Steering Column Compactness via Nested Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column apparatuses are not optimized for small sizing, limiting the flexibility in vehicular compartment layout and space expansion.
Innovation Solution
A steering column apparatus with a cylindrical inner and outer jacket, an arc-shaped member, a steering shaft, a telescopic adjustment mechanism driven by an electric motor, and a biasing mechanism that supports the inner jacket at two points along elongated side sections of a rectangular opening hole, allowing for adjustable forward or backward positioning of the steering wheel while minimizing the apparatus's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional telescopic adjustment mechanism is used with an axle member linked to a base member, then the steering wheel position can be adjusted, but the overall apparatus size cannot be further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the telescopic adjustment mechanism inside the opening hole of the outer jacket, with the supporting unit positioned within the opening hole and the axle member extending through it. This nested arrangement allows the adjustment mechanism to be compactly integrated into the existing jacket structure, reducing overall apparatus size while maintaining full telescopic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the opening hole in the outer jacket as a spatial dimension to accommodate the supporting unit and telescopic mechanism. By positioning these components within the opening hole rather than alongside it, the design effectively uses the available three-dimensional space more efficiently, reducing the axial length of the apparatus.
2Reliability
If the inner jacket is biased toward the opening hole side, then backlash is reduced and slidability is enhanced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped member serves as an intermediary component between the pressing member and the inner jacket. It distributes the biasing force from the pressing member to press the outer peripheral surface of the inner jacket against the inner peripheral surface of the outer jacket, reducing backlash while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The arc-shaped member is formed by bending a thin plate material, creating a flexible yet structurally effective component. This thin-walled arc-shaped structure can deform slightly to accommodate manufacturing tolerances while maintaining the biasing function, and its flexible nature allows it to conform to the cylindrical surfaces it contacts.
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 enables a more compact steering column design, improving layout flexibility and space utilization within vehicles by ensuring the inner jacket is always biased toward the opening hole side, reducing backlash, and enhancing slidability through the use of a retainer and fluorine resin coating.
Implementation Method 1
an arc shaped member which is formed by bending a thin plate material, the arc shaped member being interposed between the cylindrical outer jacket and the cylindrical inner jacket
Implementation Method 2
a biasing mechanism configured to press an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner jacket on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer jacket via the arc shaped member
Implementation Method 3
enhancing slidability through the use of a retainer and fluorine resin coating
Data Source
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AI summary
A supporting unit of a telescopic adjustment mechanism is placed within an opening hole (17) formed at one end side of an outer jacket (9) and fixed to an outer peripheral surface of an inner jacket (8). A tip of a screw axle which is movable in an axial direction of a jacket (2) is linked to a supporting unit (31) of a telescopic adjustment mechanism. The inner jacket (8) placed at an inside of an outer jacket (9) is pressed on an inner peripheral surface of outer jacket (9) by means of a biasing mechanism (11) placed at an opposite side of the opening hole (17). Thus, positions of the supporting unit (31) and the biasing mechanism (11) along the axial direction of the jacket are substantially coincident with each other and the supporting unit (31) is placed within the outer jacket (9) in the axial direction of the jacket. Consequently, a steering column apparatus can be small-sized in the axial direction of the jacket.