Steering Column Motion Control Assembly with Single-Sided Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional adjustable steering columns face challenges in packaging and rigidity due to the configuration of their clamp mechanisms, which often require additional space and may not securely clamp both legs of the rake bracket, leading to reduced rigidity and natural frequency when only one side is clamped.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable steering column design featuring a rake bracket with a bridge and two legs, a lower and upper jacket with a telescopically received upper jacket, and a clamping mechanism on one leg to secure the upper jacket against telescoping movement, along with a mechanical fastener through the second leg to control relative movement between the rake bracket and lower jacket, enhancing packaging efficiency and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the clamp mechanism is positioned on or near the center of the steering column with the actuating lever similarly positioned, then packaging space is reduced and passenger movement is improved, but it becomes difficult or expensive to clamp to both legs of the rake bracket and the rigidity and natural frequency are not high enough when only one side is clamped
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping function is segmented into two independent mechanisms: a first clamping mechanism on the first leg and a second clamping mechanism on the second leg. This allows each leg to be clamped independently, maintaining rigidity while enabling compact center-mounted actuation through separate clamping actions on each side.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating lever is positioned at the center of the steering column (along the longitudinal axis) while the clamping mechanisms extend laterally to engage both legs of the rake bracket. This dimensional arrangement allows compact packaging in the longitudinal direction while maintaining effective clamping on both sides through lateral extension.
2Strength
If the clamp mechanism is positioned away from the center to clamp both legs of the rake bracket, then rigidity and natural frequency are improved, but additional space is used and passenger movement may be interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating lever and both clamping mechanisms are merged into a single integrated assembly. The lever simultaneously controls both clamping mechanisms through mechanical linkage, combining the functions of two separate clamping operations into one actuation point at the center of the steering column.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanisms extend in the lateral dimension (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) to engage both legs of the rake bracket, while the actuating lever remains positioned in the longitudinal dimension at the center. This dimensional separation allows compact packaging while maintaining effective clamping on both sides.
3Device complexity
If only one rake bracket leg is clamped to simplify the mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but the rigidity and natural frequency of the steering column are not high enough
Solution Approach 1:
The single actuating lever at the center automatically distributes clamping force to both legs of the rake bracket through mechanical linkage. The lever's rotation simultaneously actuates both clamping mechanisms, allowing one actuator to serve the function of two separate actuators and maintaining symmetry without increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanisms are arranged symmetrically on opposite sides of the steering column, extending laterally from a center-mounted actuator. This symmetric bilateral arrangement maintains rigidity through balanced clamping on both legs while keeping the actuation system compact and relatively simple through centralized control.
Data Source
AI summary
A motion control assembly for a steering column assembly includes a rake bracket having a first leg and a second leg. Also included is a clamping mechanism intersecting the upper jacket and positioned on the first leg of the rake bracket, the on-center, single-sided clamping mechanism moveable between a clamped condition and an unclamped condition, the clamped condition securing a lower jacket against telescoping movement relative to an upper jacket. Further included is a mechanical fastener extending through the second leg of the rake bracket and at least partially through the lower jacket and operatively coupled to the lower jacket.