Steering Device Pipe Support Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices face challenges in balancing the displacement amount of a tube with respect to a housing in both up-down and left-right directions, leading to instability and discomfort during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A steering device design that includes a housing with specific support portions positioned at strategic angles to stabilize the pipe, ensuring the central angle formed by contact points with the pipe's outer surface is between 45° to 60°, thereby reducing displacement variations in both directions, and incorporating a notch for improved support and workability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tube is supported at three points by the housing (one from below and two from above at end edges of a recess groove), then the tube is supported in both up-down and left-right directions, but the displacement amount (rigidity) of the tube needs to keep balance between directions which is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the support structure by specifying precise central angles (45° to 60°) for the contact points between the pipe and support portions. This parameter optimization ensures that the pipe's displacement amount in both up-down and left-right directions is balanced, resolving the contradiction between support stability and displacement balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning support portions at specific locations around the pipe's circumference. The first support portion is located on the center line in the up-down direction, while the second and third support portions are positioned at predetermined central angles on either side of the center line, creating asymmetric local support characteristics that balance overall displacement.
2Reliability
If the central angle is increased to separate contact points from the center line, then the pipe is easily held in the left-right direction and displacement in this direction is reduced, but the displacement amount in the up-down direction may excessively increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the central angle parameter within a specific range (45° to 60°) to achieve the best balance. This parameter change ensures that contact points are sufficiently separated from the center line to provide left-right stability, while not being so far apart as to cause excessive up-down displacement.
3Ease of operation
If the central angle is set to 45° or larger, then one contact point is separated from the center line and the pipe can be easily held in the left-right direction, but the displacement amount in the up-down direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes an optimal parameter range (45° to 60°) for the central angle that balances ease of operation in the left-right direction with control over up-down displacement. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the sweet spot where both requirements are satisfied.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device according to an embodiment includes a pipe, a housing, and a telescopic mechanism. The housing includes a first support portion which supports the pipe from below, and a second support portion and a third support portion which support the pipe from above. A central angle of the pipe formed by any one contact point of a contact point between an outer peripheral surface of the pipe and the second support portion and a contact point between the outer peripheral surface of the pipe and the third support portion, and an intersection point between a center line and the outer peripheral surface of the pipe is set in a range of 45° to 60°.