Steering Column Cover With Detachable Section for EA Stroke
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Solution Overview
Problem
Design changes in vehicle instrument panels have led to insufficient space behind the instrument panel reinforcement (R/F), limiting the energy absorption stroke (EA stroke) of the steering column during a frontal crash.
Innovation Solution
A column cover with a detachable member fastened to the cover body, allowing easy withdrawal in a crash to enhance the EA stroke, and projections to prevent vertical sliding of the instrument panel R/F, along with inclined contact faces and clips for secure detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the column cover is positioned close to the instrument panel reinforcement to save space, then the device complexity is reduced, but the energy absorption stroke of the steering column is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The column cover is divided into a cover body and a detachable member that can separate during a frontal crash. The detachable member is initially fastened to the cover body to maintain a compact configuration, but can detach to provide additional energy absorption stroke when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between compact positioning and sufficient stroke length
Solution Approach 2:
The column cover transitions from a static compact configuration to a dynamic extended configuration during crash. The detachable member remains attached during normal operation but detaches under crash forces to extend the energy absorption stroke, allowing the system to adapt its length based on operational conditions
2Strength
If the detachable member is fastened securely to the cover body, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ease of detachment during crash is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is designed with preliminary considerations for crash conditions. The fastener includes features that maintain secure attachment during normal operation but are pre-configured to fail or release under specific crash force thresholds, allowing the detachable member to separate when the force exceeds the fastener's design limit
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener is designed as a sacrificial element that can fail in a controlled manner during crash. Rather than requiring the entire column cover structure to be weak, only the fastening mechanism is designed to be relatively weak and replaceable, allowing secure normal operation with easy crash detachment
Data Source
AI summary
A column cover surrounding and covering a steering column includes a cover body and a detachable member disposed further forward relative to the cover body and fastened to the cover body, with a clip, to allow the detachable member to be continuous with the cover body. The detachable member is disposed behind an instrument panel R/F and faces the instrument panel R/F with an interval along a length of a vehicle between the detachable member and the instrument panel R/F.