Steering Post Reinforcement for Three-Wheeled Vehicle Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-wheeled vehicles face challenges in managing deformation and protecting occupants during certain vehicle impacts, such as frontal collisions, due to the lack of effective reinforcement mechanisms for the steering post, which can lead to increased risk of injury from the steering post moving towards the occupant.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a steering post reinforcement system with a curved portion that extends between the first and second ends, fixed to the vehicle frame, providing a counter force to rotate the steering post away from the occupant during impacts, thereby reducing the risk of injury by moving the steering post rearward and away from the occupant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the steering post is made lightweight and minimal in structure, then the vehicle remains affordable and lightweight, but the steering post cannot effectively protect occupants during frontal impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The steering post reinforcement structure is nested within the vehicle frame, with the curved portion positioned inside the frame structure and the first and second ends attached to frame members. This nesting approach provides enhanced protection without adding external complexity to the vehicle's overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering post reinforcement includes a curved portion that curves about the steering post axis, creating a circular or substantially circular configuration when viewed from above. This curved geometry effectively redirects impact forces away from the occupant while maintaining structural efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the steering post reinforcement is positioned close to the occupant, then protection is maximized, but the steering post may contact the occupant during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The steering post reinforcement is positioned such that the curved portion is located between the steering post and the occupant, creating a localized protective barrier. The first and second ends are attached to the vehicle frame at positions that provide structural support without interfering with the steering post's operational movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved portion of the steering post reinforcement acts as an intermediary element between the steering post and the occupant. During impact, this curved portion contacts the steering post and redirects the force away from the occupant, while during normal operation, the configuration maintains adequate clearance to avoid interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a frame including a first post, a second post spaced cross-vehicle from the first post, and a steering post rotatably supported by the frame. The steering post extends between the first and second posts. The vehicle includes a steering post reinforcement having a first and a second end each fixed to the frame, a curved portion curving about the axis between the ends, and a first and a second portion extending from the ends to the curved portion. The first and second portions are elongated vehicle-rearward from the frame to the curved portion. The curved portion defines an opening between the ends. The steering post extends through the opening between the curved portion and the frame and between the first and second portions. The curved portion is spaced vehicle-rearward from the steering post. The first and second portions are spaced cross-vehicle from the steering post.