Steering Shaft Retention for Vertical-Free Gear Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of vehicle steering systems is complex and costly due to the need for vertical motion to couple the steering gear to the universal joint, requiring additional assembly line space and complicating the process.
Innovation Solution
The use of features such as a pin and slot bayonet coupling, tapered diameters, flanges, removable brackets, and elastic bands to retain the steering shaft in a position relative to the dash or floor seal, allowing for lateral and longitudinal decking of the steering gear, simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If vertical motion is used to couple the steering gear to the universal joint, then the steering system can be assembled, but the assembly process becomes complex and requires additional assembly line space
Solution Approach 1:
The steering shaft is preliminarily retained in a retracted position within the seal using retention features (such as a pin and slot bayonet coupling, tapered diameters, flanges, removable brackets, or elastic bands) before the steering gear is assembled. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for vertical motion during assembly, as the shaft is already in the correct position to receive the steering gear laterally and longitudinally.
2Productivity
If vertical motion is required for coupling, then the steering gear can be assembled, but assembly line space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering shaft is preliminarily positioned in the retracted position within the seal using retention features, which eliminates the need for vertical motion during assembly. This allows the steering gear to be coupled laterally and longitudinally in a compact arrangement, significantly reducing the assembly line space required while maintaining assembly productivity.
3Device complexity
If the steering shaft is retained in a retracted position, then assembly complexity is reduced, but the steering shaft must be released to the assembled position
Solution Approach 1:
The retention features are designed to be dynamically changeable from a retained state to a released state. The retention features (pin and slot bayonet coupling, tapered diameters, flanges, removable brackets, or elastic bands) can be easily engaged to hold the shaft in the retracted position during assembly, and then disengaged to allow the shaft to move to the assembled position, providing flexibility in the manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed for retaining a steering shaft are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a seal, a steering shaft extending through the seal, and means for retaining the steering shaft in a retained position relative to the seal, the means for retaining configured to be release the steering shaft to an assembled position.