Steering Column Rotation Limiter Belt for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column rotation limiters in steer-by-wire systems face issues with structural degradation due to temperature fluctuations and extreme loads, leading to unacceptable changes in belt length and rotation range, compromising operational reliability and stability.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid fabric belt element is used, comprising warp threads made of high molecular weight polymer and liquid crystal polymer, optimized for high strength and thermal stability, respectively, to maintain consistent properties under varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple plastic fiber fabric is used for the belt element, then the construction is simple and cost-effective, but the belt experiences structural degradation under temperature fluctuations and extreme loads, leading to unacceptable changes in belt length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining aramid fibers and glass fibers in the belt element fabric. The aramid fibers provide high tensile strength and resistance to temperature fluctuations, while the glass fibers contribute to dimensional stability and resistance to structural degradation. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability under extreme conditions while keeping the construction relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the belt element by specifying particular fiber types (aramid and glass) with defined properties. The aramid fibers are selected for their high tensile strength and temperature resistance, while glass fibers are chosen for their dimensional stability. This parameter optimization allows the belt to maintain its length and functionality under temperature fluctuations and extreme loads.
2Strength
If high-performance polymers are used to resist extreme loads, then strength is improved, but structural degradation still occurs under temperature fluctuations and extreme loads, resulting in unacceptable shortening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite of aramid fibers and glass fibers to achieve both high strength and dimensional stability. The aramid fibers provide exceptional tensile strength to resist extreme loads, while the glass fibers ensure dimensional stability and prevent shortening under temperature fluctuations. This composite approach overcomes the limitations of single-material solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different fiber types in specific roles within the belt element. Aramid fibers are utilized primarily for load-bearing functions due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, while glass fibers are incorporated to maintain dimensional stability and resist thermal degradation. This localized optimization of material properties ensures both strength and reliability under extreme conditions.
3Volume of moving object
If the belt cross-section is minimized to achieve compact construction, then device size is reduced, but high specific tensile strength is required to reliably absorb high tensile force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials with aramid and glass fibers to achieve high specific tensile strength in a minimized cross-section. The aramid fibers provide exceptional strength per unit weight, allowing the belt to absorb high tensile forces despite the reduced cross-sectional area. This enables compact construction without sacrificing load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the material parameters by selecting aramid fibers with high tensile strength properties, allowing the belt element to maintain sufficient strength with a minimized cross-section. The specific fiber arrangement and material selection ensure that the reduced cross-section can still reliably absorb the high tensile forces generated during operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering shaft (23) rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis (L) relative to a housing (21) and a rotation limiter (5) designed to limit the rotation of the steering shaft (23) relative to the housing (21), which has a flexibly deformable belt element (6) fixed to the housing (21), which is elongated in a belt direction (G) and flat in its belt width (B) transversely thereto, which can be wound onto a winding core (53) connected to the steering shaft (23), and which has a fabric made of plastic fibers (7, 8, 9) comprising warp threads (7, 8) running in the belt direction (G) which are interwoven with weft threads (9) running transversely to the belt direction (G).To enable improved functional and operational characteristics of the rotation limiter, the invention proposes that the warp threads (7, 8) comprise first warp threads (7) comprising a first polymer material and second warp threads (8) comprising a second polymer material.