Vehicle Steering Column Blind Member Hinge Gap Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gap-closing structures for vehicle steering devices face challenges in maintaining stable contact between the blind member and the instrument panel without gaps, and are prone to deterioration from sunlight and stress, affecting appearance and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A blind member with a hinge portion made of resin, allowing it to swing vertically and integrate with the instrument panel, and a slide guide portion to accommodate telescopic adjustments, ensuring reliable gap closure and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plate-shaped blind member is attached to the column cover to close the gap, then the gap closure function is improved, but stable contact maintenance becomes difficult and friction resistance must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The blind member is designed to move dynamically with the column cover in the vertical direction, maintaining continuous contact through motion coordination rather than static friction. The blind member's position is synchronized with column cover movement, eliminating gaps without requiring high friction resistance.
2Reliability
If a rubber blind member with curved portion is fixed to both column cover and instrument panel opening edge, then gap closure is always maintained, but the blind member is exposed to sunlight and stress causing aged deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The blind member is extracted from the exposed exterior position and relocated to the interior side of the instrument panel opening edge. This positional change removes the blind member from direct sunlight exposure and external stress, preventing aged deterioration while maintaining gap closure functionality through the hinge mechanism.
3Reliability
If the blind member is fixed at both ends to maintain gap closure, then appearance is protected, but manufacturing complexity and stress concentration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is segmented into two distinct locations: the hinge portion at the instrument panel opening edge and the connecting portion with the column cover. This segmentation allows each attachment point to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining effective gap closure.
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 blind member effectively maintains gap closure during steering adjustments, preventing appearance deterioration and reducing manufacturing costs through simplified construction.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge portion which attaches the blind main body to an edge of the opening in the instrument panel such that the blind main body can swing in the vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
a slide guide portion which allows the blind main body to slide in a longitudinal direction of the steering column
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a blind member for a vehicle, which is used in a steering device provided with a tilting structure that can adjust a position of a steering wheel in a vertical direction, and closes a gap between: an opening in an instrument panel provided on a driver's seat side and in which a steering column is inserted; and a column cover which surrounds around the steering column. The blind member includes: a blind main body which is arranged next to the column cover; and a hinge portion which attaches the blind main body to an edge of the opening in the instrument panel such that the blind main body can swing in the vertical direction.