Steering Column Resin Intermediate Member Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column devices with telescopic functions experience unnatural steering sensations due to grease adherence issues caused by thixotropy, leading to increased manufacturing costs and inefficiencies from complex grease application processes.
Innovation Solution
A steering column device with a resin intermediate cylindrical member coated with semisolid lubricating oil, featuring oil feed orifices that guide the lubricant between the outer and inner cylindrical members, facilitating smooth telescopic adjustments without the need for extensive grease application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If grease is applied to the outer circumferential face of the intermediate cylindrical member, then telescopic adjustment smoothness is improved, but the intermediate cylindrical member adheres to the upper tube due to grease thixotropy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a resin intermediate cylindrical member as a mediator between the metal upper tube and metal lower tube. This intermediate member is coated with grease on its outer circumferential face, allowing it to slide smoothly against the upper tube while the resin material prevents direct metal-to-metal contact and reduces adherence issues caused by grease thixotropy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the intermediate cylindrical member from metal to resin, which has different friction and adhesion characteristics. This material parameter change allows the component to maintain smooth telescopic adjustment while resisting the harmful adherence effect caused by grease viscosity increase.
2Ease of operation
If grease is applied to the inner circumferential face of the intermediate cylindrical member, then telescopic adjustment smoothness is improved, but the intermediate cylindrical member adheres to the lower tube due to grease thixotropy
Solution Approach 1:
The resin intermediate cylindrical member serves as a mediator between the upper tube and lower tube, with grease applied to both its outer and inner circumferential faces. This intermediate member enables smooth relative movement while the resin material properties prevent harmful adherence to both metal tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the material parameter of the intermediate cylindrical member to resin, the patent achieves surfaces with appropriate friction and adhesion characteristics that maintain smooth telescopic adjustment while preventing grease-induced adherence to both upper and lower tubes.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If grease is placed both between the outer circumferential face of the intermediate cylindrical member and the inner circumferential face of the upper tube, and between the inner circumferential face of the intermediate cylindrical member and the outer circumferential face of the lower tube, then adherence is suppressed, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grease is pre-applied to the outer circumferential face and inner circumferential face of the intermediate cylindrical member before assembly. This preliminary action ensures that both grease layers are in place before the intermediate member is inserted between the upper and lower tubes, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while achieving adherence suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin intermediate cylindrical member with pre-applied grease serves as a self-contained assembly unit that can be easily inserted between the upper and lower tubes. This intermediary approach simplifies the manufacturing process by consolidating the grease application to a single component rather than requiring complex multi-step assembly procedures.
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 enables easier and more efficient lubrication, reducing adherence issues and enhancing the smoothness of telescopic adjustments, thereby improving the driving experience while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
A semisolid lubricating oil is disposed between an outer circumferential face of the intermediate cylindrical member and the outer-side cylindrical member, and between an inner circumferential face of the intermediate cylindrical member and the inner-side cylindrical member
Implementation Method 2
The intermediate cylindrical member has an oil feed orifice through which the semisolid lubricating oil is guided from an outer circumferential face side to an inner circumferential face side when inserting the intermediate cylindrical member into the outer-side cylindrical member
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column device includes a metal outer-side cylindrical member, a metal inner-side cylindrical member, and a resin intermediate cylindrical member that is disposed between the outer-side cylindrical member and the inner-side cylindrical member. The intermediate cylindrical member has an oil feed orifice through which the semisolid lubricating oil is guided from an outer circumferential face side to an inner circumferential face side when inserting the intermediate cylindrical member into the outer-side cylindrical member.