Steering Column Protective Clip for Pre-Installation Rotation Limit

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Solution Overview

Problem

The unrestricted rotation of intermediate shafts relative to steering columns in vehicle steering assemblies can cause damage to the steering column assembly before installation, which existing technologies fail to prevent effectively.

Innovation Solution

A steering column assembly design featuring a protective clip that is removably connected to either the first or second shaft, limiting their rotation relative to each other prior to installation, thereby preventing over-articulation and potential damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the intermediate shaft is allowed to rotate unrestricted relative to the steering column, then the shaft can be installed and removed flexibly, but damage can occur to the steering column assembly prior to installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoiddamage to steering column assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective clip is pre-installed on the intermediate shaft before the steering column assembly is installed in the vehicle. This preliminary action limits the rotation of the intermediate shaft relative to the steering column, preventing damage from over-articulation during handling and installation. After installation, the clip is removed to allow normal rotation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective clip acts as an intermediary component between the intermediate shaft and the steering column. It temporarily constrains the relative rotation between these two components, preventing harmful over-articulation while allowing the shaft to be properly installed and positioned. The clip is removed after installation, transferring the rotation control to the vehicle's normal steering mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective clip is added to limit rotation, then damage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidsteering column assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective clip is designed as a simple, inexpensive, disposable component that is easily attached and removed. It serves its protective function only during the installation phase and is then discarded, avoiding the need for complex, permanent rotation limiting mechanisms in the steering column assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation protection function is segmented from the main steering column assembly by using a separate, removable clip. This segmentation allows the protective function to be added only when needed (during installation) without permanently increasing the complexity of the steering column assembly itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11407440B1Steering column assembly with protective clip

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A steering column assembly includes a first shaft, a second shaft, and a clip. The first shaft has a first yoke disposed at an end thereof. The second shaft has a second yoke disposed at an end thereof. The second yoke is connected to the first yoke such that rotation of the first shaft is configured to rotate the second shaft and such that the second shaft is rotatable relative to the first shaft. The clip is removably connected to one of the first shaft and the second shaft. The clip limits rotation of the second shaft relative to the first shaft prior to installation of the steering column assembly in a vehicle.