Steering Column Energy Absorption Device with Collision Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy absorption devices for motor vehicle steering columns often experience excessive force peaks during and at the end of the energy absorption process, particularly when heavier drivers are involved, leading to inadequate dissipation of impact energy and potential harm.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a separate collision element along the guideway that interacts with the first fastening element and/or an element moved along the guideway, allowing for additional energy absorption through deformation, thereby preventing undesirable force peaks by dissipating remaining impact energy before the end of the guideway is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the first fastening element is displaced along the guideway relative to the second fastening element to absorb energy, then the impact energy is dissipated through deformation of the flexible lug, but excessive force peaks occur during and at the end of the energy absorption process
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorption process is divided into multiple stages by introducing a collision element that interacts with the first fastening element or moved element along the guideway. This segmentation creates intermediate energy absorption events that prevent excessive force accumulation, breaking the single-stage deformation process into controlled segments that distribute force peaks across time and space.
Solution Approach 2:
The collision element is positioned along the guideway to engage with the first fastening element or moved element before the end of the guideway is reached. This preliminary action absorbs remaining impact energy in advance, preventing the formation of excessive force peaks that would occur if the fastening element reached the guideway end without prior energy dissipation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bending lug is deformed to absorb impact energy, then the energy absorption characteristic can be adapted to different vehicle types, but high production and storage costs result from designing and manufacturing different flexible strips for each vehicle type
Solution Approach 1:
The collision element is designed as a separate, interchangeable component that can be attached to the guideway structure. By making the collision element removable and replaceable, a single guideway design can support multiple energy absorption characteristics by simply changing the collision element, eliminating the need to manufacture different guideways for different vehicle types.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy absorption characteristic is made dynamically adjustable by allowing the collision element to be positioned at different locations along the guideway or replaced with different collision element types. This dynamic configuration enables adaptation to different vehicle types without requiring different manufacturing processes for the fundamental guideway structure.
3Loss of energy
If the first fastening element hits the end of the guideway without sufficient energy dissipation, then the impact energy is not fully absorbed, but undesirably high force peaks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The collision element is strategically positioned along the guideway to engage with the first fastening element or moved element before it reaches the guideway end. This preliminary energy absorption action ensures that sufficient impact energy is dissipated in advance, preventing both insufficient energy absorption and the resulting excessive force peaks that would compromise safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The collision element acts as a preliminary cushioning mechanism that absorbs impact energy before the main energy absorption process completes. This beforehand cushioning prevents the scenario where the fastening element hits the guideway end with remaining impact energy, thereby avoiding dangerous force peaks and ensuring reliable safety performance.
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 additional energy absorption mechanism ensures a more controlled and effective dissipation of impact energy, reducing the risk of force peaks and enhancing safety for vehicle drivers by distributing energy absorption throughout the process.
Implementation Method 1
additional energy can be absorbed by means of the interaction of the first fastening element with the collision element by reshaping the collision element and/or the first fastening element
Implementation Method 2
at least one bending lug of the energy absorbing device is deformed for the targeted reduction of the impact energy occurring in the event of a crash
Data Source
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AI summary
An energy absorption device for a steering column for a motor vehicle may include a bending bracket for energy absorption in a crash event. The bending bracket may comprise a first fastening element and a second fastening element, with the first fastening element being displaceable relative to the second fastening element if, in a crash event, the bending bracket is deformed along a guide track delimited by a start and an end. The energy absorption device may further include one or more collision elements arranged on the guide track. An example collision element may interact with the first fastening element or an element on a retaining part that is secured to the first fastening element such that the collision element, the first fastening element, and/or the element on the retaining part are deformed and absorb additional energy.