Vehicle Steering Intermediate Shaft Foreign Matter Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional intermediate shafts in vehicle steering apparatuses are prone to deformation and damage due to the introduction of foreign matter like moisture, dust, and oil during transportation and operation, leading to potential safety hazards and poor steering performance.

Innovation Solution

An intermediate shaft design featuring a hollow outer member fixed to the vehicle body, an inner member connected through universal joints, and an introduction prevention member at the end of the outer member to prevent foreign matter from entering, utilizing materials with wear resistance, anti-friction properties, and specific structural features like through-holes and a discharge slot to expel foreign substances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the intermediate shaft is left open without protection, then it is easy to manufacture and assemble, but foreign matter enters the shaft causing component deformation and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against foreign matterVSAvoidstructure of intermediate shaft

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a protective cover (outer member) that encloses the intermediate shaft, creating a sealed environment that prevents foreign matter entry while maintaining structural integrity. This shell structure provides protection without significantly complicating the overall design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary protective structure between the external environment and the intermediate shaft components. This mediator (protective cover with sealing elements) blocks foreign matter while allowing the shaft to function normally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the intermediate shaft is sealed completely, then foreign matter is prevented from entering, but manufacturing and assembly become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against foreign matterVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be assembled separately and then joined together. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of individual parts and simpler assembly procedures while maintaining the sealed environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Sealing elements and protective features are pre-installed or pre-positioned on components before final assembly. This preliminary action ensures proper sealing is achieved without requiring complex assembly procedures or specialized equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8974310B2Intermediate shaft of vehicle steering apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 HL MANDO CORP

AI summary

An intermediate shaft of a vehicle steering apparatus can prevent foreign matter, for example, moisture, dust or oil, from being introduced into the intermediate shaft even from a process of transporting the intermediate shaft to assemble it to a vehicle, and even when the intermediate shaft is assembled to the vehicle and the vehicle is driven. As a result, it is possible to prevent a component of the intermediate shaft from being deformed or damaged.