Intermediate Steering Shaft Play Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intermediate steering shafts for motor vehicles face challenges in play compensation and durability, particularly in heavy goods vehicles, due to high spring force requirements leading to significant play and material loading issues.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate steering shaft design featuring a profiled shaft connected by guide arrangements with concave sections and elastic elements, allowing continuous play compensation without separate adjustment, enhanced durability, and reduced friction, along with a ball cage for secure ball placement, ensuring effective play compensation and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a relatively large spring force is used to position and hold the balls between the roller track and the axial groove, then the balls are securely held in position, but a relatively large degree of play of the balls in the roller track arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary elastic element (rubber ring or spring) between the guide rail and the ball cage. This intermediary component mediates the force transmission to the balls, allowing them to be held securely without direct rigid contact that would cause play. The elastic element deforms to accommodate the balls while maintaining positioning force, thus resolving the contradiction between secure holding and play minimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the positioning mechanism from rigid to elastic by using an elastic element. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to variations in ball position and maintain consistent positioning force without creating play. The elastic properties enable the system to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and wear while maintaining reliable ball positioning.
2Reliability
If the elastic element is arranged to exert a preload on the guide arrangement, then continuous play compensation is achieved, but the complexity of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible elastic element (such as a rubber ring) that can be simply fitted onto the profiled shaft. This flexible component provides continuous play compensation through its elastic deformation capabilities without requiring complex mechanical linkages or adjustment mechanisms. The simplicity of the elastic element design contrasts with traditional rigid play compensation mechanisms, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining continuous compensation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element automatically adjusts to compensate for play in the guide arrangement without requiring external adjustment mechanisms. The preload exerted by the elastic element self-regulates based on the relative positions of the guide rail and ball cage, providing continuous play compensation that adapts to wear and operational conditions without manual intervention or complex control systems.
3Reliability
If the elastic element is arranged at least partially in a recess formed in the receiving section of the profiled shaft and at least partially in a recess formed in the guide rail, then the elastic element is protected and properly positioned, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the elastic element positioning system into separate recesses in the profiled shaft and guide rail. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, and the elastic element accommodates the cumulative tolerances through its elastic properties. Rather than requiring a single precision-machined housing, the segmented approach with elastic compensation achieves reliable positioning with more achievable manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the elastic element to compensate for dimensional variations in the recesses. The elastic deformation capability allows the system to accommodate tolerances in recess dimensions while maintaining proper elastic element positioning and functionality. This parameter change from rigid to elastic positioning reduces the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements.
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 provides continuous play compensation, improved durability, reduced friction, and increased stability, making it suitable for heavy goods vehicles without the need for separate assembly adjustments, while maintaining low resistance and effective vibration damping.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element which is arranged between the first guide rail and the receiving section of the profiled shaft and between the second guide rail and the receiving section of the profiled shaft, wherein the elastic element is arranged at least partially in a first recess formed in the receiving section of the profiled shaft and at least partially in a recess and the second guide rail, and is designed to exert a preload on the respective guide arrangement
Implementation Method 2
a multiplicity of balls which are arranged in a cavity formed between the section of substantially concave form of the outer hollow shaft, the first guide rail and the second guide rail
Data Source
AI summary
An intermediate steering shaft for a motor vehicle includes an elastic element arranged and formed (i) at least partially in a first recess and second recess formed in a receiving section of a profile shaft, and (ii) at least partially in a recess formed in a first guide rail and a recess formed in a second guide rail, in order to apply a pretension to a respective guide arrangement.