Steering Device Load Absorbing Mechanism Impact Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steering devices experience load fluctuations during the collapse stroke, which affects the impact absorbing performance, and increasing the tightening allowance between the guide projection and guide groove can lead to higher initial loads.
Innovation Solution
A steering device with a load absorbing mechanism that includes an extending portion and sliding portions with specific distance configurations to distribute impact loads, coupled with a telescopic mechanism and actuator to stabilize energy absorption and prevent forward movement during secondary collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tightening allowance of the guide projection and guide groove is increased to improve impact absorbing performance, then the impact absorbing performance is improved, but the initial load increases and load fluctuations occur during collapse stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The single pressing portion is divided into multiple pressing portions (first pressing portion and second pressing portion) arranged in the front-rear direction. This segmentation distributes the impact load across multiple contact points, preventing excessive initial load while maintaining impact absorbing performance through cumulative energy dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing portions are arranged not only in the left-right direction but also in the front-rear direction, adding a dimensional distribution. This spatial arrangement allows the impact load to be distributed along the direction of movement, reducing the peak initial load while maintaining effective impact absorption throughout the collapse stroke.
2Reliability
If the tightening allowance of the guide projection and guide groove is increased to stabilize absorbed energy, then the absorbed energy increases, but load fluctuations occur during collapse stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portions are segmented and positioned at different locations (front and rear) to sequentially engage during the collapse stroke. This segmentation creates a more uniform load distribution pattern, reducing load fluctuations while maintaining stable energy absorption throughout the movement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple pressing portions ensure continuous engagement with the extending portion throughout the collapse stroke. As the sliding portion moves forward, each pressing portion sequentially contacts the extending portion, providing continuous load application and smooth energy absorption without gaps or fluctuations.
3Device complexity
If a single pressing portion is used to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the impact load cannot be effectively distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing function is segmented into multiple pressing portions within the sliding portion. This segmentation enables effective impact load distribution across multiple contact points with the extending portion, improving reliability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the integrated design of the sliding portion.
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 effectively stabilizes absorbed energy over the entire collapse stroke, secures strength, and improves impact absorbing performance by distributing impact loads and preventing load fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
sliding portions... moving with respect to the one member while sliding on a side surface of the extending portion
Implementation Method 2
a first distance in the left-right direction between the rear pressing portion and the other sliding portion facing the one sliding portion across the extending portion is shorter than a second distance
Data Source
AI summary
A steering device includes a pipe, a housing, a telescopic mechanism, and a load absorbing mechanism. The load absorbing mechanism includes an extending portion provided in the telescopic mechanism and extending in a front-rear direction, a first sliding portion provided on a first side in the left-right direction with respect to the extending portion, and a second sliding portion provided on a second side in the left-right direction with respect to the extending portion. The sliding portion includes a front pressing portion that comes into contact with a side surface of the extending portion, and a rear pressing portion provided behind the front pressing portion, and in which a distance in the left-right direction between the rear pressing portion and the other sliding portion facing the one sliding portion across the extending portion is shorter than a distance in the left-right direction between the front pressing portion and the other sliding portion.