Compact Steering Cylinder Joint for Reduced Outside Diameter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional steering assemblies for work vehicles are bulky due to the need for an intermediate housing to support joint assemblies, which increases the outside diameter of the steering cylinder and limits space for other essential components and features.
Innovation Solution
The steering assembly incorporates a bearing pocket directly within the connection portion of the steering cylinder, eliminating the need for an intermediate housing, and uses a seal pocket, internally threaded portion, and cup races to secure the ball portion, allowing for a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an intermediate housing is used to support the joint assembly, then the structural integrity and reliability are improved, but the outside diameter of the steering cylinder increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portion is designed to integrate multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the bearing pocket, and directly supports the joint assembly without requiring a separate intermediate housing. This merging of functions reduces the overall outside diameter while maintaining structural integrity through the unified design of the connection portion.
2Volume of moving object
If the outside diameter of the steering cylinder is reduced, then space for other components is freed up, but the structural robustness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portion features locally optimized structures including a bearing pocket with cup races positioned at critical load-bearing locations. The internally threaded portion and seal pocket are strategically placed to provide localized reinforcement and sealing without requiring an increase in overall diameter. This local quality approach maintains robustness in high-stress areas while keeping the overall size compact.
3Device complexity
If an intermediate housing is eliminated, then the device complexity is reduced, but the difficulty of securing the ball portion may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portion is segmented into distinct functional zones: the bearing pocket for radial support, the internally threaded portion for axial retention, and the seal pocket for contamination prevention. This segmentation allows each feature to be independently optimized and manufactured, then assembled together. The ball portion is secured through the coordinated action of these segmented features rather than a single complex housing.
Data Source
AI summary
A work vehicle includes a chassis defining a longitudinal axis, a prime mover configured to move the chassis in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and a steering assembly configured to pivot a wheel relative to the chassis. The steering assembly includes a knuckle coupled to the wheel, a tie rod coupled to the knuckle and having a ball portion, a steering cylinder, and a joint assembly. The steering cylinder is slidably coupled to the chassis and configured to translate relative to the chassis along a cylinder axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The steering cylinder includes a connection portion having an inner circumferential surface that partially defines a bearing pocket. The joint assembly couples the ball portion to the connection portion and includes a bearing race that is received into the bearing pocket in direct contact with the inner circumferential surface. The bearing race receives the ball portion.