Power Steering Calculator Below Rack Shell

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity of vehicles and limited space in the engine compartment make it difficult to integrate power steering device components, particularly the control casing, without incurring high costs for miniaturization, which only provides limited space savings.

Innovation Solution

The power steering device is designed with the onboard calculator located mostly or entirely below the steering rack, within a shell that houses the rack and calculator, allowing for improved compactness and integration by avoiding spatial conflicts with other vehicle components without requiring miniaturization of the calculator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the calculator is placed in the engine compartment near the assist motor, then the power steering device can be integrated, but the engine compartment becomes overcrowded due to increasing vehicle complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of power steering deviceVSAvoidengine compartment space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The calculator is relocated from the horizontal plane (engine compartment) to the vertical dimension (below the steering rack), utilizing the understructure space. This dimensional transition allows the calculator to be positioned in an area previously not considered for power steering components, effectively increasing available space in the engine compartment while maintaining integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The power steering device is segmented into distinct functional zones: the assist motor remains in the engine compartment while the calculator is separated and positioned below the steering rack. This segmentation allows each component to occupy its optimal space without interfering with other vehicle systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of stationary object

If the calculator is miniaturized to save space, then some space is gained, but the cost increases significantly and the space saving remains limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalculator volumeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reducing the calculator's size to save space, the invention inverts the approach by expanding the available space through strategic repositioning. The calculator maintains its standard dimensions but is relocated to below the steering rack, eliminating the need for costly miniaturization while achieving the same space-saving objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Area of stationary object

If the calculator is placed below the rack, then space is freed in the engine compartment, but the calculator must be protected from environmental aggressions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine compartment free spaceVSAvoidenvironmental protection requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective shell encloses the calculator positioned below the steering rack, creating a sealed environment that shields the electronic components from humidity, water projections, and dust. This shell acts as a barrier while allowing the calculator to be positioned in the previously inaccessible understructure area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10668942B2Power steering device with a remote computer under the rack

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 JTEKT EUROPE SAS

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle (2) provided with a power-steering device (1) which includes at least one steering rack (3) and an assistance motor (4) arranged to drive said steering rack (3), as well as at least one on-board computer (13) inside the vehicle (2), intended for controlling said assistance motor (4), the computer (13) being placed mostly, and preferably entirely, below the rack (3), preferably in a shell (20), inside of which the rack (3) is translatably guided, and inside of which a space for the computer is arranged for said purpose.