Steering Column Locking Gear for Stable Axial Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering columns experience instability and safety issues due to improper gear engagement, reduced load support, and noise and dust ingress, primarily because of weak gear teeth engagement and deformation of bolts under external forces.
Innovation Solution
A steering device with a locking part that vertically moves a second gear to engage or disengage with a first gear, enhancing gear tooth stability and load support by axially supporting the second gear on the lower tube, and incorporating an elastic member for noise and dust-proof performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gears are rotated to mesh with each other together with the bolt that is rotated by lever manipulation, then the gear engagement is achieved, but the width in gear teeth increases reducing the number of gear teeth that may mesh
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the gears to engage them, the invention inverts the approach by moving one gear axially relative to the other to achieve engagement. The locking part moves the second gear axially with respect to the first gear, causing the gear teeth to mesh through axial displacement rather than rotational movement, thereby resolving the contradiction between engagement stability and number of meshing teeth.
2Reliability
If the gear teeth are engaged in order from the gear teeth adjacent to the rotation central axis when the gears are engaged, then the gear engagement is achieved, but a sense of being stuck may occur upon locking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the engagement sequence by using axial movement instead of rotational engagement. The locking part moves the second gear axially to engage with the first gear, which allows all gear teeth to engage simultaneously or in a different sequence than traditional rotational engagement, eliminating the stuck sensation during lever manipulation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bolt which has weak rigidity is used to transfer external force, then the steering column collapsing function is achieved, but the bolt may be deformed leading to a failure in stable absorption of loads
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a second gear as an intermediary component between the external force and the bolt. The second gear is axially movable and engages with the first gear to transfer external forces, preventing direct force transmission to the bolt. This mediator protects the weak-rigidity bolt from deformation while maintaining the collapsing function.
4Ease of operation
If the two gears are spaced apart from each other in the unlocked state, then the driver can adjust the axial position of the upper tube, but the gear engagement may be imprecise leading to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional gear engagement method by using axial movement of the second gear relative to the first gear. The locking part moves the second gear axially to precisely engage with the first gear, ensuring accurate tooth meshing. This axial engagement mechanism provides both adjustment capability and precise positioning stability, resolving the contradiction between ease of adjustment and position fixation reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device of a vehicle includes an upper tube, a first gear fixed to the upper tube, a lower tube receiving the upper tube, a second gear axially supported on the lower tube, and a locking part moving the second gear up or down to engage the second gear with the first gear or disengage the second gear from the first gear. It is possible to provide an advantage in terms of a high load thanks to increased support against an axial external force and allow for stable engagement between gear teeth, enhanced noise and dust-proof performance, and an enhanced sense of lever manipulation.