INDUSTRY FOCUS AUTOMOTIVE
STEERING DESIGN IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
While a fixed steering column may be the
answer for a forklift or military vehicle, the ability to adjust the column is often essential for vehicles such as coaches. But how does a vehicle manufacturer decide which is best
for their application? Kostas Poulios, principal design and development engineer at Pailton Engineering, comments
S
teering columns don’t just affect comfort, they can influence health, safety and even fleet efficiency. Furthermore, International
standards and regulations such as the VDV in Germany, FMVSS in the United States and ECE regulations in Europe, specify ranges of adjustment for steering systems to accommodate diverse driver populations. Adjustability also plays a role in reducing downtime. So, when simplicity and robustness is needed, the original and most basic form of steering column is the fixed column, and these are still used in applications such as some military or motorsport vehicles. In a military vehicle, for example, a driver might prioritise ease of use over advanced adjustability, especially in high pressure environments. For many commercial, passenger and specialist vehicles, however, adjustable columns are the norm. Tilt and telescopic adjustments allow drivers to both raise and lower the wheel and move it towards or away from them in order to find an ergonomic and functional position. The main difference lies in the clamping mechanism. Manual clamp designs use a lever to release the column for adjustment, while pneumatic clamps use the vehicle’s onboard compressed air system to power a mechanism that releases the clamp at the push of a button. This is helpful in vehicles in which adjusting the steering column manually could require both hands. Electric adjustable columns meanwhile
allow for programmable memory positions, enabling quick changeovers between drivers – beneficial, for instance, for a fleet of buses where driver changes must be rapid.
MAXIMISING ADJUSTABILITY Steering columns are rarely designed in isolation. The column must integrate with the seat, dashboard, air ducts, wiring and even the pedals. However, vehicle architecture often limits the available range for tilt and telescopic movement. There might, for example, be a cluster of digital or analogue gauges mounted to the column or ducting that restricts motion.
40 DESIGN SOLUTIONS NOVEMBER 2025 The goal is always to maximise ergonomic
adjustability without introducing vibration, mechanical clashes or structural weakness. For instance, a customer might specify they require a tilt angle of ±30 degrees and a travel distance of ±55 mm. The challenge is then to design a bespoke column that meets those requirements while maintaining the highest levels of reliability and performance. International standards of adjustability vary
because the size and shape of the ‘average driver’ differs slightly around the world. Often, OEMs building vehicles for global markets will specify movement ranges that align with multiple international standards. In recent years, the steering column has become more than just a mechanical linkage.
Today, it often has to support displays, switches and digital interfaces. In buses and coaches, for instance, large portions of the dashboard are now mounted to the column itself, ensuring all controls remain within reach, regardless of column position. But a dashboard could weigh as much as 20kg, and the result is a heavier column that requires additional support and careful balancing using springs or gas struts to make adjustment feel effortless. Some manufacturers are developing fully
electric columns with programmable presets. These may eventually interface with broader vehicle networks, enabling biometric login, remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance.
MAKING THE SELECTION Buses, coaches, lorries and specialist off-highway vehicles all have different needs and, ultimately, the best column for any vehicle depends on the application. Whether the goal is to maximise comfort, meet regulatory standards or streamline fleet operations, choosing the right type of adjustable columns is key to designing a vehicle where the driver doesn’t even have to think while making their adjustments.
Pailton Engineering
Pailton.com
CODE-FREE LIN LED DRIVER LAUNCHED
In automotive design, where ambient LED lighting is increasingly central, minimising complexity and accelerating development is essential, especially as a greater number of LED systems are integrated. Recognising this, Melexis has launched a code-free MLX80124 variant that simplifies the development process while delivering the full lighting functionality expected by tier 1 suppliers and OEMs.
The MLX80124 is a highly configurable, code-free LIN LED driver that enables engineers to
configure behaviour without writing or compiling a single line of code. Instead, a GUI provides access to configurable parameters. The result is a streamlined and efficient workflow that reduces development time and removes the need for embedded software development expertise. As a smart LIN RGB ambient light controller, the MLX80124 features high-voltage output
drivers. Developed using advanced BCD (Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS) technology, it is housed in a compact SOIC-8 package and features pin-to-pin compatibility with other Melexis drivers such as the MLX81124 or MLX81123. The device integrates a full suite of diagnostic features, delivers precise, LED-agnostic RGB colour mixing with temperature compensation, and has a working temperature range from -40˚C to +125˚C. Fully qualified to AEC-Q100, and compliant with ISO 26262 up to ASIL B, the MLX80124 ensures robust performance for automotive-grade ambient lighting systems, all without requiring software development.
Melexis
www.melexis.com/MLX80124
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