Steering Device Elastic Tooth Member Half-Lock Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column devices face challenges in preventing half-lock states during telescopic adjustments, requiring complex structures to guide flexible members and ratchet teeth to prevent engagement between teeth tips, limiting adjustments to stepwise movements.
Innovation Solution
A steering device with a movable tooth member and a stationary tooth member, where the movable tooth member is elastically displaceable within an insertion hole, allowing for engagement and disengagement without half-lock, enabling both stepwise and continuous telescopic adjustments through a simple structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible member is used to guide teeth to prevent half-lock state, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the guiding function from a separate flexible member component and integrates it into the tooth member structure itself. The tooth member is designed with an elongated shape that extends in the axial direction, allowing it to perform both the locking function and the guiding function without requiring additional components. This eliminates the need for separate flexible members while maintaining the ability to prevent half-lock states.
Solution Approach 2:
The tooth member is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the locking element (engaging with the rack-shaped tooth) and the guiding element (preventing half-lock states through its elongated geometry). This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components needed in the steering device while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a structure similar to JP 2008-239085A is used to prevent half-lock state, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guiding function and the locking function into a single integrated tooth member structure. By merging these functions, the design reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the reliability of half-lock prevention.
3Manufacturing precision
If stepwise adjustment is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the tooth member can be elastically displaced within the insertion hole. This elastic displacement allows for continuous, smooth adjustment rather than rigid stepwise movement. The elastic member enables the tooth member to move flexibly, providing both precision and ease of operation by allowing adjustments to be made smoothly without being constrained to fixed steps.
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 allows for seamless telescopic adjustments without half-lock states, reducing the need for additional guiding components and enabling both precise stepwise and continuous adjustments, improving operational simplicity and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a movable tooth member (37) having a first tooth (39) composed of a plurality of teeth (38) aligned along the axial direction in a rack-shape, and inserted into the insertion hole (34) with play in the axial direction to be elastically displaceable to both sides in the axial direction from a predetermined neutral position
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device 1 includes a steering column 4 capable of a telescopic adjustment, a support bracket 24 provided with an insertion hole 34, a movable tooth member 37 fitted into the insertion hole 34 with play in an axial direction X, and a stationary tooth member 47 arranged so as to face the movable tooth member 37. The movable tooth member 37 has a first tooth 39, and is elastically displaceable to both sides in the axial direction X from a predetermined neutral position. The stationary tooth member 47 with a second tooth 57 engageable with the first tooth 39 is moved in a lateral direction Y to be brought into contact with the movable tooth member 37 and to be separated therefrom. As a result, the second tooth 57 is allowed to engage with the first tooth 39, and engagement between the first tooth 39 and the second tooth 57 is released.