Steering Support Member Positioning Above Gravity Center
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering support member structure faces a trade-off between high rigidity, which is necessary to counteract the rotational moment from steering column vibrations, and increased weight, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
The steering support member is positioned above the center of gravity of the steering column and equipped with front-and-rear fixing portions to reduce the required rigidity and weight, while maintaining stability by fixing the steering column at its center of gravity and using less conspicuous side brackets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the steering support member is designed with high rigidity to counteract rotational moment from steering column vibrations, then the stability and vibration resistance are improved, but the weight of the steering support member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering support member is positioned above the center of gravity of the steering column in advance, creating a configuration that naturally reduces rotational moment before vibrations occur. This preliminary positioning arrangement prevents the need for excessive rigidity to counteract vibrations, thereby reducing weight while maintaining stability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the steering support member relative to the steering column's center of gravity. By positioning it above the center of gravity rather than at conventional locations, the structural parameters (rigidity requirements) can be optimized to reduce weight while maintaining adequate stability
2Weight of moving object
If the steering support member is positioned above the center of gravity of the steering column, then the rotational moment is reduced and weight is minimized, but the fixing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side bracket is divided into multiple functional portions: a fixing portion that attaches to the vehicle body and a steering support member fixing portion that attaches to the steering support member. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently, simplifying the overall fixing process despite the unconventional positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The side bracket acts as an intermediary component between the steering support member and the vehicle body. By using this intermediate fixing structure, the complex positioning requirement (above center of gravity) is accommodated through a dedicated mounting mechanism rather than requiring direct integration
Data Source
AI summary
The steering support member is disposed in a front portion of a vehicle cabin to support the steering column. The steering support member includes a steering support member body that extends in a vehicle width direction, and side brackets that fix both ends of the steering support member body to a vehicle body. The steering support member body is disposed above a gravity center position of the steering column to fix the gravity center position or a position in a vicinity of the gravity center position. At least the side bracket closer to the steering column includes a front-and-rear fixing portion that fixes the steering support member to the vehicle body in a vehicle front-and-rear direction.