Steering Cable Routing via Deformable Support Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional impact absorbing steering apparatuses face issues where cables connected to electric equipment can become a resistance against the forward displacement of the steering wheel during a secondary collision, hindering the desired impact absorbing performance.
Innovation Solution
The impact absorbing steering apparatus incorporates an energy-absorbing member with a pressed plate section that plastically deforms during a secondary collision, allowing the support plate section to displace downward without deforming, thus preventing the cable from tightening and acting as a resistance, while also serving as a cable support member to reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the steering wheel is allowed to displace forward during a secondary collision to absorb impact energy, then the impact absorbing performance is improved, but the cable connected to electric equipment becomes a resistance against displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable from the path of displacement by routing it through a guide member. The guide member directs the cable to move in a direction that does not resist the forward displacement of the steering wheel during collision, effectively removing the cable's harmful resistance while preserving the impact absorption function.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member acts as an intermediary between the cable and the steering wheel displacement. It mediates the motion by allowing the cable to move without creating resistance against the forward displacement, enabling both the cable connection and the impact absorption to function simultaneously.
2Force
If a separate cable support member is added to prevent cable resistance, then the cable resistance problem is solved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cable support function with the existing energy-absorbing member. The energy-absorbing member is designed to have both its original impact absorption function and an additional cable support function, eliminating the need for a separate cable support member and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy-absorbing member is given multiple functions: it continues to absorb impact energy through its collapsible structure while also serving as a support for the cable. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the steering wheel assembly.
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 efficiently suppresses the cable from becoming a resistance, enabling effective impact absorption and reducing costs by sharing parts, thereby enhancing the impact absorbing performance during a secondary collision.
Implementation Method 1
part of the energy-absorbing member plastically deforming, absorbs impact energy that is applied to the steering column from the steering wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A structure is achieved in which two portions in the axial direction of a cable 38 for electric equipment by an energy-absorbing member 35 on an inner column 9a side and a cable support bracket 52 on an outer column 10a side, such that the cable 38 can be suppressed from becoming a resistance to forward displacement of a steering wheel during a secondary collision. The energy-absorbing member 35 has a support plate section 46, part of which displaces in the downward direction during a secondary collision. Part of the middle section of two portions of the cable 38 in the axial direction is supported by the support plate section 46. During a secondary collision, the middle section of the cable 38 displaces and is bent in the downward direction as the support plate section 46 deforms. As a result, the cable 38 is suppressed from tightening in the axial direction during a secondary collision.