Recirculating Ball Steering System Electrical Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Recirculating-ball steering systems for vehicles, particularly trucks, have complex hydraulic infrastructures that complicate design and installation, requiring numerous components like pumps, hoses, and seals.

Innovation Solution

A recirculating-ball steering system that replaces hydraulic components with a ball screw drive and an electrical actuator, providing purely electrical force assistance, allowing for a simplified infrastructure and compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If hydraulic systems are used for steering assistance, then sufficient force assistance is provided, but the infrastructure becomes complex with pumps, hoses, and seals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering force assistanceVSAvoidhydraulic infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hydraulic system with an electrical system. Specifically, an electrical motor (actuator) directly drives the ball screw mechanism to provide steering assistance, eliminating the need for hydraulic pumps, hoses, and seals. This substitution of hydraulic mechanics with electrical mechanics resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient force assistance through electrical power while dramatically simplifying the infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the complex hydraulic components (pumps, hoses, seals) from the steering system, retaining only the essential ball screw mechanism and replacing it with a simpler electrical actuation system. This extraction of unnecessary complex elements while maintaining the core force assistance function resolves the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Force

If hydraulic components are included, then steering assistance is achieved, but installation is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering assistanceVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing hydraulic components with an electrical motor and control system, the patent simplifies installation. Electrical connections are inherently simpler than hydraulic piping, requiring fewer connections, no fluid filling, and no leak troubleshooting. This substitution directly addresses the installation simplicity aspect while maintaining steering assistance capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Volume of moving object

If a compact design is pursued, then space is reduced, but the electrical actuator may require more space without efficient coupling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering system sizeVSAvoidelectrical actuator power requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrical actuator with the ball screw mechanism into a tightly integrated assembly. The motor is directly coupled to the ball screw, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, couplings, and alignment fixtures. This merging of components achieves compact design while optimizing power transmission efficiency, as the direct coupling minimizes energy losses and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested arrangement where the electrical actuator is positioned within or adjacent to the ball screw housing, with components arranged concentrically or in overlapping configurations. This nesting allows the electrical actuator and ball screw mechanism to share space, achieving a compact overall volume while maintaining full power capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This solution eliminates the need for hydraulic systems, simplifying installation and enabling the creation of compact, efficient recirculating-ball steering systems with reduced power requirements for the electrical actuator.

Implementation Method 1

the steering piston comprises a ball screw drive and is displaceable along its longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

an electrical actuator for assisting the movement of the steering piston

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12157519B2Recirculating-ball steering system

Publication Date: 2024.12.03 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH

AI summary

A recirculating-ball steering system for transmitting a steering movement to a steering arm, includes: a housing having a steering piston arranged inside the housing, wherein the steering piston includes a ball screw drive and is displaceable along its longitudinal axis, and an electrical actuator for assisting the movement of the steering piston. Also described is a vehicle having the recirculating-ball steering system.