The steering wheel is part of the steering system, which is used to hand over the movement of the driver in the driver's car to the wheels. In modern cars, there are many additional functions.
The control of the steering system is known for a long time. The wheel, that is, the steering wheel, could be seen on sailing ships. In the first vehicles the lever was used instead of the steering wheel. However, in 1894, a steering wheel was installed in the car Pnhard et Levassor, which took part in the Paris-Rouen race. It is believed to be one of the first steering wheels in the world.
Since 1899, the steering wheel has become standard in the Panhard vehicles.
In the future, with the start of European automobiles exports to the US, the principle has been universally recognized. On one of the most massive cars of the twentieth century, Ford T, you can watch the steering wheel on the left side.
The first steering wheels were a rigid structure mounted on a rigid steering column. In the case of a frontal collision, the consequences of the thorax or the head of the chauffeur with the steering wheel were usually fatal. Thus, in 1934, the first folding steering column was invented, but it was not successful. Later, in 1956, Ford's cars demonstrated the first "safe steering wheel", deliberately placed away from the steering column and closer to the driver, and equipped with spring-loaded spokes. The laying steering column became mandatory in the United States only in 1968, when the relevant law was adopted.
Steering wheel drive
Typically, the vehicle steering wheel is shaped and attached to the steering column through a central hub to which the outer circle is attached by one or more of the spokes. In countries with right-hand traffic, the steering wheel is installed on the left and in the left-hand countries on the right.
With the rare exception of the steering wheel, the beep key is located. In the past, around the middle of the seventies, the key was a separate, inner ring mounted on the steering wheel hub. The position of the key is justified by the need to hold the driver's hands on the steering wheel for safety purposes.
Plastic or rubber coatings are generally used at the steering wheel as a rule.
The steering wheel diameter may be different. The range of the trucks is 440 mm to 550 mm, passenger cars range from 380 mm to 425 mm.
The sports cars have a smaller wheel. The small diameter of production, for example, popular in the tuners ' environment, Momo demands a great effort by the driver in driving a car, but has better torque transmission.
Wheel adjustments
For the first time, the steering wheel was designed by engineer Edward Lobdell in 1900. In its design, as in our time, a temple mechanism was used. However, unlike modern regulated rudders, the wheel of the Lobdell could only be moved within the seven specified positions.
The alignment of the rudder in the longitudinal direction from the control panel to the driver and back was introduced by General Motors in 1955. For the first time, the adjustment was made in the Ford Thunderbird car, which was launched from 1955 to 1957.
In modern adjustment vehicles the length and height are usually carried out with the help of servo motors. In addition to the automation of this function, the electronic handlebars are also equipped with electronic memory. When the driver's door is opened and the ignition key is removed from the keylock position, the steering wheel shall drive up and up. When the ignition key is inserted again, the steering wheel is returned to the position specified.
Additional steering equipment
Since 1981, the wheels have begun to install airbags. The frontal airbag is equipped with special sensors and is located in the centre of the upper part of the steering wheel over the hub.
During the process of car improvement, the wheel was replenilled with controls and additional devices. These steering wheels are known as multifunctional wheels. They are structurally more complex, but increase the comfort of the driver while driving. In addition, the driver does not have to be distracted from the road to trigger an option.
The additional function keys are located in the modules that are on both sides of the airbag assembly. Typically, you can use these keys to remotely control the speed, radio, and telephone system.
When you use this wheel, the information about the work of all systems is displayed on the central display.
Options for steering wheel
The set of additional steering wheel options is regularly updated. By buying a modern car, you can order a heated steering wheel capable of maintaining a temperature of about 30 degrees.
To improve the safety of the movement, Intel's specialists are currently developing a new steering wheel equipped with a Touch Pad. The multifunctional steering button control of the media centre, the climate installation, etc., will be replaced by the touch panel, which will be installed on the helmsman's spokes. The on-board systems can be managed with the thumb of the right hand.
Possible failures of the steering wheel
Except for all the additional functions that are located on the steering wheel, the breakage of the wheel itself is almost impossible.
A clearance or play may occur at the steering wheel's connection with the column. In this case, the replacement or adjustment of the attachment parts shall be necessary.
The defence of the protective coating of the steering wheel failure is not possible, but most often drivers complain about this problem.
