Steering Column Gap Covers With Brush Sealing Against Dashboard Scratches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver's cabins experience scratches on dashboard surfaces due to pollution accumulation during prolonged use, particularly from sand grains or similar materials, which are deposited between movable parts of the steering wheel column assembly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a brush with brush hairs arranged in bundles on the edges of the rotatable gap covers, connected by tension springs, to swipe away pollution without scratching the surfaces, allowing it to fall through the gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotatable gap covers are used to cover the upper and lower gaps, then the gaps are covered and closed satisfactorily, but scratches occur on the dashboard surfaces due to pollution accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
A brush element is introduced as an intermediary between the rotatable gap cover and the dashboard surface. The brush comprises a brush holder and multiple brush hairs that contact the dashboard surface, allowing the gap cover to rotate while the brush hairs absorb friction and prevent direct contact between the hard gap cover and the dashboard surface, thereby preventing scratches.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction characteristics are changed by replacing direct hard-surface contact with brush hair contact. The brush hairs have specific properties (length of 2-10mm, diameter of 0.05-0.2mm, made of PA6 or similar materials) that provide controlled friction to prevent scratching while maintaining rotational movement functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the brush hairs are made longer to better protect the surface, then protection effectiveness increases, but sliding friction and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brush hair length is optimized to a specific range of 2-10mm (preferably 3-6mm). This parameter optimization ensures that the brush hairs are long enough to provide effective surface protection by intercepting pollution particles, but not so long that they create excessive friction or scraping noises during rotation. The specific length range represents an optimal balance between protection effectiveness and operational smoothness.
3Strength
If the brush hairs are made thicker to improve durability, then resistance to deformation increases, but the appearance and sliding smoothness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The brush hair diameter is optimized to a specific range of 0.05-0.2mm (preferably 0.1-0.2mm). This parameter optimization ensures that the brush hairs have sufficient thickness to resist deformation and maintain durability during rotation, while remaining thin enough to maintain a neat appearance and provide smooth sliding motion without creating excessive friction or visual disturbance on the dashboard surface.
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
Prevents surface scratches and damage while maintaining a smooth sliding motion, reducing noise and enhancing the appearance of the dashboard and steering wheel column cover.
Implementation Method 1
the upper gap cover and the lower gap cover are connected with each other by means of at least two tension springs
Implementation Method 2
when sand (or other kinds of pollution) falls on the movable upper gap cover and lower gap cover, this sand will be swiped away without any scratches occurring to the surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A driver's cabin of a heavy goods vehicle comprises a cabin frame and a dashboard fixedly attached to the cabin frame. The dashboard comprises a dashboard recess in which a steering wheel assembly is at least partially positioned. The steering wheel assembly comprises a movable steering wheel column assembly having a movable steering wheel column cover arranged such that the dashboard recess comprises an upper gap above the movable steering wheel column cover and a lower gap below the movable steering wheel column cover. The cabin further comprises a rotatable upper gap cover and a rotatable lower gap cover each having an upper edge and a lower edge. The upper gap cover and the lower gap cover are connected with each other by means of at least two tension springs. At least one of the upper edge and lower edge of the rotatable upper gap cover and/or the rotatable lower gap cover is provided with a brush comprising brush hairs arranged in brush hair bundles for covering the upper gap and/or lower gap, respectively.