18-07-2014, 03:23 PM
Design of Pneumatic Collapsible Steering
Design of Pneumatic.pdf (Size: 853.89 KB / Downloads: 84)
Abstract
– The steering wheel is the important cause of
fatal injury for drivers in frontal collision. When frontal
collision occurs, due to the kinetic energy of driver or
occupant body, it moves forward against steering wheel
and wind shield. Actually in a frontal collision forces will
be first transmitted through driver’s feet which act as
fulcrum so the body will rotate about it. For the taller
driver steering works as fulcrum. Driver head & chest hit
the steering or windshield which may cause severe injury
or death. Considering the injury potential of steering wheel
we are presenting a new idea Pneumatic Collapsible
Steering Column (PCS
INTRODUCTION
Worldwide, the vehicle accidents are increasing day
by day. Frontal collision is more vulnerable than other
types of collision and occurs more frequently than
others. When frontal collision occurs, the vehicle hits
another moving or stationary vehicle or may hit some
object. As the crush proceeds into engine components,
the supports of the engine are designed to minimize the
risk of engine and firewall projecting into the occupant
compartment.
Due to that kinetic energy driver or occupant body
move forward against steering wheel and windshield. At
this time vehicle is reaching maximum deceleration.
Driver’s and front passenger’s head, neck, coxa and
knees moving forward with high speed than the
stationary seat under them. If the driver is fastening seat
belt than their shoulder will move forward until reaches
its limits which causes tissue injuries. If not than whole
body will be projected on the steering or, windshield
causes the death of driver. At this stage driver’s head,
neck, reaching at peak deceleration point. Actually in a
frontal collision, forces will be first transmitted through
driver’s feet which act as fulcrum so the body will rotate
around it. For the taller driver steering works as fulcrum.
Driver head & chest hit the steering or windshield which
may cause severe injury or death.
The steering wheel is the prominent cause of fatal
injury for drivers in frontal collision. In cars built before
1967, the steering column was a rigid pole ending in a
narrow hub. In frontal crashes, the driver would hit the
rigid column, his load concentrated on the narrow hub.
In crash deceleration, a large number of steering wheel
designs allow high impact loads to be transmitted to the
driver chest and head which may cause death.
Fig 1.1 : Fatal injury in collision [2]
In some other cases it was found that steering wheel
as an active and skeletal damage to the head without
deforming the wheel rim. As shown in fig 1.1, the axial
movement of steering wheel is more dangerous even
though forces are low. So to reduce death rate during
vehicle collision, various types of collision protection
devices such as Seat belts, Air bags, Collapsible steering
column etc. are necessary.
. CONCLUSION
As we know, the fact is very correct that
accidents are increasing day by day. On considering the
injury potential of steering wheel this project gives a
new and more safer design for the steering wheel. We
hope this project will be a helping hand to decrease the
death rate due to frontal collision.
Pneumatic collapsible steering production cost is
low. It can get more comfort by increasing the pressure
of gas or air in it. It is sensitive since it work with
sensors during collision. Steering column provides good
safety device against collision. Its maintenance cost is
low since need only to replace air or gas in it. The main
advantages of pneumatic steering are that provides
working space for proper functioning of air bag.