Status |
| ||||||
Owner | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contributors | |||||||
Approved | |||||||
Due date |
| ||||||
Decision | We will use a coupler for the pinion input, two 5/8” OD intermediate and output hollow steel shafts, and steel 5/8-36 X 5/8 smooth bore u joints. The sequence of the assembly is as follows: Steering rack → 5/8”-36 spline coupler → 5/8” OD shaft → set screwed into the spline side of a 5/8”-36 spline u joint → smooth bore side welded onto 5/8” OD intermediate shaft → intermediate shaft welded onto smooth bore side of second 5/8” u joint → spline side of u joint set screwed onto steering wheel input shaft | ||||||
On this page |
|
❓ Problem statement
There are many options for components linking the steering wheel to the rack. This decision matrix is to decide the best option for each component.
💡 Research insights
📊 Solution hypothesis
🌈 Design options
Output Shaft to Coupler | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Overview | Use a 5/8” OD shaft with a through hole to fix inside of splined coupler with bolt | Use a 5/8” OD steel shaft, insert shaft into coupler, and weld side of shaft onto edge of the coupler | Use a greater diameter steel shaft and weld edge of the shaft to the edge of the coupler | |
Screenshot | ||||
Link | ||||
Benefits and risks | Relatively easy to manufacture - no need for welding No need for a special shaft (splined shaft or DD shaft) Constraining with a bolt going through a through hole can deform the shaft (might have to use steel) | A stronger alternative to using a bolt to constrain shaft Need to use steel to weld onto the coupler Coupler steel grade not specified, may be risky to weld | Opens up the opportunity to use a u joint that has a shaft diameter other than 5/8” Coupler steel grade not specified, may be risky to weld | |
Criteria | ||||
U-joint | Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Overview | Smooth Bore | Spline | DD Shaft | |
Screenshot | ||||
Link | ||||
Benefits and risks | Can accommodate regular smooth pipes - no need for special shaft (spline shaft or D shaft) Only way to constrain the shaft is to weld the shaft onto the u joint - shaft needs to be same material as the u joint | No need to drill extra holes May be difficult to find a spline shaft (at least in the desired size) Shaft cannot be hollow - adds weight | No need to drill extra holes May be difficult to find a double d shaft (at least in the desired size) Shaft cannot be hollow - adds weight | |
Criteria | ||||
✅ Follow up
Decision | Status | Next steps | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||
💎 Source files
Type /link to add links to design files.