Wheel Steering Actuator Track Adjustment During Vehicle Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for adjusting a vehicle's track are inefficient, requiring external axle measuring systems and only allowing temporary adjustments, which do not adapt to varying operating or resting positions of the steering adjusting element, leading to suboptimal maintenance, power, and steering efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method using a wheel steering-angle adjusting device with a steering mechanism and actuator that allows for automatic or automated adjustment of the track by varying the operating position of the steering adjusting element, utilizing a coupling portion with a greater maximum adjusting displacement than required, and comparing operating variables to reference variables to adapt the adjusting displacement, ensuring consistent factory-set track alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external axle measuring system is used to adjust the track, then the track can be adjusted, but the adjustment is temporary and not permanent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the track adjustment function with the existing wheel steering-angle adjusting device. The steering actuator that normally adjusts wheel steering angles is repurposed to also adjust the track by varying the operating position and/or resting position of the steering adjusting element. This eliminates the need for separate external axle measuring systems and achieves permanent track adjustment through a unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel steering-angle adjusting device is given multiple functions: it can adjust both the wheel steering angles and the track of the vehicle. The steering adjusting element's coupling portion with maximum adjusting displacement greater than required for steering angle changes enables this multi-functionality, allowing the same actuator to perform both steering adjustment and track adjustment operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling portion's maximum adjusting displacement is increased beyond what is required for wheel steering angle changes, then the track can be permanently adjusted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling portion is designed with a maximum adjusting displacement that is greater than the adjusting displacement required for changing the wheel steering angle. This dynamic design allows the coupling portion to accommodate both normal steering operations and additional track adjustments by varying the operating position of the steering adjusting element, providing adaptability without requiring a completely separate adjustment mechanism.
3Productivity
If the operating position of the steering adjusting element is varied to adjust the track, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines at least one operating variable of the steering actuator and compares it with at least one reference variable. When the operating variable differs from the reference variable (deviation above threshold value), the control unit adapts the adjusting displacement by varying the operating position and/or resting position of the steering adjusting element. This feedback mechanism enables automatic track adjustment during vehicle operation, improving maintenance efficiency while managing control complexity through systematic variable comparison and threshold-based activation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting a track of a vehicle wheel using a wheel steering-angle adjusting device during operation of the vehicle, the wheel steering-angle adjusting device including a steering mechanism with a movably mounted steering adjusting element for changing a wheel steering angle of the vehicle wheel and a steering actuator for changing a position of the steering adjusting element. The steering adjusting element has, for coupling to the steering actuator, a coupling portion which defines a maximum adjusting displacement which is greater than an adjusting displacement required for changing the wheel steering angle of the vehicle wheel. An operating variable of the steering actuator is determined and compared with a reference variable. When the operating variable differs from the reference variable, for the adjustment of the track of the vehicle wheel, an operating position and/or resting position of the steering adjusting element is varied using the steering actuator.