WO2002053445A2 - Colonne de direction hybride plastique-metal pour applications automobiles - Google Patents

Colonne de direction hybride plastique-metal pour applications automobiles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002053445A2
WO2002053445A2 PCT/US2002/000031 US0200031W WO02053445A2 WO 2002053445 A2 WO2002053445 A2 WO 2002053445A2 US 0200031 W US0200031 W US 0200031W WO 02053445 A2 WO02053445 A2 WO 02053445A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
column housing
support bracket
retainer clip
motor vehicle
guide retainer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/000031
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2002053445A3 (fr
Inventor
Michael P. Rodgers
Don H. Pham
Alan C. Johnston
Bryan K. Avis
Chris T. Korson
Tim Palmer
Original Assignee
Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. filed Critical Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
Publication of WO2002053445A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002053445A2/fr
Publication of WO2002053445A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002053445A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/16—Steering columns
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
    • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
    • B62D1/16—Steering columns
    • B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
    • B62D1/19—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable incorporating energy-absorbing arrangements, e.g. by being yieldable or collapsible
    • B62D1/195—Yieldable supports for the steering column

Definitions

  • This invention relates to vehicle steering columns in a motor vehicle.
  • a steering column assembly for a motor vehicle adapted to collapse away from a vehicular operator during a collision of the motor vehicle.
  • the steering column assembly comprises a steering wheel, a steering shaft, and a column housing. One end of the steering shaft is connected to a steering wheel.
  • the column housing defines a collapsible region such that during the collision of the motor vehicle the collapsible region gets deformed in an axial direction away from the operator.
  • the column housing also defines a bracket attachable to the column housing.
  • a guide retainer clip is fastenable to the bracket such that column housing is attached to the motor vehicle through the guide retainer clip.
  • the guide retainer clip guides the movement of the column housing in an axial direction away from the vehicular operator during the collision of the motor vehicle.
  • FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the motor vehicle incorporating the features of the present invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a rear view of the steering column assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 3 is a front view of the of the steering column assembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 4 is an exploded view of the support bracket and the guide retainer clip as attachable to the motor vehicle in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 5 is a front view of the support bracket and the guide retainer clip as attached to the motor vehicle in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • the steering column assembly 10 is installed in the interior 12 of a motor vehicle 14.
  • the steering column assembly 10 comprises a steering shaft 16, a column housing 8 and a steering wheel 20.
  • the steering wheel 20 is operatable by a vehicular operator 21.
  • the front end 22 of the steering shaft 16 i.e the end facing the vehicular operator 21 is connected to the steering wheel 20 and the rear end 24 of the steering shaft 16 is connected to a universal joint 26, leading to steering mechanisms, adapted to be connected to the wheels 28 of the motor vehicle 14.
  • the steering shaft 16 defines an axis 30 (as shown in FIGURE 2).
  • the steering shaft 16 is preferably formed of metal and is made of one or more pieces.
  • the steering shaft 16 is designed such that it is capable of collapsing telescopically under the impact of the vehicular operator's 21 torso in the event of a collision.
  • the column housing 18 comprises a collapsible region 32 (shown in FIGURE 3), a support bracket 34, a guide retainer clip 36 attached to the support bracket 34, a position adjustment lever 38, a tilt hinge 40 and a tilt adjustment locking device 42.
  • the column housing 18 also defines an axis that coincides with the axis 30 of the steering shaft 16.
  • the column housing 18 is preferably formed of a metal sheet frame 44 reinforced with a plastic material 46 such as DURETHAN® commercially produced by Bayer Corporation. Typically the plastic material 46 is over molded to the metal sheet frame 44.
  • the tilt adjustment locking device 42 can work by means of a teeth engagement between retainer plates and locking plate.
  • the vehicular operator 21 of the motor vehicle 14 can adjust the angular position of the steering column assembly 10 by pushing down on the position adjustment lever 38 and engaging the teeth of the retainer plate.
