Rake-lever dampener for steering column noise reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual rake-telescope steering columns often experience excess rotational speed and objectionable noise when the locking lever abruptly stops during unlocking, leading to undesirable operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A dampener assembly incorporating a roller bumper and cam assembly is introduced, which slows the lever's rotation and reduces noise by compressing and decompressing the roller bumper as the lever moves from a locked to an unlocked position, utilizing a travel limiter to control the movement and provide a soft stop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lever is used to lock/unlock the steering column, then the steering column can be adjusted between locked and unlocked positions, but excess rotational speed and noise occur when the lever stops abruptly
Solution Approach 1:
The roller bumper is positioned to engage with the travel limiter surface before the lever reaches its final unlocked position. This pre-cushioning mechanism gradually reduces the lever's rotational speed and absorbs the impact energy, preventing abrupt stopping that causes noise and excessive rotation. The roller bumper acts as a cushioning element that is activated in advance to mitigate the harmful effects of sudden lever deceleration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lever travels to unlocked position, then the steering column becomes adjustable, but the lever stops abruptly causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The roller bumper serves as an intermediary element between the lever and the travel limiter. Instead of the lever directly engaging with the travel limiter surface (which causes abrupt stopping and noise), the roller bumper mediates this interaction by providing a rolling contact that gradually decelerates the lever. This intermediary mechanism allows the steering column to become adjustable while eliminating the harmful noise during the unlocking process.
3Reliability
If the lever stops abruptly at unlocked position, then the adjustment assembly is secured, but excess rotational speed and noise are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The roller bumper is positioned to engage with the travel limiter surface before the lever reaches its final locked/unlocked position. This pre-cushioning mechanism gradually reduces the lever's rotational speed and absorbs the impact energy, preventing abrupt stopping that causes noise and excessive rotation. The roller bumper acts as a cushioning element that is activated in advance to mitigate the harmful effects of sudden lever deceleration.
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 dampener assembly effectively reduces excess rotational speed and noise during the unlocking process, providing a smoother operation by decelerating the lever and preventing abrupt stops, thus enhancing the user experience and mechanical performance.
Implementation Method 1
compressing and decompressing the roller bumper as the lever moves from a locked to an unlocked position
Implementation Method 2
the dampener dampens excess rotational speed and/or objectionable noise that may be present as the lever stopped abruptly
Data Source
AI summary
A dampener assembly for a lever is provided. The dampener assembly includes a travel limiter that defines a surface for co-acting with the dampener. The lever is configured to move from a locked position to an unlocked position to unlock a component for adjustable movement. The dampener assembly includes also a roller bumper and cam assembly that is configured to cause the surface of the travel limiter to contact the roller bumper in the unlocked position. In an exemplary embodiment, the component is a rake-telescope steering column or an adjustment assembly therefor.