Steering Device Stopper Fastening Using Blind Rivet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering devices face challenges with complex assembly processes, high manufacturing costs, and dimensional accuracy issues due to the use of nuts for fixing stoppers, which also lead to operational degradation and increased man-hours.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a blind rivet system that secures the stopper to the outer column, eliminating the need for nuts and simplifying the assembly process by allowing all operations to be performed from the outer column surface, reducing the number of parts and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nut is used to fix the stopper to the inner column, then the stopper can be securely fastened, but the assembly operation becomes difficult and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the nut from the assembly, replacing it with a blind rivet that achieves the same fastening function without requiring the complex pressing operation. The blind rivet is inserted from the outer column side and expands within the inner column to secure the stopper, eliminating the need for nut installation from the inner curved surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The blind rivet acts as an intermediary element between the stopper and the inner column. It transfers the fastening force through its expansion mechanism, providing secure attachment without requiring direct threading or pressing operations on the inner column surface.
2Reliability
If a nut is pressed into the inner curved surface to fix the stopper, then the stopper can be secured, but the inner column may be deformed and dimensional accuracy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the nut pressing operation that causes deformation of the inner column. The blind rivet is inserted from the outer column side and expands within the inner column to secure the stopper, eliminating the need to press into the inner curved surface and thus preventing deformation and maintaining dimensional accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of pressing the fastening element from the inner curved surface inward (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by inserting the blind rivet from the outer column side and having it expand outward into the inner column. This reversal eliminates the deformation problem while achieving the same fastening effect.
3Reliability
If a nut is used to fix the stopper, then the stopper can be secured, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the nut from the assembly, reducing the number of parts. The blind rivet combines the functions of the fastening element and the anchoring mechanism in a single component, eliminating the need for separate nuts and reducing overall assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blind rivet merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides the fastening force, acts as an anchor within the inner column, and eliminates the need for separate nuts. This consolidation reduces the number of parts and simplifies the assembly process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the inner column diameter is changed to accommodate different vehicle spaces, then adaptability improves, but the nut requires dimensional changes increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the nut that requires dimensional adjustment for different inner column diameters. The blind rivet is designed with an expansion mechanism that can accommodate varying inner column diameters without requiring changes to the rivet itself, thereby maintaining adaptability while simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the nut dimensions to match different inner column diameters, the invention uses parameter changes in the blind rivet's expansion characteristics. The rivet's expansion diameter and insertion diameter can be designed to work with a range of inner column sizes, providing adaptability without requiring part redesign.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution facilitates easier assembly, reduces man-hours, and enhances the durability of the stopper by eliminating the need for nut pressing and reducing the risk of inner column deformation, thereby improving operational reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a blind rivet that is inserted from the outer curved surface of the outer column into the second through-hole and the first through-hole, exposes its tip from the inner curved surface of the inner column, and expands the tip to fix the stopper to the outer curved surface of the inner column
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device is provided that is capable of facilitating an assembly operation, decreasing the number of parts, and decreasing manufacturing costs. A bottom plate of a stopper is tightened to an outer curved surface of an inner column between a head section and a bulged section of a rivet body. An outside diameter of the rivet body increases to eliminate a gap between a first through-hole and a second through-hole. The stopper remains stationary even when it touches a long hole at a telescopic stroke end and repeatedly receives an impact force. The durability of the stopper improves. There is no need for a nut for fixing the stopper to the inner column. The number of parts decreases to reduce manufacturing costs.