A device and method for steering mechanism breakaway are disclosed. In
order to avoid harmful steering column intrusion into the passenger
compartment of a vehicle in the event of vehicle collision, an
intermediate link between the steering column and the steering gearbox is
disposed. The intermediate link comprises of an inner shaft and an outer
tube which are connected via longitudinal matching splines to facilitate
rotational engagement. In normal operation the inner shaft may
longitudinally move inside the tube. The outer tube has openings along it
and detachment means at one end to facilitate detachment of the shaft
from the tube through the openings when the shaft moves longitudinally
into the tube beyond a certain point due to movement of the steering
gearbox towards the steering column during a collision.