Steering Gear Adapter Kit for Electric Motor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to develop solutions for more easily integrating electric motors into hydraulic steering systems of vehicles to enhance steering control and performance.
Innovation Solution
A kit comprising a housing with adapter assemblies and brackets is used to connect the output shaft of an electric motor to the input shaft of a steering gear, facilitating the integration of the electric motor into the hydraulic steering system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an electric motor is integrated into a hydraulic steering system, then steering control and performance are enhanced, but the complexity of integrating the motor into the existing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an adapter assembly as an intermediary component that bridges the electric motor and steering gear. This adapter includes a motor mounting portion that couples to the electric motor and a steering gear mounting portion that couples to the steering gear, thereby mediating the integration between these two components and reducing the overall integration complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integration system is segmented into distinct modular components: the electric motor, the adapter assembly (with motor mounting portion and steering gear mounting portion), and the steering gear. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, manufactured, and installed, thereby reducing the complexity of integrating them into the existing hydraulic steering system
2Ease of operation
If the electric motor is positioned between the steering shaft and steering gear, then steering operations are facilitated, but the structural complexity of the steering system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it mounts the electric motor, couples the motor output to the steering gear, and maintains the structural integrity of the steering system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity while still facilitating improved steering operations
Data Source
AI summary
A kit for connecting an output shaft of an electric motor to an input shaft of a steering gear of a steering system includes: a housing including: a central section having a first central section end and a second central section end, the central section defining an adapter assembly passage extending in a longitudinal direction between the first central section end and the second central section end, an electric motor bracket disposed on the first central section end, and a steering gear bracket disposed on the second central section end; and an adapter assembly having a first adapter assembly end and a second adapter assembly end. The adapter assembly is disposable in the adapter assembly passage such that the first adapter assembly end is connectable to the output shaft and the second adapter assembly end is connectable to the input shaft.