Steering Column Upper Tube Slot Design for Load Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering columns for vehicles suffer from poor column bearing force and rigidity due to load concentration at the tilt bracket and distance bracket, leading to potential deformation or damage during steering operations and vehicle crashes.
Innovation Solution
A steering column design featuring a hollow lower tube with an upper tube having axially and circumferentially slitted slots, supporting parts, and stress dispersion parts to distribute loads uniformly and enhance rigidity, preventing load concentration and facilitating tilt and telescope operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the steering column uses a conventional solid structure with tilt bracket and distance bracket, then it provides basic structural support, but loads become concentrated at specific parts leading to poor column bearing force and rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The upper tube is segmented into multiple functional regions: first slot region for telescopic operation, second slot region for tilt operation, and stress dispersion parts for load distribution. This segmentation allows different parts of the upper tube to handle different types of loads and operations independently, preventing load concentration at single points and improving overall column bearing force and rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the upper tube are given different local qualities: the first slot area is designed for axial movement (telescopic function), the second slot area for rotational movement (tilt function), and stress dispersion parts are added at critical locations to enhance load distribution. This localized functional differentiation optimizes the structural performance for each specific operation while maintaining overall strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the steering column allows tilt and telescope operations through slots and brackets, then it provides adjustability for driver comfort, but the rigidity of the entire steering column decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column is designed with dynamic characteristics: the first slot enables axial telescopic movement, the second slot enables rotational tilt movement, and the adjusting lever provides controllable locking. These dynamic features allow the column to adapt between fixed and movable states, providing driver adjustability while maintaining rigidity when locked in position.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper tube is divided into distinct functional segments: a first slot region for telescopic operation, a second slot region for tilt operation, and stress dispersion parts. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function independently, enabling adjustability while distributing stresses to maintain overall column rigidity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the upper tube and lower tube are tightly contacted to prevent deformation, then column rigidity increases, but the tilt and telescope operations cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column employs a dynamic locking mechanism where the adjusting lever can switch between locked and unlocked states. When unlocked, the first and second slots allow relative movement between upper and lower tubes for tilt and telescope operations. When locked, the tubes are tightly contacted to provide rigidity. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between operability and structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a steering column for a vehicle and a steering apparatus having the same. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent loads transmitted to the steering column from being concentrated to a part of the steering column, to uniformize the distribution of operation force of the adjusting lever, and to prevent the deformation and damage of the steering column when the driver operates the steering wheel by maintaining the bearing forces of the upper tube and the lower tube at the time of tightening and releasing the adjusting lever for a tilt or telescope operation while increasing the rigidity of the entirety of the steering column.