Vehicle Steering System Linkage Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle steering systems are cumbersome and inefficient due to the complexity of linkages, leading to increased backlash, weight, and space constraints, particularly in recreational vehicles where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering system with a pitman arm and idler arm configuration that reduces the number of linkages, allowing for more flexible positioning and increased space utilization, featuring a steering column, pitman arm, idler arm, and tie rods that pivot about specific axes to transmit steering input efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If prior art steering systems use multiple linkages to reduce bump steer, then bump steer is reduced, but the system becomes heavier, less responsive, and takes up more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary linkages from the steering system. By removing redundant components while retaining the essential pitman arm and tie rod configuration, the system achieves bump steer reduction without the complexity of multiple linkages, directly resolving the contradiction between harmful factor reduction and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the steering linkage configuration, specifically the positioning and orientation of the pitman arm and tie rods. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves effective bump steer compensation with a simplified linkage structure, resolving the contradiction between performance and complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If prior art steering systems use multiple linkages to reduce bump steer, then bump steer is reduced, but the system becomes less responsive due to increased backlash
Solution Approach 1:
By removing unnecessary linkages and connections, the patent eliminates potential sources of backlash and looseness. The simplified direct connection between the pitman arm and tie rods ensures minimal backlash, maintaining high responsiveness while still addressing bump steer through optimized geometry rather than additional linkages
3Object-affected harmful factors
If prior art steering systems use multiple linkages to reduce bump steer, then bump steer is reduced, but the system takes up more space in the vehicle frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes redundant linkages that would occupy valuable space in the vehicle frame. The simplified configuration with fewer components requires less installation space, allowing better utilization of the vehicle frame area while still effectively addressing bump steer through optimized component positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement of the steering components by adjusting their positioning in three-dimensional space. By carefully selecting the orientation and location of the pitman arm and tie rods, the system achieves effective bump steer compensation with minimal footprint, resolving the contradiction between performance and space utilization
4Object-affected harmful factors
If prior art steering systems are made complex to reduce bump steer, then bump steer is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By eliminating unnecessary linkages and components, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. This simplification directly lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining bump steer reduction through optimized geometry of the remaining essential components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the bump steer compensation function into the existing pitman arm and tie rod structure through optimized geometry, rather than adding separate compensation mechanisms. This integration approach reduces component count and manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired performance
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A vehicle steering system has a pitman arm being pivotable about a pitman arm pivot axis in response to pivoting of a steering column, a link pivotally connected to the pitman arm, an idler arm pivotally connected to the link and being pivotable about an idler arm pivot axis, the link extending between the pitman arm and the idler arm, a first tie rod pivotally connected to the pitman arm and extending from the pitman arm in a first direction, and a second tie rod pivotally connected to the idler arm and extending from the idler arm in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction. A vehicle having the vehicle steering system is also described.