Telescoping Steering Column Rake Spring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steering column assemblies require significant effort to pivot due to the biasing force typically exerted on the lower column jacket, and during frontal impacts, existing biasing mechanisms do not effectively disengage to allow for safe collapse of the steering column.
Innovation Solution
A steering column assembly with a biasing member that selectively exerts a biasing force on the upper column jacket in the standard operating position, engaging and disengaging with a rake bracket retaining feature, and includes a housing that applies a displacement force to a connector to move the biasing member axially towards the lower column jacket during impacts, reducing effort and enabling safe collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the biasing member exerts a biasing force on the lower column jacket, then the steering column can maintain structural stability, but the operator must exert significant effort to pivot the steering column
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing force is applied at a different location (upper column jacket instead of lower column jacket), which changes the moment arm and reduces the effort required to pivot the steering column while maintaining structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is made movable relative to the column jackets, allowing it to move axially during impacts to disengage from the retaining feature and enable safe collapse, while providing stable biasing force during normal operation
2Reliability
If the biasing member remains engaged during frontal impacts, then the biasing force is continuously applied, but the steering column cannot safely collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is designed to move axially during frontal impacts, transitioning from an engaged state to a disengaged state, allowing the steering column to collapse safely while maintaining continuous biasing force during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member is extracted from its engaged position with the retaining feature during impacts, removing the constraint that would prevent safe collapse while the housing maintains the biasing force through the connector
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 reduces the effort required to pivot the steering column by positioning the biasing force closer to the steering wheel, while allowing for safe disengagement during frontal impacts by moving the biasing member out of the way, thus enhancing operational ease and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member (32) is provided to assist the operator in pivoting the steering column. Specifically, the biasing member (32) provides an assist force that reduces the amount of effort needed by the operator to pivot the steering column.
Implementation Method 2
The housing is configured to exert the displacement force to disengage the biasing member retaining feature with the bracket retaining feature. The connector retains a portion of the biasing member. The housing exerts the displacement force upon the connector, where the displacement force is configured to urge the connector and the biasing member in an axial direction towards the lower column jacket.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column assembly having a standard operating position and a collapsed position is provided. The steering column assembly includes a lower column jacket, an upper column jacket selectively slidable relative to the lower column jacket, a rake bracket, and a biasing member. The rake bracket is attached to one the lower column jacket and the upper column jacket, and has a bracket retaining feature. The biasing member selectively exerts a biasing force on the upper column jacket in the standard operating position. The biasing member has a biasing member retaining feature that engages with the bracket retaining feature in the standard operating position and disengages with the bracket retaining feature in the collapsed position.