One-Piece Clamping Bolt with Integrated Cam for Steering Column
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing locking devices for adjustable steering columns require multiple separately manufactured components, including cam disks and cam follower disks, which leads to complex and costly assembly processes for clamping bolts.
Innovation Solution
The clamping bolt and cam are designed as a one-piece component with a constant or decreasing cross-sectional area, eliminating the need for separate parts and simplifying assembly, and can be produced using forming processes like extrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clamping bolts are designed with separately manufactured cam disks and cam follower disks, then the locking device can achieve reliable clamping function, but the assembly process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clamping bolt, cam disk, and cam follower disk into a single integrated component. The one-piece design eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of multiple parts, thereby simplifying the assembly process while maintaining the reliable clamping function through the integrated cam mechanism that interacts with the locking part
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for clamping bolt assembly, then each component can be optimized independently, but production costs increase due to multiple manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple components into a single monoblock structure that can be produced in one manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing of cam disks and follower disks, reducing production costs associated with multiple processes while the integrated design maintains functional optimization through carefully designed cam profiles and geometries
3Ease of repair
If separately manufactured cam disks and cam follower disks are used, then the locking device can be adjusted and maintained, but the number of parts increases leading to higher assembly costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cam disk and follower disk into the clamping bolt as a single component, reducing the total number of parts in the locking device. This simplification lowers assembly costs while the cam mechanism retains its ability to provide adjustable locking positions and maintainability through the integrated design
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 design reduces production costs and simplifies the assembly of locking devices by integrating the clamping bolt and cam follower contour as a single component, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reducing parting surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
can be produced using forming processes like extrusion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~10
AI summary
Clamping bolt (1) for a securing device (2) of an adjustable steering column (3), characterized in that at least one cam (4) or at least one cam following contour (5) is formed as one piece on the clamping bolt (1).