Electric Steering Column Screw Alignment to Prevent Bending Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric steering columns with telescopic functions, misalignment between the telescopic motor and screw axis leads to bending and noise during operation due to assembly tolerances, reducing the lifespan of components.
Innovation Solution
An electric steering column design incorporating a positioning member that adjusts the position of the telescopic screw unit to align the motor and screw axis on a virtual straight line, using a combination of guide bushes and hinge pins to ensure precise alignment and prevent bending and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the telescopic motor and telescopic screw are assembled without positioning adjustment, then the assembly process is simple and fast, but the central axis of the telescopic screw does not coincide with the center of the telescopic motor due to assembly tolerances, causing bending and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member is pre-installed on the telescopic screw before assembly with the telescopic motor. This preliminary positioning action ensures that when the telescopic motor is assembled, its center automatically coincides with the central axis of the telescopic screw, eliminating misalignment issues without requiring complex post-assembly adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning member acts as an intermediary component between the telescopic screw and the telescopic motor. It mediates the alignment relationship by providing a reference surface or structure that guides the telescopic motor into correct positional alignment, thereby solving the tolerance accumulation problem without increasing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If the center of the telescopic motor does not coincide with the central axis of the telescopic screw, then assembly is easier without positioning members, but a load is applied to keep the axes coincident, causing bending or pinching of the telescopic screw and generating operating noise
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member is installed in advance on the telescopic screw to establish the correct central axis position before the telescopic motor is assembled. This preliminary action prevents the development of bending loads during operation by ensuring proper alignment from the start, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex active adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning member serves as a mediator that transfers the alignment function from a complex active adjustment system to a simple passive structural element. It mediates between the telescopic screw and motor, ensuring their axes coincide without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electric steering column, and the electric steering column includes: a telescopic motor; a telescopic screw unit having one side connected to the telescopic motor, and reciprocating linearly while being rotated by a driving force provided by the telescopic motor; a tube bracket provided on a tube surrounding the column shaft and connected to the other side of the telescopic screw unit; and a positioning member provided in the tube bracket to which the other side of the telescopic screw unit is coupled, and for adjusting the position of the other side of the telescopic screw unit so that the center of the telescopic motor and the central axis of the telescopic screw unit are positioned on a virtual straight line.