Steering Rack Friction Sensing for Early Water Ingress Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices lack an effective and cost-efficient method to detect the ingress of water, which can lead to damage, increased wear, and premature failure, often only detected after significant damage has occurred.
Innovation Solution
A friction installation on the rack of the steering device reacts to water ingress by increasing friction, which is detected by existing sensors, allowing early identification of water ingress through predefined friction changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrical sensor installation is used to detect water ingress, then detection capability is provided, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electrical sensor installations with a simple mechanical friction-based detection system. A friction element is positioned to contact the rack, and water ingress increases friction between them. This mechanical friction change is detected by existing sensors already present in the steering device, eliminating the need for separate water detection sensors and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction element serves dual purposes: it acts as both the water detection mechanism and utilizes the existing motion of the rack during normal steering operation. The system uses the rack's own movement to activate the detection mechanism, eliminating the need for separate actuation systems or additional energy input specifically for detection.
2Measurement precision
If complex detection installations are implemented, then detection precision improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple mechanical friction element that leverages natural physical principles rather than complex electronic sensors. This approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable detection capability through the straightforward mechanism of friction increase upon water contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection mechanism relies on changes in friction parameters caused by water ingress. The friction element is designed to exhibit measurable friction changes when water is present, allowing detection through parameter variation rather than complex measurement systems.
3Device complexity
If no detection installation is used, then device complexity remains low, but reliability deteriorates due to undetected water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The friction element provides continuous feedback about the presence of water through friction changes during rack movement. Existing sensors monitor these friction variations and can trigger alerts or warnings to the driver, enabling timely response to water ingress while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
By using mechanical friction changes detectable by existing sensors, the system achieves reliable water ingress detection without adding complex electronic detection installations, thus maintaining low device complexity while improving reliability.
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
Enables reliable and cost-effective detection of water ingress, preventing extensive damage by alerting users to potential issues before significant failure occurs.
Implementation Method 1
A friction installation (14) is provided which reacts to an ingress of water and upon reacting to the ingress of water causes an increase in friction in the event of a movement of the rack
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a steering device for steering a vehicle, having a housing and having a rack. The rack is movable in the longitudinal direction of the rack and in relation to the housing. The rack has a detection installation for detecting an ingress of water. In order to be able to detect an ingress of water at an early stage, in a reliable manner and/or by an ideally cost-effective detection installation. The steering device includes that the detection installation has at least one friction installation which reacts to an ingress of water. The friction installation, upon reacting to the ingress of water and in the event of a movement of the rack, causing an increase in friction.