Presentation On Steering System

Nanasaheb S Shinde

How Car Steering Works?

Turning the Car

For a car to turn smoothly, each wheel must follow a different circle. Since the inside wheel is following a circle with a smaller radius, it is actually making a tighter turn than the outside wheel.  If we draw a line perpendicular to each wheel, the lines will intersect at the center point of the turn. The geometry of the steering linkage makes the inside wheel turn more than the outside wheel.

Turning the Car

While turning, the inside wheel turn more than the outside wheel

Steering Ratio
One purpose of the steering mechanism is to provide mechanical advantage.  In a machine or mechanical device, it is the ratio of the output force to the input force applied to it.  This means that a relatively small applied force can produce a much greater force at the other end of the device. The higher the steering ratio, the easier it is to steer the vehicle. However, higher the steering ratio, the more the steering wheel has to be turned to achieve steering.  With a 30: 1 steering ratio, the steering wheel must turn 30 degrees to pivot the front wheels 1 degree.

Variable Steering Ratio

"Variable steering ratio" means that the ratio is larger at one position than another. Therefore the wheels are turned faster at certain positions than at others.  At the center or straight-ahead position, the steering gear ratio is high, giving more steering control.  However, as the wheels are turned, the ratio decreases so that the steering action is much more rapid. This design is very helpful for parking and maneuvering the vehicle.

Function of Steering System

Control of front wheel (sometimes rear wheel) direction. Transmit road feel (slight steering wheel pull caused by the road surface) to the drivers hand. Maintain correct amount of effort needed to turn the wheels. Absorb most of the shock going to the steering wheel as the tire hits holes and bumps in the road. Allow for suspension action

Classification of Steering Systems

 Manual steering system relies on the driver to provide steering force  Power steering system uses hydraulic or electric power to help the driver apply steering force

Manual Steering Systems

Manual Steering System

There are several different types of manual steering systems, which are as follows:      Worm and sector Worm and rotter Cam and lever Worm and nut Rack and pinion

Worm and sector type steering system Worm and roller type steering system

Cam and lever type steering system

Worm and nut type steering system

Manual and Power Steering Systems Have Common Components.

Input components: Steering wheel Steering column Steering shaft

Linkage Steering System (Worm Gear) Parts

Steering Wheel used by the driver to rotate a steering shaft that passes through the steering column.

Steering Shaft transfers turning motion from the steering wheel to the steering gearbox.

Steering Column supports the steering column and steering shaft.

Linkage Steering System (Worm Gear) Parts

Steering Gearbox changes turning motion into a straight-line motion to the left or right. Steering gear box ratios range from 15:1 to 24:1 (with 15:1, the worm gear turns 15 times to turn the selector shaft once).

Steering linkage connects the steering gearbox to the steering knuckles and wheels.

Steering Components
    Pitman arm-Connects the linkage to the steering gear. Idler arm-Supports the centre link to the frame. Centre link, drag link, or steering link-Controls sideways linkage movement. Tie-rods-Connect linkage to the steering knuckles.

Linkage Steering

Rack-and-Pinion Steering

Rack and Pinion

 The rack-and-pinion steering gear has become increasingly popular on smaller passenger vehicles. It is simpler, more direct acting, and may be straight mechanical or power-assisted. In the rack-and-pinion steering system the end of the steering gear shaft contains a pinion gear, which meshes with a long rack. As the steering wheel is rotated, the pinion gear on the end of the steering shaft rotates. The pinion gear moves the rack from one side to the other. This action pushes or pulls on the tie rods, forcing the steering knuckles or wheel spindles to pivot on their ball joints. This turns the wheels to one side or the other so the vehicle can be steered. The rack-and-pinion gearset does two things: It converts the rotational motion of the steering wheel into the linear motion needed to turn the wheels. It provides a gear reduction, making it easier to turn the wheels. For light cars 11:1, and for heavy trucks 18:1.

POWER STEERING SYSTEM

Need for Power Steering

 The need achieve the greatest possible road safety under:  Increasing traffic density  High axle loads  Poor road conditions.  Led to the development of Power Steering.

Modes of Actuation
Hydraulic systems Electric systems

Hydraulic Power Steering

Power steering systems normally use an engine-driven pump and hydraulic system to assist steering action. Pressure from the oil pump is used to operate a piston and cylinder assembly. When the control valve routes oil pressure into one end of the piston, the piston slides in its cylinders.  Piston movement can then be used to help move the steering system components and front wheels of the vehicles.

