What to steer: a comparison of electric and hydraulic power steering. Steering wheel in the wind: comparing power steering

An electromechanical amplifier is the most advanced design in terms of engineering solution. There are two designs of this amplifier: with two gears or with parallel drive.

The electromechanical amplifier consists of the following components:

• control system;
• electric motor;
• mechanical transmission.

Electromechanical booster with two gears

The electric power steering is combined with the steering mechanism in a single unit. The amplifier is usually installed asynchronous electric motor. The transmission of torque from the electric motor to the steering rack is provided by a mechanical transmission.

One gear is used to transmit torque to the steering rack from the steering wheel itself, and one more - from the power steering motor. There are two sections of special teeth on the rail. One of them is the amplifier drive.

Electric power steering with parallel drive

In such an electric booster, the force from the electric motor is transferred to the steering mechanism using a belt drive, and a special ball screw mechanism is also installed.

With this scheme, the gain can be transmitted both to the steering wheel rack and to the steering gear control shaft. It has no fundamental significance for driving a car while driving. Both schemes have proven to be equally reliable.

Control block

Electric amplifier control includes several elements:

• input sensors;
• Control block;
• executing device.

The input sensors include torque sensors and a sensor that determines the angle of rotation on the steering wheel. System electronic control electric booster uses information that comes from (speed sensor) and the engine control unit (speed sensor crankshaft engine).

The electronic unit control is used to process sensor signals. The corresponding program generates control signals and sends them to the actuator - the amplifier motor.

The electric power steering is designed to provide vehicle control in the following modes:

• at ;
• when turning the car at low speeds;
• when turning the car at high speeds;
• active return of the wheels to the middle position;
• keeping the wheels in the middle position.

How it works

Electric power steering:

The car is controlled by turning the steering wheel. From the steering wheel, the torque is transmitted through the torsion bar to the steering mechanism. In this case, the twist of the torsion bar is measured with a special torque sensor, and the angle of rotation of the steering wheel is also measured. For this, a separate sensor is used. Information from both sensors as well as Additional Information about the speed of the vehicle, the indicator of the frequency of rotation of the crankshaft, are transmitted to the electronic control unit.

The program available in the block calculates the required torque of the amplifier electric motor and, by changing the current strength, maintains the operation of the electric motor in desired mode. From the electric motor, the torque is transmitted to the steering mechanism and then, by steering rods, to the drive wheels.

The turning of the wheels, thus, occurs due to the combined efforts of the electric motor of the amplifier and the steering wheel.

Turning at low speeds, usually when parking, is characterized by a large steering angle. The electronic control system provides the torque of the maximum operation of the electric motor (also called "light steering").

On high speeds electronic system provides the lowest level of torque (“heavy steering wheel”).

To actively return the wheels to the center position, the control system increases the reactive force that occurs during the turn. If it becomes necessary to maintain the average position of the wheels, for example, when driving during a crosswind, or a difference in tire pressure, the control system corrects the average position of the steered wheels.

Hydraulic power steering

The hydraulic booster mechanism on a passenger car is made together with the steering mechanism. Such an amplifier is called an integrated amplifier. The working fluid in the hydraulic booster of foreign cars is ATF oil, the same as in automatic box gears. Domestic cars use brand R oil.

An axial piston or rotary pump is driven by a belt from the crankshaft. He takes oil from the tank and pumps it under pressure of 50-100 atmospheres into the spool valve. At the same time, the task of the distributor is to monitor the efforts on the steering wheel and strictly dosed assistance in steering the wheels.

For this, a tracking device is used. This role is most often played by a torsion bar, which is built into the steering shaft. If the car drives in a straight line or stands still, then no effort is applied to the steering shaft, the torsion bar does not twist and, accordingly, the metering channels in the distributor remain blocked. The oil then drains into the tank.

