Steering Column Pressure Piece Dome Friction Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column designs face issues with mechanical wear and reduced rigidity due to form-fit connections and elastic deformations, which compromise the natural frequency and crash energy absorption capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A steering column design featuring a pressure piece with domes that creates a non-positive connection with the guide box, allowing for adjustable clamping without deforming the console, and utilizing a clamping plate for enhanced rigidity and natural frequency, with the clamping plate being more elastic than the console.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a form-fit connection is used to lock the steering column, then the steering column can be securely fixed, but the components experience mechanical wear and plastic deformation each time the steering column is locked
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure piece with domes is introduced as an intermediary element between the console and the guide box. The domes press against the guide box to create friction-based locking, while the pressure piece itself absorbs the wear through its replaceable design, protecting the permanent console and guide box components from direct mechanical wear and deformation.
2Ease of operation
If elastic deformation of the console is used to enable locking, then the steering column can be adjusted easily, but the console loses rigidity and natural frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into separate functional components: the rigid console provides structural support and high natural frequency, while the elastic properties are localized to the replaceable pressure piece with domes. This segmentation allows the console to maintain its rigidity and vibrational characteristics while the pressure piece provides the necessary elasticity for easy adjustment and locking.
3Reliability
If the console is designed to be elastic to provide non-positive connection, then the steering column can be locked, but the natural frequency and rigidity of the console are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure piece with domes serves as an intermediary that provides the elastic deformation needed for locking without requiring the console itself to be elastic. The domes press against the guide box to create friction-based locking, while the pressure piece absorbs the elastic deformation, allowing the console to maintain its high rigidity and natural frequency for precise vibration characteristics.
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 achieves high natural frequency and rigidity, reduces mechanical wear, and allows for easy adjustment while maintaining secure locking, thereby improving the steering column's performance in both normal operation and crash scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one dome (30) of the pressure piece (3) is used to produce a non-positive connection with the guide box (2), in that the at least one dome (30) is pressed onto the guide box (2)
Implementation Method 2
a clamping plate (4) is arranged between the side wall (60) of the bracket (6) and the guide box (2) in order to produce a non-positive connection between the at least one dome (30) of the pressure piece (3) and the guide box (2)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, having a guide box (2) for receiving a steering shaft (10), and a bracket (6) for adjustably holding the guide box (2) on the chassis of the motor vehicle, said steering column comprising at least one pressure piece (3), penetrated by a clamp axis (5), for securing the guide box (2) in relation to the bracket (6), and which is arranged on an outer side of a first side plate (60) of the bracket (6), wherein the pressure piece (3) has at least one projection (30) that extends through at least one elongated hole (64, 65) of the first side plate (60, in order to generate a non-positive connection with the guide box (2).