Steering Column Guide Tracks for Defined Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column designs face issues with undefined rigidity and increased adjustment force due to slippage in rolling bearing units and intermediate casing tubes, leading to inconsistent positioning and potential damage during crashes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of elongated guide tracks on the casing tubes and intermediate elements, which interact to provide a positive guide, ensuring defined positioning and synchronized movement of telescopic elements, thereby maintaining consistent rigidity and preventing slippage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rolling bearing unit is used between casing tubes to enable smooth adjustment, then adjustment smoothness is improved, but slippage occurs causing undefined positioning and inconsistent rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
A guide track system is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the rolling bearing unit and casing tubes. The guide tracks constrain the rolling bearing unit to move only along the longitudinal axis, preventing radial slippage while maintaining smooth adjustment motion. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling both smooth operation and reliable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tracks add a dimensional constraint by restricting movement to a one-dimensional longitudinal path. This prevents the rolling bearing unit from slipping in radial directions, thereby maintaining positioning consistency while preserving adjustment smoothness along the allowed axis.
2Length of moving object
If intermediate casing tubes are used to increase adjustment range, then adjustment range is improved, but slippage in intermediate tubes causes undefined positioning
Solution Approach 1:
Guide tracks are introduced as intermediary constraints for intermediate casing tubes. These tracks ensure that intermediate tubes move precisely along the longitudinal axis without slippage, maintaining positioning accuracy while enabling the extended adjustment range provided by the multiple-tube telescopic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic structure is segmented into multiple intermediate casing tubes to achieve extended adjustment range. Each segmented tube is equipped with guide tracks to prevent slippage, ensuring that the segmentation for range extension does not compromise positioning precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If telescopic adjustment is implemented for longitudinal movement, then adjustment flexibility is improved, but rigidity becomes inconsistent in the same position
Solution Approach 1:
The guide track system acts as a mediator that maintains rigid structural relationships during telescopic adjustment. By constraining all moving components to follow precise longitudinal paths, the guide tracks ensure that the steering column achieves consistent rigidity at each adjustment position while maintaining the flexibility of telescopic movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the telescopic configuration while maintaining static rigidity characteristics at each position. The guide tracks enable this by ensuring that when the telescopic elements are locked at a given position, the structural rigidity is consistent and predictable, despite the dynamic nature of the adjustment process.
4Strength
If rolling elements are used for low-backlash support, then support rigidity is improved, but friction causes slippage and increased adjustment force
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tracks serve as an intermediary that redirects and optimizes the force transmission path. By constraining the rolling elements to move only along the longitudinal axis, the guide tracks reduce parasitic friction from radial slippage, thereby reducing the adjustment force required while maintaining the support rigidity provided by the rolling elements.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3e
Figure 4a~4e
AI summary
The present invention relates to a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a casing unit (3), in which a steering spindle (4) is mounted rotatably about a longitudinal axis (L), and wherein the casing unit (3) comprises at least two casing tubes (31, 32, 33), which are adjustable relative to one other in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) and are guided telescopically in one another, a longitudinally displaceable intermediate element (32, 7, 70) being arranged between the casing tubes (31, 32, 33), and a positioning device for positioning the intermediate element (32, 7, 70) in the longitudinal direction relative to the casing tubes (31, 32, 33). In order to allow for a smaller installation space and reduced manufacturing and installation costs, the invention proposes that the positioning device (8) comprises elongated guide tracks (81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 88) which are arranged on the casing tubes (31, 32, 33) and the intermediate element (32, 7, 70) and cooperate in such a manner that they position the casing tubes (31, 32, 33) and the intermediate element (32, 7, 70) relative to one another in a defined manner.