Steering Column Slide With Free Space Contact Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering columns for vehicles face challenges in producing a low-vibration design that can be easily manufactured while ensuring the steering wheel is pushed out of the passenger compartment during a crash to minimize driver injury.
Innovation Solution
A steering column design featuring a slide clamped onto a support part using a clamping device with contact points and free spaces, allowing for deformation and adjustable clamping forces, which supports the steering spindle for rotation and displacement during crashes, enabling energy absorption and adjustable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the slide is rigidly fixed to the support part, then the steering column achieves high rigidity and stability, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase and production costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the slide and support part is segmented into multiple contact points rather than a continuous rigid connection. This allows each contact point to be manufactured with standard tolerances while collectively providing stable support.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes from a rigid fixed connection to a controlled compliant connection where the slide can deform elastically within specific parameters. This allows manufacturing with larger tolerances while maintaining functional rigidity through the defined contact geometry.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the slide is tightly clamped to the support part, then the steering column achieves high stability, but the energy absorption capability during crashes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping force is designed to be dynamic rather than static - strong enough to provide stability during normal operation but allowing controlled deformation and movement during crash events to absorb energy. The contact points enable this transition from rigid to compliant behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The free spaces and contact point geometry are designed in advance to allow controlled deformation and energy absorption during crashes. The structure is pre-configured to deform in specific ways that dissipate energy while maintaining stability during normal use.
3Manufacturing precision
If the slide is designed with complex clamping mechanisms, then the positioning accuracy improves, but the device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex clamping and positioning mechanisms are extracted from the slide-support part connection. Instead, positioning accuracy is achieved through the geometric arrangement of simple contact points and free spaces, reducing device complexity while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide and support part are designed to self-position and self-align through their geometric features and contact point arrangement, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms. The free spaces allow automatic alignment during assembly.
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 allows for simple and cost-effective production with large production tolerances, effective energy absorption during crashes, and adjustable positioning of the steering wheel, enhancing safety and rigidity.
Implementation Method 1
the slide (4) is additionally supported on the support part (2) at at least two contact points (7) arranged on mutually opposite sides of the clamping device (6) and at a distance from the clamping device (6), wherein in each case at least one free space (8) is arranged between the slide (4) and the support part (2) in regions between the clamping device (6) and the contact points (7)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, with a support part for directly or indirectly mounting the steering column on a body of the motor vehicle and with at least one carriage displaceably mounted in a displacement direction on the support part, at least in the event of a crash, wherein a steering spindle of the steering column is rotatably mounted directly or indirectly on the carriage, wherein the carriage is clamped onto the support part by means of at least one clamping device of the steering column, wherein the carriage is further braced on the support part by at least two contact points arranged on opposite sides of the clamping device and spaced away from the clamping device, wherein at least one free space between the carriage and the support part is arranged in regions between the clamping device and each of the contact points.