Steering Column Module Seal Layout for Orientation Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column modules face challenges in ensuring the correct orientation of housing parts relative to each other, which is crucial for proper installation and functionality. The adhesive seal used to indicate correct orientation can be damaged or separated during handling, making it difficult to determine if the module has been manipulated or if the housing parts are still correctly aligned.
Innovation Solution
The steering column module incorporates an adhesive seal with subregions attached to both housing parts, and means are provided on the housing parts to ensure that when the seal is separated, one subregion's free edge protrudes over the other's in the radial direction. This design allows for easy optical detection of seal separation, indicating potential manipulation, and enables a simple check to verify the correct orientation of the housing parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an adhesive seal is used to indicate correct orientation of housing parts, then the orientation indication is provided, but the seal can be damaged or separated during handling making it difficult to determine if the module has been manipulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a radial dimension to the seal inspection by creating protruding free edges that extend radially outward from the housing parts. When the seal is intact, the free edges are coplanar; when separated, one free edge protrudes radially beyond the other. This radial protrusion provides a clear visual and tactile indicator of seal integrity, transforming a two-dimensional planar seal into a three-dimensional structure with detectable depth variation.
2Reliability
If the adhesive seal is separated into subregions, then manipulation can be detected, but it becomes difficult to determine if housing parts are still correctly aligned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an asymmetric configuration where one free edge of the seal subregions protrudes radially beyond the other free edge when the seal is separated. This asymmetric radial protrusion provides a clear visual indicator that distinguishes seal separation from correct assembly, allowing inspectors to easily identify both manipulation and maintain orientation verification capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column module for a steering column of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The module has a first housing part and a second housing part, which, when the module is in a target installed position, is rotatable in opposite directions relative to the first housing part from a starting position, in each case by at least one complete revolution. An electric line is coupled to both housing parts and is received, wound in a spiral form, in the steering column module. An adhesive seal marks a correct orientation of the two housing parts, regions of the adhesive seal being connected to the housing parts. When the adhesive seal is severed, means on the housing parts cause a free edge of one of the regions to protrude in the radial direction beyond a free edge of the other region.