Outer Column Reinforcing Bridge Inclined Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering device structure lacks sufficient rigidity and tends to incline excessively with respect to the inner column, particularly under push-up loads from secondary collisions, due to the design of the reinforcing bridge portion and clamp portions.
Innovation Solution
The outer column features a reinforcing bridge portion with inclined connecting portions and a reinforcing rib, which enhances torsional rigidity and suppresses inclination by distributing forces more effectively across the bridge and clamp areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the reinforcing bridge portion is designed with a gap between the bottom plate and column main body, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the rigidity of the outer column deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portions are designed with inclined surfaces rather than right angles, creating a curved transition zone that distributes stress more effectively. This curvature in the connecting portions between the bottom plate and column main body enhances rigidity while maintaining the gap configuration for manufacturing ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional flat plate connection to a three-dimensional structure with inclined surfaces and overlapping regions. By adding the dimension of inclination angles and creating overlapping areas between components, the structural rigidity is enhanced without compromising the manufacturability of the gapped configuration.
2Strength
If the reinforcing bridge portion covers the clamp portions, then the strength is improved, but the inclination under load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing bridge portion is segmented into distinct functional zones: a bottom plate for foundational support, inclined connecting portions for stress distribution, and overlapping regions with the column main body for enhanced rigidity. This segmentation allows each zone to address specific aspects of the strength-inclination contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting portions are designed with asymmetric inclination angles rather than symmetric vertical connections. This asymmetry creates a more efficient stress distribution pattern that resists the directional forces applied during steering operations, reducing inclination while maintaining overall strength.
3Ease of repair
If the outer column is designed to be detachable, then the ease of repair is improved, but the reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outer column integrates multiple functions into a single component: the column main body, reinforcing bridge portion, and clamp portions are combined into one piece. This merging maintains reliability by eliminating potential failure points at connection interfaces while preserving detachability through the overall modular steering column design that allows the entire outer column assembly to be removed and replaced.
Data Source
AI summary
The front-side portion of an outer column includes a substantially cylindrical column main body portion having a pair of clamp portions and externally fitting with an inner column, and a reinforcing bridge portion that is integrally provided below the column main body portion. The front-side connecting portion of the reinforcing bridge portion includes a front-side inclined portion that inclines in a direction toward the front side going toward the upper side, and a rear-side connecting portion inclines in a direction toward the rear side going toward the upper side.