What is a Steering?
“Turning” is a fundamental function of a vehicle that is produced by a steering system that changes the vehicle direction by turning the steering wheel which further turns the tires. A power steering system is a mechanical device that helps the driver to turn the vehicle by increasing the steering force required to turn the wheels, which makes it easier to steer or move the vehicle.
The power steering pump compresses and ensures the hydraulic fluid enters the vehicle’s power steering system, which supports the driver to steer the vehicle’s steering wheels.
An electric or hydraulic actuator provides controlled power to the steering device so that the driver can put less energy to steer the steering wheel when driving at normal speeds or when the vehicle is stationary.
The power steering systems are designed in such a way that they provide artificial feedback about the forces acting on the wheels. This system had a slotted rotor that turns to allow fluid to enter the pump. As the fluid goes in the rotor, it continues to revolve, moving the fluid to the drain port. At this stage, the fluid introduces a reservoir in the steering system, where the reservoir helps the steering mechanism to utilize the appropriate pressure to keep the wheels turning smoothly.
A vehicle’s steering system is an essential component of vehicle dynamics, which combines several mechanical parts at specific wrench angles to steer the vehicle’s front wheels in response to passenger inputs through steering wheels. Nowadays, 80% of all vehicles on the road have power steering systems that have become an essential requirement of every vehicle.
How does a Steering System work?
A steering system transforms the rotary motion of the steering wheel into a swiveling motion of the road wheel so that the rims of the steering wheel can steer a long distance to move the road wheel a short distance.
The power steering system works differently depending on the force multiplier used. Therefore, to understand how power steering works, these methods need to be explained individually.
) Hydraulic Power Steering System
The hydraulic power steering (HPS) system uses a hydraulic system to increase the steering input force and smoothly steer the front wheels. This force produces through a chain of different parts such as highly compressed hydraulic oil, hydraulic lines, hydraulic rotor pump, hydraulic cylinder, and a linking mechanism that connects the hydraulic system to the steering system. The hydraulic steering system works in the following way:
-As the driver sends input by turning the steering wheel, the engine-driven hydraulic pump initiates pumping the highly pressurized hydraulic oil through the line.
- The hydraulic force produced by the pump enters into the cylinder, which smears this pressure to the hydraulic cylinder piston.
-The high-pressure piston starts running from one end to the other, pushing more fluid through the line. As the piston moves, the driver’s input force multiplies numerous times.
-Next, the high-pressure fluid delivered by the cylinder employs pressure to the pinions connected with the clutch device, thereby applying a large force to the rack gear to steer the front wheels.
Electric Power Steering System (EPS)
In the types of steering systems, an electric power system is the latest system. This is because, in this system, an electric motor uses to multiply the steering input force instead of the hydraulic fluid. The working of the electric steering system is given below:
-As the driver sends input via the steering wheel, an electronic sensor mounted on the steering column detects the inputs and sends them to the automobile’s ECU (electrical control unit).
-The automobile’s ECU analyzes the steering wheel input and delivers a voltage signal to the electric motor at the end of the steering column. The gears of the electric motor always mesh with the pinion gears.
-The electrical control unit sends the voltage signal so that the electric motor powered by the automobile’s battery can start and can deliver a specific torque based on the received voltage signal’s value.
-As soon as the motor starts, the gears which maintain constant mesh with the pinion gears begin to transmit the multiplied torque to the pinion, which transfers this torque to the fixed rack.
-When this pinion exerts a torque on the rack, the rack moves to steer the front wheels as needed (via linked tie rods).
Types of Power Steering System
The power steering system has the following three types:
-Hydraulic steering system
- Electric steering system
- Electro-hydraulic steering system
Негізгі бет How Does Electric Power Steering Work?
No video
Пікірлер: 61