  • the collapsible region 32 is preferably located at the front of the column housing 18.
  • the collapsible region 32 may be located at the rear or central of the column housing 18.
  • the collapsible region 32 is formed by inserting flat plastic ribs 54 between the walls 52 of the column housing 18.
  • the flat plastic ribs 54 are preferably placed parallel to each other such that during collision of the motor vehicle 14 the column housing 18 collapses in an axial direction away from the vehicular operator 21 , thereby reducing the load on the vehicular operator 21 of the motor vehicle 14.
  • the collapsible region 32 also acts as an energy absorbing system during the collapse of the column housing 18 during the vehicular impact.
  • the collapsing region 32 may be formed by alternating the thickness of the walls 52 of the column housing 18, thereby creating strong and weak areas in the collapsible region 32.
  • x-shaped or honeycomb shaped plastic reinforcements 56 are provided between the walls 52 of the column housing 18.
  • the column housing 18 is provided with a support bracket 58.
  • the support bracket 58 is a L-shaped bracket defining a first face 60 and a second face 62 substantially perpendicular to the first face 60.
  • the first face 60 is attached to the walls 52 of the column housing 18 (as shown in FIG. 2) using traditional attaching methods such as welding or fasteners.
  • the column housing 18 is formed as an integral piece with the support bracket 58 attached to the walls 52 of the column housing 18.
  • the second face 62 of the support bracket 58 extends away from the column housing 18.
  • the second face 62 of the support bracket 58 is provided with a slot 64 and a plurality of holes 66.
  • the slot 64 is preferably, U-shaped. Alternatively, the slot 64 may have other shapes.
  • the support bracket 58 is attachable to a guide retainer clip 70.
  • the guide retainer clip 70 assists in attaching the column housing 18 to the motor vehicle 14 and guide the axial collapse of the column housing 18 during collision.
  • the guide retainer clip 70 is attachable to the second face 62 of the support bracket 58.
  • the guide retainer clip 70 is a long U-shaped plastic sleeve over molded to the second face 62 of the support bracket 58.
  • the guide retainer clip 70 defines an aperture 72 and a plurality of holes 74 that coincide with the plurality of holes 66 on the second face 62 of the support bracket 58.
  • the aperture 72 is capable of receiving an attachment bolt 76 from the motor vehicle 14.
  • the plurality of holes 66 on the second face 62 of the support bracket 58 are aligned with the plurality of holes 74 on the guide retainer clip 70 and plastic fastener 68 are inserted through the plurality of holes 66 and 74.
  • the plastic fasteners 68 are designed to sheer under a predetermined collapse load. Additionally, the aperture 72 on the guide retainer clip 70 is aligned with the slot 64 on the support bracket 58 such that attachment bolt 76 from the motor vehicle 14 passes through the slot 64 to the aperture 72 on the guide retainer clip 70. Therefore, the support bracket 58 is attached to the motor vehicle 14 through the guide retainer clip 70 by the attachment bolt 76 (as shown in FIGURE 5).
  • the vehicular operator 21 of the motor vehicle will move towards the steering wheel 20 as shown by arrows 78 in FIGURE 1 and exert load on the steering wheel 20.
  • This impact on the steering wheel 20 will cause a downward axial load, as shown by arrows 80 on FIGURES 2 and 5 on the column housing 18 and the steering shaft 16.
  • the steering shaft 16 is designed such that is collapses telescopically independent of the collapse of the column housing 18. Under the compressive load, the walls 52 in the collapsible area 32 of the column housing 18 will deform and will help absorb energy as the column housing 18 is collapsing, thereby reducing the load on the vehicular operator 21 of the motor vehicle.
  • the plastic fasteners 68 that attach the support bracket 58 to the guide retainer clip 70 are designed to sheer at a pre-determined load.
  • the sheering of the fasteners 68 will cause the attachment bolt 76 to slide out of the slot 64 and allow the column housing 18 break away from the attachment point to the motor vehicle as shown by arrows 82 in FIGURE 5.
  • the guide retainer clip 70 will guide the axially downward collapse of the column housing 18 in a direction away from the vehicular operator 21.
  • the attachment bolts 76 are designed to remain affixed to the guide retainer clip 70 and the motor vehicle 14.
  • the support bracket 58 will travel with the column housing 18 while the guide retainer clip 70 and the attachment bolt 76 remain attached to the motor vehicle.
  • the guide retainer clip 70 attaches the column housing 18 to the motor vehicle during normal operations and guides the collapse of the column housing 18 in a downward axial movement during the crash of the steeling column assembly 10 thereby substantially preventing the upward movement of the steering column assembly 10 towards the vehicular operator 21.

