Professional Documents
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Final 3
Final 3
PROJECT OUTLINE
Name
Supervisor
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Project justification................................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Project Aims and Objectives................................................................................................... 2
2. METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Comprehensive Research...................................................................................................... 4
2.1.1 Hydraulic Power Steering System..................................................................................4
2.1.2 Electric Power Steering System.....................................................................................5
2.1.3 Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering System......................................................................7
2.2 Performance Analysis............................................................................................................. 8
2.2.1 Fuel Economy................................................................................................................. 8
2.2.2 Maintenance cost........................................................................................................... 8
2.2.3 Road handling................................................................................................................ 8
2.2.4 Weight constraints.......................................................................................................... 8
2.2.5 Adjustability.................................................................................................................... 8
2.2.6 Accuracy......................................................................................................................... 9
3. Future Work................................................................................................................................... 9
4. REFERENCES/bibliography........................................................................................................ 10
APPENDIX A: Gantt Chart................................................................................................................... 11
APPENDIX B: Project Resources Checklist.....................................................................................12
APPENDIX C: Project Risk, Ethics and Threat Assessment Checklist..........................................13
APPENDIX D: Use of Human Volunteers in Project Work..............................................................14
APPENDIX E: Industrial Projects........................................................................................................ 0
Undergraduate Project Appendices
1. INTRODUCTION
This project's goal is to evaluate the outcomes after studying the performance characteristics of the
three different types of power steering systems (hydraulic, hybrid (hydraulic-electric), and electric). A
lot of study has been done on hydraulic vs. hybrid power systems, but not much has been done on the
performance traits and comparison of all three power steering systems.
Power steering is a steering device that helps vehicles manoeuvre at low speeds and lessens the
driver's workload by requiring less effort to steer. Power steering is regarded as a blessing because it
changed the industry by decreasing the strain of the driver. A few years ago, steering of any system
was difficult because the driver had to put a great deal of effort into it. Modern vehicles also include
electric power steering, however most of them still have hydraulic power systems. This study will
inform us of the performance attributes of all three steering systems, and their comparison will assist
in determining which steering system is best for any car in terms of performance.
Manufacturers utilise three main types of steering systems (hydraulic, hybrid, and electric), all of which
have the same goal but differ in how they are carried out. Hydraulic systems function mechanically,
hybrid systems pressurise fluid with an electric motor, and electrical systems have both electric motors
and sensors. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, a thorough examination of each
steering system is required, and a comparison of them will aid in evaluating their effectiveness.
Additionally, the steering wheel serves as the driver's primary point of contact with the vehicle, so it is
crucial that the driver understands its functions.
2. METHODOLOGY
The key methodology I will use for this project is organised as follows: first, I will conduct in-depth
research on the subject, which will involve reading several papers, journals, articles, books, and
reviews. After the first phase is over, we will go on to the performance analysis section to observe how
each power steering system performs. Surveys will then be undertaken to collect information for
comparison and findings.
The technique also includes self-experiments, which test several vehicles with various power steering
systems. The collected data is then compared in the following stage and the thesis is finalised.
Comprehesive
Research
Performance Analysis
Surveys
Self experiment
Final report
Power steering systems use electrical or hydraulic components to drive the wheels of the vehicle by
using battery power or engine power. It calculates the direction in which wheel should turn by
multiplying the force applied by the drivers. The first power steering system was invented in 1926 by
French W Davis. There are generally three types of steering systems which are currently available in
the market for use. The names of power steering systems are
Hydraulic power steering system (HPS systems)
Electric power steering systems (EPS systems)
-Electric-hydraulic power steering systems (EHPS systems)
The hydraulic steering system is closed loop system used to change the wheel angle depending on
steering angle by using pressurized hydraulic fluids. The invention of Hydraulic power steering system
was revolutionary in the automotive industry. The power steering rack made it easy to control and
steer a car. It made a very positive impact on people daily commute. The power steering technology
has become so widely spread that every car manufacturing company is using some type of power
steering in the 21st century. It works on hydro-mechanical servo mechanism. The major components
of hydraulic power steering system are
Oil reservoir
Steering gearbox
Valve
Hydraulic pump
Hydraulic piston.
Fluid lines
Hydraulic means ‘fluid or oil’ and power steering is pressurizing the fluids in smart way to generate
extra power. Hence, Hydraulic power steering pressurizes the fluid that in turn provides us extra
power to control or manoeuvre a car. When driver rotates the steering wheel of the car using HPS
systems, hydraulic power is produced. The power is produced to the t hydro-mechanical servo
mechanism. The highly compressed hydraulic fluid starts to be pumped through lines by pump which
is taking power from the engine. The hydraulic cylinder is entered by the hydraulic pressure of pump,
where it exerts pressure on the piston. The piston of high pressure begins to move from one end to
the other, pushing more fluid through the lines in the process. As a result of the piston's movement,
the driver's input force is amplified several times. The multiplied force is used to steer the wheels of
vehicle using a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism means joining the magnitude of the
force of driver which is amplified several times. From piston gear, the high coupled force is transmitted
further for wheel movement.
Undergraduate Project Appendices
The front wheels start to steer after the coupling mechanism applies high force to the rack gear, which
then applies high force to the high-pressure fluid supplied by the hydraulic cylinder. Tie roads receive
the high force of turning and turn the wheel of the car in the same direction as commanded by the
driver with accuracy.
