WO2008120232A2 - Improved steering column support structure - Google Patents
Improved steering column support structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2008120232A2 WO2008120232A2 PCT/IN2008/000188 IN2008000188W WO2008120232A2 WO 2008120232 A2 WO2008120232 A2 WO 2008120232A2 IN 2008000188 W IN2008000188 W IN 2008000188W WO 2008120232 A2 WO2008120232 A2 WO 2008120232A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- steering column
- support structure
- car beam
- vehicle
- cross car
- Prior art date
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
- 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
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
- B62D25/08—Front or rear portions
- B62D25/14—Dashboards as superstructure sub-units
- B62D25/145—Dashboards as superstructure sub-units having a crossbeam incorporated therein
Definitions
- This invention relates to a steering column support structure for automobiles and more particularly relates to provision of energy absorbing means in a steering column support structure for occupant energy absorption in the event of frontal collisions.
- the vehicle steering system is provided with means for energy absorption.
- Vehicle steering system mainly consists of steering wheel, steering column, steering gear box and steering linkage.
- Appropriate support structure / mounting brackets are provided to connect these elements to the vehicle structure to provide the necessary rigidity.
- Conventional steering column support structure consists of mounting bracket for connecting it to the cross car beam.
- An additional bracket is provided for connecting the cross car beam to firewall in line with said steering column support bracket.
- Said cross car beam is connected to A - pillar through one or more bracket/s.
- the main object of this invention is to provide improved steering column support structure for automobiles having adequate provision to absorb the energy possessed by the driver in the event of vehicle collisions.
- Another object of this invention is to provide improved steering column support structure for automobiles which is simple in construction and cost effective.
- Steering column support structure of a vehicle comprising of cross car beam running across the width of the vehicle, steering column mounting means and cross car beam connecting means, wherein steering column is adapted to be mounted on said cross car beam through energy absorbing mounting means, said cross car beam is connected to the fire wall through one or more energy absorbing connecting means and said cross car beam is connected to the A - Pillar through one or more connecting means.
- Steering column support structure of a vehicle in accordance with this invention basically comprises of cross car beam running across the width of the vehicle, steering column mounting means, cross car beam connecting means to firewall and one or more connecting means for cross car beam at its end to A — Pillar.
- Said Steering column adapted to be mounted on said cross car beam through energy absorbing mounting means.
- Said cross car beam is connected to the fire wall through one or more energy absorbing connecting means.
- Said cross car beam can also be connected to the fire wall through connecting means which can be telescopic in nature.
- Said cross car beam is connected to A - Pillar through one or more connecting means at its end.
- Said energy absorbing mounting means is of reduced strength by appropriate selection of material, thickness, sectional modulus.
- Said cross car beam is designed to twist under the influence of impact force on said steering column.
- Said steering column support structure connecting means and / or the cross car beam can be provided with crush initiators or predetermined weaknesses to promote & control energy absorption & deformation pattern under the influence of impact force.
- Said cross car beam can be connected to A pillar through energy connecting means like deforming fasteners or plastic shear pins.
- Said steering column structure can be adapted for mounting of rigid or collapsible steering column.
- Fig 1 is a prior art showing position of energy absorbing collapsible steering system before impact (A) and after impact (B).
- Fig 2 shows side view of the steering column support structure in accordance with this invention.
- Fig 3 shows top view of the steering column support structure in accordance with this invention
- Fig 4 shows the steering column support structure before impact (A) and after impact (B) in accordance with this invention
- steering column support structure (1) of a vehicle consists of cross car beam (2) running across the width of the vehicle and is provided to support the steering system (3) and provide rigidity & strength to the same.
- Steering system (3) mainly consists of steering wheel (4) connected to steering column (5), through fasteners.
- Steering column mounting means (6) connects said steering column (5) to said cross car beam (2).
- Said cross car beam (2) is connected at ends to A Pillar (7) through one or more connecting means (8).
- Said cross car beam (2) is connected to firewall (9) through connecting means (10).
- Figure 4 shows the steering column support structure before and after impact in accordance with this invention.
- 'A' shows steering system and steering column support before impact
- 'B' shows steering system and steering column support after impact.
