Kingpin Steering Sensor Assembly With Sealed Elastic Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering sensors in automotive vehicles face challenges in accuracy and longevity due to exposure to dirt and mechanical stress, leading to potential assembly errors and misalignments.
Innovation Solution
A steering sensor assembly design featuring a kingpin with a through hole, a mounting member connected to the axle housing, and a steering sensor with a first sensor portion coupled to the kingpin and a second sensor portion coupled to the mounting member, which includes an elastic member and a sealing member to protect against dirt and mechanical stress, ensuring precise angular orientation and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the second sensor portion is directly coupled to the axle housing, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the sensor is exposed to dirt and mechanical stress which worsens reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A mounting member is introduced as an intermediary component between the second sensor portion and the axle housing. This mounting member is at least partially disposed in the through hole of the kingpin, serving as a protective barrier that shields the second sensor portion from direct exposure to dirt and mechanical stress while maintaining the structural connection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the mounting member is rigidly fixed to the axle housing, then the positional stability is improved, but assembly errors due to manufacturing misalignments worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting member incorporates an elastic portion that changes its mechanical properties under load. This elastic portion can deform to accommodate manufacturing misalignments and tolerances during assembly, allowing the mounting member to be inserted into the indentation even when perfect alignment is not achieved, while still providing stable positioning once assembled.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the through hole is tightly fitted with the mounting member, then the rotational stability is improved, but the ease of assembly during rotation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting member features an elastic portion that provides dynamic characteristics during assembly. During the assembly process, the elastic portion allows the mounting member to be rotated within the through hole with reduced friction and resistance. Once the assembly is complete, the elastic portion maintains sufficient friction to prevent unintended rotation, thus providing rotational stability during operation.
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 enhances the accuracy and longevity of steering sensors by protecting the sensor components from dirt and mechanical stress, preventing assembly errors, and allowing for easy adjustment to manufacturing misalignments, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of the steering system.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting member may be made of an elastomer such as rubber. The mounting member may be received in an indentation formed at a second end of the kingpin in a form-fit
Implementation Method 2
The steering sensor assembly may further comprise a sealing member disposed in between the mounting member and the kingpin. The sealing member may be configured to seal the steering sensor from at least a section of the through hole extending through the kingpin
Data Source
AI summary
The present document relates to a steering sensor assembly comprising an axle housing and a kingpin rotatably mounted on the axle housing, wherein the kingpin features a through hole extending through the kingpin. The steering sensor assembly further comprises a mounting member connected to the axle housing and at least partially disposed in the through hole extending through the kingpin, and a steering sensor comprising a first sensor portion coupled to the kingpin and a second sensor portion coupled to the mounting member.