Modular Steering Rack Joint Structure for Standardized EPS Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering racks are unitary and require independent design and development for each vehicle manufacturer, lacking a standardized approach that complicates the design and manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A steering rack assembly comprising a first rod member, a second rod member interconnected via internal and external threads, and a securing sleeve that covers the connection interface, allowing for standardization of the screw part and customization of the rack part according to vehicle manufacturer requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steering racks are designed to be unitary to ensure safety, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering rack is divided into multiple modular components including a rack body, piston assembly, and mounting bracket assembly that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation maintains safety through proper engineering of each component while reducing overall design complexity and enabling standardized production of individual modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket assembly is designed as a universal component that can be adapted to different vehicle platforms and steering rack configurations. This universal design allows the same basic module to serve multiple functions and applications, improving adaptability across different vehicle manufacturers' requirements while maintaining safety standards.
2Strength
If steering racks are designed as unitary structures, then strength is improved, but adaptability to different vehicle manufacturers' requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering rack is segmented into a rack body, piston assembly, and mounting bracket assembly that can be independently designed and manufactured. This allows each component to be optimized for strength while enabling customization of the overall assembly to meet different vehicle manufacturers' requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different components of the steering rack are designed with locally optimized properties - the rack body is designed for structural strength, the piston assembly for hydraulic function, and the mounting bracket for adaptability. This local quality approach allows each part to excel at its specific function while the overall system maintains high strength and customization capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent design and development is performed for each vehicle manufacturer, then adaptability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket assembly is designed as a universal module that can be adapted to different vehicle platforms and steering rack configurations. This universal design allows the same basic module to serve multiple functions and applications across different vehicle manufacturers, significantly improving productivity by eliminating the need to design entirely new steering racks for each manufacturer while maintaining the adaptability to meet specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the steering rack into standardized modules (rack body, piston assembly, mounting bracket), the design and manufacturing process can be streamlined through modular assembly. This allows for standardized production of individual modules that can be quickly configured and assembled to meet different vehicle manufacturer requirements, greatly improving productivity compared to custom unitary design.
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 proposed solution simplifies the design and manufacturing of steering racks by allowing the screw part to be standardized and the rack part to be customized, while enhancing the mechanical strength of the connection interface, thus meeting the diverse requirements of different vehicle manufacturers.
Implementation Method 1
The second terminal portion has a first external thread engaging the first internal thread
Implementation Method 2
The joint structure includes a solder or welding joint. The solder or welding joint is arranged along an end surface of the securing sleeve and is fixedly attached to the end surface of the securing sleeve and an outer surface of the second rod member
Implementation Method 3
The joint structure includes a solder or welding joint. The solder or welding joint is arranged along an end surface of the securing sleeve and is fixedly attached to the end surface of the securing sleeve and an outer surface of the second rod member
Data Source
AI summary
A steering rack assembly includes a first rod member, a second rod member and a securing sleeve. The first rod member includes a first terminal portion formed with a recess. The recess has a first internal thread. The second rod member includes a second terminal portion inserted into the recess of the first rod member. The second terminal portion has a first external thread engaging the first internal thread. One of the first rod member and the second rod member is a screw device and the other is a rack. The securing sleeve is fixedly fit over the first terminal portion of the first rod member and the second rod member.