Integral Lock Housing Outer Column Steering Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steering apparatuses face challenges in enhancing the rigidity and reducing the weight of the lock housing and column while maintaining antitheft functionality, leading to limitations in telescopic clamp force and potential cracking issues due to the placement of the slit and through hole in the outer column.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a lock housing with the outer column, forming an integral body, enhances rigidity and reduces weight, allowing for increased telescopic clamp force and improved antitheft functionality by preventing the lock housing from being separated from the steering column, thus enhancing the design freedom and manufacturing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the lock housing is mounted on the outer column using a bolt, then the lock housing can be assembled, but the rigidity of the lock housing is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity of lock housingVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock housing is formed integrally with the outer column, merging two previously separate components into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for bolts and other fastening parts, thereby increasing rigidity while reducing part count and overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If the lock housing is mounted on the outer column using a bolt, then the lock housing can be assembled, but the weight of the lock housing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity of lock housingVSAvoidweight of lock housing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the lock housing with the outer column into a single component, the need for separate fastening parts like bolts is eliminated. This reduces the total weight of the assembly while simultaneously improving rigidity through the unified structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the slit and through hole are formed in the same outer column, then the clamp device can adjust telescopic position, but the strength of the outer column is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetelescopic adjustment capabilityVSAvoidstrength of outer column

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The design separates the functions by forming the slit in the outer column for telescopic adjustment while forming the through hole in the integrally-formed lock housing. This segmentation of functional locations prevents stress concentration in a single area, maintaining the strength of the outer column while preserving both adjustment and locking capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8596160B2Steering apparatus

Publication Date: 2013.12.03 NSK LTD

AI summary

The invention provides a steering apparatus which includes: an inner column 3; an outer column 4 fitted with the inner column 3 in such a manner that it is movable in a telescopic manner; a steering shaft 102 which is rotatably supported on the inner column 3 and outer column 4, and on the vehicle body rearward side of which a steering wheel 103 can be mounted; a lock apparatus 7 including a lock pin 73A which can be operated by an actuator to thereby prevent the rotation of the steering shaft 102; and, a lock housing 71 which is formed integrally with the outer column 4 and stores the lock apparatus 7 therein.