Segmented Steering Shaft Assembly for Crash Telescoping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering shafts for motor vehicles face challenges in simple assembly and optimal accident behavior, with complex installation processes and limited telescoping capabilities, leading to difficulties in accommodating excessive rearward displacement during accidents without intruding into the vehicle interior.
Innovation Solution
A steering shaft design featuring at least two separately formed shaft parts connected in a rotationally-fixed manner, allowing telescopic sliding beyond a separation point, with toothed or spline connections and an elastically deformable decoupling element to facilitate easy installation and enhanced accident-related rearward displacement without excessive steering wheel intrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the steering shaft elements are designed as a single integrated component, then the structure is simpler and manufacturing is easier, but the telescoping capability and accident behavior are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The steering shaft element is divided into multiple shaft parts (first shaft part, second shaft part, third shaft part) that can slide relative to each other. This segmentation enables telescoping movement while maintaining structural integrity through controlled separation and reconnection at separation points.
2Reliability
If the steering shaft elements are telescopically slidable, then the accident behavior is improved, but the assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft parts are pre-configured with separation points and connection mechanisms (toothing, splines) that enable straightforward assembly. The preliminary design of these connection features allows for simple assembly operations while ensuring reliable telescoping functionality during accidents.
3Force
If the steering shaft allows large rearward displacement during accidents, then the cushioning effect is improved, but the steering wheel may intrude into the vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented shaft structure with multiple separation points allows controlled telescoping that absorbs impact energy through gradual compression, limiting the maximum displacement and preventing steering wheel intrusion into the vehicle interior during accidents.
4Strength
If multiple shaft parts are connected with toothing or splines, then the torque transmission is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toothing or spline connections serve multiple functions: they transmit torque between shaft parts, enable telescoping movement, and provide separation points for assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall manufacturing process despite the complex connection geometry.
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
This design enables a more straightforward and cost-effective installation process while allowing for significant telescoping, thereby enhancing accident safety by permitting large rearward displacement of the steering gear without excessive steering wheel movement, thus improving both assembly efficiency and accident cushioning.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable decoupling element to facilitate easy installation and enhanced accident-related rearward displacement
Data Source
AI summary
A steering shaft for a steering system of a motor vehicle, having at least two steering shaft elements, which can be rotated about an axis of rotation, are coupled to one another in a torque-transmitting manner, and are telescopically slidable one inside the other, via which a steering wheel is mechanically connectable to a steering gear of the steering system, wherein at least one of the steering shaft elements has at least two shaft parts, which are formed separately from one another and are connected to one another in a rotationally-fixed manner and which are assembled and connected to one another with at least one separation point, wherein the steering shaft elements are slidable one inside the other beyond the separation point.