CN106956715A - Method and system for packing up the steering column in autonomous vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A stowed steering column for an autonomous vehicle is provided that is capable of traveling at slower speeds and higher speeds depending on the circumstances. The slower rate, ie about 20mm/sec, is the "standard" rate used under normal conditions during normal stowing and extending of the steering wheel. Higher rates are required when a possible crash event is sensed and the steering wheel must be extended back to the original design intent position in the event that airbag deployment is required or the vehicle operator needs to override the control system for evasive maneuvers. A slower rate of about 20 mm/s is preferred and a higher rate of about 40 mm/s is preferred.

Description

Method and system for stowing a steering column in an autonomous vehicle

technical field

The disclosed invention relates generally to vehicle steering columns. More specifically, the disclosed invention relates to a steering column for a specific application in an autonomous vehicle that can be axially translated a given forward distance such that the driver can perceive the spatial dimensions of the vehicle when first entering the vehicle. Increase. Axial movement of the steering column has two position-dependent rates.

Background technique

Removable steering wheels and steering columns have been a feature of the automotive industry almost since the beginning. For example, due to the limited space between the steering wheel and the seat back in a Model T vehicle, and aftermarket manufacturers can offer a basic accessory steering wheel so that it can be released from the driver's path as the driver enters and exits the driver's seat and shake out. Later vehicles included steering columns that could be adjusted by a small amount of pivoting to allow the driver more clearance between the steering wheel and the driver's seat.

Typically, as in the case of the aforementioned movable steering wheel accessory, movement of the steering wheel is considered desirable, and may be necessary, to allow someone to position themselves between the driver's seat and the steering wheel. In this case, the movement of the steering wheel is done for practical reasons.

In other cases, however, it is desirable to move the steering wheel forward into the dashboard to give the appearance of a larger vehicle interior, which is the case with smaller vehicles that are increasingly popular today. This impression is especially important when a potential buyer may be seeing a vehicle for the first time in a vehicle showroom. In this case, the driver and potential buyer can better see the vehicle's more spacious exterior.

There are many restrictions on the movement of the steering wheel due to passenger safety standards and packaging. With respect to occupant safety, considerations include crash loads (overturning moments) and load and displacement options as well as the size and configuration of the inner steering components of the steering column. A particular challenge in the design of axially displaceable steering columns is the need to separate the stowing or functional travel mechanism from the crash impact plane.

Known systems for imparting axial movement to steering columns do not overcome the challenges faced in terms of safety and packaging. Such systems are limited to typical axial travel of only about +25mm either side of the center line at a rate of between about 10 and 20mm/s, making such systems unsuitable for stowing the steering column when the driver is out of the seat, Then quickly extend the steering column after the driver is seated. Thus, known systems do not provide convenient steering wheel retraction during normal operation of the autonomous vehicle or provide steering wheel override control by the vehicle operator if the vehicle senses an impact event.

As in many areas of vehicle technology there is always room for improvement in relation to retractable steering columns.

Contents of the invention

The disclosed invention overcomes several problems of the prior art by providing a stowed steering column with high speed and high range of travel. The stowable steering column of the present invention includes a roof bracket for connection to a dashboard, a sleeve connected to the bracket, and a steering column shaft movably connected to the sleeve. The steering wheel is mounted to the end of the steering column shaft.

The steering column shaft has a stowed travel range of between about +90mm and +110mm and a travel rate of between about 20mm/s and 40mm/s, or approximately double the known rate. The range of stowed travel between approximately +90mm and +110mm is travel in addition to the functional movement of +25mm into the vehicle from the center line.

The two-speed steering column of the disclosed inventive concepts can be used in any vehicle, but provides particular utility in autonomous vehicles. The two-speed setting provided in the present invention is an important feature during emergency situations where a potential collision is sensed by one or more of the vehicle's collision avoidance sensors. The slower rate, ie about 20mm/s, is the "standard" rate used under normal conditions during normal retraction and extension of the steering wheel.

However, in situations where a possible crash event is sensed and the steering wheel must be extended back to the original design intent position, higher rates are required in the event that airbag deployment is required or the vehicle operator needs to override the control system for evasive maneuvers (about 40mm/s). Therefore, in an autonomous vehicle it is important that these two very different rates are available, a standard stow rate of about 20mm/s and a higher emergency rate of about 40mm/s.

The stow steering column also includes a motor for axially adjusting the steering column shaft relative to the steering column sleeve.

