Electric Power Steering Locking for Axle Toe-In Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for adjusting the parallelism of a motor vehicle's front axle require a mechanical element or external motorized device to lock the steering wheel in the central position, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially with the increasing prevalence of electric power steering systems.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing the electric power steering system's electric assistance motor to lock the steering in the central position by direct control, leveraging the motor's torque and reduction mechanism to maintain the steering stationary, eliminating the need for mechanical or external locking devices, and allowing adjustment via an external electronic interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical element or external motorized device is used to lock the steering wheel in the central position, then the steering can be maintained stationary during adjustment, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The electric power steering system performs the steering locking function using its own electric assistance motor, eliminating the need for external mechanical locking devices. The system serves itself by utilizing existing components (electric motor, reduction mechanism) to achieve the steering blocking function, thereby reducing procedure time and labor while maintaining steering position stability during parallelism adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The steering locking function is extracted from the conventional mechanical locking device context and integrated into the electric power steering system. By taking out the locking function and implementing it through the electric assistance motor's torque control, the system eliminates the need for separate mechanical elements and external devices, streamlining the adjustment procedure
2Reliability
If a mechanical locking element is installed to hold the steering wheel, then the steering can be blocked in the central position, but additional tools and accessories are required
Solution Approach 1:
The electric assistance motor in the power steering system performs multiple functions: it provides power steering assistance during normal operation and simultaneously serves as a steering blocking actuator during parallelism adjustment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanical locking devices and external tools, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable steering blocking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The steering blocking function is merged with the electric power steering system by utilizing the electric assistance motor's torque production capability. The reduction mechanism that normally transmits motor torque to the steering column is also used to amplify the blocking torque, combining multiple system components into a unified steering control solution that eliminates separate locking mechanisms
3Productivity
If the electric assistance motor is used to lock the steering, then the procedure is simplified and time is reduced, but safety risks may arise if activated during vehicle motion
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback through the vehicle speed sensor that continuously monitors vehicle speed and provides this information to the control unit. The control unit uses this speed feedback to determine whether to activate or deactivate the steering blocking function, ensuring that the electric assistance motor only locks the steering when the vehicle is stationary, thereby maintaining high adjustment efficiency while preventing dangerous steering blocking during motion
Solution Approach 2:
The steering blocking function is made dynamic and conditional rather than static and permanent. The control unit dynamically adjusts the electric assistance motor's torque output based on real-time vehicle speed conditions, enabling the system to provide steering blocking when needed (vehicle stationary) and disengage it when not needed (vehicle in motion), thus ensuring both productivity and safety
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 method simplifies the adjustment process by using the electric assistance motor to maintain the steering wheel in the central position, reducing labor and time, while ensuring safety by only activating the locking function when the vehicle is stationary, and deactivating it when the vehicle is in motion or adjustments are complete.
Implementation Method 1
the torque produced by the electric assistance motor, then powered electrically, to lock the steering in the central position
Implementation Method 2
the reduction mechanism which connects the shaft of the electric assistance motor to the column of steering and to the steering pinion, and which here acts as a torque multiplier so that an amplified torque is transmitted to the steering
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The method involves activating a blocking function of an electric power steering gear (1) of a motor vehicle by direct controlling of a power assisted steering motor (11) i.e. electrical motor, that brings and maintains the steering gear in a central position. The blocking function is activated to adjust parallelism, when an activation request is made by an external electronic interface e.g. case, and a speed of the vehicle is null. The function is deactivated when a deactivation request is made by the interface and the speed of the vehicle is non-zero.