Steering Column Adjustment Drive Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column adjustment drives require high manufacturing and assembly efforts, and do not allow for controlled energy absorption during crashes, leading to inefficiencies in both production and safety.
Innovation Solution
An adjustment drive with an integrated energy absorption device within the housing, featuring a gear wheel and a threaded spindle, where the energy absorption device converts kinetic energy into frictional heat and deformation work, allowing for controlled braking during crashes while simplifying assembly and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an energy absorption device is integrated within the housing of the adjustment drive, then manufacturing and assembly costs are reduced and space is saved, but the complexity of integrating multiple functions into one component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment drive and energy absorption device into a single integrated housing structure. The housing serves dual functions: it encloses the adjustment mechanism (motor, gear wheel, threaded spindle) and simultaneously acts as the energy absorption structure with deformation zones. This merging eliminates separate components and reduces assembly steps while maintaining both adjustment and crash protection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both structural enclosure for the adjustment mechanism and energy absorption during crashes. The housing includes both rigid sections for mechanical support and controlled deformation zones for energy absorption, allowing one component to fulfill multiple safety and operational roles.
2Volume of moving object
If the energy absorption device is integrated within the housing, then space is saved and the structure is compact, but the design complexity of the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment drive and energy absorption device share the same housing space, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and reducing overall volume. The housing internally accommodates both the mechanical adjustment components and the energy absorption deformation zones, creating a compact integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism components (motor, gear wheel, threaded spindle) are nested within the housing, which itself serves as the energy absorption structure. This nested arrangement allows the adjustment drive to be housed within the crash protection structure, maximizing space utilization and creating a compact design.
3Reliability
If separate energy absorption devices are used outside the adjustment drive, then energy absorption function is achieved, but manufacturing and assembly efforts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the energy absorption function directly into the adjustment drive housing, eliminating separate energy absorption components. The housing itself is designed with controlled deformation zones that absorb crash energy, removing the need for additional external energy absorption devices and their associated mounting and assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves its own dual purpose: it provides structural enclosure for the adjustment mechanism and simultaneously functions as the energy absorption device. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated energy absorption components, reducing overall system complexity and assembly requirements.
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 enables a compact, space-saving integration of adjustment and energy absorption functions, reducing manufacturing and assembly costs while providing enhanced occupant safety through controlled energy absorption during crashes.
Implementation Method 1
the energy absorption device converts kinetic energy into frictional heat and deformation work
Implementation Method 2
the energy absorption device converts kinetic energy into frictional heat and deformation work
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to an adjustment drive (6) for a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (64) that can be connected to the steering column (1), in which housing a gearwheel (7), which can be rotationally driven by a motor (63), is mounted in a bearing assembly (72, 73) so as to be rotatable about a spindle axis (S), and against which gearwheel a threaded spindle (62), which engages in a spindle nut (66), is axially supported in the direction of the spindle axis (S). In order reduce manufacturing and installation costs, according to the invention an energy absorption device (9) is arranged between the threaded spindle (62) and the housing (64), which energy absorption device is designed to absorb kinetic energy when the threaded spindle (62) moves relative to the housing (64) in the direction of the spindle axis (S).