Steering Column: Description and Operation
STEERING COLUMNDESCRIPTION
There are two types of steering column, the power tilt/manual telescopic one, and the power tilt/power telescopic one.
POWER TILT OPERATION
The power tilt mechanism consists of the control gear assembly, tilt motor, tilt position sensor, tilt switch, unlock warning switch and tilt ECU.
The control gear assembly consists of the worm wheel, tilt gear, tilt worm and slider. Rotation of the tilt motor moves the slider towards the tilt worm. The column upper tube is integrated with the slider and is rotated up and down by movement of the slider.
POWER TELESCOPIC OPERATION
The power telescopic mechanism is composed of the control gear assembly, telescopic motor, telescopic position sensor, tilt and telescopic switch, unlock warning switch and tilt and telescopic ECU.
The control gear assembly is composed of the worm wheel, telescopic screw and slider. Rotation of the telescopic motor moves the slider in the direction of the telescopic screw axis. The sliding tube is integrated with the slider and is moved forward and backward by movement of the slider.
MANUAL TELESCOPIC OPERATION
When the telescopic lever is pushed down, the lock bolt is rotated by the gear and the sliding tube is released by the lock wedges, allowing forward and backwards adjustment.
On the other hand, when the telescopic lever is pushed up, the lock wedges press the sliding tube against the breakaway bracket to stop it from moving.