Dual Steering System Reducing Cab Space and Friction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current dual steering systems for vehicles, such as those used in refuse and driver's education vehicles, face issues with space consumption, friction, compliance, and lack of redundancy due to the use of miter boxes, which can lead to safety hazards if they fail.

Innovation Solution

A dual steering system with independent power steering modules and torque sensors that communicate via data pathways, allowing each steering system to provide power assist and independently steer the vehicle in case of failure, eliminating the need for miter boxes and enhancing redundancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a miter box is used to provide a mechanical connection between the two steering systems, then steering inputs from the second steering wheel can be transferred to the first steering wheel, but the miter box occupies valuable cab space and generates friction and compliance issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering input transfer capabilityVSAvoidcab space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical miter box connection with an independent power steering module for the second steering wheel that communicates via data pathways. This eliminates the need for physical mechanical interconnection while maintaining steering input transfer capability through electronic signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the miter box component from the steering system entirely, removing it from the mechanical architecture. The second steering wheel operates as an independent system that can communicate steering inputs to the first steering wheel's power assist system through data communication, eliminating the space-consuming mechanical connector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a miter box is used to connect the steering systems, then steering inputs can be transferred between wheels, but the system lacks redundancy and becomes dangerous if the miter box fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering input transferVSAvoidsystem redundancy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the steering system into two completely independent steering systems, each with its own power steering module. The first steering wheel has a first power steering module and the second steering wheel has a second power steering module, neither of which depends on the other for basic steering function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements redundancy beforehand by providing independent power steering modules for both steering wheels. If one system fails, the other can continue to provide steering assistance, cushioning against the potential harm of a single point of failure in the mechanical connection system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a miter box is used to provide mechanical connection, then steering systems can be interconnected, but the miter box is a low volume component that comes at relatively high cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering system interconnectionVSAvoidcomponent cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical miter box with an electronic data communication system. Instead of using a physical mechanical connector that requires precision manufacturing and assembly, the system uses electronic signals to transfer steering inputs, eliminating the need for expensive low-volume mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Area of stationary object

If a single power steering module is used for both steering wheels, then space is saved, but friction and compliance issues arise in the mechanical connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecab spaceVSAvoidfriction and compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power steering assistance into separate modules for each steering wheel. The first steering wheel has its own power steering module and the second steering wheel has its own power steering module, eliminating the need for a mechanical connection between them and thus eliminating friction and compliance issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9038761B2Dual steering system for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.05.26 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

The present invention discloses a dual steering system including a first front wheel and a second front wheel, a lateral steering linkage connecting the first and second front wheels, a first steering system with a first steering wheel and a power steering module that assists steering inputs applied to the first steering wheel, and a second steering system with a second steering wheel and a torque sensor in communication with the power steering module of the first steering system and monitoring steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel, whereby the power steering module may provide power assist to the steering inputs applied to the second steering wheel.