Steering Wheel Adjustment Lever Assembly Rattle Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing steering device for vehicles experiences adjustment lever rattling and swinging in the unlocked state, which affects the stability and precision of steering wheel position adjustments.

Innovation Solution

The adjustment lever, drive-side cam, and rod-shaped member are integrated through engagement cutouts and protrusions, with the lever core metal being punched from the inner side to the outer side, and the adjustment lever having a synthetic resin body, to prevent swinging and rattling by forming a robust and stable assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the adjustment lever is operated in the unlocked state, then the steering wheel position can be adjusted, but the adjustment lever swings and rattles affecting stability and precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering wheel position adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment lever stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A support protrusion is provided on the adjustment lever and a support hole is provided in the rod-shaped member. The support protrusion fits into the support hole to serve as an intermediary connection element that prevents the adjustment lever from swinging and rattling during operation, while still allowing the lever to function for position adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the adjustment lever is secured firmly, then stability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment lever stabilityVSAvoidassembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support protrusion and support hole are integrated into existing components (the adjustment lever and rod-shaped member respectively) rather than adding separate securing mechanisms. This merging approach provides stable connection while maintaining structural simplicity and avoiding excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3323694B1Adjustment lever assembly, and position adjustment device for steering wheel
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 NSK LTD
  • EP3323694B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3323694B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3323694B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Drive-side engagement protrusions (66, 66) formed on the outer surface of a drive-side cam (29a) are press-fitted in engagement cutouts (75, 75) formed in a second joining section (70) of an adjustment lever (23a), and a fitting hole (74) formed in the second joining section (70) of the adjustment lever (23a) is fitted over and affixed, by interference fit, to the portion of a rod-like member (17a), which is located near one end thereof in the axial direction. As a result, the adjustment lever (23a), the drive-side cam (29a), and the rod-like member (17a) are joined so as to be rotatable together. The provided structure can prevent the adjustment lever from rocking and rattling even in an unlocked state.