If the driver turns the car, the wheels resist as a result, with the torsion bar spinning as much as the amount of force applied to the steering wheel. Spool opens oil channels and directs the working fluid to the actuator. In a screw-ball nut mechanism, pressure is applied behind or in front of the piston, helping it move along the steering shaft. IN rack and pinion mechanism oil is supplied to the rack body, to one side of the piston connected to the rack, and pushes it, respectively, to the right or left. If the steering wheel is turned all the way, the safety valve and oil pressure is released, which prevents damage to the mechanism parts.

TOYOTA power steering tutorial video:

Disadvantages and advantages of power steering

The indisputable advantage of the power steering is to facilitate the work when parking, in long turns and during other maneuvers when it is necessary to make many turns of the steering wheel, applying maximum effort. Another useful property The amplifier consists in weakening the transmission to the steering wheel of shocks received from road irregularities.

From the point of view of the engineering design, power steering is a more complex system than the electric power steering of a modern car. Hydraulic pump, driven by a drive belt or an electric motor, a complex steering rack, hoses and fluids take up a lot of the car's engine compartment. And in a modern car, there is not too much of it anyway.

Here, the EUR looks more advantageous, having an electric motor, a set of sensors and a simple, and light rack mechanism. The maintenance of the power steering is also much more expensive and more difficult in comparison with the EUR. the reliability of the EUR is also somewhat higher due to the absence of belts, seals, hoses, gaskets and liquids in it. A power steering failure, especially accompanied by a loss of working fluid, means the complete impossibility of continuing to move on its own. While the breakdown of the EUR will affect the handling of the car only by the need to make great efforts when turning the steering wheel.

If we talk about, then the electrical system also wins in this position. The power steering, when the engine is on, works constantly, the load on the engine increases and, accordingly, fuel consumption increases. The EUR consumes electrical energy, but electric drive It only comes on when the steering wheel is turned. In addition, the efficiency of the electric motor is higher than the efficiency of the hydraulic pump.

But driving a car with an electric booster is not always convenient for drivers. Many people note that the EUR is not informative, while the trip resembles a game joystick. But that's not all. The negative factors of the work of the EUR were introduced by Russian automakers. On domestic cars there have been cases when the EUR independently decided where to turn the wheels. The confused driver could not do anything. It's good that so far everything is doing without tragic incidents. You can consider it your local disease, because similar cases with foreign cars was not observed.

Of course, a number of shortcomings can be found in the EUR. But the number of advantages suggests that this type of power steering is much more efficient and economical compared to power steering. The future, of course, belongs to cars with electric power steering.

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Today many modern cars equipped with such a function as a hydraulic booster. Many drivers know about this feature of the steering wheel only what is with it. steering wheel rotates with greater ease, respectively, the presence of power steering largely determines the comfort when driving a car. In this article we will talk about the device and the principle of operation of power steering and EUR systems.

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What you need to know about GUR?

What is power steering, what is its purpose and what is it used for? First, let's look at functions.

Functions

The power steering was originally created to make driving easier. The main purpose of the system is to provide easier steering wheel turn during maneuvers while driving. In addition, the power steering in the car is needed in order to improve its maneuverability due to the fact that the motorist no longer needs to make an effort to turn.

The device also allows you to increase security vehicle when certain unforeseen situations occur during the journey. Such a power steering device allows you to soften the vibration on the steering wheel if the car falls into a pit or bump. In addition, the device will protect the motorist in case of an unexpected rubber puncture, as the system automatically holds the steering wheel in a straight position. Accordingly, even such an emergency while driving will not change the direction of the car.

Scheme of the power steering and elements

What is a hydraulic power steering and why it is needed in a car, of course, now consider the diagram.

