What is the name of the steering wheel of a car. Steering device, worm and rack mechanisms

The main unit in any vehicle is the steering. What is steering control for? For all the time of improving the design of the system, the basic principle of the steering has remained the same. It consists in the transformation and transfer of the physical effort of the driver during the impact on the steering wheel of the car on the wheels. In other words, the steering assembly provides feedback, allowing you to change the trajectory of the vehicle.

Steering device

What is the steering of a car? The general design of this unit on vehicles is represented by the following elements:

• wheels;
• steering gear;
• steering mechanism;
• traction and column.

The scheme of interaction of the steering wheel of the car with the leading wheelset is not complicated. The driver through the drive transmits the force to the steering mechanism, which ensures the rotation of the wheels. In addition, the node, providing feedback, provides information about the state of the road surface. According to the vibrations of the steering wheel, the type of movement is determined as accurately as possible, on the basis of which diagnostics are carried out and the control of the machine is corrected.

The average diameter of the steering wheel of a passenger car is approximately 400 mm. In trucks and special vehicles, the steering wheel is somewhat larger, and in sports cars it is smaller.

What is included in steering?

Between the steering wheel and the mechanism is a steering column, which is represented by a strong shaft with articulated joints. A design feature of the column is the minimum risk of injury to the driver in the event of an accident, since it collapses in a strong frontal collision. For comfortable operation of the vehicle, the position of the steering column is adjusted using a mechanical or electric drive. In addition, a mechanism locking system is provided, which helps prevent car theft.

The main purpose of steering is to increase the mechanical effort of the driver and its transmission to the wheels. For this, a special gearbox is included in the design of the system. On passenger cars, the following types of steering are mainly used:

1. The rack mechanism, the design of which consists of a set of gears mounted on a shaft, aggregated with a rack, special teeth are applied on one of its planes along the entire length. When the steering wheel is rotated, the force is transmitted through the column to the steering rack, as a result of which it moves freely, interacting with the steering rods and turning the wheels. It should be noted that the steering of a car may have a rack on which teeth with variable pitch are located. This design greatly improves the driving efficiency of the vehicle.
2. Worm gear. Its principle of operation is as follows: the “worm”, when interacting with the driven gear, transfers the force to the bipod. In turn, the steering bipod interacts with one of the rods, the end of which ends with a pendulum lever. This lever is mounted on a support. When the steering wheel is turned, the bipod drives the side link simultaneously with the middle lever, which interacts with the second side link and changes its position. Thanks to this, the hubs of the steered wheels are rotated.

Some features of the steering of the car

Most modern car models have an innovative four-wheel steering system. This significantly improves the dynamics of the vehicle on terrain with difficult terrain. In addition, the steering of the car adapted to all wheels allows you to achieve greater maneuverability during high-speed driving. This is possible due to the rotation of each of the wheels.

It is noteworthy that in the steering wheel steering can be carried out by the system in a passive mode. This is possible due to the presence of special elastic rubber-metal parts in the design of the rear part of the suspension. When body roll occurs due to a change in the magnitude and direction of the load, a change in the direction of movement is carried out. Steering with rear wheel steering function allows you to effectively distribute the effort to turn all wheels. In addition, such a system does not allow turning the wheels when the suspension is active.

The design of the adaptive steering system includes hinges and traction. The hinge has several elements in its composition; for ease of use, its design is presented in the form of a removable tip. It is most convenient to represent the kinematic scheme of the steering of a car in the idea of ​​a rectangle, on each side of which there are:

• shoulders;
• convergence angle;
• collapse;
• longitudinal and transverse slope.

Shoulders, longitudinal and transverse inclination provide stabilization of movement, while other parameters are in constant opposition. Therefore, another task of the steering is to stabilize all the forces that arise in the process of movement.

The role of power steering in the steering system

This element, in addition to reducing the effort applied by the driver to the steering wheel, can significantly increase the accuracy of driving. Due to the presence of an amplifier in the steering design, it became possible to use elements in the system that have a small relative ratio. Control system amplifiers are divided into three types:

1. Electric.
2. Pneumatic.
3. Hydraulic.

However, the latter type is more common. The hydraulics are robust and operate smoothly, but require maintenance to change the fluid. Electric power steering is less common, but most models of modern automotive technology are equipped with it. The reinforcement in it provides an electric drive. Note that electronic control is distinguished by the presence of an extended range of features, but occasionally requires verification and adjustment.

