Steering Wheel Damper Pin Locking Structure for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The vibration damping of the steering wheel is compromised due to the vibration of the mounting pin member within the damper unit, leading to noise issues and inadequate vibration transmission to the airbag module, and existing mounting and securing structures are complex and difficult to mount.

Innovation Solution

A mounting and securing structure for the damper unit that includes a collar member with a hollow cylindrical shape, a seat part, a positioning groove, and a spring member, which securely locks the mounting pin member to prevent vibration and ensure stable connection between the steering wheel and the airbag module, reducing noise and improving durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the mounting pin member is simply inserted to connect the steering wheel and airbag module, then the structure is simple and easy to mount, but the mounting pin member vibrates adversely affecting vibration transmission and generating noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of mountingVSAvoidvibration damping performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring member is introduced to create a dynamic retention mechanism that adapts to vibration conditions. The spring member elastically retains the mounting pin member, allowing it to accommodate vibration while preventing adverse movement, thus maintaining both ease of mounting and reliable vibration damping performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The collar member serves as an intermediary component between the mounting pin member and the support part. It provides the positioning groove part and locking groove part that guide and secure the mounting pin member, enabling simple installation while ensuring stable vibration transmission to the airbag module

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the mounting pin member is securely fixed to prevent vibration, then vibration damping improves, but the mounting and securing structure becomes complex and difficult to mount

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration damping performanceVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting and securing structure is segmented into distinct functional components: the collar member for positioning and guidance, the spring member for elastic retention, and the locking groove part for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, avoiding the need for a complex integrated structure while achieving reliable vibration damping

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting pin member features a self-aligning locking mechanism where the locking groove part automatically engages with the collar member during insertion. The spring member provides automatic elastic retention without requiring additional fastening operations, enabling secure fixation through a simple insertion process that does not increase structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the mounting pin member is retained with a spring member and locking mechanism, then noise is reduced and durability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning groove part and locking groove part are merged into a single integrated feature on the collar member. This combining of functions into one component achieves noise reduction through proper mounting pin retention without proportionally increasing overall structure complexity, as the collar member itself serves multiple purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution effectively stabilizes the mounting pin member, enhancing vibration damping, reducing noise, and improving durability while maintaining a simple and easy-to-mount configuration.

Implementation Method 1

a spring member provided on the supporting part inserted through the positioning groove part that is elastically locked by the locking groove part when the insertion side tip is seated in the seat part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3812240B1Structure for mounting and fixing damper unit in steering wheel, and steering wheel
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 AUTOLIV DEV AB
  • EP3812240B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3812240B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3812240B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

PROBLEM To provide a mounting and securing structure for the damper unit of a steering wheel, and a steering wheel thereof, with a simple structure and that is easy to install, allowing a mounting pin member to be mounted and secured to the support part without any looseness in an effort to prevent noise and improve durability, and can improve the vibration damping effects of the steering wheel. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM By providing a collar member 12 formed as a hollow cylinder having an opening 12b at one end into which a mounting pin member 11 of the damper unit is inserted, and which is secured to a cored bar member 5, a seat part 23 provided at the other end of the collar member in which the insertion side tip of the pin is seated, a positioning groove part 12d formed on the collar member between the seat part and the opening, a locking groove part 11b formed on the pin that is positioned in the positioning groove part when the insertion side tip is seated in the seat part, and a spring member 14 provided on the cored bar member inserted through the positioning groove part that is elastically locked by the locking groove part when the insertion side tip is seated in the seat part and retains the pin.