Electro-Hydraulic Steering Assembly With Rotatable Threaded Motor Housing

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering systems face high tool and material costs due to the need for multiple valve housing variants based on varying orientations of the electric motor housing, complicating assembly and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

A unified valve housing design with external threads and a rotatable electric motor housing with internal threads allows for 0° to 360° orientation adjustment, eliminating the need for multiple valve housing variants by using a single design that accommodates different orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple valve housing variants are created to accommodate different orientations of electric motor housing, then the steering system can be adapted to various packaging constraints, but the tool developmental cost, material cost, and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different electric motor housing orientationsVSAvoidnumber of valve housing variants

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve housing is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate electric motor housing in any orientation (0° to 360°). The first projection with external threads on the valve housing engages with the second projection with internal threads on the electric motor housing, creating a universal coupling mechanism that eliminates the need for multiple specialized valve housing variants while maintaining adaptability to different packaging constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple valve housing variants are created to accommodate different orientations of electric motor housing, then the steering system can be adapted to various packaging constraints, but the tool and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different electric motor housing orientationsVSAvoidtool and material cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The valve housing is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate electric motor housing in any orientation (0° to 360°). The first projection with external threads on the valve housing engages with the second projection with internal threads on the electric motor housing, creating a universal coupling mechanism that eliminates the need for multiple specialized valve housing variants while maintaining adaptability to different packaging constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional valve housing design is used with fixed orientation, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the system cannot accommodate varying packaging constraints and requires multiple variants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaccommodation of packaging constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism between the valve housing and electric motor housing is designed to be dynamically adjustable in orientation. The first projection with external threads on the valve housing engages with the second projection with internal threads on the electric motor housing, allowing the electric motor housing to be rotated to any orientation (0° to 360°) while maintaining a secure connection, thus accommodating varying packaging constraints without complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260015032A1Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering assembly for a vehicle and method of assembling the same

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 ZF CV SYST GLOBAL GMBH

AI summary

An electro-hydraulic power assisted steering assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a steering gear unit which in turn includes a valve housing. The valve housing has a first projection which is defined with external threads. The assembly further includes an electric motor housing which in turn has a second projection. The second projection is defined using a bore defined with internal threads corresponding to the external threads of the first projection. The external threads of the first projection of the valve housing engage with the internal threads of the second projection of the electric motor housing to couple the steering gear unit with the electric motor housing.