Steering Robot Vertical Support Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering robots for automated vehicle steering face challenges in flexible installation across different vehicles, requiring compact design and stable anchoring without obstructing the driver's view or space, while also enabling precise and reproducible trajectory control.
Innovation Solution
A steering robot with a drive unit positioned directly below the steering wheel, using a support device that directs forces downwards radially to the axis of rotation, avoiding lateral offsets and thus minimizing space usage and ensuring clear visibility, with a base plate that can be attached to seat rails for secure anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive unit is anchored in a fixed position using a support device with lateral offset to the steering wheel, then the motor can be supported against reaction torques, but the device occupies more space and may obstruct the driver's view
Solution Approach 1:
The support device transitions from lateral support (horizontal dimension) to vertical support (vertical dimension). The support element is arranged to extend vertically downward from the steering wheel area to the base plate, utilizing the vertical space within the vehicle cabin rather than lateral space, thereby reducing obstruction to the driver's view and minimizing device volume while maintaining stable anchoring
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of supporting the drive unit from the side or above, the invention inverts the support direction to be from below, with the support element extending downward from the steering wheel area to the base plate. This inverted vertical support configuration achieves stable anchoring while minimizing space occupation and visual obstruction
2Volume of moving object
If the drive unit is positioned close to the steering wheel for compact design, then space efficiency is improved, but the reaction torques must be directed vertically downward requiring precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is designed to be attachable to universal seat rails that are standard in vehicles, providing a consistent mounting interface across different vehicle types. This universality simplifies the support device design by establishing a fixed reference plane, reducing the complexity of alignment precision requirements while maintaining compact drive unit positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is designed with adjustable parameters including length and angular orientation, allowing it to be adapted to different vehicle configurations and steering wheel positions. This adjustability compensates for variations in mounting conditions, reducing the need for high precision alignment while achieving compact and effective drive unit positioning
3Reliability
If a linkage with multiple rods is used to direct forces away from the steering wheel area, then the drive unit can be supported, but the linkage takes up more space and complicates the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex multi-rod linkage structure from the support device. Instead of using multiple rods to transmit forces away from the steering wheel area, the solution uses a single vertical support element that directly transmits reaction torques downward to the base plate, which is then anchored to the vehicle chassis, thereby simplifying the structure while maintaining reliable force transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is segmented into distinct functional components: a vertical support element for force transmission, a base plate for anchoring, and mounting interfaces for the drive unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving reliable force transmission to the chassis with minimal structural complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A steering robot for the automated operation of a vehicle's steering wheel comprises a drive unit, which includes a housing, a motor supported within the housing, and a coupling device for transmitting drive torque from the motor to the steering wheel, as well as a support device designed to anchor the drive unit housing in a fixed position within the vehicle. The support device is designed to support the drive unit housing, at least substantially, from below.