Steering Device Friction Plate Assembly Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices require complex assembly skills to attach alternate layers of differently shaped tilt and telescopic friction plates, making the operation difficult, especially when these plates are fixed to different positions.
Innovation Solution
A steering device design featuring a first friction plate fixed to the column, a second friction plate rockingly supported on the column, and a tightening rod that clamps the column onto a mounting bracket through overlapping friction plates, with slits allowing smooth telescopic and tilt adjustments, facilitating easier assembly and increased holding force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If alternate layers of differently shaped tilt friction plates and telescopic friction plates are used, then clamping rigidity is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines tilt and telescopic friction plates into a single integrated friction plate structure. This friction plate has a tilt plate portion extending in the tilt positioning direction and a telescopic plate portion extending in the telescopic positioning direction, both fixed to the same mounting bracket. This merging eliminates the need to assemble alternate layers of differently shaped plates, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining clamping rigidity in both directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated friction plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both tilt positioning and telescopic positioning capabilities. The tilt plate portion handles tilt direction clamping while the telescopic plate portion handles telescopic direction clamping, both through the same mounting bracket attachment. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Force
If tilt friction plates and telescopic friction plates are fixed to different positions, then clamping force is improved, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tilt friction plate and telescopic friction plate into a single integrated structure that is fixed to the same position on the mounting bracket. This integration maintains the ability to provide clamping force in both directions while eliminating the difficulty of assembling plates at different positions with different orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
While integrated, the friction plate is segmented into functional portions: a tilt plate portion for tilt direction clamping and a telescopic plate portion for telescopic direction clamping. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while being assembled as a single unit, reducing overall assembly difficulty.
3Reliability
If multiple friction plates are used to generate large clamping force, then holding stability is improved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple friction plate functions into a single integrated friction plate with both tilt and telescopic plate portions. This single component provides the clamping force and holding stability that would otherwise require multiple separate friction plates, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 design simplifies the assembly process by allowing the friction plates to be mounted at specified orientations and provides a stable clamping force in both tilt and telescopic directions, enabling smooth adjustments and reliable fixation of the steering wheel.
Implementation Method 1
The clamp unit uses a structure of clamping the column onto the side plate of the mounting bracket through the intermediary of a friction plate
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device is provided that facilitates an operation of mounting a friction plate on a mounting bracket. A first friction plate and a second friction plate just need to be mounted on an outer column only. It is possible to greatly facilitate an operation of assembling alternate layers of the first friction plate and the second friction plate at specified orientations. When the outer column is displaced telescopically, a tightening rod touches a long slit in the second friction plate. The second friction plate rocks around a columnar protrusion as the rocking center. The long slit is formed lengthwise in a direction of tilt positioning. The long slit absorbs a difference between a rocking trajectory formed by the second friction plate and a linear trajectory formed by the outer column. The second friction plate smoothly rocks. The outer column can be smoothly adjusted in the telescopic direction.