Development of Breakaway Steering Linkage to Reduce Steering Column Intrusions During Frontal Crashes

Steering column intrusions are one of the major contributors for driver injuries in the case of frontal crashes. One of the causes is the transmission of steering gear box displacements to the steering column. Various alternatives have been worked out to mitigate the hazards of the steering column intrusions. Collapsible steering column is the most common feature used in the vehicles to reduce the severity of the injuries when hit by an occupant. However limited attempts have been tried out for avoiding the harmful steering column intrusions itself.

The paper describes development of break away steering linkages to control the steering column intrusions for an SUV/MUV. This breakaway linkage detaches the steering gear box from the steering column in the event of crash and reduces the steering column intrusions.