Steering Apparatus Distance Bracket for Balanced Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering apparatuses with telescopic and shock absorbing functions face issues with fluctuating clamping force due to the forward-backward position of the steering wheel, leading to imbalance and increased manufacturing complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A steering apparatus with a distance bracket that has left and right clamping sections inserted through through holes in the outer column, clamped by side plates of a vehicle installation bracket, ensuring consistent clamping force and balanced left and right clamping, and featuring a simple construction to reduce manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If one distance bracket is used to clamp the outer column and another to clamp the inner column, then the clamping force can be applied, but the construction becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of clamping the outer column and inner column into a single distance bracket structure. The distance bracket has a body that clamps the outer column and clamping sections that extend to clamp the inner column, integrating multiple clamping functions into one component, thereby reducing construction complexity while maintaining adequate clamping force.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance bracket is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs multiple clamping operations. It clamps both the outer column and inner column, and also serves as a structural element for mounting the clamp apparatus, reducing the total number of components needed.
2Strength
If the outer column is clamped by one distance bracket and the inner column by another, then clamping is achieved, but left and right balance of clamping force becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The distance bracket employs asymmetric design with left and right clamping sections that are positioned and dimensioned differently to compensate for the different clamping requirements of the outer and inner columns. This asymmetric configuration ensures balanced clamping force distribution across the steering column assembly.
3Strength
If a separate pressure piece is added to the distance bracket to clamp the inner column, then clamping capability is improved, but construction complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping sections are integrated directly into the distance bracket body rather than being separate pressure pieces. The clamping sections extend from the distance bracket and are formed as part of its structure, eliminating the need for separate pressure piece components and reducing construction complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the distance bracket is supported to pivot around a pin, then clamping flexibility is achieved, but construction complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pin-based pivoting mechanism from the distance bracket design. Instead of supporting the distance bracket to pivot around a pin, the design uses a simplified support structure that achieves the necessary clamping flexibility through the geometry and movement capabilities of the distance bracket itself, eliminating unnecessary components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a steering apparatus having simple construction, and good left and right balance of the clamping force, such that the clamping force does not fluctuate depending on the forward-backward position of the steering wheel 103. When fastening the tilt and telescopic function, by rotating an operation lever 349, the peak of a movable cam 344 runs over the peak of a stationary cam 343, which pushes the stationary cam 343 to the right side, and pulls a clamping rod 34 to the left side at the same time, so as to clamp side plates 32A, 32B. The inside surfaces 321A, 321B of the side plates 32A, 32B clamp flat surface section 61A, 62B of a distance bracket 6. The flat surface sections 62A, 62B elastically deform toward the inside in the width direction of the vehicle, and a pair of left and right clamping sections 66A, 66B of bent sections 64A, 64B clamp the outer circumferential surface of an inner column 2 from both the left and right sides.