IP Library Granted Patent US 11,518,430
Granted Patent B2
US 11,518,430 · App. 17/361,814 · Granted Dec 6, 2022

Wheel steering device

Inventor: Katsuyuki Sano (Miyoshi, JP)
Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B62D5/0418B60G3/26B62D7/1581B62D7/18B60G2200/44
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,518,430
App. No.
17/361,814
Granted
Dec 6, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wheel steering device for a vehicle, including: a steering knuckle that constitutes a part of a suspension device and that is capable of moving relative to a body of the vehicle in an up-down direction, the steering knuckle holding a wheel such that the wheel is rotatable; and a steering actuator configured to cause the steering knuckle to be pivoted about a kingpin axis so steer the wheel, wherein a caster angle and a caster offset are both 0.

Claims (21)

1. A wheel steering device of a steer-by-wire configuration for a vehicle, comprising:

a steering knuckle that constitutes a part of a suspension device and that is capable of moving relative to a body of the vehicle in an up-down direction, the steering knuckle holding a wheel such that the wheel is rotatable; and

a steering actuator configured to cause the steering knuckle to be pivoted about a kingpin axis to steer the wheel, the steering actuator being disposed on a lower arm and having an actuator arm configured to pivot the steering knuckle,

wherein a caster angle and a caster offset are both 0,

wherein the wheel steering device is configured to enable the wheel to be steered based on an operation of an operating member by a driver of the vehicle, and

wherein the wheel steering device is used with a reaction-force applying device configured to controllably apply an operation reaction force to the operating member.

2. The wheel steering device according to claim 1 , wherein the steering knuckle is supported by the body of the vehicle through the lower arm, the lower arm constitutes the suspension device and that is pivotable relative to the body of the vehicle about a horizontal pivot axis.

3. The wheel steering device according to claim 1 , wherein the steering actuator enables the wheel to be steered independently of other wheels of the vehicle.

4. The wheel steering device according to claim 3 , wherein a kingpin offset is 0.

5. The wheel steering device according to claim 3 , wherein the steering knuckle is supported by the body of the vehicle through the lower arm, the lower arm constitutes the suspension device, and the steering actuator is disposed on the lower arm.

6. The wheel steering device according to claim 1 , wherein the steering actuator includes an electric motor as a drive source.

7. The wheel steering device according to claim 6 , further comprising a controller configured to control a supply current to the electric motor based on a deviation of a steering angle of the wheel with respect to a target steering angle.

8. The wheel steering device according to claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the target steering angle based on an operation of an operating member by a driver of the vehicle.

9. A wheel mounting module for mounting a wheel on a body of a vehicle, comprising:

a suspension device including a lower arm and a carrier supported by the lower arm and rotatably holding the wheel, the carrier being capable of moving in an up-down direction relative to the body of the vehicle;

a wheel drive device including a wheel drive unit, a housing of which functions as the carrier;

a brake device including a caliper held by the housing of the wheel drive unit; and

a wheel steering device including i) a steering knuckle as the carrier, ii) a steering actuator including an electric motor as a drive source and disposed on the lower arm, the steering actuator being configured to cause the steering knuckle to be pivoted about a kingpin axis to steer the wheel, and iii) an actuator arm,

wherein a caster angle and a caster offset are both 0 in a state in which the wheel mounting module is mounted on the body of the vehicle,

wherein the wheel steering device is of a steer-by-wire type and is configured to enable the wheel to be steered based on an operation of an operating member by a driver of the vehicle, and

wherein the wheel steering device is used with a reaction-force applying device configured to controllably apply an operation reaction force to the operating member.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 29, 2021
From: SANO, KATSUYUKI
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 056705/0185 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2020-113303 · Jun 30, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20210403078A1 · Dec 30, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,371,093