Torsion bar
AssigneeZF CV Systems Global GmbH
InventorPraful Bari
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steering column of a commercial vehicle having a natural frequency of vibration is provided. The steering column includes an input shaft disposed within the steering column. The input shaft is coupled to a steering wheel at a first end. An output shaft is disposed within the steering column. A second end of the output shaft is coupled to a steering gear and a first end of the output shaft is connected to a second end of the input shaft. A torsion bar is disposed within the steering column. A first end of the torsion bar is connected to the second end of the input shaft and a second end of the torsion bar is connected to the first end of the output shaft. The torsion bar is designed to have a stiffness selected to dampen an amplitude of vibration of the steering column at the natural frequency.
Claims12
A steering column of a commercial vehicle having a natural frequency of vibration, comprising:
- an input shaft disposed within the steering column extending along an axial direction, wherein the input shaft is mechanically coupled to a steering wheel assembly at a first end of the input shaft;
- an output shaft disposed within the steering column, extending along the axial direction, wherein the output shaft is mechanically coupled to a steering gear at a second end of the output shaft, and wherein a first end of the output shaft is mechanically coupled to a second end of the input shaft;
- and
- a torsion bar disposed within the steering column extending along an axial direction, wherein a first end of the torsion bar is non-rotatably connected to the second end of the input shaft and a second end of the torsion bar is non-rotatably connected to the first end of the output shaft,
- wherein the torsion bar is designed to have a stiffness selected to dampen an amplitude of vibration of the steering column at the natural frequency of the steering column,
- wherein the first end of the torsion bar includes a pin that secures a connection between the first end of the torsion bar to the second end of the input shaft, and
- wherein the torsion bar comprises a torsion rod that mechanically couples the first end of the torsion bar to the second end of the torsion bar.
A method of reducing vibration of a steering column, comprising:
- providing an input shaft disposed within the steering column extending along an axial direction, wherein the input shaft is mechanically coupled to a steering wheel assembly at a first end of the input shaft;
- providing an output shaft disposed within the steering column, extending along the axial direction, wherein the output shaft is mechanically coupled to a steering gear at a second end of the output shaft, and wherein a first end of the output shaft is mechanically coupled to a second end of the input shaft;
- providing a torsion bar disposed within the steering column extending along an axial direction, wherein a first end of the torsion bar is non-rotatably connected to the second end of the input shaft and a second end of the torsion bar is non-rotatably connected to the first end of the output shaft;
- determining a natural vibration frequency of the steering column;
- and
- replacing the torsion bar of the steering column with a new torsion bar, wherein the new torsion bar is designed to have a stiffness selected to dampen an amplitude of vibration of the steering column at the natural frequency of the steering column,
- wherein the first end of the torsion bar includes a pin that secures a connection between the first end of the torsion bar to the second end of the input shaft, and
- wherein the torsion bar comprises a torsion rod that mechanically couples the first end of the torsion bar to the second end of the torsion bar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.