Nested Steering Column Layout for Long Axial Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column axial adjustment mechanisms face challenges in achieving a longer stroke adjustment without increasing the overall length, which compromises safety space and vehicle layout.
Innovation Solution
A steering column design incorporating a movable base, first and second drive mechanisms, and an angle adjustment mechanism, allowing for a nested upper column assembly and multiple levels of axial adjustment, while maintaining a compact structure and ensuring safety space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a longer stroke axial adjustment is achieved by increasing the overall length of the steering column, then the adjustment range is improved, but the safety space between the steering column and front wall is occupied, compromising driver safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the upper column assembly inside the lower column assembly, with the upper column's axial movement occurring within the internal space of the lower column. This nested configuration allows the upper column to achieve a long axial adjustment stroke without increasing the overall length of the steering column, thereby maintaining the safety space between the steering column and front wall while providing sufficient adjustment range for steering wheel retraction.
2Length of moving object
If the overall length of the steering column is increased to provide longer adjustment stroke, then the axial adjustment range is improved, but the vehicle layout space cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The upper column assembly is nested within the lower column assembly, allowing the upper column to move axially within the internal space of the lower column. This nesting approach enables a long adjustment stroke to be achieved without increasing the overall length of the steering column, thus meeting vehicle layout space requirements while providing sufficient adjustment range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the internal radial space of the lower column assembly to accommodate the axial movement of the upper column. By transitioning the adjustment mechanism from a linear extension in one dimension to a nested configuration utilizing internal space, the system achieves long stroke adjustment without increasing the external dimensions that would conflict with vehicle layout constraints.
3Length of moving object
If a nested upper column assembly is used to achieve long stroke adjustment without increasing length, then the adjustment range is improved while maintaining compact structure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column is segmented into a lower column assembly and an upper column assembly, with each having distinct functions. The lower column provides structural support and houses the nested upper column, while the upper column performs the axial adjustment movement. This segmentation allows the complex nested structure to be divided into manageable components, facilitating manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance while achieving the long stroke adjustment function.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a steering column and a vehicle. The steering column includes: a fixation base; a movable base movably disposed at the fixation base in a first direction; a first drive mechanism disposed at the fixation base and connected to the movable base, the first drive mechanism being configured to drive the movable base to move relative to the fixation base; a lower column assembly disposed at the movable base, the lower column assembly having an axial direction same as the first direction; an upper column assembly movably disposed at the lower column assembly in the first direction; and a second drive mechanism disposed at the lower column assembly and connected to the upper column assembly, the second drive mechanism being configured to drive the upper column assembly to move relative to the lower column assembly.