Steering Column Bumping Portion Prevents Rising and Wobbling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices with tilting functions struggle to maintain the steering wheel at a desired uppermost position due to weight-induced falling, as the column is not effectively restrained from rising and wobbling after being locked.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bumping portion on the column unit that contacts the rear bracket before the lock bolt reaches the upper end of the tilting guide hole, ensuring the column is restricted from rising and wobbling, with an urging member maintaining contact between the lock bolt and the through-hole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the through-hole inner diameter is set slightly larger than the rod outer diameter to accommodate dimensional variation, then the rod can be easily inserted and assembled, but the column unit cannot be effectively restrained from rising and wobbling after locking
Solution Approach 1:
The bumping portion acts as an intermediary element between the column unit and the rear bracket. It provides a dedicated contact point that mediates the interaction between these components, enabling effective restraint of the column unit without requiring a tight fit between the through-hole and rod. This intermediary structure allows the through-hole to remain loose for easy assembly while the bumping portion ensures reliable locking by preventing rising and wobbling motions.
2Reliability
If the lock bolt abuts onto the upper end inner circumferential edge of the tilting guide hole to restrict column rising, then the column can be locked, but the column may still fall due to weight after locking
Solution Approach 1:
The bumping portion performs a preliminary action by restricting the column unit from rising before the lock bolt reaches its final locked position. By making contact with the rear bracket first, the bumping portion pre-restrains the column unit, preventing it from falling due to weight after locking. This preliminary restraint action complements the lock bolt's function, ensuring both reliable locking and stable position maintenance.
3Reliability
If the column unit is restricted from rising by the lock bolt abutting on the tilting guide hole edge, then the uppermost position can be locked, but high surface pressure causes deformation of the rear bracket
Solution Approach 1:
The bumping portion serves as an intermediary contact point between the column unit and the rear bracket, distributing the restraining force. Instead of concentrating high surface pressure at the lock bolt's abutment point on the tilting guide hole edge, the bumping portion provides an additional contact area. This intermediary structure reduces peak surface pressure on the rear bracket while maintaining effective locking capability through the combined action of the bumping portion and lock bolt.
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
This configuration allows for stable fixation of the steering wheel at the desired uppermost position, preventing wobbling and falling, while minimizing surface pressure to avoid deformation of the rear bracket.
Implementation Method 1
an urging member that is connected to the lock bolt and urges the column unit upward via the lock bolt
Implementation Method 2
a bumping portion that restricts the column unit from rising by causing the column unit and the rear bracket to come into contact with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device includes a column unit, a front bracket, a lock bolt, a rear bracket provided with a tilting guide hole, and a second urging member. The column unit is provided with a bumping portion that restricts the column unit from rising by coming into contact with the rear bracket before the lock bolt abuts onto an upper end inner circumferential edge of the tilting guide hole in accordance with rotation of the column unit.