Vehicle Steering Rack Synchronization for Cost and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing four-wheel steering mechanisms face challenges in maintaining stability during lateral movement and special travel modes due to complex structures, high manufacturing costs, and potential malfunctions, which affect the vehicle's ability to travel smoothly and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering system that includes tie rods connected to rack bars, which are moved simultaneously by a steering force generating means, utilizing synchronizing gears and pinion gears to ensure both wheels steer in the same or opposite directions, preventing malfunctions and reducing component costs by using common parts for front and rear wheels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If independent steering actuators are used for each wheel to enable special travel modes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering mechanism is divided into independent steering devices for front wheels and rear wheels, each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complex travel modes through coordination of simpler individual units, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering mechanism is designed with universal components that can perform multiple functions. The same steering device structure is used for both front and rear wheels, and the mechanism can operate in multiple travel modes (normal travel, lateral travel, pivot turn) using the same hardware, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gears and electromagnets are used for rotation switching, then special travel modes are enabled, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from the steering mechanism. By removing non-essential gears and electromagnets, the design achieves rotation switching capability through a simplified mechanical structure, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the ability to perform special travel modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The design uses simple, inexpensive mechanical components instead of costly electromagnets and complex gear systems. The steering mechanism relies on basic mechanical linkages and friction-based holding, which are cheaper to manufacture and maintain, making the system more economically viable.
3Ease of operation
If non-circular gears are used for steering, then Ackerman-Jeantaud steering arrangement is achieved, but manufacturing precision becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex non-circular gear mechanisms with a simpler mechanical linkage system. By using tie rods, knuckle arms, and universal joints, the system achieves smooth Ackerman-Jeantaud steering motion without requiring precision-manufactured non-circular gears, thereby eliminating manufacturing precision difficulties.
4Adaptability or versatility
If steering links are extended to enable lateral movement, then adaptability is improved, but interference with other members increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering mechanism employs dynamic linkages that can adapt their configuration based on the required motion. The tie rods and knuckle arms are designed to pivot and adjust their positions, allowing lateral movement capability while automatically avoiding interference with other vehicle members through dynamic reconfiguration.
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 ensures stable steering by preventing contradictory wheel movements, improves steering stability, and reduces manufacturing costs by using identical components for all wheels, allowing for efficient operation in various travel modes.
Implementation Method 1
a rack and pinion mechanism, including a rack bar and a pinion gear that rotates together with the steering wheel
Implementation Method 2
a universal joint that connects the steering shaft and the pinion shaft
Data Source
AI summary
It is desired to reduce the manufacturing cost of a vehicle while ensuring stability of travel of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a steering force generating means, and a steering device (10, 20) for steering right and left wheels (w). The steering device (10, 20) includes tie rods (12 and 22) connected, respectively, to the right and left wheels (w), and configured to steer the respective right and left wheels, a pair of rack bars (53 and 54) connected to the respective tie rods (12 and 22), and a rack bar moving means (60) capable of moving, by a same distance, the pair of rack bars (53 and 54) in one of opposite directions or in one and the other of the opposite directions, respectively, whereby the pair of rack bars (53 and 54) are moved simultaneously with each other under the steering force generated by the steering force generating means.