Vehicle Steering Gear Backup for Belt Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power-assisted steering systems in vehicles often experience belt failure due to wear, tear, or disengagement, leading to loss of steering control and potential damage to the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an idler gear as a redundant power transfer mechanism between the motor and actuator to maintain steering control when the belt fails, with the gear being loosely meshed with other gears to minimize friction and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a belt is used to transfer torque between motor and actuator, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the reliability deteriorates due to wear, tear, and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
A gear is pre-positioned between the motor and actuator, initially disengaged from the gears. When belt failure occurs, the gear automatically engages to transfer torque, providing a pre-prepared backup mechanism that activates only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear mechanism serves as a pre-established safety cushion against belt failure. By having the gear ready in position but disengaged during normal operation, the system cushions against the harmful effects of belt breakage without compromising normal operation.
2Reliability
If a gear is added as redundant power transfer mechanism, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear is pre-positioned in the housing between the motor and actuator, ready to engage if needed. This preliminary positioning minimizes the space required and reduces the complexity of engagement mechanisms, as the gear simply needs to move into engagement rather than requiring complex actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear acts as an intermediary backup mechanism that only becomes active when the primary belt mechanism fails. During normal operation, it remains disengaged and does not interfere with the belt's function, thus adding minimal complexity to the overall system.
3Power
If gears are tightly meshed to ensure power transfer, then the power transmission efficiency improves, but noise and friction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gear teeth are designed with selective meshing characteristics: when engaged, they provide sufficient tooth contact for reliable power transfer, but the meshing is not overly tight. This local optimization allows the gear to transmit power effectively when needed while minimizing friction and noise during engagement and disengagement.
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
Ensures continuous steering control and reduces noise, maintaining vehicle safety and passenger comfort even in the event of belt failure.
Implementation Method 1
a belt to transfer torque between the motor and the actuator
Implementation Method 2
a first gear to transfer the torque from the motor to the actuator when the belt does not provide the torque
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture for a steering apparatus for use with vehicles are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing for a vehicle steering system, a motor, an actuator, and a rack disposed in the housing, the motor to provide a torque to the actuator via a belt to translate the rack relative to the housing, and a first gear disposed between the motor and the actuator, the first gear to transfer the torque from the motor to the actuator when the belt does not provide the torque.