Which Type of Steering Is Best For What Vehicle?

Which type of steering is best for what vehicle?
Brakes and steering are the most critical parts of a car, even more than the power train. A car rolling down hill without the engine on can be just as much of a death trap when nobody can steer or stop it. The first thing to remember about steering is that it is all about geometry and durability of components. Before discussing which type of steering is best for what vehicle, we need a review of existing steering systems, attendant problems, and their potential for improvement. Basic steering systems There are two major areas: linkage and steering mechanism. Arrangements will vary, but most linkage systems consist of ball-type joints (tie rod ends, control arms), intermediate links (Pitman arm also called steering arm, drag link), threaded adjuster sleeves, and links.
Major parts of a typical front end linkage system [1]
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Front wheel suspension assembly - Left front wheel suspension of a Saab Quantum IV with double wishbones, showing kingpin axis, wheel hub, disc brake, steering arm and tie rod end [2] There are two basic steering assemblies: recirculating ball bearings, and rack and pinion. The recirculating ball bearing system contains an endless belt of ball bearings that serve to reduce friction between the steering wheel shaft and the main linkage Pitman arm - to the linkage assembly.
This shaft turns right or left (indicated by arrows) in accordance with where the car is turning.
To the linkage tie rods, drag link, and control arm assembly
Typical recirculating ball assembly at the end of the steering shaft [3]
Rack and pinion steering consists of a straight toothed bar (rack) and a gear (pinion) that rolls the bar back and forth.
Rack and pinion concept [4] The bar is attached to the tie rods that connect to the wheel, as depicted in the following diagram of a typical rack and pinion assembly.
Steering mechanism rack and pinion [5] The main advantage of the recirculating ball assembly is that the ball bearings reduce friction considerably. There is a steering wheel play and it is adjustable, usually by a slotted bolt with a securing nut mounted on top of the housing. The rack and pinion, while giving the driver a sense of directly steering the vehicle, it is not adjustable. Once the rack and pinion assembly wears out, they have to be replaced.
Power assistance methods Hydraulic Power steering originally was used on the SS Great Eastern in 1866 [6]. While one may not
realize, power steering for vehicles pre-dated the Model T Ford in 1909. In 1902 Frederick W. Lanchester in the UK patented a hydraulic power steering system for cars. On 30 August 1932, Klara Gailis filed the first U.S. patent. The cost of these systems kept them from being attached to cars, but during World War Two, they were needed on heavy vehicles. In 1951, the Chrysler Imperial emerged with its "Hydraguide power steering system, the first one massproduced for the public. The basic modern hydraulic system consists of: Steering torque detector Controlled pressure distributor case/housing containing ports and valves Hydraulic booster pump Tank with a working liquid, often mineral oil based Connection hoses. These are configured typically as indicated by the following:
Typical hydraulic power steering system [7] Fluid from the reservoir travels through pump with the rotating vanes, to the various ports as indicated by the arrows, through the rack and back to the reservoir. The pump vane turns either clockwise or counterclockwise to deliver pressure to the appropriate side of the rack chamber A or chamber B.
Chambers A and B lead to the rack.
Pump vanes in hydraulic power steering pump [8] Electric While hydraulic power steering will shut off when the motor is not running (because of the power steering pump being driven by a belt around the crankshaft pulley) electric motor assist will operate as long as there is battery power available. This can be important if the car is moving with the motor not running for some reason (e.g., being pushed started, towed, or is coasting down a hill) and needs to be steered by a person. Another advantage of electricassist power steering is that it does not rob power from the motor and is a demand-only system. Hydraulic systems run constantly, and during high speeds power assisted steering is not necessary, because of the gyroscopic action and inertial motion of the wheels stabilizes the forward thrust of the car. The power is used only when needed. Still, another advantage is that there are no bulky hydraulic lines that can deteriorate or get in the way of other repairs. Hydraulic systems not only are bulky, they are much heavier than electric-based ones, thus making for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Of course, if the electric system fails, then for not such a strong person it is almost impossible to steer the car. With the hydraulic system, a person often has advanced warning of failure, such as a low fluid level in the pump reservoir or worn vee belt. In the basic system, an electric motor is connected to the steering wheel shaft and turns in accordance with the resistance generated from the wheels transmitted through the steering column, i.e., the torque. A torque sensor operating through a controller tells the motor how fast to turn. This is increasingly being done by regulating the magnetic fields in the stator of the brushless permanent magnet (BPM) motor used to drive the rack. In addition, there is a
sensor detecting wheel rotation that helps modulate the motor's signal voltage, which, through the well-known formula E=IR (volts equals ohms multiplied by amperage) determine the amperage, or power input to the motor. Another sensor detects engine speed; not as much power assist is needed when the vehicle is moving faster, so the power assist unit needs to be cut back. The more amperage supplied to the motor, the faster it turns. Voltage signals can be negative or positive, thus causing the motor to move the rack in the proper direction.
Typical electric-assisted power steering system basic components [9] Hybrid systems There are hydro-electric power steering assist systems, which use a combination of an electric motor and fluid. The major feature is that an electric motor powers the pump driving the hydraulic fluid, rather than the motor being the propellant. Hence, the advantage is gained of the system being functional if the vehicle's engine stops and as long as there is battery power. Of course, this doesn't resolve the hydraulic line and weight issues. Want to learn more about the latest technologies and developments in braking systems?
Visit our download centre for more articles, whitepapers and interviews: http://bit.ly/steering-articles
References (Subject is indicated by URL accessed 9 July 2011) [1] http://autorepair.about.com/library/bl244lib.htm [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Suspension.jpg [3] Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RecirculatingBall.png [4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steering [5] http://autorepair.about.com/library/bl244lib.htm [6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_steering [7] MarcusRsth Hydraulic Power Steering System Design in Road Vehicles - Analysis, Testing and Enhanced Functionality, Linkping Studies in Science and Technology. Linkping Studies in Science and Technology. Dissertations, No. 1068 Division of Fluid and Mechanical Engineering Systems, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Linkping University, SE581 83 Linkping, Sweden 2007, p. 20. [8] Ibid. pp. 21-22 [9] http://www.insightcentral.net/encyclopedia/eneps.html [10] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_steering [11] http://www.autoobserver.com/2010/11/compact-cars-are-bigger-and-heavier-than-everedmundscom-reports.html [12] http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hy-wire3.htm [13] Ibid. [14] Ibid.
Resources (Subject is indicated by URL accessed 2 July 2011) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steering http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-09-13-overloaded-cars_N.htm
http://www.aa1car.com/library/steering_power_electric.htm
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/Hybrid17.pdf&embe dded=true&chrome=true
http://www.indiacar.com/infobank/epc.htm
http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Technical/eps.htm
http://www.carblogindia.com/electric-power-steering-vs-hydraulic-power-steering/
http://www.eetimes.com/design/embedded/4006457/Electric-power-steering-one-good-turndeserves-another
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/steering5.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_power_steering
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Major parts of a typical front end linkage system [1]

Chambers A and B lead to the rack.

Resources (Subject is indicated by URL accessed 2 July 2011) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steering http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-09-13-overloaded-cars_N.htm

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