Dual-Steer Vehicle Assembly With Cross-Shaft Input Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicles lack the capability to accommodate dual steering positions, limiting the ability to operate from both the driver's and passenger's sides, which is necessary for specialized applications like street sweeping or garbage collection.
Innovation Solution
A dual-steer assembly is implemented, comprising first and second bracket assemblies that support steering columns, with gearsets and a cross shaft to transfer steering inputs between them, allowing both steering wheels to control the vehicle's steering gear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single steering column is installed in a motor vehicle, then the vehicle can be operated from one position, but the vehicle cannot accommodate dual steering positions for specialized applications
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system is divided into two independent steering columns (first and second steering columns), each with its own bracket assembly and gearset. This segmentation allows dual steering positions while maintaining independent control paths that both converge to operate the vehicle's steering gear, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity by creating modular, manageable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross shaft serves multiple functions by operatively coupling both the first gearset and second gearset to the vehicle's steering gear. This universal component enables both steering columns to control the same steering mechanism, allowing the system to perform multiple steering operations through a single integrated pathway, thus achieving dual-steer capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If bracket assemblies with gearsets and cross shafts are added to enable dual steering, then steering inputs can be transmitted from both driver and passenger sides, but the structural complexity of the steering system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first bracket assembly, second bracket assembly, and their respective gearsets are merged into a unified steering system that operates through a common cross shaft. This combining approach allows both steering columns to be integrated into the vehicle's existing steering gear, enabling dual-position control while sharing common structural elements and operational pathways, thereby reducing the net increase in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross shaft acts as an intermediary component that receives steering inputs from both the first gearset and second gearset and transmits them to the vehicle's steering gear. This mediator element simplifies the complexity by providing a single integration point for dual steering inputs, allowing both control paths to converge without requiring separate mechanisms for each steering column.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the first bracket assembly facilitates tilting of the upper steering shaft, then the steering column can be adjusted for different seating positions, but the mechanism requires additional movable components
Solution Approach 1:
The first bracket assembly incorporates a movable second bracket subassembly that can tilt relative to the fixed first bracket subassembly, enabling dynamic adjustment of the upper steering shaft angle. This dynamic component allows the steering column to adapt to different seating positions while maintaining a relatively simple structural implementation through controlled movement rather than complex mechanical systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for equipping a motor vehicle with dual-steer capabilities has a first bracket assembly configured to couple a first steering column to the vehicle and a second bracket assembly configured to couple a second steering column to the vehicle. A first gearset is coupled to the first bracket assembly and configured for operative engagement with the first steering column. A second gearset is coupled to the second bracket assembly and configured for operative engagement with the second steering column. A cross shaft operatively couples the first gearset to the second gearset. The first gearset is configured to be operatively coupled to a steering gear of the vehicle. The first bracket assembly is configured to facilitate tilting of an upper steering shaft of the first steering column with respect to a lower steering shaft of the first steering column.