Foldable Steering Wheel Worm-Drive Locking for Precise Rim Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable steering wheels face issues with precise angle setting due to gear clearance, potential shaking from repeated use, and require complex locking mechanisms, often needing two motors for balance, complicating the structure.
Innovation Solution
A foldable steering wheel design utilizing a worm & wheel structure with a double-axis motor for power transmission and locking, minimizing motors to a single unit at the bottom, incorporating a slider and link mechanism for smooth folding and locking without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gear mechanism is used to rotate the rim portion, then the rim can be folded, but precise angle setting becomes difficult due to gear clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional gear mechanism with a cable-driven system. The cable is wound around a spool that rotates with the rim, providing direct mechanical coupling without clearance issues. This substitution eliminates the backlash problem inherent in gear mechanisms while maintaining the folding capability, thereby achieving both ease of operation and precise angle setting.
2Reliability
If a separate locking device is added to prevent rim folding during driving, then safety is improved, but the overall structure becomes significantly complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locking function with the existing cable-driven rotation mechanism. The cable tensioning system serves dual purposes: it drives the rim rotation during folding and simultaneously provides the locking force to prevent unintended folding during driving. This integration eliminates the need for a separate locking device, achieving safety improvement without significant structural complication.
3Reliability
If two right and left motors are used to balance the rotation, then operational consistency is improved, but the package structure becomes bound to be significantly complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single motor that drives both the left and right sides of the steering wheel through a shared cable system. The spool mechanism ensures that cable tension is distributed symmetrically to both sides, providing balanced rotation without requiring separate motors. This multi-functional approach achieves operational consistency while avoiding the structural complexity of dual-motor configurations.
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
The design ensures operational safety and consistency with a simplified structure, allowing precise folding and unlocking operations, enhancing space utilization in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The driving unit may include: a rotary motor; a worm wheel connected to the rotary motor; and a worm gear engaged to the worm wheel
Implementation Method 2
An internal surface of the slider and an external surface of the shaft selectively include a female thread or a male thread and may be mutually coupled together so that the slider moves linearly by rotation of the shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
A steering wheel (100) includes an armature body (110); a wheel rim (120) coupled to the armature body (110) to be folded, a slider (130) provided on the armature body (110) to move linearly while coupled to the wheel rim (120) to be rotatable about a first rotation axis, a link (140) including a first end portion rotatably coupled to the wheel rim (120) about a second rotation axis, different from the first rotation axis, and a second end portion coupled to the armature body (110) to be rotatable about a third rotation axis, and a driving unit (150) engaged to the slider (130) and providing power for a linear motion to the slider. (130)