The sleeve is pivotally connected to the roof bracket. The steering column also includes a steering column bracket extending from the roof bracket, the steering column shaft being connected to the steering column bracket such that the steering column bracket is adjustably movable relative to the roof bracket. Optionally, a motor may be provided to adjustably move the steering column bracket relative to the roof bracket.

The instrument panel is formed to define a steering wheel receiving recess into which the steering wheel will nest when the steering wheel is in its retracted position. One or more sensors are provided for determining the position of the steering wheel relative to the instrument panel. The sensors may be selected from the group consisting of Hall current sensors, potentiometer sensors and feedback sensors.

According to the invention there is provided an axially movable steering column for an autonomous vehicle, the steering column comprising:

bracket;

a sleeve attached to the bracket;

a steering column shaft movably connected to said sleeve, the shaft being movable from a stowed position to an extended position at a high or low rate of travel, wherein the high rate of travel is about 40mm/sec and the low rate of travel is about 20mm/sec ;with

A collision avoidance sensor is operatively associated with the axle, the sensor including a signal generator to generate a high speed travel signal to the axle.

According to the invention there is provided a steering arrangement for an autonomous vehicle comprising:

Dashboard;

A steering column that has an axially movable steering column shaft and a steering wheel connected to the shaft that can be moved to a stowed position when the vehicle is parked and to an extended position for driver operation, the shaft can be at high travel rates or low The travel rate is moved to the extended position, where the high travel rate is about 40mm/s and the low travel rate is about 20mm/s;

A collision avoidance sensor is operatively associated with the shaft, the sensor including a signal generator to generate a high speed travel signal to the shaft.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of locating a steering wheel in an autonomous vehicle, the method comprising:

Forming an instrument panel, a steering column having an axially movable shaft movable to a stowed position when the vehicle is parked and to an extended position for driver operation, and a collision avoidance sensor operatively associated with the shaft either a high travel rate or a low travel rate moving to an extended position, wherein the high travel rate is about 40 mm/s and the low travel rate is about 20 mm/s;

moving the axis at a high travel rate when the collision avoidance sensor senses a possible impact; and

Move the axis at a low travel rate at all other times.

In one embodiment of the invention, the shaft has a stowed travel range of between about +90mm and +110mm from the centerline.

The above advantages and other advantages and features will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments shown in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of example of the invention in the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a stowed steering column according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the components of the disclosed invention that stow the steering column;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the disclosed invention with the stowed steering column, with the steering wheel in its retracted, stowed position;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the disclosed invention with the steering column stowed, with the steering wheel in its extended position;

5 is a side view of the disclosed invention with the steering column stowed steering wheel assembly relative to the driver's seat; and

6 is a front view of an instrument panel including a recessed steering wheel receiving area according to the disclosed invention.

detailed description

In the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same parts. In the following specification, various operating parameters and components are described for differently constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting.

In general, the disclosed invention provides a stowable steering column that is movable between an extended position for use by a driver and a retracted or stowed position when the driver is not present. Referring to FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of a stowed steering column, generally indicated at 10 , in accordance with the disclosed invention. The stowed steering column 10 includes a steering wheel 12 , a cover or shroud 14 and a roof bracket 16 for attachment to the underside of the instrument panel. Stowing the steering column 10 is associated with a collision avoidance sensor 15 . The collision avoidance sensor 15 includes a signal generator 17 capable of generating a high speed travel signal to the stow steering column 10 . It should be understood that the configuration of the stowed steering column 10 is shown for illustrative purposes only and that other shapes may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the components of the stowable steering column 10 of the present invention with the cover or shroud 14 removed. The roof bracket 16 includes an extension arm 18 . An axle sleeve or axle bracket 20 is pivotally connected to the extension arm 18 at a pivot assembly 22 .

A power steering shaft 24 is axially and movably disposed within the shaft sleeve or bracket 20 . A drive motor support bracket 26 is provided in association with the axle sleeve or axle bracket 20 . A drive motor 28 is operatively connected to the steering shaft sleeve 26 .

The power steering shaft 24 preferably has a retracted travel range of between about +90mm and +110mm and a travel rate of between about 20mm/s and 40mm/s. As noted above, the range of stowed travel between approximately +90 and +110 mm is travel in addition to the functional movement into the vehicle of +25 mm from the center line. This wide range of travel and high speed of movement allows the steering wheel 12 to be quickly positioned and repositioned as required by a given situation. Both the degree of travel and the rate of travel can be adjusted by the driver according to personal preference.

