DE102020111042A1 - Wheel module for a motor vehicle and a corresponding motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel module (10) for a motor vehicle, with a wheel (12) and a wheel guide (14) for guiding the wheel (12), the wheel guide (14) in turn having a wheel carrier unit (16) for mounting the wheel (12) ) which has an electric drive machine (30) and / or a braking device, the wheel module (10) furthermore lines (34) designed as electrical lines (36) and / or pneumatic lines and / or hydraulic lines and / or cooling lines (34) 36) and a holding system (38) for holding the lines (34, 36) on the wheel guide (14) with several holding elements (40, 42, 44). It is provided that at least one anti-kink element (50) is arranged on at least one of the holding elements (40, 42, 44) to protect the corresponding line (s) (34, 36) from kinking. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a self-propelled one Motor vehicle with one or more such wheel modules (10).

Description

The invention relates to a wheel module for a motor vehicle, with (i) a wheel, (ii) a wheel guide for guiding the wheel, this wheel guide in turn comprising a wheel carrier unit for mounting the wheel, which has an electric drive machine and / or a braking device, ( iii) lines that are designed as electrical lines and / or pneumatic lines and / or hydraulic lines and / or cooling lines, and (iv) a mounting system for holding the lines on the wheel guide with several holding elements.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with one or more such wheel modules.

With the integration of the electric drive into the individual wheels and with the combination of individually driven and steerable wheels (wheel modules), new possibilities arise with regard to vehicle maneuverability in confined situations. For example, the smallest parking spaces can be used by parking across the direction of travel. This is made possible by an electric actuator for the steering (steering actuator) integrated in the wheel module, which enables a steering angle of up to 90 ° in each direction. In other words, such a wheel module can be used to implement very large steering angles that can be used for parking, for example. Due to the combination of this extreme mobility with the electric drive, such a wheel module is particularly suitable for motor vehicles that are primarily used in city traffic, including for self-driving motor vehicles for city traffic.

An autonomous motor vehicle or self-driving motor vehicle is a motor vehicle that can drive, control and park without the influence of a human driver (highly automated driving or autonomous driving). A special form of the autonomous motor vehicle is the autonomous passenger transport vehicle, which is also referred to as a people mover or autonomous people mover. In this context, autonomous means that none of the people being transported controls the vehicle, but rather that the passenger transport vehicle is self-controlled or automatically controlled. The people transported are usually “only” passengers.

A wheel module of the type mentioned is, for example, from the publication DE 10 2018 117 376 A1 known. This publication shows a wheel module for a motor vehicle, with (i) a wheel and (ii) a wheel guide for guiding the wheel, which in turn has (a) a wheel carrier unit for mounting the wheel, which has an electric drive machine and / or a braking device, ( b) a wheel fork carrying the wheel carrier unit, (c) a spring-damper unit and (d) at least part of a storage unit for mounting the wheel module on a vehicle body of the motor vehicle, the wheel module further comprising (iii) electrical lines and (iv) has a holding system for holding the lines on the wheel guide with a plurality of holding elements. The publication also mentions motor vehicles with such wheel modules.

In principle, extremely large steering angles and an appropriate spring deflection of the spring-damper unit can be achieved with such wheel modules. However, one limiting factor is not explicitly discussed in this publication, namely the routing of the required lines, for example for the electric drive machine and / or the braking device. These must be guided up to the vehicle body without restricting the steering and / or suspension travel and without becoming a safety risk.

The object of the invention is to specify a wheel module and a corresponding motor vehicle in which the desired steering and / or spring travel is fully available and safe operation is guaranteed.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims 1 and 10. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims, which can each represent an aspect of the invention individually or in combination.

In the wheel module according to the invention for a motor vehicle, with a wheel and a wheel guide for guiding the wheel, which in turn comprises a wheel carrier unit for mounting the wheel, which has an electric drive machine and / or a braking device, the wheel module furthermore as electric lines and / or Pneumatic lines and / or hydraulic lines and / or cooling lines and a holding system for holding the lines on the wheel guide with several holding elements, it is provided that at least one anti-kink element is arranged on at least one of the holding elements to protect the corresponding line / lines from kinking . In this way, the lines mentioned are guided in a defined manner in the area of the holding elements and kinking of the wheel module and / or during a spring movement is avoided at larger steering angles, in particular of 90 ° or more.

