Retractable Steering Column with Deployable Energy Absorber
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles equipped with autonomous driving assist systems, the steering wheel does not need to rotate, creating a need for a retractable steering column assembly that allows the driver to manipulate the position or purpose of the steering wheel, enabling additional cabin space and functionality for non-driving activities while ensuring safe and efficient transition between automated and manual vehicle control.
Innovation Solution
A steering column system with a retractable shaft, energy absorbing mechanism, and column adjustment assembly that translates between retracted and driving positions, including a signal to indicate the operational state of the energy absorbing mechanism, allowing for automated directional control when retracted and manual control when extended, with an energy absorbing mechanism that becomes operational upon extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the steering column shaft is retracted to increase cabin space for non-driving activities, then the available cabin volume increases, but the energy absorbing mechanism cannot protect the driver during manual control
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column shaft is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between retracted and extended positions. The column adjustment assembly enables the shaft to transition between these states based on whether the vehicle is in automated or manual mode, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to match operational requirements rather than remaining fixed in one position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates signals that indicate the operational state of the energy absorbing mechanism and the position of the steering column shaft. This feedback mechanism ensures that the energy absorbing mechanism is properly engaged when the shaft is in the extended driving position, providing driver protection only when needed during manual control operations.
2Ease of operation
If the steering column shaft is extended to enable manual vehicle control, then the driver can steer the vehicle, but the cabin space for non-driving activities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column shaft is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between retracted and extended positions. The column adjustment assembly enables the shaft to transition between these states based on whether the vehicle is in automated or manual mode, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to match operational requirements rather than remaining fixed in one position.
3Reliability
If the energy absorbing mechanism is always operational, then driver safety is maximized, but the system complexity and potential interference with automated control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorbing mechanism is designed to be dynamically activated or deactivated based on the operational mode. When the steering column shaft is retracted for automated driving, the mechanism is deactivated. When the shaft is extended for manual control, the mechanism becomes operational, providing safety only when the driver is actually controlling the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates signals that indicate the operational state of the energy absorbing mechanism and the position of the steering column shaft. This feedback mechanism ensures that the energy absorbing mechanism is properly engaged when the shaft is in the extended driving position, providing driver protection only when needed during manual control operations.
4Device complexity
If the steering wheel is fixed in position, then the steering column structure is simpler, but the driver cannot manipulate the position for additional cabin space or alternative uses
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column shaft is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between retracted and extended positions. The column adjustment assembly enables the shaft to transition between these states based on whether the vehicle is in automated or manual mode, allowing the system to adapt its configuration to match operational requirements rather than remaining fixed in one position.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column system includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is an energy absorbing mechanism operatively engaged with at least one of the steering column shaft and the steering input device. Yet further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Also included is at least one signal indicating whether the steering column shaft is in the retracted position or the driving position, and when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control of a vehicle is automated and the energy absorbing mechanism is in a non-operational state, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, the energy absorbing mechanism is in an operational state.