Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
  • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
  • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
  • B62D1/04—Hand wheels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
  • B62D15/00—Steering not otherwise provided for
  • B62D15/02—Steering position indicators ; Steering position determination; Steering aids
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C41/00—Other accessories, e.g. devices integrated in the bearing not relating to the bearing function as such
  • F16C41/007—Encoders, e.g. parts with a plurality of alternating magnetic poles
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
  • F16D55/00—Brakes with substantially-radial braking surfaces pressed together in axial direction, e.g. disc brakes
  • F16D55/02—Brakes with substantially-radial braking surfaces pressed together in axial direction, e.g. disc brakes with axially-movable discs or pads pressed against axially-located rotating members
  • F16D55/04—Brakes with substantially-radial braking surfaces pressed together in axial direction, e.g. disc brakes with axially-movable discs or pads pressed against axially-located rotating members by moving discs or pads away from one another against radial walls of drums or cylinders
  • F16D55/06—Brakes with substantially-radial braking surfaces pressed together in axial direction, e.g. disc brakes with axially-movable discs or pads pressed against axially-located rotating members by moving discs or pads away from one another against radial walls of drums or cylinders without self-tightening action
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
  • F16D59/00—Self-acting brakes, e.g. coming into operation at a predetermined speed
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
  • F16F7/00—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers
  • F16F7/02—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers with relatively-rotatable friction surfaces that are pressed together
  • F16F7/04—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers with relatively-rotatable friction surfaces that are pressed together in the direction of the axis of rotation
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
  • F16C19/02—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows
  • F16C19/04—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly
  • F16C19/06—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly with a single row or balls
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
  • F16C2326/00—Articles relating to transporting
  • F16C2326/20—Land vehicles
  • F16C2326/24—Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
  • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
  • Y10T74/20207—Multiple controlling elements for single controlled element
  • Y10T74/20256—Steering and controls assemblies
  • Y10T74/20262—Rotary control shaft

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of instrumented assemblies of the kind for handwheels used for example for the steering of motor vehicles, handling machines or public works machines, or all other types of machines or machines requiring a control wheel.
• a control wheel is connected to an axis, for example a steering column axis, which, depending on the type of steering used, actuates the steering mechanism directly in rotation in the case of mechanical steering, actuates hydraulic pressure distributors in the case of a hydraulic steering or, finally, in the case of an electric steering, actuates the coding ring of a sensor device delivering a signal to the electric control motor, various combinations of these types being possible.
• an axis for example a steering column axis
• a steering wheel rotation detection system In the case of a purely electric steering, more and more commonly used for handling machines such as forklifts.
• a steering wheel rotation detection system whether integrated into the bearings or not, delivers a signal representative of the steering wheel rotation to the vehicle's wheel orientation device.
• the flywheel being mounted on its support by one or more rolling bearings and not being linked to mechanical torque transmission systems, the flywheel is rotated with an extremely low resistive torque. So we often add a steering wheel braking system to generate a resistant torque in order to promote the precision and comfort of driving the vehicle.
• a device of this type is described for example in the document DE-A- 195 10 717.
• this device has certain drawbacks, among which we will note first of all the relatively high axial size and cost due to the presence of two bearings in the extension of which is arranged a brake system using a coil spring pressing a part. conical friction in a bowl also having a conical friction surface. The friction torque developed by such a device is relatively reduced and significant wear due to the small friction surfaces. In addition, the braking system changes the operating clearance of the bearings.
• Document FR-A-2 782 970 discloses a shuttlecock mounted on an instrumented bearing and to which is added a braking system, the rotating part of which is supported by the rotating inner ring of the bearing and rubs against the bottom of a housing.
• the bearing is not mounted on an axis and the diametrical size of the bearing and of the device is significant.
• the invention proposes to remedy the drawbacks of the devices of the prior art.
• the invention provides an economical and space-saving device radially.
• the braked rolling bearing device is of the type intended for a control wheel.
• the device comprises an external part, an internal part, one being rotating and the other non-rotating, a row of rolling elements arranged between said rotating and non-rotating parts.