Pump
The hydraulic power for the steering is provided by a rotary-vane pump. This pump is driven by the car's engine via a belt and pulley. It contains a set of retractable vanes that spin inside an oval chamber. As the vanes spin, they pull hydraulic fluid from the return line at low pressure and force it into the outlet at high pressure. The amount of flow provided by the pump depends on the car's engine speed. The pump contains a pressure-relief valve to make sure that the pressure does not get too high. The pump must be designed to provide adequate flow when the engine is idling. So, the pump moves much more fluid than necessary when the engine is running at faster speeds.

Rotary Valve

The device that senses the force on the steering wheel is called the rotary valve. The key to the rotary valve is a torsion bar. The top of the bar is connected to the steering wheel, and the bottom of the bar is connected to the pinion or worm gear (which turns the wheels), so the amount of torque in the torsion bar is equal to the amount of torque the driver is using to turn the wheels. The bottom of the torsion bar connects to the outer part of the spool-valve assembly.  As the bar twists, it rotates the inside of the spool valve relative to the outside. The inner part of the spool valve is also connected to the steering shaft, the amount of rotation between the inner and outer parts of the spool valve depends on how much torque the driver applies to the steering wheel.

Working of the Rotary Valve

When the steering wheel is not being turned, both hydraulic lines provide the same amount of pressure to the steering gear. But if the spool valve is turned one way or the other, ports open up to provide high-pressure fluid to the appropriate line.

Rack-and-Pinion Power Steering System

In the rack-and-pinion power-steering system, the rack has a slightly different design. Part of the rack contains a cylinder with a piston in the middle. The piston is connected to the rack. There are two fluid ports, one on either side of the piston. Supplying higher-pressure fluid to one side of the piston forces the piston to move, which in turn moves the rack, providing the power assist.

Power Steering Leakage

A common problem with power steering systems is fluid leakage. With pressure over 1,000 psi, leaks can develop easily around fittings, in hoses, at the gearbox seals, or at the rack-andpinion assembly. In Steering gear box, leakage occurs from:1.Upper Pinion seal. 2.Rack bush side seal. 3.Pinion side seal.

Advantages
Preventing the wheels from transferring the load to the steering column  Reducing the drivers fatigue Low input torque and continuous steering function Oil output directly proportional to the steering speed

Disadvantages
Design is compications and increased in cost. Fluid leakage.

Electronic Power Steering (EPS)

Electronic Power Steering

Electronic Power Steering (EPS)

Electronic Power Steering (EPS) is an advanced power steering system. It eliminates the need for a power Steering pump, hoses, hydraulic fluids, and a drive belt and pulley on the engine. As a result, electric power steering is more energy efficient.

Control block diagram for EPS system

Working

Working
 A "steering sensor" is located on the input shaft.  The steering sensor is actually two sensors: a "torque sensor" that converts steering torque input and its direction into voltage signals, and a "rotation sensor" that converts the rotation speed and direction into voltage signals.  There is an "interface" circuit that converts the signals from the torque sensor and rotation sensor into signals that are sent to a microprocessor.  Inputs from the steering sensor are digested by a microprocessor control unit that also monitors input from the vehicle's speed sensor.  The sensor inputs are then compared to determine how much power assist is required according to a preprogrammed "force map" in the control unit's memory.  The control unit then sends out the appropriate command to the "power unit" which then supplies the electric motor with current.  The motor pushes the rack to the right or left depending on which way the voltage flows (reversing the current reverses the direction the motor spins). Increasing the current to the motor increases the amount of power assist.

Classifications of EPS EPS can mainly classified in to 3 kinds depending up on the position of the motor:  Column assist type.  Pinion assist type.  Rack assist type.

Column-Assist Type:

The power assist unit, controller and the torque sensor are attached to the steering column. This system is compact and easy to mount on vehicle. An integrated pivot/mount and integrated controller option increase mounting flexibility. Shafts offer long-term durability performance at much higher torsion loading.

Pinion-Assist Type:

The power assist unit is attached to steering gears pinion shaft. The power assist unit is outside the vehicles passenger compartment, allowing assist torque to be increased greatly without raising interior noise. Combined with a variable ratio steering gear, this system can suffice with a compact motor and offer superior handling characteristics.

Rack-Assist Type:

The power assist unit is attached to the steering gear rack. The power assist unit can be located freely on the rack, allowing great flexibility in layout design. The power assist units high reduction gear ratio enables very low inertia and superior driving feel. Electric power steering rack assist is a scalable system, suitable for midsize cars to full-size trucks.

Advantages of EPS over Hydraulic Power Steering:

EPS has got upper hand compared to Hydraulic power steering because: Reduced driver fatigue. Enhances dependability and safety. Compact, modular design and flexible tuning capability. Helps improve fuel economy by reducing the pressure the pump has to work against during straight-ahead highway speed driving. Accommodates most vehicle platforms. Reduced steering system operating temperature. Lower noise under all driving conditions.

Thank You