Universal Joint Locking Element for Steering Shaft Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing securing devices for universal joints in steering systems of motor vehicles either fail to allow necessary movement during installation, leading to potential damage, or provide inadequate protection against disadvantageous angled positions.
Innovation Solution
A securing device with a locking element featuring a blocking body and resilient positioning elements that can be elastically inserted between joint forks, limiting movement in a defined manner while allowing rotation about one axis and preventing damage from fork collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a securing device blocks all degrees of freedom of the universal joint, then protection against damage from disadvantageous angled positions is improved, but installation ease deteriorates due to inability to angle the intermediate steering shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The securing device segments the blocking function by providing separate blocking elements for different degrees of freedom. The first blocking element prevents movement in one direction while the second blocking element prevents movement in the opposite direction, allowing selective blocking of specific movements while permitting others necessary for installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing device transitions from a static full-blocking design to a dynamic selective-blocking design. The blocking elements are configured to engage only when specific threshold conditions are met (displacement amounts exceeding predefined limits), allowing normal installation movements while preventing damaging extreme positions.
2Ease of operation
If a securing device allows movement during installation, then installation ease is improved, but protection against damage from disadvantageous angled positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The securing device uses displacement amount as a critical parameter to determine when blocking should engage. By setting threshold values for displacement amounts, the device allows movement within safe ranges during installation while automatically engaging blocking mechanisms when displacement exceeds safe thresholds, thus preventing damage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the securing device is removed before installation, then installation flexibility is improved, but the risk of disadvantageous angled positions causing damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing device is installed preliminarily before the universal joint assembly to establish protective blocking mechanisms in advance. This preliminary securing prevents disadvantageous angled positions from occurring during subsequent handling and installation operations, while still allowing necessary installation movements within defined limits.
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
Facilitates easier installation by allowing defined blocking of one degree of freedom, preventing joint fork collisions and damage during installation and transportation, while maintaining the ability to rotate about the second joint axis.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient positioning element which is adjacent to the blocking body, as seen in the transverse direction, and retains the locking element in position by latching-in action
Data Source
AI summary
A securing device for temporarily limiting movement of a universal joint of a steering column may include a locking element that extends in a longitudinal direction and has a free front end at a front as seen in the longitudinal direction. A handling means may be fitted at a rear of the locking element as seen in the longitudinal direction. The locking element may have a blocking body, and first and second positioning elements that are disposed on opposite sides of the blocking body and extend in the longitudinal direction adjacent to the blocking body. The positioning elements may be resilient relative to the blocking body in a transverse direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction. The positioning elements help simplify installation and improve protection against damage.