Steering Column Bending Clip Axial Collapse Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicular steering columns require complex structures and multiple components for collision energy absorption, leading to increased manufacturing complexity, lateral load deviation, and higher costs, with existing shock absorption mechanisms being difficult to manufacture and adjust for different vehicle types.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular steering column design featuring a column tube with a collapse elongated-hole, a column housing with a telescopic elongated-hole, a support cylinder with an insertion hole, and a bending clip that moves axially during collisions, allowing for adjustable collapse load and reduced component count, enabling smooth collapse without interference with fixed components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate structures and multiple components (capsule, mounting bracket, tearing plate, bending plate) are mounted for collision energy absorption, then collision energy absorption capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate energy absorption components (capsule, mounting bracket, tearing plate, bending plate) into a single integrated column housing structure. The column housing incorporates the capsule receiving chamber, mounting bracket integration, and bending plate structure as unified components, eliminating the need for separate assembly of multiple parts while maintaining collision energy absorption functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The column housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, houses the energy-absorbing capsule, integrates the mounting bracket for attachment, and incorporates the bending plate for secondary energy absorption. This multi-functional design replaces several specialized components with a single versatile structure.
2Reliability
If capsule fracture and tearing plate breaking are used for shock absorption, then collision energy is absorbed, but manufacturing complexity increases and lateral load deviation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorption functions of capsule fracture and tearing plate deformation are merged into a single integrated bending plate structure within the column housing. This unified structure absorbs collision energy through controlled plastic deformation without requiring separate manufacturing processes for multiple components.
3Reliability
If vertical deformation is generated for energy absorption, then collision energy is absorbed, but lateral deviation of load occurs due to interference with peripheral components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deformation direction from vertical to axial (longitudinal) by designing the bending plate and collapse elongated-hole to deform along the axial direction of the steering column. This dimensional change in deformation path avoids lateral deviation and interference with peripheral components while maintaining effective energy absorption.
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
Facilitates adjustable collapse load for improved collision performance, reduces the number of components and assembly processes, and lowers costs while ensuring smooth collapse and energy absorption during vehicular collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a bending clip having a first end fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the column tube and a second end folded to be inserted into the support hole while wrapping an end of the support cylinder, such that at a time of vehicular collision, the bending clip moves in the axial direction together with the column tube while being plastically deformed
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column for a vehicle includes: a column tube coupled to an outer side of a steering shaft and having a collapse elongated-hole extending in an axial direction; a column housing coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the column tube and having a telescopic elongated-hole extending axially to correspond to the collapse elongated-hole; a support cylinder coupled between the column tube and the column housing and having an insertion hole, into which an insertion shaft passing through the telescopic elongated-hole and the collapse elongated-hole from an outer side of the column housing is inserted, and a support hole penetrating through the support cylinder in the axial direction; and a bending clip having a first end fixed to an inner circumferential surface of the column tube and a second end folded to be inserted into the support hole while wrapping an end of the support cylinder.