Abstract: The drivers are always hurt by vehicle steering column in a frontal collision easily，so the steering column with well energy-absorbing is very useful for the drivers． To solve this problem，the crashworthiness of the vehicle steering column is studied according to the explicit dynamics finite element analysis method and the finite element software named ANSYS / LS-DYNA is used． The finite element model of steering column is proposed． The steering column with different cross sectional shape and thickness is investigated． The deformation pattern，displacement，velocity and energy absorption are analyzed． The results show that the crashworthiness including deformation pattern，displacement，and velocity as well as energy absorption of the vehicle steering column with circular section are better than square and hexagonal section． In addition，the increase of the thickness of the column helps to improve its crashworthiness． It also shows that the proposed method provides a new approach for improving its optimization design and crashworthiness．

Key words: steering column, optimization design, explicit dynamics, finite element analysis, crashworthiness

摘要： 在汽车正面碰撞过程中，驾驶员容易受到转向柱的伤害，具有良好碰撞性能的转向柱对保护驾驶员的安全极其重要。针对这个问题，以微型轿车转向柱为研究对象，根据显式动力学有限元理论，建立转向柱碰撞有限元模型，运用有限元分析软件 ANSYS/LS-DYNA，基于碰撞性能，对转向柱的结构进行优化设计，并对不同结构的转向柱在碰撞过程中的变形形态，运动位移、速度以及吸能量进行对比分析。结果显示: 截面形状为圆形的转向柱在碰撞过程中的变形形态，运动位移、速度和吸能量等方面的碰撞性能均优于截面形状为正方形和六边形的转向柱，且适当增加管柱壁厚有利于改善转向柱的碰撞性能。仿真结果表明，提出的数值模拟方法为转向柱的优化设计和碰撞性能的改善提供了一条新的途径。

关键词: 转向柱, 优化设计, 显式动力学, 有限元分析, 碰撞性能