Steering System Toothed Member Assembly Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering systems have poor assembling workability due to the complex insertion process of the support shaft into through holes of the outer column and eccentric cam, which complicates the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A steering system design that includes a steering shaft, column jacket, tooth members, and a guide mechanism, where the second tooth member is rotatably supported by a fulcrum and movable in the column axis direction, allowing for improved meshing and unmeshing without the need for cumbersome support shaft insertion, enhancing assembling workability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the support shaft is inserted into through holes of the outer column and eccentric cam to achieve rotation support, then the structural stability is improved, but the assembling workability deteriorates due to complex alignment and insertion processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the support shaft component entirely and replaces it with a fulcrum formed directly on the receiving surface of the receiving member. This extraction of the separate support shaft component eliminates the complex insertion and alignment processes while maintaining the rotational support function through the integrated fulcrum design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the support shaft function into the receiving member by forming the fulcrum directly on its receiving surface. This integration combines the support and rotation functions into a single component, eliminating the need for separate alignment and insertion operations between multiple parts.
2Reliability
If multiple through holes and support shafts are used to enable relative rotation between components, then the rotational movement reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the support shaft component, replacing it with an integrated fulcrum structure. This reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining reliable rotational movement through the direct formation of the fulcrum on the receiving surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving member is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides the receiving surface for the received portion, forms the fulcrum for rotational support, and enables both rotation and linear movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment of support shaft with through holes is required for proper assembly, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the assembling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the support shaft and its associated through holes, the patent eliminates the need for precise alignment operations. The fulcrum is formed directly on the receiving surface, allowing for simpler positioning and assembly without time-consuming alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The fulcrum is pre-formed on the receiving surface during the manufacturing of the receiving member, rather than requiring alignment and assembly of separate components. This preliminary formation of the rotational support feature eliminates assembly time for alignment and insertion operations.
Data Source
AI summary
First teeth of a first tooth member that moves together with an upper jacket mesh with second teeth of a second tooth member. The second tooth member includes a received portion received by a receiving surface of a receiving member (energy absorption member). The second tooth member is rotatably supported by a fulcrum that is formed on the receiving surface at a contact position between the receiving surface and the received portion and is movable in a column axis direction. A guide shaft supported by a support member that is supported by a lower jacket is inserted into an elongated hole of the second tooth member, thereby guiding the second tooth member in a meshing and unmeshing direction.