Steering Column Actuating Lever Impact Protection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering columns do not adequately protect the vehicle driver from impacts on the actuating lever, particularly during crashes, as they lack sufficient displacement and movement freedom to absorb and redirect impact forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
The actuating lever is designed with an operating section and a bearing section, featuring multiple displacement positions and a deformation body or triggering device to allow movement orthogonal to the primary displacement direction, ensuring the operating section can displace and pivot to avoid direct contact with the driver's knee or other impacting body parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuating lever is designed as a rigid single-piece structure, then it provides stable operation and precise control, but it causes injury to the driver's knee in the event of a crash
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating lever is divided into two separate sections: an operating section (14) that can be displaced relative to a bearing section (15). This segmentation allows the operating section to move away from the driver's knee in a crash while the bearing section remains anchored, preventing injury while maintaining operational stability during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating lever transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure where the operating section can be displaced in at least one direction orthogonal to the primary displacement direction. This dynamic capability allows the lever to adapt its position during impact events, reducing harm to the driver while maintaining control functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the operating section is made displaceable to improve safety, then it absorbs impact forces, but it may inadvertently move during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
A triggering device (19) is implemented that monitors force conditions and only permits displacement of the operating section when a crash-like impact is detected. During normal operation, the triggering device prevents unintended displacement, ensuring operational precision. When a crash occurs, the triggering device allows the operating section to move, providing impact protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the actuating lever is designed with multiple displacement directions, then it provides comprehensive impact protection, but it increases structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The operating section is given the capability to displace in at least one direction orthogonal to the primary displacement direction (e.g., laterally in addition to longitudinally). This additional degree of freedom allows the lever to absorb impact forces from multiple directions more effectively, providing comprehensive crash protection without requiring an overly complex multi-mechanism system.
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 enhances driver safety by allowing the actuating lever to move and absorb impact forces in various directions, reducing the risk of injury from collisions with the lever, and maintaining functionality post-impact by returning to its initial position when forces are removed.
Implementation Method 1
the actuating lever is designed with an operating section and a bearing section, featuring multiple displacement positions and a deformation body or triggering device to allow movement orthogonal to the primary displacement direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering shaft (1) and a fixing device (5) which can be adjusted by means of an actuating lever (8) between an open state and a closed state, the position of the steering shaft (1), in the open state of the fixing device (5), being adjustable and its position being fixed in the closed state of the fixing device (5). The actuating lever (8) comprises at least one actuating section (14) and at least one bearing section (15) and the bearing section (15) comprises at least two bearing surfaces (12, 12'). The actuating section (14) is maintained between the bearing surfaces (12, 12') in a first operating position and can be displaced from the first operating position to at least one additional operating position in at least one direction of displacement (16). The actuating section (14), in the additional operating position, is movably held on the bearing section (15) between the bearing surfaces (12, 12') in at least one direction of movement (17) that is orthogonal to the direction of displacement (16).