Integrated Steering Knuckle for Larger Rear Wheel Steering Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design of existing steering knuckles in vehicles fails to support the articulation function required for mounting a rear wheel steering mechanism, resulting in a small rear wheel steering angle and a large steering radius.
Innovation Solution
A steering knuckle design featuring a housing and an extension arm with specific assembly holes for ball joint connections, including a kingpin axis, and optionally reinforced with an aluminum alloy and a reinforcing rib, allowing for increased articulation points and freedom of movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional steering knuckle with separate bearing components is used, then the steering mechanism can be assembled, but the assembly requires multiple separate parts (upper arm, lower arm, bearing outer race, bearing inner race, needle bearings) increasing device complexity and potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the upper arm, lower arm, bearing outer race, bearing inner race, and needle bearings into a single integrated steering knuckle component. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate parts and their associated fasteners, directly reducing device complexity while improving reliability by eliminating potential failure points at connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated steering knuckle performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the upper arm, lower arm, bearing outer race, bearing inner race, and needle bearing assembly all in one component. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of parts needed in the steering mechanism while maintaining all necessary structural and functional requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate bearing components are used in the steering knuckle, then assembly is possible, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex with multiple machining operations required for each separate part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges five separate manufactured components (upper arm, lower arm, bearing outer race, bearing inner race, needle bearings) into a single integrated part. This eliminates the need to manufacture five separate components with their own machining processes, quality control steps, and assembly procedures, directly improving ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
While the overall structure is integrated, the patent maintains functional segmentation within the single component by providing distinct regions for upper arm attachment, lower arm attachment, bearing outer race functionality, bearing inner race functionality, and needle bearing accommodation. This functional segmentation allows the single part to perform multiple specialized functions without requiring separate components.
3Productivity
If separate bearing components with fasteners are used, then the steering knuckle can be assembled, but the assembly time and production time increase due to multiple assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components that would otherwise require separate assembly operations into a single integrated steering knuckle. This eliminates the need for multiple assembly steps involving fasteners and connections, directly increasing assembly speed and productivity while reducing the number of assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing components (inner race, outer race, and needle bearings) are pre-integrated into the steering knuckle structure during manufacturing, rather than being assembled separately during final assembly. This preliminary integration of bearing components into the single part eliminates the need for separate bearing assembly operations at the final assembly stage.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A steering knuckle and a steering mechanism are disclosed. The steering knuckle includes a housing (1) and an extension arm (2). One end of the extension arm (2) is disposed on the housing (1) on a side corresponding to a position of a rear wheel. A first assembly hole (21) configured to fit a ball joint tie rod (3) is created at another end of the extension arm. The housing (1) includes a bottom face as well as a first end face and a second end face disposed opposite to each other on the bottom face. A second assembly hole (11) configured to fit a ball joint lower control arm (4) is created on the first end face. A third assembly hole (12) configured to fit a ball joint upper control arm assembly (5) is created on the second end face. A connecting line between the second assembly hole (11) and the third assembly hole (12) forms a kingpin axis.