Steering Column Energy Absorption Element Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column designs face issues with energy absorption element attachment, which can lead to thermal distortion and impaired energy absorption characteristics due to welding, affecting safety in vehicle collisions.
Innovation Solution
The energy absorption element is connected to the actuating unit via fastening elements that engage in recesses, providing a positive-locking mechanism to ensure precise alignment and secure attachment, with fastening elements like rivets or tabs that allow for radial fixing and deformation without compromising the energy absorption function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to attach the energy absorption element to the actuator, then the attachment strength is improved, but heat distortion occurs which impairs the energy absorption characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process (thermal-chemical joining) with a mechanical fastening system consisting of fastening elements that engage with recesses in the energy absorption element and actuator. This substitution eliminates heat distortion while providing sufficient attachment strength through mechanical interference and friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fastening elements as intermediary components between the energy absorption element and the actuator. These fastening elements serve as mediators that transmit loads while allowing the energy absorption element to maintain its geometric integrity without direct thermal contact from welding.
2Manufacturing precision
If fastening elements are used to attach the energy absorption element, then heat distortion is prevented, but the attachment security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the attachment system into separate functional components: the energy absorption element with its recesses, the fastening elements, and the actuator with its engagement features. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the fastening elements provide secure mechanical attachment while the energy absorption element maintains its deformation characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved or tapered engagement surfaces in the fastening recesses and corresponding fastening element geometries. This curvature provides progressive engagement and distribution of contact stresses, enhancing both the security of attachment and the energy absorption characteristics by avoiding stress concentration points.
3Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is implemented, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple attachment functions into integrated fastening elements that simultaneously provide longitudinal positioning, radial fixation, and rotational constraint. By merging these functions into a single fastening component rather than using separate mechanisms for each function, the overall device complexity is minimized while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening elements are designed as universal components that can engage with standardized recesses in both the energy absorption element and the actuator. This multi-functional design allows the same fastening element type to provide various attachment functions (positioning, securing, aligning) thereby reducing the variety of components needed and simplifying the overall system.
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 enhances the security of the attachment, optimizes installation space, simplifies production, and maintains the energy absorption characteristics by preventing deformation during normal operation while ensuring effective energy absorption during crashes.
Implementation Method 1
an energy absorption device comprising a transmission element supported on the support unit and an energy absorption element fixed on the actuating unit, wherein the transmission element is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis relative to the energy absorption element in the event of a crash, with plastic deformation of the energy absorption element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuating unit (3) with a steering spindle (31) which is mounted in a casing tube (32) in a rotatable manner about the longitudinal axis (L) of the steering spindle, a support unit (2) which can be connected to the body of the motor vehicle and in which the actuating unit (3) can be received, and an energy absorbing device (7) which has a transmission element (71) that can be supported on the support unit (2) and an energy absorbing element (73) that is secured to the actuating unit (31). The transmission element (71) can be moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) relative to the energy absorbing element (73) in the event of a crash under the effect of a plastic deformation of the energy absorbing element (73), and the energy absorbing element (73) has an elongated hole (75) which is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis (L) and into which an expansion part (77) of the transmission element (71) engages, said expansion part being oversized relative to the width of the elongated hole (75). The aim of the invention is to provide an improved attachment of the energy absorbing element to the actuating unit. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the energy absorbing element (73) is connected to the actuating unit (3) via at least one securing element (8) which engages into securing recesses (761, 35) of the energy absorbing element (73) and of the casing tube (32).