EPS systems use electric motor to drive hardware instead of engine. The steering column-mounted
Undergraduate Project Appendices
electronic sensors receive information from the driver through the steering wheel and transfer it to the
electric control unit of the vehicle. The electronic control unit (ECU) is the main controller of electric
power steering systems. The pinion gear and the electric motor's gear are always meshing since they
are placed at the end of the steering column. The voltage signal is sent there once these inputs have
been analysed by the vehicle's ECU. The magnitude of the voltage signals received from the ECU
causes the motor, which is powered by the vehicle's battery, to turn on and deliver a particular amount
of torque. The greater the magnitude of voltage signals produced from the ECU; the higher torque is
produced. When the motor turns on, the gear that is constantly meshing with the pinion gear starts
supplying the pinion gear with the multiplied torque, and the pinion gear subsequently transmits the
multiplied torque to the rack through which it is linked. Sensors calculates the right turning angles for
the wheel depending on the driver’s input. When the pinion over the rack generates this torque, the
rack moves, steering the front.
firm when moving quickly. Because the power uptake adapts as needed, this improves overall fuel
economy.
High weight decreases the fuel economy and performance of vehicle. So, EPS provides better
response as compared to EHPS and HPS systems.
2.2.5 Adjustability
EPS Systems can be automatically adjustable and provide better handling and ease of use to driver.
The Electronic control unit can be modified by software to provide automatic adjustment. EHPS and
HPS systems are adjusted manually and provide less handling as compared to EPS systems because
they are using hydraulic components which cannot be controlled by a software. Also, EPS systems
have safety measures within the system. If ECU finds that there is a fault in a system or power is not
generated by the battery, it cuts the power from battery and attaches to other means of power. It also
indicates an indicator for the driver.
2.2.6 Accuracy
EPS system provides high accuracy for the wheel angle as compared to HPS and EHPS systems
because of torque and other sensors used in it. Accuracy is an important factor in vehicles because
false steering angle can create serious circumstances for the driver. HPS and EHPS use mechanical
systems and cannot provide high accuracy of steering angle.
Overall performance analysis for all types of steering systems is given below in the table.
pump takes power from engine pump is driven by electric pump is driven by electric
motor motor
2 It has high maintenance cost It has high maintenance cost It has low maintenance cost
3 It provides better road feedback It provides better road It provides less road
to the driver when vehicle is feedback to the driver when feedback to the driver when
4 It has more weight and hence It has more weight and hence It has less weight and hence
6 It has low wheel angle accuracy It has low wheel angle It provides high wheel angle
used in it.
7 It has low response time It has moderate response It has very high response
time time
3. Future Work
I have completed the literature review and performance analysis of each power steering system.
The remaining phases of project that I need to work on them are
Surveys
Self-tests
Comparison of results.
Next, I will start surveys for my project to gather information about these power steering types. Since it
is a challenging work and time consuming, I will save an extra week just in case. The larger the
survey, the more accurate the results which are important because research can be used in future.
After surveys, I will start self-test of these power steering types. After giving different cars two weeks
to test themselves, the results will then be compared based on performance, and two more weeks will
be given at the end to review and finalise the report. Additionally, since power steering is nearly
identical, self-testing may not be useful in reaching any conclusions. Every steering system may have
a different set of performance characteristics. As a result, we must weigh the pros and cons to decide
which steering is best. This is a highly dangerous task because it might be applied in the future.
Undergraduate Project Appendices
4. REFERENCES/bibliography
2. Anon., 2022. What's the difference between electric and hydraulic power steering? Hydraulic
Vs. Electric Power Steering. [Online]
Available at: https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/maintenance/electric-vs-
hydraulic-power-steering
3. Ansari, U., 2018. Hydraulic Power Steering vs Electric Power Steering, CarSpiritPK.. [Online]
Available at: https://carspiritpk.com/hydraulic-power-steering-vs-electric-power-steering
5. Lacivita, B., 2022. 3 types of power steering systems, Family Handyman.. [Online]
Available at: https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/types-of-power-steering-systems
Undergraduate Project Appendices
Please enter below your BEST ESTIMATES for the information requested. You will not
be penalised for small errors and later genuine changes - only for not bothering!
4 Will a PC be required for work other than for report writing? Yes No
5 If the answer to 4 is Yes, will you require any special hardware Yes No
installed/attached (f.e. PROM emulation, USB interface). Please specify:
6 Will you require specific software, other than word processing? (Please Yes No
specify):
7 Will your project require technical staff to make items requiring workshop Yes No
facilities?
8 If the answer to 7 is Yes, which of the following workshop activities will
be required (please circle):
Drilling Sheet metal forming Lathe work Milling Other (Please specify)
9 Are there other resources required, not covered above? (Please specify): Yes No
Library
Undergraduate Project Appendices
Please enter below your BEST ESTIMATES for the information requested.
Ethical Issues
Will your work involve measurements on human subjects or their
8 Yes No
behaviour?
Will your work involve asking human subjects to answer questions of
9 Yes No
a personal nature?
Could any aspect of your work cause distress to human subjects
10 Yes No
participating in your work either knowingly or unknowingly?
Notes: If the answers to any of questions 2, 8, 9, or 10 are YES, the proposed work must be
submitted for approval to the Ethics Committee before work proceeds. Please read
Appendix D and consult your Supervisor.
Undergraduate Project Appendices
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