Nested Spindle Steering Column Drive for Longer Adjustment Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor-driven adjustable steering columns face limitations in adjustment path length and require high drive torque due to the need for long threaded spindles, leading to increased space and weight requirements, as well as high frictional and inertial forces.
Innovation Solution
The adjustment drive features a hollow external threaded spindle that can be lowered relative to the drive unit, allowing for a shorter minimum adjustment distance and increased free adjustment path, with a coupling device enabling selective engagement of either the first or second spindle drive for reduced drive power and size requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If long threaded spindles are used to achieve larger adjustment ranges, then the adjustment path length is improved, but the drive torque requirements and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where an internal threaded spindle is positioned inside an external threaded spindle. The internal spindle has a first adjustment path while the external spindle provides a second adjustment path. This nesting allows the system to achieve a combined adjustment range equivalent to two separate spindles without requiring two separate drive units, thereby extending the adjustment path length without proportionally increasing drive torque requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is divided into two independent spindle drives (internal and external) that can operate separately or simultaneously. Each spindle can be controlled independently to provide different adjustment ranges, allowing the system to segment the total adjustment path into manageable portions that reduce the instantaneous torque burden on the drive unit.
2Length of moving object
If long threaded spindles are used to achieve larger adjustment ranges, then the adjustment path length is improved, but the installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the internal threaded spindle within the external threaded spindle, the patent achieves an extended adjustment path without requiring proportional increases in installation space. The concentric arrangement allows both spindles to share the same radial envelope, significantly reducing the space required compared to using two separate spindles side-by-side.
3Length of moving object
If long threaded spindles are used to achieve larger adjustment ranges, then the adjustment path length is improved, but the weight of the drive unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested spindle arrangement allows a single drive unit to control both the internal and external spindles, avoiding the need for two separate drive units. This sharing of the drive mechanism significantly reduces the overall weight while still providing the combined adjustment range of both spindles.
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 drive torque requirements, allows for a more flexible installation, and provides a larger usable adjustment path while minimizing the size and weight of the drive unit, enabling more efficient longitudinal adjustment and stowage of the steering column.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded spindle and a spindle nut, wherein the threaded spindle and the spindle nut can be driven by the drive unit to rotate relative to each other about an axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to an adjusting drive (5) for a steering column (1), which can be adjusted by motor, for a motor vehicle, comprising a motorized drive unit (51) and an outside thread spindle (53), which has an outside thread (531) and a coaxial inside thread (532), into which an inside thread spindle (55) engages, wherein the outside thread spindle (53) and the inside thread spindle (55) are drivable in a rotating manner relative to each other about an axis (G) by the drive unit (51). In order to provide an adjusting drive (5) which requires lower drive torque and provides an optimized free adjustment path, according to the invention the outside thread (531) of the outside thread spindle (53) engages in a drive nut (52), wherein the drive nut (52) or the inside thread spindle (55) is drivable in a rotating manner by the drive unit (51) and is supported in the direction of the axis (G) relative to the drive unit (51).