Steering Column Lead Screw With Integrated Crash Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustment drives for steering columns in vehicles face challenges with increased size and high manufacturing and assembly costs due to the integration of energy absorption devices, which also occupy significant space and are complex in design.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a corrugated tube with an external thread into the threaded spindle, serving as both a drive element and an energy absorption device, allowing kinetic energy to be absorbed through deformation work and heat conversion within the threaded spindle, reducing the need for additional external components and space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate energy absorption device is integrated into the adjustment drive, then occupant safety is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the energy absorption device with the threaded spindle into a single integrated component. The threaded spindle is designed with a deformable structure that absorbs crash energy through controlled deformation, eliminating the need for a separate energy absorption device while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded spindle serves dual functions: it provides the mechanical adjustment function for steering column positioning and simultaneously acts as the energy absorption device during crash events. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while improving reliability.
2Reliability
If a separate energy absorption device is integrated into the adjustment drive, then crash energy can be absorbed, but manufacturing and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the energy absorption function into the threaded spindle, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration simplifies the supply chain, reduces assembly steps, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining crash energy absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded spindle is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both adjustment and energy absorption functions. This eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble a separate energy absorption device, thereby reducing manufacturing and assembly costs.
3Reliability
If a separate energy absorption device is integrated into the adjustment drive, then kinetic energy can be absorbed, but the adjustment drive occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the energy absorption device with the threaded spindle, allowing both functions to occupy the same spatial envelope. This integration eliminates the need for additional space that would be required for a separate energy absorption device, thereby reducing the overall volume of the adjustment drive.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded spindle serves as both the adjustment mechanism and the energy absorption device, maximizing space utilization. This multi-functional design allows the adjustment drive to maintain its original footprint while incorporating crash energy absorption capability.
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 solution results in a more compact design with reduced manufacturing and assembly costs, while effectively absorbing crash energy, thereby enhancing occupant safety without increasing the adjustment drive's size or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
allowing kinetic energy to be absorbed through deformation work and heat conversion within the threaded spindle
Implementation Method 2
allowing kinetic energy to be absorbed through deformation work and heat conversion within the threaded spindle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to an adjustment drive (5) for a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a lead screw (52), which extends in the direction of a screw axis (G) and engages, by means of an external screw thread (59), in a lead-screw nut (51); a drive motor (55), which is coupled to the lead screw (52) or to the lead-screw nut (51) in such a way that the lead-screw nut (51) and the lead screw (52) can be rotationally driven relative to each other; and an energy-absorbing device, which is designed to absorb kinetic energy that is applied to the adjustment drive (5) in the direction of the screw axis (G). According to the invention, in order to provide an adjustment drive (5) having an energy absorption function, said adjustment drive having a more compact design and less complexity, the lead screw (52) comprises the energy-absorbing device (57, 58, 571, 8, 9).