Steering device with an actuating ring

US6153996A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Anke Nigrin · Ilmenau, DE
• Winfried Tschop · Kreuzwertheim, DE
• Martin Kreuzer · Kleinwallstadt, DE
• Hans-Jurgen Bossler · Munster, DE
• Ulrich Randau · Villingen-Schwenningen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 6, 1999
• Grant date: Nov 28, 2000
• Expiry date: May 6, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D15/02
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A steering device for a motor vehicle is proposed, with an actuating member to introduce a steering movement and with a steering linkage to transfer the steering movement to the wheels. The steering device is characterized according to the invention in that the actuating member consists of a non-rotatable "steering wheel" (1), in the rim (2) of which a band-shaped or chain-like actuating ring (3), movable relative to the rim (2), and a measured value transmitter (4) for generating an electrical or electronic position signal for the actuating ring (3) are arranged, and that the steering linkage is actuated by an adjustment drive which is controllable by an electrical or electronic regulating device as a function of the position signal. The proposed mechanical uncoupling between "steering wheel" and "steerable wheels" in combination with the electronic or electrical transmission of the specified steering values on an adjustment drive brings considerable advantages as regards the formation of the transmission ratio between the incipient steering movement and the turning angle of the steered wheels and also for the transmission of the signals between the display and actuating devices o…