Steering Column Fixing Lever with Counterweight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering apparatuses are prone to releasing the steering column during impacts due to the swaying of the operation lever, which is not adequately secured by a constant spring force, potentially leading to loss of steering control during collisions.
Innovation Solution
The steering apparatus incorporates an operation lever with an extended portion and a weight member positioned ahead of its center of gravity, which counteracts the moment of inertia caused by impacts, preventing the steering column from being released by balancing the force and reducing the likelihood of swaying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the distance between the clamping portion and operating portion of the lever is elongated to lighten lever operation, then the operability of the lever is improved, but the lever becomes more prone to swaying on the releasing side during impact
Solution Approach 1:
A weight member is attached to the extended portion of the operation lever to create a counterbalancing moment. This counterweight effect prevents the lever from swaying on the releasing side during impact, while the extended portion maintains the long operating distance for improved operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation lever is extended in the front-back direction of the vehicle, adding spatial dimension to the lever structure. This extension allows the operating portion to be positioned farther from the clamping portion, improving operability while the weight member compensates for the increased moment of inertia.
2Reliability
If a spring is used to bias the operation lever toward the fixing side, then the lever is prevented from swaying during normal operation, but the steering column may still be released during collision when impact load exceeds spring force
Solution Approach 1:
The weight member creates a gravitational counterbalancing moment that acts continuously on the operation lever. This counterweight mechanism provides inherent resistance to impact forces without relying solely on spring force, preventing lever swaying even during collision.
Solution Approach 2:
The center of gravity of the operation lever is repositioned by attaching the weight member to the extended portion. This parameter change in the lever's mass distribution creates a stabilizing moment that increases the force required to sway the lever, providing protection against impact loads.
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 effectively prevents the steering column from being released during collisions, ensuring continued steering control and reducing the force required to operate the lever, while also allowing for adjustable positioning of the steering wheel.
Implementation Method 1
an impact load and a moment of inertia of the lever operating portion cause the operation lever to sway on the side of releasing the steering column from being fixed
Implementation Method 2
a center of gravidity of the operation lever can be approximated to a swaying center of the operation lever
Data Source
AI summary
A steering apparatus includes a steering shaft, a steering column rotatably supporting the steering shaft, a bracket supporting the steering column to a vehicle body, a fixing mechanism for fixing a position of the steering column and releasing the steering column, and an operation lever fitted to the fixing mechanism to switch over by a sway thereof the fixing and releasing of the steering column, the steering apparatus being thus capable of adjusting the position of the steering column, wherein the operation lever is provided with an operating portion disposed on a more rear side of a vehicle than a swaying center of the operation lever, and an extended portion extending on a more front side of the vehicle than the swaying center of the operation lever and being provided with a weight member. The configuration can prevent the fixed steering column from being released by an impact load.