Steering Wheel Column Gap Cover Design for Heavy Goods Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heavy goods vehicles, existing steering wheel column assemblies lack an adequate adjustment field, and the gaps between the movable steering wheel column and the dashboard are not reliably covered, leading to ergonomic and accessibility issues during driving, entry, and resting positions.
Innovation Solution
A driver's cabin design featuring a movable steering wheel column cover with rotatable upper and lower gap covers connected by tension springs, mounted to stationary guide flanges, ensuring all gaps are efficiently closed across the adjustment field, maintaining low friction and preventing surface scratches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the adjustment field of the movable steering wheel column assembly is increased to provide better ergonomic positioning, then the ergonomic comfort and accessibility are improved, but the gaps between the steering wheel column and dashboard become more variable and harder to cover reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gap covers rotatable rather than fixed, allowing them to adapt their position dynamically as the steering wheel column moves through its extended adjustment field. The rotatable gap covers can follow the movement of the steering wheel column while maintaining reliable coverage of the gaps throughout the entire range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameter of the gap covers by allowing rotation around the stationary guide flanges. This parameter change enables the gap covers to maintain proper alignment and coverage reliability despite the varying positions of the movable steering wheel column assembly throughout its extended adjustment field.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable steering wheel column cover is used to cover gaps during repositioning, then the aesthetic appearance and component protection are improved, but friction and potential surface scratches increase during adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the covering function from a fixed column cover and separates it into rotatable gap covers that are mounted independently on the stationary guide flanges. This extraction allows the covering function to be performed without the friction problems associated with a movable cover attached to the steering wheel column, as the rotatable covers can move freely around the stationary flanges with minimal resistance.
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 provides an increased adjustment field for the steering wheel column assembly while ensuring all gaps are reliably covered, maintaining low friction and preventing surface damage, thus enhancing ergonomic positioning and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
the upper and lower gap covers are connected by means of a pair of springs, which mutually connect said upper and lower gap covers. As a result of mutually connecting said upper and lower gap covers by means of said pair of springs the tension in said springs can be kept to a minimum over the total adjustment field
Data Source
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AI summary
A driver's cabin (1) comprises a cabin frame (2) and a dashboard (8) comprising a recess (7) for a steering wheel assembly (3). The steering wheel assembly comprises a movable steering wheel column assembly (5) and a stationary guide plate assembly (6). The movable steering wheel column assembly comprises a steering axle (13) for a steering wheel (4) and a steering axle housing (14) enclosing the steering axle (13) defining a longitudinal steering axle axis (13A), and a first and a second movable guide plate (15). The steering axle housing is positioned between the first and the second movable guide plate and is fixedly attached thereto. The stationary guide plate assembly comprises a first and a second stationary guide flange (17,18) each being fixedly and stationary attached to the cabin frame (2). The movable steering wheel column assembly (5) is positioned between the first and the second stationary guide flange (17, 18). The first and the second movable guide plate (15) and the first and the second stationary guide flange (17, 18) comprise cooperating means for adjustment of the inclination and the position in the longitudinal steering axle axis direction (13A) of the movable steering wheel column assembly (5). The movable steering wheel column assembly comprises a movable steering wheel column cover (9) enclosing the first and the second movable guide plate (15) and the steering axle housing (14) and is fixedly attached to the first and the second movable guide plate (15). The movable steering wheel column cover (9) is positioned between the first and the second stationary guide flange (17, 18).