This device consists of a pump, a distributor device, a hydraulic cylinder, connecting pipes, consumable and tank:

1. The main element that the power steering has is the pump. Thanks to this device, the entire assembly is provided with pressure, which allows you to create a fluid circulation system. In practice in modern cars often plastic pumps are used, since they have the most high efficiency and are characterized long life operation. Typically, the pump that creates pressure is located on the power unit.
2. The switchgear performs the function of directing and distributing the consumable material - oil - into certain cavities of the cylinder. In car designs, there are several types of switchgears - rotary and axial. In the event that the movement of the spool in the system is translational, the device is considered axial, and if the spool rotates, then the device is rotary. Such a distributor device allows it to be located both on the shaft and directly under the steering gear. The distributor itself is a sensitive device to oil contamination.
3. Hydraulic cylinder. Such a unit device is designed to actuate the rod and piston of water by acting on these elements of oil pressure. Due to a sufficient level of pressure, the wheels of the car turn under the influence of levers. The hydraulic cylinder can be installed on the steering system or between the drive and the vehicle body.
4. Another important element of the circuit is the connecting pipes, without them the work of the power steering will be impossible. The main purpose of the nozzles is to ensure the unhindered passage of consumables throughout the system. The connecting pipes are divided among themselves into elements of low or high pressure. Branch pipes low pressure necessary to return the working fluid from the tank to the pump and from the pump to the tank. High pressure hoses are designed to supply oil between the cylinder, distributor and pump.
5. An equally important component of any scheme is consumables. Such oil is designed to provide force to the cylinder from the pump. In addition, thanks to the liquid, lubrication of all components of the assembly is ensured.
6. The reservoir contains all the oil needed to circulate through the system. The tank is equipped with a filter to ensure complete cleaning of the oil circulating through the system. Depending on the design, the tank can be equipped with a dipstick with marks that allow you to check the liquid level.

Principle of operation

Next, consider the principle of operation of the power steering. As mentioned above, there are two types of spools, but even with different elements, the principle of operation and the layout of the assembly are almost identical. When the steering wheel is in central position, it is held by centering springs, at which time the consumable circulates throughout the entire assembly without problems if the distributor is installed correctly. As for the pump, it works more intensively, at this stage the main function is to transfer the working fluid through the amplifier. The pump is always running, whether the wheels turn or not.

When the steering wheel is turned, the spool also begins to move. After moving, the component closes the drain pipes, and oil enters one of the cylinders. At the same time, the liquid begins to act on the rod and piston, as a result of which the wheels and the camshaft housing rotate in the direction of the spool movement. The body of the mechanism itself overtakes the spool at the moment when it stops moving, this indicates that the turn of the car has been completed. When the driver has completed the maneuver, the spool component returns to its original position, after which the oil drain line opens (video by XtaticVideo).

What is the difference between hydro and electric power steering?

What is EUR?

What is the difference between power steering and electric power steering? The electric power steering is a unit that uses electricity. One of the main advantages of electric power steering is the excellent connection between the motorist and the car. In the case of the EUR, there are several modes of operation - urban and suburban.

In urban mode, electric power steering allows the motorist to steer the vehicle in multiple parking lots and corners. As for the suburban mode or the highway, the auto unit is automatically turned off when the car speed reaches 60 km / h, since at this speed the electric booster is no longer required. By design, the electric booster device is simpler than the power steering - the unit is powered by a generator and does not affect gasoline consumption in any way. In addition, it does not have a belt connection with the motor, and the repair of the electric booster is always carried out much faster than in the case of power steering.

The difference between power steering and EUR: there is oil in the power steering, but it is not in the EUR.

Cons of power steering and EUR

How do electric and hydraulic boosters differ, figured out, so which is better power steering or EUR? The main disadvantage of power steering is the presence of consumables in the node, and any working fluid needs to be replaced from time to time. If the air temperature is too low, then the assembly may simply fog up from the inside. In the event that a lubricant leak has begun in the power steering, it is necessary to contact specialists as soon as possible, since more complex repair will always be more expensive.

One of the main disadvantages of an electric amplifier is that the node requires the use necessary to power the first one. As for breakdowns, they happen much less frequently with electric amplifiers, and a competent specialist can always do everything quickly. But still, the steering wheel of a car with power steering always turns more easily than with the EUR. It should be noted that today many manufacturers are increasingly equipping their cars with electric amplifiers.

