Steering Column Cam Adjustment Without a Protruding Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering apparatuses with telescopic and tilt adjusting mechanisms protrude towards the driver, reducing spatial efficiency and posing a risk of injury during accidents due to their large size and volume.
Innovation Solution
A steering apparatus with a cam unit, adjusting unit, and gear unit that includes a push button mechanism, a plunger, and a guide groove system, allowing for inward pressure application and rotation of the cam unit to adjust the telescopic and tilt operations without protruding components, replacing the traditional adjusting lever.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional adjusting lever is used for telescopic and tilt operations, then the driver can manually control the steering apparatus position, but the adjusting lever must be large in size and volume, reducing spatial efficiency and posing injury risk during accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical adjusting lever with a button-operated control mechanism. The button (3510) activates a plunger (3550) that engages with a cam unit (3300), substituting the manual lever-rotation mechanism with a push-button actuation system. This reduces the controlling component's volume while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the control mechanism from a two-dimensional lever rotation in horizontal space to a button press in a different spatial dimension. The plunger moves axially (inward/outward) rather than rotating, changing the control dimension from rotational plane to linear depth, thereby reducing the footprint volume required for operation.
2Ease of operation
If a large-sized adjusting lever is used, then the driver can easily operate it, but it protrudes toward the driver and causes serious injury during vehicle crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the protruding mechanical lever with a recessed button control system. The button (3510) is positioned on the outer surface of the steering apparatus housing, not protruding into the driver's space. The plunger (3550) and cam unit (3300) mechanism provides the necessary mechanical advantage for operation without requiring a large external lever.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism components are nested within the steering apparatus housing structure. The plunger (3550) moves within the housing cavity, and the cam unit (3300) is positioned inside the bracket assembly. This nesting eliminates protruding elements while maintaining full operational capability within the existing structural envelope.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact adjusting mechanism is used to reduce volume, then spatial efficiency improves, but the mechanism must be more complex to achieve the same adjusting function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the cam unit (3300) and plunger (3550) assembly. The cam unit simultaneously provides the mechanical advantage for clamping, the rotation control for tilt adjustment, and the telescopic positioning. The plunger integrates the button actuation, force transmission, and positional control functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components and overall volume while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the adjusting mechanism from lever rotation (angular displacement) to button press (linear displacement with force application). The cam unit translates the linear plunger movement into rotational motion for adjustment. This parameter change allows a compact button mechanism to achieve the same adjusting capability as a larger lever system.
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 solution enhances operational convenience, reduces the apparatus's volume, and prevents damage to the driver by allowing efficient use of space within the vehicle, improving safety and marketability.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring installed outside the cam unit and a plunger installed outside the first spring
Implementation Method 2
a guide groove in which the guide pin is accommodated, and the guide groove includes a diagonal groove formed in a diagonal direction so that the guide pin moves to rotate the plunger
Implementation Method 3
a cam unit coupled to an outer side of any one of the pair of plate brackets to apply a pressure inward
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a steering apparatus including a pair of plate brackets provided on two sides of an outer tube and including tilt long holes formed in a vertical direction, a cam unit coupled to an outer side of any one of the pair of plate brackets to apply a pressure inward, and an adjusting unit coupled to an outer surface of the cam unit to adjust rotation of the cam unit, wherein the adjusting unit includes a first spring installed outside the cam unit, a plunger of which one end is in contact with the first spring and the other end is provided with a push button, a stopper provided in a hollow shape through which the plunger passes, a position of the stopper is fixed to a vehicle body, a guide pin formed to protrude from an outer circumferential surface of the plunger, and a guide member provided in a hollow shape through which the plunger passes, fixed to an outer side of the stopper, and including a guide groove in which the guide pin is accommodated, and the guide groove includes a diagonal groove formed in a diagonal direction so that the guide pin moves to rotate the plunger.