Telescopic Steering Device Tilt Spring Adjusting Rod

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional telescopic steering devices face issues with maintaining a stable operational feeling during front and rear position adjustments due to tilting and catching phenomena, which increase operational load and reduce adjustment precision.

Innovation Solution

A telescopic steering device with a steering column and support bracket, featuring an adjusting rod biased by a pushing-up member, such as a coil spring, and rotating members that transmit the biasing force to the outer column, preventing tilting and ensuring smooth axial displacement, thereby enhancing operational feeling and reducing operational load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the adjusting rod is directly connected to the outer column without rotating members, then the structure is simpler, but tilting and catching phenomena occur increasing operational load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidoperational load

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Rotating members are introduced as intermediary elements between the adjusting rod and the outer column. These rotating members prevent direct contact that causes tilting and catching phenomena, thereby reducing operational load while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the adjusting rod is biased upward by a pushing-up member, then tilting is prevented and operational feeling is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational feelingVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A pushing-up member is introduced to apply an upward biasing force on the adjusting rod, counteracting downward forces that cause tilting. This improves operational feeling by preventing tilting and catching phenomena, despite the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Ease of operation

If rotating members are used to transmit biasing force, then smooth axial displacement is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplacement smoothnessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Rotating members serve as mediators that transmit the biasing force from the pushing-up member to the outer column while enabling smooth axial displacement. The rotating members reduce friction and prevent catching phenomena, improving displacement smoothness despite increased manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides a high operational feeling for front and rear position adjustments by preventing tilting and catching, thus minimizing operational load and ensuring precise adjustment.

Implementation Method 1

The adjusting rod is biased upward by a pushing-up member constituted of, for example, a coil spring, a leaf spring, or the like.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3257721B1Telescopic steering device

Publication Date: 2019.03.20 NSK LTD

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AI summary

A tilt spring (72) is provided in a state being bridged between an upper bracket (17a) and an adjusting rod (24a). An upward biasing force is exerted on the adjusting rod (24a). A pair of rollers (63) are rotatably supported by the adjusting rod (24a). The force from the tilt spring (72) is transmitted to an outer column (11a) via the pair of rollers (63).