Steering Device Distance Bracket Holding Force and Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices face challenges in simultaneously improving the holding force of the distance bracket and the support rigidity of the steering column in the width direction, as increasing one typically decreases the other.
Innovation Solution
The steering device incorporates a hollow cylindrical steering column, a support bracket with mounting and support plate parts, and a distance bracket with widened parts and reinforcing ribs, which are designed to enhance the holding force and support rigidity through specific geometric configurations and materials like aluminum alloys, allowing the steering column to be pressed and expanded to securely engage with the support bracket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the holding force of the distance bracket is increased, then the steering wheel position is secured better, but the support rigidity of the steering column in the width direction decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket is divided into multiple functional parts: mounting plate parts for attachment, support plate parts for structural support, and distance bracket parts for positioning. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the support plate parts maintain rigidity while the distance bracket provides holding force through its engagement mechanism with the steering column.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the support bracket are given different properties: the mounting plate parts are designed for rigid attachment to the vehicle body, the support plate parts provide structural stiffness in the width direction, and the distance bracket portions are designed to engage with the steering column to provide holding force. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functional qualities to different locations.
2Strength
If the support rigidity of the steering column is increased, then the steering column maintains its shape better, but the holding force of the distance bracket decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket structure separates the rigidity-providing functions from the holding-force functions. The support plate parts and mounting plate parts form a rigid framework that maintains the steering column's positional stability, while the distance bracket parts engage with the steering column to provide the necessary holding force without compromising the overall rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket exhibits asymmetric design where the support plate parts extend in specific directions to provide rigidity, while the distance bracket portions are positioned and dimensioned differently to optimize holding force. This asymmetric configuration allows the structure to simultaneously achieve both rigidity and holding capability without the trade-off present in symmetric designs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a clamp mechanism is used to switch between adjustable and held positions, then position adjustment is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, enables position adjustment through the distance bracket engagement, and maintains the held position through the same engagement mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as a mounting structure, an adjustment mechanism, and a positioning device. The distance bracket portions can engage with the steering column at multiple positions, providing both adjustment capability and holding function without requiring additional specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
Reinforcing ribs (33a and 33b) are provided between mounting plate parts (30a and 30b) and support plate parts (31a and 31b) forming a support bracket (18a). Side plate parts (40a and 40b) forming a distance bracket (17a) are disposed between the support plate parts (31a and 31b), and an outer column (13a). When an adjustment lever (26a) is operated to hold a steering wheel at a position after adjustment, a steering column (6a) is pushed toward an upper side by column pressing parts (42a and 42b) provided at the side plate parts (40a and 40b), and, therefore, a pair of widened parts (43a and 43b) provided at upper parts of the side plate parts (40a and 40b) are pushed and expanded to the outside in a width direction. The widened parts (43a and 43b) are sandwiched between the support plate parts (31a and 31b) and the outer column (13a).