Steering Column Intermediate Wedge Mechanism for Stable Gap Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable steering columns experience creaking noises due to gaps between inner and outer sleeves, and existing gap elimination means fail to stably maintain a gapless state, leading to shifting or deformation of components.
Innovation Solution
A steering column design incorporating an elastic pretensioning element, an intermediate element, and a wedge-shaped body with a self-locking mechanism that applies a pressing force via the intermediate element to maintain a gapless state between the sleeves, preventing transmission of forces to the pretensioning element and reducing installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring and wedge-shaped body are used to eliminate the gap between inner sleeve and outer sleeve, then the gap can be eliminated, but the force applied to the wedge-shaped body causes shifting or deformation of the spring, making it unable to stably maintain a gapless state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate element as a mediator between the elastic pretensioning element and the wedge-shaped body. This intermediate element absorbs and transmits forces, preventing direct transmission of reaction forces from the wedge-shaped body back to the pretensioning element, thereby eliminating the deformation issue and ensuring stable maintenance of the gapless state.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a gap elimination means with spring and wedge-shaped body is added to eliminate gaps, then creaking noises are prevented, but the installation space of the steering column increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the intermediate element is received within the wedge-shaped body, and the entire gap elimination means is integrated into the steering column assembly. This nesting approach allows the gap elimination components to occupy minimal space within the existing steering column structure, effectively reducing the overall installation space requirement while still eliminating creaking noises.
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 design effectively prevents creaking noises by maintaining a stable gapless state and reduces installation space, ensuring durable operation and compactness, minimizing collisions with vehicle components.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic pretensioning element applies a pressing force to the wedge-shaped body via the intermediate element
Implementation Method 2
the wedge-shaped body having a first wedge-shaped surface and a second mating surface... the second mating surface of the wedge-shaped body abuts an outer peripheral surface of the first sleeve
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a steering column, comprising: a first sleeve; a second sleeve, the first sleeve being received in the second sleeve in a telescopic way in a longitudinal direction; and a gap elimination means, the gap elimination means comprising an elastic pretensioning element and a wedge-shaped body, the wedge-shaped body having a first wedge-shaped surface and a second mating surface, characterized in that the gap elimination means further comprises an intermediate element, the intermediate element having a third wedge-shaped surface which abuts the first wedge-shaped surface and has a shape fitted to the shape of the first wedge-shaped surface, and the pretensioning element applies a pressing force to the wedge-shaped body via the intermediate element such that the second mating surface of the wedge-shaped body abuts an outer peripheral surface of the first sleeve. The steering column according to the present disclosure is capable of stably maintaining a gapless state between the first sleeve and second sleeve, thus preventing noise.