Radial Telescope Bushing Pre-Load for Lash-Free Steering Column

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering column telescope bushing systems are prone to poor wear characteristics due to environmental influences and require complex injection processes, which can result in a lash-free interface that is not consistently reliable.

Innovation Solution

A bushing assembly with a set screw and a radial telescope bushing featuring a post and a curved bushing portion that pre-loads against the telescope jacket, providing a lash-free interface and compensating for wear through a self-stabilizing spring effect, eliminating the need for injection processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an injection process is used to constrict the telescope bushing around the telescoping member, then a lash-free telescope joint is achieved, but the wear characteristics deteriorate due to environmental variables influencing the injection process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelash-free interfaceVSAvoidwear characteristics

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the injection process (chemical/thermal system) with a mechanical pre-loading system using a spring mechanism. The spring applies continuous radial force to maintain the telescope bushing against the telescoping member, achieving lash-free operation without relying on environmental-sensitive injection processes. This mechanical substitution eliminates the variability introduced by environmental factors in the injection process while maintaining reliable lash-free operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters from a one-time injection process to a continuous mechanical pre-loading system. The spring mechanism dynamically adjusts to maintain optimal contact pressure between the telescope bushing and telescoping member, compensating for wear and environmental variations. This parameter change from static injection to dynamic mechanical pre-loading improves both reliability and wear characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a complex injection process is used to de-lash the telescope joint, then a lash-free interface is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelash-free interfaceVSAvoidinjection process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex injection process from the system, replacing it with a simple mechanical spring pre-loading mechanism. The spring component alone provides the necessary lash-free operation without requiring injection equipment, molds, or complex process control systems. This extraction of the injection process significantly reduces device complexity while maintaining the lash-free interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring pre-loading mechanism is self-regulating and automatically maintains the telescope bushing against the telescoping member without requiring external intervention or complex control systems. The mechanical system self-adjusts to maintain optimal contact, eliminating the need for complex injection process control and monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If multiple components and injection processes are used to create a lash-free interface, then reliability is improved, but ease of assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelash-free interfaceVSAvoidease of assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the lash-free interface function and wear compensation into a single integrated spring pre-loading mechanism. The spring component combines both functions that previously required separate injection process steps and multiple components. This merging simplifies the assembly process to a single component installation while maintaining reliable lash-free operation and improving ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution ensures a repeatable, reliable, and improved performance in static stiffness and natural frequency by guaranteeing points of contact, while minimizing components and simplifying assembly, and providing a wear-compensating surface.

Implementation Method 1

a radial telescope bushing co-acting with the set screw and having a post and a curved bushing portion configured to pre-load the radial telescope bushing against the telescope jacket to provide a lash-free interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9522694B2Radial telescope bushing for steering column

Publication Date: 2016.12.20 STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORP

AI summary

A bushing assembly for a steering column having a fixed jacket and a telescope jacket is provided having a set screw configured for insertion into the fixed jacket, and a radial telescope bushing co-acting with the set screw and having a post and a curved bushing portion configured to pre-load the radial telescope bushing against the telescope jacket to provide a lash-free interface between the fixed jacket and the telescope jacket.