Steering Column Bracket Nested Leaf Clamping

Solution Overview

Problem

Steering column assemblies in restricted spaces face challenges with limited arm length due to space constraints, leading to variable flexibility and clamping force depending on the rake position, which affects the ability to adjust the steering column effectively.

Innovation Solution

A support bracket with a U-shaped design featuring an outer and inner leaf, where one arm is folded back 180 degrees, providing increased flexibility and consistent clamping force, allowing for both rake and reach adjustments from a single clamp mechanism, with the clamp mechanism applying tension between the inner and outer leaves to maintain stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the arm length of the support bracket is minimized to fit restricted spaces, then the space requirement is reduced, but the flexibility and clamping force become variable depending on rake position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace requirementVSAvoidclamping force consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support bracket arm is configured with an inner leaf nested within an outer leaf, creating a multi-layered structure. The inner leaf is positioned between the outer leaf and the other arm of the U-shaped bracket, allowing the clamp mechanism to act on the inner leaf. This nested configuration increases the effective flexibility and clamping force consistency without increasing the overall arm length, thus maintaining compact space requirements while improving clamping reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the arm length of the support bracket is increased to improve flexibility and clamping force, then the clamping consistency improves, but the space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping force consistencyVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support bracket arm is configured with an inner leaf nested within an outer leaf, creating a multi-layered structure. The inner leaf is positioned between the outer leaf and the other arm of the U-shaped bracket, allowing the clamp mechanism to act on the inner leaf. This nested configuration increases the effective flexibility and clamping force consistency without increasing the overall arm length, thus maintaining compact space requirements while improving clamping reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If a single leaf arm is used to simplify the bracket structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the flexibility varies significantly with rake position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebracket structureVSAvoidflexibility consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support bracket arm is configured with an inner leaf nested within an outer leaf, creating a multi-layered structure. The inner leaf is positioned between the outer leaf and the other arm of the U-shaped bracket, allowing the clamp mechanism to act on the inner leaf. This nested configuration increases the effective flexibility and clamping force consistency without increasing the overall arm length, thus maintaining compact space requirements while improving clamping reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This design enhances flexibility and maintains consistent clamping force regardless of the rake position, enabling effective adjustments in restricted spaces while ensuring adequate lateral stiffness and preventing column rotation during clamping.

Implementation Method 1

the clamp mechanism acting to apply tension between the inner leaf and the other arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

the arms will deflect less for a given clamp force than when it is at its lowest position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8151667B2Steering column assembly

Publication Date: 2012.04.10 TRW LUCAS VARITY ELECTRIC STEERING

AI summary

A steering column assembly comprises a steering column shroud which supports a steering shaft for a steering wheel, a support bracket which is fixed in position relative to a part of vehicle, and a clamp mechanism which is movable between a locked position in which the clamp mechanism fixes the shroud in position relative to the support bracket and an unlocked position in which the clamp mechanism permits movement of the shroud relative to the support bracket. The support bracket comprises a generally U-shaped member with two depending arms of the U extending from its base having a portion of the column shroud located therebetween. A clamp mechanism is also provided which upon locking of the clamp mechanism provides tension between the two arms of the U shaped member together thereby clamping the steering column shroud in position. One arm of the U-shaped member comprises an outer leaf extending from the base to a free end of the arm and an inner leaf connected to the free end of the arm and extending upwards from the free end towards the base, the inner leaf being located between outer leaf and the other arm of the U-shaped member, the clamp mechanism acting to apply tension between the inner leaf and the other arm such tension acting to pull the inner leaf away from the outer leaf.