Lighter, redesigned unit contributes to more comfortable steering experience

NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Toshihiro Uchiyama) has developed a tilt and telescopic steering column*1 with improved collision safety. The new unit is lighter and has higher vibrational rigidity*2. The product is now available to customers worldwide.

A tilt and telescopic steering column allows the driver to adjust the position of the steering wheel up and down (tilt), and forward and backward (telescope).

A higher vibrational rigidity is beneficial because, in general, fewer vibrations (from the wheels, etc.) will resonate up through the steering column to the steering wheel, contributing to improved steering comfort and stability.

Collapsible steering column with resin pin breakaway

Collapsible steering column with resin pin breakaway

Development Background

The steering columns is a core component for controlling the steering of motor vehicles. In the event of a collision, the column collapses into itself to absorb the impact of the driver's body hitting the steering wheel, potentially saving the driver's life.

Industry regulators and consumers alike have increasing expectations for vehicle safety, comfort, and environmental impact. Accordingly, NSK developed its new tilt and telescopic steering column with improvements in each of these key areas.

Product features

1. Improved safety: Newly developed breakaway structure reduces variance in breakaway force by 25%

Reduced variance in breakaway force by moving the breakaway structure from the unit attachment bracket to the outer tube of the column shaft. As a result, the column's impact absorption safety feature will activate more reliably in the event of a collision, improving safety for the driver.



2. Environmentally friendly: 15% (560 grams) lighter than conventional product

Reduced the number of components and simplified the structural shape by moving the breakaway structure to the outer tube of the column shaft. Lighter weight contributes to improved fuel economy.



3. Improved steering comfort: 11% (7 Hz) higher vibrational rigidity

Optimized the design of the tilt bracket to help achieve a higher vibrational rigidity of the unit. This increases steering stability, and the driver will generally feel fewer vibrations from the vehicle wheels, etc., thereby improving steering comfort.

NSK's collapsible steering column with resin pin breakaway contributes to improved vehicle safety and comfort, and is environmentally friendly.