Steering Wheel Cam Mechanism Reduces Operation Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering wheel position adjustment systems require high operation torque during the maintenance phase, leading to reduced operability and an unpleasant operational feel due to sudden increases in friction moments.
Innovation Solution
The steering wheel position adjustment apparatus features a cam mechanism with drive and driven cams, where the driven cam's continuous surfaces are inclined to allow gradual sliding contact, reducing friction moments and operation torque by limiting contact to inner surfaces initially, then expanding to outer surfaces smoothly, thereby reducing the overall operation torque required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cam surfaces with abrupt contact transitions are used, then the steering wheel position can be maintained, but high operation torque is required during the maintenance phase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam surface transitions from a static abrupt contact design to a dynamic gradual contact design. The inclined continuous surface allows the contact point to move progressively from the inner radius to the outer radius during rotation, creating a dynamic friction reduction effect that lowers operation torque while maintaining position holding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the cam surface by introducing an inclined continuous surface with a specific angle (5-15 degrees). This parameter modification transforms the friction characteristics during cam rotation, enabling smooth transition of contact points and reducing peak friction moments that cause high operation torque requirements.
2Reliability
If conventional cam surfaces with abrupt contact transitions are used, then position maintenance is achieved, but sudden increases in friction moments occur
Solution Approach 1:
The cam surface design creates a dynamic friction management system where the contact point naturally migrates along the inclined continuous surface. This dynamic behavior prevents sudden friction spikes by distributing the friction load over a longer rotational arc, resulting in smooth operational feel without compromising position maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined continuous surface allows the cam mechanism to quickly transition through the high-friction zone by maintaining continuous contact. Instead of lingering in abrupt contact transitions that cause friction spikes, the design rushes through the transition phase smoothly, eliminating unpleasant operational sensations.
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 reduces the operation torque needed during the maintenance phase, improves operability by maintaining a consistent feel, and prevents sudden increases in friction moments, enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the portions of sliding contact between the drive-side cam surface and the driven-side continuous surfaces gradually increase from the inside end in the radial direction to the outside end in the radial direction
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Construction is achieved that, when performing operation in order to maintain the position of a steering wheel after adjustment, is capable of reducing the operation torque that is applied to an adjustment lever 14 during the first half of the operation, and is capable of improving operability. Portions (virtual sliding-contact section lines M) of the drive-side cam surfaces 20a that can come in sliding contact with the driven-side continuous surfaces 24a when moving from a state in which the position of the steering wheel can be adjusted to a state in which the adjusted position can be maintained, are inclined toward one side in the circumferential direction at the time when the virtual sliding-contact section lines M overlap one end N1 in the circumferential direction of the driven-side continuous surfaces 24a. As a result, during operation, the areas of sliding contact between the drive-side cam surface 20a and the driven-side continuous surfaces 24a gradually increase from the inside end in the radial direction to the outside in the radial direction.