Steering Gear Shell Wedge Structure for Crash Force Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front-mounted trapezoidal steering gear layouts in vehicles fail to meet crash protection requirements due to significant rearward transmission of collision forces, posing a risk of occupant injury.
Innovation Solution
A steering gear housing with wedge blocks and enhanced mounting points that redirect collision forces, combined with a front subframe design that allows the main body to move with fractured longitudinal beams, and includes features like ball screw assemblies and electric motors for improved stability and practicality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a front-mounted trapezoidal steering gear layout is used, then the steering gear can provide substantial steering assistance (rack force > 16 kN), but collision forces are transmitted entirely rearward, creating a risk of occupant injury and failing to meet crash protection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The steering gear housing is segmented into multiple components including a main body, first housing mounting base, second housing mounting base, and wedge blocks. This segmentation allows different parts to perform specialized functions: the main body provides structural support for power transmission, while the wedge blocks specifically manage collision force direction. The segmented design enables the system to simultaneously achieve high steering assistance force and improved crash protection by distributing functions across separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge blocks serve as intermediary elements between the housing mounting bases and the external environment. When collision occurs, the wedge blocks intercept and redirect the collision forces, preventing direct rearward transmission to the occupant compartment. The inclined surfaces of the wedge blocks act as mediators that transform the direction of force transmission from purely rearward to upward and rearward, thereby protecting occupants while maintaining the structural integrity needed for steering assistance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the steering gear housing is designed with enhanced mounting stability, then the connection between the main body and longitudinal beams is strengthened, but the device complexity increases due to multiple housing mounting bases and mounting points
Solution Approach 1:
The housing mounting bases are merged with the main body to form an integrated housing structure. The first and second housing mounting bases are positioned at different locations on the main body, creating a distributed mounting system that enhances stability without requiring completely separate mounting components. This merging approach allows the housing itself to serve as the mounting structure, reducing the need for additional complex fastening mechanisms while maintaining strong connections to the longitudinal beams through multiple mounting points.
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
Reduces rearward transmission of collision forces, enhancing occupant safety and meeting crash protection requirements by changing the direction of force transmission, while maintaining structural integrity and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a wedge block is fixedly arranged on a side of each housing mounting base facing a front crossbeam, and an upper end surface of the wedge block inclines upwards from front to rear
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6
AI summary
Disclosed is a steering gear shell, comprising a main body (1). Both ends of the main body are provided with shell mounting seats (11), wedges (10) are fixedly arranged on the sides of the shell mounting seats facing a front cross beam (31), and the upper end surfaces of the wedges incline upwards from front to back. The steering gear shell can change the transmission direction of the collision force, thereby reducing the injury to a person caused by collision. Also disclosed are an automobile steering gear comprising the steering gear shell, a front subframe, and an automobile.