Steering Column Bent Plate for Smooth Collapse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steering column designs are complex and costly, with manufacturing processes that can lead to vertical deformation and lateral deviation of impact loads during vehicle collisions, due to interference between collapsed and fixed parts.
Innovation Solution
A steering column design featuring a telescopic driving device with a connecting member and a bent plate that allows smooth collapse of parts without interference, reducing the number of components and assembly processes, and adjusting impact load based on vehicle type and driving state through controlled plastic deformation of the bent plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a capsule and tearing plate structure is used to absorb impact energy, then collision performance is improved, but the number of parts and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the capsule and tearing plate into a single integrated bent plate structure. The bent plate is formed by bending a plate at a predetermined position, creating both the capsule portion and the tearing plate portion as one unified component. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly of multiple parts while maintaining the energy absorption functionality through controlled plastic deformation and tearing at the predetermined position.
2Reliability
If multiple components are used for impact absorption, then collision performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly process increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bent plate integrates multiple functional components (capsule and tearing plate) into a single piece, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly processes. This reduces manufacturing cost by decreasing the number of parts that need to be produced and assembled, while still providing effective impact energy absorption through the integrated structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If collapsed parts and fixed parts are designed separately, then structural stability is maintained, but interference occurs during collapse causing lateral deviation of impact load
Solution Approach 1:
The bent plate is segmented into different functional portions (capsule portion and tearing plate portion) with a predetermined bending position that allows controlled deformation. The support portion is positioned to provide structural stability while the bending portion is designed to deform plastically during impact. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function without interfering with others, preventing lateral deviation of impact load.
Solution Approach 2:
The support portion of the bent plate acts as an intermediary element that connects the collapsing upper column to the fixed lower column. It provides a stable mounting structure while allowing the bending portion to deform controlledly, mediating between the moving and fixed parts to prevent interference and maintain proper alignment of impact loads.
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 design enables smooth collapse of parts, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances collision performance by adjusting impact load according to collision characteristics, ensuring effective energy absorption during vehicle collisions.
Implementation Method 1
controlled plastic deformation of the bent plate
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a steering column for a vehicle including an upper column on which a bracket is fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the upper column, a lower column having an inner peripheral surface supported on the outer peripheral surface of the upper column and having a telescopic driving device fixed to a side corresponding to the bracket, a connecting member coupled to the telescopic driving device so as to be movable in the axial direction during a telescopic operation, and a bending plate fixed to the bracket and having one end being bent and spaced apart from a portion fixed to the bracket and coupled to the connecting member, thereby it is possible to perform the smooth collapse operation and to reduce the number of components, assembling process and cost of the steering column of the vehicle.