Light Vehicle Steering Column With Progressive Flexible Stops

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering column end-stops in light vehicles, whether metal or integrated, suffer from abrupt engagement, leading to shocks, wear, noise, and visibility issues, as well as risks of breakage, especially during maximum steering lock.

Innovation Solution

A steering column with a flexible strap inserted between the tube and shaft, featuring a stop device comprising an outer and inner sleeve connected by flexible straps, providing a progressive stop through even material flexion across its width.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid metal stops are used to limit steering pivoting, then the maximum steering angle is controlled, but abrupt engagement causes shocks, wear, noise, and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering angle controlVSAvoidshocks and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid metal stops with a flexible strap that has elastic properties. The strap is tensioned between the steering column tube and the shaft, creating a flexible stopping mechanism that elongates under load rather than engaging rigidly. This eliminates shocks and wear while maintaining reliable steering angle control through the elastic deformation of the strap material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the stopping mechanism from rigid to flexible by selecting a strap material with appropriate elastic properties. The strap's elastic modulus and cross-sectional area are chosen to provide the required stopping force while allowing gradual elongation. This parameter change transforms the abrupt rigid engagement into a progressive elastic deformation process, reducing harmful shocks and wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If integrated stops are used within the steering column, then visibility and protection are improved, but abrupt stopping and wear risks remain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility and protectionVSAvoidwear and breakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible strap is integrated within the steering column structure, concealed between the tube and shaft. Its elastic properties allow it to absorb impact energy through gradual elongation rather than abrupt rigid engagement. This integrated flexible design provides both protection from visibility issues and reliability by eliminating wear and breakage risks associated with rigid stops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic strap acts as a pre-positioned cushioning element that gradually absorbs impact energy during steering operations. Rather than allowing rigid contact, the strap is tensioned in advance to provide a progressive stopping force that cushions the deceleration of the steering shaft, preventing sudden impacts and associated wear or breakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a flexible strap is used to provide progressive stopping, then shocks and wear are reduced, but the stopping mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshocks and wearVSAvoidstop device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible strap is integrated into the existing steering column structure, merging the stopping function with the structural components. The strap is tensioned between the tube and shaft, combining the structural elements with the flexible stopping mechanism. This merging approach provides progressive stopping to reduce shocks and wear without adding significant structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 flexible strap system offers a progressive stop that is not visible, reduces wear and discomfort, and prevents impacts, enhancing comfort and durability by evenly distributing traction forces.

Implementation Method 1

choosing a sufficient flexibility of elongation of the strap, during a pivoting of the steering, a winding of this strap on the shaft, then at the end of this winding, a longitudinal pull on the strap which stops the pivoting by elongating slightly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4644219A1Light vehicle steering column equipped with progressive stops for the end of the pivoting movement

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS

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AI summary

Light vehicle steering column comprising a steering tube (4) fixed to a vehicle chassis, a shaft (6) supporting a steering wheel of the vehicle (10) axially aligned and guided in rotation in this tube (4), and a stop device (20) comprising at least one flexible strap (34) inserted between the tube (4) and the shaft (6), having a width arranged parallel to the axis, and along its length one end connected to the shaft (6) and the other end connected to the tube (4) allowing an angle of rotation.