Adjustable Steering Stop with Locking Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle steering systems lack the ability to adjust steering stops dynamically, leading to limitations in steering angle range and potential scrubbing issues when changing wheel configurations or operating in different terrains.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable steering stop system that includes a housing, a movable shaft, and a locking assembly with an actuator, allowing for reconfiguration between engaged and disengaged positions, controlled by a controller and user interface to optimize steering angle and prevent wheel scrubbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed steering stop is used, then the steering system is simple and reliable, but the steering angle range cannot be adjusted and wheel scrubbing occurs when changing wheel configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The steering stop is made adjustable through a locking assembly that can reconfigure between engaged and disengaged states. The shaft can be positioned at different locations along its length and locked in place, allowing dynamic adjustment of the steering angle range based on wheel configuration and terrain requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The steering stop system is divided into separate functional components: a shaft with multiple positioning locations, a locking assembly with movable and fixed elements, and an actuator. This segmentation allows independent adjustment and maintenance of each component while achieving overall system adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the steering stop is made adjustable with multiple components, then adaptability to different wheel configurations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are combined into integrated components. The shaft serves both as a structural element and as the adjustable stop surface. The locking assembly combines the movable element, fixed element, and detent mechanism into a unified system that works together through mechanical interaction
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly is designed to automatically engage and lock the shaft at selected positions through its mechanical geometry. The movable locking element and fixed locking element work together with detent structures to self-lock without requiring continuous external actuation, reducing the need for additional control components
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable steering stop for an axle assembly of a vehicle includes a housing configured to be coupled to a steering knuckle or a frame of the axle assembly, a shaft received within the housing and movable relative thereto, the shaft being configured to engage a stop to limit movement of the steering knuckle relative to the frame, and a locking assembly coupled to the housing and reconfigurable between (a) an engaged configuration in which the locking assembly limits movement of the shaft relative to the housing and (b) a disengaged configuration in which the locking assembly permits the shaft to move relative to the housing. The locking assembly includes an actuator configured to reconfigure the locking assembly between the engaged and disengaged configurations. A controller is configured to control the actuator to reconfigure the locking assembly between the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration.