Steering Column Adjustment Drive With Slip Clutch Collision Limiting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering column adjustment drives in vehicles face challenges in achieving rapid adjustments over large paths without risking collisions with vehicle occupants, leading to potential injuries and safety concerns during autonomous driving.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a torque-transmitting slip clutch in the drive unit of the adjustment drive, which engages the threaded spindle and spindle nut, allowing for a defined friction force that prevents excessive torque transmission upon collision, thereby stopping the adjustment and reducing injury risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the adjustment drive operates at high speed for rapid adjustment, then adjustment time is reduced and comfort is improved, but the risk of collision with vehicle occupants increases causing safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment speedVSAvoidcollision risk with occupants

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a torque-transmitting slip clutch into the adjustment drive mechanism that is pre-configured with a defined friction force. This friction force acts as a predetermined safety limit that automatically engages when excessive torque is detected, preventing the steering column from moving into the vehicle interior and colliding with occupants. The slip clutch is installed in advance and requires no additional control systems or sensors to function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of friction (which typically causes energy loss and reduced efficiency) into a beneficial safety feature. The defined friction force in the torque-transmitting slip clutch, which would normally be considered a disadvantage in precision adjustment systems, is instead utilized as the primary safety mechanism to prevent collisions. The friction becomes the protective element that limits maximum torque and prevents dangerous movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If a torque-transmitting slip clutch with defined friction force is incorporated into the drive unit, then safety is improved by preventing excessive torque transmission, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety levelVSAvoiddrive unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The torque-transmitting slip clutch is designed as a simple, inexpensive mechanical component that can be easily integrated into the existing adjustment drive. Rather than implementing complex electronic control systems with sensors, processors, and actuators to detect and prevent collisions, the patent uses a straightforward friction-based mechanical limiter that is robust, reliable, and cost-effective. The slip clutch component itself is relatively simple in construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the slip clutch interrupts torque transmission upon collision, then injury risk is reduced, but adjustment continuity is broken

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjury riskVSAvoidadjustment continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The slip clutch dynamically adapts its torque transmission characteristics based on the operational conditions. During normal adjustment operations, the clutch transmits torque freely, allowing smooth and continuous adjustment movement. When excessive torque is detected (indicating a collision or obstruction), the friction force dynamically engages to interrupt torque transmission, preventing further dangerous movement. After the obstruction is removed, the system can resume normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 slip clutch ensures safe and rapid adjustment by interrupting torque transmission when obstacles are encountered, maintaining high comfort and safety levels while preventing collisions with vehicle occupants.

Implementation Method 1

A torque-transmitting slip clutch which is coupled to the threaded spindle or the spindle nut has friction elements which are coupled to one another in a non-positive-locking or frictionally engaging manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12539908B2Adjustment drive for a steering column, and steering column for a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG

AI summary

An adjustment drive can be used in a steering column for a motor vehicle. In some examples, the adjustment drive may include a threaded spindle that engages with an outer thread in a spindle nut and a drive unit that is coupled to the threaded spindle or the spindle nut in such a manner that the threaded spindle and the spindle nut can be driven in rotation relative to each other. The drive unit may have a torque-transmitting slip clutch that is coupled to the threaded spindle or the spindle nut. The slip clutch may include friction faces that contact each other in a frictionally engaging manner.