Telescopic Steering Column Latch with Gear Teeth for Collision Load Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing telescopic steering column systems absorb less collision energy during the initial period of collapse compared to the middle and late periods, leading to an uneven distribution of supporting force during a vehicle collision, which can compromise safety and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic latch apparatus with a gear teeth structure and a curling plate is integrated into the steering column, where the first telescopic latch with gear teeth is fixed to the steering column and the second telescopic latch with complementary gear teeth is mounted on a column bracket, providing increased initial collision load absorption through the engagement of these teeth and deformation of the curling plate during a collision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the steering column uses a simple telescopic structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the supporting force during the initial period of collapse is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic latch apparatus is divided into two separate latches: a first telescopic latch fixed to the steering column and a second telescopic latch mounted on the column bracket. This segmentation allows each latch to perform a specific function in the collision load absorption process, with the first latch engaging initially and the second latch providing additional support, thereby increasing the supporting force during the initial collapse period without requiring a completely new complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The first telescopic latch is pre-configured to engage with the second telescopic latch before collision occurs. The gear teeth of the first latch are positioned to mesh with the gear teeth of the second latch in advance, so that when collision happens, the engagement can immediately occur without delay, providing preliminary preparation for the collision load absorption process
2Stability of the object's composition
If the steering column absorbs more collision energy during the initial period, then the uniformity of supporting force is improved, but the operator's effort for telescopic control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear teeth structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operator's telescopic control input and the collision load absorption process. When the operator adjusts the telescopic column, the gear teeth of the first and second latches mesh and engage, translating the operator's rotational or linear input into controlled engagement or disengagement of the latches. This intermediary gear mechanism provides mechanical advantage, allowing the operator to control the latch engagement with minimal effort while ensuring the latches are properly positioned to absorb collision energy uniformly throughout the collapse process
3Reliability
If the first telescopic latch and second telescopic latch are engaged, then the collision load absorption is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both the first telescopic latch and the second telescopic latch use the same gear teeth structure and engagement mechanism. This homogeneity in design allows the two latches to work together in a coordinated manner, where the gear teeth of one latch mesh with the gear teeth of the other latch in a standardized, predictable way. The uniform gear engagement design simplifies the overall system compared to using different types of locking mechanisms, while still providing enhanced collision load absorption through the dual-latch configuration
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 ensures a more consistent supporting force throughout the collapse process, increasing the initial collision load absorption without increasing the operator's effort for telescopic control, thereby enhancing safety and marketability by uniformly dispersing collision energy.
Implementation Method 1
the first telescopic latch is provided with first gear teeth, the second telescopic latch is provided with second gear teeth that mesh with the first gear teeth
Implementation Method 2
deformation of the curling plate during a collision
Data Source
AI summary
A telescopic latch apparatus of a steering column for a vehicle is provided, wherein supporting force against a collision load is more constantly maintained while the steering column collapses, by structurally increasing the supporting force during the initial period of the collapse, in respect to a telescopic structure of the steering column, and thus increasing the amount of collision load (collapse load) initially absorbed by the steering column, and reducing a difference between the supporting force during the initial period of the collapse and the supporting force during the middle and late periods of the collapse after the initial period of the collapse at the time of a vehicle collision.