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 40 mm (1.57 in.) vertically, and the telescopic mechanism to be moved 40 mm (1.57 in.) longitudinally.

        A018GN8C01
        *1 Tilt and Telescopic Lever *2 Column Tube Bracket
        *3 Cam *4 Tilt and Telescopic Steering Stopper
        *5 Breakaway Bracket *6 Column Tube
        *a Tilt *b Telescopic
        *c Unlocked Position *d Locked Position
        *e A-A Cross Section - -

    2. Energy Absorbing Mechanism


      1. The energy absorbing mechanism in the steering column assembly consists of a main shaft column tube and steering intermediate shaft assembly.

      2. The steering column assembly is mounted on the instrument panel reinforcement. The steering column assembly and the steering gear assembly are connected with a contractile steering intermediate shaft assembly.

      3. When the steering gear assembly moves during a collision (primary collision), the steering intermediate shaft contracts, thus helping reduce the possibility of the steering column assembly and the steering wheel assembly protruding into the cabin.

        Figure 1. Primary Collision

        A018GCIC01
        *1 Steering Intermediate Shaft *2 Steering Column Assembly
        *3 Breakaway Bracket - -
        *a Before Primary Collision *b After Primary Collision
        B003YU9 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.

        Figure 2. Secondary Collision

        A018GH5C01
        *1 Breakaway Bracket *2 Column Tube
        *3 Inner Tube *4 Outer Tube
        *a Before Secondary Collision *b After Secondary Collision
        B003YU9 Contract - -