Steering Column Adjustment Nut Pivot Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable steering columns with motorized drives face issues with jamming due to large production tolerances, requiring high input force and stringent component alignment for smooth operation.
Innovation Solution
The adjustment nut is designed to be displaceable in multiple directions within a plane orthogonal to the axial direction, with spring elements providing centering and damping, allowing it to adapt to deviations in the threaded spindle's orientation and movement, thereby reducing jamming and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the adjustment nut is rigidly mounted on the threaded spindle, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but jamming occurs due to production tolerances and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment nut is made dynamically adjustable through pivotable mounting about an axis orthogonal to the rotation axis of the threaded spindle, allowing it to adapt to misalignment and prevent jamming while maintaining a relatively simple structure
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting configuration changes the degrees of freedom of the adjustment nut, enabling it to pivot and adjust its orientation dynamically during operation to accommodate production tolerances and prevent jamming
2Reliability
If pivotable mounting of the adjustment nut is implemented, then jamming is reduced, but high input force is still required for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism incorporates a movable support that can shift position along the threaded spindle, dynamically adapting to different adjustment positions and reducing friction and input force requirements throughout the adjustment range
Solution Approach 2:
A support element acts as an intermediary between the adjustment nut and the threaded spindle, providing a movable bearing surface that reduces friction and allows smoother adjustment with lower input force
3Ease of operation
If strict component alignment is required, then smooth operation is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements become excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable mounting and movable support create a dynamic alignment compensation mechanism that automatically adapts to manufacturing variations, allowing smooth operation without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its geometric parameters dynamically through pivoting and support movement, compensating for alignment deviations and enabling smooth operation with relaxed manufacturing precision requirements
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
This design enables smooth, low-force adjustment and compensates for tolerances, preventing jamming and rattling noises, ensuring reliable operation under various conditions.
Implementation Method 1
spring elements providing centering and damping
Implementation Method 2
spring elements providing centering and damping
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable steering column may include a casing unit that rotatably supports a steering spindle part and that is mounted in a guide box in an axially sliding manner and can be axially adjusted by a motor drive. The motor drive has an electric motor secured to the guide box and drives an axially aligned threaded spindle that is mounted on the guide box in a rotatable and axially fixed manner and that engages into an adjustment nut. The adjustment nut is connected to the casing unit, is axially movable together with the casing unit relative to the guide box, and is mounted in a connection part secured to the casing unit to transmit axial forces to the casing unit. The adjustment nut may be guided between opposing inner guide surfaces of the connection part with clearance such that the adjustment nut is movable within the guide surfaces on a plane orthogonal to an axial direction.