Steering Column Energy Absorbing Strap with Curved Spring Segment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy absorption straps in steering column assemblies face challenges in packaging, load requirements, and tunability, often requiring complex assembly steps and additional material to compensate for lost rigidity and strength, which complicates the absorption process during collapse events.
Innovation Solution
An energy absorbing apparatus with a strap body featuring a curved portion and a spring segment that biases the curved portion towards the first end when fixed to a steering column jacket, allowing for improved energy dissipation and tunability through a connector strap with various spring configurations, such as bowed, clinch teeth, waves, helical, torsion, and wire springs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional energy absorbing straps are used with multiple pieces to connect translating upper jacket to jackscrew nut, then load requirements can be met, but device complexity increases and packaging becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (upper jacket, jackscrew nut, and connecting pieces) into a single integrated energy absorbing strap assembly. The strap body with curved portion and spring segment creates a unified structure that performs multiple functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple separate connection pieces and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining load-bearing capability
2Ease of operation
If lower jacket has large gaps to allow for strap travel, then strap movement is enabled, but rigidity and strength are reduced requiring added material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic spring segment that allows the lower jacket to adapt its rigidity based on operational needs. The spring segment can deform to accommodate strap travel during energy absorption events while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation, eliminating the need for permanent large gaps that would compromise jacket rigidity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring segment changes its physical state between a compressed position during normal operation (maintaining rigidity) and an extended position during energy absorption (allowing strap travel). This parameter change enables the lower jacket to provide both structural support and movement accommodation without requiring added material
3Adaptability or versatility
If space is made for strap tail to feed out unimpeded to control absorption load, then load control is improved, but packaging space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the strap body within the curved portion of the lower jacket, allowing the strap to feed out and retract in a compact configuration. The curved portion acts as a guide and containment structure that enables load control through controlled strap deployment without requiring excessive external packaging space
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
Enhances the operational framework of energy absorption by simplifying assembly, improving load absorption, and increasing tunability, thereby optimizing the energy absorption process in steering column assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
A spring segment is configured to bias the curved portion towards the first end when the first end is fixed to a jacket of a steering column
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column that includes a first jacket and a second jacket that is axially movable with respect to the first jacket. An energy absorbing apparatus is located between the first jacket and the second jacket. The energy absorbing apparatus includes a strap body that extends between a first end and a second end. A curved portion is located between the first end and the second end and a spring segment is configured to bias the curved portion towards the first end when the connector strap is fixed to a jacket of the steering column.