WO2018124997A1

WO2018124997A1 - A system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns

Info

Publication number: WO2018124997A1
Application number: PCT/TR2016/050581
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cem POLAT; Haluk Turgay YILMAZ; Salih KUKREK; Evren EMRE
Original assignee: Sanlab Simulation Ar-Ge Sanayi Ticaret Limited Sirketi
Priority date: 2016-12-30
Filing date: 2016-12-30
Publication date: 2018-07-05

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns (1) which enables limiting the rotational movement of the steering wheel that is used inside the simulation environment, and which enables the movement data of the steering wheel to the simulation environment, and to be kept in memory essentially comprising; threaded rod (2), body (3), nut (4), bottom limiter (5), adjusting member (6), magnet (7), linear magnetic sensor (8), angular magnetic sensor (9), bracket (10) and bedding member (11).

Description

DESCRIPTION

A SYSTEM FOR TERMINATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL ROTATION AND DETERMINATION OF THE NUMBER OF TURNS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns, which restricts the movement of the vehicle steering wheel which is used in the simulator, and which transfers the data of the steering wheel there to the simulation environment.

Background of the Invention In the steering wheel systems that are present in the vehicles, the steering wheels cannot turn after certain number of turns. In passenger vehicles, this limit is 3 turns. This movement that is present on the real vehicle has to be limited as well in the simulator and the simulation environment. The number of turns of the vehicle that is modeled in the simulation environment can be limited on the model, and the movement of the steering wheel here is achieved by the data of the steering wheel system that is present on the simulator. However, this limitation has to be provided as well by the hardware steering wheel that is present on the simulator. By this way, the movement of the steering wheel as seen on the screen (the simulation) can be sensed as well by means of hardware (the simulator) by the operator that is using the simulation.

As the steering wheel system that is to be simulated cannot be applied on the simulator, the steering wheel control system that is to be used in the simulator is developed. Meaning that, in order to emulate the turn of the steering wheel of the real vehicle, the limitation of number of turns of the steering wheel is adjusted on both the simulator and the simulation environment. The structures of the mechanisms of the structures that are enabling this are small- big belt pulley or gear systems. In the system where the steering wheel termination is to be made, the steering shaft is connected to a belt pulley or a gear of a small diameter.

In the known technique, the belt and pulley systems that are used for terminating the steering wheel are consisting of two different belt pulleys, one being of large diameter and the other being of small diameter, and a belt which enables their relative movement. When different vehicle simulators are needed, if the number of turns of the steering wheel to be used is different, new belt pulleys having new diameters and a belt suitable for these belt pulleys are needed. Because of the differing sizes, the mechanism has to be produced again. Along with this, as a belt, that is of a mechanical structure, is used, it is of a structure having a lifetime. The changing of the belt also constitutes an extra cost of money and time.

In the known technique, the chain and sprocket systems that are used for terminating the steering wheel are consisting of two different sprockets, one being of large diameter and the other being of small diameter, and a chain which enables their relative movement. These systems work in a noisy manner, and when different vehicle simulators are needed, if the number of turns of the steering wheel to be used is different, new sprockets having new diameters and a chain suitable for these belt pulleys are needed. As in the belt and belt pulley systems, because of the differing sizes, the mechanism has to be produced again. For the chains, which are mechanical components, and which continuously provide friction and gripping action with the sprockets, greasing is required at certain periods.

Gear-gear mechanisms that is yet another application in the state of the art consist of two separate gears, one having large diameter and the other having a small diameter. Said systems work in a noisy manner, and when different vehicle simulators are needed, if the number of turns of the steering wheel to be used is different, new gears having new diameters are needed. Because of the differing sizes, the mechanism has to be produced again. As in the chain- sprocket mechanisms, the friction and gripping action of the gears, which are mechanical components, with each other requires greasing at certain periods.

Various devices are used in the simulator which take measurements regarding the status of the steering wheel. These devices are encoders and magnetic effect (Hall- effect) sensors. The encoders in the state of the art are attached to the small sprocket or the belt pulley, and they give the information of how many turns and how much did the steering wheel turn. The said encoders are of mechanically touching structure. Hence, they have a limit of mechanical life. Because of reasons such as the need for extra electronic hardware for reading the information of the said encoder, the difficulties of mounting, the disadvantage of the cost, and as the value of turns that it creates cannot be held in the memory as required (when the power is off or on), the needs cannot be satisfied.