The power steering shaft 24 may be splined or otherwise configured to allow active engagement of the drive motor 28 . Operation of the drive motor 28 allows axial movement of the power steering shaft 24 relative to the shaft sleeve or shaft bracket 20 .

The height of the steering wheel 12 (shown in FIG. 1 ) can be adjusted based on the driver's comfort and actual needs. The shaft bracket 30 is fitted to the power steering shaft 24 . The power steering shaft 24 allows a shaft bracket 30 to rotate therein. The axle bracket 30 is movably connected to a U-shaped bracket 32 extending downwardly from the roof bracket 16 . Horizontal adjustment of the power steering shaft 24 is made by moving the shaft bracket 30 up or down within the U-shaped bracket 32 . Movement can be done manually or by a height adjustment motor 34 .

The steering wheel 12 of the disclosed invention is selectively movable between an extended or in-use position with a driver and a stowed position without a driver. Sensors disposed in the driver's seat may be used to detect the presence or absence of a driver in the driver's seat, as is known in the art.

3 and 4 show side views of the stowed steering column 10 between its stowed position and its extended use position. In both figures, a dashboard 36 is shown with an optional recessed steering wheel receiving area 38 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the steering wheel 12 and cover or shroud 14 are now in the stowed position and adjacent to the instrument panel 36 . This is a position suitable for the driver to allow easy entry and exit from the driver's seat.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the steering wheel 12 and cover or shroud 14 are spaced apart from an instrument panel 36 . This is the position the driver needs to operate the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 5 , a driver's seat 44 having a seat back 46 and a seat base 48 is provided. A seat base steering shaft position sensor 50 is fitted to the seat base 48 . The seat base steering shaft position sensor 50 may be any suitable type of sensor, but may be selected from the group consisting of Hall current sensors, potentiometer sensors and feedback sensors.

The steering shaft position sensor 52 is disposed relative to the stowed steering column 10 . The steering shaft position sensor 52 is used to determine the position of the power steering shaft 24 relative to the seat base steering shaft position sensor 50 . The steering shaft position sensor 52 is operatively associated with the seat/steering column sensor (the seat/steering column sensor is provided in association with the driver's seat) and operates with the drive motor 28 to ensure that, for the particular operating situation, power The steering shaft 24 is in the correct position relative to the seat base steering shaft position sensor 50 . The steering shaft position sensor 52 may be any suitable type of sensor, but may be selected from the group consisting of Hall current sensors, potentiometer sensors and feedback sensors.

As mentioned above, optionally, the steering wheel 12 may be generally nested within the optional recessed steering wheel receiving area 38 of the instrument panel 36 . The recessed steering wheel receiving area 38 is specifically shown in FIG. 6 . The shape and general configuration of the recessed steering wheel receiving area 38 described herein are suggestive and not intended to be limiting.

Other features of the disclosed invention may be combined, such as to provide instrumentation with respect to the multifunction switch handle 42 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ), the steering wheel 12, or both. Such a step may be necessary to allow proper stowage of the steering wheel 12 .

In operation in a non-autonomous vehicle, the steering wheel 12 will typically be in the stowed position shown in FIG. 3 when the vehicle is off (ignition key removed) or when no driver is detected in the driver's seat. With the steering wheel 12 in its stowed position, a spacious appearance is created on the interior of the vehicle. Once the driver is seated in the driver's seat and the ignition is switched on, the drive motor 28 is engaged and the steering wheel 12 is quickly moved to its extended use position, as shown in FIG. 4 .

In operation in an ego vehicle, the steering wheel 12 may be moved, typically at a slower rate, to its stowed position as shown in FIG. Move to its extended use position as shown in Figure 4. By providing a "standard" slower rate of about 20mm/s, normal retraction and extension of the steering wheel can be performed during ordinary conditions.

However, when a possible collision is recognized by the collision avoidance sensors of the ego vehicle, the steering column moves at a relatively high speed of about 40mm/s, so that in the event that the airbag needs to be deployed or the vehicle operator needs to override the control system to Quickly extend the steering wheel back to its original design intent position without maneuvering.

The position of the power steering shaft 24 is determined by a steering shaft position sensor 40 . When the power steering shaft 24 has been extended to its use position, the axial movement of the power steering shaft 24 caused by the drive motor 28 is stopped.

