Steering Column Clamping Bolt Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjustable steering columns in motor vehicles often produce significant noise during adjustment due to metal parts rubbing or hitting each other, and existing solutions do not adequately address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A slip-on body for the clamping bolt of the steering column, featuring cam carrier dampers to reduce rotational movement noise and guide surfaces for low-noise guidance within elongated holes, along with elongated hole stops to dampen striking, is integrated into the steering column design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal parts are used in the steering column adjustment mechanism, then the structural strength and durability are improved, but significant noise is generated during adjustment due to rubbing and striking between metal parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plastic attachment body as an intermediary component between the metal clamping bolt and the metal steering column housing. This plastic mediator absorbs the striking impacts and reduces rubbing noise while still providing the necessary mechanical connection and structural support, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining metal components (clamping bolt, steering column housing) with a plastic attachment body. This composite approach allows the metal parts to provide structural strength while the plastic component dampens noise from rubbing and striking, effectively resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and noise reduction.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If elongated hole stops are added to dampen clamping bolt striking, then noise from striking is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the elongated hole stops with the attachment body itself, making them an integrated part of the same component rather than separate additions. This combining approach reduces device complexity while still providing the noise-dampening function for the clamping bolt striking at the ends of the elongated holes.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If guide surfaces are added for low-noise guidance, then rubbing noise is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the guide surfaces directly into the attachment body structure, combining the guidance function with the existing component rather than adding separate guidance mechanisms. This reduces overall device complexity while effectively minimizing rubbing noise between the clamping bolt and steering column housing during adjustment movements.
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 effectively reduces noise during steering column adjustments by damping rotational movements and guiding the clamping bolt smoothly through elongated holes, enhancing the overall quiet operation of the steering system.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cam carrier damper for damping a rotational movement between a first cam carrier of the steering column and at least one further cam carrier of the steering column
Implementation Method 2
at least one or two damped elongated hole stops for dampening a strike of the clamping bolt at one end of an elongated hole
Implementation Method 3
one or more guide surfaces for sliding along a side wall of the elongated hole
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
Plug-on body (1) for a clamping bolt (2) of an adjustable steering column (3) for a motor vehicle, wherein the plug-on body (1) has at least one opening (4) for guiding the clamping bolt (2) through the opening (4) and at least one or two damped slot end abutments (5) for damping an abutment of the clamping bolt (2) against an end (6) of a slot (7), wherein the plug-on body (1) additionally has at least one cam carrier damper (8) for damping a rotary movement between a first cam carrier (9) of the steering column (3) and at least one further cam carrier (10) of the steering column (3).