Steering Column Revolution Limiter With Axial Pass-Through Detent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steer-by-wire steering systems face limitations in achieving a rotation angle greater than 720° due to conventional revolution limiters, which are either complex or voluminous, preventing a compact construction.
Innovation Solution
A revolution limiter with an activation member that is axially displaceable between a detent and pass position, utilizing a lifting device to enable a rotation angle of over 720° by selectively engaging and disengaging detent projections, allowing a compact construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional revolution limiter with driver projection and activation projection is used, then the construction is compact and advantageous, but the rotation angle is limited to maximum 720°
Solution Approach 1:
The activation member is designed to be axially displaceable between a detent position and a pass position, transforming a static limitation mechanism into a dynamic one. This allows the system to switch between limited and unlimited rotation states, enabling rotation angles exceeding 720° while preserving the compact construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces axial displacement as an additional degree of freedom to the traditional radial projection mechanism. By moving the activation member axially between positions, the system overcomes the circumferential rotation limit without increasing radial or circumferential dimensions, thus maintaining compactness while achieving greater rotation angles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-generic revolution limiters are used to achieve larger rotation angles, then the rotation angle exceeds 720°, but the construction becomes complex and voluminous
Solution Approach 1:
The revolution limiter is segmented into distinct functional components: a driver with driver projection, an activation member with activation projection and detent projection, and a housing with housing projection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving large rotation angles through coordinated action rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation member serves as an intermediary between the driver and the housing. It translates the rotational motion of the driver into axial displacement, which then controls the engagement or disengagement of the detent projection with the housing projection. This intermediary mechanism enables large rotation angles while maintaining a compact overall construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column for a motor vehicle comprises an axially extending steering shaft which is mounted in a steering column housing so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and a revolution limiter for delimiting the rotation of the steering shaft relative to the steering column housing, wherein the revolution limiter has a driver which is connected to the steering shaft, a housing which is connected to the steering column housing and an activation member which is operatively disposed between the driver and the housing and is twistable relative to the steering shaft and relative to the housing, and an activation projection that is able to impact a driver projection of the driver in the circumferential direction, and a detent projection which is able to impact a housing projection of the housing in the circumferential direction. In order to enable a larger rotating angle in a compact construction mode, the invention proposes that the detent projection and the housing projection project so as to be directed axially towards one another, and the activation member is displaceable relative to the steering shaft axially between a detent position and a pass position, wherein disposed between the driver and the activation member is an axially acting lifting device which is designed to move the activation member axially between the detent position and the pass position.