Steering Column Energy Absorber With Adjustable Roller Wrap Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy absorption devices for vehicle steering columns lack adjustability and compactness, limiting their ability to effectively absorb varying forces and energies during accidents.
Innovation Solution
A compact energy absorption device featuring a metal band that passes through a deformation unit with a rotatable hollow roller having convex contact surfaces, allowing adjustable wrap angles and energy absorption levels, and an optional deflector for enhanced energy dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional energy absorption device with metal band and deformation unit is used, then energy absorption is achieved through plastic deformation, but the device lacks adjustability and compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation unit employs a rotatable roller that can dynamically adjust its rotational position to change the wrap angle of the metal band. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the energy absorption characteristics to be varied based on operational requirements, transforming a static structure into an adaptable system that resolves the contradiction between adjustability and structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the deformation path by rotating the roller to different angular positions. This parameter change approach enables continuous adjustment of the wrap angle and energy absorption characteristics without requiring multiple discrete components, thereby achieving adaptability while controlling device complexity
2Loss of energy
If the metal band wrap angle is increased to absorb more energy, then energy absorption capacity improves, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal band is routed through the hollow interior of the roller, utilizing the internal cavity space. This nesting approach allows the deformation path to be contained within the roller's volume rather than requiring external space, enabling high energy absorption capacity without proportionally increasing the device's external dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the deformation path from a two-dimensional planar path to a three-dimensional spatial path by routing the metal band through the hollow roller interior. This dimensional change allows the metal band to achieve larger effective wrap angles and energy absorption paths within a compact volume, resolving the contradiction between energy absorption capacity and device size
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
The solution provides a highly adjustable and compact energy absorption mechanism that can effectively manage different energy absorption levels, ensuring both high stability and adaptability to varying crash conditions, with the ability to switch between energy absorption levels based on the presence of a pin or pyrotechnic device.
Implementation Method 1
the metal band passes along a curved deformation section, and while absorbing energy it is moved through said section, for said metal band to be plastically deformed
Data Source
AI summary
An energy absorption device for a vehicle steering column comprising a metal band and an adjustable deformation unit through which the metal band extends. The deformation unit is a rotatable hollow roller having a first contact surface inside the hollow roller that is separated from an outer contact surface by an outlet slot. The metal band passes through an inlet slot into the interior of the roller, and then through the outlet slot leaves the roller, in a manner that that said metal band is entirely deformed along an S-shaped curve.