When the vehicle ignition is turned off (ignition key is removed), the drive motor 28 is re-engaged and the power steering shaft 24 is moved from the driver to its stowed position. Axial movement of the power steering shaft 24 by the drive motor 28 is stopped when the steering shaft position sensor 40 determines that the power steering shaft 24 is in its proper position.

As an alternative to the arrangement described above, the driver may manipulate an ignition switch or button, such as an ignition button, thereby engaging the drive motor 28 to move the steering wheel 12 of the vehicle forward to its stowed position. The steering wheel 12 will remain in its stowed position until the driver again manipulates the ignition switch or button.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize from such a discussion, and from the drawings and claims, that various Alter, modify and vary.

Claims (20)

1. An axially movable steering column for an autonomous vehicle, said steering column comprising: bracket; a sleeve connected to said bracket; a steering column shaft movably connected to the sleeve, the shaft being movable from a stowed position to an extended position at a high or low rate of travel; and A collision avoidance sensor operably associated with the axle, the sensor including a signal generator to generate a high speed travel signal to the axle. 2. An axially movable steering column for an autonomous vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said high rate of travel is about 40mm/s and said low rate of travel is about 20mm/s. 3. The axially movable steering column for an autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein said steering column shaft has a stowed travel range of between about +90mm and +110mm from centerline. 4. The axially movable steering column for an autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein said sleeve is a steering column sleeve, and wherein said steering column further includes a shaft for relative to said sleeve to the motor that adjusts the steering column shaft. 5. The axially movable steering column for an autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein said sleeve is pivotally connected to said bracket. 6. The axially movable steering column for an autonomous vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a steering column support extending from said bracket, said steering column shaft being connected to said steering column support. 7. The axially movable steering column for an autonomous vehicle of claim 6, wherein said steering column bracket is adjustably movable relative to said bracket. 8. The axially movable steering column for an autonomous vehicle of claim 6, further comprising a motor for adjustably moving said steering column bracket relative to said bracket. 9. A steering arrangement for an autonomous vehicle, said arrangement comprising: Dashboard; a steering column having an axially movable steering column shaft and a steering wheel connected to the shaft, the shaft being movable to a stowed position and to an extended position for operation by a driver when the vehicle is parked, the the shaft is moveable to the extended position at a high rate of travel or at a low rate of travel; A collision avoidance sensor operably associated with the axle, the sensor including a signal generator to generate a high speed travel signal to the axle. 10. The steering apparatus for an autonomous vehicle of claim 9, wherein the high travel rate is about 40 mm/s and the low travel rate is about 20 mm/s. 11. The steering apparatus for an autonomous vehicle of claim 9, wherein said steering column shaft has a stowed travel range of between about +90mm and +110mm from centerline. 12. The steering apparatus for an autonomous vehicle of claim 9, comprising a steering wheel receiving recess defined in said instrument panel. 13. The steering device for an autonomous vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a driver's seat, said stowed steering device comprising a steering shaft position sensor and a seat base steering shaft position sensor, said sensors operable to associated with the steering column. 14. The steering apparatus for an autonomous vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a roof bracket for connection to said dashboard and a sleeve connected to said bracket, said steering column shaft being movably connected onto the sleeve. 15. The steering apparatus for an autonomous vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a motor for axially adjusting said steering column shaft relative to said steering column sleeve. 16. The steering apparatus for an autonomous vehicle of claim 14, wherein said sleeve is pivotally connected to said roof bracket, said apparatus further comprising a steering column bracket extending from said roof bracket , the steering column shaft is connected to the steering column bracket. 17. The steering apparatus for an autonomous vehicle as claimed in claim 16, wherein said steering column mount is adjustably movable relative to said roof mount, said apparatus further comprising means for A motor that adjustably moves the steering column bracket. 18. A method of locating a steering wheel in an autonomous vehicle, the method comprising: Forming an instrument panel, a steering column having an axially movable shaft movable to a stowed position and to an extended position for a driver when the vehicle is parked, and a collision avoidance sensor operatively associated with the shaft operation, the shaft can be moved to the extended position at a high rate of travel or a low rate of travel; moving the shaft at the high travel rate when the collision avoidance sensor senses a possible impact; and The axis is moved at the low travel rate at all other times. 19. The method of positioning a steering wheel for an autonomous vehicle of claim 18, wherein the high travel rate is about 40 mm/s and the low travel rate is about 20 mm/s. 20. The method of positioning a steering wheel for an autonomous vehicle of claim 19, wherein the axle has a stowed travel range of between about +90mm and +110mm from centerline.