Steering Column Support Structure for Brake Pedal Collision Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column devices face issues where the support member for the steering column can break during a vehicle collision due to collisions with other vehicle components, especially when the rearward movable distance for the brake pedal arm is insufficient, leading to potential detachment of the steering column device.
Innovation Solution
The steering column device incorporates a support member with a receiving portion designed to absorb the impact from collisions, reducing stress concentration by dispersing the force across a weaker, specifically dimensioned receiving portion between two plate portions, thereby minimizing the risk of the support member breaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rearward movable distance for the brake pedal arm is extended to reduce collision probability, then the probability of collision between the brake pedal arm and the lower bracket is reduced, but the brake pedal arm may still collide with the support member depending on the magnitude of the impact, and sufficient rearward movable distance cannot always be secured due to layout restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
A receiving portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the support member and the colliding member (brake pedal arm). This receiving portion is specifically configured to receive and absorb the impact force during collision, preventing direct transmission of force to the main support member structure. The receiving portion acts as a buffer zone that accommodates the colliding member while protecting the structural integrity of the support member.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed with a receiving portion that beforehand prepares a cushioning zone to absorb potential impact forces from colliding members. This receiving portion is positioned in advance at the collision-prone area, creating a protective buffer that activates only when needed during collision events, without affecting the normal operational space or layout flexibility.
2Strength
If the support member is made stronger to prevent breaking during collision, then the support member can resist collision forces, but the overall device complexity increases and the layout flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is segmented into distinct functional portions: a main support structure and a separate receiving portion. The receiving portion is specifically designed to be weaker and more compliant, while the main support structure maintains its strength. This segmentation allows the weak receiving portion to absorb collision forces through controlled deformation, preventing force transmission to the stronger main structure, thereby avoiding the need to strengthen the entire support member.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the support member are assigned different mechanical properties: the receiving portion is designed with lower strength and higher compliance to absorb impact, while the main support structure maintains high strength for structural support. This local differentiation of material properties allows the system to handle collision forces efficiently without requiring uniform strengthening of the entire support member, thus reducing overall device complexity.
3Strength
If the receiving portion is designed to be weaker to absorb impact, then the impact to the first plate portion and second plate portion is reduced, but the receiving portion itself may break
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving portion is intentionally designed to be weaker so that it can be damaged in a controlled manner during collision, converting the harmful impact force into beneficial controlled deformation. This sacrificial design allows the receiving portion to absorb collision energy through its own controlled failure, preventing transmission of destructive forces to the main support structure. The controlled weakness of the receiving portion becomes a protective feature rather than a vulnerability.
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
This design effectively reduces the likelihood of the support member breaking, preventing the steering column from detaching during a collision, thus ensuring the stability and integrity of the steering system.
Implementation Method 1
The receiving portion is configured to reduce an impact to be applied to the first plate portion and the second plate portion when the receiving portion collides with the member
Data Source
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AI summary
A steering column device (1) for a vehicle includes a steering column (3); and a support member (7) configured to support the steering column (3). The support member (7) includes a first plate portion (71) attached to an attachment member, a second plate portion (72) attached on a side of the steering column (3), and a receiving portion (73) disposed between the first plate portion (71) and the second plate portion (72). The receiving portion (73) is disposed at a position where a member collides with the receiving portion (73) when a vehicle collision occurs, the member being disposed ahead of the support member (7) in a vehicle front-rear direction. The receiving portion (73) is configured to reduce an impact to be applied to the first plate portion (71) and the second plate portion (72) when the receiving portion (73) collides with the member.