• Said device further comprises a means for detecting the rotation parameters and a means for braking the rotating part.
• the braking means comprises a plurality of discs held in frictional contact by at least one axially elastic element.
• a radially compact device is obtained, of simple manufacture and whose braking characteristics are easily adjustable.
• the discs can form an axial stack.
• the braking means comprises at least one disc angularly secured to the non-rotating part and at least one disc angularly secured to the rotating part.
• the braking means comprises at least one elastic washer used to ensure manual contact with axial preload of the friction surfaces of the discs.
• at least one of the discs of the braking means is angularly linked to the corresponding part which supports it by means of a lug projecting in a slot.
• the braking means is in the form of an annular cartridge, the two axial ends of which comprise a lateral element with an L-shaped section.
• the braking means is arranged radially between the outer and inner parts and is disposed axially, at least in part, in the axial extension of the rolling elements and in the vicinity of the latter.
• the bearing device comprises two rings, one secured to the rotating part and the other secured to the non-rotating part, between which the rolling elements are arranged.
• the means for detecting the rotation parameters comprises a sensor secured to the non-rotating ring and an encoder secured to the rotating ring.
• the senor includes a connection outlet passing through the non-rotating part.
• the non-rotating part comprises a tubular portion and a radial portion provided with means for fixing the device on a support.
• the rotating part comprises a tubular portion and a radial portion provided with means for fixing a flywheel to the device.
• This braked bearing device easily adapts and mounts in many possible locations of a vehicle or a machine, for example on a dashboard, by means of the housing forming a support. A few screws are enough to fix the device through the housing.
• - Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a bearing device; and - Figure 2 is a sectional view along II-II of Figure 1 of the bearing device.
• the rolling bearing device comprises an outer element 1, of annular shape, with half L-section, with a tubular portion 2 and a radial portion 3 extending at one end of the tubular portion outwards.
• the radial portion 3 is provided with a plurality of fixing holes 4 able to receive screws for fixing on a fixed frame, not shown.
• the tubular portion 2 is provided with two notches forming slots 5 extending from the free end of said tubular portion 2, located opposite the radial portion 3.
• the slots 5 are rectangular, their length being aligned on the axis referenced 6 on which is centered the external element 1.
• the external element 1 can be made of stamped or folded sheet.
• the rolling bearing device also comprises an inner element 8, also centered on the axis 6, of annular shape with U-section, having a tubular portion 9, one end of which is closed by a radial portion 10. A plurality of holes 11 are provided through the tubular portion 10 to receive screws not shown, for example intended for fixing a handwheel also not shown.
• the inner element 8 can also be made of stamped sheet metal. Between the exterior elements 1 and interior 8, is arranged a row of rolling elements 12 held by a cage 13.
• the rolling elements 12 are arranged between outer 14 and inner 15 rings.
• the outer ring 14 is fitted into the bore 2a of the tubular portion 2 of the outer element 1 and is provided with a raceway 16 for the rolling elements 12.
• the inner ring 15 is fitted onto the outer surface 9a of the tubular portion 9 of the inner element 8 and is provided with a raceway 17 for the rolling elements 12.
• the outer ring 14 is further provided with two symmetrical grooves 18 and 19 formed on its bore, on both sides and d 'other of the raceway 16. In the groove 18, is fixed a sealing member 20 which rubs against a surface of the inner ring
• the sensor block 21 comprises two detection elements 22, 23 arranged in diametrically opposite directions and each embedded in a synthetic material forming a central part 24 of the sensor block 21.
• the fixing of the sensor block 21 on the front face of the outer ring 14 is made by means of a fixing support interposed between the ring 14 and the sensor block 21, both on the radial parts and on the circumferential parts and of which a free end is folded back in the groove 19 .
• a cylindrical annular portion 24a is inserted partially inside the bore of the non-rotating ring 14 substantially at the level of the groove 19, so that the detection elements 22, 23 can be partially disposed between the two rings 14 and 15.
• An external protection plate 26 is also fixed to the outside of the sensor unit 21 by crimping carried out by folding the other free end 25a of the support 25 onto the periphery of the external protection plate 26.
