Steering Column Stiffness via Protruding Side Face
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linearly displaceable steering columns are often heavy and bulky due to the need for sufficient stiffness, which increases weight, costs, and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The steering column design features an inner and outer steering column element that are linearly displaceable, with a protruding first side face on the inner element to improve force distribution and stiffness, while maintaining a reduced material thickness and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing linearly displaceable steering columns use thick-walled structures to ensure sufficient stiffness, then the stiffness is improved, but the weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inner steering column element features a non-uniform wall thickness distribution with a protruding portion that has reduced wall thickness. This local quality variation allows the structure to maintain sufficient stiffness in critical areas while reducing material usage and weight in less critical areas, directly resolving the contradiction between stiffness and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering column is divided into multiple elements (inner steering column element and outer steering column element) that can displace relative to each other. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the desired stiffness through the combined structural integrity of multiple elements rather than requiring a single thick-walled structure, thereby reducing overall weight.
2Strength
If existing linearly displaceable steering columns use thick-walled structures to ensure sufficient stiffness, then the stiffness is improved, but the volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing non-uniform wall thickness with protruding portions that have reduced thickness, the design optimizes material distribution to maintain stiffness while minimizing volume. The local quality variation ensures structural integrity is preserved in critical load-bearing areas while reducing overall material consumption and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented structure with inner and outer elements allows the system to achieve required stiffness through distributed structural integrity rather than concentrated mass, thereby reducing the total volume occupied by the steering column assembly.
3Weight of moving object
If existing linearly displaceable steering columns reduce material thickness to reduce weight, then the weight is reduced, but the stiffness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-uniform wall thickness design with strategically placed protruding portions allows reduced material thickness in areas where full stiffness is not critical, while maintaining adequate thickness in load-bearing regions. This local quality optimization achieves weight reduction without compromising overall structural stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-element segmented structure distributes structural responsibilities across multiple components, allowing each element to be optimized with reduced thickness while the collective assembly maintains the required stiffness through their coordinated structural arrangement.
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 achieves improved stiffness and reduced weight by optimizing force distribution and material usage, allowing for a more compact and lightweight adjustable steering column.
Implementation Method 1
These exert a preload force on at least one of the steering column elements which results in a frictional resistance
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a steering column for a vehicle, with: —an inner steering column element that is received in an outer steering column element, the inner and outer steering column element being displaceable relative to one another along a displacement axis; —at least one preload force generating element that is configured to generate a preload force to set a defined resistance against the relative displacement; where the inner steering column element has a number of side faces which form a hollow cross-section of the inner steering column element; where at least a portion of a side face of the number of side faces has a protruding shape.