Steering Column Energy Absorption via Gear Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering columns exhibit varying energy absorption characteristics and operating forces at different tele-positions, requiring adjustment bolt movement to absorb impact energy, which complicates consistent operation and energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
A steering column design featuring a fixed gear and movable gear engagement mechanism, with a bending plate and rivet system, and a tilting assembly, ensures consistent energy absorption and operating force across all tele-positions by activating energy absorption immediately upon axial impact without requiring inner tube movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the adjustment bolt is moved to the tele-in position to absorb impact energy through collapse of the steering column, then energy absorption function is improved, but the operating force varies for each tele-position and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube is pre-formed with a telescopic guide structure that defines the tele-in position in advance. When impact occurs, the inner tube automatically collapses to this pre-defined position without requiring adjustment bolt movement, ensuring consistent energy absorption characteristics across all tele-positions while maintaining constant operating force.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the housing is formed with a slit and telescopic guide for adjustment bolt movement, then telescopic function is achieved, but deformation of the housing varies and fixing force of the operating lever varies
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic function is achieved by segmenting the steering column into an outer housing and an inner tube that can move independently. The inner tube contains the telescopic guide structure, separating the telescopic mechanism from the housing deformation, thereby maintaining housing structural stability and consistent operating lever fixing force.
3Reliability
If the adjustment bolt must move to a specific position for energy absorption, then impact energy can be absorbed through collapse, but the structure becomes more complex and operating force varies
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorption function is extracted from the adjustment bolt mechanism and transferred to the inner tube's collapse mechanism. The inner tube is designed with a telescopic guide that enables automatic collapse to a pre-defined tele-in position upon impact, eliminating the need for adjustment bolt movement and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliable energy absorption.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a steering column including a mounting bracket, a housing rotated in upward and downward directions relative to the mounting bracket, an inner tube installed in a hollow of the housing so as to be axially extensible and contractible, an operating lever installed to the mounting bracket and an adjustment bolt passing through the housing so as to be tightened and released, a telescopic assembly including a fixed gear installed on the inner tube and a movable gear engaged with the fixed gear depending on axial movement of the adjustment bolt, and a bending plate provided between the inner tube and the fixed gear.