Steering Column Locking Bolt Internal External Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering column locking bolt installations lack a defined sequence during relative movement of casing tubes due to varying friction forces between telescopic tubes, leading to unclear retraction and deployment sequences, especially under external influences like temperature variations or contamination.
Innovation Solution
A locking bolt installation that can be switched between internal and external blocking positions, using a locking element that interacts with activation means to ensure a defined sequence by locking the intermediate casing tube to either the internal or external casing tube, allowing for self-acting conditional locking and sequential control of telescopic movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latching device is used to lock casing tubes in the collapsed state, then the steering column can be held in position, but the sequence of retraction and deployment becomes unclear due to varying friction forces between tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bolt installation is pre-configured with multiple locking positions (internal and external blocking positions) that are activated in a predetermined sequence based on the relative positions of casing tubes. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the sequence of retraction and deployment is defined before the movement occurs, eliminating ambiguity caused by friction variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking bolt installation acts as an intermediary mechanism between the casing tubes, providing controlled interaction points that define the sequence of movement. By introducing this intermediate locking system, the direct friction-based interaction between tubes is replaced with a controlled, predefined sequence of locking and unlocking events.
2Device complexity
If friction forces between casing tubes are used to determine retraction sequence, then the system is simple, but the sequence becomes influenced by external influences such as temperature variations and contaminations
Solution Approach 1:
The friction-based mechanical sequence determination is replaced with a locking bolt installation that uses defined mechanical locking positions. This substitution eliminates the influence of friction variations, temperature, and contaminants on the sequence, as the locking bolt installation provides a deterministic mechanical sequence independent of environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the controlling parameter from friction force (which varies with temperature and contamination) to the relative positional state of casing tubes. The locking bolt installation uses these positional parameters to determine which locking position is active, providing a stable sequence that does not depend on friction-based parameter changes.
3Length of moving object
If multiple casing tubes are disposed telescopically to achieve large adjustment ratio, then the steering column can be compact in stowage position, but the sequence of relative movement becomes undefined when friction forces are equal
Solution Approach 1:
The locking bolt installation is pre-configured with multiple locking positions that are activated in a predetermined sequence based on the relative positions of casing tubes. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the sequence of retraction and deployment is defined before the movement occurs, eliminating ambiguity caused by friction variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking bolt installation segments the telescopic movement into distinct, controlled stages by providing separate locking positions for different casing tube combinations. This segmentation allows each stage of movement to be independently controlled and defined, ensuring a clear sequence even when friction forces are equal.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column may include a casing unit in which a steering spindle is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis and which has at least three telescopically guided casing tubes that are mutually adjustable in an axial direction. One of the tubes is an external casing tube in which an intermediate casing tube is received, an internal casing tube being received in the intermediate casing tube. A locking bolt installation can releasably lock at least two of the casing tubes to one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The locking bolt installation can switch between an internal blocking position and an external blocking position. The intermediate casing tube in the internal blocking position is locked to the internal casing tube. The intermediate casing tube in the external locking position is locked to the external casing tube.