Pivoting Locking Device for Adjustable Steering Column
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column assemblies often fail to achieve full meshing engagement between lock teeth and slot teeth during peak-to-peak engagement, leading to insufficient security in collision events due to inadequate frictional force and mechanical interlocking.
Innovation Solution
A steering column assembly with a pivotal connection between the plate and the mounting bracket or column jacket, allowing the slot teeth to pivot relative to the lock teeth, ensuring complete meshing engagement between the lock teeth and slot teeth, even during peak-to-peak contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a frictional clamp is used to secure the column jacket, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates in collision events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a frictional clamp mechanism with an interlocking toothed lock mechanism into a single integrated system. The frictional clamp provides continuous holding force during normal operation, while the toothed lock mechanism provides positive mechanical interlocking for collision events. Both mechanisms work together to secure the column jacket, merging the advantages of ease of operation and high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frictional clamp is engaged first to hold the column jacket in position during adjustment and normal operation. The toothed lock mechanism is then engaged as a preliminary security measure before collision events occur. This preliminary engagement of both mechanisms ensures that when a collision occurs, the system is already prepared with both frictional holding and positive mechanical interlocking in place.
2Ease of manufacture
If lock teeth engage slot teeth in peak to peak engagement, then manufacturing precision is simplified, but reliability deteriorates due to insufficient meshing engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotational dimension to the engagement process. Instead of requiring precise linear alignment of peak-to-peak teeth, the slot teeth are configured to rotate or pivot during engagement. This rotational movement allows the teeth to mesh progressively from partial engagement to full engagement, transforming a one-dimensional alignment problem into a two-dimensional engagement process that is more tolerant of manufacturing variations while achieving reliable full meshing.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The slot teeth are configured to rotate or pivot during the engagement process, transitioning from an initial peak-to-peak contact state to a final full meshing state. This dynamic engagement process allows the system to self-correct minor misalignments and achieve complete tooth interlocking even when starting from peak-to-peak engagement, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column assembly includes a mounting bracket and a column jacket moveable relative to the mounting bracket to adjust a position of the column jacket. A rake plate is pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket and defines a rake slot having rake slot teeth. A telescope plate is pivotably coupled to the column jacket and defines a telescope slot having telescope slot teeth. A rake lock having rake lock teeth is disposed within the rake slot and a telescope lock having telescope lock teeth is disposed within the telescope slot. The rake plate and the telescope plate pivot as the rake lock and the telescope lock move into interlocking toothed engagement to avoid peak-to-peak contact between the lock teeth and the slot teeth, thereby permitting full meshing engagement between the lock teeth and the slot teeth.