Abstract

L'invention concerne de façon générale un logement de colonne de direction. Ce logement de colonne de direction comprend un arbre de direction, un logement de colonne et une roue de direction. Il est conçu pour se replier dans une direction axiale hors contact du conducteur du véhicule en cas de choc du véhicule. Le logement de colonne comprend une région repliable qui se replie axialement tout en absorbant l'énergie. Par ailleurs, les supports reliés au logement de colonne sont fixés à un clip de maintien de guidage. Ce clip de maintien de guidage fixe le logement de colonne au véhicule motorisé pendant les opérations de fonctionnement normal et éloigne le mouvement du logement de colonne du conducteur du véhicule en cas de choc.
PCT/US2002/000031 2001-01-02 2002-01-02 Colonne de direction hybride plastique-metal pour applications automobiles WO2002053445A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US25916401P 2001-01-02 2001-01-02
US60/259,164 2001-01-02

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002053445A2 true WO2002053445A2 (fr) 2002-07-11
WO2002053445A3 WO2002053445A3 (fr) 2004-04-29

Family

ID=22983787

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/000031 WO2002053445A2 (fr) 2001-01-02 2002-01-02 Colonne de direction hybride plastique-metal pour applications automobiles

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2002053445A2 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1251057A2 (fr) * 2001-04-18 2002-10-23 Bayer Corporation Boitier de support d'arbre de direction
DE102011055357A1 (de) 2011-03-14 2012-09-20 Melchor Daumal Castellon Applikation von Kunststoffen bei der Herstellung von Lenksäulen mit Bauelementen aus Kunststoff
WO2016023713A1 (fr) 2014-08-15 2016-02-18 Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag Colonne de direction pourvue de composants hybrides servant de structures porteuses
US9738306B2 (en) 2015-11-19 2017-08-22 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Energy absorbing steering column assembly

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4915412A (en) * 1988-03-31 1990-04-10 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Tilting collapsible steering column
US4943028A (en) * 1987-06-19 1990-07-24 Porsche Ag Steering column fastening arrangement for motor vehicles with a deformation element
US5378021A (en) * 1992-03-13 1995-01-03 Nsk Ltd. Collapsible steering column apparatus
US5497675A (en) * 1994-06-06 1996-03-12 Chrysler Corporation Energy absorber for a steering column
US5547221A (en) * 1994-03-25 1996-08-20 Nsk, Ltd. Energy absorbing member for shock absorbing steering column apparatus
US5626364A (en) * 1994-05-10 1997-05-06 Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Steering system for vehicle
US5775172A (en) * 1995-07-26 1998-07-07 Lemforder Nacam S.A. Guiding and energy absorption device for a motor vehicle steering column
US5845936A (en) * 1995-02-20 1998-12-08 Nsk Ltd. Collapsible outer column formed integral with brackets
US6237955B1 (en) * 1998-09-21 2001-05-29 Nsk Ltd. Shock absorbing type steering column apparatus

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4943028A (en) * 1987-06-19 1990-07-24 Porsche Ag Steering column fastening arrangement for motor vehicles with a deformation element
US4915412A (en) * 1988-03-31 1990-04-10 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Tilting collapsible steering column
US5378021A (en) * 1992-03-13 1995-01-03 Nsk Ltd. Collapsible steering column apparatus
US5547221A (en) * 1994-03-25 1996-08-20 Nsk, Ltd. Energy absorbing member for shock absorbing steering column apparatus
US5626364A (en) * 1994-05-10 1997-05-06 Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Steering system for vehicle
US5497675A (en) * 1994-06-06 1996-03-12 Chrysler Corporation Energy absorber for a steering column
US5845936A (en) * 1995-02-20 1998-12-08 Nsk Ltd. Collapsible outer column formed integral with brackets
US5775172A (en) * 1995-07-26 1998-07-07 Lemforder Nacam S.A. Guiding and energy absorption device for a motor vehicle steering column
US6237955B1 (en) * 1998-09-21 2001-05-29 Nsk Ltd. Shock absorbing type steering column apparatus

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1251057A2 (fr) * 2001-04-18 2002-10-23 Bayer Corporation Boitier de support d'arbre de direction
EP1251057A3 (fr) * 2001-04-18 2003-01-15 Bayer Corporation Boitier de support d'arbre de direction
US6708583B2 (en) 2001-04-18 2004-03-23 Bayer Polymers Llc Shaft support structure
DE102011055357A1 (de) 2011-03-14 2012-09-20 Melchor Daumal Castellon Applikation von Kunststoffen bei der Herstellung von Lenksäulen mit Bauelementen aus Kunststoff
WO2016023713A1 (fr) 2014-08-15 2016-02-18 Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag Colonne de direction pourvue de composants hybrides servant de structures porteuses
DE102014011965A1 (de) 2014-08-15 2016-02-18 Thyssenkrupp Ag Lenksäule mit Hybrid-Bauteilen als tragende Strukturen
US9738306B2 (en) 2015-11-19 2017-08-22 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Energy absorbing steering column assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002053445A3 (fr) 2004-04-29

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