Electromechanical Steering Device for Rear-Wheel Lock Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices for adjusting wheel lock angles are not easily adaptable to different wheel suspension designs and installation spaces, leading to a loss of slim design due to coupling flanges and connecting bolts, making them difficult to integrate into conventional wheel suspensions.
Innovation Solution
A steering device with an electromechanical drive unit that includes a vehicle body-side joint positionable in any angular position, fixed by a screw ring, and an exchangeable wheel carrier-side joint, using a connecting rod adapter to adapt to existing space conditions, along with a non-self-locking planetary gear and ball screw system with a magnetic blocking device for length adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the housing is designed to be divisible with coupling flanges and connecting bolts to adapt to different installation spaces, then the steering device can be adapted to different wheel suspensions, but the slim design is lost due to the coupling flanges and connecting bolts
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device is divided into modular components: the electromechanical drive unit, the wheel guide member, and the connecting rod assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and reconfigured for different wheel suspension types without requiring a completely different housing design, thus maintaining adaptability while simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromechanical drive unit is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can accommodate various wheel suspension configurations. The drive unit can perform multiple functions across different vehicle types (rear-wheel steering, four-wheel steering, active toe control) without requiring vehicle-specific housing designs, eliminating the need for complex coupling flanges and connecting bolts.
2Device complexity
If the electromechanical drive unit is designed with fixed housing to maintain slim design, then the device remains compact, but it cannot be easily adapted to different wheel suspension installation spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The steering device incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements within the housing structure. The wheel guide member length can be adjusted, and the connecting rod assembly can be reconfigured to accommodate different installation spaces. This dynamic adaptability allows the compact housing design to be maintained while still fitting various wheel suspension configurations.
3Ease of manufacture
If the wheel guide member length is fixed to simplify the structure, then the manufacturing is easier, but it cannot adapt to different space conditions in various wheel suspensions
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel guide member is designed with adjustable length capability through an integrated adjustment mechanism. This allows the same wheel guide member design to be manufactured once and then adapted to different space conditions by adjusting its length, rather than manufacturing different lengths for different applications. The adjustment mechanism maintains manufacturing simplicity while providing adaptability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the same actuator is used for both right and left sides to reduce component variety, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the installation becomes more difficult due to different installation spaces on each side
Solution Approach 1:
The electromechanical drive unit incorporates adjustable mounting features and reconfigurable connecting rod assemblies that can be adapted to different installation spaces on the right and left sides. This allows the same standardized actuator to be installed in various configurations without requiring side-specific customizations, maintaining both manufacturing efficiency and installation ease.
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
Enables simple integration into conventional wheel suspensions, adapts to various installation spaces, and maintains a compact design while allowing for effective adjustment of wheel lock angles without modifying the wheel control arms, supporting a wide range of vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
a blocking device is provided which brings a magnetic plunger actuated by a locking magnet into engagement with a locking ring
Implementation Method 2
the electric motor actuates a ball screw with the interposition of a planetary gear, which converts the rotational movement of the electric motor into a translational movement of the connecting rod
Implementation Method 3
the electric motor actuates a ball screw with the interposition of a planetary gear, which converts the rotational movement of the electric motor into a translational movement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a steering apparatus for setting a wheel lock angle of a wheel of a motor vehicle, in particular a rear wheel, comprising at least one wheel control element (1), via which a wheel carrier (66) of the wheel is connected to a vehicle body, wherein the wheel carrier (66) can be pivoted about a rotational axis which extends substantially parallel to the wheel plane and, spaced apart from the rotational axis, the wheel control element (1) is articulated on the wheel carrier and can have its length adjusted by means of an electromechanical drive unit (6), wherein the electromechanical drive unit (6) is firstly connected via a push rod (9) to a wheel-carrier-side joint (11) in order to form a pivoting bearing (67), via which a connection to the wheel carrier is realized, and is secondly connected to a vehicle-body-side joint (5) in order to form a further pivoting bearing (68), via which a connection to the vehicle body is realized. In order to integrate the steering apparatus into the conventional wheel suspension system of a non-steerable vehicle wheel and in the process to adapt it to the restricted installation-space conditions of wheel suspension systems of various configurations, the present invention provides for it to be possible to position and fix at least one joint with respect to the electromechanical drive unit in any desired angular positions in relation to the longitudinal axis of the electromechanical drive unit, with the result that the wheel control element can be adapted to the prevailing installation-space conditions.