Nivelöidyt

Nivelöidyt is a Finnish term that translates to "articulated" or "hinged" in English. It is most commonly used in the context of vehicles, particularly in describing articulated buses. An articulated bus consists of two or more rigid sections connected by a pivoting joint, called an articulation. This design allows for a longer vehicle that can navigate turns more easily than a conventional bus of equivalent length. The articulation mechanism typically incorporates a flexible bellows to seal the gap between the sections and protect passengers from the elements.

The concept of articulation has been applied to various forms of transport over time. In the automotive industry, it is seen in articulated trucks, which consist of a tractor unit and a semi-trailer connected by a fifth wheel coupling, allowing for greater maneuverability. In railway engineering, articulated bogies or couplings are used in some train designs to allow for tighter curves. The primary advantage of an articulated structure in any of these applications is the increased capacity or length achievable while maintaining reasonable maneuverability. The development of articulated vehicles has played a significant role in public transportation, enabling higher passenger loads in urban environments.