The lines are in particular connection lines for components of the bike or the Wheel module. As a rule, the connection lines of such components run via the fixed points on the wheel guide given by the positions of the holding elements to an area in the vicinity of a storage unit for mounting the wheel module on a vehicle body of the motor vehicle. In the area of these fixed points, the risk of lines kinking is particularly high, which is why positioning the anti-kink elements at these points makes particular sense.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the at least one anti-kink element has a support part for supporting on the holding element and at least one flexible guide part for guiding the corresponding line. In this way, the greatest possible kink protection is combined with high flexibility.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one anti-kink element or at least the at least one flexible guide part of this anti-kink element is designed as a kink protection sleeve that circumferentially surrounds the corresponding line on the holding element. Kink protection sleeves are known from other areas of application and have proven themselves there.

It is preferably provided that the wheel guide furthermore has a wheel fork carrying the wheel carrier unit, a spring damper unit and at least part of a storage unit for mounting the wheel module on a vehicle body of the motor vehicle. Such a structure is, for example, from that mentioned at the beginning DE 10 2018 117 376 A1 known and has proven itself in such wheel modules.

In particular, it is provided that the holding elements hold the lines on the wheel guide in such a way that at least one line loop is formed which allows the spring-damper unit to spring over a specified spring travel and / or rotate the wheel guide and the wheel over a specified steering angle range enables. The at least one line loop is a predefined line loop. In this way, the lines mentioned are routed in a defined manner and contact with moving parts, e.g. the rotating wheel, is avoided. Furthermore, a desired steering angle, in particular of at least 135 °, of the wheel module and / or the compression and rebound movement of the spring strut is made possible.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a holding element is arranged on the wheel fork. This holding element is usually the central holding element of the holding system.

It is then particularly preferably provided that another holding element is arranged on the wheel carrier unit or the rocker. As a rule, this other holding element is arranged on the rocker. The resulting line loop between the central holding element and the other holding element runs in particular in a substantially horizontal plane and enables the spring-damper unit to move inward and outward.

Alternatively or additionally, it is then advantageously provided that a further holding element is arranged on the storage unit or on a part of the wheel fork close to the unit. The resulting line loop between the central holding element and the further holding element runs in particular in a substantially vertical plane and enables the steering movement to be implemented in a desired steering angle range.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the wheel guide furthermore has a rocker arm between the wheel fork and the wheel carrier unit, the spring / damper unit being arranged in an articulated manner between the wheel fork and the rocker arm. In this way, the spring / damper unit is arranged in the area of the wheel fork / wheel carrier unit and not in an area of the mounting of the wheel module on the vehicle body.

The lines or at least some of the lines are, in particular, connection lines for the electric drive machine and / or the braking device. In addition to electrical lines, these connection lines can also be pneumatic, hydraulic, cooling and / or other lines. It is advantageously provided that the connection lines are electrical lines, in particular high-voltage lines (HV lines), and / or hydraulic lines and / or cooling lines.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the wheel guide furthermore has a steering actuator for setting the steering angle of the wheel via the wheel fork. Such a steering actuator is in principle from the publication mentioned at the beginning DE 10 2018 117 376 A1 known.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wheel guide for height adjustment of the vehicle body also has a level adjustment unit. Such a level adjustment unit is also known in principle from the aforementioned publication.

In the motor vehicle according to the invention, it is provided that it has one or more such wheel modules. The motor vehicle is in particular a self-driving motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is advantageously a two-lane motor vehicle.

According to a preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, it is provided that this motor vehicle is designed as an autonomous passenger transport vehicle. An autonomous passenger transport vehicle is also known as an (autonomous) people mover. In this context, autonomous means that none of the people being transported controls the vehicle, but rather that the people-moving vehicle is self-controlled or automatically controlled.

