Steer-by-wire rotary actuator

[0002] This invention relates to a steer-by-wire rotary actuator.

[0003] A steer-by-wire steering system for steering a set of road wheels is disclosed. The system comprises a controller and at least one actuator assembly connected to the controller and to the at least one wheel of the set of road wheels. The at least one actuator assembly comprises an electro-mechanical actuator connected to the controller, a crank arm connected to the electro-mechanical actuator, a steering arm connected to the at least one wheel of the set of road wheels; and a tie rod having a first end thereof connected to the crank arm and a second end thereof connected to the steering arm. The electro-mechanical actuator, in response to a signal from the controller, is operative to rotate the crank arm producing thereby a force acting through the tie rod so as to rotate the steering arm and the at least one road wheel to a desired position. The steer-by-wire steering system includes a backup system capable of assuming operative command of the steer-by-wire steering system.

[0004] FIG. 1 is a generalized schematic representation of the steer-by-wire steering system;

[0005] FIG. 2 is a generalized schematic representation of an actuator assembly of the steer-by-wire steering system;

[0006] FIG. 3 is a generalized schematic representation of a first and second actuator assembly of FIG. 2 connected by a cross link apparatus; and

[0007] FIG. 4 is a generalized schematic representation of the back-up system of FIG. 2.

[0008] A description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be had, by way of exemplification and not limitation, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawing. FIG. 1 is a generalized schematic representation of a steer-by-wire steering system 900 comprising a controller 300 and an actuator assembly 100 in communication therewith by a steering signal designated by the reference numeral controller 300a. The controller 300 is subject to commands from an external motive source such as a driver 500. Such commands are designated by the reference numeral 500a. The actuator assembly 100 is mechanically connected by a steering arm 110 to a first road wheel 200 and operative, subject to commands of the controller 300, to adjust the position of the first road wheel 200. FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the actuator assembly 100 of the steer-by-wire steering system 900. The actuator assembly 100 comprises an electro-mechanical actuator 104independently mounted to the vehicle, a crank arm 106 connected to the electro-mechanical actuator 104, a steering arm 110 connected to the first road wheel 200, and a tie rod 108 having a first end 108athereof connected to the crank arm 106 and a second end 108bthereof connected to the steering arm 110. The electro mechanical actuator 104, in response to the steering signal 300a, originating from the controller 300, is operative to rotate the crank arm 106 clockwise or counterclockwise about a first axis(not shown), thus producing a force acting through the tie rod 108 so as to rotate the steering arm 110 and the first road wheel 200, also clockwise or counterclockwise, about a second axis(not shown) to a desired position. In FIG. 4 a back-up system 700 is shown connected to the crank arm 106 by way of a linking bar 706.

[0009] With reference to FIG. 3, therein depicted is a schematic representation of the steer-by-wire steering system 900 comprising a plurality of actuator assemblies 100a, 100bconnected to the first controller 300 and a plurality of road wheels 200, 400. The steer-by-wire steering system 900 further comprises a cross link apparatus 600. The cross link apparatus 600 includes a first segment 600athereof connected to a first crank arm 106aand a linking sleeve 600c; and a second segment 600bthereof connected to a second crank arm 106band the linking sleeve 600c. The cross link apparatus 600 is operative to transfer steering responsibility from the first actuator assembly 100ato the second actuator assembly 100bor vice-versa in the event that any of the actuator assemblies 100a, 100bbecomes inoperative.

[0010] The linking sleeve 600cis adapted to allow first cross-link segment 600aand second cross-link segment 600bto translate side to side independent of one another until a maximum difference in steering angle has occurred between the road wheels. This may be accomplished by slideably mounting the segments 600a, 600bto the linking sleeve 600c. This permits the wheels to be slightly out of alignment with one another, which is desirable to correct for the Ackerman angle (the difference in turning radius between the inside and outside front wheels during a turn). The linking sleeve is optional, but will be desired as a safety precaution against system failures that might cause the front wheels to go dangerously out of alignment with one another at speed. It is anticipated that the linking sleeve will generally allow the road wheels to be no more than 10 degrees out of alignment with one another, preferably 5 degrees.

[0011] Reference will now be had to FIG. 4. Therein depicted is a generalized schematic representation of the back-up system 700 of FIG. 2. The back-up system 700 comprises a bi-directional hydraulic cylinder 704 connected to the crank arm 106 of the electro mechanical actuator assembly 100 by way of a linking bar 706. The back-up system 700 further comprises a bi-directional hydraulic valve 702 connected to the hydraulic cylinder 704 by way of a first pair of hydraulic lines 702a, 702b. Still further, the back-up system 700 comprises a hydraulic pump 710 connected to the hydraulic valve 702 by way of a second pair of hydraulic lines 71a, 710b, and a second controller 708 connected to the hydraulic valve 702 by way of a signal line 702c. The back-up system 700 is capable of assuming operative command of the steer-by-wire steering system 900.

[0012] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the above described invention. The appended claims are therefore intended to embrace all such claims that fall within the true spirit and intent of the invention.