Steering Column Rigidity via Preloaded Bearings and Elastic Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric steering wheel position adjustment apparatuses suffer from reduced support rigidity, leading to uncomfortable feelings for drivers and potential noise or vibration due to loose fits and high manufacturing costs associated with precise spherical joint constructions.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates preloaded angular ball bearings and mechanisms with elastic members to prevent axial displacement of the steering shaft, combined with an electric actuator and feed screw system, ensuring stable and smooth position adjustment without looseness, while maintaining the rigidity of the steering column.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a small space is left in the area of fit between the outer column and inner column to allow for adjustment, then the steering wheel position adjustment is enabled, but the support rigidity decreases causing looseness and uncomfortable feeling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by using elastic members (such as coil springs or disc springs) that continuously push the inner column toward the outer column to eliminate gaps. This pre-applied force counteracts the tendency of the components to become loose during adjustment, maintaining tight contact and high support rigidity throughout the adjustment range.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the connection between inner and outer columns by introducing elastic members that dynamically adjust the contact force. The elastic members transform the static fit into a dynamic, force-maintained connection, ensuring consistent rigidity regardless of position adjustments.
2Ease of operation
If spherical joints are used to connect the inner column to the outer column for smooth adjustment, then the adjustment smoothness is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex spherical joint mechanism and replaces it with a simpler elastic member-based system. By removing the spherical joint, the patent eliminates the need for high-precision manufacturing while maintaining smooth adjustment through the elastic deformation and continuous contact provided by the elastic members.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, high-precision spherical joints with simpler, more economical elastic members. The elastic members achieve the adjustment function with standard manufacturing tolerances, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and precision requirements while maintaining operational smoothness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inner column is made loose relative to the outer column to facilitate adjustment movement, then the adjustment range is improved, but noise and vibration increase during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic members apply a preliminary pushing force that maintains continuous contact between the inner column and outer column, preventing the development of harmful gaps. This pre-compression eliminates the source of noise and vibration by ensuring that the components remain tightly engaged throughout the adjustment range.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary action by pre-loading the elastic members to establish optimal contact pressure before operation. This preliminary positioning ensures that the inner column remains firmly supported during adjustment, preventing loose movements that would generate noise and vibration.
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 solution enhances the support rigidity of the steering column, prevents uncomfortable feelings for drivers, and reduces noise and vibration, while also lowering manufacturing costs by simplifying the construction and reducing the need for high-precision spherical joints.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, and a mechanism comprising: a holding hole formed so as to pass through between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface of the support section; a sliding plate; the elastic member; and a cover; wherein the sliding plate, the elastic member and the cover are assembled in the holding hole in order from the inside in the radial direction of the support section, and the elastic member is elastically compressed between the sliding plate and the cover so as to push the adjusted section downward
Implementation Method 2
a pair of preloaded angular ball bearings having back-to-back contact angles are located between both end sections in the forward-backward direction of the adjusted section and at least part of the steering shaft, and the pair of ball bearings rotatably support the at least part of the steering shaft with respect to the adjusted section in a state that displacement in the axial direction of the steering shaft with respect to the adjusted section is prevented
Implementation Method 3
an electric actuator that is fastened to the bottom side of the support section, and that has an electric motor as the drive source; and causes the adjusted section to be displaced in the axial direction with respect to the support section
Data Source
AI summary
The electric steering wheel position adjustment apparatus of the present invention is constructed so as to improve the support rigidity of a portion that constitutes a steering column apparatus thereof, such that the steering shaft 2b and the steering column 5b have non-expandable construction, but are able to be displaced in the axial direction; holding holes are provided in at least two locations on the top side of the column holder 31 that supports the steering column 5b; and in each of the holding holes, a sliding plate 35, an elastic member 37 and a cover 38 are assembled such that the sliding plate 35 is elastically compressed by the elastic member 37 and pushes the outer circumferential surface of the steering column 5b.