Steering Column Holder with Through-Wall Support Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing module carrier assemblies for motor vehicles fail to effectively counteract the excitation of the steering column at its natural frequency without using complex active damping systems, leading to undesirable vibrations and noise.
Innovation Solution
A module carrier assembly where the steering column holder is configured as an angle piece with a support projection that extends through and engages with opposing walls of the transverse carrier, providing a larger support surface and effectively increasing the natural frequency of the steering column by approximately 1 Hz without the need for active damping systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional steering column holder is used (supported only on the outer side of the transverse carrier), then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the natural frequency of the steering column is too low (below 40 Hz), causing vibrations and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The support projection extends through the wall thickness of the transverse carrier from the outer side to the inner side, adding a third dimension (depth/thickness) to the support structure. This transforms the support from a surface-level attachment to a through-wall anchoring system, significantly increasing the steering column holder's rigidity and the natural frequency of the steering column to at least 40 Hz.
Solution Approach 2:
The support projection is pre-formed as an integral part of the steering column holder before assembly. This preliminary formation of the support projection ensures that the holder is ready to engage with the transverse carrier wall without requiring additional manufacturing steps or assembly operations, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving the frequency requirement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If active damping systems are used to counteract vibrations, then vibrations and noise are reduced, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using active damping systems to counteract harmful vibrations, the invention converts the transverse carrier wall itself into a beneficial structural element. The support projection utilizes the wall material to provide passive structural reinforcement, increasing natural frequency and reducing vibrations through inherent structural properties rather than active counteracting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse carrier wall serves dual purposes: it provides the structural framework of the module carrier assembly and simultaneously acts as an anchoring medium for the steering column holder via the support projection. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate damping components, as the existing structural element performs the additional function of vibration reduction.
3Reliability
If the support projection extends through the entire wall thickness, then the natural frequency increases significantly, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support projection is merged with the steering column holder as an integral component, formed in the same manufacturing process without requiring separate assembly steps. This merging eliminates alignment and positioning precision requirements that would arise from assembling separate components, while still achieving the full wall-thickness extension needed for high natural frequency.
Data Source
AI summary
A module carrier assembly for positioning between the A-pillars of a motor vehicle body comprising a transverse carrier configured as a hollow body profile and at least one steering column holder connected to the transverse carrier and supported at the outer side of the transverse carrier in the x-direction. The at least one steering column holder is configured as an angle piece and is supported by a support surface provided by a first limb at a first outer wall of the transverse carrier. The steering column holder has a further limb extending below the transverse carrier. The steering column holder carries a support projection which extends through the outer wall of the transverse carrier adjoining the support surface of the steering column holder and up to at least the opposite wall of the transverse carrier. The support projection is connected in a vibration-coupled manner to this opposite wall.