Floating Horn Contact Assembly for Quick-Release Steering Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-release steering wheels face challenges in disassembly due to the need for time-consuming wiring of the horn button to the vehicle horn circuit, which affects speed and reliability, and alternative solutions that omit the horn button increase accident risk.
Innovation Solution
A horn adaptive electrical connection unit with a spring-loaded sliding release sleeve and conductive components that create a floating electrical connection between the horn button and the automotive horn circuit, eliminating the need for constant wiring and ensuring reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two wires are connected at the horn button contact to the positive and negative terminals of the vehicle horn circuit, then the horn function is achieved, but the disassembly time increases and wiring reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is segmented into fixed components (steering column with integrated contact poles) and removable components (steering wheel with horn button). The steering column contains positive and negative contact poles that remain fixed, while the steering wheel assembly can be quickly removed without disconnecting wires. This segmentation eliminates the need to handle wiring during disassembly while maintaining reliable electrical connections through the fixed contact poles in the steering column.
2Productivity
If the horn button is removed from the steering wheel to avoid wiring, then disassembly speed increases, but the driver requires additional operation and accident risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The horn button is merged with the steering wheel as an integrated assembly. The horn button, horn switch, and steering wheel form a unified removable unit that maintains full horn functionality. When the steering wheel is removed, the horn button remains attached to the steering wheel adapter, allowing the entire assembly to be quickly detached without compromising horn operation or requiring separate handling of the horn button.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a floating electrical connection is created using a spring-loaded contact pole holder, then adaptability to different horn button thicknesses is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact pole holder is made dynamic through a spring-loaded mechanism that allows vertical movement. The holder can move up and down along the contact pole to accommodate different horn button thicknesses, maintaining consistent electrical contact pressure. This dynamic adjustment capability provides adaptability without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms, as the spring automatically compensates for thickness variations.
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 quick and reliable disassembly of the steering wheel without handling wiring, maintaining horn functionality and reducing accident risk by providing a secure, adaptive electrical connection.
Implementation Method 1
a horn spring; one end of the horn spring may rest against the bottom of the contact pole holder, another end of the horn spring rest against the inner bottom surface of the hollow central shaft; the horn spring may provide support for the contact pole holder as well as the horn contact pole
Data Source
AI summary
A horn adaptive electrical connection unit for quick-release steering wheel assembly is provided. A horn adaptive electrical connection unit is composed of a horn contact pole, a contact pole holder, and a horn spring. The horn adaptive electrical connection unit is installed in the quick-release steering wheel assembly. The horn spring may provide support for the contact pole holder as well as the horn contact pole, thus, a floating electrical connection between the horn button and the automotive horn circuit and adapting to different thicknesses of horn buttons is created. The floating electrical connection setup simplifies operation by eliminating the need for using tools to wire or remove wires when installing or replacing the steering wheel. Compared to traditional horn electrical connection units, the present horn adaptive electrical connection unit is easier to use, more reliable, and much faster to be installed and detached.