Steering Column Clamp Mechanism With Damping Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamp mechanisms for securing a steering column shroud in vehicles often result in abrupt movement and noise when transitioning from a clamped to an unclamped position due to spring force, leading to undesirable noise and potential mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a damping member, such as a resilient ring or annular bush, fixed to the clamp pin, fixed cam, or moving cam, which compresses as the cam mechanism moves to the unclamped position, damping the movement and reducing noise by converting kinetic energy into compressive energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a spring is provided to move the cam rapidly to the end of its travel to unclamp the bracket and shroud, then the unclamping speed is improved, but abrupt movement and noise are generated
Solution Approach 1:
A damping member is introduced into the cam mechanism to cushion the abrupt movement generated by the spring during unclamping. The damping member is positioned to engage with the cam or lever, converting the kinetic energy from the rapid spring-driven movement into compressive energy, thereby reducing noise and mechanical stress while maintaining unclamping speed.
2Speed
If a spring is provided to move the cam rapidly to the end of its travel, then the unclamping speed is improved, but mechanical stress is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The damping member acts as a cushioning element that absorbs the mechanical stress generated by the rapid spring-driven cam movement. By positioning the damping member to engage with the cam or lever during the unclamping stroke, it converts the high-velocity kinetic energy into controlled compressive forces, thereby reducing peak mechanical stresses on the clamp mechanism components.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping member converts the harmful abrupt kinetic energy and mechanical stress into beneficial compressive energy. The compression of the damping member absorbs the excess energy from the spring-driven cam movement, transforming what would be harmful stress into a controlled energy absorption mechanism that protects the clamp mechanism.
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 damping member effectively reduces noise and smooths the transition from the clamped to unclamped state, enhancing the operational silence and mechanical stability of the steering column assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient damping member which is compressed on movement of the cam mechanism towards the unclamped position
Implementation Method 2
the resilient damping member being compressed as the cam mechanism moves to the unclamped condition so as to damp the movement of the cam mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column assembly includes a clamp mechanism comprising a clamp pin that passes through an opening in a shroud of the steering column assembly and an opening in a bracket that supports the shroud of the steering column assembly. A first reaction member is secured to one end of the pin and a second reaction member secured to another end of the clamp pin, the reaction members defining a length of clamp pin between them that passes through the opening in the shroud and the opening in the support bracket. A cam mechanism has a fixed part and a moving part, each having an opening through which they are threaded onto the clamp pin between one of the reaction members and the support bracket. The moving cam part is connected to a lever and free to rotate around the clamp pin as the lever is rotated, the fixed cam part being prevented from rotation around the clamp pin, a cam surface of the fixed part being in contact with a cam surface of the rotating part and configured such that rotation of the rotating cam part is converted into an axial movement of the fixed cam part resulting in a change in the overall length of the cam mechanism. The cam steering column assembly is configured so that the increase in length of the cam mechanism when in a clamped position causes the bracket to be clamped to the shroud, and the assembly further comprising a damping member that is fixed to at least one of the clamp pin, the fixed cam and the moving cam so that the resilient damping member is compressed as the cam mechanism moves to the unclamped condition so as to damp the movement of the cam mechanism.