Steering Serration Connection for Fast Steering Wheel Realignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing and assembly of steering assemblies in automotive vehicles often result in misalignment of the steering wheel and column, leading to inconvenient and time-consuming correction procedures, especially when adjustment devices are faulty or rusted, requiring disassembly of the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A serration connection system using a steering wheel with gear teeth and gaps filled with a removable polymeric resin, which allows for precise alignment and easy correction of misalignment by shifting the steering wheel, eliminating the need for adjusting wheel devices or full vehicle disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional assembly methods are used without alignment aids, then the assembly process allows operator flexibility, but misalignment errors occur and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-filling specific tooth gaps with removable material during manufacturing, creating built-in alignment aids that guide the steering wheel to its correct angular position during assembly. This eliminates the need for operators to perform time-consuming alignment adjustments on the production line, as the alignment is already prepared in advance.
2Ease of operation
If adjustment devices at the wheels are used to correct misalignment, then alignment can be corrected, but the procedure is time-consuming and requires operator intervention for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment correction function from the wheel adjustment devices and relocates it to the steering wheel assembly itself. By incorporating removable filling material directly in the tooth gaps of the steering wheel bearing, the alignment correction capability is built into the steering wheel, eliminating the need to use separate wheel adjustment devices and reducing correction time significantly.
3Ease of repair
If the vehicle must be disassembled to correct misalignment when wheel adjustment devices fail, then the problem can be solved, but the repair procedure becomes heavy and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the steering wheel for future repair needs by pre-installing removable filling material in the tooth gaps. This preliminary action ensures that when misalignment occurs or wheel adjustment devices fail, the repair can be performed by simply removing and repositioning the steering wheel with the aid of the remaining unfilled tooth gaps, eliminating the need for heavy vehicle disassembly.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tooth gaps are filled to provide alignment options, then alignment flexibility increases, but the complexity of the filling process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tooth gaps into two distinct groups: filled gaps that provide alignment positioning and unfilled gaps that remain for future correction operations. This segmentation allows multiple alignment positions to be available during assembly while maintaining simplicity in the filling process, as only specific gaps need to be filled with removable material rather than all gaps.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering assembly including a serration connection for an automotive vehicle comprising a steering wheel comprising at least one wheel bearing having at least one connection part presenting gear teeth and gear teeth gaps and a steering column comprising a column bearing having at least one connection part presenting gear teeth and gear teeth gaps; the respective gear teeth and gear teeth gaps of the wheel bearing and of the column bearing being intended to cooperate together to connect in transmission the steering wheel and the steering column; and wherein at least one tooth gap of the wheel bearing is at least partially filled with a removable filling material; the corresponding area of the column bearing, respectively, facing the at least partially filled tooth gap, comprises at least one recess, and such arrangement is the initial position of the wheel bearing.