Steering Unit Length Reduction via Bevel Gear Axis Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle steering apparatuses have a long steering unit length due to the coaxial arrangement of reaction motors, clutches, and cable-type columns, which interferes with the dash panel and increases the risk of impact during collisions, while also limiting cabin space layout and vehicle mountability.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a bevel gear that changes the rotation axis direction between the steering unit and the clutch, allowing for a shorter steering unit length and improved vehicle mountability, along with a cable-type column backup mechanism that transmits steering torque, reduces the length of the steering unit and prevents interference with the dash panel during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the reaction motor, clutch, and cable-type column are arranged coaxially, then the steering mechanism can be compact, but the steering unit length becomes long which interferes with the dash panel and limits vehicle mountability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bevel gear to change the rotation axis direction from the longitudinal axis to a transverse axis, thereby redirecting the power transmission path in a different spatial dimension. This allows the steering unit to be shortened in the longitudinal direction while maintaining the compact coaxial arrangement in the transverse plane, resolving the contradiction between compactness and length.
2Length of moving object
If the steering unit length is reduced, then vehicle mountability is improved, but the steering mechanism complexity increases due to additional rotation conversion units
Solution Approach 1:
The bevel gear serves multiple functions simultaneously: it changes the rotation axis direction, acts as a speed increasing unit, and facilitates the compact layout. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby shortening the steering unit length without proportionally increasing overall mechanism complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the clutch is provided between the steering unit and steered unit, then the steering unit can disconnect during collisions to reduce driver impact, but the power transmission path becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The bevel gear redirects the power transmission path from a longitudinal arrangement to a transverse arrangement, allowing the clutch to be positioned in an optimized location that shortens the overall power transmission path while maintaining the safety function of disconnecting during collisions.
4Length of moving object
If the first rotation conversion unit changes the rotation axis direction by about 90 degrees, then the steering unit length is reduced, but the cable routing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The 90-degree rotation conversion using the bevel gear efficiently redirects the power transmission path in a compact manner, and the patent compensates for the resulting cable routing complexity by integrating the cable-type column with the steering unit structure, thereby achieving compactness without excessive complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
To reduce the length in the axis direction of a steering unit and consequently to provide a vehicle steering apparatus with superior vehicle mountability, a steering apparatus for a vehicle has a steering unit (A) and a reaction generating unit (3), and a steered unit (B). The steering unit and the steered unit are mechanically separable. The apparatus includes a clutch (6) that mechanically connects the steering unit (A) and the steered unit (B), and a backup unit (10) that is provided between the clutch (6) and the steered unit and transmits the steering torque that is inputted from the steering unit (A), when the clutch (6) is engaged, to the steered unit (B). A rotation conversion unit (4) that outputs rotation in a rotation axis direction of the clutch (6) that is different from the rotation axis direction of the steering unit is provided between the reaction generating unit (3) and the clutch (6).