Plastic Ring Gear Reinforcement for Steering Apparatus Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering reaction force apparatuses for vehicles, particularly those using planetary gears, face challenges in weight reduction and cost efficiency due to the need for reinforced plastic ring gears to ensure durability, which complicates the mechanical structure and increases production costs.
Innovation Solution
A steering reaction force apparatus with a housing, stator, rotor, transmission shaft, power transmission unit, and retainer unit, where the power transmission unit includes a plastic ring gear and a reinforcing unit with embossing and penetration units to enhance the fixing force and prevent relative movement between the ring gear and body units, reducing weight and production costs while improving durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a plastic ring gear is used for weight and cost reduction, then weight and manufacturing cost decrease, but structural strength and durability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines plastic material with metal reinforcing ribs to create a composite structure. The plastic ring gear provides weight reduction and cost efficiency, while the metal reinforcing ribs embedded within provide the necessary structural strength and durability to withstand mechanical loads and secure snap rings or bolts.
2Weight of moving object
If a plastic ring gear is used for weight reduction, then weight decreases, but rigidity is insufficient requiring additional reinforcement structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically placing metal reinforcing ribs at specific locations within the plastic ring gear where strength and rigidity are most needed. This localized reinforcement provides the necessary structural stability while minimizing the overall weight increase compared to a fully metal construction.
3Strength
If reinforcing structures are added to the plastic ring gear, then strength and durability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ring gear and reinforcing ribs into a single integrated component. The metal reinforcing ribs are embedded within the plastic material during manufacturing, creating a unified structure that provides both weight reduction and enhanced durability without requiring separate reinforcement parts or complex assembly procedures.
4Ease of manufacture
If a plastic ring gear is used, then manufacturing cost decreases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by selecting appropriate material properties for the plastic ring gear, specifically choosing materials with suitable rigidity and dimensional stability. This allows the plastic gear to maintain precise engagement characteristics while benefiting from the cost advantages of plastic manufacturing processes.
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 solution reduces the overall weight and length of the apparatus, enhances fixing performance and durability, and lowers production costs by using a plastic ring gear with a reinforcing unit, effectively addressing the challenges of weight reduction and cost efficiency in vehicle steering systems.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor unit disposed to face the stator unit and configured to be rotated by electromagnetic interaction with the stator unit
Data Source
AI summary
A steering reaction force apparatus for a vehicle includes: a housing that is openable and closable by a cover unit, a stator unit fixed to an inside of the housing, a rotor unit disposed to face the stator unit and to be rotated by electromagnetic interaction with the stator unit, a transmission shaft unit connected to the rotor unit to rotate in conjunction with the rotor unit, a power transmission unit disposed inside the rotor unit to transmit a rotational force of the transmission shaft unit to a steering shaft, and a retainer unit to support the power transmission unit with respect to the cover unit.