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Video "Which is better - power steering or EUR?"

Which of these two types of power steering is better - find out from the video (video author - Avto-Blogger.ru).

Those who learned to drive on their father's "penny" remember the unforgettable sensations at every turn of the steering wheel. Management in those days was completely devoid of auxiliary elements that could significantly simplify driving a car. Today, the situation has changed and now driving a passenger car or a truck or a bus does not require physical fitness and nerves of steel, since such auxiliary units as hydro- (power steering) and electric power steering (EUR) come to the aid of motorists, which are supplied to almost all modern machines. Thanks to these systems, the steering wheel can be turned with one finger.

When buying a new or used car, most novice drivers are puzzled by the question - what better power steering steering or electric power steering and how to generally determine which of these systems is installed on the car? Let's start with the last question.

How to determine the power steering or EUR installed in the car

It is possible to determine which node is installed on the selected brand of machine without the help of a seller. To do this, you need to look under the hood of the car. If there you find a tank with the corresponding pictogram, which shows the steering wheel, it means that you have a car with power steering in front of you. It is in this tank that the power steering fluid is poured. If there is no tank, and the steering wheel turns freely, then this means that the EUR is installed in the car.

Healthy! In some cars, the power steering fluid tank is located in the bumper and the device is a hybrid of electric and hydraulic power. But, such cars can be counted on the fingers. For example, several Opel models Zafira are equipped with just such "hidden" EGUR nodes.

To figure out what better electric booster or hydraulic booster, first it is worth talking about the features and differences of each of these systems separately.

Power steering

GUR is more common today, unlike electrical system which is only gaining momentum. The hydraulic booster consists of complex units - low and high pressure pipelines, belts and other elements through which the liquid circulates, poured into a special tank connected to pumping equipment. As soon as the driver turns the steering wheel, whole line processes. First the liquid high pressure is fed through the distributor to the steering mechanism, after which it is pumped in the hydraulic cylinder, thereby creating pressure that affects the piston. As a result of the displacement of the latter, the degree of effort that the driver makes to turn the steering wheel is reduced. When driving in a straight path, the power steering fluid flows back into the reservoir. As you can see, this is a rather complex closed fluid circulation system, in which many elements are involved, each of which can fail over time.

If we talk about the features of the work of the power steering, it is worth mentioning the following disadvantages:

• The hydraulic booster consumes the energy of the motor, and therefore the engine power drops noticeably.
• The system is quite capricious and requires periodic maintenance(Power steering fluid must be replaced every 50,000-80,000 kilometers or as soon as its level in the reservoir has dropped to the minimum mark). In addition, quite often you have to tighten the pump belt.
• A prerequisite for the correct functioning of the power steering is the complete tightness of the nodes.
• Temperature fluctuations have a detrimental effect on the power steering fluid, resulting in a decrease in the efficiency of the entire system as a whole.

In addition to these shortcomings, many motorists often complain that the power steering is buzzing when turning. This problem may be due to a broken steering rack, problems with the pump, belt, or poor quality oil. As a result of the fact that the system, designed to simplify the life of motorists, began to bring a lot of trouble, a simpler and more convenient mechanism was developed - an electric amplifier.

electric power steering

The EUR in its design is much simpler than a hydraulic amplifier. By by and large this is a small electric motor, a control unit and two sensors: torque and angle of rotation. A device mounted on the steering rack or column itself reads information about which driver is transmitting the steering angle. In this case, with the help of a torsion shaft, which is built into the steering assembly, torque is transmitted.

If we talk about how the power steering differs from the electric power steering, then in the first case, the force that is applied to the steering wheel is reduced due to pressure and circulating fluid, in the second, the information is converted thanks to the electrician, as a result of which the wheels perform easy turn. In this case, the hydraulic booster electronic unit analyzes the data and, based on them, calculates how much current the electric motor will need. Due to this, when parking or sharp maneuvers, greatest effort from the EUR. With slow turns, the electric booster reduces the torque and is practically not involved.

