Steering Handle Fastening Device with Deformable Washer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for steering handles to top bridges result in a large and heavy handle supporting portion when attempting to space the steering handle far from the upper bracket, limiting design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device featuring a washer with a relief portion that allows deformation, a collar member with a second contact surface, and a bolt member with a flange and annular relief portion, enabling the steering handle to be spaced further from the top bridge without increasing the handle supporting portion's size, and incorporating a rubber member for additional flexibility and stress reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering handle is spaced far from the top bridge to improve operator gripping comfort, then the handling ease is improved, but the handle supporting portion becomes large in size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the washer from rigid to flexible by introducing a relief portion, allowing it to deform and absorb bending moments. This enables the steering handle to be spaced farther from the top bridge without increasing the size or weight of the handle supporting portion, as the flexible washer compensates for the increased leverage through elastic deformation rather than requiring a larger structural support.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the steering handle is spaced far from the top bridge, then the design flexibility is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains design flexibility by using a simple parameter change - adding a relief portion to the washer that enables flexible deformation. This single modification allows the steering handle to be positioned at various distances from the top bridge without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms or multiple components, thereby improving adaptability while minimizing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, inexpensive washer with a relief portion as a sacrificial element that absorbs stress through deformation. Rather than designing a complex, reusable adjustable mechanism, the patent employs this simple component that can be easily replaced if needed, achieving design flexibility at minimal cost and complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If a rigid washer is used in the fastening device, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the stress concentration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the washer from a rigid component with fixed geometric parameters to a flexible component that can change its shape parameters under load. The relief portion allows the washer to deform and redistribute stress, reducing stress concentration while maintaining manufacturing precision through the controlled deformation capability rather than requiring ultra-precise rigid tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible washer acts as an intermediary element between the bolt and the collar member, absorbing and distributing stresses that would otherwise concentrate at rigid contact points. The relief portion enables this intermediary function by allowing the washer to deform and accommodate misalignments or variations in the fastening components, thereby reducing stress concentration while maintaining overall fastening precision.
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 configuration allows for greater design flexibility by relaxing bending moments and reducing stress concentration, enabling the steering handle to be spaced further from the top bridge without enlarging the supporting portion, while maintaining structural integrity and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
A relief portion is provided for allowing the deformation of the washer so as to overlap the second contact surface and adjacent to the first contact surface as viewed in the axial direction of the bolt member
Data Source
AI summary
A structure for sufficiently spacing a steering handle from a top bridge, thereby greatly improving design flexibility. A relief portion for allowing the deformation of a washer is formed to overlap a second contact surface and adjacent to a first contact surface as viewed in the axial direction of each bolt member. The first contact surface is located so as not to overlap the second contact surface as viewed in the axial direction of each bolt member. Therefore, a bending force acts on the washer to allow the deformation of the washer. That is, the washer can exhibit a spring function to relax the effect of the bending force. As a result, the steering handle can be sufficiently spaced from the top bridge to thereby greatly improve design flexibility.