Vehicle Power Steering Turn Limit Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power steering systems do not effectively transmit the limit of a turn of steered wheels to the steering operation member, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and potential damage from excessive turning angles.
Innovation Solution
A power steering system with a pair of wheel steering mechanisms and a coupling mechanism, where the operating-side wheel steering mechanism includes at least two stoppers to limit right and left turns, and the nonoperating-side wheel steering mechanism includes at least one stopper to limit turns, allowing for appropriate transmission of turn limits to the steering operation member, reducing energy consumption and preventing excessive turning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no stoppers are provided to limit wheel turns, then the steering system allows free movement of steered wheels, but unnecessary energy consumption occurs and excessive turning angles may cause component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The stoppers are pre-positioned in the steering mechanism to limit the maximum turning angle of the steered wheels before excessive movement can occur. This preliminary mechanical constraint prevents the driver from inadvertently causing damage through over-steering, while also preventing the assist motor from consuming energy unnecessarily when the wheels are already at their limit position.
2Loss of energy
If stoppers are added to limit wheel turns, then turn limits are enforced and energy consumption is reduced, but the steering mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The stoppers are designed as passive mechanical components that automatically engage when the steered wheels reach their maximum turning angle. The driver's steering input itself activates the stopper mechanism - when the wheel turns sufficiently, the stopper contacts the linkage and provides immediate tactile feedback, eliminating the need for electronic sensors, motors, or control systems to detect and enforce the turning limit.
3Loss of information
If stoppers contact the linkage to limit turns, then turn limits are transmitted to the steering wheel, but bending stress increases on the linkage
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is designed to contact a dedicated, robust portion of the steering linkage specifically engineered to withstand the impact loads. By extracting the stopper contact function to a specialized location rather than using the existing thin-walled linkage sections, the design maintains effective turn limit feedback while minimizing bending stress on vulnerable components.
Data Source
AI summary
A power steering system includes a pair of wheel steering mechanisms configured to turn a pair of steered wheels of a vehicle, and a coupling mechanism coupling the steered wheels and coupling the wheel steering mechanisms including operating-side and nonoperating-side mechanisms. The operating-side mechanism includes a drive shaft coupled to one end of the coupling mechanism and extending in an axial direction, and a steering operation member engaged with the drive shaft. The nonoperating-side mechanism includes a drive shaft coupled to the other end of the coupling mechanism and extending in an axial direction, and an electric assist device engaged with the drive shaft. The operating-side mechanism includes at least two operating-side stoppers respectively configured to limit right and left turns of the steered wheels. The nonoperating-side mechanism includes at least one nonoperating-side stopper configured to limit any one of right and left turns of the steered wheels.