Steering Column Tilt Mechanism Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering column tilting apparatuses experience mechanical friction noise and faulty operation due to complex engagement structures and separate manufacturing requirements of cam bushes, leading to poor contact and increased friction when adjusting the tilt bracket position.
Innovation Solution
A simplified apparatus with a fixation-holding unit featuring a fixing gear and a moving gear, where the moving gear is rotatable about a rotary shaft, and a guide protrusion is used to prevent poor contact and noise, allowing smooth adjustment of the tilt bracket position through the operation of an operating lever.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a complex engagement structure with separate cam bushes is used, then the tilt bracket can be adjusted, but mechanical friction noise and faulty operation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the first and second cam bushes into a single integrated cam bush structure. This merging eliminates the separate engagement surfaces that caused friction and noise, while maintaining the ability to engage and disengage the brake gear for tilt bracket adjustment. The unified cam bush provides smoother operation without mechanical friction noise.
2Ease of operation
If separate cam bushes with slopes are manufactured, then the operating lever can move the tilt shaft, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates what would have been two separate cam bushes into one single cam bush component. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing processes and assembly steps for multiple cam bushes, significantly simplifying manufacturing while preserving the functional capability of the operating lever to move the tilt shaft through the sloped engagement surfaces.
3Ease of operation
If the brake gear engagement structure is complicated, then the tilt shaft can be axially moved, but smooth engagement is prevented and faulty operation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a unified cam bush structure that provides a continuous, smooth engagement path for the brake gear teeth. This single integrated structure eliminates the discontinuities and misalignments that would occur with separate cam bushes, ensuring reliable and smooth engagement of the brake gear with the gear guide groove during tilt shaft movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam bush acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the operating lever and the brake gear. Its specially designed sloped surfaces guide the brake gear teeth into smooth engagement with the gear guide groove, preventing faulty operation while enabling reliable tilt shaft movement.
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 minimizes mechanical noise and prevents faulty operation by reducing the contact area between gears and ensuring proper alignment, resulting in a more reliable and quiet steering column adjustment mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a Belleville spring which is installed between the nut and the second side part
Implementation Method 2
a gear guide groove which is formed in the first side part while having a gear formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and a slide guide groove which is formed in the second side part and corresponds to the gear guide groove
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for tilting a steering column, capable of smoothly guiding tooth-on-tooth between a moving gear moved along with a tilt shaft when an operating lever is operated such that a steering column tilts up and down, and a fixing gear fixed to a vehicle body. Consequently, it is possible to resolve faulty operation and prevent the emotional quality of product from deteriorating.