Car Power Steering – How Does It Work?
The car is for the purpose of comfortable, easy and safe movement. So basically the car steering system is a phenomenon by which passengers give desired input and wheels give them in accordance with the steering system. Car Power Steering is an updated technology that requires less effort to control vehicles. Power steering has hydraulic and electrical devices. Which multiply the effort by the driver and power steering helps to achieve smooth and quick direction change.
Power steering features
As we discussed the Power Steering system makes the drive easier and smooth. Its response time is less than conventional rack pinion steering. The power steering system has some extra parts. As compared to conventional rack pinion steering which includes a rotary control valve, hydraulic fluid lines, hydraulic piston, pump, pressure tube. The key features of power steering are as following:
Smooth Control
Driving the cars of the old model as Mahindra DI or Maruti 800 is hard to rotate the steering wheel. This is not good for a long drive. It causes muscle tension in the driver body. So the power steering is a compulsion in cars for easy and smooth driving controls. Power steering offers smooth control over the vehicle.
Real-time Quick Response
All over the world, the number of vehicles is increasing day by day. So it is clear, the number of vehicles in the past decade drastically increased. So to avoid any unwanted accidents, we need real-time control over vehicles. To avoid accidents on road we have to make quick turns. With the help of Power Steering, it is quite easy.
Back To Home Position
After taking a turn the steering wheel of a vehicle automatically gets in its original position. The vehicles with power steering provide better return ability to steering.
Types of power steering
The main task of the power steering is to multiply the input force applied by the driver. On the basis of methods used for multiplying the force, there are three(3) type of power steering
Hydraulic Power steering
In this type of power steering system, a hydraulic system is installed with a pump having the fluid driven by the engine. Hydraulic cylinders are also used for the key feature of hydraulic systems. To multiply the input force which enables to reduce the input force.
Thus the input force required to turn the vehicles is reduced due to the multiplied force of hydraulic. And reduces the amount of force that should be applied by the driver.
Electronic Power Steering
It completely differs from previously used hydraulic systems. The Hydraulic power steering system is completely different from electric motors and electronic/ electrical sensors. It uses the motor force that is run by the vehicle’s battery. This force is to apply to vehicle gear, the sensors of power steering control the torque provided by the motor. And also detect the position of a steering column.
Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (Hybrid power Steering)
This is the updated technology that eliminates the cons of hydraulic power steering. In this system, the rotary hydraulic pump takes place of the hydraulic pump. Earlier it was driven by the engine in the hydraulic power system and the later is driven by the electric motor. This is a hybrid power Steering. Due to the use of hydraulic and electrical components at the same time, it has the qualities of both types.
Working Process Of Power Steering
The working of power steering depends upon the different methods and devices used in them for multiplying the force. So the working of power steering clearly understood by discussing them separately.
Hydraulic Power Steering System
As we discussed above this type of method is used to multiply the input force of steering. And smoothly control over front wheels. Hydraulic power steering includes a number of parts and components. Such as hydraulic lines, rotator, hydraulic pump, high compressive hydraulic fluid, hydraulic cylinder and a mechanism. That enables it to couple with the rack of the steering so it can control over.
When the steering wheel is rotated at the same time the hydraulic pump starts pumping the highly compressed hydraulic fluids via hydraulic lines.
The hydraulic pressure enters the cylinder by the effect it applies pressure over the piston of the cylinder
The piston starts moving which enables it to push the oil through lines. Such movement of the piston is responsible for multiplying the input force many more times applied by the driver.
Through the coupling mechanism, the high-pressure fluid applies pressure to the pinion. And as the result, high force is applied to the rack gear and smooth action of steering takes place.
Hybrid power Steering
In the hybrid type of power Steering, the engine-driven pump takes place with an electric pump, which works more effectively. Only this modification is done in it all the rest are the same as hydraulic power steering.
All the rest working is the same as mentioned in the above hydraulic power system.
Electronic Power Steering System
As we know electronic power steering is the updated version and consists of new features and works. More effectively force multiplication in electronic power steering is done by an electric motor. The hydraulic pump and the pressure generated by the hydraulic fluid is not used here.
Working of such system
When the steering wheels are rotated by the driver and apply an input force. The sensors attached to the wheel read them and send them to the ECU of the Steering system.
ECU analyses these signals and then sends the voltage signals in accordance with input to the electric motor.
After receiving these signals by ECU the motor of the vehicle gets started. Which is powered by the battery of the vehicle. The motor starts providing torque in accordance with voltage signals received.
When the motor gets started the transmission of the multiplied torque to the pinion gear applies torque to the rack through which it is attached.
By the torque applied on the rack through a pinion. The racks start to move which enables steering of the front wheel. Which is the requirement of the whole process and power steering.
Summary
Car Power Steering is an updated technology that requires less effort to control vehicles. Power steering has hydraulic and electrical devices. It multiplies the effort by the driver and power steering helps to achieve smooth and quick direction change.
After taking a turn the steering wheel of a vehicle automatically gets in its original position. The vehicles with power steering provide better return ability to steering. It offers smooth control over the vehicle. Real-time Quick Response. To avoid any unwanted accidents, we need real-time control over vehicles.
The hydraulic power steering system is completely different from electric motors and electronic/ electrical sensors. It uses the motor force that is run by the vehicle’s battery. This force is to apply to vehicle gear, the sensors of power steering control the torque provided by the motor. And also detect the position of a steering column. Electro-hydraulic Power Steering(Hybrid power Steering) This is the updated technology that eliminates the cons of hydraulic power steering. Earlier it was driven by the engine in the hydraulic power system and the later by the electric motor.
