Steering Column Mount Bracket Release With Anti-Rotation Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automotive steering column assemblies face issues with unwanted resistance and binding due to the mount bracket tilting relative to the vehicle frame member during release, which is undesirable during impact events.

Innovation Solution

A steering column assembly with a mount bracket configured for smooth release, featuring a steering jacket with interface features that inhibit rotational movement of the mount bracket relative to the steering jacket during energy absorbing events, ensuring minimal rotation and smooth sliding translation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mount bracket is designed for release during impact events, then energy absorption capability is improved, but rotational movement and binding between the mount bracket and vehicle frame member occur during release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy absorption capabilityVSAvoidrotational movement and binding

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The interface feature acts as an intermediary element between the mount bracket and steering jacket. It provides a controlled contact point that guides the mount bracket's movement during release, preventing uncontrolled rotation and binding while allowing the necessary translational motion for energy absorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface feature is pre-configured on the steering jacket to confront the mount bracket before release occurs. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when release is triggered, the mount bracket follows the correct path and maintains proper orientation, preventing rotational movement from the outset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the mount bracket tilts relative to the vehicle frame member during release, then release movement is enabled, but unwanted resistance and binding occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease movementVSAvoidunwanted resistance and binding

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The interface feature is pre-positioned on the steering jacket to engage with the mount bracket before release. This preliminary configuration establishes the correct geometric relationship and movement path, ensuring smooth release without subsequent binding or resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interface feature modifies the geometric parameters of the mount bracket's movement path. By providing a specific contact geometry, it changes the degrees of freedom available to the mount bracket, allowing translational movement while constraining rotational movement that would cause binding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12397847B2Steering column mount bracket release feature

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORP

AI summary

A steering column assembly has a mount bracket configured for attachment to a fixed vehicle support member in a releasably fixed position and for release from the fixed vehicle support member to a released position during a steering column energy absorbing event. A steering jacket is operably supported by the mount bracket. The steering jacket has at least one interface feature arranged to confront the mount bracket during the steering column energy absorbing event to inhibit rotational movement of the mount bracket relative to the steering jacket when the mount bracket moves from the fixed position to the released position.