What is automatic steering?

One of the promising developments in the automotive industry is an intelligent automatic vehicle control system. It can be said that the autopilot described by most science fiction writers in their works has now become a reality. Today, modern automotive technology is capable of performing most actions without the participation of a driver, the most common of which is parking.

The leader in the production of vehicles equipped with this innovative system is the German concern BMW, which actively uses a dual planetary gearbox in its model range. The control of such a gearbox is carried out using an electric drive, as a result of which, together with a change in the speed of the vehicle, it is possible to change the relative ratio when the force is transferred from the steering wheel to the swivel wheels. Thanks to this technical solution, the speed is significantly increased, and the most accurate feedback is provided.

Steering wheel - part of the steering system, which serves to transmit the movements of the hands of the driver driving the car to the wheels. In modern cars, it performs many additional functions.

The rudder control system has been known for a long time. The steering wheel, that is, in fact, the steering wheel, could still be seen on sailing ships. The first cars used a lever instead of a steering wheel. However, already in 1894, a steering wheel was installed on the Pnhard et Levassor car, which took part in the Paris-Rouen race. It is believed that this was one of the first steering wheels in the world.

Since 1899, the steering wheel has been standard equipment on Panhard cars.

Later, with the beginning of the export of European cars to the United States, the principle received worldwide recognition. On one of them, you can see the steering wheel mounted on the familiar, left side.

The first steering wheels were a rigid structure mounted on a rigid steering column. In the event of a frontal collision, the consequences of the contact of the chest or head of the driver with the steering wheel were, as a rule, fatal. Therefore, in 1934, the first folding steering column was invented, which, however, did not have success. Later, in 1956, the first "safe steering wheel" was demonstrated on Ford cars, deliberately set back from the steering column and closer to the driver, and equipped with springy spokes. Folding steering columns became mandatory in the United States only in 1968, when the relevant law was passed.

Steering wheel device

Typically, an automobile steering wheel is circular in shape and is connected to the steering column through a central hub to which the outer circle is connected by one or more spokes. In countries with right-hand traffic, the steering wheel is mounted on the left, and in countries with left-hand traffic, on the right.

With rare exceptions, the horn button is located on the steering wheel. Previously, until about the mid-seventies, the key was a separate, inner ring mounted on the steering wheel hub. The location of the key is due to the need to keep the driver's hands on the steering wheel for safety reasons.

The grip points on the steering wheel usually use a plastic or rubber coating.

Steering wheel diameter may vary. For trucks, the range is from 440 mm to 550 mm, for cars - from 380 mm to 425 mm.

Sports cars have even smaller wheels. A small-diameter steering wheel produced, for example, by the Momo company, popular among tuners, requires more driver effort in driving a car, but has a better torque transmission to the rotary mechanism.

Steering wheel adjustments

The first vertically adjustable steering wheel was developed by engineer Edward Lobdell in 1900. In its design, as in our time, a ratchet mechanism was used. However, unlike modern adjustable rudders, Lobdell's wheel could only be moved within seven predetermined positions.

The steering wheel adjustment in the longitudinal direction from the control panel to the driver and back was introduced. For the first time, the adjustment was serially applied in the Ford Thunderbird, produced from 1955 to 1957.

In modern cars, adjustments in length and height are usually carried out using servomotors. In addition to automating this function, the rudders also provide electronic position memory. After opening the driver's door and removing the ignition key from the lock, the steering wheel moves as far forward and up as possible. When the ignition key is inserted again, the steering wheel returns to its predetermined position.

Additional devices on the steering wheel

Since 1981, airbags have been installed in the wheels. The frontal airbag is equipped with special sensors and is located in the central upper part of the steering wheel, above the hub.

In the process of improving the car, the wheel was replenished with controls and additional devices. Such steering wheels are called multifunctional. Structurally, they are more complex, but increase the comfort of the driver when driving. In addition, the driver does not have to be distracted from the road in order to use one or another option.

The control keys for additional functions are located in the modules that are located on both sides of the . Typically, these keys can be used to remotely control the cruise control system, radio, and telephone.

When using such a wheel, information about the operation of all systems is displayed on the central display.

Steering wheel options

The set of additional steering wheel options is regularly updated. When buying a modern car, you can order a heated steering wheel that can maintain a temperature of about 30 degrees.

