Steering Bracket Flange Protrusions for Mounting Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering device mounting system on a vehicle body lacks sufficient bending rigidity, leading to a less secure fastening of the steering device.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of internal and external protrusions on the flanges of the bracket, which extend outwardly from the side plates and are positioned near the edges, providing increased bending rigidity and a pinpoint contact with the vehicle body mount surface, enhancing the fastening force of the bolts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a thin and flat mount plate is used to support the steering column, then the device complexity is reduced, but the bending rigidity becomes insufficient leading to poor fastening stability
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is designed with localized protrusions at specific positions (near internal edges and forward of bolt holes) to concentrate rigidity where most needed for fastening stability, while keeping other areas thin to maintain overall simplicity
2Ease of manufacture
If the flange is made thinner to reduce complexity, then manufacturing is easier, but the fastening force becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flange maintains thin overall dimensions for ease of manufacture while incorporating localized protrusions that concentrate structural strength and fastening force at critical positions without requiring the entire flange to be thick
3Stability of the object's composition
If protrusions are added to the flange to increase bending rigidity, then mounting stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Protrusions are added only at specific critical locations (near internal edges and forward of bolt holes) rather than throughout the entire flange, providing maximum rigidity improvement with minimal increase in overall structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device includes a bracket and right and left bolts. The bracket includes right and left side plates supporting a steering column from both sides, respectively, in a widthwise direction, and right and left flanges extending outwardly in the widthwise direction from respective upper ends of the right and left side plates. The bolts fasten the flanges to a mount surface of a vehicle body. The flanges include respective right and left internal protrusions protruding toward the mount surface from respective flange surfaces, which face the mount surface. The internal protrusions are located forwardly in a vehicle body back-and-forth direction relative to tightened positions of the bolts, and are located near respective internal edges of the flanges in the widthwise direction.