Automotive Steering Systems

Summary:

The Automotive Steering Systems note covers the various components and mechanisms involved in automotive steering systems. The steering gearbox, which converts the rotary motion of the steering wheel into a straight-line motion of the linkage with mechanical advantage, is described in detail. The article also explains the different types of steering gearboxes, such as worm and wheel, worm and sector, cam and lever, recirculating ball, and rack and pinion. Additionally, the article explains the concept of steering geometry and the five steering geometry angles: camber, caster, toe, steering axis inclination, and toe-out-on turns. The note concludes by discussing the differences between hydraulic and electric power steering systems.

Excerpt:

Automotive Steering Systems

Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. which will allow a vehicle to follow the desired course.

An automobile is steered with the help of steering gears and linkages, which transfer the motion of the hand-operated steering wheel to the pivoted front wheel hubs via the steering column. The other parts that are used for steering a vehicle are steering wheel pads, steering shafts, steering boxes, steering arms, and steering stabilizers. These parts are made of durable materials like stainless steel, iron, aluminum, copper, magnesium,
titanium, platinum, rubber, and plastics.

Functions of the Steering System

• It helps in swinging the wheels to the left or right.
• It converts the rotary movement of the steering wheel into an angular turn of the front wheels.
• It multiplies the effort of the driver by leverage in order to make it fairly easy to turn the wheels.
• It absorbs a major part of the road shocks thereby preventing them to get transmitted to the hands of the driver

Steering Geometry

The term “steering geometry” (also known as “front-end geometry”) refers to the angular relationship between suspension and steering parts, front wheels, and the road surface. Because alignment deals with angles and affects steering, the method of describing alignment measurements is called steering geometry.

There are five steering geometry angles: Camber, Caster, Toe, Steering axis inclination, and Toe-out on turns.