Integrated Steering Wheel Ring Assembly for Removable Drive Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current assisted steering systems face issues with misalignment and inefficiency, particularly when transferring between vehicles, as they either suffer from noise and performance reduction due to separate components or require the entire steering wheel to be removed, leading to time-consuming installations and productivity losses.
Innovation Solution
A unified ring assembly integrated with the steering wheel, featuring an inner ring, ring gear, and gear cover, allows for a removable drive unit that can be easily transferred between vehicles without disassembling the steering wheel, ensuring proper alignment and maintaining vehicle operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a two-piece component is used to attach underneath the steering wheel, then the removable drive unit can be transferred between vehicles, but misalignment occurs creating excess noise and reducing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ring assembly with the steering wheel into a single integrated unit. The ring assembly includes an outer ring that is permanently attached to the steering wheel, eliminating the need for separate mounting components. This integration ensures precise alignment between the steering wheel and the removable drive unit, preventing misalignment issues while maintaining the ability to transfer the drive unit between vehicles.
2Reliability
If the drive unit is incorporated into the steering wheel, then alignment issues are eliminated, but the entire steering wheel must be removed to transfer the system between vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the steering system into three distinct components: the steering wheel with integrated ring assembly, the removable drive unit, and the mounting interface. This segmentation allows the ring assembly to remain permanently integrated with the steering wheel for alignment stability, while the drive unit can be independently removed and transferred between vehicles without affecting the steering wheel, thus reducing installation time.
3Reliability
If the entire steering wheel is removed to transfer the assisted steering system, then proper alignment is maintained, but vehicle operability is lost and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables segmentation of the assisted steering system into a permanent ring assembly integrated with the steering wheel and a removable drive unit. This allows the drive unit to be transferred between vehicles independently, maintaining alignment precision through the integrated ring assembly while keeping the steering wheel and vehicle operational during transfer operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Described therein is an improved assisted steering system includes a built-in/integrated ring on the steering wheel, for use with a mobile/removable drive unit. In various implementations, the built-in/integrated ring is non-removeable, such that issues with misalignment do not occur from installation error or during use. Further, because the drive unit is mobile/removable, the drive unit may be moved between vehicles without removing the steering wheel. In various implementations, the assisted steering system may be used by multiple vehicles simply by installing the steering wheel with integrated ring in each vehicle desired to have assisted steering and installing the drive unit in the vehicle desired to be driven at that time. Further because the steering wheel is not removed when moving the drive unit, the vehicle remains operational and drivable by manual steering.