Steering Column Gear Clutch Overload Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering column actuators in vehicles, designed for faster retraction and redeployment with autonomous driving, face risks of damage due to sudden stops at physical limits, despite protective features like shear pins and slip clutches, which require intervention or replacement, and lack automatic reset capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An axially adjustable steering column with a connection assembly featuring a gear clutch mechanism that engages or disengages torque transmission between a driving and driven assembly, using a clutch member and gear clutch teeth to automatically disconnect and prevent damage during overload, allowing the driving assembly to continue operating without transferring force to the driven assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If faster actuators with larger and more powerful motors are used to stow and redeploy steering columns two or three times faster, then the retraction and redeployment speed is improved, but the risk of damaging the motor and interrelated parts increases when the actuator is suddenly stopped at a physical limit
Solution Approach 1:
A clutch mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the motor and the steering column actuator. This clutch includes a clutch member with clutch teeth that can engage or disengage from gear clutch teeth on a connection gear, allowing the motor to be decoupled from the actuator during overload conditions while permitting normal operation during standard use
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism automatically engages and disengages based on the mechanical load conditions without requiring external control signals. When the actuator encounters a physical limit or obstruction, the clutch member automatically disengages from the gear clutch teeth, allowing the motor to continue rotating freely while preventing damage transmission. This self-regulating feature eliminates the need for additional sensors or control systems
2Reliability
If mechanical protection features like shear pins and slip clutches are incorporated to reduce damage to the motor, then the motor protection is improved, but the need for manual intervention or replacement of sacrificial elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism automatically engages and disengages based on the mechanical load conditions without requiring external control signals. When the actuator encounters a physical limit or obstruction, the clutch member automatically disengages from the gear clutch teeth, allowing the motor to continue rotating freely while preventing damage transmission. This self-regulating feature eliminates the need for additional sensors or control systems
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 solution provides automatic reset and protection against motor damage by disengaging torque transmission during overloads, ensuring safe and reliable operation of the steering column, reducing the need for manual intervention and replacement of sacrificial components.
Implementation Method 1
a connection gear having a first set of teeth operatively connected to the driving assembly, the connection gear having a set of gear clutch teeth
Implementation Method 2
a clutch member operatively connected to the driven assembly, the clutch member having a set of clutch member teeth. The clutch member teeth are engaged with the gear clutch teeth in a connected state to transmit torque from the driving assembly to the driven assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A steering column includes a steering column component. The steering column also includes a driven assembly operatively coupled to the steering column component. The steering column further includes a driving assembly. The steering column yet further includes a connection assembly that includes a connection gear having a first set of teeth operatively connected to the driving assembly, the connection gear having a set of gear clutch teeth. The connection assembly also includes a clutch member operatively connected to the driven assembly, the driven assembly moving along an axis in response to actuation from the driving assembly and causes the provided axially adjustable steering column to be adjusted along the axis, the clutch member having a set of clutch member teeth. The clutch member teeth and the gear clutch teeth are disengaged in an overload state.