If we talk about the advantages of the EUR over the power steering, then it is worth noting the following advantages of the electric amplifier:

• It occupies a minimum of space.
• During operation, the EUR consumes energy only at those moments when it is used. The power steering works constantly, as soon as you start the engine.
• The electric booster works flawlessly as in very coldy, and in the heat.
• Since the EUR consists of fewer elements, it is more reliable, since it does not require constant maintenance and repair.

However, electric boosters have their own characteristics that confuse some drivers. Therefore, we will try to figure out which system shows itself better in management.

Which system is more convenient to manage

When developing amplifiers for a car control system, the designers faced a difficult task. On the one hand, it is necessary to ensure ease when turning the wheels, on the other hand, the driver must not lose “contact” with the road, for this it was necessary to provide feedback.

In fact, many drivers are convinced that when using the EUR, it will not always be possible to feel the road. In fact, this is absolutely not the case. The fact is that the electric booster, on the contrary, most accurately feels and analyzes the situation on the roadway, so it clearly conveys the angle of rotation, and when the car accelerates, the steering wheel becomes “heavier”. The power steering loses in this matter, since although it provides reliable feedback, at the same time it protects against turning the steering wheel on high speed he can not. The electric booster will not allow such a situation.

Another myth that has firmly settled in the heads of the “experienced” is that the EUR cannot be repaired, so if it breaks, then nothing can be done about it. In fact, this is not so either. Just in order to repair the electric amplifier, you need to contact not the service station, but the electricians.

Among the really real drawbacks of the EUR, it is worth mentioning the careful calibration that such a system requires. In fact, you can make all these settings on foreign cars, brainchild domestic auto industry will be much more capricious in this matter. Also, the electric motor needs additional protection- a damper that will dampen vibrations and fluctuations that affect the integrity of the EUR.

In custody

Today, electric power steering is actively replacing hydraulics, as they have much the best performance and save drivers from such manipulations as replacing the power steering fluid. In addition, they show themselves better on the road and have excellent returns. Therefore, if you buy a new foreign car, then preference should be given to electronics, in the case of a VAZ, it is worth really assessing the capabilities of a car, it may be better to use hydraulics.

Reading the list of options for each of the vehicle configurations, you can often find such a mechanism as power steering. However, on some cars it is listed as power steering, and on others as EUR. "Kalina" is also equipped with a similar amplifier. How does it work and what are both types of mechanisms? All the pros and cons of the hydraulic booster and electric power steering, the principle of operation - further in our article.

GUR characteristic

This type of amplifier appeared much earlier than the electric one. Power steering is a steering element of a car that works with a liquid drive. Despite the growing popularity of the EUR (VAZ is also equipped with it), power steering is the most common amplifier. Structurally, this unit contains a hydraulic pump. It is driven from the crankshaft by means of how it looks, the reader can see in the photo below.

Below we consider the algorithm of the operation of this system.

How does GUR work?

As we noted earlier, this node works on the basis of So, during a rectilinear movement, the fluid is circulated in a circle. That is, it passes through the channels from the pump to the tank. However, as soon as the trajectory of movement changes (the driver turns the steering wheel), the liquid enters one of the cavities of the distribution sleeve. Depending on the turn of the steering wheel, it enters the left or right side of it. From the other cavity, the liquid is drained into the tank. So, the piston provides movement of the steering rack mechanism. The force from the turn is transferred to the traction.

So there is a change in the direction of movement of the car. The highest pump performance is observed when the steering wheel is turned in place (that is, when parking in a limited area). However, the system is driven by a belt drive from the crankshaft. But its speed during parking is minimal and close to idle. Accordingly, the force generated by the pump is insufficient to turn the steering wheel. What to do? Do not gas up to the cutoff? The manufacturer has taken this into account. Therefore, in such situations, the electronic control unit sends a signal to additionally open the valves. Yes, in power cylinder more fluid comes in. Therefore, “on the spot” it will be very easy to rotate the steering wheel. But do not get carried away - remember that at this moment the pump is working at full capacity. Frequent twisting of the steering wheel "to the stop" in the parking lot reduces its resource.

