Steering Shaft Buffer Structure for Curb Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle steering devices face challenges in reducing shock loads during curb encounters, which require larger elastic members to absorb these loads, compromising device durability and size.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering device with a collision buffer member that combines elastic and plastic deformation regions, allowing it to absorb normal steering abutment loads elastically and large shock loads plastically, while being compact in size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the deformable amount of the elastic member is increased to reduce the shock load, then the shock load reduction is improved, but the size of the elastic member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collision buffer member is divided into two distinct functional regions: an elastic region for absorbing normal steering loads and a plastic region for absorbing shock loads. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function, with the plastic region providing efficient shock absorption without requiring the entire member to be large in size.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the collision buffer member are given different material properties: the elastic region uses materials with high elasticity for normal operations, while the plastic region uses materials capable of plastic deformation for shock absorption. This local differentiation of material properties enables compact sizing while maintaining effective shock load reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a purely elastic member is used to absorb shock loads, then the shock load is reduced, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the mechanical parameter of the collision buffer member by introducing plastic deformation capability in addition to elastic deformation. This parameter change allows the member to absorb shock loads more efficiently through irreversible plastic deformation, reducing the required volume for a given shock absorption level.
3Volume of moving object
If the collision buffer member is made compact, then the device size is reduced, but the shock load absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collision buffer member is constructed as a composite structure combining materials with different deformation characteristics. The elastic region uses elastic materials for normal operations, while the plastic region uses materials capable of plastic deformation. This composite approach enables compact sizing while maintaining superior shock load absorption capability.
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 reduces shock loads applied to the steering device, enhances durability, and allows for more flexible arrangement, while maintaining compactness and efficient energy absorption.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic region that absorbs an abutment load by a normal steering operation input from the stopper
Implementation Method 2
a plastic region that absorbs a shock load input from the stopper and greater than the abutment load by the normal steering operation
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle steering device includes a turning shaft movable in a vehicle widthwise direction, a housing that retains therein the turning shaft, a stopper provided at a shaft end of the turning shaft exposed from the housing, and a collision buffer member, which is provided at the housing, and which restricts a movable range of the stopper in the vehicle widthwise direction. The collision buffer member has an elastic region that absorbs an abutment load by a normal steering operation input from the stopper, and a plastic region that absorbs a shock load input from the stopper and greater than the abutment load by the normal steering operation.