Many would agree that the engine isbasis of the car. And indeed it is. However, it is also difficult to imagine a car without steering. This is an important and necessary element in every car. The steering task is to drive the vehicle in a given direction. This node consists of several components. This steering wheel, column, drive and steering gear. We will talk about the latter today.
Functions
The steering mechanism has several main objectives:
- Transfer force to drive.
- Increased effort that the driver applies to the steering wheel.
- Self return steering in neutral position when removing the load.
Varieties
This item can be of several types. Today there are the following types of steering mechanisms:
- Rack.
- Worm.
- Screw.
What is each of them? We will consider all these types of mechanisms separately.
Rack
At the moment it is one of the mostcommon It is mainly installed on passenger cars and crossovers. The steering gear rack and pinion type of equipment assumes the following parts:
- Gears.
- Reiki.
The first was mounted on the steering shaft.The gear is in constant engagement with the toothed rack. This mechanism is quite simple. As the steering wheel rotates, the rail moves to the right or left. In this case, the thrust that is attached to the drive, turn the steering wheels at a given angle.
Among the advantages of such a mechanism worth notingsimplicity of design, high efficiency and high rigidity. However, this mechanism is very sensitive to bumps on the road, which is why it wears out quickly. Often, owners of used cars are faced with the problem of knocking rack. This is a consequence of the wear of the steering mechanism. Therefore, the element is installed only on certain types of cars. These are mainly front wheel drive cars with independent front suspension. If we talk about the WHA, the rake is found on all models, starting with the "eight". On the "classic" is set a slightly different steering mechanism.
Worm
It is this type that is used in domestic "Zhiguli", as well as on some buses and light trucks. This node consists of:
- Worm globoid type with variable diameter.
- The steering shaft, which connects the worm.
- Roller.
Outside the steering gear bipod is located. This is a special lever that is connected to the drive rods. The steering gear on GAZ-3302 is arranged in the same way.
Among the advantages of this site is worth noting.less sensitive to shock loads. Therefore, this steering mechanism, installed on the VAZ-2107, is almost eternal. Owners rarely encounter a knock and vibrations on the steering wheel. However, this design scheme has more connections. Therefore, periodically mechanism needs to be adjusted.
Screw
This is a more complex node in the device. Its design includes:
- Screw. Located on the shaft of the steering wheel.
- Nut. It moves through the previous element.
- Rack.
- Gear selector. It is connected to the rail.
- Steering bipod. It is located on the selector shaft.
The key feature of this mechanism lies in the method of connecting the nut and screw. Fastening is carried out using balls. Thus, less wear and friction of the pair is achieved.
The principle of operation of the screw element is similar toworm The steering wheel is rotated by turning the screw, which moves the nut. The latter moves with the aid of the rack the toothed sector, and with it the bipod.
Where is the screw mechanism used?Often, it is used on heavy commercial vehicles - trucks and buses. If we talk about cars, then these are only executive class models. The mechanism is more complex in the device and expensive, therefore it significantly increases the cost of the car itself.
Amplifier
Now almost all carsused power steering. It serves to reduce the effort that is required to rotate the front wheels. This element allows for high accuracy and speed steering. At the moment, there are several types of amplifiers:
- Hydraulic.
- Electric.
The first type is more popular.It is installed both on cars and trucks. In the device of the amplifier there is a pump that creates a certain pressure in the hydraulic system. Depending on the direction of the steering wheel, this fluid presses on the first or second rail circuit. Thus, the effort required to turn is reduced. Among the advantages of the hydraulic system is high reliability. The amplifier rarely fails. However, since the pump mechanism is driven by the crankshaft, part of the power is taken from the engine. Although on modern engines it is completely unnoticeable.
The electric amplifier consists of a separateengine Torque from it is transmitted to the steering shaft itself. The design is applied only on cars, as it is not designed for great efforts.
The EUR is equipped with a separate electronics, whichmanages this engine. Sometimes the amplifier is supplemented with adaptive systems that are designed to increase safety when driving along a lane.
Among the innovative solutions worth notingAudi's dynamic control system. Here the gear ratio varies depending on the current speed of the car. Thus, at high speeds, the steering wheel is hard and knocked down, and when parking it becomes easy. The gear ratio is changed by using a dual planetary gearbox, which is added to the shaft. Its body can rotate depending on the speed of the car.
Conclusion
So, we figured out what is thismechanism. This is a very important node in the steering. Regardless of the type, it must be periodically checked. After all, loss of control at speed is the most dangerous thing that can happen to a driver.
