Telescopic Steering Column With Static Clearance Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional telescopic steering columns for vehicles, particularly large vehicles, have limited stroke length, are not compact, and require a large inventory due to specific models for each vehicle type, leading to manufacturing and logistical inefficiencies and noise issues.
Innovation Solution
A steering column with three telescopically mounted segments, featuring a solid inner segment and two tubular segments with square cross-sections, and a static sliding and clearance compensation system using polymeric coatings to eliminate noise and reduce friction, replacing moving leaf springs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional telescopic steering columns are used, then the column can be adjusted for different vehicle types, but the stroke length is limited and the column is not compact
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column employs three telescopic segments (first, second, and third segments) that are nested within each other, with each segment capable of sliding relative to the previous one. This nesting arrangement enables a stroke length of approximately 50% or more while maintaining a compact retracted form factor of about one-third of the total extended length.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specific models are maintained for different vehicle types, then each model can be optimized for its specific application, but the inventory requirements and manufacturing complexity increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column is designed as a universal assembly that can serve multiple vehicle types through its telescopic mechanism. The three-segment design with adjustable stroke length allows a single model to replace multiple specific models, reducing inventory requirements while maintaining adaptability to different vehicle applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The column is divided into three separate telescopic segments that can independently adjust, providing fine-tuned adaptability to different vehicle types and applications. This segmentation enables continuous adjustment of the overall length to match various mounting requirements.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If leaf springs are used as clearance compensators, then friction and noise are reduced, but the system complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the leaf spring components from the system by implementing a static clearance compensation mechanism built into the telescopic segment interfaces. This removes the moving parts associated with springs while maintaining the noise and friction reduction benefits through precision-machined contact surfaces and controlled clearance geometry.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a steering column comprising a body formed by three telescopically assembled segments, namely an outer square tubular segment (1), inside which an intermediate square tubular segment (2) slides, inside which an inner square solid segment (3) slides; a sealing head (4) is positioned between the upper ends of segments (1) and (2); the inner solid segment (3) has one end equipped with a splined cylindrical end-piece (5) and, at the opposite end, the outer square tubular segment (1) is also equipped with another splined cylindrical end-piece (6), both of which are provided with a conventional universal joint (J); stroke limiters (11) and clearance compensators (12) are mounted on the aforementioned segments.