Steering Column Contact Pad Layout for Stable Backlash Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering column devices suffer from backlash due to changes in the relative position between the pressing mechanism and the column tube during telescopic position adjustment, which is exacerbated by a large adjustable range, leading to inconsistent backlash and increased load on the telescopic actuator.
Innovation Solution
The steering column device features a contact pad fixed to the column tube, pressing against the housing from the inner side, maintaining a consistent load point regardless of the telescopic position, and utilizing elastic members to stabilize the pressing force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressing mechanism is fixed to the housing, then the pressing force can be applied to suppress backlash, but the relative position between the pressing mechanism and column tube changes during telescopic adjustment, causing inconsistent backlash and increased load
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of fixing the pressing mechanism to the housing (conventional approach), the patent inverts the fixing relationship by attaching the pressing mechanism to the column tube. This inversion ensures that the pressing mechanism moves with the column tube, maintaining a constant relative position and consistent pressing force application point throughout telescopic adjustment, thereby resolving the backlash inconsistency problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the column tube and housing. By fixing it to the column tube, it mediates the interaction forces while moving together with the column tube during telescopic adjustment. This intermediary positioning ensures that the pressing force is consistently applied at the correct location regardless of the telescopic position, eliminating the backlash variation issue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the adjustable range of telescopic position is increased, then the steering wheel position flexibility is improved, but the backlash tendency becomes more pronounced due to changing load points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional fixing approach by attaching the pressing mechanism to the moving column tube rather than the stationary housing. This inversion ensures that as the column tube moves through its extended telescopic range, the pressing mechanism moves with it, maintaining a constant relative position and consistent pressing force application. This resolves the backlash inconsistency that would otherwise worsen with increased telescopic adjustment range.
3Reliability
If the pressing force is increased to reduce backlash, then the backlash suppression is improved, but the friction and load on the telescopic actuator increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pressing force locally at a specific, optimized location on the column tube rather than distributing it or applying it at multiple locations. By carefully selecting the pressing position on the column tube and optimizing the pressing mechanism's attachment point, the design achieves effective backlash suppression with minimal pressing force, thereby reducing the overall load on the telescopic actuator while maintaining reliability.
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 stabilizes backlash reduction and optimizes the pressing force, reducing friction and load on the actuator, ensuring consistent performance across telescopic positions.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing mechanism that includes a contact pad that presses against the housing by an action force of the elastic member
Data Source
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AI summary
A steering column device (1) includes a column shaft (2) to which a steering wheel (5) is fixed, and a steering column (3) that rotatably supports the column shaft (2). The steering column (3) includes a housing (31) that is configured to be supported by a vehicle body, a column tube (32) that is accommodated in the housing (31) so as to be movable in an axial direction, and a contact pad (61) that is disposed between the housing (31) and the column tube (32). The contact pad (61) is fixed to the column tube (32), and is also configured to press against the housing (31) from an inner side.