Steering Apparatus Guide Groove Stopper Prevents Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In steering apparatuses, the disconnection of an inner tube from an outer tube can occur due to a broken stopper during a secondary collision, leading to a failure in preventing disconnection and reducing the rigidity of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A steering apparatus with a guide groove and stopper mechanism on the outer jacket, where the engaging member is fixed to the inner jacket, restricts rotation and guides axial movement, preventing disconnection by engaging with the stopper and maintaining high rigidity through strategic positioning of openings during telescopic adjustments and secondary collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pin or stopper is used to prevent disconnection of inner tube from outer tube, then disconnection prevention function is provided, but the pin may disconnect or break due to impact during secondary collision, causing failure of disconnection prevention
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove is divided into two functional segments: a receiving portion that receives the pin during normal operation and a stopper portion that engages with the pin during collision. This segmentation allows the groove to provide both normal operation guidance and collision protection through different portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper portion of the guide groove is designed beforehand to engage with the pin when collision occurs, providing a pre-planned cushioning mechanism that prevents the pin from breaking or disconnecting during impact events.
2Reliability
If the guide groove is designed without a bottom portion, then the outer jacket maintains high rigidity, but the engaging member may disengage from the inner jacket during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove is segmented into a receiving portion for normal operation and a stopper portion for collision protection. The stopper portion extends in the radial direction to engage with the pin, providing retention without significantly compromising the overall rigidity of the outer jacket.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove has different structural qualities at different locations: the receiving portion maintains the outer jacket's rigidity, while the stopper portion provides localized engagement capability to prevent pin disengagement during collision.
3Ease of manufacture
If an opening is provided in the outer jacket for engaging member passage, then assembly is facilitated, but the opening may reduce the rigidity of the outer jacket
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is designed to move relative to the engaging member during telescopic adjustment. During normal operation, the opening is positioned to minimize rigidity reduction, while during collision, the dynamic positioning allows the opening to be away from the engagement point, maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A column jacket (8) includes an outer jacket (50) and an inner jacket (40) that are slidable relative to each other in the axial direction for telescopic adjustment. The inner jacket (40) has an outer peripheral surface (41) fitted to an inner peripheral surface (50b) of the outer jacket (50). A base end (61) of an engaging member (60) is fixed to the inner jacket (40). The inner peripheral surface (50b) of the outer jacket (50) includes a guide groove (54), and a stopper (55) provided at an end of the guide groove (54). The stopper (55) restricts disconnection of the inner jacket (40) from the outer jacket (50) when being engaged with the engaging member (60). The engaging member (60) is engaged with the guide groove (54), and the guide groove (54) guides axial movement of the inner jacket (40) via the engaging member (60). The guide groove (54) has a bottom portion (54a) that faces a distal end (62) of the engaging member (60).