STEERING SYSTEM

Steering system is the system that controls the direction of the vehicle

TWO TYPES OF STEERING SYSTEMS

1. Manual: Which relies on the drivers efforts to turn the wheel s

2. P.A.S: This is the type of steering system that is assisted either hydraulically or
electronically to lessen the drivers efforts

Functions;

 To control the angular motion of the wheels and the direction of the vehicle motion.
 To provide the direction stability of the vehicle.
 It minimizes tyre wear and tear.

PRINCIPLES OF STEERING MECHANISM

 Maintain the straight ahead motion of the vehicle without much effort even when
driving on a bumpy road at high speed.
 Should be able to change direction of the vehicle with minimum effort.

STEERING SHOULD PROMOTE CHARACTERISTICS THAT ALL

 The effort needed to operate the steering should be as small as possible.

 The steering should be responsive at all times.
 There should be feedback without too much sensitivity.
 The steering system should promote true rolling motion.
 Must absorb jolts from road surface irregularities.
 When steering wheel is released, road wheels must automatically return to straight
ahead position.

PURPOSE

The steering system allows the driver to control the direction of vehicle travel. This is made
possible by linkage that connects the steering wheel to the steerable wheels and tires. The
steering system maybe either manual or power steering. Then the only energy source for the
steering system is the force the driver applies to the steering wheel, the vehicle has manual
steering. Power steering uses a hydraulic pump or electric motor to assist the driver’s effort.

Most vehicles have power steering to make parking easier.

The basic operation is the same for both manual and power steering.

Steering system components

The steering system has three major components;

 The steering wheel that transmit the driver’s movement to the steering box.
  Steering column it connects or links the steering wheel to the steering box
 The steering box provides gear reduction while changing the rotary motion of the
steering wheel to linear motion
 The steering linkage that carries the linear motion to the steering arms.

The following are other components that supports the steering system

 Stabilizer links
 Tie-rod ends
 Rack ends
 Steering box
 Steering pump

CONTRAST TYPES OF STEERING SYSTEMS

 Hydraulic power steering

 Electro-hydraulic power steering
 Electric power steering

How do the Three Power Steering Systems Differ?

All three power steering systems perform the same important function, but they execute it
differently. A hydraulic system uses mechanically pumped high pressure fluid, an electro-hydraulic
system uses an electric motor to pressure fluid, and an electric system uses an electric motor and
sensors. The end result is the same: You can easily turn the steering wheel under all conditions. Fully
electric power steering systems save about one mile per gallon, require less maintenance and are
more reliable that a hydraulic system.

1. HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING

operation
Hydraulic power steering systems work by using a hydraulic system to multiply force applied to the
steering wheel inputs to the vehicle's steered (usually front) road wheels. The hydraulic pressure
typically comes from a rotary vane pump driven by the vehicle's engine. A double-acting hydraulic
cylinder applies a force to the steering gear, which in turn steers the road wheels. The steering
wheel operates valves to control flow to the cylinder. The more torque the driver applies to the
steering wheel and column, the more fluid the valves allow through to the cylinder, and so the more
force is applied to steer the wheels. the engine speed. E.g small vehicles. Hilux, corolla,
 2. ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING

Operation

Electro-hydraulic power steering systems, sometimes abbreviated EHPS, and also sometimes called
"hybrid" systems, use the same hydraulic assist technology as standard systems, but the hydraulic
pressure comes from a pump driven by an electric motor instead of a drive belt at the engine. These
systems employ a brushless electric motor to drive the hydraulic power steering pump instead of an
engine driven accessory drive or serpentine belt. This system operates the same and provides the
same feel of a conventional hydraulic power steering system. E.g. heavy duty vehicles.
MAIN COMPONENTS

 Motor; it receives information from ECU to assist in turning.

 E.C.U ; sends the signal to the motor.
 Sensor; it measures the amount of current to go to the motor.
 Steering pump; it creates the flow of oil.
 3. ELECTRIC POWER STEERING OR MOTOR-DRIVEN POWER STEERING

Operation

Electric power steering (EPS) or motor-driven power steering (MDPS) uses an electric motor instead
of a hydraulic system to assist the driver of the vehicle. Sensors detect the position
and torque exerted inside the steering column, and a computer module applies assistive torque via
the motor, which connects either to the steering box or steering column. This allows varied amounts
of assistance to be applied depending on driving conditions.

This system eliminates hydraulics and pressurized fluid from the system. When the driver turns the
steering wheel, a brushless bi-directional permanent magnet motor connected to the steering gear
or steering column turns the front wheels. Sensors detect which way the steering wheel is turned to
assist the movement of the steering gear in the correct direction. No matter what kind of system you
have, power steering only acts on the steering gear when the driver turns the wheel. E.g.
BMW,MARK X, BENZ, NISSAN hardbody, XTRAIL.

Advantages of Electric Power Steering

Hydraulic power steering systems are complex, heavy, require maintenance and take up a lot of
space. Electric power steering uses considerably fewer parts.
Using steering angle and steering torque sensors, plus sophisticated software, engineers can adjust
the amount of assist, but also how the steering feels to the driver by reproducing different road feel
characteristics for different driving conditions. And hydraulic power steering uses 90 percent more
engine power than electric power steering.

Because an electric power steering system draws significantly less power from the engine, it greatly
improves fuel economy and reduces tailpipe emissions. And removing a drive pulley and belt from
the engine reduces wear and tear. This will prolong the engine’s life and help reduce costly repairs.

CONCLUSION

As more and more electronics are added to vehicles, look for adaptive and variable-ratio electric
power steering to optimize driver response and vehicle maneuver ability. Fly-by-wire steering that
replaces the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and steering gear with computers
and sensors, as well as self-steering cars that navigate without driver input, will redefine automotive
form and function. Don’t forget to check our list of the best car innovations that improved driving
safety.

STEERING BOXES

PURPOSE;

 It converts the rotary movement of the steering wheel into the angular turning of
the front tyres
 It also multiplies driver’s efforts and gives mechanical advantage.

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE STEERING BOXES

 It should provide for accurate and right steering control without involving excessive
movements of the steering wheel.
 The transmission of the road wheel disturbances to the steering wheel should be minimized,
while still allowing the driver to return an acceptable feel of the varying road surface
conditions.
 It should not hinder the self-centring action of the steered wheels as the car returns to a
straight path.
 During parking, the driver effort required to steer the wheels should be reduced to a
minimum, because it is then that their resistance to being steered is greatest.

TYPES OF STEERING BOXES

 Rack and Pinion steering gear

 recirculating-ball steering gear
  Worm and Wheel
 Worm and Sector
 Worm and Nut
 Worm and Peg
 Worm and Roller
 Cam and Peg

RACK AND PINION STEERING BOX

This type of steering box consists of a pinion meshing with the rack. The rack is connected in the
centre by two halves of the tie rod.

Operation

Smaller vehicles use a rack and pinion steering gear. It has a pinion gear on the end of the steering
shaft that meshes with a flat rack of gear teeth. Tie rods connect the ends of the rack to the steering
arms. As the steering wheel turns, the pinion gear moves the rack to the right or left. This moves the
tie rods and steering arms which turn the steering knuckles and wheels inward and outwards.

The inner ends of the tie rods have balls which fit into ball sockets on the ends of the rack. This
allows the outer ends of the tie rods to move up and down with the steering knuckles and wheels.
Flexible rubber boots or bellows protect the steering gear from dust and water.
RACK AND PINION STEERING BOX
RACK AND PINION STEERING BOX