Steering Column Energy Absorber Guide Element Tolerance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column energy-absorbing devices are prone to excessive tolerances due to the embodiment of a metal plate with an elongated hole, leading to inconsistent energy absorption and distortion during the fastening process, which compromises safety in vehicle impacts.
Innovation Solution
The energy-absorbing device features a metal plate with guide elements engaging on the outer sides of the longitudinal edges, allowing deformation towards the central axis instead of expanding an elongated hole, reducing sensitivity to tolerances and maintaining a nearly closed plate configuration for reduced distortion during fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a metal plate with an elongated hole is used in the energy-absorbing device, then the device can absorb impact energy through deformation, but the metal plate is prone to distortion during fastening, leading to excessive tolerances and inconsistent energy absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic elongated hole from the metal plate design and replaces it with guide elements that engage with the plate's longitudinal edges. This removes the source of distortion during fastening while preserving the energy absorption function through controlled deformation of the plate material.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements act as intermediaries between the second element and the metal plate. Instead of directly fastening to the plate (which causes distortion), the guide elements engage with the longitudinal edges and guide the deformation process, mediating the interaction to prevent tolerance issues while maintaining energy absorption.
2Strength
If the metal plate is welded to the casing tube, then the energy-absorbing device is securely fastened, but the material webs of the metal plate distort, reducing hole width and creating excessive tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the elongated hole structure that is vulnerable to distortion during welding. By replacing it with guide elements that engage with the longitudinal edges, the design eliminates the problematic feature while maintaining secure fastening through the guide element engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fastening directly to the metal plate (which causes distortion), the invention inverts the approach by having guide elements engage with the longitudinal edges of the plate. This reverses the fastening strategy to avoid the distortion problem while achieving the same secure attachment goal.
3Loss of energy
If an elongated hole is implemented in the metal plate, then energy absorption can occur through hole expansion, but the hole width is subject to excessive tolerances, compromising safety consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the elongated hole from the design and replaces it with guide elements engaging the longitudinal edges. This eliminates the tolerance-prone hole expansion mechanism while preserving energy absorption through controlled deformation of the plate material in a more reliable manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the deformation parameter from hole width expansion to longitudinal edge deformation. By shifting the energy absorption mechanism from expanding a tolerance-sensitive hole to deforming the plate material guided by the guide elements, the design achieves more consistent and reliable energy absorption.
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 enhances the safety of the steering column by improving energy absorption consistency and reducing the risk of jamming, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective construction.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one guide element being guided during a relative displacement of the first and second element along the first outer side of the first longitudinal edge and thereby deforming the first element
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle steering column having an energy-absorbing device that includes a first element and a second element which engages the first element and moves with respect thereto during a vehicle impact to carry out mechanical deformation that absorbs energy. The first element is an elongated metal plate which extends in the longitudinal direction of the steering column and the second element has at least one guide element which is guided along the first element during a relative movement of the first and second elements and in so doing deforms the first element. The guide element is guided along an outer side of one of the longitudinal edges of the metal plate and engages therewith, which longitudinal edges extend in the longitudinal direction of the steering column.