Steering Wheel Cam Device Visual Phase Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cam devices for steering wheel position adjustment lack a straightforward method to verify the correct combination of drive-side and driven-side cams, leading to potential mistakes during assembly, which can impair productivity and require rework.
Innovation Solution
The cam device features a drive-side cam with an uneven circumferential drive-side cam surface and a driven-side cam with a corresponding uneven surface, along with markings and stopper sections, allowing for visual verification of the correct phase alignment in the locked state to ensure proper cam combination before assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cam devices without verification markings are used, then the assembly process is simpler, but assembly errors occur due to inability to verify correct cam combination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual markings (drive-side markings and driven-side markings) on the cam surfaces that change appearance or alignment based on the cam's rotational phase. When the correct cam combination is used, the markings align in a specific pattern that allows operators to visually verify proper assembly, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The markings serve as an intermediary verification mechanism between the cam components and the assembler. These visual indicators mediate the verification process, allowing operators to confirm correct cam combination through visual alignment rather than requiring complex measurement tools or assembly procedures
2Reliability
If cam combinations are verified through complex measurement methods, then assembly accuracy improves, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming verification
Solution Approach 1:
The visual markings provide immediate visual feedback through color or pattern alignment, eliminating the need for complex measurement methods. Operators can verify correct cam combination at a glance by observing whether the drive-side and driven-side markings align properly, maintaining high assembly speed while ensuring accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The markings are pre-configured on the cam surfaces during manufacturing to indicate correct phase relationships. This preliminary action embeds verification information directly into the components, allowing operators to verify assembly correctness without requiring additional measurement tools or time-consuming procedures
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of cams are stored for different vehicle types, then adaptability improves, but the risk of selecting wrong cam combinations increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different cam types have distinct marking patterns or colors that correspond to specific vehicle types. When selecting cams from storage, operators can visually match the markings on the cam with the required vehicle type specifications, ensuring correct compatibility while preventing selection errors through the distinctive visual identification system
Solution Approach 2:
Each cam type has unique local characteristics in the form of specific marking patterns, colors, or configurations on its surface. These localized visual features differentiate between cam types intended for different vehicle applications, allowing operators to quickly identify and select the correct cam for the specific vehicle type being assembled
Data Source
AI summary
Construction is achieved that makes it possible to easily determine whether or not a combination of a drive-side cam and driven-side cam is suitable. Driven-side concave grooves 47 that are depressed inward in the radial direction and extend along the axial direction are formed in the outer-circumferential surface of the driven-side cam 30a at two locations on opposite sides in the radial direction. First drive-side concave grooves 45 that are depressed inward in the radial direction and extend along the axial direction are formed in portions of the outer-circumferential surface of the drive-side cam 29a such that the phase thereof in the circumferential direction in the locked state coincides with that of the driven-side concave grooves 47, and second drive-side concave grooves 46 that are depressed inward in the radial direction and extend along the axial direction are formed in portions of the outer-circumferential surface of the drive-side cam 29a such that the phase thereof in the circumferential direction in the unlocked state coincides with that of the driven-side concave grooves 47.