Steering Column Fixation via Intermediary Clamp Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column devices face instability in fixation due to uneven contact between fixed and movable wall portions, leading to insufficient support stiffness and varying resonance frequencies, causing steering wheel vibrations during vehicle idling.
Innovation Solution
The steering column device incorporates paired protrusions on the fixed and movable wall portions, extending in perpendicular directions to ensure stable contact at four corners, enhancing support stiffness and resonance frequency stability through even clamping force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fixed longitudinal wall portion and movable longitudinal wall portion are brought into pressure contact to fix the steering column, then the steering column can be fixed in position, but the contact stability is insufficient due to member distortion and unintended contact regions
Solution Approach 1:
A clamp shaft is introduced as an intermediary component to apply clamping force between the fixed longitudinal wall portion and movable longitudinal wall portion. The clamp shaft includes clamping surfaces that contact both wall portions, ensuring stable and intended contact regions even when the wall portions themselves have dimensional variations or distortion. This mediator transfers and distributes the clamping force through controlled contact points.
2Strength
If the wall portions are made to contact each other for fixation, then the steering column can be supported, but the support stiffness is insufficient due to unstable contact
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp shaft serves as a mediator that provides stable contact surfaces (clamping surfaces) for fixing the steering column. By using the clamp shaft's precisely formed clamping surfaces instead of relying directly on the potentially distorted wall portions, the system achieves both high contact stability and sufficient support stiffness. The clamp shaft ensures consistent geometric contact regardless of wall portion variations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the steering column is fixed using the supporting device, then the steering wheel position can be adjusted and fixed, but resonance frequency varies among components causing steering wheel vibration during idling
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp shaft acts as a mediator that provides consistent and stable contact surfaces for fixing the steering column at adjusted positions. By ensuring stable contact through the clamp shaft's clamping surfaces rather than relying on variable wall portion contact, the system achieves consistent resonance characteristics across different adjustment positions, preventing unwanted steering wheel vibrations during idling.
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 achieves stable fixation and improved resonance frequency stability, preventing steering wheel resonance with the vehicle body during operations.
Implementation Method 1
relative movement of the fixed longitudinal wall portion and the movable longitudinal wall portion is prevented by friction resistance caused by the pressure contact of both of the wall portions
Data Source
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AI summary
A steering column device (1) includes: a bracket (4) to be fixed to a vehicle body and including a first wall (41); a steering shaft (2); a steering column (3) including one end (31a) supported by the vehicle body and an outer peripheral surface with a second wall (33), and configured to rotatably support the steering shaft (2); and a clamp shaft penetrating the first wall (41) and configured to switch between a pressure and non-pressure contact states respectively where the first and second walls (41,33) are and are not in pressure contact with each other. The first and second walls (41,33) include: a pair of first protrusions (10,11) disposed separately on both sides of the clamp shaft in a first direction parallel to an axial direction of the steering column (3), and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the steering column (3); and a pair of second protrusions (12,13) disposed separately in the second direction and extending in the first direction. Each of the first protrusions (10,11) contacts both of the second protrusions (12,13) in the pressure contact state.