Steering Column Asymmetrical Clamping Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column designs face issues with secure fixation and reduced natural frequency and rigidity due to symmetrical bearing surface arrangements, leading to uneven load distribution and impaired clamping effects.
Innovation Solution
The steering column features an asymmetrical arrangement of three bearing surfaces on the outer sides, with the third surface positioned between the first and second surfaces, creating a three-point clamp that ensures even surface pressure and secure fixation, enhancing natural frequency and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If symmetrical bearing surface arrangements are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but fixation reliability and natural frequency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the three bearing surfaces at different locations and orientations on the jacket unit. Specifically, the bearing surfaces are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis, creating a three-point clamp configuration where the surfaces are not mirror-symmetric. This asymmetric arrangement ensures even surface pressure distribution and improves fixation reliability while maintaining manufacturability through standard machining operations.
2Device complexity
If symmetrical bearing surface arrangements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but rigidity and natural frequency are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric arrangement of three bearing surfaces creates a more rigid structure by forming a stable triangular clamp configuration. This asymmetric geometry distributes mechanical loads more effectively across the bearing surfaces, increasing the natural frequency and rigidity of the steering column while adding minimal structural complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If bearing surfaces are arranged symmetrically, then manufacturing precision requirements are lower, but load distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric positioning of the three bearing surfaces is specifically designed to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. The non-symmetrical arrangement creates a self-balancing clamp configuration that distributes loads evenly across all three surfaces, reducing the impact of dimensional variations and ensuring stable, uniform load distribution without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
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 asymmetrical three-point clamping system provides a robust and reliable fixation, increasing the natural frequency and rigidity of the steering column while being manufacturable with minimal additional effort compared to prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a tensioning device acting on the side walls, which in a fixing position tensions the first inner side against a first outer side of the jacket unit and the second inner side against a second outer side of the jacket unit... the tensioning mechanism converts a rotation of a tensioning axis that passes through the two side walls transversely, manually via an operating lever or by a motor, into the tensioning force with which the side walls are pulled together in the axial direction of the clamping axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: an adjusting unit (2), which has a steering shaft (23) mounted rotatably about its longitudinal axis (L) in a casing unit (21); a supporting unit (3), which is connectable to the body of the motor vehicle and has first and second side pieces (31, 32) extending in the height direction (H) and having mutually opposed first and second inner faces (311, 321) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L), between which the casing unit (21) is arranged; and a clamping device (4), which acts on the side pieces (31, 32), can be secured in position and released, and which in its fixed position clamps the first inner face (311) against a first outer face (211) of the casing unit (21) and the second inner face (321) against a second outer face (221) of the casing unit (21), and in a release position releases the inner faces (311, 321) from the outer faces (211, 221) and allows the adjusting unit (2) to move relative to the supporting unit (3). First and second raised contact surfaces (51, 52) are formed at least on one of the first outer faces (211) and contact the first inner face (311) and are arranged at a distance (A) from one another. In order to achieve improved fixation and a high natural frequency and rigidity, according to the invention the second outer face (221) has a third raised contact surface (53), which contacts the second inner face (321) and at least part of which is arranged in the distance (A) between the first contact surface (51) and the second contact surface (52).