Steering Column Locking Assembly Arcuate Tooth Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column assemblies face challenges in maintaining a stable locked position due to the 'tooth on tooth' stall event, which prevents full engagement of teeth, hindering the steering column's ability to lock securely.
Innovation Solution
A locking assembly with a first and second member featuring teeth, along with a biasing member and a spring-loaded device, allows for pivotable movement along an arcuate path, enabling teeth to roll past each other and ensuring full engagement by managing compliance through a compliance axis, thus preventing stall events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms with straight teeth engagement are used, then the structure is simple, but the teeth cannot fully engage due to stall events, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing the teeth engagement path as an arcuate (curved) path rather than a straight line. The first and second members pivot relative to each other along this curved trajectory, allowing the teeth to roll past each other smoothly. This curved engagement path eliminates the stall events that occur in straight engagement mechanisms, ensuring full tooth engagement and improving locking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static straight-line engagement to a dynamic arcuate pivoting motion. The first member and second member are designed to pivot relative to each other during engagement, creating a dynamic engagement process. This dynamic motion allows the teeth to roll rather than slide, preventing stall events and ensuring complete engagement throughout the locking cycle.
2Manufacturing precision
If teeth are designed for direct engagement, then manufacturing is simple, but compliance misalignment causes stall events, preventing full engagement
Solution Approach 1:
By curving the engagement path into an arcuate trajectory, the patent compensates for minor manufacturing variations and compliance misalignments. The curved path allows the teeth to gradually find their correct engagement position through rolling motion, rather than requiring perfect initial alignment. This reduces the tolerance requirements for tooth manufacturing while ensuring full engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the engagement parameter from linear displacement to arcuate pivoting motion. This parameter change transforms the engagement process, allowing the teeth to accommodate compliance variations through the curved path. The pivoting motion enables the teeth to self-align during engagement, reducing the impact of manufacturing precision variations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the locking mechanism uses fixed members, then the structure is stable, but it cannot accommodate compliance variations, causing stall events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic pivoting capability to the locking members while maintaining overall structural stability. The first and second members can pivot relative to each other along the arcuate path, providing adaptability to compliance variations. Once engaged, the locked position maintains stability through the interlocked teeth configuration. This dynamic engagement with stable locking resolves the contradiction between fixed structure and compliance accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The arcuate engagement path provides a geometric solution that maintains stability while accommodating compliance. The curved trajectory allows the members to pivot and adapt to variations in the locking interface, ensuring full tooth engagement regardless of compliance differences. The circular geometry of the arcuate path naturally accommodates radial compliance variations while maintaining a stable locked state.
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 effectively prevents stall events, allowing the steering column to lock securely without obstruction, maintaining stability and enabling smooth adjustments between locked and unlocked positions.
Implementation Method 1
a first biasing member that disengages the first member from the second member and manages a compliance axis between the teeth of the first member and teeth of the second member
Implementation Method 2
a spring loaded device that extends at least partially through the first member and the second member
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column assembly includes a jacket assembly and a locking assembly. The jacket assembly is operatively connected to a mounting bracket. The jacket assembly is locking assembly operatively connected to at least one of the jacket assembly and the mounting bracket. The locking assembly includes a first member defining a first plurality of engagement members and a second member defining a second plurality of engagement members. Responsive to the locking assembly moving between an unlock position and a lock position, at least one of the first member and the second member moves along an arcuate path relative to the other of at least one of the first member and the second member.