To improve driving safety, Intel is currently developing a new steering wheel equipped with a Touch Pad. The buttons for controlling the media center, climate control, etc., located on the multifunctional steering wheel, will be replaced by a touch panel that will be installed on the steering wheel spoke. On-board systems can be controlled with the thumb of the right hand.

Possible damage to the steering wheel

If you do not take into account all the additional functions, the control of which is located on the steering wheel, then the breakdown of it is practically impossible.

There may be a gap or backlash. In this case, it is necessary to replace the bushing or adjust the fasteners.

Abrasion of the protective coating cannot be called a breakdown of the steering wheel, but most often drivers complain about this particular problem.

Do you know what the steering wheel on a racing car is called? Steering wheel! And in our cars, all that is a steering wheel ... Do you feel the difference? But let's leave Schumacher's Schumacher and talk about what is steering, or steering gear.

The steering system is used to control the car and ensure its movement in a given direction at the command of the driver. The system includes steering gear and steering gear. In order to imagine the work of steering mechanisms of different generations, we will divide the explanation into three parts, that is how many of them there are in the automotive industry.

Worm gear

It got its name because of the steering column drive system, namely the worm gear. The steering system includes:

• steering wheel (I think it is not necessary to explain?)
• steering shaft with cross, is a metal rod, which has slots on one side for fixing the steering wheel, and on the other side, internal slots for attaching to the steering column. Full fixation is made by a turnbuckle, which compresses the junction of the shaft and the “worm” of the column drive. At the bend of the shaft, it is installed, with the help of which the lateral force of rotation is transmitted.
• steering column, a device assembled in one cast housing, which includes a worm drive gear and a driven one. The driven gear is rigidly connected to the steering arm.
• steering rods, tips and "pendulum", the totality of these parts connected to each other by means of ball and threaded joints.

The operation of the steering mechanism is as follows: when the steering wheel is rotated, the rotational force is transmitted to the worm gear of the column, the "worm" rotates the driven gear, which in turn drives the steering arm. The bipod is connected to the middle steering rod, the second end of the rod is attached to the pendulum lever. The lever is mounted on a support and is rigidly attached to the car body. Side rods depart from the bipod and the “pendulum”, which are connected to the steering tips with the help of crimp couplings. The tips are connected to the hub. The steering arm, turning, transfers the force simultaneously to the side rod and to the middle lever. The middle lever actuates the second lateral link and the hubs turn, respectively the wheels too.

Such a system was common on old Zhiguli and BMW models.

Rack and pinion steering

The most common system at present. The main nodes are:

• steering wheel (steering wheel)
• steering shaft (same as in the worm gear)
• The steering rack is an assembly consisting of a toothed rack, which is driven by a steering gear. Assembled in one body, often made of light alloy, it is attached directly to the car body. At the ends of the gear rack, threaded holes are made for attaching steering rods.
• Tie rods are a metal rod with a thread on one end and a threaded swivel ball device on the other.
• steering tip, this is a body with a ball joint and an internal thread, for screwing in the steering rod.

When the steering wheel is rotated, the force is transferred to the gear, which drives the steering rack. The rail "leaves" the body to the left or right. The force is transmitted to the steering lever with a tip. The tip is inserted into the hub, which it turns in the future.

To reduce the driver's effort when turning the steering wheel, power steering was introduced into the rack and pinion steering device, we will dwell on them in more detail

The power steering is an auxiliary device for turning the steering wheel. There are several types of power steering. This hydraulic booster, hydroelectric booster, electric booster and pneumatic booster.

1. The hydraulic booster consists of a hydraulic pump, which drives, a high-pressure hose system, and a fluid reservoir. The rack housing is hermetically sealed, as it contains hydraulic fluid. The principle of operation of the hydraulic booster is as follows: the pump builds up pressure in the system, but if the steering wheel is in place, the pump simply circulates the fluid. As soon as the driver begins to turn the steering wheel, the circulation is blocked, and the liquid begins to put pressure on the rail, “helping” the driver. The pressure is directed in the direction in which the "steering wheel" rotates.
2. IN hydroelectric booster the system is exactly the same, only the pump rotates the electric motor.
3. IN electric booster an electric motor is also used, but it is connected directly to the rack or to the steering shaft. Controlled by an electronic control unit. The electric power steering is also called an adaptive power steering due to the possibility of applying different forces to the rotation of the steering wheel, depending on the speed. The famous Servotronic system.
4. Pneumatic booster this is a close “relative” of the hydraulic booster, only the liquid has been replaced with compressed air.

