Variable Effort Steering Assembly with Segmented Pinion and Rack
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering systems for riding lawn mowers lack optimal balance between steering effort and responsiveness, often resulting in less than ideal performance across various steering scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A variable effort steering system utilizing a stacked arrangement of pinions and racks with different sizes, allowing for distinct steering ratios over different portions of the steering range, reducing effort in some situations and increasing responsiveness in others.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional mechanical steering system is used, then the steering effort is reduced, but the steering responsiveness becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
The steering system is segmented into multiple pinion gears (first pinion gear and second pinion gear) with different diameters, each engaged with the rack at different positions. This segmentation allows different steering ratios to be applied at different steering positions, resolving the contradiction between steering effort and responsiveness by providing high responsiveness when needed and low effort when turning fully.
2Device complexity
If a single pinion gear is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the steering performance becomes less optimal across various situations
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the steering range are assigned different local qualities through the use of multiple pinion gears with different diameters. The first pinion gear provides one steering ratio characteristic while the second pinion gear provides another, allowing the system to be optimized for different steering situations (e.g., low-speed maneuvering vs. high-speed steering) without requiring a completely different mechanism for each scenario.
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
This configuration enhances the operator's ability to steer the vehicle with less strenuous effort and improved maneuverability, offering better control and responsiveness depending on the steering position.
Implementation Method 1
The pinion assembly is disposed along the steering column and includes at least two pinions of different sizes. The rack assembly is further operably coupled to the at least one wheel of the riding lawn care vehicle to translate steering inputs from the steering apparatus to the at least one wheel via the pinion assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A vehicle such as a riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame and a steering assembly. Wheels of the vehicle may be attachable to the frame. The steering assembly may include a steering apparatus operably coupled to at least one of the wheels of the vehicle to provide steering inputs to the at least one of the wheels based on a position of the steering apparatus. The steering assembly may further include a steering column, a pinion assembly and a rack assembly. The steering column may extend from the steering apparatus to rotate responsive to movement of the steering apparatus. The pinion assembly may be disposed along the steering column and include at least two pinions of different sizes. The rack assembly may be operably coupled to the frame and the at least one wheel of the vehicle to translate steering inputs from the steering apparatus to the at least one wheel via the pinion assembly. The rack assembly may include at least two rack portions of different sizes.