Composite Steering Column Energy Absorption Web
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column energy absorption mechanisms are complex, heavy, and primarily based on metal constructions, making them inefficient for lightweight design and effective energy absorption in vehicle crashes.
Innovation Solution
A steering column with a plastic and/or fiber composite web energy absorption element that breaks into small particles upon impact, providing effective energy absorption without chipping, and is integrated into a simple design with a tensioning device and pultrusion production for weight savings and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal constructions are used for energy absorption mechanisms, then strength and reliability are improved, but weight increases and lightweight construction cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by forming the energy absorption element from plastic material, particularly fiber composite material. This allows achieving high energy absorption capability comparable to metal while significantly reducing the weight of the steering column, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
2Strength
If complex energy absorption mechanisms with many individual parts are used, then energy absorption effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the energy absorption element with the steering column jacket by forming it as an integral part of the jacket tube through plastic material. This eliminates the need for separate metal components and complex assemblies, reducing device complexity while maintaining energy absorption effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic energy absorption element serves multiple functions: it absorbs energy during crashes, reduces overall steering column weight, and simplifies the construction by integrating with the jacket. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving complex performance with a simple unified structure.
3Weight of moving object
If fiber composite material is used for the web, then weight savings and energy absorption capacity are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent properties of fiber composite materials by aligning fibers in the longitudinal direction of the jacket tube to optimize strength and energy absorption. The pultrusion process naturally achieves this fiber alignment, converting a potential manufacturing challenge into a design advantage that delivers both weight savings and high energy absorption capacity.
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 achieves effective energy absorption with weight savings and precise control over energy absorption curves, enhancing crash safety while maintaining structural simplicity and reducing the risk of injury to the driver.
Implementation Method 1
the web is at least partially destroyed by an impact element during a movement of the jacket tube caused by the axial impact... the destruction of the energy absorption element takes place in the form of the element breaking up into a large number of small particles, but no chips are lifted off
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering spindle (2) which is mounted in a casing tube (5) in a rotatable manner about the rotational axis (3) of the steering spindle. The casing tube (5) is guided in a movable manner in a guide bracket (6) along the longitudinal axis (3) of the steering spindle (2), and a fixing mechanism (12) is provided which has a clamping device with clamping bolts (13). The casing tube (5) can be moved under the effect of an axial impact, thereby absorbing energy, and in the process interacts with at least one energy absorption element (18, 118). The at least one energy absorption element (18, 118) is a connecting piece (18) which is formed on the casing tube (5) and which is at least partly destroyed by an impact element (13) secured to the vehicle body in the event of a casing tube (5) movement caused by the axial impact.