• 1: ein Radmodul für ein Kraftfahrzeug gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung in einer Ansicht von der Seite,
• 2: das in 1 gezeigte Radmodul für ein Kraftfahrzeug in einer Ansicht von vorne und
• 3: ein Detail des Radmoduls mit einer Anordnung aus Halteelement, Anschlussleitung und Knickschutzelement des Radmoduls.

In the following, the invention is explained by way of example with reference to the attached drawings using a preferred exemplary embodiment, the features shown below being able to represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in combination. Show it:

• 1 : a wheel module for a motor vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a view from the side,
• 2 : this in 1 Wheel module shown for a motor vehicle in a view from the front and
• 3 : a detail of the wheel module with an arrangement of retaining element, connection line and anti-kink element of the wheel module.

the 1 shows a wheel module 10 for a motor vehicle, for example a self-driving motor vehicle such as a so-called people mover, in a view from the side. This wheel module 10 includes next to a wheel 12th a wheel guide 14th to guide the wheel 12th . The wheel guide 14th comprises the following components: A wheel carrier unit 16 for storing the bike 12th , a storage unit 18th to a mounting of the wheel module that enables a steering movement 10 in a vehicle body of the motor vehicle and a wheel fork 20th , a swing arm 22nd that are in a fulcrum 24 articulated on the wheel fork 20th is stored, and one only in 2 spring-damper unit shown in detail 26th , by means of a corresponding spring deflection (double arrow 28 ) results. The spring-damper unit 26th is sometimes referred to as a shock absorber. The swing arm 22nd is between the wheel fork 20th and wheel carrier unit 16 arranged, the spring-damper unit 26th between the wheel fork 20th and the swingarm 22nd is arranged articulated. Such a structure is known, for example, as the classic structure of a motorcycle front wheel.

A turning of the wheel fork 24 for steering, as a rule, a steering actuator, not shown here, takes place via a steering axis, not shown. This steering axis is usually in the storage unit 18th rotatably mounted over which the wheel module 10 is attached to a vehicle body of the motor vehicle. The storage unit 18th for storing the wheel module 10 can for example be formed by a level adjustment unit.

The wheel guide 14th further comprises an electric drive machine 30th , here in the example as a wheel hub motor 32 is trained. As a wheel hub motor 32 trained prime mover 30th serves the drive as well as the bearing of the wheel 12th . Both components form a wheel drive unit.

The wheel module 10 is still with multiple lines 34 , 36 provided, the connecting cables here in the example 34 , 36 for the prime mover 30th are. There are cooling lines 34 and electrical wiring 36 who have favourited the prime mover 30th connect with appropriate units. The electric drive machine is powered by the coolant in the cooling lines 30th cooled and over the electrical lines 36 supplied with electrical energy. Usually these are electrical lines 36 Power lines.

The wheel module 10 further comprises a mounting system 38 for holding the connecting cables 34 , 36 on the wheel guide 14th . The mounting system 38 has several holding elements 40 , 42 , 44 on that the lines 34 , 36 such on the wheel guide 14th keep that two loops of wire 46 , 48 trains. From the two line loops 46 , 48 enables a line loop 46 a springs of the spring-damper unit 26th over a given spring deflection and the other line loop 48 turning the wheel guide 14th and the wheel 12th over a given steering angle range. The two cable loops 46 , 48 are pre-defined cable loops that cover the positions of the holding elements 40 , 42 , 44 on the wheel guide 14th and the length of the individual line loops 46 , 48 forming sections of the lines 34 , 36 defined and to the construction of the rest of the wheel module 10 are adjusted.

In this way, the said lines 34 , 36 Defined guided and a contact with moving parts, e.g. with the rotating wheel 12th , avoided. Furthermore, a desired steering angle of the wheel module 10 , in particular of at least 135 °, and / or the compression and rebound movement of the spring-damper unit 26th enables.

