Steering Column Support System for Frontal Impact Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial and commercial vehicle cabs pose a risk to drivers in frontal collisions due to their geometric configuration, which can result in serious injury from the sternum impacting the steering wheel, and the varying effects of impacts with lower or higher vehicles complicate ensuring driver passive safety.
Innovation Solution
A steering column support system is designed where the lower part of the frontal cab wall deforms first to transfer rearward displacement to the steering column support, while the upper part of the support hangs from a more resistant upper cab wall, causing the steering wheel to rotate away from the driver's chest, increasing survival space during a frontal impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the driver is positioned close to the perimeter of the cab for better visibility and access, then the operational efficiency is improved, but the driver is at risk of serious injury from sternum impact against the steering wheel in frontal collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column support system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with controlled deformation. The lower part of the support is designed to deform plastically during impact, allowing the steering wheel to move rearward and away from the driver's chest, while the upper part remains relatively fixed to maintain overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering column support is divided into distinct segments: a lower deformable part that absorbs impact energy through controlled deformation, and an upper relatively fixed part that maintains structural integrity. This segmentation allows different parts to perform different functions during collision.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lower part of the frontal wall is designed to deform first to increase survival space, then the driver protection is improved, but the structural strength of the cab is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the cab structure are assigned different mechanical properties. The lower part of the frontal wall and lower support are designed with lower strength to deform preferentially, while the upper part of the frontal wall and upper support maintain high strength to preserve overall structural integrity and prevent cab collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harmful effect of structural deformation is converted into a beneficial safety feature. The controlled deformation of the lower support structure during impact creates survival space and reduces steering wheel intrusion, transforming what would normally be a sign of structural failure into a protective mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the steering column support is made rigid to maintain steering precision, then the steering control is improved, but the steering wheel cannot move away from the driver's chest during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The steering column support transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with controlled deformation. The lower part of the support is designed to deform plastically during impact, allowing the steering wheel to move rearward and away from the driver's chest, while the upper part remains relatively fixed to maintain overall stability.
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 system effectively enhances driver passive protection by managing the deformation sequence of cab components to move the steering wheel away from the driver's chest, thereby increasing the survival space and reducing the risk of injury during frontal collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a lower part of the frontal wall of the cab is constructed so as to be deformed first in order to transfer a rearward displacement to a support of the steering column
Implementation Method 2
the deformation of the lower part of the frontal wall affects the lower part of the steering column, which tends to rotate about the upper part of the cab moving the steering wheel away from the driver's chest
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Vehicle cab of an industrial or commercial vehicle comprising a system for supporting a steering column (WS), the supporting system comprising a lower elongated element (LR) inserted in a frontal wall (FL) of the vehicle cab, in a position adjacent to and contiguous with a floor (F) of the vehicle cab, an upper elongated element (HR), inserted in the frontal wall (FL) of the vehicle cab, above the lower elongated element (LR), a support (S) suitable to rotatably support the steering column (WS), wherein the support (S) has a lower part at least in contact with the lower elongated element (LR), and an upper part hanging from the upper elongated element (HR) by means of a traction element (R).