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