Keyed Yoke Shaft Attachment Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column clamp yoke connections to steering shafts or pinion shafts lack reliability, leading to potential misalignment and reduced torque transmission efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A shaft assembly with a yoke and shaft design featuring a keyed bore and keyway configuration, along with a fastener assembly that applies torque to engage the key surfaces, providing a rigid and secure attachment by utilizing tapered surfaces and biasing members to ensure precise alignment and torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bolt is inserted into the clamp yoke to apply force and deform the yoke for connection, then the connection between the yoke and shaft is established, but the reliability of the connection is insufficient leading to potential misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the clamp yoke with first and second bores, the shaft with keyway, and the fastener assembly with key and biasing member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function (alignment, connection, torque application) independently, improving overall connection reliability while maintaining manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A fastener assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the clamp yoke and shaft. The fastener includes a key that engages with the keyway and a biasing member that applies controlled force, serving as a mediator that ensures reliable connection without requiring direct complex interaction between the yoke and shaft
2Strength
If the yoke is deformed by bolt force to connect to the shaft, then the attachment is achieved, but torsional stability and resistance to bending moments are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The design changes the physical parameters of the connection by introducing a keyed bore configuration with specific geometric relationships. The key extends along the first axis while the second bore is disposed transverse to it, creating a rigid structural arrangement that enhances torsional stability without requiring excessive deformation forces
Solution Approach 2:
The key and keyway are pre-configured in specific orientations before assembly. The key is positioned to extend towards the first axis and the keyway is arranged to receive it, ensuring proper alignment and torque transmission capability before the fastening operation occurs, thereby improving torsional stability
3Manufacturing precision
If a simple bolt connection is used in the clamp yoke, then the device complexity is low, but manufacturing precision and alignment accuracy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The yoke features an asymmetric keyed bore configuration where the first bore contains a key extending towards the first axis, and the second bore is disposed transverse to the first axis. This asymmetric design provides built-in alignment references that improve manufacturing precision without requiring overly complex external alignment mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A shaft assembly includes a yoke. The yoke defines a first bore and a second bore. The first bore extends from a first face towards a second face along a first axis. The first bore has a key that extends towards the first axis. The second bore extends from a third face towards a fourth face along a second axis that is disposed transverse to the first axis. The third face and the fourth face each extend between the first face and the second face.