Rear Wheel Steering Housing Segmentation for Axial Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear wheel steering apparatuses face challenges in downsizing and reducing weight due to the need for high-intensity housings to absorb axial forces and reaction forces from tires and disturbances, making them difficult to manufacture efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A rear wheel steering apparatus with a housing connected to the suspension mechanism via connection members, incorporating an electric motor, speed reduction mechanism, and linear motion mechanism, where the electric motor and speed reduction mechanism are housed in a single cylinder portion, and a stopper portion is used to absorb axial loads, reducing the size and weight of the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional housing structure is used to support the electric motor, transmission, and blocking device, then the housing can absorb axial forces and reaction forces, but the apparatus becomes large in size and heavy in weight
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a cylinder portion and a connection cover portion. The cylinder portion supports the electric motor and transmission, while the connection cover supports the blocking device and provides connection points. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the overall housing size and weight while maintaining the necessary strength to absorb axial forces and reaction forces from tires and disturbances.
2Strength
If a traditional housing structure is used to support the electric motor, transmission, and blocking device, then the housing can absorb axial forces and reaction forces, but the apparatus becomes difficult to manufacture efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a cylinder portion and a connection cover that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This allows each component to be produced using optimized manufacturing processes, improving overall manufacturing efficiency while maintaining the structural strength needed to absorb axial forces and reaction forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection cover integrates multiple functions: it supports the blocking device, provides connection points for the push rod, and seals the cylinder portion. By merging these functions into a single component, the number of parts is reduced, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining the necessary strength.
3Device complexity
If the electric motor, transmission, and blocking device are supported by a single module housing, then the structure is compact, but the housing requires high intensity and cannot be downsized
Solution Approach 1:
The single module housing is segmented into a cylinder portion supporting the electric motor and transmission, and a connection cover supporting the blocking device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific load requirements, enabling downsizing of the overall structure while maintaining the necessary intensity to handle axial forces and reaction forces.
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 allows for effective absorption of axial loads, reducing the size and weight of the apparatus while simplifying assembly and manufacturing, thereby lowering costs and eliminating the need for large-sized housings.
Implementation Method 1
a linear motion mechanism including a nut member rotatably connected to the speed reduction mechanism, the linear motion mechanism including a rod threadingly engaged with the nut member and connected to the second connection member, the linear motion mechanism converting a rotation of the nut member to a linear motion of the rod
Implementation Method 2
the cylinder portion including a stopper portion provided at an inner surface of the cylinder portion between the electric motor and the speed reduction mechanism
Implementation Method 3
a bearing supporting the nut member for allowing the nut member to rotate relative to the cylindrical holding member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A rear wheel steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a housing (1) including a cylinder portion (10) and a connection cover (11), an electric motor (3a) housed in the housing (1), a speed reduction mechanism (3b) housed in the housing (1), a linear motion mechanism (3c) including a nut member (36) and a rod (2) for converting a rotation of the nut member (36) to a linear motion of the rod (2), the cylinder portion (10) including a stopper portion (10a, 14) provided at an inner surface of thereof between the electric motor (3a) and the speed reduction mechanism (3b), a cylindrical holding member (34) holding the speed reduction mechanism (3b) in the cylinder portion (10), and a bearing (37) supporting the nut member (36) for allowing the nut member (36) to rotate relative to the cylindrical holding member (34). The bearing (37) and the cylindrical holding member (34) are sandwiched between the stopper portion (10a, 14) and the connection cover (11) and the cylindrical holding member (34) is retained so as not to rotate relative to the cylinder portion (10).