Steering Device Parking Brake Lever Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parking brake release levers in steering devices are difficult for drivers to operate with their right hand and negatively impact visual quality due to their placement.
Innovation Solution
A steering device with a parking brake release lever supported by a column tube, allowing for swingable operation under the column tube, connected via a universal joint and a link mechanism with a cable holding member, enabling easy operation and minimizing visual impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the parking brake release lever is disposed on the left side of the steering handle, then it can be easily operated by the left hand, but it becomes difficult for the right hand to operate and the visual quality is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The release lever is repositioned from the traditional left-side horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement beneath the column tube, utilizing the vertical dimension. This dimensional change allows the lever to be accessible from both left and right sides, improving adaptability for drivers who prefer either hand while maintaining ease of operation through the vertical swing motion around a horizontal axis.
2Ease of operation
If the parking brake release lever is disposed on the left side of the steering handle, then it can be easily operated by the left hand, but the visual quality is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The release lever is nested within the space beneath the column tube, utilizing the vertical space that would otherwise be unused. This nesting approach allows the lever to be positioned in a location that does not compromise the overall aesthetic shape of the steering device, while still providing easy accessibility for operation.
3Ease of operation
If the release lever is made noticeable, then it can be easily located and operated, but the visual quality is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The release lever incorporates a resin exterior member with a color different from the column cover, creating a localized visual distinction. This local quality change allows the lever to be easily located and identified by operators while maintaining the overall aesthetic quality of the steering device, as the color differentiation is confined to only the functional lever portion rather than the entire assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device includes: a steering handle; an upper shaft to which the steering handle is connected; a lower shaft that is disposed below the upper shaft; a universal joint that connects the upper shaft with the lower shaft; a column tube that covers an outer periphery of the upper shaft; and a parking brake release lever. The column tube has a lever backing bracket that supports the parking brake release lever swingably around an axis orthogonal to an axial direction of the upper shaft, and the parking brake release lever is disposed under the column tube.