Sheet-Metal Steering Column Bracket for RV Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steering assemblies of recreational vehicles experience significant vibrations due to wheel assemblies, which are amplified by torque overlay systems, leading to decreased steering performance and customer dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A sheet-metal bracket with a concave surface is attached to the steering column's convex outer surface, partially surrounding it and fixed to the vehicle's chassis with bolts, providing rigidity through gussets and through holes, to stabilize the steering system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a torque overlay system is installed on the steering column to provide steering assistance, then steering effort is reduced, but vibrations are amplified leading to decreased steering performance
Solution Approach 1:
A sheet metal bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the steering column and the chassis. The bracket includes a curved portion that contacts the cylindrical portion of the steering column and flange portions that attach to the chassis, creating an intermediate support structure that stabilizes the steering column without interfering with the torque overlay system's steering assistance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is constructed from sheet metal material that combines flexibility for vibration absorption with sufficient strength for structural support. The use of sheet metal allows the bracket to dampen vibrations while maintaining the structural integrity needed to support the steering column and transmit steering forces.
2Reliability
If the steering column is rigidly fixed to reduce vibrations, then steering stability is improved, but the steering system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into distinct functional segments: a curved portion that contacts the steering column, flange portions that attach to the chassis, and gussets that provide structural reinforcement. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while keeping the overall design simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly rigidly fixing the steering column to the chassis which would require complex mounting structures, the invention uses a bracket that indirectly supports the steering column. The bracket's curved portion conforms to the cylindrical portion of the steering column, providing stabilization through a simpler, more adaptable interface.
3Reliability
If a bracket is added to minimize vibrations, then steering performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stabilizes the steering column, dampens vibrations, provides structural support, and facilitates attachment to the chassis. By combining these functions into a single component, the bracket reduces the need for additional separate parts, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while maximizing steering performance improvement.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering system for a recreational vehicle (RV) includes a steering column and a sheet-metal bracket. The sheet-metal bracket has a central curved portion with a concave surface configured to receive a convex outer surface of a cylindrical portion of the steering column, and a first and second flange portions disposed on each side of the central curve portion. Each of the first and second flange portions have a plurality of through holes and a plurality of gussets. The plurality of gussets provide rigidity between each flange portion and the central curved portion. The concave curved surface of the bracket is disposed against the convex outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the steering column, and the bracket is fixedly attached to a chassis of the RV using at least two bolts passing through at least two through holes of the plurality of through holes.