Steering Column Bracket Offset Leaf Clamping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column assembly mounting brackets face challenges in achieving consistent clamping force during rake and reach adjustments, leading to variations in the force required to clamp the steering column shroud, which affects the rigidity and stability of the assembly.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped mounting bracket with an outer and inner leaf, where the inner leaf is secured at offset positions parallel to the slot, allowing for uniform clamp force distribution and flexibility, ensuring consistent clamping force across different rake positions, and featuring a curved slot and arc attachment for enhanced rigidity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the mounting arms are made rigid to prevent shroud movement, then the stability of the steering column is improved, but the force required to adjust the clamp mechanism varies significantly with rake position
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arms are constructed with flexible leaves (inner and outer leaves) instead of completely rigid structures. These leaves can flex during clamping operations to accommodate rake adjustments, then provide rigid support during normal operation. This flexibility allows the clamp mechanism to move smoothly along the slot while maintaining stability when clamped.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the mounting arms from completely rigid to having controlled flexibility through the leaf structure. The leaves can change their degree of flexion based on the clamp position, allowing easy adjustment at any rake position while maintaining stability when clamped.
2Ease of operation
If the mounting arms are made flexible to ease clamp adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the rigidity and stability of the mounting bracket decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arm is segmented into multiple leaves (inner leaf and outer leaf) that can flex independently. This segmentation allows the structure to be flexible during adjustment while maintaining overall strength. The multiple leaves work together to provide both the needed flexibility for operation and the rigidity for stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting arms transition from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure where the leaves can flex during adjustment and then stabilize when clamped. This dynamic behavior allows the structure to adapt to operational requirements while maintaining strength.
3Force
If the clamp mechanism is positioned at the end of the slot nearest the main body, then the clamping force is higher, but the force required to move the clamp mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible leaves compensate for the varying mechanical advantage at different clamp positions. When the clamp is near the main body where mechanical advantage is lower, the leaves flex more to reduce the required force. This maintains ease of operation throughout the entire range of motion.
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 provides a consistent clamping force and improved rigidity of the mounting bracket, allowing for precise adjustments in both rake and reach while maintaining the stability of the steering column shroud during vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
Both the inner and outer leaves can be made to flex such that changes in spring force of one leaf cancel out changes in the other as the clamp mechanism moves up and down
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A steering column assembly comprises a steering column shroud 1 which surrounds a steering shaft for a steering wheel, a mounting bracket 9 which is fixed in position relative to a part of vehicle, and a clamp mechanism 8 which is movable between a clamped position in which the clamp mechanism 8 fixes the shroud 1 in position relative to the mounting bracket 9 and a released position in which the clamp mechanism 8 permits movement of the shroud 1 relative to the mounting bracket 8. The mounting bracket 8 comprises a generally U-shaped member with two depending bracket arms 15, 16 of the U extending vertically down from a main body 17 to embrace a portion of the column shroud 1. When in the clamped position, the clamp mechanism 8 squeezes the two arms 15, 16 of the U-shaped member together thereby clamping the steering column shroud 1 in position. One arm 15 comprises an outer leaf 15a that depends from the main body and an inner leaf 15b, which is fixed to the inside of the outer leaf 15a facing the opposing arm 16. The inner leaf 15b and outer leaf 15a each include a respective vertical slot along which a portion of the clamp mechanism 8 can move when the clamp mechanism 8 is unclamped. The inner leaf 15b is secured to the inside of the outer leaf 15a at two or more positions that are offset to one side of the slot and arranged vertically.