Steering Wheel Assembly Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steering wheel assemblies face limitations in reducing vibrations at low frequency spectra, such as below 30 Hz, due to the rigid coupling of the steering wheel to the steering column, which causes annoying vibrations during idling or low-speed vehicle operation.

Innovation Solution

A compact steering wheel assembly design incorporating a second elastic damping element that couples the connection component to the steering wheel skeleton, creating a damped two-mass oscillating system with adjustable resonance fields to cover low frequencies, achieved through a vibration-damped mounting with minimal installation space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a single vibration-damped mounting is used to couple the connection component to the steering wheel skeleton, then the installation space is minimized, but the resonance field cannot cover low frequencies below 30 Hz

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidfrequency spectrum coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single vibration-damped mounting is segmented into two separate vibration-damped mountings (first and second vibration-damped mountings). Each mounting independently couples a mass to the steering wheel skeleton, creating a two-mass oscillating system that can generate resonance fields covering low frequencies below 30 Hz while maintaining compact installation space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the steering wheel is rigidly coupled to the steering column, then the structural stability is improved, but vibrations occur during idling or low-speed operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsteering wheel vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration principles by creating a two-mass oscillating system with coupled oscillators. The system uses the natural vibration characteristics of two masses (connection component and gas bag module) coupled through vibration-damped mountings to generate a resonance field that counteracts and absorbs harmful steering wheel vibrations during idling or low-speed operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the coupling parameters between the steering wheel components by replacing rigid coupling with vibration-damped couplings. The damping characteristics and stiffness parameters of the vibration-damped mountings are optimized to tune the resonance field frequency to cover low frequencies below 30 Hz, effectively reducing harmful vibrations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 reduces steering wheel vibrations across a wide frequency spectrum, including frequencies below 30 Hz, with minimal impact on installation space, enhancing the overall damping performance and driver comfort.

Implementation Method 1

at least one elastic damping element (16, 18), which couples the connection component (14) in a vibratory manner to the steering wheel skeleton (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

couples the connection component (14) in a vibratory manner to the steering wheel skeleton (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

at least one elastic damping element (16, 18)...couples the connecting element (20) both on the connection component (14) and on the steering wheel skeleton (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3768559B1Steering wheel assembly
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3768559B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a steering wheel assembly (10) comprising a steering wheel skeleton (12), an attachment component (14), a connection component (20) for fastening the attachment component (14) to the steering wheel skeleton (12), and a first resilient damping element (16), which couples the connection component (20) to the attachment component (14) so as to be able to oscillate, a second resilient damping element (18) being provided which couples the connection element (20) to the steering wheel assembly (12) so as to be able to oscillate.