STEERING COLUMN SYSTEM


  1. CONSTRUCTION


    1. Manual Tilt and Telescopic Mechanism


      1. The tilt and telescopic mechanism consists mainly of the tilt and telescopic lever, column tube, cam, column tube bracket, breakaway bracket, and tilt and telescopic steering stopper.

      2. When the tilt and telescopic mechanism is in its locked state, the tilt and telescopic lever at the locked position causes the tilt and telescopic steering stopper to tighten the cam and column tube bracket. This secures the column tube, so movement in the tilt direction and in the telescopic direction is locked.

      3. When the tilt and telescopic mechanism is in its unlocked state, the tilt and telescopic lever at the unlocked position causes the tilt and telescopic steering stopper to loosen the cam and column tube bracket. This frees the column tube to move in the tilt direction and in the telescopic direction, enabling adjustment.

      4. A stepless adjustment enables the tilt mechanism to be tilted 35 mm (1.38 in.) vertically, and the telescopic mechanism to be moved 40 mm (1.57 in.) longitudinally.

        A00Z03OC01
        *1 Tilt and Telescopic Lever *2 Column Top Bracket
        *3 Cam *4 Breakaway Bracket
        *5 Column Tube *6 Tilt and Telescopic Steering Stopper
        *a Tilt *b Telescopic
        *c Unlocked Position *d Locked Position
        *e A-A Cross Section - -

    2. Energy Absorbing Mechanism


      1. The energy absorbing mechanism uses an inner tube, outer tube and breakaway bracket for the secondary collision and an intermediate shaft for the primary collision.

      2. When the steering gear moves during a collision (primary collision), the impact is absorbed by the corrugated part of the intermediate shaft.

      3. When the collision impact is transmitted to the steering wheel (secondary collision), the capsule of the breakaway bracket is deformed or displaced and the inner tube and outer tube contract, thereby absorbing the energy.

        A00Z07QC01
        *1 Column Top Bracket *2 Breakaway Bracket
        *3 Electric Power Steering Column Sub-assembly *4 No. 2 Steering Intermediate Shaft Assembly
        *a Before Primary Collision *b After Primary Collision
        A00Z07D Contract - -

      4. When a collision impact is transmitted to the steering wheel (secondary collision), the steering wheel and the driver's airbag help absorb the impact. In addition, the breakaway bracket separates, and the column tube contracts. At this time, the friction resistance of the sliding portion absorbs the energy. This sequential energy absorbing mechanism helps absorb the impact of the secondary collision.

        A00Z03TC03
        *1 Inner Tube *2 Breakaway Bracket
        *3 Column Tube *4 Capsule (Plastic)
        *a A-A Cross Section *b Before Secondary Collision
        *c After Secondary Collision - -
        A00Z07D Contract - -