The magnetic effect (Hall-effect) sensors that are in the state of the art are attached to the small sprocket or the belt pulley, and they give the information of how many turns and how much did the steering wheel turn. The cannot retain the information in the memory when there is no power. They are mechanically of a contactless structure. They can be triggered in a contactless manner with the help of a special magnet. However, when the power of the system is closed, the steering wheel is turned to another place, and the power of the system is restored, it cannot give the information of how many turns and how much did the steering wheel turn. This situation brings along the requirement of recalibration every time.

Problems Solved by the Invention The object of the invention is to realize a system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns, which limits the movement of the hardware steering wheel which is used in the simulator according to the number of turns in the vehicle steering wheel that is used inside the simulation environment, which transfers the data of the steering wheel there to the simulation environment, and which prevents sensor losses by eliminating the obligation of mechanical connection. By this way, the system operates in a contactless manner and thus a sensor structure having a long lifespan is established. Along with this, by using two sensors, the permanent memory problem is eliminated, and more data is acquired. By this way, data resolution is increased, and graphics and feelings with high smoothness are established for the user.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The figures for the system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns realized in order to fulfill the objects of the present invention are as follows:

Figure 1.. Top view of the system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns.

Figure 2.. Side view of the system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns.

Figure 3.. Perspective view of the system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns.

Elements shown in the figures are numbered, and the correspondence of these numbers are given as follows: 1. The system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and

determination of the number of turns

2. Threaded rod

3. Body

4. Nut

5. Bottom limiter

6. Adjusting member

7. Magnet

8. Linear magnetic sensor

9. Angular magnetic sensor

10. Bracket

11. Bedding member

The system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns (1) which enables limiting the rotational movement of the steering wheel that is used inside the simulation environment, and which enables the movement data of the steering wheel to the simulation environment essentially comprises; at least one threaded rod (2) which is attached to one end of the steering wheel, and which makes angular movement with the steering wheel, at least one body (2), from a hole on which the threaded rod (2) passes, at least one nut (4) which is attached to the threaded rod (2), and which moves linearly with the angular movement of the steering wheel, at least one bottom limiter (5) inside of which the threaded rod (2) passes, and which limits the movement of the nut (4) between the body and itself, at least one adjusting member which is movable between the body (3) and the bottom limiter (5), and when fixed, which enables changing of the distance that the nut (4) can move,

multiple magnets (7), which are mounted on another end of the threaded rod (2) and the nut (4), at least one linear magnetic sensor (8) which measures the linear motion changes of the magnet (7) that is on the nut (4),

at least one angular magnetic sensor (9) which measures the angular motion changes of the magnet (7) that is on the other end of the threaded rod (2),

at least one bracket (10) which enables mounting of the linear magnetic sensor (8), the angular magnetic sensor (9) and the magnets (7), at least one bedding member (10) which enables the nut (4) to be bedded and to be fixed on the vehicle.

The inventive system (1) essentially consists of; threaded rod (2), body (3), nut (4), bottom limiter (5), adjusting member (6), magnet (7), linear magnetic sensor (8), angular magnetic sensor (9), bracket (10) and bedding member (11).

In an embodiment of the invention, steering wheel is mounted on the threaded rod (2). By the angular movement of the threaded rod (2), the nut (4) makes linear motion back and forth. The amount of this movement is the same as the distance between the body (3) and the bottom limiter (5). This distance can be narrowed when desired via the adjusting members (6). By this way, the system (1) can be used for different aimed steering wheel turn numbers.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are two adjusting members (6), one being at the end which is close to the body (3), and one being at the end which is close to the bottom limiter (5).

In an embodiment of the invention, let the distance between the body (3) and the bottom limiter (5) be 'm', and let the thickness of the two adjusting members be 'n+n'. In this case, the movement of the nut (4) would be 'm-2n'. Where, this amount is related to how many turns will the steering wheel to be used is going to turn. An equation can be written for the travelling amount of the nut (4).

Travelling amount of the nut of the threaded nut = (*) Number of turns of the threaded rod x Pitch of the threaded rod (*) As the steering wheel that is used by the user of the simulation is connected to the threaded rod without using a reducer, the number of turns of the steering wheel will be equal to the 'number of turns of the threaded rod'. The mechanical working structure of the system is like this.

