Steering Shaft Elastic Boot Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering shafts for motor vehicles face issues with dirt and moisture ingress while also experiencing pressure differences and noise due to telescoping movements, which affect displacement force and noise levels.
Innovation Solution
A steering shaft design featuring an elastic boot arranged within the shaft, which equalizes air pressure changes during telescoping by adjusting its volume and maintains closure against environmental influences, eliminating the need for additional installation space and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the inner shaft is closed off with respect to the outer shaft and the interior space of the inner shaft is closed off by a plug, then protection against dirt and moisture ingress is improved, but pressure differences are generated during telescoping movement leading to increased noise and non-homogeneous displacement force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastic membrane (flexible film) that separates the interior space of the inner shaft from the outer region while allowing pressure equalization. This flexible membrane can deform to accommodate pressure changes during telescoping movement, preventing the generation of disruptive pressure differences and noise while maintaining protection against dirt and moisture ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic membrane acts as an intermediary element between the sealed interior space and the external environment. It mediates the pressure changes that occur during telescoping by deforming elastically, thereby preventing direct pressure differential buildup that would cause noise and non-homogeneous displacement force, while still maintaining the seal against contaminants.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the inner shaft is completely sealed with a plug, then protection against environmental influences is improved, but installation space requirements increase due to the need for additional sealing components
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic membrane serves as a space-efficient sealing solution that integrates within the existing shaft structure. Unlike rigid plugs that require additional installation space and complex assembly, the flexible membrane can be stretched and secured in place using minimal additional components, reducing overall device complexity and installation space requirements while providing effective sealing against environmental influences.
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
The solution effectively protects against dirt and moisture ingress, maintains homogeneous displacement force, and reduces noise by equalizing pressure changes within the shaft, ensuring a secure and efficient telescoping mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic boot (32) is connected to the inner shaft (5) or the outer shaft (2)... the air pressure changes which occur in the case of the adjustment of the length of the steering shaft in the axial direction are equalized by way of a corresponding volume change of the boot
Data Source
AI summary
A steering shaft for a motor vehicle may include a hollow outer shaft and an inner shaft. The hollow outer shaft may receive the inner shaft in a torque-transmitting manner and in an axially displaceable manner. An elastic boot may be connected to the inner shaft or the outer shaft. The steering shaft is protected against ingress of dirt and moisture and at the same time has a homogeneous displacement force and can be adjusted with low noise. The boot may be arranged at least partially within the steering shaft and may have a free end with a closed configuration.