Steering Device Load Absorbing Mechanism Friction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering devices may fail to secure desired impact absorbing performance due to unpredictable sliding resistance during secondary collisions, leading to potential instability in load fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A steering device with a load absorbing mechanism featuring a sliding portion, a guide plate, and a resistance portion that includes a low sliding member with a friction coefficient lower than the guide plate, allowing controlled sliding resistance and stable load absorption during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guide plate and shaft support portion slide directly against each other, then the structure is simple, but the sliding resistance is unpredictable and causes instability in load fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a low sliding member as an intermediary component between the guide plate and shaft support portion. This low sliding member has a friction coefficient lower than both the guide plate and shaft support portion, and serves as a mediator that enables predictable and controllable sliding resistance. The low sliding member includes a sliding surface that contacts both the guide plate and shaft support portion, ensuring stable load fluctuations during secondary collisions while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If sliding resistance is generated at unexpected locations, then the structure remains simple, but the impact absorbing performance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific region with reduced friction characteristics. The low sliding member is positioned at a predetermined location within the load absorbing mechanism, providing localized low-friction sliding. This ensures that sliding resistance is generated at the intended location with predictable magnitude, thereby securing desired impact absorbing performance without requiring complex configuration throughout the entire structure.
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 solution ensures consistent and desired sliding resistance at specific locations, stabilizing load fluctuations and enhancing impact absorbing performance during secondary collisions.
Implementation Method 1
The low sliding member is formed of a material having a friction coefficient smaller than that of the guide plate and the shaft support portion and is configured to be slidable on the other member of the guide plate and the shaft support portion at the time of the secondary collision
Implementation Method 2
a resistance portion projecting inside the guide hole and plastically deformed by the sliding portion at the time of the secondary collision
Data Source
AI summary
In a steering device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a load absorbing mechanism includes a large diameter shaft portion provided in an EA block, a long hole provided in a housing and guiding the large diameter shaft portion at the time of a secondary collision, a guide plate projecting inside the long hole and having a resistance portion plastically deformed by the large diameter shaft portion at the time of the secondary collision, and an EA guide overlapping the guide plate when viewed in a front-rear direction, provided in the EA block to be slidable on the guide plate at the time of the secondary collision, and formed of a material having a friction coefficient smaller than that of the EA block.