Corner module apparatus for vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12409692-B2
Application number	US-202218080974-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 14, 2022
Priority date	Feb 3, 2022
Publication date	Sep 9, 2025
Grant date	Sep 9, 2025

Abstract

A corner module apparatus for a vehicle including a driving unit installed inside a wheel and configured to provide a driving force to the wheel, a first knuckle coupled to the driving unit, a second knuckle spaced apart from the first knuckle in a width direction of the vehicle and disposed to face each other, a suspension unit configured to connect to the second knuckle and supports the second knuckle for a vehicle body, a steering driving unit installed in the second knuckle configured to generate a steering force, and a steering angle adjustment unit connected to the first knuckle and configured to adjust a steering angle of the wheel in conjunction with the steering force generated from the steering driving unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A corner module apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
a driving unit installed inside a wheel, the driving unit being configured to provide a driving force to the wheel;
a first knuckle coupled to the driving unit;
a second knuckle spaced apart from the first knuckle in a width direction of the vehicle and disposed to face each other;
a suspension unit configured to connect to the second knuckle and to support the second knuckle for a vehicle body;
a steering driving unit installed in the second knuckle configured to generate a steering force;
a steering angle adjustment unit connected to the first knuckle, the steering angle adjustment unit being configured to adjust a steering angle of the wheel in conjunction with the steering force generated from the steering driving unit,
wherein the second knuckle comprises:
a knuckle body disposed to face the first knuckle and provided with an accommodation unit into which the steering driving unit is inserted;
a mounting unit which extends from a first side of the knuckle body, the mounting unit being configured to support the steering angle adjustment unit;
a first connection unit extending from the mounting unit and connected to the suspension unit; and
a second connection unit extending from a second side of the knuckle body and connected to the suspension unit, and

wherein the first connection unit and the second connection unit are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to a ground.

2. The corner module apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the knuckle body is disposed to be inclined with respect to a ground.

3. The corner module apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the accommodation unit penetrates the knuckle body in a width direction of the vehicle.

4. The corner module apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the suspension unit comprises:
a suspension arm provided between the second knuckle and the vehicle body and being configured to support the second knuckle; and
a shock absorber connected to the suspension arm, the shock absorber configured to absorb an impact transmitted from a road surface.

5. The corner module apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the suspension arm comprises:
a first arm comprising a first end rotatably connected to the first connection unit and a second end rotatably connected to the vehicle body; and
a second arm, the second arm being spaced apart from the first arm, the second arm comprising:
a third end rotatably connected to the second connection unit; and
a fourth rotatably connected to the vehicle body.

6. A corner module apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
a driving unit installed inside a wheel, the driving unit being configured to provide a driving force to the wheel;
a first knuckle coupled to the driving unit;
a second knuckle spaced apart from the first knuckle in a width direction of the vehicle and disposed to face each other;
a suspension unit configured to connect to the second knuckle and to support the second knuckle for a vehicle body;
a steering driving unit installed in the second knuckle configured to generate a steering force; and
a steering angle adjustment unit connected to the first knuckle, the steering angle adjustment unit being configured to adjust a steering angle of the wheel in conjunction with the steering force generated from the steering driving unit,
wherein the steering angle adjustment unit comprises:
a deceleration unit configured to connect with the second knuckle and to slow down the steering force generated from the steering driving unit; and
a joint unit configured to vary the steering angle of the wheel by transmitting the steering force from the deceleration unit to the first knuckle.

7. The corner module apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the deceleration unit comprises:
a first transmission gear configured to rotate with an input shaft of the steering driving unit;
a second transmission gear that is configured to engage with the first transmission gear and to rotate in conjunction with a rotation of the first transmission gear; and
a third transmission gear configured to engage with the second transmission gear and to rotate an output shaft in conjunction with a rotation of the second transmission gear.

8. The corner module apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first transmission gear comprises:
a shape of a worm shaft; and
worm threads provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first transmission gear.

9. The corner module apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the joint unit comprises:
a first joint extending from the output shaft and connected to a first side of the first knuckle; and
a second joint extending from the second knuckle, spaced apart from the first joint, and connected to a second side of the first knuckle.

10. The corner module apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first joint and the second joint are disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a ground.

11. The corner module apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first joint and the second joint comprise constant velocity joints.

12. A corner module apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:
a driving unit installed inside a wheel, the driving unit being configured to provide a driving force to the wheel;
a first knuckle coupled to the driving unit;
a second knuckle spaced away from the first knuckle to face the first knuckle in a width direction of the vehicle and being configured to rotatably support the first knuckle;
a suspension arm configured to connect the second knuckle and a vehicle body and configured to support the second knuckle with respect to the vehicle body;
a joint arm configured to connect the first knuckle and the second knuckle to each other;
an angle adjustment unit provided between the second knuckle and the joint arm and configured to adjust a relative angle between the first knuckle and the second knuckle by axially rotating the joint arm in the width direction of the vehicle;
a ball joint rotatably jointed to the first knuckle;
a fastener fastened to the second knuckle; and
a connection member configured to connect, the connection member being provided between the ball joint and the fastener.

13. The corner module apparatus of claim 12 , wherein a first fastening hole is defined in the joint arm, the first fastening hole passing through an outer surface of the fastener, and
wherein a first slot hole is defined in the joint arm, the first slot hole being positioned under the first fastening hole and passing through the outer surface of the fastener.

14. The corner module apparatus of claim 13 , wherein a second fastening hole is defined in the second knuckle, the second fastening hole corresponding to the first fastening hole, and
wherein a second slot hole is defined in the second knuckle, the second slot hole corresponding to the first slot hole.

15. The corner module apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the first slot hole and the second slot hole are formed in a shape of a longitudinal hole in the width direction of the vehicle.

16. The corner module apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the angle adjustment unit comprises:
a cam bolt;
a washer being eccentrically coupled to an outer circumferential surface of a bolt shaft of the cam bolt, wherein the first slot hole and the second slot hole pass through the bolt shaft; and
a guide unit formed on an outer surface of the second knuckle, the guide unit being configured to guide the washer in such a manner as to eccentrically rotate the cam bolt.

17. The corner module apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the angle adjustment u

Assignees

• Hyundai Mobis Co Ltd

Inventors

• Jeon Jae Woong
• Joo Jin Wook

Classifications

• B60Y2400/86

  Suspension systems · CPC title

• B60G2206/50

  Constructional features of wheel supports or knuckles, e.g. steering knuckles, spindle attachments · CPC title

• B60G2204/43

  Fittings, brackets or knuckles · CPC title

• B60G2204/148

  on the unsprung part of the vehicle, e.g. wheel knuckle or rigid axle · CPC title

• B60G7/001

  Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features (B60G7/006 takes precedence) · CPC title