• the sensor unit 21 further comprises two wired terminals 27 and 28, associated respectively with the detection elements 22 and 23, and formed by a protuberance of the synthetic material from the central part 24 to ensure the fixing of the end of a cable 29 , 30 by which a transmitted signal can be retransmitted to an electronic central processing and processing of the signal, not shown in the figures.
• the wired terminals 27, 28 of the sensor block 21 each protrude through a light 5 of the tubular portion 2 of the external element 1 while being in contact with the bottom of said slots 5.
• the two detection elements 22, 23 each cooperate with a single coding ring 31 mounted opposite the sensor block 21 on the external cylindrical surface of the rotating ring 15, so as to be driven in rotation by the latter.
• the mounting of the encoder ring 31 is done by means of a support 32 which is received in part between the rings 14 and 15.
• the support 31, of annular shape with T-section, is fitted on the external cylindrical surface of the rotating ring 15 and abuts against a front surface of the latter.
• a portion of the encoder ring 31 is thus located between the rings 14 and 15 and a portion projects outside.
• Most of the outer cylindrical surface of the encoder ring 31 is opposite the two detection elements 22, 23 with a slight air gap.
• a bearing is thus formed by the rolling elements 12 and the rings 14 and 15. To this bearing can be added one or more seals, one or more encoders, one or more sensors, etc.
• a braking member 33 is also disposed between the outer surface 9a of the tubular portion 9 of the inner member 8 and the bore 2a of the tubular portion 2 of the outer member 1.
• the braking member 33 is arranged in the axial extension of the bearing provided with its rotation parameter detection system and is located axially between the free end of the tubular portion 9 of the inner element 8 and the plate 26 protecting the sensor unit 21. More generally, the braking member 33 is axially limited by the cover 7, since it could be provided that it projects axially beyond the free end of the tubular portion 9 in the direction of said cover 7.
• the braking member 33 comprises a rotating part 33a formed of two elements 34, 35, of similar shape, and each comprising a tubular axial portion 34a, 35a and a radial portion 34b,
• the non-rotating part 33b of the braking member 33 comprises two metal discs 36 and 37, arranged axially between the radial portions 34b and 35b of the rotating part 33a. Between the discs 36 and 37, an axially elastic washer 38 is disposed. A friction disc or coating 39 is interposed axially between the disc 36 and the disc-shaped radial portion 34b.
• This friction disc or coating is made of a material with a high coefficient of friction with the fixed discs 41 and the radial portion 34b. If it is a coating, it is preferably adhered to the disc 41 and rubs against the radial portion 34b. It is the same for the friction lining 40, the disc 37 and the radial portion 35b.
• the discs 36 and 37 each comprise two lugs 41, 42 projecting radially outward, diametrically opposite and each arranged in a lumen 5 of the tubular portion 2 of the external element 1.
• the discs 36 and 37 are angularly integral with the external element 1 due to the presence of the lugs 41, 42 which thus prevents any angular displacement relative to the slots 5.
• the discs 36, 37 are therefore fixed while the lateral elements 34, 35 are rotating.
• the friction contact between the fixed discs and rotating elements via the friction discs or coatings 39, 40 therefore creates a resistant torque.
• the elastic washer 38 permanently maintains an axial force tending to separate the discs 41 and 42 and thus ensuring the friction of the discs or friction coatings 39 and 40 on the corresponding surfaces of the radial portions 34b and 35b of the rotating part 33a of the braking device 33.
• the braking means is thus in the form of a compact cartridge disposed radially between the fixed external element 1 and the rotating internal element 8, in the axial extension and in the immediate vicinity of the instrumented bearing.
• Such a braking means has many advantages. First of all, it is very compact. In addition, its modular design makes it easy to modify the friction torque by simply varying the number of discs, the number or the type of elastic prestress washers, this being possible without variation. significant axial size of the cartridge given the small thickness of the components.
• the braking means can generate, under a small footprint, a large friction torque due to the multiplicity and the size of the surfaces in friction contact.
• the structure of the brake cartridge makes it easy to preset the prestress by construction or by mounting, and therefore to calibrate the braking torque.