EUR: characteristic

Appeared given type amplifiers much later. However, recently it has begun to gain high popularity. The main difference between the EUR is the absence of a belt drive and a hydraulic drive. All actions are carried out using an electric motor.

Design features, principle of operation

Today, there are two types of layout of this node. In the first case, the force of the electric motor is transmitted to the rail. In the second - on the steering wheel shaft. The first type of electric amplifiers is the most popular. It is also called electromechanical. The design uses two parallel driven gears.

The EUR is combined in one block with a steering mechanism. Type of electric motor - asynchronous. How does it work this mechanism? Torque is transmitted directly to the rail from the electric motor. Also on the rack and pinion mechanism there are two sections of teeth.

The EUR system consists of many sensors. These include an element of the steering angle, a torque sensor, crankshaft speed and the speed of the vehicle itself. The mechanism interacts closely with the block ABS control and vehicle ECU.

After processing the information from the above sensors, the embedded program generates an appropriate signal to the actuator. It is an asynchronous electric motor.

Operating modes of the electric amplifier

The steering can be operated in several modes:

• Active return of the steering wheel to the middle position.
• Turning the car at high and low speed.
• Support for the middle position of the steering wheel.
• Turning the car under normal conditions.

As in the case of the power steering, the wheels are controlled by the steering wheel. However, here the force is transmitted through the torsion bar. The twist of the latter is measured by appropriate sensors (angle of rotation, torque, etc.). So, the force from the engine is transmitted to the rail. Then, through the steering rods, the drive wheels turn in the desired direction. The operation of the assembly does not depend on the position and speed of the crankshaft.

Advantages of GUR

So, which is better - power steering or electric power steering? Both of these nodes have their pros and cons. But first, consider a system with a hydraulic drive. GUR is a cheaper mechanism to manufacture. Accordingly, the cost of the car is much lower.

Plus, a cheap repair of the hydraulic booster (if it does not concern the rack). At disassembly, the power steering pump for the ninth Lancer costs 2-3 thousand rubles. Moreover, it is sold already assembled, with a pulley (but without a belt).

Cons of a hydraulic booster

Considering the question: what is better - power steering or electric power steering, it is worth mentioning the disadvantages. There are an order of magnitude more of them. The first minus is the size of the structure. Power steering is a rather bulky thing. The pump, pulleys, tank and belt take up a lot of free space. Plus, difficult timing repair. To replace the belt on it, you need to remove the pulley first from the power steering. Fortunately, the power steering pump remains in place.

If you choose between what is better - power steering or EUR for your car, you should consider servicing this unit. And here there are some nuances. The power steering system requires periodic maintenance. If the fluid or belt is not changed in time, the hydraulic booster will need to be repaired.

It is also unacceptable to use the mechanism for a long time in the mode of increased loads. Because of this, the liquid boils quickly. Until it stops, the steering wheel should be unscrewed for no more than five seconds.

The next disadvantage is the dependence of the system on engine performance. The assembly hides the power of the motor, since it takes part of the effort from the crankshaft through a belt drive. The same can be said about the air conditioner, which also works from this pulley. Therefore, due to the bulky design and other shortcomings, power steering can now only be found on SUVs and on commercial transport. But why can't you put the EUR in trucks? You will learn this a little later.

Pros and cons of EUR

Hurrying to answer the above question, we immediately note the shortcomings of the EUR. "Kalina" is equipped with such a mechanism due to the small wheels. Why is it all? The fact is that the electric amplifier is not able to generate the necessary torque for turning big wheels(especially under load). In view of this, the node is not used on trucks and vehicles weighing more than two tons.

