Steering Column Guide Block for Collision Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering apparatuses for vehicles lack a strong structure to prevent lateral shaking of the steering column during collisions, which can cause secondary injuries to drivers and reduce their chances of survival.
Innovation Solution
A steering apparatus featuring a mounting bracket with through-holes or bending sections and a capsule with a slide section that moves straightly between guide sections or bending sections, preventing lateral separation and ensuring straight movement of the steering column upon impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional capsule is used to fix the mounting bracket to the vehicle body, then the steering column can be separated from the vehicle body to move rearward upon collision, but the steering column may be laterally shaken during rearward movement causing secondary injury to the driver
Solution Approach 1:
A guide block is introduced as an intermediary component between the mounting bracket and the capsule. The guide block includes guide sections that guide the slide section of the capsule, ensuring the steering column moves straightly without lateral shaking during collision separation. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing both separation capability and movement stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is divided into a fixed section and a movable section, with the capsule further segmented into a fixing section and a slide section. The guide block is separated into a base section and guide sections. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function: the fixed section maintains connection to the vehicle body, the slide section enables rearward movement, and the guide sections prevent lateral deviation, collectively ensuring safe straight movement during collision.
2Reliability
If a strong structure is developed to prevent lateral shaking of the steering column, then driver safety is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide block serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, guides the slide section to move straightly, and prevents lateral shaking of the steering column. The guide sections simultaneously act as both structural elements and guidance mechanisms. This multi-functionality achieves strong structural support without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single component performs multiple protective and guiding roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide block merges the functions of structural support and movement guidance into a single integrated component. Rather than using separate structures for support and guidance, the guide block combines both functions, reducing the overall number of parts and simplifying the structure while maintaining the strength needed to prevent lateral shaking during collision.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a steering apparatus for a vehicle including a steering column, a mounting bracket laterally installed at the steering column and having a pair of through-holes formed at each of both sides and spaced apart from each other, a guide block including a base section and a pair of guide sections extending upward from the base section and spaced apart from each other to be inserted into the through-holes, and a capsule including a fixing section fixed to the mounting bracket and configured to be separated from the mounting bracket upon a collision of a vehicle, and a slide section lengthily extending from the fixing section and slidably inserted between the pair of guide sections.