Energy-absorbing Deformable Tube with Reduced Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible steering columns often add weight, complexity, and cost while attempting to maintain vehicle steering function during and after collapse, and may not efficiently absorb energy in collisions.
Innovation Solution
An energy-absorbing deformable tube with a reduced portion and a cover that requires additional energy for further collapse, featuring a crush initiation zone and operative features to control deformation under impact loads, allowing for progressive energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical means such as sliding key and spline apparatus are added to maintain steering function during collapse, then steering control is provided, but weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable tube serves multiple functions simultaneously: it absorbs impact energy through controlled deformation while also maintaining steering control capability through its structural design. The tube's reduced portion and cover configuration enable it to perform both energy absorption and steering function without requiring separate mechanical apparatus.
2Loss of energy
If pyrotechnics and mechanical means are used to engage energy-absorbing devices, then energy absorption is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable tube is designed to automatically engage in energy absorption through its own structural characteristics without requiring external pyrotechnics or complex mechanical engagement mechanisms. The reduced portion and cover configuration enable the tube to spontaneously deform and absorb energy when subjected to impact forces.
3Loss of energy
If pneumatic components are used to control energy transfer during collapse, then energy absorption is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes pneumatic components and other complex control systems from the energy absorption mechanism. The deformable tube relies solely on its structural design features (reduced portion and cover) to control energy transfer during collapse, eliminating the need for additional pneumatic systems.
4Loss of energy
If plastic deformation of metallic components is used for energy absorption, then energy absorption is achieved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the structural parameters of the deformable tube by incorporating a reduced portion and cover configuration. This structural modification enables the tube to achieve effective energy absorption through controlled deformation while using lighter materials and reducing overall component weight compared to traditional metallic energy-absorbing devices.
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 effectively absorbs energy during collisions, reducing the force transmitted to the driver while maintaining some steering function by requiring increasing energy for further collapse, thus addressing the inefficiencies and added costs of prior technologies.
Implementation Method 1
an energy-absorbing deformable tube with a first end, a second end, and a reduced portion there between... effectively absorbs energy during collisions, reducing the force transmitted to the driver while maintaining some steering function by requiring increasing energy for further collapse
Data Source
AI summary
An energy-absorbing deformable tube having a first end, a second end, and a reduced portion there between, a proximate tube portion between the reduced portion and the first end and a distal tube portion between the reduced portion and the second end, where a first cross section dimension in the reduced portion is smaller than a corresponding second cross section dimension in the proximal tube portion, distal tube portion, or both, and a cover spanning the reduced portion connected to the proximal tube portion and the distal tube portion, the cover provided over at least a portion of the reduced portion, the distal tube portion or the proximal tube portion or both moves relative to the cover after the deformable tube receives an axial force exceeding a predetermined threshold value.