Steering Column Shifter Glide System Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internally collapsing steering column designs with cantilever nature have low stiffness and poor natural frequency, posing challenges when a shift system is mounted, either causing high stress with a forward mount or issues with collapse and NVH with a rearward mount on the telescoping portion.
Innovation Solution
A glide system for a vehicle shift mechanism that includes a steering column with a stationary and moveable portion in telescoping engagement, where a shifter is operatively coupled to the moveable portion and slidably engaged with the stationary portion, using components like leaf springs, bushings, or roller assemblies to facilitate sliding and reduce stress, while maintaining collapsibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the shifter is mounted forward on a stationary structure portion of the steering column, then the shift mechanism is stable, but the shift lever creates a moment and high stress on the attachment
Solution Approach 1:
A glide system with a sliding member is introduced as an intermediary between the shifter and the steering column. The sliding member moves within a slot in the stationary portion, allowing the shifter to accommodate collapse motion while maintaining a stable mounting position, thereby reducing stress on the attachment points
Solution Approach 2:
The shifter mounting is made dynamic through the glide system, which allows the shifter to move relative to the stationary portion during column collapse. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the high stress that would occur with a fixed forward mounting while maintaining stability during normal operation
2Length of moving object
If the shifter is mounted rearward on the upper-head telescoping portion of the steering column, then the shift lever has reduced offset, but the system experiences issues with collapse, NVH and anti-rotation reaction loads
Solution Approach 1:
The shifter mounting system is segmented into two functional parts: the sliding member that moves within the slot to accommodate collapse, and the shifter mechanism itself that maintains proper positioning. This segmentation allows the system to handle both collapse motion and shift lever requirements separately, improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The glide system acts as an intermediary between the telescoping portion and the shifter mechanism, absorbing collapse motion and reducing NVH while allowing the shifter to maintain its position relative to the steering column, thereby resolving the reliability issues
3Volume of moving object
If an internally collapsing steering column design is used, then the steering column is compact, but the column has low stiffness and poor natural frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The shifter mounting system is extracted from the moveable telescoping portion and attached to the stationary portion instead. This separation allows the telescoping portion to focus on collapse functionality while the stationary portion provides the stiff mounting surface needed for the shifter, thereby maintaining column compactness while improving stiffness
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
Enhances the stiffness of the system, reduces excessive moments, and accommodates telescoping requirements, thereby improving the structural integrity and NVH performance of the steering column while allowing for energy absorption during impacts.
Implementation Method 1
a leaf spring engaged with and partially surrounding a sliding member of the shifter
Implementation Method 2
a bushing engaged with and partially surrounding a sliding member of the shifter
Data Source
AI summary
A glide system for a vehicle shift mechanism includes a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion in telescoping engagement with the stationary portion. Also included is a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column and slidably engaged with the stationary portion of the steering column. Further included is a de-lashing element engaged with a sliding member of the shifter.