Steering Column Bracket Rigidity via Intersecting Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing brackets for supporting column covers in steering apparatuses often experience deformation when additional members are attached, leading to displacement of the column cover's attachment position, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A bracket design comprising multiple intersecting plates (first, second, third, and fourth plates) with increased rigidity, including a welding bead for enhanced stability, and strategically positioned holes for improved formability and ease of attachment, which suppresses deformation and maintains the column cover's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple bracket structure is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the rigidity deteriorates causing deformation when additional members are attached
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into multiple plates (first plate, second plate, third plate, fourth plate) that are connected together. Each plate serves a specific function and can be manufactured separately, maintaining ease of manufacture while the combined structure provides the necessary rigidity to prevent deformation when additional members are attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket structure transitions from a single-plane design to a multi-dimensional configuration with plates extending in different directions (first plate in first direction, second plate in second direction, third plate connecting them, and fourth plate intersecting). This spatial arrangement increases rigidity without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the bracket structure is made more rigid to prevent deformation, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is segmented into multiple functional plates that can be designed and manufactured independently using standard components and processes. This segmentation allows each plate to be optimized for its specific role while maintaining overall structural stability, without requiring complex integrated manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple plates are merged through connections (including welding beads) to form a unified bracket structure. The merging of simple plate elements creates a stable, rigid assembly that prevents deformation while keeping individual components simple and easy to manufacture.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple intersecting plates are used to increase rigidity, then the precision of position maintenance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The precise bracket structure is achieved by segmenting it into multiple plates that can be manufactured separately with standard tolerances and then assembled. This approach maintains manufacturing precision for the final assembly while keeping individual manufacturing steps simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Holes are provided in advance at specific positions on the plates to facilitate accurate alignment and assembly. These pre-positioned holes enable precise positioning of the bracket components during assembly without requiring complex machining operations on the final assembled structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket includes a first plate that faces a steering column, a second plate that faces a column cover covering the steering column, and a third plate that connects the first plate and the second plate, and a fourth plate that intersects with the first plate and the third plate.