- Steering column support structure in accordance with this invention provides utmost safety by controlled absorption of the impact energy possessed by the driver during collisions.
- the advantages associated with invention are:
- the driver safety is not dependant on the type of steering column used i.e. collapsible or rigid.
- This steering column support structure is simple and cost effective.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
- Steering Controls (AREA)
Abstract
This invention relates to a steering column support structure of a vehicle comprising of cross car beam running across the width of the vehicle, steering column mounting means and cross car beam connecting means, wherein steering column is adapted to be mounted on said cross car beam through energy absorbing mounting means, said cross car beam is connected to the fire wall through one or more energy absorbing connecting means and said cross car beam is connected to the A-Pillar through one or more connecting means.
Description
IMPROVED STEERING COLUMN SUPPORT STRUCTURE
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a steering column support structure for automobiles and more particularly relates to provision of energy absorbing means in a steering column support structure for occupant energy absorption in the event of frontal collisions.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
In the event of crash, the occupants interact with the vehicle interiors which results in to bodily injuries. For a vehicle driver steering system is the most significant cause of such injuries in the event of crash. Therefore the vehicle steering system is provided with means for energy absorption.
Vehicle steering system mainly consists of steering wheel, steering column, steering gear box and steering linkage. Appropriate support structure / mounting brackets are provided to connect these elements to the vehicle structure to provide the necessary rigidity.
Conventional steering column support structure consists of mounting bracket for connecting it to the cross car beam. An additional bracket is provided for connecting the cross car beam to firewall in line with said steering column support bracket. Said cross car beam is connected to A - pillar through one or more bracket/s.
In the event of collision, the driver's upper torso region hits the steering wheel which may lead to serious or fatal injury. Therefore it is necessary to make the
steering system soft enough to minimize the injury risk and promote the absorption of energy contained with the driver's upper torso.
Conventionally a collapsible steering column is provided to address these requirements
OBJECTS OF INVENTION
The main object of this invention is to provide improved steering column support structure for automobiles having adequate provision to absorb the energy possessed by the driver in the event of vehicle collisions.
Another object of this invention is to provide improved steering column support structure for automobiles which is simple in construction and cost effective.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
Steering column support structure of a vehicle comprising of cross car beam running across the width of the vehicle, steering column mounting means and cross car beam connecting means, wherein steering column is adapted to be mounted on said cross car beam through energy absorbing mounting means, said cross car beam is connected to the fire wall through one or more energy absorbing connecting means and said cross car beam is connected to the A - Pillar through one or more connecting means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Steering column support structure of a vehicle in accordance with this invention basically comprises of cross car beam running across the width of the vehicle,
steering column mounting means, cross car beam connecting means to firewall and one or more connecting means for cross car beam at its end to A — Pillar.
Said Steering column adapted to be mounted on said cross car beam through energy absorbing mounting means.
Said cross car beam is connected to the fire wall through one or more energy absorbing connecting means. Said cross car beam can also be connected to the fire wall through connecting means which can be telescopic in nature.
Said cross car beam is connected to A - Pillar through one or more connecting means at its end.
Said energy absorbing mounting means is of reduced strength by appropriate selection of material, thickness, sectional modulus.
Said cross car beam is designed to twist under the influence of impact force on said steering column.
Said steering column support structure connecting means and / or the cross car beam can be provided with crush initiators or predetermined weaknesses to promote & control energy absorption & deformation pattern under the influence of impact force.
Said cross car beam can be connected to A pillar through energy connecting means like deforming fasteners or plastic shear pins.
Said steering column structure can be adapted for mounting of rigid or collapsible steering column.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig 1 is a prior art showing position of energy absorbing collapsible steering system before impact (A) and after impact (B).
Fig 2 shows side view of the steering column support structure in accordance with this invention.
Fig 3 shows top view of the steering column support structure in accordance with this invention
Fig 4 shows the steering column support structure before impact (A) and after impact (B) in accordance with this invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same
Referring to Fig 2 and Fig 3, steering column support structure (1) of a vehicle consists of cross car beam (2) running across the width of the vehicle and is provided to support the steering system (3) and provide rigidity & strength to the same. Steering system (3) mainly consists of steering wheel (4) connected to steering column (5), through fasteners. Steering column mounting means (6) connects said steering column (5) to said cross car beam (2). Said cross car beam (2) is connected at ends to A Pillar (7) through one or more connecting means (8). Said cross car beam (2) is connected to firewall (9) through connecting means (10).
