Steering Column Clamping Wedge Arrangement for Axial Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column arrangements for motor vehicles fail to effectively limit axial displacement of the outer tube during accidents, leading to inadequate holding force and potential further damage.
Innovation Solution
A clamping wedge arrangement is introduced that generates an increased holding force between the console and the outer tube through the displacement of clamping wedges relative to console wedge legs, with a higher friction coefficient between the wedges and the outer tube, and elongated holes for a clamping bolt, ensuring a stable hold and energy absorption during axial displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional clamping device is used to fix the outer tube to the console, then the steering column can be assembled and disassembled, but the holding force is insufficient during axial displacement caused by accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is divided into multiple functional components: clamping wedges (24) that can move axially, console wedge legs (22) that remain fixed, and a clamping bolt (20) that provides the clamping force. This segmentation allows the clamping wedges to independently respond to axial displacement by generating increased holding force through their interaction with the console wedge legs, thereby improving accident protection capability while maintaining the overall clamping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping wedges (24) are designed to be movable in the axial direction rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically respond to axial displacement forces during accidents. This dynamic behavior enables the clamping force to increase automatically in response to the displacement, transforming a static clamping system into an active protection mechanism that adapts to crash conditions.
2Force
If the clamping force is increased to prevent axial displacement during accidents, then the holding force improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping wedges (24) automatically generate increased holding force through their own axial displacement relative to the console wedge legs (22) during an accident. The system uses the crash force itself to activate the force multiplication mechanism, eliminating the need for external sensors, actuators, or control systems. This self-service approach increases holding force without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction coefficient between the clamping wedges (24) and the outer tube (14) is deliberately designed to be higher than the friction coefficient between the clamping wedges and the console wedge legs. This parameter change ensures that the clamping wedges move with the outer tube during axial displacement while allowing relative movement against the console wedge legs to generate the increased holding force, achieving force multiplication through controlled friction differences.
3Force
If the clamping device uses high friction between all components, then the holding force increases, but the axial displacement of the outer tube is restricted during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
Different friction characteristics are applied to different interfaces of the clamping wedges (24). The interface between the clamping wedges and the outer tube (14) has a higher friction coefficient to ensure they move together during axial displacement, while the interface between the clamping wedges and the console wedge legs (22) has a lower friction coefficient to allow relative movement that generates the increased holding force. This local differentiation of friction properties enables both crash protection and normal adjustability.
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 limits axial displacement, generates a continuously increasing holding force, and absorbs impact energy, preventing further movement and potential damage by converting kinetic energy into a form-fit blockade when the holding limit is exceeded.
Implementation Method 1
a higher friction coefficient is provided between the clamping wedges and the outer tube than between the clamping wedges and the respectively corresponding console wedge legs
Implementation Method 2
When a holding limit force is exceeded, it has been shown to be advantageous in a further arrangement of the invention if a plastic deformation takes place in the region of the clamping device. In this manner, a form-fit blockade of the clamping system or of the clamping device is achieved
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column arrangement for motor vehicles with a vehicle-side console, on which an outer tube of a steering column carrying a steering shaft is attached in a releasable manner by means of a clamping device. The clamping device comprises at least one clamping wedge arrangement by which an increased holding force of the clamping device can be achieved during an axial displacement of the outer tube caused by an accident.