ATV Steering Coupling With Ball Joint for Shaft Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The steering shaft of all-terrain vehicles often becomes misaligned with the power steering system due to manufacturing and assembly errors, leading to a heavy or difficult-to-turn steering wheel, which causes wear on parts and compromises driving safety.
Innovation Solution
A steering mechanism featuring a ball joint and two connecting shafts with ball grooves, allowing for rotatable coupling and variable-angle power transmission between the steering shaft and the power steering system, preventing misalignment and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the steering shaft is directly and rigidly coupled to the power steering system, then the structure is simple, but misalignment occurs due to manufacturing and assembly errors causing heavy steering and part wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling mechanism as an intermediary component between the steering shaft and power steering system. This coupling mechanism includes adjustable connecting elements that can compensate for misalignment, thereby preventing direct rigid coupling while maintaining structural simplicity. The intermediary absorbs the misalignment issues caused by manufacturing and assembly errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism incorporates adjustable and adaptable components that can dynamically compensate for misalignment. The connection allows for slight adjustments in position and angle, enabling the system to adapt to manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations, thus preventing heavy steering and part wear while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the steering shaft is directly and rigidly coupled to the power steering system, then the manufacturing process is simple, but assembly errors cause misalignment and steering difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary that maintains manufacturing simplicity while improving ease of operation. It includes adjustable components that can compensate for assembly errors without complicating the manufacturing process significantly, thereby preventing steering difficulties while keeping the overall system easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism allows for parameter adjustments in position and angle to compensate for assembly errors. This enables the system to maintain ease of manufacture while improving ease of operation by allowing slight adjustments during assembly to ensure proper alignment and prevent steering difficulties.
3Device complexity
If the steering shaft is directly and rigidly coupled to the power steering system, then the structure is simple, but long-term frequent steering causes part wear and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary that protects the steering shaft and power steering system from direct wear. It includes wear-resistant components and adjustable elements that can accommodate misalignment, thereby preventing part wear during long-term frequent steering while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism incorporates cushioning elements and adjustable components that beforehand compensate for potential misalignment and wear issues. This prevents part wear during long-term frequent steering by absorbing misalignment stresses before they reach the critical components, thereby extending part life while maintaining structural simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the controllability and safety of the vehicle by ensuring smooth steering operations and reducing wear on steering components, even during frequent turns.
Implementation Method 1
a ball joint, a first connecting shaft and a second connecting shaft. The first connecting shaft has a first end provided with a first ball groove, the second connecting shaft has a first end provided with a second ball groove, and each of the first ball groove and the second ball groove is configured to accommodate a partial structure of the ball joint, to allow the first connecting shaft and the second connecting shaft to be rotatably coupled by the ball joint
Data Source
AI summary
A steering mechanism of an all-terrain vehicle includes: a steering shaft; a power steering system; and an adjusting mechanism including a ball joint, a first connecting shaft and a second connecting shaft. The first connecting shaft has a first end provided with a first ball groove, the second connecting shaft has a first end provided with a second ball groove, and the first ball groove and the second ball groove each accommodate a partial structure of the ball joint, such that the first connecting shaft and the second connecting shaft are rotatably coupled by the ball joint; and a second end of the first connecting shaft away from the first ball groove is coupled to the steering shaft, and a second end of the second connecting shaft away from the second ball groove is coupled to the power steering system. An all-terrain vehicle is also disclosed.