Dual-Actuator Steering Column Assembly for Long-Range Stow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steering column assemblies that require significant telescopic travel present packaging challenges, particularly in autonomous driving vehicles, where the handwheel needs to be stowed, leading to issues with traditional internally stowing columns that occupy critical space for vehicle energy absorption during barrier events.
Innovation Solution
An axially adjustable steering column assembly with an upper and lower jacket, where the upper jacket is telescopingly adjustable within the lower jacket, and a first actuator controls telescoping adjustment, while a second actuator controls translating adjustment of the lower jacket relative to the column mounting bracket, allowing for a distinct stow motion range beyond the comfort range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If traditional internally stowing steering columns are used to achieve significant telescopic travel, then the handwheel can be stowed further away from the driver, but the steering column assembly becomes excessively long and occupies critical space needed for vehicle energy absorption during barrier events
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column assembly is divided into two independent actuators: a first actuator that telescopes the upper jacket within the lower jacket for comfort range adjustment, and a second actuator that translates the lower jacket relative to the column mounting bracket for extended stow range. This segmentation allows the steering column to achieve significant telescopic travel while minimizing the overall footprint by distributing the movement across two independent mechanisms rather than requiring a single long-column design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If significant telescopic travel is implemented to enable full stow capability, then the handwheel can be repositioned for autonomous driving modes, but the steering column assembly requires excessive length that conflicts with vehicle energy absorption requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column assembly is divided into two independent actuators: a first actuator that telescopes the upper jacket within the lower jacket for comfort range adjustment, and a second actuator that translates the lower jacket relative to the column mounting bracket for extended stow range. This segmentation allows the steering column to achieve significant telescopic travel while minimizing the overall footprint by distributing the movement across two independent mechanisms rather than requiring a single long-column design.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering column assembly employs dynamic adjustability through two independent actuators that can operate simultaneously or independently. The first actuator provides dynamic telescoping for comfort adjustment, while the second actuator provides dynamic translating for extended stow capability. This dynamic system allows the steering column to adapt its length and position based on operational requirements, achieving full stow capability without requiring a permanently extended column assembly.
3Ease of operation
If a single internally stowing mechanism is used, then the structure remains simple, but it cannot achieve both comfort range and extended stow range adjustment independently
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column assembly is divided into two independent actuators: a first actuator that telescopes the upper jacket within the lower jacket for comfort range adjustment, and a second actuator that translates the lower jacket relative to the column mounting bracket for extended stow range. This segmentation allows the steering column to achieve significant telescopic travel while minimizing the overall footprint by distributing the movement across two independent mechanisms rather than requiring a single long-column design.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-actuator system provides multi-functionality: the first actuator handles comfort range telescoping adjustments, the second actuator handles extended stow range translating adjustments, and both actuators can operate simultaneously to achieve full stow capability. This universal system consolidates multiple adjustment functions into a coordinated dual-actuator architecture, improving ease of operation across different ranges while managing device complexity through functional integration.
Data Source
AI summary
An axially adjustable steering column assembly includes an upper jacket and a lower jacket. The steering column assembly also includes a column mounting bracket, wherein the lower jacket is operatively coupled to the column mounting bracket and translates relative to the column mounting bracket. The steering column assembly further includes a first actuator operatively coupled to the upper jacket to control telescoping adjustment of the upper jacket relative to the lower jacket. The steering column assembly yet further includes a second actuator operatively coupled to the lower jacket to control translating adjustment of the lower jacket relative to the column mounting bracket independently of the first actuator, wherein simultaneous operation of the first actuator and the second actuator produces a stow motion over a second range of axial adjustment distinct from a comfort range over which only the first actuator operates.