• This air gap value is then easily obtained during assembly of the two elements 34 and 35 on the internal element 8. It suffices to adjust the fitting stroke of these two elements or else to predefine the length of the tabular parts 34a and 35a so that the desired air gap is obtained when the free ends of the two tabular portions come into contact with one another.
• This braking torque will remain particularly stable over time in operation due to the little wear due to the large friction surfaces.
• Another advantage of the invention is that the axial forces exerted on the steering wheel fixed on the inner element 8 in no way modify the braking torque.
• Such a brake cartridge device has absolutely no influence on the bearings and is not likely to generate a change in clearance or preload in the latter.
• the various functions, in particular those of bearing provided by the rolling elements 12, of detection of parameters of rotation provided by the sensor unit 21 and of braking provided by the braking member 33, are carried out by means arranged in a limited annular space radially between the tabular portion 2 of the outer element 1 and the tabular portion 9 of the inner element 8 and axially between the radial portion 34a of the element 34 of the braking member 33 and the front surface of the rings 14 and 15 opposite the sensor block 21.
• the mounting of the various elements can be carried out by engaging the bearing and the braking member 33 on the inner element 8, then by bringing the outer element 1 from the right to the left on the Figure 1, which causes the fitting of the outer ring 14 in the bore 2a, the passage of the wired terminals 27 and 28 in the slots 5 and the passage of the pins 41 to 42 also in the same slots 5.
• the lights 5, which may alternatively be of a number different from two, ensure both the passage of the cables 28 and 29 and the angular connection of the non-rotating part 33b of the braking member 33 and of the external element 1.
• the various elements are all of simple shape.
• the bearing can be of the standard type and therefore very inexpensive.
• the braking member can be made from sheet metal parts which are also inexpensive.
• a connector could be provided which comes directly from the sensor unit 21.
• the elastic washer 38 permanently maintains an axial force tending to spread the discs 41 and 42 and increasing the friction of the discs or friction linings 39 and 40 on the corresponding surfaces of the rotating part 33a of the braking member 33.
• the braking member with discs and friction coatings integral with the elements 34 and 35, or alternatively by reversing the rotating part and the non-rotating part.
• This braked rolling bearing is particularly simple and economical to produce. It is perfectly modular and it is possible, in the same space, by simply changing the elastic washer 38, to obtain a more or less high braking torque. It is also possible to modify the material of the friction discs or coatings to modify the resulting friction torque.
• the resistive torque generated by the braking device can be high in a small footprint. This torque is perfectly calibrated by construction and is particularly stable over time, since the low wear of the element member has very little influence on the resistant torque.
• the entire braked rolling bearing is in the form of a cartridge unlikely to lose parts and adequately protecting the most fragile elements.
• the sensor unit 21 is located between the rolling elements 12 and the braking member 33. It is of course conceivable, without departing from the scope of the invention, to design a device in which the sensor unit is arranged on one side of the row of rolling elements 12 and the braking member is arranged axially on the other side of said row. In this case, the braking member 33 is no longer axially adjacent to the sensor unit as in FIG. 1, but is axially adjacent to the rolling elements 12.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)
• Steering Controls (AREA)
• Braking Arrangements (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8851051

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications After (1)

Country Status (6)

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Family Cites Families (21)

• 2000
  • 2000-06-07 FR FR0007297A patent/FR2810088B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2001
  • 2001-06-01 WO PCT/FR2001/001703 patent/WO2001094801A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2001-06-01 US US10/296,985 patent/US6868948B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-06-01 WO PCT/FR2001/001702 patent/WO2001094800A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2001-06-01 EP EP01940663A patent/EP1287267A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-06-01 EP EP01940662A patent/EP1287266A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-06-01 JP JP2002502323A patent/JP2003536030A/ja active Pending
  • 2001-06-01 CA CA002412354A patent/CA2412354A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-06-01 US US10/297,716 patent/US6984071B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-06-01 CA CA002411746A patent/CA2411746A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-06-01 JP JP2002502322A patent/JP2003536029A/ja active Pending

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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