This is the main drawback of the EUR. Which is better - power steering or electric power steering? To answer this question, consider the advantages of the latter. There are far more of them than there are disadvantages. So, the mechanism does not take power from the engine. At high speeds, the steering wheel is quite informative with it. The system does not require periodic maintenance, because there is no liquid and pumps here. The only thing that fails over time is the rolling bearings in the electric motor. But in order to get them out of working condition, it takes a long time and diligently to operate the EUR. A VAZ equipped with such an amplifier responds to the steering wheel much faster. After all, the signal from the sensors is transmitted at lightning speed. And the pump needs time to work out required pressure and pour liquid from one circuit to another.

Also, answering the question: "Which is better - power steering or electric power steering?", It is worth noting the compactness of the latter. EUR does not take up much space in engine compartment(because it is mostly hidden in the cabin). Accordingly, it will be much easier to get to any node. And through the ECU, you can configure the operating mode of the amplifier. Also, the system does not boil if you hold the steering wheel for a long time in extreme position.

Summing up

So, which is better - power steering or electric power steering? Having found out all the advantages and disadvantages of both systems, we came to the following conclusion. If this a car or a crossover, you should definitely choose an electric amplifier. Well, on heavier equipment it is still relevant hydraulic element. Although progress does not stand still, and, perhaps, in the future, the EUR will be used on jeeps, as well as on trucks.

Those who had a chance to learn the basics of driving skills on cars domestic production, such as: "Moskvich" or "penny", remember the feeling of driving these cars, especially their steering. It was completely devoid of any accessories that make it easier to turn the steering wheel.

Since then, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge, and with it the remnants of those times. Through progress modern motorist can, standing still with one finger, turn the steering wheel of an entire bus, not like a small-sized sedan. Cars not equipped with power steering are no longer produced today. Each new car is equipped with either power steering () , or electric power steering (EUR) about what these devices are, how they differ from each other, as well as the shortcomings of each of them will be discussed in today's article.

A bit of history...

If on passenger cars the steering wheel could somehow be turned, then on trucks this problem was quite acute. The bright minds of the designers managed to develop a special hydraulic mechanism, which was later introduced into the steering system and greatly facilitated rotation. However, the goal for the designers was not only to take the load off the hands, but also to reduce the vibrations transmitted from the wheels to the steering wheel while driving over bumps. electric power steering also allowed to improve the safety of the driver, since in the event of a tire damage front wheel thanks to the power steering, the car kept the trajectory set by the driver.

The first owner of a hydraulic power steering in the USSR was a passenger car - GAZ Chaika.

A few years later, GURs began to appear on ordinary production cars"for the people". Tellingly, Western passenger cars began to be equipped with power steering long before it appeared on our VAZs and Moskvichs. As time went on, the engineers became more and more convinced of the imperfection of the design of the hydraulic power steering and began to look for ways to improve this unit. Unfortunately or fortunately, the power steering failed to evolve, because it had a full-fledged electric competitor. The engineers decided that the use of electrics, not hydraulics, would provide new opportunities and eliminate a lot of shortcomings inherent in power steering. Invented electric power steering (EPS), installed today on almost many models, both budget and more expensive class, fell in love with motorists, but there were those who did not want to accept the "know-how" and firmly convinced that the power steering is better than the electric power steering. How are they different and what are design features GUR and EUR? Let's figure it out.

How it works?

Power steering (GUR)

What is power steering? This is a system consisting of pipelines of high and low pressure, in which, thanks to the pump, circulates special liquid. For power steering fluid, a tank is provided connected to the pump. When you turn the steering wheel, a series of reactions occur in the power steering system. Fluid is supplied to the steering gear through a high pressure distributor. Injected into the hydraulic cylinder, it creates pressure on the piston, under the influence of which it shifts, reducing the degree of effort applied by the driver when turning the steering wheel. While driving in a straight path, power steering fluid flows from the steering gear into the system reservoir.

