Steering Column Assembly Dual Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering column assemblies experience a tilt-up phenomenon due to side forces generated during vehicle collisions, which can compromise crash performance, as the auxiliary tilt locking structure is only disposed on one side of the mounting bracket.
Innovation Solution
A steering column assembly with a dual locking mechanism, featuring a tilting bolt and two locking units on both sides of the mounting bracket, which apply clamping forces through teeth engagement to prevent tilt-up by providing auxiliary tilt locking on both sides, enhancing crash performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an auxiliary tilt locking structure is provided on only one side of the mounting bracket, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability is worsened due to tilt-up phenomenon during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary tilt locking structure is segmented into two separate locking units, with one locking unit provided on each side of the mounting bracket. Each locking unit independently engages with the tilting bolt on its respective side, distributing the locking function across multiple segments to prevent tilt-up during collision while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The locking units are positioned at specific locations on opposite sides of the mounting bracket, creating asymmetric local quality in the structure. This localized placement ensures that each side of the mounting bracket receives appropriate locking support, addressing the tilt-up risk at the specific locations where side forces are most likely to occur during collision
2Reliability
If a dual locking mechanism is provided on both sides of the mounting bracket, then the reliability is improved by preventing tilt-up, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual locking mechanism merges the functions of two locking units into a coordinated system controlled by a single lever. When the lever is operated, both locking units are simultaneously actuated to engage or disengage from the tilting bolt, providing enhanced reliability through dual-sided locking while avoiding the complexity of independent control mechanisms for each side
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column assembly includes a mounting bracket having a first arm and a second arm, a steering column and a locking device which is configured to be in a locking state or an unlocking state to selectively allow a tilt motion of the supporting housing and the steering column by applying or removing clamping force to or from the first arm and the second arm. The locking device includes a tilting bolt which is connected to the lever to rotate together with the lever and passes through the first arm and the second arm to be able to rotate between the locking state and the unlocking state and a first locking unit and a second locking unit which respectively operate in response to rotation of the tilting bolt and selectively apply clamping force to the first and the second arms.