Steering Column Clamping Piece Reinforcement for Tilt Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column devices experience varying operation forces when adjusting the tilt position, affecting support rigidity and ease of operation, as the rigidity around the tilt elongated groove changes with tilt position.
Innovation Solution
A steering column device design featuring a vehicle body mounting bracket with clamping pieces that include arc-shaped tilt holes and a U-shaped slit, a clamping shaft, and a lock mechanism, where the clamping pieces have a reinforcement portion surrounding the slit to maintain consistent operation force across tilt positions, improving support rigidity and reducing operation force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elongated through holes are provided on both sides and an upper side of the tilt elongated groove to elastically vary the shapes of side plates, then the tightening operation force is decreased, but the rigidity of the portion around the tilt elongated groove is reduced causing operation force to vary with tilt position
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping piece is designed with non-uniform thickness distribution: thinner at the tip end side (providing elasticity for easy tightening) and thicker at the base end side (providing rigidity for stable operation force). This local quality variation allows the same component to exhibit both elastic and rigid characteristics in different regions, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and stability of operation force.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping piece transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with controlled flexibility. The varying thickness creates a compliant region that can elastically deform during tightening operations, while the overall structure maintains sufficient rigidity to ensure consistent operation force across different tilt positions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the rigidity of the portion around the tilt elongated groove is increased to maintain consistent operation force, then operation force stability is improved, but the operation force required to tighten the outer column increases
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a local thin region in the clamping piece, the design concentrates flexibility where needed for easy tightening, while the thicker base region provides the rigidity for force consistency. This localized quality adjustment allows the system to achieve both low operation force and stable operation force without contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter of the clamping piece is varied spatially to optimize performance. The thickness transitions from small at the tip end to large at the base end, creating a gradient structure that balances elasticity and rigidity, thereby reducing operation force while maintaining force consistency across tilt positions.
3Ease of operation
If the clamping piece is made thinner to reduce operation force, then ease of operation is improved, but the support rigidity of the steering column is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping piece employs non-uniform thickness distribution where the tip end is thinner (for ease of operation) and the base end is thicker (for support rigidity). This local differentiation allows the component to provide both low operation force and sufficient structural strength simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and support rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping piece can be viewed as segmented into functional regions: a flexible tip region for easy tightening and a rigid base region for structural support. This segmentation of functional properties within a single component allows it to fulfill multiple contradictory requirements.
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 design stabilizes operability by maintaining consistent operation force during tilt adjustments, enhancing support rigidity and reducing the effort required to operate the lock mechanism, while ensuring secure holding of the tilt bracket.
Implementation Method 1
one of the pair of clamping pieces including a slit which has a substantially U-shape... and at least the one of the clamping pieces including the slit, including a reinforcement portion which surrounds an outside of the slit
Implementation Method 2
a clamping shaft penetrating through the tilt holes and the steering column; and a lock mechanism provided to one end portion of the clamping shaft, and arranged to tighten and engage the steering column by the pair of the clamping pieces
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A steering column device includes: a steering shaft (5); a steering column; a vehicle body mounting bracket (1); one of the pair of the clamping pieces (8) including a slit (9a) which has a substantially U-shape, and which surrounds one of a front side and a rear side of the tilt hole (10), and an upper side and a lower side of the tilt hole, and a tongue piece portion (9) which is surrounded by the slit (9a), the tilt hole (10) being positioned at a tip end side of the tongue piece portion (9), and at least the one of the clamping pieces (8) including the slit (9a), including a reinforcement portion (75, 76, 77, 78) which surrounds an outside of the slit (9a), and which is Integrally provided with the one of the clamping pieces (8) including the slit (9a).