Steering Wheel Position Adjustment Device With Expandable Damper

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing steering wheel position adjusting apparatuses often cause discomfort to drivers due to vigorous rotation of the adjustment lever, especially when using cam or screw mechanisms, leading to excessive force requirements and unpleasant feelings during position adjustments.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an expandable damper between the adjustment lever and the support-plate portion to provide resistance against excessive rotation, reducing the rotational force needed to adjust the steering wheel position, thereby minimizing discomfort for the driver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cam or screw mechanism is used to adjust the steering wheel position, then the position adjustment function is achieved, but the adjustment lever rotates vigorously causing discomfort to the driver

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering wheel position adjustmentVSAvoidvigorous rotation of adjustment lever

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damper is integrated into the adjustment mechanism to provide beforehand cushioning against the vigorous rotation of the adjustment lever. The damper absorbs the excessive rotational energy and provides resistance during the adjustment operation, preventing the harmful vigorous rotation before it can affect the driver. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the position adjustment function while eliminating the discomfort-causing vigorous rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a cam or screw mechanism is used for position adjustment, then the adjustment function is provided, but excessive force is required to operate the adjustment lever

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition adjustment capabilityVSAvoidrotational force required for adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The damper modifies the force parameter during the adjustment operation by providing controlled resistance. It regulates the rotational force required to operate the adjustment lever, preventing excessive force requirements while maintaining the position adjustment capability. The damper's damping characteristic changes the force profile during operation, resolving the contradiction between adjustment capability and force requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a cam or screw mechanism is used to enable position adjustment, then the adjustment functionality is achieved, but unpleasant feelings are generated during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment lever operationVSAvoidunpleasant feelings during adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damper provides beforehand cushioning that prevents the vigorous rotation and excessive force requirements that cause unpleasant feelings during adjustment lever operation. By absorbing the harmful rotational energy and providing controlled resistance, the damper eliminates the source of unpleasant sensations while preserving the position adjustment functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The damper converts the harmful vigorous rotation and excessive force into beneficial controlled resistance. The energy that would otherwise cause unpleasant feelings is transformed into smooth, controlled motion through the damper's resistance, turning a harmful effect into a beneficial operating characteristic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The expandable damper effectively reduces the rotational force required to adjust the steering wheel position, preventing unpleasant feelings and ensuring a smoother operation of the adjustment lever, while maintaining sufficient damping performance to prevent excessive energy transfer.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating an expandable damper between the adjustment lever and the support-plate portion to provide resistance against excessive rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2871113B1Position adjustment device for steering wheel

Publication Date: 2019.01.09 NSK LTD

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AI summary

When an adjustment lever 32 is rotated in order to adjust the position of a steering wheel 1, the adjustment lever 32 is prevented from vigorously rotating, which prevents making the driver who operates the adjustment lever 32 feel discomfort. An expandable damper 35 that provides resistance to the rotation of the adjustment lever 32 is provided between a protrusion 34 that rotates together with the adjustment lever 32 centered around an adjustment rod and an extending portion 37 that is provided on a support-plate portion 15c. The expandable damper 35 has a cylinder portion 38 and a damper rod 39 that are combined so as to be able to displace relative to each other in the axial direction by way of grease 40.