Intermediate Steering Shaft Play Compensation Guide Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intermediate steering shafts for motor vehicles face issues with play compensation and torque transmission, particularly in utility vehicles, due to high spring force loading leading to significant play and unsuitability for material loading, and lack durability and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an outer hollow shaft, an inner hollow shaft, and a profiled shaft connected by guide arrangements with concave sections and balls, featuring an elastic element between the guide rail and receiving section to provide continuous play compensation and torque transmission, using a rubber strip for installation and shear load capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a device with balls and elastic elements is used for coupling inner and outer shafts, then the shafts can be displaceable in axial direction, but a large degree of play arises due to large spring travel required for spring force loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs concave guide rails with specific curvature radii (R1 for the guide rail, R2 for the ball) where R1 > R2. This curvature relationship creates a geometric constraint that limits the travel distance of the balls within the elastic elements, thereby reducing play while maintaining axial displacability. The curved surfaces guide the balls along a controlled path, preventing excessive movement that would otherwise occur with linear guides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the guide rail and ball (specifically the curvature radii) to optimize the balance between displacability and play reduction. By carefully selecting R1 and R2 such that R1 > R2, the system achieves a compromise where the balls have enough freedom to allow axial movement but are geometrically constrained to minimize play. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional coupling devices are used, then axial displacement is possible, but the devices are not suitable for utility vehicles due to material loading requirements and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the guide rail component: it serves as both a guiding element for axial displacement and as a structural element that can withstand material loading in utility vehicles. The guide rail's concave geometry provides both the necessary movement guidance and the structural strength required for heavy-duty applications, eliminating the need for separate coupling devices that would compromise durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide arrangement is designed to be universally applicable across different vehicle types including utility vehicles. The same guide rail and ball mechanism provides axial displacability for all applications, while the robust design with proper curvature radii ensures it can handle the higher material loading conditions specific to utility vehicles, making the system multi-functional and adaptable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing intermediate steering shaft designs are used, then relative movements between cab and chassis are accommodated, but play compensation is insufficient and torque transmission is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The concave guide rails with optimized curvature radii create a geometric system that naturally limits ball travel and minimizes play. The curved surfaces ensure that as the shafts displace axially to accommodate relative movements between cab and chassis, the balls remain constrained within a controlled range, providing continuous play compensation without compromising the accommodation capability.
4Ease of operation
If conventional guide arrangements are used, then axial displacement is enabled, but friction is high and durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surfaces of the guide rails and balls create a rolling contact mechanism rather than sliding contact. The concave geometry with radii R1 and R2 guides the balls to roll along the curved path, significantly reducing friction compared to conventional linear guides. This curvature-based guidance enables smooth axial displacement with minimal energy loss.
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
This solution achieves effective play compensation and torque transmission with improved durability and reduced friction, suitable for utility vehicles, enhancing the intermediate steering shaft's performance and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element is arranged between the respective guide rail and the receiving section of the profiled shaft, which elastic element is designed to provide play compensation of the guide arrangement
Implementation Method 2
using a rubber strip for installation and shear load capability
Implementation Method 3
in each case a multiplicity of balls arranged between the section of in each case substantially concave form of the outer hollow shaft and the guide rail of in each case substantially concave form
Data Source
AI summary
An intermediate steering shaft for a motor vehicle includes an outer hollow shaft, an inner hollow shaft that is arranged at least partially in the outer hollow shaft, and a profile shaft that is arranged in the outer hollow shaft and connects the outer hollow shaft and the inner hollow shaft to one another. The intermediate steering shaft also includes a plurality of guide arrangements that guide the profile shaft in the outer hollow shaft for displacing the profile shaft and the inner hollow shaft. An elastic element is arranged between a respective guide rail and a receiving section of the profile shaft. The elastic element is configured to provide play compensation for the respective guide arrangement and to transmit a torque that acts from the outer hollow shaft on the guide arrangement to the profile shaft.