Steering Column Damping Body for Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vibrations from motorized steering support devices in steering columns are transmitted to the steering wheel, causing discomfort and noise, which existing solutions have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a damping body made of elastomers between the steering spindle parts, which connects them torque-transmittingly and absorbs vibrations, preventing their transmission to the passenger interior, and featuring cup-like connecting flanges for enhanced energy absorption and telescopic design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a motorized steering support device is integrated into the steering column, then steering angle superimposition and torque support are improved, but vibrations and noise are transmitted to the steering wheel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering angle superimposition and torque supportVSAvoidvibrations and noise transmitted to steering wheel

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damping body is introduced as an intermediary element between the steering spindle parts to absorb and dampen vibrations generated by the motorized steering support device, preventing their transmission to the steering wheel while allowing torque transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping body is made of elastomeric material that combines vibration-damping properties with torque-transmitting capability, creating a composite solution that addresses both the harmful vibrations and the necessary torque transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Force

If rigid connections are used between steering spindle parts, then torque transmission is improved, but vibrations are transmitted through the connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidvibrations transmitted through connection

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric damping body serves as a composite material solution that simultaneously provides torque transmission capability and vibration damping, replacing traditional rigid connections that would transmit both torque and vibrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the steering column is designed for crash absorption, then safety is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrash absorptionVSAvoidsteering column structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping body is designed to serve multiple functions: vibration damping during normal operation and energy absorption during crash events, eliminating the need for separate components for each function and simplifying the overall structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Effectively dampens vibrations and noise, ensuring a comfortable driving experience by isolating motor-induced vibrations and allowing for high torque transmission, while providing a telescopic design for crash absorption.

Implementation Method 1

at least one damping body (8) for damping vibrations transmitted via the steering spindle (2) is integrated into the steering spindle (2) in an area between the transmission member (4) and the steering wheel connection (7)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

Elastomers are particularly suitable as damping bodies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastomeric material properties: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the damping body, in addition to its vibration-damping properties, also serves to transmit torque between the steering spindle parts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque transmission through elastomer: Viscoelasticity

Implementation Method 4

a cavity is formed in the damping body into which the casing unit can be inserted in the event of a crash-related deformation and/or displacement within the steering column

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrash energy absorption: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2714488B1Steering column for a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.05.06 THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG

Figure 1
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Figure 4~8

AI summary

A steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, having a rotatably mounted steering spindle (2) and having a motor-powered steering assistance device (3) for steer angle superposition and/or torque assistance, wherein the steering assistance device (3) is connected to the steering spindle (2) by means of at least one transmission element (4), and the steering spindle (2) has at least two steering spindle parts (5, 6) which are connected to one another in torque-transmitting fashion, wherein the steering spindle parts (5, 6) are connected to one another, in a region of the steering spindle (2) between the transmission element (4) and a steering wheel connection (7) of the steering spindle (2), by means of at least one damping body (8) for damping vibrations transmitted via the steering spindle (2), wherein at least one of the steering spindle parts (5, 6) is rotatably mounted in a casing unit (11) of the steering column (1), and in the damping body (8) there is formed a cavity (12) into which the casing unit (11) can slide preferably in the event of a crash-induced deformation and/or displacement within the steering column (1).