Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

Field of the invention
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of steering unit. In particular the present invention discloses a steering corner module for a vehicle.

Background of the invention
[0002] The future of mobility envisages vehicle maneuvers that pushes beyond the boundaries of a conventional wheel. One such technology is the wheel corner technology that enables all four wheels to turn 90 degrees. This allows the car to perform unconventional maneuvers like parallel parking, pivot turn, crab walk etc. This is implemented in the steering system via four independently operating corner modules, each consisting of a wheel with a spring-damper system, an electric motor and a brake and steer-by-wire system.

[0003] Patent Application US2022153348 AA titled “Independently driving wheel module and mounting method thereof” discloses a base frame including an upper end fixed to a coupling surface of a vehicle body, and a rotation part coupled to the upper end of the base frame such that the rotation part is rotatable with respect to the upper end of the base frame; a connection link including a first end integrally coupled to the rotation part, and a second end having a shape extending downward from the first end of the connection link; a driving wheel disposed at a side of the second end of the connection link and coupled to the second end of the connection link; and a rotation plate including an upper and lower surfaces extending obliquely in misaligned directions, the rotation plate being interposed between the base frame and the vehicle body so as to be rotatable with respect to the base frame or the vehicle body.

[0004] However, such corner modules are difficult to integrate with the state-of-the-art components of the chassis such as a suspension strut. Such corner modules require change in the known suspension concepts (Macpherson strut/ Double wishbone) and thus influence the vehicle dynamics. Hence there is a need for a corner module that is compatible with known design of chassis components and thereby doesn’t affect vehicle dynamics.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0005] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings:
[0006] Figure 1 depicts a wheel drive comprising a steering corner module (10);
[0007] Figure 2 depicts components of the steering corner module (10);
[0008] Figure 3 depicts a cut-section view of the steering corner module (10).

Detailed description of the drawings

[0009] Figure 1 depicts a wheel drive comprising a steering corner module (10). The wheel drive unit comprises a wheel, a wheel hub (40), a suspension system (20) and at least the steering corner module (10) connecting the wheel hub (40) to a lower arm (30) of the chassis components.

[0010] Figure 2 depicts components of the steering corner module (10). The steering corner module (10) comprises a knuckle (100), a motor unit (103), a gear unit (104) and at least a swivel. The knuckle (100) is mechanical component mounted on the wheel hub (40) of the wheel. The knuckle (100) has at least two arms extending from it’s circumference. A first arm (101) is adapted to hold the motor unit (103). A second arm (102) is adapted to hold the gear unit (104). The knuckle (100) is further adapted to support a suspension system (20) comprising a Macpherson strut or a Double wishbone.

[0011] The motor unit (103) is mounted on the first arm (101) of the knuckle (100). The motor unit (103) receives signals from a steering wheel. The motor unit (103) is in communication with an Electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU is logic circuitry and software programs implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any component that operates on signals based on operational instructions. Modern day vehicles may contain a plurality of control unit s like the Airbag control unit, Transmission control unit, Glow time control unit, Heating control unit, Vehicle charge communication unit, Engine control unit, Vehicle control unit, Steering control unit and the like. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ECU could be a steering control unit.

[0012] In a conventional steering system, a steering rack is connected to the wheels with tie rods to achieve the required steering angle. Based on the torque input signal from a steering sensor and other input signals from the vehicle’s CAN, the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) will calculate and give the signals to the motor unit (103) to produce the required assist torque. The motor in communication with the ECU, produces the requisite torque to turn the wheels. Torque from the motor unit (103) is imparted to the wheel through the gear unit (104) and the knuckle (100).

[0013] The gear unit (104) is coupled to the motor and the second arm (102). The gear unit (104) has a housing that encloses a first worm wheel (111), a worm shaft (112) and at least a second worm wheel (113). The first worm wheel (111) is affixed to a motor shaft of the motor. The worm shaft (112) connects the first worm wheel (111) to a second worm wheel (113). The second worm wheel (113) is mounted on the second arm (102) of the knuckle (100).

[0014] The swivel unit connects the second arm (102) to the lower arm (30) of the chassis. Figure 3 depicts a cut-section view of the steering corner module (10). The swivel unit is connected to the second arm (102) of the knuckle (100) and the gear unit (104) by means of a ball joint (A) and counter lock nut (B). This arrangement along with the pivoted second worm wheel (113) helps to rotate the whole steering corner module (10).

[0015] The second worm wheel (113) is pivoted on the second arm (102) of the knuckle (100) such that during the transmission of torque through the gear unit (104) to the knuckle (100), the second worm wheel (113) remains pivoted and stationary whereas the first worm wheel (111) rotates to move the wheels. This is known as the counter torque mechanism. In this mechanism to steer the individual road wheel, the motor unit (103) is mounted on the knuckle (100) of the wheel hub (40) rotates along the road wheel during steering for compact design. The idea behind this design is that the motor unit (103) coupled with gear unit (104) multiplies the torque and produces the counter torque. So, the whole steering corner module (10) moves along with wheel hub (40) due to counter torque mechanism.

[0016] This idea to develop a steering corner module (10) has a compact design and better package. Above all the proposed design can be incorporated in the existing vehicles suspension and can be adoptable to all type of suspension design. Further the proposed design of the steering corner module (10) is more agile through individual applicable driving dynamics. It also enhances safety through the interaction of braking, sensing and steering system. By having independent steering assist on each road, wheels helps to achieve different steering angles and easy maneuvering in complex parking situations (example Parallel parking etc.).

[0017] It must be understood that the embodiments explained in the above detailed description are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Any subsidiary modification to the proposed steering corner module (10) for a vehicle are envisaged and form a part of this invention. The scope of this invention is limited only by the claims.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A steering corner module (10) for a vehicle, said steering corner module (10) connecting a wheel of vehicle to a lower arm (30) of the chassis, the steering corner module (10) comprising :
a knuckle (100) mounted on a wheel hub (40) of the wheel, said knuckle (100) having a first arm (101) and at least a second arm (102);
a motor unit (103) mounted on the first arm (101) of the knuckle (100);
a gear unit (104) coupled to the motor and the second arm (102); and at least
a swivel unit connecting the second arm (102) to the lower arm (30).

2. The steering corner module (10) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knuckle (100) is adapted to support a suspension system (20) comprising a Macpherson strut or a Double wishbone.

3. The steering corner module (10) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gear unit (104) comprises: a first worm wheel (111) affixed to a motor shaft of the motor; a worm shaft (112) connecting the first worm wheel (111) to a second worm wheel (113), the second worm wheel (113) mounted on the second arm (102) of the knuckle (100).

4. The steering corner module (10) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second worm wheel (113) is pivoted on the second arm (102) of the knuckle (100).

5. The steering corner module (10) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor unit (103) is in communication with an Electronic Control Unit.

6. The steering corner module (10) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein torque from the motor unit (103) is imparted to the wheel through the gear unit (104) and the knuckle (100).