Steering Clutch Module With Unloading Mechanism for Tight Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle steering systems face safety hazards due to loose coupling between the steering shaft and gear over time, which can lead to potential safety issues during driving.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering system with a clutch module and transmission unloading mechanism that allows the steering assembly to move between coupling and decoupling positions, ensuring a tight coupling by relieving limiting forces and using a kidney-shaped hole for increased travel range, thereby enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a clutch module is added to enable coupling and decoupling of steering shaft and steering gear, then the vehicle can realize on-board multimedia function and automatic driving function, but the structure complexity increases and the coupling site may wear over time causing loose coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission unloading mechanism is nested within the existing clutch module structure. The kidney-shaped hole is integrated into the steering assembly, and the connecting rods are arranged within the housing space, utilizing existing structural voids and spaces to accommodate the unloading mechanism without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission unloading mechanism acts as an intermediary between the drive mechanism and the steering assembly. It mediates the force transmission by providing a controlled decoupling path through the kidney-shaped hole, allowing the steering assembly to move axially while maintaining rotational torque transmission capability.
2Reliability
If the steering assembly is tightly coupled to the steering shaft, then driving safety is improved, but the drive mechanism cannot adjust the position of the steering assembly for decoupling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between two states: a tight coupling state for normal driving where the steering assembly is constrained axially, and a decoupled state where the kidney-shaped hole allows axial movement. The transmission unloading mechanism enables this dynamic position adjustment while maintaining coupling tightness in the engaged state through the elastic member.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member pre-applies a limiting force to maintain the steering assembly in the coupled position, ensuring tight coupling is established before any decoupling operation is needed. This preliminary action ensures safety is maintained during normal operation while allowing controlled decoupling when required.
3Reliability
If a transmission unloading mechanism is added to relieve limiting force and improve coupling tightness, then driving safety is enhanced, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The kidney-shaped hole employs asymmetric geometry with a larger diameter at one end and a smaller diameter at the other end. This asymmetric design allows the hole to provide axial movement clearance in one direction while maintaining rotational constraint, achieving the unloading function with a single simple geometric feature rather than complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission unloading mechanism changes the positional parameter of the steering assembly by allowing axial displacement through the kidney-shaped hole. The elastic member changes the force parameter by providing a variable limiting force that decreases as the steering assembly moves axially, enabling tight coupling under normal conditions while permitting controlled decoupling.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle steering system includes: a housing, and a clutch module including a first steering shaft, a steering assembly, and a drive mechanism. A part of the first steering shaft and the steering assembly are disposed in the housing. The steering assembly is configured to move between a coupling position and a decoupling position, is coupled with the first steering shaft at the coupling position and transmits a torque, and is decoupled from the first steering shaft at the decoupling position and stops the transmission of the torque. A transmission unloading mechanism is configured to unload a limiting force of the drive mechanism on the steering assembly when the steering assembly is at the coupling position, connect with the drive mechanism and the housing to enable the drive mechanism connects with the steering assembly, and drive the steering assembly to move between the coupling position and the decoupling position.