Steering Column Telescopic Actuator Linear Guide Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column devices face challenges in achieving sufficient extension and contraction speed while maintaining compactness and preventing rattling, often requiring preload that increases rolling resistance and motor size.
Innovation Solution
A steering column device with a telescopic actuator system using low-friction sliding members, such as linear guides or rolling members, between key components to facilitate axial displacement, reducing friction and allowing for high-speed extension and contraction without the need for excessive motor size or preload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a preload is applied to the balls held between the jackets to prevent rattling, then the stability of the object's composition is improved, but the rolling resistance of the balls increases, causing the extension and contraction speed to decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ball-and-socket joint mechanism with a linear guide mechanism consisting of a guide rail and slider. This substitution eliminates the preload requirement while maintaining stability, as the linear guide provides precise linear motion constraints without the rolling resistance inherent in ball joints. The guide rail and slider configuration allows smooth extension and contraction without rattling, resolving the contradiction between stability and speed.
2Speed
If a motor with large output torque is used to overcome increased rolling resistance, then the extension and contraction speed can be sufficiently ensured, but the motor size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the ball joint mechanism with a linear guide mechanism, the patent dramatically reduces the rolling resistance that the motor must overcome. This substitution allows the use of a smaller motor with lower output torque to achieve the same extension and contraction speed, thereby reducing motor size while maintaining performance.
3Length of moving object
If three jackets are assembled telescopically to ensure sufficient extension and contraction amount, then the length adjustment range is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex three-jacket telescopic assembly with a simpler structure using guide rails and sliders. This substitution maintains the sufficient extension and contraction amount while reducing the number of components and assembly complexity. The linear guide mechanism provides smooth motion with fewer parts, eliminating the need for multiple nested jackets and their associated ball joints.
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 ensures rapid and efficient extension and contraction of the steering column, maintaining structural rigidity and compactness, while minimizing operational noise and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a low-friction sliding member disposed between the first column member and the second column member
Implementation Method 2
the telescopic actuator includes a telescopic motor, and displaces the second column member in the axial direction with respect to the first column member by using the telescopic motor as a drive source
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column device includes a steering column; and a telescopic actuator. The steering column includes a first column member, a second column member assembled to the first column member in a manner of being displaceable relative to the first column member in an axial direction, and a low-friction sliding member disposed between the first column member and the second column member. The telescopic actuator includes a telescopic motor, and displaces the second column member in the axial direction with respect to the first column member by using the telescopic motor as a drive source.