Steering Shaft Damping Device for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering columns fail to effectively dampen vibrations transmitted via the steering shaft, leading to structure-borne noise and discomfort in vehicle operations.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a damping device within the rear steering shaft section with rotatable inner and outer damper parts having non-circular cross-sectional contours, utilizing elastomeric damping material to create a compact and efficient vibration-damping mechanism, and optionally incorporating an electrical auxiliary power device to further dampen vibrations before they reach the steering wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a damping device is integrated into the rear steering shaft section with rotatable damper parts having non-circular cross-sections, then vibration damping effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is integrated directly into the rear steering shaft section by combining the inner damper part with the shaft section itself. The outer damper part is formed as a sleeve surrounding the shaft, merging the damping function with the structural components rather than adding separate independent elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner and outer damper parts have non-circular cross-sectional contours that deviate from circular symmetry. This asymmetric geometry creates form-fit engagement between the damper parts, enabling effective vibration damping through controlled elastic deformation of the elastomeric material while maintaining rotational capability.
2Reliability
If the steering shaft is designed with multiple telescoping sections for crash safety, then safety is improved, but the length and complexity of the steering shaft increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steering shaft comprises multiple telescoping sections where inner shaft parts can slide within outer shaft parts. The damping device is nested within the rear steering shaft section, with the inner damper part integrated into the shaft and the outer damper part forming a surrounding sleeve, creating a compact nested structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If damping devices are arranged in front steering shaft sections or cardan joints, then vibration damping is achieved, but the distance from the steering wheel increases leading to more undamped vibration transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is positioned in the rear steering shaft section adjacent to the steering wheel, performing the damping action as early as possible in the vibration transmission path. This preliminary damping prevents vibrations from propagating through the entire steering shaft length to other components.
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 significantly reduces vibrations and structure-borne noise, maintaining a compact installation space and ensuring minimal undamped vibration transmission to the steering wheel or vehicle components, enhancing driver comfort and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric damping material disposed between the inner damper portion and the outer damper portion
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric damping material disposed between the inner damper portion and the outer damper portion
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a steering shaft having a rear steering shaft section (1), which extends in a straight line, which is rotatable about a longitudinal center axis (2), and on which a steering wheel (4) can be mounted on a rear end (3), and at least one further steering shaft section (10), which is connected to the rear steering shaft section (1) via a universal joint (6) that comprises a rear universal joint yoke (7), a front universal joint yoke (8), and a journal cross (9) connecting both universal joint yokes. A damping unit (12) is provided in order to dampen the vibrations transmitted by the steering shaft, which damping unit has an inner damping part (13), an outer damping part (14) surrounding the inner damping part (13), and an elastomer damping material (15) that is arranged between the inner damping part (13) and the outer damping part (14). The damping unit (12) is integrated in the rear steering shaft section (1), wherein the inner and the outer damping part (13, 14) are rotatable about the longitudinal center axis (2) of the rear steering shaft section.