STEERING SYSTEM
Ramnath Sundarraj
"Final-Year Mechanical Engineering Student | Aspiring Innovator | Passionate About Technology and Problem-Solving"
How the steering system works?
The?steering?system converts the rotation of the steering wheel into a swivelling movement of the road wheels in such a way that the steering-wheel rim turns a long way to move the road wheels a short way.
The steering effort passes to the wheels through a system of pivoted joints. These are designed to allow the wheels to move up and down with the?suspension?without changing the steering angle.
The rack-and-pinion system
At the base of the?steering column?there is a small pinion (?gear?wheel) inside a housing. Its teeth mesh with a straight row of teeth on a rack - a long transverse bar.
Turning the pinion makes the rack move from side to side. The ends of the rack are coupled to the road wheels by track rods.
This system is simple, with few moving parts to become worn or displaced, so its action is precise.
A?universal joint?in the steering column allows it to connect with the rack without angling the steering wheel awkwardly sideways.
The steering-box system
At the base of the steering column there is a?worm gear?inside a box. A worm is a threaded?cylinder?like a short bolt. Imagine turning a bolt which holding a nut on it; the nut would move along the bolt. In the same way, turning the worm moves anything fitted into its thread.
Power-assisted steering
On a heavy car, either the steering is heavy or it is inconveniently low geared - the steering wheel requiring many turns from lock to lock.
Heavy gearing can be troublesome when parking in confined spaces. Power-assisted steering overcomes the problem. The?engine?drives a?pump?that supplies oil under high?pressure?to the rack or the steering box.
BY
S.Ramnath