Vehicle Steering Column Shim for Backlash and Sliding Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices face challenges in achieving compatibility between securing sliding properties and preventing radial backlash in the column tube, often requiring costly coating processes to distribute the pressing load evenly.
Innovation Solution
A steering device with a pressing mechanism that includes an abutment member, a biasing member, and a shim member, where the shim member has a supporting portion and a pressing portion, applied between the column tube and the column housing to evenly distribute the pressing load and prevent radial backlash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressing mechanism is applied to prevent radial backlash of the column tube, then the backlash is eliminated, but the pressing load becomes concentrated on the column tube, making it difficult to maintain sliding properties
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing mechanism is divided into multiple pressing members (first pressing member and second pressing member) that are disposed at different positions around the column tube. Each pressing member applies pressing force independently, segmenting the total pressing load into multiple application points. This segmentation prevents concentration of the pressing load at a single location, thereby maintaining the sliding property of the column tube while effectively preventing radial backlash through distributed pressing forces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different pressing members are configured with different pressing forces based on their specific positions and functional requirements. The first pressing member and second pressing member can apply different magnitudes of pressing force to different regions of the column tube. This local differentiation of pressing quality allows optimal prevention of backlash in critical areas while preserving sliding properties in areas where movement is required.
2Ease of operation
If a coating process is performed on the column tube to ensure sliding property under pressing load, then the sliding property is maintained, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing members are designed to automatically adjust and distribute their pressing forces to maintain optimal contact conditions between the column tube and the pressing surfaces. The mechanism itself provides the necessary conditions for maintaining sliding properties through its geometric design and elastic deformation characteristics, eliminating the need for external coating processes. The system serves its own lubrication and protection function through the elastic deformation of the pressing members and the inherent friction characteristics of the contact surfaces.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple pressing mechanism is used to reduce cost, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the pressing load distribution becomes uneven, affecting both backlash prevention and sliding property
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing mechanism uses multiple simple pressing members instead of a single complex adjustable mechanism. Each pressing member is a simple elastic element that can be easily manufactured and assembled. The segmentation into multiple members naturally distributes the pressing load across different locations, achieving uniform load distribution without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or expensive precision components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing members are designed with specific elastic properties and geometric parameters that allow them to automatically adjust the pressing force based on their deformation. By changing the elastic modulus, thickness, or width of the pressing members, the pressing load distribution can be optimized for different applications. This parameter-based design allows simple, low-cost components to achieve precise and uniform pressing load distribution.
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 effectively prevents radial backlash while maintaining sliding properties, reducing costs by ensuring a uniform pressing load is applied to the column tube, thus enhancing the operational efficiency of the steering device.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member that is interposed between the abutment member and the column housing to bias the abutment member in a direction toward the column tube
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device of a vehicle, the steering device includes: a column housing supported by a vehicle body; a column tube supported to be movable with respect to the column housing in an axial direction; and a pressing mechanism interposed between the column tube and the column housing to press the column tube. The pressing mechanism includes: an abutment member that abuts against an outer surface of the column tube; a biasing member that is interposed between the abutment member and the column housing so as to bias the abutment member in a direction toward the column tube; and a shim member that is interposed between the biasing member and the abutment member and includes a supporting portion abutting against the biasing member, and a pressing portion abutting against the abutment member in a region shifted from the supporting portion.