What are collapsible steering columns made of?
Collapsible steering columns still consist of a long shaft that connects the steering wheel to the steering gear box. However, the collapsible design is composed of an inner and an outer sleeve, pressed tightly together with a number of steel bearings in between.
How does collapsible steering column work?
In simple terms, the column is comprised of an inner and outer sleeve with a number of bearings contained between each sleeve. On impact, the sleeves will compress much like a telescope. This means that on any frontal collision, the steering column will absorb the energy produced during impact by collapsing.
How do collapsible steering columns save lives?
Once implemented, the steering column can absorb most of the energy received at the front of the vehicle in the event of a crash. This prevents the energy of the impact from being transferred completely into the driver.
What is the collapsible steering column?
A common device to enhance car safety is the collapsible steering column. This is designed to collapse in the event of a collision to protect the driver from harm. The column can collapse after impact with a tolerance ring inserted between the inner shaft of the steering column and the external housing.
What does a collapsible steering column look like?
Though the designs for steering columns have varied since their inception, a typical collapsible steering column looks like two interlocking shafts that attach directly to the steering wheel and the steering gear box.
How does a collapsible steering wheel shaft work?
At its most basic level, the design of the steering column has remained unchanged since its inception; the column still consists of a long shaft connecting the steering wheel to the vehicle’s gea rbox. The ‘collapsible’ design introduced an ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ sleeve to the shaft, with a number of steel bearings pressed in between each sleeve.
What kind of steering wheel is a rigid?
Rigid steering column – The classic design is a rigid steering column. The steering wheel has a rigid connection to the steering shaft which is usually a single-piece item.
Why did Bela Barenyi create the collapsible steering column?
The unsafe attributes of single-piece steering columns called for the invention of a safer steering column design, which is why Bela Barenyi designed the collapsible steering column to replace it.