Nm of torque feedback to said driver input shaft in conjunction with said electro-mechanical brake providing up to about 6 Nm torque feedback to said driver input shaft. 24. A steer-by-wire handwheel actuator in a vehicle comprising:a controller operative to accent as input thereto data from the steer-by-wire system and generate therefrom control signals;a driver input shaft;a gear train connected to the driver input shaft;a motor responsive to the control signals from the controller and variably seared to the sear train;a electro-mechanical brake responsive to the control signals from the controller and geared to one of the driver input shaft and the gear train;a stop mechanism attached to a housing and coupled to one of the electro-mechanical brake and the gear train; anda modular unit having a biasing member to provide mechanical resistance to one of the driver input shaft and the gear train,wherein the gear train is a pulley and gear train assembly includinga driver feedback pulley connected to the driver input shaft;a speed reducer pulley connected to the driver input shaft; anda spur gear connected to the driver input shaft. 25. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 24 wherein the motor includes:a motor shaft driven therefrom; anda motor pulley connected to the motor shaft and positively engaged to the speed reducer pulley. 26. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 25 wherein the speed reducer pulley further comprises cogs circumferentially arranged for positive engagement with the motor pulley having corresponding cogs circumferentially arranged. 27. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 26 wherein the speed reducer pulley and the motor pulley are positively engages via a cogged belt. 28. A steer-by-wire handwheel actuator in a vehicle comprising:a driver input shaft;a sear train connected to the driver input shaft;a electro-mechanical brake responsive to control signals and operably coupled to one of the driver input shaft and the gear train; anda stop mechanism attached to a housing and coupled to one of the electro-mechanical brake and the gear train, said stop mechanism configured as a mechanical stop defining end-to-end travel limits of said driver input shaft,wherein the gear train is a pulley and gear train assembly, said gear train assembly including:a driver feedback pulley connected to the driver input shaft;a speed reducer pulley connected to the driver input shaft; anda spur gear connected to the driver input shaft. 29. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 28 herein the electro-mechanical brake includes:an electro-mechanical brake shaft driven therefrom; andan electro-mechanical brake pulley connected to the electro-mechanical brake shaft and coupled to the gear train. 30. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 28 wherein the stop mechanism includes:a reducing spur gear coupled to the spur gear of the gear train and having at lease one stop guide having a first stop end and a second slop end; andat least one pin with one end disposed within said at least one stop guide and attached at other end to the housing; said reducing gear operative to rotate therewith between the first stop end and the second stop end. 31. The steer-by-wire wheel actuator as set forth in claim 30 wherein the said at least one pin is rubber coated to dampen end-to-end travel limits. 32. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 28 further comprising:a modular unit having a spring to provide mechanical backup resistance to one of the driver input shaft and the gear train. 33. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 32, wherein the modular unit includes a bail nut assembly operably connected to said driver input shaft. 34. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 33 wherein said ball nut assembly is biased in a predetermined position corresponding to an on center steering position. 35. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set fo rth in claim 34 wherein said ball nut assembly comprises:a modular unit housing having at least one shaft opening, said at least one shaft opening being aligned with said driver input shaft;a ball screw shaft for linking to said driver input shaft, said ball screw shaft having a threaded surface;a ball nut circumferentially disposed about said ball screw shaft; said ball nut having threads configured therein for meshing engagement with said threaded surface of said ball screw, said ball nut in operable communication with said biasing member;at least one contact bearing in said housing for allowing rotation and preventing axial movement of said ball screw shaft; anda means for operably allowing translation of said ball nut when said ball screw shaft is rotated while limiting rotation of said ball nor, wherein rotation of said ball screw shaft in any direction increases a biasing force from said biasing member to return said driver input shaft to said predetermined position. 36. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 35 wherein said biasing member includes a biasing member operably engaged with either side of said ball nut, each biasing member imparting an increasing force dependent on a direction of rotation of said ball screw shaft. 37. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 35 wherein said biasing member operably engages a first flange and a second flange defining a groove on said ball nut, rotation of said ball screw shaft in a first direction causes translation of said ball nut results in said first flange compressing said biasing member, rotation of said ball screw in a second direction opposite said first direction results in said second flange compressing said biasing member. 38. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 35 wherein said means include a pin extending into said housing into a complementary groove in said ball nut configured to allow axial translation relative to said ball screw shaft while limiting rotation of said ball nut. 39. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 38 wherein said pin further includes a circumferential channel configured in at least a portion thereof, said channel configured to receive an edge of a washer that is mechanically fastened to said housing, said washer operably securely retains said pin at a suitable height for allowing slidable translation and limiting rotation of said ball nut having said groove in operable communication with said pin. 40. The steer-by-wire handwheel actuator as set forth in claim 28 wherein said motor provides up to about 4 Nm of torque feedback to said driver input shaft in conjunction with said electro-mechanical brake providing up to about 6 Nm torque feedback to said driver input shaft.