Steering Column Alignment Assembly for Hydraulic Unit Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic power steering systems for work machines, such as agricultural tractors, face challenges in alignment and axial adjustment during assembly due to tight tolerances and limited angular articulation, leading to misalignment issues and increased fatigue during operation.
Innovation Solution
A self-aligning alignment assembly with a rolling connection between the steering shaft and hydraulic steering unit, incorporating a connector with a distal end connected to the hydraulic steering unit and a proximal end connected to the steering column, allowing for axial adjustment and improved alignment features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the steering column is rigidly connected to the hydraulic steering unit, then alignment precision is improved, but assembly difficulty increases due to tight tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment assembly acts as an intermediary component between the steering column and hydraulic steering unit. It includes a connector with a distal end connected to the hydraulic steering unit and a proximal end connected to the steering column, providing self-aligning features that accommodate tolerance variations while maintaining precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment assembly allows for axial adjustment along the length of the steering column, enabling parameter changes in position and orientation to achieve proper alignment despite variations in manufacturing tolerances of the cab and frame components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the steering column support is tightly anchored to the cab wall, then structural stability is improved, but axial adjustment capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment assembly introduces dynamic adjustment capability to the otherwise static steering column system. The connector allows axial movement and angular articulation while maintaining structural stability, enabling the system to adapt to different alignment requirements during assembly and operation.
3Strength
If minimal angular articulation is provided between components, then structural rigidity is improved, but misalignment compensation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment assembly segments the connection between the steering column and hydraulic steering unit into distinct functional elements: a connector with rolling connection features and axial adjustment capability. This segmentation allows each component to maintain its structural integrity while collectively providing misalignment compensation through the articulated connection.
Data Source
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AI summary
An alignment assembly (210) for a power steering system (200) in a work machine (100), such as an agricultural tractor, includes a rotatable connection of confronting smoothly curved surfaces (304, 310) between a steering column (202) and a hydraulic steering unit (204). The rotatable connection provides automatic alignment of the steering column (202) with the hydraulic steering unit (204). Axial length adjustment of a steering shaft (208) in a collar (260) of the steering column (202) further facilitates alignment.