Steering Wheel Torque Feedback Assembly With Worm-Helical Gearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steer-by-wire vehicles require bulky and complex torque feedback systems that occupy significant space in the dashboard, using large motors and redundant components to provide adequate torque feedback, which increases weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact torque feedback actuator assembly featuring a helical gear and worm gear mechanism with a small, lightweight motor oriented perpendicular to the steering wheel axis, allowing for efficient space utilization and high torque feedback with a relatively small motor, along with a collapsing mechanism for impact protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mechanical linkage assemblies are used to connect the steering wheel to the front wheels, then the steering system is simple and reliable, but the system occupies significant space and cannot be used in steer-by-wire configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical linkage assemblies with an electric motor and gear mechanism. The motor (208) drives a worm gear (228) that engages with a helical gear (222) connected to the steering wheel, eliminating the need for physical shafts and linkages while providing torque feedback control in steer-by-wire vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor is oriented perpendicular to the steering wheel axis, with its rotation axis perpendicular and offset from the steering wheel's rotational axis. This dimensional reorientation allows compact packaging within the dashboard while maintaining effective torque transmission to the steering wheel.
2Reliability
If large motors and redundant components are used to provide adequate torque feedback in steer-by-wire systems, then sufficient torque feedback is achieved, but the system weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The worm gear (228) acts as an intermediary between the motor (208) and the helical gear (222). This gear mechanism provides mechanical advantage and torque multiplication, allowing a smaller, less complex motor to achieve the required torque feedback levels without direct motor-to-steering-wheel connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the gear ratio parameters through the worm gear-helical gear combination, transforming the motor's rotational output into high-torque feedback at the steering wheel. This parameter transformation allows adequate torque feedback with reduced motor size and system complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact motor orientation is used with the rotation axis perpendicular and offset from the steering wheel axis, then space utilization is improved, but the gear mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor housing (214) with the gear mechanism housing, integrating the motor (208), worm gear (228), and helical gear (222) into a single compact actuator assembly. This merging reduces overall assembly size while managing the inherent gear mechanism complexity through unified design.
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 excellent torque feedback control while reducing the overall size and weight of the steer-by-wire system, allowing for easier installation and removal of the steering wheel, and enhancing safety by minimizing dashboard intrusion and providing impact protection.
Implementation Method 1
a motor (208) with a worm gear (228) engaged with the helical gear (222). The motor (208) and the worm gear (228) are aligned along an axis that is perpendicular to and offset from the rotational axis (224) of the steering wheel (202) and the helical gear (222).
Implementation Method 2
The torque feedback actuator assembly (204) includes a housing (214) and a helical gear (222) rotatably disposed in the housing (214). The steering wheel (202) is coupled to and coaxially aligned with the helical gear (222).
Data Source
AI summary
Example steering wheel systems and torque feedback actuator assemblies for use in steer-by-wire vehicles are described herein. An example steering wheel system includes a steering wheel and a torque feedback actuator assembly. The torque feedback actuator assembly includes a housing and a helical gear rotatably disposed in the housing. The steering wheel is coupled to and coaxially aligned with the helical gear. The torque feedback actuator assembly also includes a motor with a worm gear engaged with the helical gear to provide torque feedback to the steering wheel by driving the helical gear.