Steering Column Lifting Mechanism for Crash Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column designs face limitations in crash activation, as the clamping stroke of the tensioning device must be sufficient for secure engagement and separation of form-fitting elements, which restricts design freedom and can result in jerky or unsuitable energy absorption during crashes.
Innovation Solution
A separate lifting mechanism is introduced, independent of the clamping mechanism, allowing for optimized movement sequences and energy absorption, enabling secure engagement and disengagement of form-fitting elements, and allowing for a larger working stroke than the clamping stroke, thus improving crash activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the clamping stroke of the tensioning device is increased to ensure secure engagement and separation of form-fitting elements, then the reliability of crash activation is improved, but the device complexity increases and design freedom is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single clamping mechanism into two independent mechanisms: a clamping mechanism for securing the actuating unit and a lifting mechanism for activating the crash device. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting mechanism operates in a different dimensional space (transverse direction) compared to the clamping mechanism (longitudinal direction). This dimensional separation enables independent optimization of stroke lengths and movement sequences, allowing secure form-fitting engagement while maintaining design freedom and reducing overall system complexity.
2Loss of energy
If the working stroke of the lifting mechanism is larger than the clamping stroke, then the energy absorption during crashes is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the clamping and lifting functions into independent mechanisms, the patent enables the lifting mechanism to have a longer working stroke optimized for energy absorption during crashes, while the clamping mechanism maintains its shorter stroke for normal operation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between energy absorption optimization and device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate lifting mechanism is introduced independent of the clamping mechanism, then the design flexibility and crash performance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate lifting mechanism independent of the clamping mechanism, allowing each to be optimized for its specific function. This segmentation provides design flexibility for optimizing crash performance while maintaining manageable complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element serves dual purposes: it actuates both the clamping mechanism for normal operation and the lifting mechanism for crash activation. This multi-functionality approach increases design flexibility while avoiding the complexity of completely separate actuation 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
This design provides enhanced safety by ensuring secure engagement and disengagement of form-fitting elements during crashes, optimizing energy absorption and reducing the dependency on the clamping stroke, leading to improved crash performance and design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
This converts the introduced kinetic energy into plastic deformation of an energy absorption element, for example by tearing open a tear tab or bending an elongated flexible element, such as a flexible wire or flexible strip
Implementation Method 2
a cam mechanism, in which a cam protruding eccentrically from the clamping axis can be moved with a section of its cam track (cam contour) surrounding the clamping axis on the outside by rotating the clamping axis against a control surface connected to the locking part
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 7~10
AI summary
The present invention relates to a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising an adjustment unit (2) with a steering spindle (22) which is mounted rotatably about its longitudinal axis (L) in a casing tube (21), a supporting unit (3) which is connectable to the body of the motor vehicle and in which the adjustment unit (2) can be accommodated, and a clamping device (5) which, in the securing position, secures the adjustment unit (2) relative to the supporting unit (3) during normal operation and which, in a release position, releases an adjustment of the adjustment unit (2) at least in the longitudinal direction (LR) relative to the supporting unit (3), wherein the clamping device comprises an actuating element (51) which interacts with a clamping mechanism (6) which converts an actuation of the actuating element (51) into a clamping stroke (K), which is directed transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis (L), for clamping the supporting unit (3) to the adjustment unit (2), and wherein the clamping device (5) has at least one locking part (71) which is supported in the longitudinal direction on the supporting unit (3), wherein, in the securing position, a form-fitting element (74) of the locking part (71) engages non-displaceably in the longitudinal direction in a form-fitting element (75) of an engagement part (72) connected to the adjustment unit (3), and, in the release position, the form-fitting element (74) of the locking part (74) is spaced apart from the form-fitting element (75) of the engagement part (72) and releases a movement of the adjustment unit (2) in the longitudinal direction (LR) relative to the supporting unit (3). In order to provide improved possibilities for activation in the event of a crash, the invention proposes that the actuating element (51) is connected to a lifting mechanism (8) which is separate from the clamping mechanism (6) and is connected to the locking part (71) and converts an actuation of the actuating element (51) into a working stroke of the locking part (71) relative to the engagement part (72), wherein the working stroke of the lifting mechanism (8) is pre-determinable independently of the clamping stroke (K) of the clamping mechanism (6).