Steering Apparatus Stopper Bracket for Independent Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering apparatuses face difficulties in independently managing telescopic adjusting and impact absorbing mechanisms during secondary collisions, as both mechanisms are often shared by the same member, leading to interference and challenges in setting the desired energy absorbing load due to frictional and collapsing loads.
Innovation Solution
A steering apparatus design featuring a stopper bracket with telescopic and impact absorbing slots, where the stopper bracket is separated from clamping portions during clamping, allowing independent management of loads and preventing friction, with the stopper bracket's collapse portion being designed to absorb impact without interfering with telescopic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the stopper bracket is disposed between the clamping portions and separated from the clamping portions, then frictional load during clamping is prevented and load management is simplified, but the structural complexity increases due to additional components and spatial arrangement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into functionally independent components: the clamping portions for telescopic adjustment and the stopper bracket for impact absorption. The stopper bracket is separated from the clamping portions, allowing each component to perform its specific function without interference. This segmentation enables independent load management for each mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper bracket is extracted from the clamping mechanism, removing it from the friction path during clamping operations. This extraction prevents the stopper bracket from interfering with the clamping action, allowing independent setting of clamping load without considering friction from the stopper bracket.
2Device complexity
If both telescopic adjusting and impact absorbing mechanisms are shared by the same member, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to independently manage loads and set energy absorbing parameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the steering apparatus into distinct functional segments: the clamping portions for telescopic adjustment and the stopper bracket with collapse portion for impact absorption. Each segment can be independently designed and adjusted, allowing separate optimization of telescopic holding force and energy absorbing load without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
While separating functions, the patent maintains a unified structural framework where the stopper bracket integrates both the telescopic slot and impact absorbing slot. This allows the overall structure to serve multiple purposes while maintaining functional independence for load management.
3Device complexity
If the stopper bracket contacts the clamping portions during clamping, then structural simplicity is maintained, but frictional load increases and interferes with telescopic holding force setting
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper bracket is extracted from the clamping path by positioning it between the clamping portions such that it does not contact them during clamping operations. This removal from the friction path eliminates the frictional load that would otherwise interfere with setting the telescopic holding force.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial arrangement introduces a gap as an intermediary space between the stopper bracket and clamping portions during clamping. This gap prevents direct contact and friction, allowing the clamping portions to exert force on the column without resistance from the stopper bracket.
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 design enables separate setting and management of loads, preventing frictional load increases during secondary collisions and allowing for optimal energy absorption, ensuring smooth telescopic and impact absorbing operations.
Implementation Method 1
an impact absorbing slot positioned on a rear side and having a collapse portion that absorbs an impact at a time of a secondary collision
Implementation Method 2
the edge of the slot is being collapsed by the clamping bolt
Data Source
AI summary
A steering apparatus includes: a column pipe; an outer column having an embracing main body portion that allows the column pipe to freely move in a front-rear direction and fixes the column pipe; and clamping portions that extend and contract the embracing main body portion in a diametric direction; a fixing bracket having a fixing side portion that holds widthwise opposite sides of the outer column in a sandwiching manner; a stopper bracket having an telescopic slot secured to the column pipe and an impact absorbing slot and having a collapse portion, the telescopic slot and the impact absorbing slot being contiguously formed along an axial direction; and a clamper having a bolt shaft inserted through the clamping portions, the fixing side portion, and the stopper bracket and collapsing the collapse portion.