Steering Wheel Display Break Portion for Ride Down
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of displays behind a vehicle's steering wheel can compromise the ride-down mechanism, which is essential for reducing driver injury in collisions, as it may limit the necessary ride-down length of the steering column.
Innovation Solution
A display device is designed with a predetermined break portion that detaches from its attachment point when the steering column moves sufficiently during a collision, allowing unhindered ride-down motion while preventing injury by limiting the detached display's movement using a motion limitation means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a display device is attached behind the steering wheel, then the display can be positioned in a convenient location for the driver, but the ride-down length of the steering column is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is segmented into a main body and a detachable attachment portion connected by a break portion. The attachment portion remains connected to the steering column during normal operation, while the break portion is designed to detach under collision forces, separating the display main body from the steering column to allow full ride-down motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment portion is extracted as a separate functional element that can be selectively retained or detached. During a collision, the attachment portion is designed to remain connected to the steering column while the break portion detaches, effectively extracting the display main body from the ride-down path while maintaining the attachment mechanism's presence.
2Length of moving object
If the display device is made detachable to allow ride-down motion, then the steering column can move freely during collision, but the display device may become a projectile hazard to occupants
Solution Approach 1:
Motion limitation means are introduced as an intermediary element between the detachable display main body and the vehicle interior. These means (such as straps, cables, or guides) constrain the movement of the detached display main body, preventing it from becoming a hazardous projectile while still allowing the necessary detachment for ride-down motion.
3Reliability
If the break portion is designed to detach under collision force, then the ride-down mechanism functions properly, but the display device may detach prematurely during normal vibration or impact
Solution Approach 1:
The break portion is designed with locally differentiated mechanical properties - it has reduced strength or increased brittleness at the specific detachment location compared to the rest of the display device. This localized weakness ensures predictable detachment under collision forces while the rest of the display device maintains its structural integrity and stability during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical parameters of the break portion are specifically modified to create a controlled weakness. The break portion is designed with altered material properties, cross-sectional dimensions, or structural configuration that reduce its strength threshold, allowing it to detach at predetermined force levels during collision while maintaining stable attachment during normal vehicle vibrations and minor impacts.
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
Enables the attachment of a display device behind the steering wheel without compromising the ride-down mechanism, ensuring the steering column can move freely during a collision while preventing the detached display from reaching occupants.
Implementation Method 1
The force in the collision causes a bending and/or sheer torque on the predetermined break portion such that it breaks
Implementation Method 2
The force in the collision causes a bending and/or sheer torque on the predetermined break portion such that it breaks
Implementation Method 3
the display device which may be attached to the steering column collides at a predetermined area of the main body of the display device with the fixed stoppage member. The force in the collision causes a bending and/or sheer torque
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5A
Figure 5B
AI summary
Display device in steering wheel ride down. In general, the disclosed subject matter relates to a display device attachable at an attachment point behind a steering wheel. The display device is advantageously configured to break at a predetermined break portion in the event of a ride-down of the steering wheel such that the display device does not prevent the ride down motion.