Vehicle Steering Apparatus with Spring-Based Reaction Force Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Steer-by-wire systems in vehicles fail to transmit steering reaction forces to the driver, leading to increased manufacturing costs and weight due to the need for a reaction force actuator, which includes a motor and speed reducer.
Innovation Solution
A steering apparatus with a reaction force part that adjusts steering reaction force by providing an elastic force to the input shaft, using a small-scale motor and screw nut part to control the compression length of an elastic part, eliminating the need for a speed reducer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reaction force actuator including motor and speed reducer is provided, then steering reaction force can be controlled, but manufacturing costs and weight are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the speed reducer component from the traditional reaction force actuator system. By using a small-scale motor directly coupled with the elastic part (spring), the system achieves steering reaction force control without the complex speed reduction mechanism, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining the core functionality of providing controlled reaction force to the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical speed reducer system with a direct mechanical connection between the small-scale motor and the elastic part. This substitution eliminates the need for complex gear trains and speed reduction mechanisms, simplifying the overall structure while still achieving the desired torque multiplication effect through the elastic deformation of the spring.
2Ease of operation
If a reaction force actuator including motor and speed reducer is provided, then steering reaction force can be controlled, but weight is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the speed reducer component from the system, which significantly reduces the overall weight of the steering apparatus. The small-scale motor combined with the elastic part provides a lightweight alternative to the traditional heavy motor-speed reducer assembly, while still achieving effective steering reaction force control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If steer-by-wire system is applied, then mechanical connection between column and actuator is eliminated, but steering reaction force transmission is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastic part (spring) as an intermediary element between the small-scale motor and the input shaft. This elastic component serves as a mediator that both generates the reaction force through its elastic deformation and transmits this force back to the driver's steering input, thereby restoring the tactile feedback that is typically lost in steer-by-wire systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the elastic part deforms in response to motor action and simultaneously provides reaction force to the driver's steering input. This creates a closed-loop system where the driver can feel the reaction force, providing tactile feedback that enhances the steering experience in a steer-by-wire configuration.
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
Enables drivers to feel steering reaction forces without a speed reducer, reducing manufacturing costs and improving productivity by simplifying components with a small-scale motor and elastic part.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic part interposed between the screw nut part and the input shaft part and configured to be elastically deformed by the movements of the screw nut part and the input shaft part
Data Source
AI summary
A steering apparatus for a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes a housing, an input shaft part rotatably mounted in the housing, a conversion guide part mounted on the input shaft part and configured to guide the input shaft part so that the input shaft part rectilinearly moves in the housing, and a reaction force part configured to adjust a steering reaction force of the input shaft part while providing an elastic force to the input shaft part.