Steering Wheel And Column Description And Function (Electric And Manual Adjustment)
Steering Wheel and Column Components:
- Steering wheel assembly (including hands-on/off detection sensor mat)
- Steering column
- ECO - manual adjust
- PLUS - electric adjust (EASC)
- EPS (electric power assisted steering) intermediate shaft
- R-EPS assembly (steering rack, tie rods, powerpack, steering angle sensor and control module)
Technical Description:
The Electric Power Steering system (EPS) is a steering column type. The steering motor and controller are integrated on the steering rack. The controller controls the motor to generate the appropriate boost size and direction according to various input signals (including steering wheel torque signal, vehicle speed signal, steering wheel position signal).
The steering wheel is equipped with:
- Driver airbag, which is also used as the horn button
- Left - and right-hand multi-functional switches
- Left - and right-hand stalk levers
The steering wheel has a "hand-on detection" sensor mat.
This sensor mat is necessary for monitoring the driver's condition within the ADAS functions.
The right-hand switches control the drive related functionalities:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Cruise control
- Intelligent speed limiter
The left-hand switches control the multimedia functions:
- Telephone
- Volume control (up, down, mute)
- Track change
- Voice control
- Audio source (SRC)
The navigation keys are multifunctional and can be assigned by the touchscreen, for example to adjust the side mirrors, Steering wheel adjust, HUD adjust, Media control.
The left-hand stalk controls light functions, e.g.:
- Indicator lights
- High beam
- High beam flash
- Board computer (BC)
The right-hand stalk controls the wiper and washer functions.
Vehicle steering - the steering column with intermediate shaft transmits the force of the steering wheel to the steering gear and then to the wheels.
Driver controls - in addition to the main function of the steering wheel and steering column, the following components are also installed on it: horn button, turn signal control switch, headlight system control switch, wiper/washer switch, steering column angle adjustment lever, cruise control switches and HMI switches. This provides the driver with great convenience, as the controls are easy to reach.
Protecting the driver - the airbag module on the steering wheel and the retractable mechanism of the steering column provides a certain degree of safety protection for the driver and can reduce any injury to the driver in the event of an accident.
Waterproof and noise reduction - The dust cover of the intermediate shaft is installed on the front of the dashboard to seal and isolate the cockpit and the engine bay area.
Operation:
Steering control assists you by transmitting a noticeable steering force to the steering wheel in the direction required for vehicle stabilization.
Steering column
The primary function of the steering column is to connect the steering wheel to the steering mechanism at the front axle.
Secondary functions are:
- Height and/or length adjustment to suit driver's preference.
- Energy dissipation management in the event of a frontal collision.
- Providing mounting for steering wheel including driver's airbag, multi-function switch and column wiring.
EASC - Electric Adjustable Steering Column
EASC - electric adjustable steering column
EASC allows the electrical adjustment of steering wheel height and/or length to suit the driver's preference. The electrical adjustment also allows a preferred position to be programmed in the driver's profile (memory function).
EASC consists of:
- EASC - ECU
- Electric motor (tele function)
- Electric motor (tilt function)
- EASC-ECU holding frame
Manual Adjust Steering Column
Manual adjust steering column
Releasing the lever (rotating downwards) allows up/down and forward-backward steering wheel adjustment.