Telescopic Shaft Integrated Buffer Unit Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic shafts face challenges in ease of assembly due to the need for separate attachment of multiple components, such as coil springs and buffer elements, which complicates the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic shaft design featuring integrated buffer body units with recessed grooves and stoppers, where a pin functions as a fastening member to collectively attach the buffer bodies to the inner shaft, improving assembly efficiency by allowing tentative holding and secure fixation during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple components (coil springs, buffer elements, stoppers) are separately attached to the telescopic shaft, then each component can be independently positioned and secured, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separately-attached components (buffer element, stoppers, and retaining structure) into a single integrated buffer body unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate attachment operations, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable component positioning through the integrated design of the buffer body unit that includes all necessary functional elements in one piece.
2Reliability
If multiple components are separately attached during assembly, then each component can be individually secured, but the assembly time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer body unit integrates the buffer element, stoppers, and retaining structure into one component that can be installed in a single operation. This merging maintains component security through the integrated retaining structure that secures all functional elements simultaneously, while dramatically improving assembly efficiency by eliminating multiple separate attachment steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If coil springs are separately attached to recessed grooves, then the springs can be properly positioned, but they may fall from the grooves during assembly and require careful handling
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated buffer body unit combines the buffer element with retaining structures (such as retaining ribs or clips) that prevent the coil springs from falling during assembly. This merging maintains precise spring positioning through the integrated retaining features while significantly improving ease of operation by eliminating the need for careful separate attachment and securing of each spring.
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 design enhances assembly ease by allowing collective attachment of buffer bodies and stoppers, reducing assembly complexity and preventing locking or increased load during extension and contraction, while maintaining effective buffering and noise reduction in steering systems.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of rolling bodies that are disposed between each of the recessed grooves of the inner shaft and the corresponding recessed groove of the outer shaft so as to form a line in the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
a buffer body unit integrally including a pair of buffer bodies that are accommodated in the corresponding recessed grooves of the inner shaft, each of which is interposed between each of the pair of stoppers and the rolling body at the end portion of the corresponding line
Data Source
AI summary
A telescopic shaft (1) includes: an inner shaft (10) where a pair of recessed grooves (11) that face each other in a direction (R) perpendicular to an axis and extend in an axial direction (X) are formed; an outer shaft (20) where a pair of recessed grooves (21) that face each other in the direction (R) perpendicular to the axis and extend in the axial direction (X) are formed; a plurality of rolling bodies (30) that are disposed between each of the recessed grooves (11) and the corresponding recessed groove (21) so as to form a line in the axial direction (X); a pair of stoppers (41); and a buffer body unit (50). Each of the stoppers (41) restricts falling of a rolling body (30e) at an end portion of the corresponding line from the corresponding recessed groove (11) of the inner shaft (10). The buffer body unit (50) integrally includes a pair of buffer bodies (51), and a connection portion (52) that connects the pair of buffer bodies (51).