Steering Column U-Shape Radial Insertion Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering apparatus for automobiles faces difficulties in ease of assembly due to differing assembly directions of the steering column in the housing and the vehicle-side bracket, leading to complex and inefficient assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A steering apparatus design where the steering column features a U-shaped front-end section with side plate sections that fit into slits on the housing's connection and fastening section, utilizing an expansion and contraction mechanism to align and secure the column, allowing for a unified assembly direction with the vehicle-side bracket, thus simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the steering column is connected to the housing with a conventional axial insertion method, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the assembly direction differs from that of the vehicle-side bracket, increasing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection methods of the housing and vehicle-side bracket by making both use radial insertion from the same direction. The steering column is designed with a U-shaped front-end section that can be radially inserted into both the housing's slits and the bracket's holding plates simultaneously, unifying the assembly direction and simplifying the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the conventional axial insertion method for connecting the steering column to the housing, the patent inverts the insertion direction to radial. The side plate sections of the steering column are inserted radially into the slits of the housing from the outer side, matching the insertion direction used for the vehicle-side bracket connection.
2Device complexity
If the steering column uses a cylindrical shape for connection, then the assembly is simple, but it cannot accommodate the unified radial insertion direction required for both housing and bracket connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the steering column's front-end section from a conventional cylindrical symmetric shape to a U-shaped asymmetric structure with side plate sections. This asymmetric design allows the column to be radially inserted into the slits of the housing and holding plates of the bracket from the same direction, enabling unified assembly while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Construction is achieved wherein the front-end section of an outer column 18a is assembled in the rear-end section of a housing 11a that houses an electric power steering apparatus 10a from below. A block shaped connection and fastening section 36 is provided on the rear-end section of the housing 11a. A pair of slits 37 is formed in portions of the connection and fastening section 36 near the left and right ends, and are open on the bottom end surface and rear end surface of the connection and fastening section 36. At least the front-end section of the outer column 18a has a pair of side plate sections 30 and a bottom plate section 31 that is formed in a U shape that is open at the top. The side plate sections 30 are inserted inside the slits 37 from below. In this state, the connection and fastening section 36 and the front-end section of the outer column 18a are connected and fastened by a bolt 39.