Steering Shaft Assembly With Splined Axial Lash Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steering assemblies face challenges in accommodating angular lash and axial adjustments between intermediate and upper/lower shaft assemblies, requiring innovative solutions for dynamic movement and installation variations.
Innovation Solution
A steering shaft assembly design featuring a first member with a spline and roller element assembly, allowing axial adjustment and dynamic movement, with a shaft extending into the first member and a second member with splines for meshing engagement, enabling precise alignment and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the intermediate steering shaft is made axially adjustable to accommodate installation variations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The steering shaft assembly incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through splined interfaces that allow axial movement and positioning. The first and second shaft assemblies can move axially relative to each other along the steering shaft while maintaining rotational coupling, enabling the system to adapt to installation variations without complex locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering shaft is divided into multiple independent shaft assemblies (first shaft assembly, intermediate steering shaft, second shaft assembly) that can be adjusted and positioned independently. Each shaft assembly features splined sections that allow relative axial movement, enabling modular adjustment to accommodate installation variations.
2Reliability
If features are added to compensate for angular lash between shaft assemblies, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional compensating mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The splined interfaces between shaft assemblies allow dynamic angular adjustment and lash compensation. The splines enable the shafts to move angularly relative to each other while maintaining mechanical coupling, automatically compensating for angular lash without requiring separate compensating mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The splined shaft interfaces serve multiple functions simultaneously: they transmit rotational motion, allow axial adjustment, and compensate for angular lash. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the steering shaft assembly allows dynamic movement and axial adjustment, then the adaptability is improved, but the stability deteriorates due to potential play or looseness
Solution Approach 1:
The steering shaft assembly incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through splined interfaces that allow axial movement and positioning. The first and second shaft assemblies can move axially relative to each other along the steering shaft while maintaining rotational coupling, enabling the system to adapt to installation variations without complex locking mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering shaft assembly includes a first member having a first member inner surface and a first member outer surface. Each surface extending between a first member first end and a first member second end along an axis. A second member having a second member inner surface and a second member outer surface. Each surface extending between a second member first end and a second member second end along the axis. 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. Also included is a shaft extending from a third member. The shaft extending into the first member second end along the axis.