Steering Column Gear Meshing Reliability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steering column systems face issues with complex configurations, vibration transmission during tilt/telescoping adjustments, increased assembly time, and meshing failures due to gear interactions, which affect operation feeling and safety.

Innovation Solution

A steering column system with a gear meshing function using an operation lever with an engaging arm and an adjusting arm, supported by an elastic element, where the gear teeth are designed to mesh at an angle relative to their normal direction, preventing meshing failures and enhancing operation feeling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple friction plates are superimposed to hold the column main body, then the column position can be adjusted, but the configuration becomes complex and vibrations are transmitted to the operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolumn position adjustmentVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the gear meshing function from the complex friction plate system, using a simplified gear mechanism with an engaging arm that can rotate to engage or disengage from a gear on the column main body. This eliminates the need for multiple friction plates while maintaining the column position adjustment function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the friction-based mechanical system with a gear-based mechanical system. The engaging arm with gear teeth provides a more reliable and less complex mechanism for holding and adjusting the column position, eliminating vibrations and improving operation feeling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If spur gears are used to fix the column position, then the column can be adjusted in tilting direction, but meshing failure occurs when distal ends of gears abut

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolumn position adjustmentVSAvoidgear meshing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing a guide pin that engages with a guide hole in the gear on the column main body before the gear teeth mesh. This guide pin ensures proper alignment and prevents the distal ends of the gears from abutting, thereby preventing meshing failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide pin acts as an intermediary element between the engaging arm and the gear on the column main body. It mediates the meshing process by ensuring proper alignment and preventing direct abutment of the gear teeth, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If gear teeth thickness is increased to prevent meshing failure, then gear strength is improved, but the configuration size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear meshing reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide pin provides preliminary alignment before gear teeth engage, preventing the need to increase tooth thickness to avoid meshing failure. This allows the use of standard gear dimensions while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If magnetic properties are given to gears to suppress abutment, then gear meshing reliability is improved, but the formation of gears becomes very difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear meshing reliabilityVSAvoidgear formation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guide pin serves as a simple mechanical intermediary that prevents gear abutment without requiring complex magnetic properties. This approach is much easier to manufacture while achieving the same reliability goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 improves operation feeling and reduces meshing failures by allowing the engaging arm to displace within a predetermined range, ensuring smooth gear engagement and disengagement, thus enhancing the overall performance and safety of the steering column system.

Implementation Method 1

by passing the position adjusting bolt through an oscillation center hole provided in the engaging arm, at least the engaging arm is supported in such a manner as to be displaced within a predetermined range relative to the column

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8011268B2Steering column system

Publication Date: 2011.09.06 NSK LTD

AI summary

To provide a steering column system which has superior operating feeling and operating properties which can suppress an operational failure, an engaging arm is displaced relative to a cam member by an annular member that is deformed elastically. Distal ends of gear teeth are made to shift from each other, making it possible not only to enhance the feeling of the operation lever, but also to facilitate meshing of the gear teeth.