Steering Column Telescopic Catch Structure for Crash Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle steering columns require multiple components and complex assembly processes to integrate collision energy-absorbing structures, leading to increased component counts, fabrication complexity, and potential interference between telescopic and collapsing mechanisms, which complicates crash energy absorption and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle steering column design featuring a lower column with an open area and axial slot, a connecting portion, and a telescopic catch member with catch recesses and protrusions, allowing for compact, interference-free operation and adjustable collapsing load based on vehicle-specific collision properties, reducing component count and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate collision energy absorbing components (capsule, mounting bracket, tearing plate, bending plate) are mounted on the steering column, then collision energy absorption capability is improved, but the number of components increases and assembly process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the collision energy absorbing components into a unified integrated column structure. The capsule, mounting bracket, tearing plate, and bending plate are merged into a single integrated component that maintains all necessary functions while eliminating the need for separate assembly of multiple discrete parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated column structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, absorbs collision energy through the capsule mechanism, and incorporates the tearing plate and bending plate for controlled deformation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
2Reliability
If separate collision energy absorbing components are separately fabricated and then assembled together, then collision energy absorption capability is improved, but fabrication complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separately fabricated components into a single integrated column structure that can be manufactured as one piece. This integration eliminates the need for separate fabrication and subsequent assembly processes, reducing both fabrication complexity and associated costs while maintaining the collision energy absorption capability.
3Volume of moving object
If telescopic and collapsing mechanisms are integrated in conventional steering columns, then space utilization is improved, but the mechanisms interfere with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the integrated column structure into distinct functional zones: one region housing the telescopic mechanism with its catch members and slots, and another region containing the collapsing mechanism with the capsule and tearing plate. This segmentation allows both mechanisms to operate independently within the same compact structure without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges the telescopic and collapsing mechanisms in different spatial dimensions and orientations within the integrated column. The telescopic mechanism operates primarily in the axial direction, while the collapsing mechanism is positioned and oriented to deform in a different plane, thereby avoiding mechanical interference while maintaining compact integration.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vehicle steering column. A lower column has an open area, an axial slot provided in a central portion of the open area, a connecting portion connecting portions of the lower column located on both sides of the open area, a cut portion corresponding to the slot and provided on one side of the connecting portion, and a pair of protruding opposite end portions. A hinge pin is fitted into the opposite end portions of the lower column. An upper column is fitted into the lower column. A telescopic fixing plate of the upper column is provided in a location corresponding to the slot, and has a plurality of catch recesses spaced apart from each other. A telescopic catch member is located in the cut portion between the opposite end portions to be rotatably supported by the hinge pin, and has a catch protrusion engaging with the catch recesses.