Steering Column Breakaway Assembly With Telescoping Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collapsible steering column assemblies lack effective energy absorption and user-friendly adjustment mechanisms during secondary impacts, where the steering column and user-operated devices often fail to translate forward adequately, leading to inadequate protection for vehicle occupants.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible steering column assembly with a telescoping and tilt adjustment mechanism, featuring a connection member with integrated energy absorption capabilities, allowing the column tube to translate forward relative to the column housing during impacts, utilizing a plastically deformable energy absorption member and a securing mechanism like a tilt bolt to absorb energy and maintain the steering wheel in a desired position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the steering column is designed to be collapsible to absorb impact energy, then occupant protection is improved, but the structural strength and stability of the steering column deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column is divided into multiple segments including a fixed portion, a collapsible portion, and a movable portion. The collapsible portion includes energy absorption members that can deform independently, allowing the column to absorb impact energy through controlled deformation of specific segments while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Energy absorption members are introduced as intermediary elements between the fixed and movable portions of the steering column. These members include plastically deformable components and elastically deformable components that mediate the impact force, absorbing energy through deformation while protecting the occupant from direct force transmission.
2Loss of energy
If the steering column allows forward translation during impact to absorb energy, then energy absorption capability is improved, but the positioning stability of the steering wheel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column incorporates dynamic characteristics through the collapsible portion that can transition from a stable fixed state to a controlled movement state during impact. The energy absorption members are designed to deform in a controlled manner, allowing forward translation when needed while maintaining stability during normal operation through the fixed portion and securing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural parameters of the steering column are designed to change under different load conditions. During normal operation, the column maintains rigid positioning with high stability. During impact, the energy absorption members undergo parameter changes through plastic and elastic deformation, enabling controlled forward translation to absorb energy while the fixed portion maintains overall positioning stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment levers are incorporated for rake and reach adjustment, then steering wheel positioning flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual adjustment levers are merged with the existing structural components of the steering column. The levers utilize the column's structural elements as part of the adjustment mechanism, combining the adjustment function with the support structure to reduce overall complexity while maintaining positioning flexibility for both rake and reach adjustments.
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 assembly effectively absorbs energy during secondary impacts by allowing the column tube to translate forward, reducing the force transmitted to the occupant and providing adjustable positioning of the steering wheel, enhancing occupant safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an energy absorption member (80) having a first generally flat segment (82), a second generally flat segment (84) parallel to the first generally flat segment (82), and a curved portion (86) therebetween
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An article for a steering column assembly (10)including a connection member (60) having a base portion (62) adapted to be attached to a column tube (30) of the steering column assembly (10) and opposing side walls (64) extending from the base portion (62). The article further includes an energy absorption member (80) having a first generally flat segment (82), a second generally flat segment (84) generally parallel to the first generally flat segment (82), and a curved portion (86) therebetween. The energy absorption member (80) extends from the base of the connection member (60). The present teachings also envision a telescoping adjustment subassembly and a steering column assembly (10) employing the article.