Regressive Spring Steering Group for Motor Vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering systems in motor vehicles tend to lock at low speeds due to the trail effect caused by the inclination of the steering axis and the offset of the wheel pin, leading to aesthetic and dynamic constraints, and existing solutions with spring mechanisms are difficult to calibrate for effective and user-friendly operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating regressive trend elastic return means, such as Belleville springs, between the steering bracket and upright, which decrease stiffness as the steering angle increases, providing a consistent counteracting force to prevent steering lock without making the system overly stiff at high angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the trail is increased to improve steering stability, then the steering lock effect is worsened at low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the spring from linear to regressive, where the spring constant decreases as the steering angle increases. This parameter transformation allows the spring to provide strong counteracting force at low steering angles (reducing steering lock) while providing minimal resistance at high steering angles (maintaining steering stability).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the spring characteristics dynamic rather than static. The regressive spring's stiffness automatically adjusts based on the steering angle, being stiffer when the steering angle is small and softer when the steering angle is large, thus adapting to different operating conditions to resolve the contradiction between steering stability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If soft springs are used to reduce the steering lock effect, then the system becomes ineffective at high steering angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the spring parameter from a constant linear value to a variable regressive value. The regressive spring constant decreases as deformation increases, allowing the spring to be effective across the entire steering angle range - providing sufficient force at low angles and appropriate resistance at high angles without manual adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If stiff springs are used to counteract steering lock at low angles, then the system becomes overly resistant at high steering angles
Solution Approach 1:
The regressive spring provides dynamic force characteristics where the spring constant automatically decreases as the steering angle increases. This dynamic behavior allows the spring to exert strong force when needed (low steering angles) and reduce force when steering angle is large, eliminating the need for manual spring selection or adjustment.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional linear springs are used, then calibration becomes difficult to achieve effective operation across all steering angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts regressive springs with inherently decreasing spring constants, which naturally adapt to different steering angles without requiring complex calibration procedures. The regressive characteristic is built into the spring's physical structure, making the system more forgiving and easier to manufacture with consistent performance across different applications.
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 regressive elastic return mechanism effectively counters steering lock across a range of angles, improving vehicle dynamics and stability without compromising aesthetics or user experience, and allows for larger wheel diameters and fairing sizes without additional constraints.
Implementation Method 1
steering group (4) of a motor vehicle, in particular comprising a front wheel (10), an upright (32) and a steering shaft (24), which is connected to the upright (32) in a rotatable manner and on which a handlebar (28) is fixed, wherein the steering shaft (24) is influenced by a regressive spring (68) in such a way that the steering shaft (24) is elastically acted upon in a steering direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
Steering group (4) of a motor vehicle (8) comprising a front frame (16) provided with a steering tube (20) that rotatably houses a steering shaft or pin (24), which rotates about a steering axis (X-X), the front frame (16) being provided with an upright (32) integral with said steering tube (20), the front frame (16) comprising a steering bracket (36), integral in rotation with the steering shaft (24). Advantageously, the steering group (4) comprises elastic return means (44) which elastically influence the steering shaft (24) to position itself centrally with respect to the front frame (16), said elastic return means (44) being placed and mechanically connected between the upright (32) and the steering bracket (36) in order to exert an elastic return action when the steering shaft (24) rotates with respect to said central symmetrical position, wherein said elastic return means (44) have a regressive trend elastic response.