Single Motor Steering Drive with Pinion Gear Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing motor-driven power steering systems require separate starter and MDPS motors, leading to inefficiencies in space usage and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for multiple components in the engine compartment.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that uses a single electric motor with a pinion gear and power transmission bearing member to perform both starting and steering functions, allowing the starter motor to be used as an MDPS motor after starting, with a controller managing the motor's operation based on steering angle information from a torque sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate starter motor and MDPS motor are used, then both starting and steering functions are achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the starter motor to serve dual purposes: starting the engine and providing power for motor-driven power steering. The controller selectively activates the starter motor for starting functions or redirects its output through the pinion gear and bearing member to drive the steering shaft, eliminating the need for a separate MDPS motor while maintaining both functional capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the starting motor and MDPS motor into a single integrated system. The starter motor's output is routed through a pinion gear that can engage with either the flywheel ring gear for starting or with a bearing member for steering functions. This consolidation reduces component count and simplifies the overall system architecture while preserving both starting and steering functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate starter motor and MDPS motor are used, then both starting and steering functions are achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the starter motor to serve dual purposes: starting the engine and providing power for motor-driven power steering. The controller selectively activates the starter motor for starting functions or redirects its output through the pinion gear and bearing member to drive the steering shaft, eliminating the need for a separate MDPS motor while maintaining both functional capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the starting motor and MDPS motor into a single integrated system. The starter motor's output is routed through a pinion gear that can engage with either the flywheel ring gear for starting or with a bearing member for steering functions. This consolidation reduces component count and simplifies the overall system architecture while preserving both starting and steering functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate starter motor and MDPS motor are used, then both starting and steering functions are achieved, but engine compartment space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the starter motor to serve dual purposes: starting the engine and providing power for motor-driven power steering. The controller selectively activates the starter motor for starting functions or redirects its output through the pinion gear and bearing member to drive the steering shaft, eliminating the need for a separate MDPS motor while maintaining both functional capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the starting motor and MDPS motor into a single integrated system. The starter motor's output is routed through a pinion gear that can engage with either the flywheel ring gear for starting or with a bearing member for steering functions. This consolidation reduces component count and simplifies the overall system architecture while preserving both starting and steering functions.
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 reduces the number of components and manufacturing costs while improving spatial design flexibility in the engine compartment, enabling efficient use of space and enhancing steering force by integrating the starting and steering functions.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor (12) having a motor shaft (17) protrudable from a front side of the electric motor (12)
Implementation Method 2
A pinion gear (23) is rotated by rotation force of the starter motor and a flywheel ring gear (24) is rotated by rotation force of the pinion gear
Implementation Method 3
a power transmission belt (41) coupling the power transmission bearing member (30) and a wormwheel (42) of the steering shaft (43)
Implementation Method 4
a torque sensor (44) detecting a steering angle of the steering wheel
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for driving a steering shaft in a motor-driven power steering system may include a pinion gear having a joining protrusion and a power transmission bearing member provided with a joining groove to be removably inserted with the joining protrusion of the pinion gear, wherein the power transmission bearing member rotates integrally with the pinion gear by being joined each other when the pinion gear is disengaged from a flywheel ring gear of an engine and thereby transmits rotation force of the power transmission bearing member to the wormwheel connected with a steering shaft.