Steering Spindle Plug Connection for Tight Assembly Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering spindle and steering coupling assembly is laborious and time-consuming due to poor accessibility, leading to increased risk of screw slippage and misalignment, especially in tight construction spaces, which complicates the assembly of engine and transmission units.
Innovation Solution
A steering arrangement featuring a fork crown with a connecting element and tongue and groove guide elements for coaxial alignment, along with a clamping device that ensures secure connection and prevents unintended release, allowing for easier assembly and improved torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the steering spindle is screwed in at the bottom with the steering coupling transverse to the steering spindle direction, then the connection is achieved, but the accessibility is poor and the assembly time is large
Solution Approach 1:
The steering spindle is pre-assembled with the steering coupling in a loose state before engine assembly, allowing the engine module to be completed first. The intermediate piece with threadable connection enables later tightening without requiring access during initial engine assembly, thus reducing assembly time while achieving proper connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is divided into segments: the steering spindle, the intermediate piece with threadable connection, and the steering coupling. This segmentation allows the intermediate piece to be independently positioned and threadably connected, improving accessibility and reducing assembly complexity compared to a rigid integrated connection.
2Ease of manufacture
If the steering spindle is screwed in at the bottom with the steering coupling transverse to the steering spindle direction, then the connection is achieved, but the screwing is highly laborious and requires high production safety measures
Solution Approach 1:
The steering spindle is pre-assembled with the steering coupling in a loose state before engine assembly, allowing the engine module to be completed first. The intermediate piece with threadable connection enables later tightening without requiring access during initial engine assembly, thus reducing assembly time while achieving proper connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate piece acts as a mediator between the steering spindle and steering coupling. It provides a threadable connection that can be independently positioned and secured, simplifying the operation compared to direct transverse screwing. The intermediate piece with its extended threadable connection point improves accessibility and reduces the laborious nature of the screwing operation.
3Device complexity
If the steering coupling part is dispensed with and only the steering spindle at the bottom is used, then the assembly is simplified, but the engine start-up in the Z direction during final assembly is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The steering spindle is pre-assembled with the steering coupling in a loose state before engine assembly, allowing the engine module to be completed first. The intermediate piece with threadable connection enables later tightening without requiring access during initial engine assembly, thus reducing assembly time while achieving proper connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is divided into segments: the steering spindle, the intermediate piece with threadable connection, and the steering coupling. This segmentation allows the intermediate piece to be independently positioned and threadably connected, improving accessibility and reducing assembly complexity compared to a rigid integrated connection.
4Ease of manufacture
If an intermediate piece is provided that enables swiveling away in the loose state, then the assembly of engine module is simplified, but the reconnection is extremely difficult due to tight construction space
Solution Approach 1:
The steering spindle is pre-assembled with the steering coupling in a loose state before engine assembly, allowing the engine module to be completed first. The intermediate piece with threadable connection enables later tightening without requiring access during initial engine assembly, thus reducing assembly time while achieving proper connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate piece acts as a mediator between the steering spindle and steering coupling. It provides a threadable connection that can be independently positioned and secured, simplifying the operation compared to direct transverse screwing. The intermediate piece with its extended threadable connection point improves accessibility and reduces the laborious nature of the screwing operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering arrangement includes a steering spindle and a steering coupling provided with a fork crown bearing a connecting element that connects an end of the steering spindle to the steering coupling in the form of a plug connection. To enable the combined steering spindle and steering coupling ends to be connected to each other in the correct relative position and thus to be able to prevent a defective assembly, the steering spindle end and the connecting element are coaxial plug partners on ends facing each other, by means of at least one tongue and groove guide element pair that provides a torque-transmitting priority control. The at least one groove and/or the at least one tongue of the guide element pair is molded on the interior of the shaft. A clamping device clamps the plug partners against each other in a plugging position so that they cannot come loose.