Presentation

On
Power Steering

Yogeesh Sharma
1282, 7MAE -2
 STEERING SYSTEM

The steering system allows the operator to guide the vehicle along the
road and turn left or right as desired. The system includes the steering
wheel, which the operator controls, the steering mechanism, which
changes the rotary motion of the steering wheel into straight-line motion,
and the steering linkage. Most systems were manual until a few years
ago. Then power steering became popular. It is now installed in most
vehicles manufactured today.

The steering system must perform some important functions like –

•Provide precise control of front-wheel direction. 

•Maintain the correct amount of effort needed to turn the front wheels.
 STEERING LINKAGE
Steering linkage is a series or arms, rods, and ball sockets that connect the
steering mechanism to the steering knuckles. The steering linkage used with most
manual and power steering mechanisms typically includes a pitman arm, center
link, idler arm, and two tie-rod assemblies.
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 steering ratio is a number of degrees that the steering wheel must be
turned to pivot the front wheels 1 degree. The higher the steering ratio,
the easier it is to steer the vehicle, all other things being equal. 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.
 MANUAL STEERING SYSTEMS

Manual steering is considered to be entirely adequate for smatter

vehicles. It is tight, fast, and accurate in maintaining steering control.
However, larger and heavier engines, greater front overhang on larger
vehicles and a trend toward wide tread tires have increased the
steering effort required. Steering mechanisms with higher gear ratios
were tried, but dependable power steering systems were found to be
the answer.
There are several different types of manual steering systems, which are as
follows:

1. Worm and sector 

2. Worm and rotter 
3. Cam and lever 
4. Worm and nut 
5. 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 Steering System

Manual Steering System

 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.
Rack-and-pinion steering gear

Rack-and-pinion steering gear

POWER STEERING
SYSTEMS 
 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. Since 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.
Power Rack-and-pinion

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-and-pinion assembly.

In Steering gear box, leakage occurs from:-

1.Upper Pinion seal.

2.Rack bush side seal.
3.Pinion side seal.
Electronic Power
Steering
(EPS)
 Electronic Power Steering
Electrically powered steering uses an electric motor to drive either the power
steering hydraulic pump or the steering linkage directly. The power steering
function is therefore independent of engine speed, resulting in significant energy
savings.

In electro-hydraulic steering, one electrically powered steering concept uses a high

efficiency pump driven by an electric motor. Pump speed is regulated by an
electric controller to vary pump pressure and flow, providing steering efforts
tailored for different driving situations. The pump can be run at low speed or shut
off to provide energy savings during straight ahead driving
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
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:

1. Column assist type.

2. Pinion assist type.

3. 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.