Contoured Tie Rod Steering Linkage for Underbody Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering linkages face challenges in accommodating underbody obstructions without modifying engine oil pans and structural cross members, which increases weight and cost, and limits the extent of clearance that can be provided for unrestricted lateral and radial movement.
Innovation Solution
A tubular steering linkage with a contoured section and flared ends, featuring a unique offset centerline and elongated slots, allows for clearance between the linkage and adjacent components, enabling unrestricted movement while maintaining structural integrity and axial buckling strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If underbody components are modified to provide clearance for steering linkage movement, then the steering linkage can move unrestricted, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tie rod assembly is designed with a contoured section that allows dynamic adaptation to underbody obstructions. The contour enables the linkage to clear obstructions through its lateral and radial movement path, providing the necessary clearance without requiring permanent modifications to rigid underbody components like oil pans and cross members, thereby avoiding additional weight
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the tie rod assembly by introducing a contoured section with specific curvature. This contour allows the linkage to achieve the required lateral and radial movement clearance by altering its spatial path, eliminating the need to modify underbody components and thus preventing weight increase
2Ease of operation
If underbody components are modified to provide clearance for steering linkage movement, then the steering linkage can move unrestricted, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured section of the tie rod assembly provides a dynamic solution that clears underbody obstructions through its movement path rather than requiring costly modifications to underbody components. This approach eliminates expenses related to modifying oil pans with clearance holes and installing additional drain plugs
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the geometric contour of the tie rod assembly, the invention achieves the required clearance for steering linkage movement without the need to modify underbody components. This parameter change in the linkage geometry itself avoids the additional manufacturing costs associated with component modifications
3Ease of operation
If the number of underbody components is increased to provide clearance, then the steering linkage can move unrestricted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contoured section enables the tie rod assembly to clear underbody obstructions through its lateral and radial movement path, providing the necessary clearance without requiring additional underbody components. This dynamic clearance solution avoids increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention achieves clearance for steering linkage movement by changing the geometric parameters of the tie rod assembly itself through its contoured section, rather than adding more components underneath the vehicle. This approach maintains simplicity by avoiding additional components
Data Source
AI summary
A steering linkage assembly adapted to steer a pair of wheels of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle steering linkage assembly comprising a first tie rod element having a first end operatively connected to a first wheel of the vehicle and a second end. A second tie rod element has a first end operatively connected to a second wheel of the vehicle and a second end. A tubular portion extends between the first and second tie rod elements, and has a first end that is operatively connected to the second end of the first tie rod element. A second end is operatively connected to the second end of the second tie rod element. The first end of the tubular portion defines a first end centerline and the second end of the tubular portion defines a second end centerline. The tubular portion includes a contoured section preferably adjacent to the tubular portion second end. The contoured section includes a section which defines a third centerline which is offset relative to the first and second centerlines and substantially parallel relative thereto.