Telescope Drive Bracket Controlled Collapse Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid attachments between the actuator and steering jacket in vehicle steering assemblies prevent controlled collapse during crashes, leading to uncontrolled steering wheel positioning, which can result in increased injury severity due to improper airbag deployment.

Innovation Solution

A telescope drive bracket with an integrated energy-absorbing strap retainer and a shear pin mechanism that allows controlled collapse by decoupling from the steering jacket during a crash, using a strap to absorb energy and regulate the steering column's movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid attachment is used between the actuator and steering jacket, then the structural strength is improved, but the controlled collapse capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidcontrolled collapse capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into two distinct components: a rigid drive bracket for normal operation and a separate energy-absorbing strap for crash conditions. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function - the rigid bracket provides strength during steering operations, while the strap enables controlled collapse during crashes by decoupling the rigid connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system transitions from a rigid state during normal operation to a flexible energy-absorbing state during crashes. The strap retainer mechanism changes the physical parameters of the connection, allowing the system to maintain rigidity when needed and become compliant when crash forces are applied, thereby enabling controlled collapse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the steering assembly collapses uncontrolled, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the driver safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddriver injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The energy-absorbing strap acts as an intermediary element between the rigid drive bracket and the steering column. During crashes, this intermediary component absorbs and dissipates impact energy through controlled deformation, mediating the force transmission to enable safe, controlled collapse that protects the driver while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The strap retainer mechanism is pre-configured with the energy-absorbing strap in a positioned state ready to deploy during crashes. This beforehand preparation ensures that when crash forces are applied, the cushioning mechanism is already in place to absorb energy and control the collapse, preventing uncontrolled movement that would harm the driver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Length of moving object

If the steering wheel is positioned too close to the driver, then the compactness is improved, but the airbag deployment safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering wheel positionVSAvoidairbag collision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The steering column positioning system transitions from a fixed rigid position to a dynamically adjustable position during crashes. The controlled collapse mechanism allows the steering wheel to move to an optimal safe distance from the driver during airbag deployment, dynamically adapting the position based on crash conditions rather than maintaining a static compact position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of energy

If the steering wheel is positioned too far away from the driver, then the crash energy absorption is improved, but the driver control capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrash energy absorptionVSAvoidsteering control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The controlled collapse mechanism applies partial movement - enough to absorb crash energy and position the steering wheel at a safe distance, but not so much as to compromise steering control. The energy-absorbing strap is designed to provide the exact amount of controlled displacement needed to balance energy absorption with maintaining driver control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11891116B1Telescope drive bracket

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORP

AI summary

A telescope drive bracket for coupling a telescoping actuator to an upper steering jacket, the telescope drive bracket includes a plate including a first end, an opposite second end, and a pair of sides extending from the first end to the second end, a strap retainer formed with the plate and including a reaction wall extending in parallel with the plate, and a strap including a first portion engaging the strap retainer, a second portion extending along the plate, and a bent portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion and the second portion extend from the bent portion in a same direction.