Figure 4 shows the steering column support structure before and after impact in accordance with this invention. 'A' shows steering system and steering column support before impact and 'B' shows steering system and steering column support after impact.
Steering column support structure in accordance with this invention provides utmost safety by controlled absorption of the impact energy possessed by the driver during collisions.
The advantages associated with invention are:
The driver safety is not dependant on the type of steering column used i.e. collapsible or rigid.
This steering column support structure is simple and cost effective.
The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. Steering column support structure of a vehicle comprising of cross car beam running across the width of the vehicle, steering column mounting means and cross car beam connecting means, wherein steering column is adapted to be mounted on said cross car beam through energy absorbing mounting means, said cross car beam is connected to the fire wall through one or more energy absorbing connecting means and said cross car beam is connected to the A - Pillar through one or more connecting means.
2. Steering column support structure of a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing mounting means and/or energy absorbing connecting means are of reduced strength by appropriate selection of material, thickness, sectional modulus.
3. Steering column support structure of a vehicle as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein said cross car beam is connected to the firewall through connecting means which is of telescopic in nature.
4. Steering column support structure of a vehicle as claimed in claims 1 to 3 wherein said cross car beam is provided with feature to twist under the influence of impact force on said steering column.
5. Steering column support structure of a vehicle as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein said connecting means and / or the cross car beam are provided with crush initiators to promote energy absorption.
6. Steering column support structure of a vehicle as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein said cross car beam is connected to A - Pillar through one or more energy absorbing connecting means.
7. Steering column support structure of a vehicle as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein said cross car beam is connected to A — Pillar through one or more connecting means fixed through energy absorbing fasteners.
8. Steering column support structure of a vehicle as claimed in claims 1 to 7, wherein said steering column is of collapsible or rigid type.
9. Vehicle with steering column support structure as claimed in claims 1 to 8.
10. Steering column support structure of a vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying drawing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN649MU2007 | 2007-03-30 | ||
| IN649/MUM/2007 | 2007-03-30 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2008120232A2 true WO2008120232A2 (en) | 2008-10-09 |
| WO2008120232A3 WO2008120232A3 (en) | 2009-03-26 |
Family
ID=39808786
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IN2008/000188 WO2008120232A2 (en) | 2007-03-30 | 2008-03-26 | Improved steering column support structure |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2008120232A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2013035042A1 (en) * | 2011-09-07 | 2013-03-14 | Tata Motors Limited | A front passenger compartment of a vehicle |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0332126A2 (en) * | 1988-03-08 | 1989-09-13 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Steering assembly supporting construction of a motor vehicle |
| DE4030841A1 (en) * | 1990-09-30 | 1992-04-02 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Collapsible vehicle steering column with curve-following wheel - is displaced into recess contg. instrument panel by action of inertia sensor responsive to collision |
| US6152489A (en) * | 1999-09-09 | 2000-11-28 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. | Integrated steering column and instrument panel structure apparatus |
| JP3838018B2 (en) * | 2000-11-02 | 2006-10-25 | 日産自動車株式会社 | Steering column structure for vehicles |
-
2008
- 2008-03-26 WO PCT/IN2008/000188 patent/WO2008120232A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0332126A2 (en) * | 1988-03-08 | 1989-09-13 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Steering assembly supporting construction of a motor vehicle |
| DE4030841A1 (en) * | 1990-09-30 | 1992-04-02 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Collapsible vehicle steering column with curve-following wheel - is displaced into recess contg. instrument panel by action of inertia sensor responsive to collision |
| US6152489A (en) * | 1999-09-09 | 2000-11-28 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. | Integrated steering column and instrument panel structure apparatus |
| JP3838018B2 (en) * | 2000-11-02 | 2006-10-25 | 日産自動車株式会社 | Steering column structure for vehicles |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2013035042A1 (en) * | 2011-09-07 | 2013-03-14 | Tata Motors Limited | A front passenger compartment of a vehicle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2008120232A3 (en) | 2009-03-26 |
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