Steering Rack Coupling Interface for Manipulator Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle steering systems, particularly rack and pinion mechanisms, lack a generic interface for coupling with manipulators, leading to complex and time-consuming assembly processes, increased risk of accidents, and potential damage to components during handling and installation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a generic coupling interface on the rack and pinion mechanism with protrusions and through holes aligned in specific directions to facilitate easy coupling with a manipulator, allowing for simplified and standardized manipulation and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a new manipulator is designed for each steering system model, then the manipulator can be adapted to specific model particularities, but the device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized coupling interface on the rack mechanism that can be used across different steering system models. This interface includes protrusions with through-holes that accept coupling shafts from manipulators, allowing a single manipulator design to handle multiple steering system variants without requiring model-specific customization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a new manipulator is designed for each steering system model, then the manipulator can be adapted to specific model particularities, but the assembly time and production efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized coupling interface enables rapid assembly by allowing the same manipulator to be used across different steering system models. The interface features protrusions with through-holes that align with coupling shafts, enabling quick attachment and detachment without time-consuming customization or reconfiguration for each model.
3Ease of operation
If technicians carry steering systems by hand, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but ergonomic problems and accident risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a manipulator as an intermediary device between the technician and the steering system. The manipulator couples to the rack mechanism through the standardized interface and provides ergonomic handling, lifting, and positioning capabilities, eliminating the need for technicians to manually carry heavy steering systems while maintaining assembly flexibility.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
A rack mechanism (MD) of a vehicle steering system (SD) comprises a casing (CM), on the one hand housing at least part of a mechanism that controls the pivoting of wheels of the system (SD) and, on the other hand, comprising on an external face (FE) at least two protrusions (PR) each equipped with a through-hole (TT) defined in a chosen direction and able to allow through a coupling pin of a rack manipulator.