In the inventive system (1), two different sensors are being used. These sensors are, respectively, the linear magnetic sensor (8) and the angular magnetic sensor (9). In an embodiment of the invention, these sensors are fixed with the help of the bracket (10). The linear magnetic sensor (8) measures the movements of the magnet (7) that is on the nut (4), and the angular magnetic sensor (9) measures the movements if the magnet (7) that is present on the threaded rod (2).

The triggering of the linear magnetic sensor (8) is achieved by the back and forth movement of the nut (4). The linear magnetic sensor (8) is fixed on the bottom limiter (6). A numeric value is created upon the triggering of the linear magnetic sensor (8) by the magnet (7). The correspondences of this numeric value give the number of turns of the steering wheel. The data generated by this sensor (8) can also signify how much the steering wheel turned at that time, along with the number of turns of the steering wheel. However, this data loses its smoothness as the distance between the magnet and the sensor increases. Because of this technical problem, the linear magnetic sensor (8) is used only for generating the data which signifies at which turn the steering wheel is.

The data that indicates how many turns the steering wheel have turned at that time is generated by the angular magnetic sensor (9) which is triggered by the magnet (7) that is located at the end of the threaded rod (2). As this magnet (7) is at the threaded rod (2), it is directly related to the number of turns of the steering wheel. The data that is generated using only the angular magnetic sensor (9) would be insufficient because the data generated by the sensor is reset every time the turn is finished. By using the linear magnetic sensor (8) and the angular magnetic sensor (9) together, this problem is eliminated. Even though there are types of sensors or encoders present in the state of the art which hold the amount of turn in the memory, these types of devices do not guarantee the position of the movement after feeding of the power to these systems are stopped. Where in the inventive system (1), when the steering wheel is left at an arbitrary position and after that, when the feeding of the power to the system is stopped, even if the steering wheel is turned arbitrarily, when the system is reopened, it can acquire the data of how many turns did the steering wheel turn, and how much.

In the system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns (1), using the data generated by the linear magnetic sensor (8) the information of the present position of the steering wheel is acquired, and using the angular magnetic sensor (9), the information of how much it turned is acquired.

The bedding members (11) which enable the nut (4) to be bedded are used in order to eliminate the tendency of rotating of the nut in its rotation axis because of the rotation effect of the threaded rod. The bedding members (11) comprise various grooves so that the nut (4) can be bedded.

Claims

1. A system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns (1) which enables limiting the rotational movement of the steering wheel that is used inside the simulation environment, and which enables the movement data of the steering wheel to the simulation environment, and to be kept in memory essentially comprising; at least one threaded rod (2) which is attached to one end of the steering wheel, and which makes angular movement with the steering wheel, at least one body (2), from a hole on which the threaded rod (2) passes, at least one nut (4) which is attached to the threaded rod (2), and which moves linearly with the angular movement of the steering wheel, at least one bottom limiter (5) inside of which the threaded rod (2) passes, and which limits the movement of the nut (4) between the body and itself, at least one adjusting member which is movable between the body (3) and the bottom limiter (5), and when fixed, which enables changing of the distance that the nut (4) can move,

multiple magnets (7), which are mounted on another end of the threaded rod (2) and the nut (4),

at least one linear magnetic sensor (8) which measures the linear motion changes of the magnet (7) that is on the nut (4),

at least one angular magnetic sensor (9) which measures the angular motion changes of the magnet (7) that is on the other end of the threaded rod (2).

2. A system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns (1) as in Claim 1 comprising at least one bracket (10) which enables mounting of the linear magnetic sensor (8), the angular magnetic sensor (9) and the magnets (7).

3. A system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns (1) as in Claim 1 comprising at least one bedding member (11) which enables the nut (4) to be bedded, and which is of a grooved structure.

4. A system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns (1) as in Claim 1 characterized by the linear magnetic sensor (8) which is located on the bottom limiter (5).

5. A system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns (1) as in Claim 1 comprising two adjusting members (6), one being at the end which is close to the body (3), and one being at the end which is close to the bottom limiter (5).

6. A system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns (1) as in Claim 1 comprising adjusting members (6) which enables the steering wheel to be terminated at different number of turns.

7. A system for termination of the steering wheel rotation and determination of the number of turns (1) as in Claim 1 comprising linear magnetic sensor (8) and angular magnetic sensor (9) which do not require mechanical interaction.