Telescopic Steering Column With Coaxial Drive for Compact Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steering column designs for self-driving vehicles require a large installation space due to complex and separate spindle drives, which hinder the ability to retract the steering column into a stowed position efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A steering column design with a combined threaded spindle and spindle nut unit, where the first spindle nut and second threaded spindle are coaxially connected and driven synchronously by a single drive unit, allowing for a compact and synchronized adjustment of multiple casing elements without additional synchronization devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate first and second spindle drives are provided for adjusting multiple telescopic casing elements, then synchronized adjustment capability is achieved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the first and second spindle drives into a single integrated spindle drive unit. This unified drive mechanism simultaneously adjusts multiple telescopic casing elements through a coordinated design, eliminating the need for separate drive units while maintaining synchronized adjustment capability. The merging reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single spindle drive unit is designed to perform multiple functions by simultaneously driving both the first and second telescopic casing elements. This multi-functional design allows one drive mechanism to replace what would traditionally require two separate drives, reducing device complexity while maintaining full adjustment capability across multiple segments.
2Ease of operation
If separate first and second spindle drives are provided for adjusting multiple telescopic casing elements, then synchronized adjustment capability is achieved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate spindle drives into a single compact integrated unit, significantly reducing the installation space required for the adjustment mechanism. This consolidation allows the steering column to be retracted into a stowed position outside the operating area during autonomous driving, optimizing space utilization within the vehicle interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic casing elements are arranged in a nested configuration where inner casings are positioned within outer casings. The integrated spindle drive mechanism is compactly arranged to accommodate this nested structure, allowing the entire adjustment system to occupy minimal space while maintaining full functionality for synchronized adjustment of multiple segments.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact adjustment drive is used to reduce installation space, then space for stowed position is reduced, but synchronized adjustment capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated spindle drive combines multiple drive functions into a single compact mechanism that maintains synchronized adjustment capability despite the reduced installation space. The unified design ensures that all telescopic casing elements can be adjusted simultaneously and coordinatedly, preserving full operational functionality within a compact footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The spindle drive mechanism incorporates dynamic elements that allow for coordinated movement of multiple telescopic casing elements. The design enables the compact drive unit to dynamically adjust the position of each segment in synchronization, maintaining ease of operation despite the condensed spatial arrangement of 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
This design achieves a more compact and less complex adjustment drive with high functional reliability, enabling efficient retraction of the steering column into a stowed position while maintaining synchronized adjustment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The first spindle drive has a first threaded spindle engaging a first spindle nut and rotatably driven relative thereto by a drive unit about the threaded axis, and the second spindle drive has a second threaded spindle engaging a second spindle nut
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a steering column (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a shell unit (3) in which a steering spindle (4) is rotatably mounted about a longitudinally extending longitudinal axis (L), and which has at least three longitudinally telescopically adjustable shell elements (31, 32, 33) comprising at least an inner shell (33), an outer shell (32) and an intermediate element (32) arranged between them, wherein a motorized adjustment drive (6) engages the shell elements (31, 32, 33), which has a first spindle drive (7) arranged between the inner shell (33) and the intermediate element (32), and a second spindle drive (8) arranged between the intermediate element (32) and the outer shell (31), wherein the first spindle drive (7) has a first threaded spindle (71) engaging in a first spindle nut (72) and rotatably driven relative thereto by a drive unit (6),and the second spindle drive (8) has a second threaded spindle (81) engaging in a second spindle nut (82) and rotatably driven relative to it by the drive unit (6). To improve the range of applications and enable a reduced installation space, the invention proposes that the first spindle nut (72) and the second threaded spindle (81) are coaxially connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner to form a threaded unit (63) that is rotatably driven by the drive unit (6) and is axially supported relative to the drive unit (6).