Steering Device Hanger Bracket Frictional Resistance Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices face challenges in efficiently absorbing secondary collision loads while minimizing size and cost, as they often require complex mechanisms to stabilize the steering column during impact.
Innovation Solution
A steering device configuration featuring an inner column with a hanger bracket and fixing members that provide a guide hole with a gradually increasing resistance portion, allowing the inner column to absorb energy by increasing frictional resistance during forward displacement, thus stabilizing the posture and reducing reaction forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a complex mechanism with tilt plates and bulging portions is used to absorb collision energy, then the energy absorption capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential energy absorption function from the complex tilt plate mechanism and implements it through a simpler structure. The guide hole with gradually increasing width in the hanger bracket directly provides the frictional resistance needed for energy absorption, eliminating the need for complex bulging portions and tilt plate mechanisms while maintaining the core functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the guide hole (gradually increasing width from front to rear) to create variable frictional resistance. This parameter change allows the structure to provide increasing resistance during the collapse stroke, achieving energy absorption through a simple geometric feature rather than a complex mechanism.
2Loss of energy
If the guide hole width is gradually increased from front to rear, then the frictional resistance increases to absorb energy, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by making the guide hole width vary in a specific location (front to rear direction) while keeping the rest of the hanger bracket structure simple. This localized geometric variation provides the necessary frictional resistance for energy absorption without complicating the overall structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the hanger bracket is firmly fixed to the inner column, then the steering column stability is improved, but the collapse stroke functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the fixation between the hanger bracket and inner column dynamic rather than static. The fixing member allows the hanger bracket to be firmly fixed during normal operation for stability, but permits relative movement during collapse stroke when the shaft portion moves along the guide hole. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between stability and collapse functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing member acts as an intermediary between the hanger bracket and inner column, providing a mechanism that can transition between fixed and movable states. This intermediary component enables the system to achieve both firm fixation for stability and controlled movement for collapse stroke energy absorption.
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 configuration effectively absorbs secondary collision loads by stabilizing the inner column's posture and reducing sudden increases in reaction force, while minimizing size and cost through efficient energy absorption and stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a gradually increasing resistance portion which gradually increases frictional resistance between the fixing member and the hanger bracket according to forward displacement of the fixing member when the fixing member is displaced forward together with inner column by a secondary collision load being input to the steering shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device includes an inner column, an outer column, a hanger bracket, and a fixing member. The hanger bracket has a guide hole which extends in the front-rear direction and through which the shaft portion of the fixing member passes. An edge portion of the guide hole of the hanger bracket is provided with a fixing portion and a gradually increasing resistance portion. The seat portion of the fixing member comes into contact with the fixing portion to fix the hanger bracket to the inner column. The gradually increasing resistance portion is disposed in front of the fixing portion and gradually increases frictional resistance between the fixing member and the hanger bracket according to forward displacement of the fixing member when the fixing member is displaced forward together with inner column by a secondary collision load being input to the steering shaft.