Motor-Adjustable Steering Column With Flexible Drive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor-adjustable steering columns face challenges with large space requirements for adjustment drives and inefficient torque transmission, limiting design flexibility and increasing the complexity of assembly and operational safety.
Innovation Solution
A motor-adjustable steering column design featuring a spatially and structurally separated drive unit and gear unit, connected via a flexible drive connection that allows for linear displacements and tilting, enabling compact installation and improved torque transmission, along with an energy absorption device for enhanced safety during crashes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the drive unit and gear unit are rigidly connected in a fixed spatial arrangement, then the structure is simple and rigid, but the installation space requirement increases and design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit and gear unit are separated into two spatially and structurally independent components. The drive unit is connected to the casing unit while the gear unit is connected to the casing tube, allowing them to be positioned independently within the available space and reducing the overall installation footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible drive connection is introduced between the drive unit and gear unit, replacing rigid fixed connections with a dynamic coupling that allows relative movement. This flexible connection accommodates spatial variations and enables compact installation while maintaining functional integrity.
2Volume of stationary object
If the drive unit and gear unit are separated spatially, then design flexibility and space utilization improve, but the torque transmission efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible drive connection is used to couple the drive unit and gear unit spatially separated components. This flexible connection maintains effective torque transmission while accommodating the spatial separation needed for compact installation and design flexibility.
3Reliability
If a rigid connection is used between drive unit and gear unit, then torque transmission is efficient, but the assembly complexity and operational safety decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible drive connection replaces rigid fixed connections with a dynamic coupling that allows relative movement between the drive unit and gear unit. This improves operational safety by accommodating misalignments and reducing stress concentrations, while the modular design simplifies assembly and maintenance.
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 allows for more efficient use of available space, simplifies assembly, enhances operational safety, and provides modular adaptability for different applications, while ensuring effective torque transmission and energy absorption during crashes.
Implementation Method 1
connected via a flexible drive connection that allows for linear displacements and tilting
Implementation Method 2
the adjusting drive has a threaded spindle engaging in a spindle nut and a drive unit by which the threaded spindle can be driven in rotation relative to the spindle nut
Implementation Method 3
provides modular adaptability for different applications, while ensuring effective torque transmission and energy absorption during crashes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor-adjustable steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a support unit (3) which can be attached to a vehicle body and by which an actuating unit (3) is held, in which a steering spindle (31) is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis (L), and comprising an adjusting drive (4) which is connected to the support unit (2) and to the actuating unit (3) and by which the actuating unit (3) is adjustable relative to the support unit (2), wherein the adjusting drive (4) has a threaded spindle (44) engaging into a spindle nut (45) and a drive unit (41), by which the threaded spindle (44) can be driven rotationally relative to the spindle nut (45). In order to enable a compact design and greater design freedom for using an available installation space, the invention proposes that the drive unit (41) is connected to a transmission unit (42), which is spatially displaceable relative to the drive unit (41), via a flexible drive connection (43).