Steering Device Gas Spring Mounting for Cargo Vehicle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices for cargo handling vehicles face challenges in reducing size to avoid compressing the riding space and enhancing fixing strength to the main vehicle body, while also being prone to oscillation and instability due to the use of multiple universal joints and unsuitable placement of components.
Innovation Solution
A steering device connected to the cowl of a main vehicle body, featuring a universal joint that allows the upper shaft to swing around a horizontal axis, a column tube covering the upper shaft, and a lock function assigned gas spring that supports the upper shaft via the column tube, along with a tilt lock release lever and a valve device for hydraulic oil supply, all designed to reduce size and increase stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a spring is disposed on the back side of the upper shaft and extended in the front-rear direction to support the upper shaft, then the steering device can provide lifting function, but the steering device size cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring is repositioned from the back side of the upper shaft to the lower shaft area, changing its spatial arrangement from longitudinal (front-rear direction) to a position where it can support the upper shaft while occupying minimal space in the riding area. This dimensional repositioning allows the lifting function to be maintained while reducing the overall steering device footprint.
2Strength
If brackets for connection to the main vehicle body are provided at two positions (upper and lower end portions) of the column tube, then the fixing strength can be increased, but the steering device size cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cowl backing bracket integrates multiple functions: it connects the column tube to the cowl (providing fixing strength), supports the gas spring, and serves as a structural element that eliminates the need for separate brackets at upper and lower positions. This merging of functions maintains the required fixing strength while reducing the number of components and overall device size.
3Ease of operation
If two universal joints are used to connect the upper shaft with the lower shaft, then the steering device can provide steering function, but the steering device becomes unstable and oscillates easily
Solution Approach 1:
One universal joint is removed from the system, reducing the number of universal joints from two to one. The remaining universal joint maintains the necessary steering function by allowing the upper shaft to swing relative to the lower shaft, while the reduction in universal joint count eliminates the oscillation and instability issues caused by having two universal joints.
4Power
If the spring is disposed on the back side of the upper shaft, then the lifting function can be provided, but the riding space is compressed
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring is relocated from the back side of the upper shaft (which occupies riding space) to the lower shaft area, positioning it in a dimension that does not interfere with the rider's space. This spatial repositioning maintains the lifting function while preserving the riding space.
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
The solution effectively reduces the steering device's size without compressing the riding space, enhances fixing strength to the main vehicle body, and improves stability by eliminating the need for multiple universal joints and optimizing the placement of components, while allowing for efficient hydraulic steering.
Implementation Method 1
a lock function assigned gas spring that supports the upper shaft via the column tube
Implementation Method 2
a universal joint that connects the upper shaft with the lower shaft and allows the upper shaft to swing with respect to the lower shaft around a predetermined horizontal axis
Implementation Method 3
The valve device may supply hydraulic oil for steering depending on rotation of the steering handle
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo handling vehicle includes a universal joint that allows an upper shaft to swing with respect to a lower shaft around a predetermined horizontal axis, a column tube that covers an outer periphery of the upper shaft, and a lockable gas spring that supports the upper shaft via the column tube. The gas spring is disposed under the column tube and connects a cowl with the column tube. The column tube has a cowl backing bracket that is disposed on a side of the universal joint and connected to the cowl, and the cowl supports the cowl backing bracket swingably around the horizontal axis.