Steering Column Telescopic Tilt Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering columns face challenges with complex construction, high costs, limited tilt angles, and poor water resistance due to the use of cardan joints, which do not effectively address ergonomic and vibration absorption needs.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional tiltable steering column design featuring a telescopic group with die-cast aluminum tubular elements and a spherical bulb-shaped coupling that eliminates the need for cardan joints, providing enhanced stability, water resistance, and vibration absorption through a simplified construction and integrated damping elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cardan joints are used to allow angular regulation movements, then the steering column can achieve tilt movement, but the maximum tilt angle is limited to 45° and multiple cardan joints are required for wider angles, increasing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the cardan joint from the steering column system, replacing it with a telescopic tube mechanism that directly enables tilt movement without angular joint limitations. This removes the 45° angle constraint and reduces component complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cardan joint system with a telescopic mechanical system using nested tubes that can achieve wider tilt angles through extension and retraction, substituting one mechanical approach for a more versatile one.
2Reliability
If conventional surface protection treatment is applied to cardan joints, then corrosion resistance is provided, but water resistance remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies rubber boots as flexible protective membranes that completely seal the telescopic tube connections, providing superior water and dust resistance compared to conventional surface treatments. The rubber boots create a physical barrier that prevents water ingress.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cardan joints are inserted to allow wider tilt angles, then the tilt range is increased, but the construction becomes more complex and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic tube mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables tilt movement, provides structural support, and allows adjustment of tilt angles through extension/retraction, replacing what would otherwise require multiple specialized cardan joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses nested telescopic tubes where inner tubes are housed within outer tubes, allowing compact storage and smooth extension/retraction for tilt adjustment. This nested structure achieves wide tilt angles in a space-efficient and mechanically simple manner.
4Weight of moving object
If die-cast aluminum tubular elements are used in the telescopic group, then weight is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but mechanical processing requirements must be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional steel to die-cast aluminum, fundamentally altering the weight-to-strength ratio and enabling weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity through the inherent properties of aluminum alloys.
Solution Approach 2:
Die-casting is a cost-effective manufacturing process that reduces material waste and production costs compared to traditional machining, making the steering column more economically viable despite the different material properties.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A multifunctional tiltable steering column comprising a first movable part of the chassis (16) and a second underlying fixed part (19) of the chassis, a rod element (13), integral with a handle, positioned in the centre of a steering wheel of a vehicle being situated in the first movable part of the chassis (16), and a shaft (31) connected to a hydraulic power steering system, being positioned inside said second underlying fixed part (19) of the chassis, a coupling (30) being interposed for the transmission of the rotational movement between said two shafts (13, 31) and for the regulated tilted positioning between the first movable part (16) of the chassis and the second underlying fixed part (19) of the chassis, wherein the rod element (13) is positioned in a telescopic group comprising an internal tubular element (14) which slides internally and axially with respect to an outer tubular element (15), wherein a polygonal coupling is envisaged between said two tubular elements (14, 15) in addition to a forced expandable coupling means (20, 21), positioned inside the outer tubular element (15) and movable with respect to outer tubular element (15), which are moved by the rotation of the rod element (13) and suitable for positioning it firmly in a height position with respect to the first movable part of the chassis (16).