Mazda 6 vehicles use a variable-rate telescopic mechanism.
Fig. 5.2. Operation diagram of the variable characteristic steering mechanism: 1 – steering wheel; 2 – steering shaft; 3 – intermediate shaft; 4 – steering mechanism; 5 – section AA; 6 – from the steering gear side; 7 – from the steering wheel side; 8 – U-shaped plate; 9 – inner shaft; 10 – external column; 11 – bracket; 12 – normal position; 13 - in collision
The steering gear is connected to the steering shaft via an intermediate shaft (Fig. 5.2). During a collision, the intermediate shaft is destroyed when the steering gear moves backwards, thus reducing the impact energy.
When the driver's body hits the steering wheel, the force of the impact is transmitted from the steering wheel to the inner shaft, outer column and mounting bracket. In this case, the mounting bracket separates from the instrument panel and the entire steering shaft moves forward. After this, the U-shaped plate, fixed to the instrument panel on one side and held by the mounting bracket on the other, is deformed and absorbs the impact energy.