Steering Column Spacer for Universal Combination Switch Fitment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for fitting a combination switch to steering columns of varying diameters require uniform dimensions across different vehicle types, leading to increased weight and manufacturing costs due to suboptimal dimensions for smaller vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A steering apparatus incorporating a spacer with a rotation preventive mechanism and a positioning bracket, allowing the combination switch to be fitted to steering columns of different diameters, using a spacer with an inner peripheral surface that fits onto the outer peripheral surface of the steering column and a rotation preventive mechanism to prevent the spacer from rotating, enabling the use of a single combination switch with common specifications across multiple vehicle types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the combination switch is designed to fit steering columns of different diameters, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to the need to accommodate varying dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the fitting structure into two separate components: a spacer that interfaces with the steering column and a combination switch that interfaces with the spacer. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the spacer adapts to different steering column diameters while the combination switch maintains consistent, precise dimensions for manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer acts as an intermediary component between the steering column and the combination switch. It mediates the dimensional differences by providing a standardized outer peripheral surface that the combination switch can fit to, while its inner peripheral surface adapts to various steering column diameters through the rotation preventive mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a spacer with rotation preventive mechanism is introduced, then the adaptability to different steering column diameters is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation preventive mechanism is segmented into simple geometric features: protrusions on the spacer and corresponding recesses on the steering column. This segmentation transforms a potentially complex rotational constraint into simple, manufacturable geometric elements that are easy to produce and assemble.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation preventive mechanism applies local quality by concentrating the rotational constraint function at specific localized features (protrusions and recesses) rather than requiring a complex overall structure. These localized features provide sufficient rotational prevention without adding global complexity to the entire assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a steering apparatus configured by including: a steering shaft to which a steering wheel can be fitted; a steering column supported on a vehicle body and supporting the steering shaft rotatably; and a combination switch fixedly fitted to the steering column and constructed by combining a plurality of switches having different functions into one integral unit, the improvement comprises: a spacer having an inner peripheral surface that is fixedly fitted onto an outer peripheral surface of an end portion of the steering column on a rear side with respect to a vehicle body and an outer peripheral surface that is formed to have a dimension of an outer diameter enabling an inner peripheral surface of a fitting portion provided in the combination switch to be fitted onto the outer peripheral surface; and a rotation preventive mechanism preventing the spacer from rotating about the steering column. With this configuration, the same combination switch can be fitted to plural types of columns having different dimensions of outer diameters.