On the holding element 42 are kink protection elements 50 to protect the corresponding lines 34 , 36 before a kink in the line loop 48 , so in the example in the upper loop, arranged. These anti-kink elements 50 enable the wheel guide to be turned 14th and des Wheel 12th Over the entire specified steering angle range without kinking the cables 34 , 36 in this line loop 48 threatens. Should there be a kink in the other line loop too 46 , so here in the example of the lower line loop, to be feared, kink protection elements can also be used here 50 be provided.

the 2 shows the wheel module 10 in a front view. The spring-damper unit is now in this view 26th and their installation situation within the wheel guide 14th clearly recognizable. The spring-damper unit 26th includes a damper 52 and a feather 54 . Furthermore, the holding elements are in this perspective 40 , 42 as well as the two cable loops 46 , 48 of the lines 34 , 36 good to see. They get lost on the bike 12th facing away from the wheel guide 14th with her wheel fork 20th , Swing arm 22nd and spring-damper unit 26th .

the 3 finally shows a detail of the wheel module in a schematic representation 10 with an arrangement of the holding element 40 , 42 , 44 , one of the lines 34 , 36 and one of the anti-kink elements 50 of the wheel module 10 . The administration 34 , 36 is on / in the holding element 42 clamped. The kink protection element 50 has a support part shaped as a support foot 56 for supporting on the holding element 40 , 42 , 44 and a flexible guide part 58 to lead the corresponding line 34 , 36 on. The support part 56 envelops a pipe section that is threatened with kinking 60 the line 34 , 36 directly on an outer edge 62 of the holding element 40 , 42 , 44 a. The flexible leadership part 58 leads the line 34 , 36 in a relatively large arc from the holding element 40 , 42 , 44 path. A corresponding “potential kink area” is thus created by the kink protection element 50 "Defused". Here is the anti-kink element 50 as a corresponding line 34 , 36 on the retaining element 42 extensively surrounding anti-kink sleeve 64 educated.

• Bei Komponenten und Subsystemen eines Radmoduls 10, die eine Relativbewegungen zueinander ausführen, aber gleichzeitig mit einer oder mehreren Anschluss- oder anderen Leitungen 34, 36 (ob als Kabel oder als Schlauch ausgeführt) verbunden sind, kann es passieren, dass die jeweilige Leitung 34, 36 durch die Relativbewegung übermäßig starken Biegebelastungen ausgesetzt wird. Diese Biegebelastungen treten besonders stark im unmittelbaren Bereich der Einspannung an einer der Halteelemente 40, 42, 44 auf und wirken sich mindern auf die Lebensdauer der Leitungen 34, 36 aus.

The following are important aspects of the use of such anti-kink elements 50 for the wheel module structure and the function can be described again in other words:

• For components and subsystems of a wheel module 10 that perform relative movements to each other, but at the same time with one or more connecting or other lines 34 , 36 (whether designed as a cable or as a hose) are connected, it can happen that the respective line 34 , 36 is exposed to excessively strong bending loads due to the relative movement. These bending loads occur particularly strongly in the immediate area of the clamping on one of the holding elements 40 , 42 , 44 and reduce the service life of the cables 34 , 36 the end.

By reducing the bending / kinking of the line in the immediately adjacent area for clamping / fastening the line to the component / subsystem through appropriate reinforcement, the service life of the line can be significantly increased.

The foot area (support part 56 ) of the anti-kink element 50 Made with a higher strength around the tendency of the cable to kink 34 , 36 to reduce in the area of the clamping. With progressive removal of the line 34 , 36 from the clamping of the line 34 , 36 takes the strength of the anti-kink element 50 away. The axial position of the anti-kink element 50 can be ensured by a force-locking element (e.g. a cable tie - not shown here).

Four main variants of the sleeve-like kink protection element 50 are conceivable:

version 1

By axially mounting the anti-kink element 50 a coat of the anti-kink sleeve 64 executed closed in the axial direction. In this way it can be ensured that the anti-kink element 50 not in the radial direction of the line 34 , 36 solves. In this variant, however, is the attachment of the anti-kink element 50 already during the assembly process of the line 34 , 36 necessary.

