Steering Column Preload Assembly for Play-Free Handle Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering columns in autonomous vehicles face challenges in providing a high availability of the steering handle during emergency situations due to manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, leading to play and unwanted yielding, which complicates rapid deployment when driver intervention is needed.
Innovation Solution
A steering column design with an inner tube and support part coupled rotationally and translationally, featuring a linear bearing and an elastically-plastically deformed pressure piece to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, ensuring a play-free and rapid deployment of the steering handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional linear bearings are used without compensation for manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, then the structure is simple, but play and unwanted yielding occur between the inner tube and support part
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure piece is pre-deformed during assembly to generate a preload force on the linear bearing before operation begins. This preliminary action compensates for manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion effects, ensuring the linear bearing maintains optimal contact and minimizes play throughout the operational range of the telescopic steering column.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure piece utilizes elastic-plastic deformation as a key parameter change mechanism. By controlling the degree of pre-deformation, the system adjusts the preload force applied to the linear bearing, optimizing the balance between minimizing play and accommodating tolerance variations without requiring complex active control systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If pressure pieces are used to minimize tolerances between inner tube and support part, then play is reduced, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure piece is pre-deformed during the assembly process to generate the necessary preload force. This preliminary deformation is performed once during assembly, after which the pressure piece maintains constant compensatory force throughout operation, avoiding the need for continuous adjustment mechanisms and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the elastic-plastic deformation characteristics of the pressure piece as a controllable parameter. By carefully selecting the pre-deformation amount within the elastic-plastic transition range, the system achieves optimal preload force that compensates for tolerances while maintaining ease of assembly through a single-step deformation process.
3Ease of operation
If the steering handle is folded away during autonomous operation, then driver freedom of movement is maximized, but rapid deployment to driver is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic steering column employs a dynamic design that allows the inner tube to extend and retract along the longitudinal axis. During autonomous operation, the steering handle is retracted to maximize driver space. When driver intervention is needed, the inner tube rapidly extends to deliver the steering handle to the driver, with the pressure piece ensuring play-free movement throughout the dynamic range.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure piece is pre-configured during assembly to maintain optimal preload force across the entire range of motion. This preliminary configuration ensures that when rapid deployment is required, the linear bearing is already in optimal condition to facilitate smooth, play-free extension of the inner tube, maximizing deployment speed without sacrificing movement quality.
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 provides a robust and reliable mechanism for quickly deploying the steering handle by minimizing play and ensuring a rigid connection, enhancing safety and comfort by minimizing the play and ensuring smooth operation, thereby improving safety and comfort by minimizing the play and ensuring smooth operation, thereby enhancing safety and comfort by minimizing the play and ensuring smooth operation, thereby enhancing safety and comfort by minimizing the play and ensuring smooth operation.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure piece is elastically-plastically deformed in an assembled state
Implementation Method 2
the pressure piece is elastically-plastically deformed in an assembled state
Implementation Method 3
compensate for manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a steering column (100) for a motor vehicle with an inner tube (2) and a support part (1) surrounding the inner tube (2), which are coupled to one another in a rotationally fixed manner and are translationally adjustable relative to one another, wherein a linear bearing (12) and a pressure piece (7) are provided between the inner tube (2) and the support part (1). The pressure piece (7) is deformed into the elastic-plastic range during assembly and remains in the steering column (100) under plastic deformation. Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly method for a steering column (100).