Steering Column Bushing Radial Movement Support via Filler Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telescoping steering columns require complex aperture formation and additional components to support the bearing surface, which can be inefficient and prone to radial movement issues.

Innovation Solution

A steering column jacket with a bushing having a radially outward-facing bearing surface and a first channel accessible from the interior, where injected filler material supports the bearing surface against radial movement, eliminating the need for aperture formation and providing an energy-absorbing structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plastic is injected through an aperture formed in the third member and outer member to support the bearing surface, then the bearing surface is supported, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing surface supportVSAvoidaperture formation process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the aperture formation step from the manufacturing process by providing a bushing with a pre-formed channel that is accessible from the interior of the steering column jacket. This eliminates the need to form an aperture through the third member and outer member, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the bearing surface support function through filler material injection into the channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bushing is designed with a channel that is预先 formed and accessible from the interior before the final assembly is completed. This preliminary preparation of the injection path allows filler material to be injected without requiring complex aperture formation through multiple members, thus simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring proper support of the bearing surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If an aperture is formed in the third member and outer member to inject filler material, then the bearing surface can be supported, but the manufacturing time and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing surface stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the time-consuming aperture formation operation from the manufacturing sequence by designing a bushing with an internally accessible channel. The filler material can be injected through this pre-existing channel without requiring the formation of apertures through the third member and outer member, thereby maintaining bearing surface stability while significantly improving manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The channel in the bushing is designed to be accessible from the interior before final assembly completion, allowing filler material injection to occur at an optimal point in the manufacturing process. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for post-assembly aperture formation, thus maintaining bearing surface support reliability while reducing overall manufacturing time and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If a bushing with channel accessible from interior is used, then aperture formation is eliminated and manufacturing is simplified, but the structure must provide its own access path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaperture formation eliminationVSAvoidbushing channel design

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the support function and the access path function into a single integrated bushing component. The bushing contains an internally formed channel that is accessible from the interior of the steering column jacket, combining the bearing surface support structure with the filler material injection path. This integration eliminates the need for separate aperture formation operations in the third member and outer member, simplifying manufacturing while the channel design provides the necessary access path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating aperture formation and enhances the stability of the bearing surface, providing a supported structure that absorbs energy between steering column members.

Implementation Method 1

injected filler material disposed in the first channel between the bushing and the steering column jacket. The filler material supports the bearing surface against radial movement relative to the steering column jacket.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMaterial filling:

Data Source

PatentUS7534383B2Method of supporting a bushing against radial movement relative to a steering column jacket with a filler material

Publication Date: 2009.05.19 STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORP

AI summary

The invention provides an apparatus including a steering column jacket defining an interior. The invention also provides a bushing disposed in the interior of the steering column jacket. The bushing includes a radially outwardly facing bearing surface and a first channel. The first channel is radially adjacent to the bearing surface. The first channel is accessible from the interior of the steering column jacket. The invention also provides injected filler material disposed in the first channel between the bushing and the steering column jacket. The filler material supports the bearing surface against radial movement relative to the steering column jacket.