Electric booster- this is a set of mechanisms, among which the main role is assigned to the electric motor, in addition, the EUR includes an electronic control unit (), as well as two sensors (a rotation angle sensor and a torque sensor). Compared with the hydraulic booster, the EUR is installed directly on the steering rack or a column, while the transmission of torque is carried out by means of a torsion shaft built into the steering system. While the power steering changes the force applied to the steering wheel with the help of pressure and the fluid that circulates in the system, the electric power steering does everything with the help of current. When the steering wheel is turned, the torque is transmitted to the steering mechanism through torsion shaft. The EUR torque sensor "understands" this action and reports it to the ECU. The electronic unit analyzes the received data and determines exactly how much current it is necessary to “give” to the electric motor so that the steering wheel rotation is easy and pleasant. It should be noted that the force is calculated depending on the speed at which the car is moving, as well as the angle of the steering wheel. When the driver turns the steering wheel in place during parking or other maneuvers, the electric power steering drive is loaded to the maximum, since it is necessary to ensure that the steering wheel rotates easily in difficult conditions. When the car is moving at high speeds, the steering becomes sharper, as the electric power steering significantly reduces the amount of torque, that is, it helps the driver less.

Now that we have figured out the principles of operation, I propose to find out which is better: power steering or EUR, taking into account the pros and cons of each of the systems.

Advantages of power steering

1. The power steering has more bulky dimensions, but the advantage is its relatively low cost and less expensive production. This, in turn, affects the cost of the vehicle in one way or another.
2. Power potential. Power steering today is installed mainly on cars budget class, and cargo vans And large SUVs. In the case of SUVs and minibuses, the use of power steering can be explained by the fact that this system is more powerful and able to withstand heavy loads. This is, in fact, the main advantage of power steering.
3. The aforementioned low cost.

Disadvantages of power steering

As for the shortcomings, the hydraulic booster has a lot more of them compared to the EUR:

1. In a car with power steering, it is not recommended to hold the steering wheel in the extreme position for more than five seconds, as this can lead to overheating of the oil in the system and failure of the power steering.
2. power steering requires regular maintenance at least once every two years. The owner of a car with such a system is constantly obliged to replace the fluid in the system, control its level, check the drive, hoses and pump for leaks and cracks.
3. The third drawback is a direct dependence on the operation of the engine. When the pump is turned on, it somehow takes some of the power from the engine, and while driving at high speed on the highway, this can be considered a waste of power, since in this case GUR is practically not needed.
4. In the hydraulic booster, it is impossible to adjust the operating modes depending on the speed and conditions.
5. The hydraulic booster does its job well at low and medium speeds, but at high speeds the control loses its “sharpness” and it is difficult for the driver to perform a sharp short maneuver. Simply put, the power steering responds longer due to the use of additional nodes in it, which increase the response time.

EUR advantages

Among the advantages of electric power steering, the following features can be distinguished:

1. Simple design, hence easy maintenance. There are no hoses, fluids or pump in the ECU, so there is no need to spend time and money on periodic inspection and maintenance. The driver should only monitor the condition of the rolling bearings.
2. The compact dimensions of the EUR save space, and in some cars they are integrated directly into the steering shaft, which is located in the passenger compartment, and not under its hood. This, as you understand, increases its service life, since being in the cabin it is not affected by temperatures, humidity and other factors that reduce the life of the hydraulic booster.
3. Thanks to the electric power steering, fuel is saved, because the EUR motor, unlike the power steering pump, turns on only when the steering wheel is turned, in addition, it does not strain the engine and does not take power from it.
4. With the help of the computer, you can configure the operating mode of the electric amplifier to suit your needs and certain operating conditions.
5. The steering wheel, on which there is a EUR, can be kept in the extreme position without a time limit.
6. And, last, perhaps, the most important advantage of this type of amplifier, which concerns mostly riders - sharper steering response while driving at high speeds.

Disadvantages of EUR

The electric power steering is a much more progressive device, however, it is not without drawbacks, including:

1. The first and perhaps the most important disadvantage can be considered a high cost.
2. The small power of the electric motor, which does not allow it to be installed on heavier vehicles (buses, crossovers, pickups, trucks). Although over time this drawback will be eliminated, since the design of the EUR is improved every year.