Steering Shaft Assembly With Roller Elements for Angular Lash
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering shaft assemblies face challenges in accommodating angular lash and axial movement variations between shaft assemblies, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential mechanical failures during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A steering shaft assembly design featuring a first member with a spline and a roller element assembly between the first member and a second member, allowing for axial movement and dynamic adjustment to accommodate installation variations and operational dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the intermediate steering shaft is made rigid to ensure stable operation, then operational stability is improved, but it cannot accommodate angular lash and axial movement variations between shaft assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate steering shaft incorporates a universal joint assembly that enables dynamic adjustment of the shaft's angular position and axial location. This allows the shaft to adapt to variations in angular lash and axial movement between shaft assemblies while maintaining stable operation, directly resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the steering shaft assembly is designed with fixed dimensions to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but it cannot accommodate installation variations between different vehicle configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The universal joint assembly provides adjustable angular and axial positions, enabling the steering shaft to accommodate different installation configurations without requiring custom-manufactured components. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving adaptability to installation variations.
3Measurement precision
If the steering shaft is designed with adjustment mechanisms to compensate for angular lash, then operational precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal joint assembly provides dynamic adjustment capability for angular lash compensation through its movable configuration. This achieves operational precision while keeping the adjustment mechanism integrated into the shaft assembly, minimizing additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering shaft assembly includes a first member and a second member, each having an inner surface and an outer surface, and each extending between a first end and a second end, the first member first end arranged to be received within the second member such that the second member inner surface is disposed about a portion of the first member outer surface. The assembly further includes a shaft extending from a third member, the shaft extending into the first member second end along the axis. The assembly yet further includes a roller element assembly disposed between the first member outer surface and the second member inner surface. The assembly also includes a pin extending through an opening of the second member, an opening of the first member, and an opening of the roller element assembly.