Twisted Bar Steering Cylinder Attachment for Axle Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering cylinder attachment systems in vehicles, particularly in heavy-duty vehicles, face issues with axle deformation causing steering failures due to the rigidity of the attachment components, which leads to unnecessary wear and the need for multiple ball joints that are costly and prone to failure.

Innovation Solution

A twisted bar is used to attach the steering cylinder to the wheel axle, allowing it to absorb axle deformation and relative movement without transmitting these stresses to the steering cylinder, eliminating the need for additional connecting rods and ball joints by acting as an elastic spring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid attachment components are used to connect the steering cylinder to the wheel axle, then the steering arrangement maintains structural stability, but the axle deformation causes steering failure due to stress transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsteering reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment component's rigidity parameter is changed by introducing a twisted geometry to the bar. This transformation allows the bar to maintain overall structural integrity while introducing localized flexibility through the twisted sections, enabling it to absorb axial deformations without transmitting stress to the steering cylinder, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and steering reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic semi-flexible structure. The twisted bar can dynamically adjust its shape during axle deformation, absorbing energy through elastic deformation of the twisted sections while maintaining connection integrity, thereby preventing steering failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If oversized attachment means are used to absorb axle deformation and steering cylinder motion, then the steering arrangement can handle deformations, but the device complexity increases with multiple ball joints and connecting rods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation absorption capabilityVSAvoidnumber of connecting components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional requirements (absorbing axle deformation, accommodating steering cylinder motion, providing structural support) are merged into a single twisted bar component. This eliminates the need for separate ball joints and connecting rods, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability to deformations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The twisted bar serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support element, a deformation absorber, and a motion accommodation component. The twisted geometry provides inherent flexibility that handles both axial deformations and steering cylinder movements without requiring additional specialized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If multiple ball joints are used to attach the steering cylinder to the wheel axle, then the coupling reliability is improved, but the maintenance cost increases due to expensive wearing parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The ball joints, which are identified as expensive wearing parts requiring frequent replacement, are completely extracted from the attachment system. The twisted bar provides the necessary flexibility and coupling reliability through its geometry alone, eliminating the need for ball joints and thereby removing the associated maintenance costs and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 twisted bar effectively absorbs axle deformation and steering cylinder motion, maintaining steering stability and reducing wear on components, while minimizing the use of costly ball joints.

Implementation Method 1

given that a twisted bar can be easily compressed or extended in its longitudinal direction, it behaves like an elastic spring, thereby absorbing the axle beam deformation and the relative movement of the cylinder with respect to the wheel axle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10597075B2Twisted bar for attaching a steering cylinder of a vehicle to a wheel axle, vehicle comprising such a bar and process for manufacturing such a bar

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

AI summary

A bar is designed for attaching a steering cylinder of a vehicle to a wheel axle. The bar is twisted around its longitudinal axis. The bar is manufactured by cutting out a rectangular plate of metallic material or of composite material, clamping the longitudinal ends of the cut-out plate, and pivoting one end or pivoting both ends in opposite directions, around a longitudinal axis of the plate.