Steering Column Anti-Rotation Assembly Using Friction Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

In autonomously driven vehicles, a rotating driver interface can cause confusion, inconvenience, or harm due to inadvertent rotation from vibration, friction, and gravitational imbalance, and existing mechanical interlocks require specific angular positions for locking, making engagement and disengagement difficult.

Innovation Solution

A steering column assembly with an anti-rotation assembly that uses a friction shoe or disk to maintain the steering wheel in a stationary position through frictional contact, allowing decoupling without requiring specific radial orientation, and can be engaged or disengaged with minimal force, using an actuator or friction pad for autonomous driving modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical interlocks are used to prevent rotation of the steering wheel, then the steering wheel can be locked in specific angular positions, but the steering wheel must be precisely aligned with specific angular positions to engage the locking mechanism, making engagement and disengagement difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of steering wheel rotationVSAvoidengagement and disengagement of locking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical interlock system with a friction-based locking mechanism. Instead of using interlocking teeth or lugs that require precise angular alignment, the system uses a friction shoe pressed against the steering shaft by a spring and actuator assembly. This friction-based approach eliminates the need for precise angular positioning while maintaining reliable rotation prevention during autonomous driving modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the locking parameter from discrete angular positions to continuous frictional contact. The friction shoe can engage with the steering shaft at any angular position by applying radial pressure, transforming the locking mechanism from a position-dependent system to a force-dependent system. This allows the steering wheel to be locked in any orientation without requiring precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the steering wheel is decoupled from the steering actuator for autonomous driving, then the driver interface can be separated from the actuator, but the steering wheel may rotate inadvertently due to vibration, friction, and gravitational imbalance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoupling of driver interface from actuatorVSAvoidposition stability of steering wheel

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a friction shoe as an intermediary element between the steering shaft and the external environment. This friction shoe acts as a mediator that provides rotational resistance to the decoupled steering wheel, counteracting the effects of vibration, friction, and gravitational imbalance. The spring-loaded actuator assembly applies continuous radial force through the friction shoe, stabilizing the steering wheel's position without requiring mechanical coupling to the actuator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If friction-based locking is used instead of mechanical interlocks, then engagement and disengagement become easier without requiring specific angular positions, but the locking mechanism must maintain sufficient friction force to prevent rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengagement and disengagement of locking mechanismVSAvoidfriction force required to prevent rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a spring-loaded actuator assembly to apply radial force through the friction shoe, creating a counterbalancing friction force that opposes rotational tendencies. The spring mechanism provides continuous adaptive pressure, automatically adjusting the friction force to match the load requirements. This allows the system to maintain sufficient locking force while enabling easy engagement and disengagement through minimal actuator movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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

Prevents inadvertent rotation of the steering wheel, reducing driver confusion and harm, and facilitates easy engagement and disengagement of the anti-rotation mechanism, ensuring the steering wheel remains stationary during autonomous driving without the need for precise alignment.

Implementation Method 1

A steering column assembly with an anti-rotation assembly that uses a friction shoe or disk to maintain the steering wheel in a stationary position through frictional contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11267501B2Steering device anti-rotation assembly

Publication Date: 2022.03.08 STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORP

AI summary

A steering column assembly includes a steering shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, the steering shaft and the steering device having corresponding rotation with each other. Also included is an anti-rotation assembly selectively engaged with a surface of the steering shaft to maintain the steering shaft and the steering device in a stationary condition when the steering shaft is rotationally decoupled from road wheels operatively coupled to the steering shaft.