Offset Pivot Tie Rod Assembly for ATV Bump Steer Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lift kits for ATVs compromise steering geometry, leading to excessive bump steer, instability, and rough steering feedback when larger tires are installed, as they alter CV joint angles and require replacement of original equipment axles.
Innovation Solution
A steering assembly with an offset pivot point on the spindle, featuring a pivotal coupling between the tie rod end and the wheel carrier pin member, where the expanded ball portion is offset to align the tie rod and control arms in a parallel position, reducing bump steer by adjusting the pivot point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional lift kit is installed to accommodate larger tires, then ground clearance and tire size are improved, but steering geometry is compromised leading to excessive bump steer and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the steering system by introducing an offset pivot point on the spindle. This offset position modifies the tie rod alignment and control arm parallelism, thereby adjusting the steering geometry to compensate for the effects of larger tires and lift kit installation, reducing bump steer while maintaining improved ground clearance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new dimensional aspect to the steering system by positioning the pivot point offset from the centerline of the spindle. This creates a three-dimensional geometric relationship between the tie rod, control arms, and spindle that was not present in conventional systems, allowing for optimized steering geometry that accommodates larger tires without compromising stability
2Stability of the object's composition
If an offset pivot point is introduced to reduce bump steer, then steering stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by introducing the offset pivot point only at the critical location where it most effectively influences bump steer reduction. Rather than redesigning the entire steering system, the modification is localized to the spindle pivot point position, minimizing overall complexity while achieving the desired stability improvement
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel end assembly comprising upper and lower arms and a tie rod coupled to a wheel carrier at an outer tie rod joint. A pin member is disposed between upper and lower mounting extensions of the wheel carrier or extends from a single mounting extension. The pin member comprises a first end, a second end and an expanded ball portion between the first and second end. The expanded ball portion is offset toward one of the first and second ends. The tie rod joint is defined by a pivotal coupling of the tie rod end to the pin member. A pivot point is defined between the tie rod end and the expanded ball portion, wherein the pivot point is closer to one of the first and second ends of the pin member to align the tie rod with the arms in a substantially parallel orientation to reduce bump steer.