Variant 2

With an anti-kink element 50 with a straight slot in the axial direction over the jacket, the anti-kink element 50 at any time even after the installation of the cable to be protected has already been completed 34 , 36 take place.

Variation 3

With an anti-kink element 50 with a spiral-shaped circumferential slot over the jacket, the anti-kink element 50 at any time even after the installation of the cable to be protected has already been completed 34 , 36 take place and at the same time offers increased security against radial loosening.

Variation 4

About the tendency to kink the line 34 , 36 The variants of the anti-kink element described above have to be further reduced in the area of restraint 50 especially with a support part 56 , in particular outrigger, executed. This is based on the line 34 , 36 acting bending moments to the housing of the respective holding element 40 , 42 , 44 and offers increased kink protection.

List of reference symbols

10

Wheel module

12th

wheel

14th

Wheel guide

16

Wheel carrier unit

18th

Storage unit (storage wheel module)

20th

Wheel fork

22nd

Swing arm

24

pivot point

26th

Spring-damper unit

28

Double arrow (spring deflection)

30th

electric prime mover

32

Wheel hub motor

34

Cooling line

36

High voltage line

38

Mounting system (multi-part)

40

first retaining element (on rocker arm)

42

second retaining element (on fork)

44

third retaining element (on top of fork)

46

first loop

48

second line loop

50

Anti-kink element

52

mute

54

feather

56

Support part

58

Leadership part

60

Line section

62

Edge

64

Anti-kink sleeve

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102018117376 A1 [0005, 0013, 0020]

Claims (10)

Wheel module (10) for a motor vehicle, with - a wheel (12), - a wheel guide (14) for guiding the wheel (12), the wheel guide (14) in turn comprising a wheel carrier unit (16) for mounting the wheel (12) which has an electric drive machine (30) and / or a braking device, - lines (34, 36) which are designed as electrical lines (36) and / or pneumatic lines and / or hydraulic lines and / or cooling lines (34), and - a holding system (38) for holding the lines (34, 36) on the wheel guide (14) with several holding elements (40, 42, 44), characterized in that at least one anti-kink element on at least one of the holding elements (40, 42, 44) (50) is arranged to protect the corresponding line / lines (34, 36) from kinking. Wheel module according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one kink protection element (50) has a support part (56) for supporting on the holding element (40, 42, 44) and at least one flexible guide part (58) for guiding the corresponding line (34, 36). Wheel module according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the at least one kink protection element (50) or at least the at least one flexible guide part (58) of this kink protection element (50) as a kink protection sleeve ( 64) is formed. Wheel module according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the wheel guide (14) furthermore - a wheel fork (20) carrying the wheel carrier unit (16), - a spring-damper unit (26) and - at least part of a storage unit (18) for supporting the wheel module (10) ) on a vehicle body of the motor vehicle. Wheel module according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the holding elements (40, 42, 44) hold the lines (34, 36) on the wheel guide (14) in such a way that at least one line loop (46, 48) is formed, which creates a spring of the spring-damper Unit (26) allows over a predetermined spring travel and / or a rotation of the wheel guide (14) and the wheel (12) over a predetermined steering angle range. Wheel module according to Claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that a holding element (42) is arranged on the wheel fork (20) and / or a holding element (44) is arranged on the storage unit (18) or on a part of the wheel fork (20) close to the unit. Wheel module according to one of the Claims 4 until 6th , characterized in that the wheel guide (14) furthermore has a rocker arm (22) between the wheel fork (20) and the wheel carrier unit (16), the spring-damper unit (26) between the wheel fork (20) and the rocker arm ( 22) is arranged in an articulated manner. Wheel module according to one of the Claims 1 until 7th , characterized in that the lines (34, 36) or at least some of the lines (34, 36) are connecting lines (34, 36) for the electric drive machine (30) and / or the braking device. Wheel module according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the wheel guide (14) furthermore has a steering actuator for setting the steering angle of the wheel (12) via the wheel fork (20). Motor vehicle, in particular self-driving motor vehicle, with one or more wheel modules (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th .

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