Steering system with integrated strain gauge

1. A steering system ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle, wherein at least one component part of said steering system ( 10 ) is made from a fiber composite plastic material and a strain gauge ( 16 ) for measuring a steering torque and generating a measurement signal is integrated at least partially into the fiber composite plastic material;

wherein electrical contact of the strain gauge ( 16 ) is established through at least one slip ring ( 18 ) which supplies the strain gauge ( 16 ) with supply voltage and through which the measurement signal may be tapped; and

wherein slip ring tapping occurs through brushes ( 20 ) that are arranged in a steering tower.

2. The steering system ( 10 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the strain gauge ( 16 ) is integrated into a steering input shaft ( 12 ).

3. The steering system ( 10 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the strain gauge ( 16 ) is integrated into an extension shaft.

4. The steering system ( 10 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the strain gauge ( 16 ) is integrated into at least one component part of the steering column.

5. The steering system ( 10 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the fiber composite plastic material comprises fibers selected from glass fibers, carbon fibers or aramid fibers, or combinations thereof.

6. The steering system ( 10 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein electrical contact of the strain gauge ( 16 ) is established through a fixedly wired flat spiral spring which supplies the strain gauge ( 16 ) with supply voltage and through which the measurement signal may be tapped.

7. The steering system ( 10 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the measurement signal is tapped without contact.

8. The steering system ( 10 ) as set forth in claim 1 , wherein supply voltage for the strain gauge ( 16 ) is provided and the measurement signal amplified by an amplifier ( 6 ) that is integrated into a control apparatus ( 22 ).

9. The steering system ( 10 ) as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the measurement signal is provided to the control apparatus ( 22 ) as a function of the selected amplification 0V-5V or 0V-10V and is scaled to the corresponding torque after analogue/digital conversion.

10. The steering system ( 10 ) as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the amplifier is configured to be a measurement bridge amplifier ( 24 ).

11. A steering system ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle comprising:

at least one component part made from a fiber composite plastic material;

a strain gauge ( 16 ) for measuring a steering torque and generating a measurement signal;

at least one slip ring ( 18 ) surrounding the steering input shaft ( 12 ) and contacting the strain gauge ( 16 ); and

at least one brush ( 20 ) providing contact between the at least one slip ring ( 18 ) and the strain gauge ( 16 );

wherein the at least one component part is selected from a steering input shaft ( 12 ), a steering column, or an extension shaft ( 13 );

wherein the strain gauge ( 16 ) is integrated at least partially into the fiber composite plastic material forming the at least one component part;

wherein the at least one slip ring ( 18 ) taps the measurement signal generated by the strain gauge ( 16 ) via the at least one brush ( 20 ).

12. The steering system ( 10 ) as set forth in claim 11 further comprising:

a flat spiral spring contacting the strain gauge ( 16 );

wherein the flat spiral spring taps the measurement signal generated by the strain gauge ( 16 ).

13. The steering system ( 10 ) as set forth in claim 11 further comprising:

a control apparatus ( 22 ) for processing the measurement signal generated by the strain gauge ( 16 ) and facilitating steering assistance, the control apparatus ( 22 ) in communication with the strain gauge ( 16 ); and

an amplifier ( 24 ) for providing supply voltage to the strain gauge ( 16 ) and amplifying the measurement signal, the amplifier integrated into the control apparatus ( 22 ).

14. A steering system ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle, wherein:

at least one component part of said steering system ( 10 ) is made from a fiber composite material and a strain gauge ( 16 ) for measuring a steering torque and generating a measurement signal is integrated at least partially into the fiber composite plastic material; and

electrical contact of the strain gauge ( 16 ) is established through a fixedly wired flat spiral spring which supplies the strain gauge ( 16 ) with supply voltage and through which the measurement signal may be tapped.

15. A steering system ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle, wherein:

at least one component part of said steering system ( 10 ) is made from a fiber composite material and a strain gauge ( 16 ) for measuring a steering torque and generating a measurement signal is integrated at least partially into the fiber composite plastic material;

supply voltage for the strain gauge ( 16 ) is provided and the measurement signal amplified by an amplifier ( 6 ) that is integrated into a control apparatus ( 22 ); and

the measurement signal is provided to the control apparatus ( 22 ) as a function of the selected amplification 0V-5V or 0V-10V and is scaled to the corresponding torque after analogue/digital conversion.

16. A steering system ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle comprising:

at least one component part made from a fiber composite material;

a strain gauge ( 16 ) for measuring a steering torque and generating a measurement signal; and

a flat spiral spring contacting the strain gauge ( 16 );

wherein the strain gauge ( 16 ) is integrated at least partially into the fiber composite plastic material forming the at least one component part; and

wherein the flat spiral spring taps the measurement signal generated by the strain gauge ( 16 ).