Active steering system

The most "advanced" at the present time, it includes:

• steering rack with and electric motor
• electronic control unit
• steering rods, tips
• steering wheel (well, what about without it?)

The principle of operation of the steering system reminiscent of something. When the steering wheel rotates, the planetary mechanism rotates, which drives the rack, but only the gear ratio is always different, depending on the speed of the car. The fact is that the sun gear is rotated from the outside by an electric motor, therefore, depending on the speed of rotation, the gear ratio changes. At low speed, the transmission coefficient is unity. But with greater acceleration, when the slightest movement of the steering wheel can lead to negative consequences, the electric motor turns on, rotates the sun gear, and accordingly, it is necessary to turn the steering wheel more when turning. At low vehicle speeds, the electric motor rotates in the opposite direction, creating a more comfortable control.

The rest of the process looks like a simple rack system.

Haven't forgotten anything? Forgotten, of course! They forgot one more system - screw. True, this system is more like a worm gear. So - a screw thread is machined on the shaft, along which a kind of nut “creeps”, it is a gear rack with a thread inside. The rack teeth actuate the steering sector, in turn, it betrays the movement of the bipod, and then, as in the worm system. To reduce friction, there are balls inside the "nut" that "circulate" during rotation.

The steering wheel is an integral part of most modern land vehicles.

For both light vehicles and heavy trucks, the steering wheel is a device for moving them in a given direction.

The steering wheel directly affects the entire mechanics of the car through the physical impact on it by the driver: other mechanical systems also react to similar driver inputs. Driver actions such as direct contact with the mechanical part of the vehicle, such as in a ball nut mechanism or rack and pinion gears.

The steering wheel in the vast majority of modern vehicles has a round shape and is attached to the steering column in the sleeve, with one spoke or several attached to the outer ring of the steering wheel. Other classes of motor vehicles may have other handlebar shapes, such as the common butterfly shape. Also, the steering wheel can be located both on the left and on the right side, depending on the country of location, where the corresponding movement system is used. In order to protect road users and minimize the risk of an accident, making the stay in the driver's seat as comfortable as possible, there are additional manipulators on the steering wheel in addition to the horn, such as cruise control and all kinds of audio control buttons.

The hydraulic steering wheel system allows you to steer a motor vehicle without much effort. New brands and classes of cars are mostly switching to an electronic power steering system, but still, the vast majority of cars currently in operation are based on hydraulic power steering.

Mechanical power steering is used extremely rarely due to its monstrous shortcomings, which relate to too large dimensions and considerable weight.

Taking into account all the advantages revealed in the course of numerous tests, the way to control a vehicle with a steering wheel has proven to be unsurpassed today.

Used in older car brands. This steering wheel included three or four spokes with a wire base, looked like the strings of a musical instrument "Banjo", hence the name of the steering wheel. Its practical application was carried out in order to create depreciation and reduce the impact on the driver's hands of road shaking.

Deviated steering wheel. It was developed with the aim of improving the driving comfort of a motor vehicle. This option was created for more solid car brands. The steering wheel had the properties of moving up and down in an arc, thereby helping to set up a comfortable position for driving a vehicle. This steering wheel is based on a ratchet mechanism, which was located under the steering wheel on the steering column.

Telescopic steering wheel. This option was created by General Motors. The telescoping steering wheel allowed the steering wheel to be adjusted within a three-inch range.

Adjustable steering column. As a consequence, an adjustable steering column was developed, which allowed not only adjusting the tilt of the steering wheel, but also adjusting its height.

The fundamental tasks for which steering wheel tuning is performed is to improve comfort in use, it may include: constriction into the skin or a substitute, a change in the anatomy of the steering wheel, heating steering wheel. Considering the fact that most new car models come in dark colors, then, as a rule, hauling from colored materials is popular.

Steering is one of the main systems of a car, which is a set of components and mechanisms designed to synchronize the position of the steering wheel (steering wheel) and the angle of rotation of the steered wheels (in most car models, these are the front wheels). The main purpose of steering for any vehicle is to ensure turning and maintaining the direction of movement set by the driver.

Steering system device

Steering diagram

Structurally, the steering system consists of the following elements:

• Steering wheel (steering wheel) - designed to control the driver in order to indicate the direction of the car. In modern models, it is additionally equipped with multimedia system control buttons. The driver's front airbag is also integrated into the steering wheel.
• - performs the transfer of force from the steering wheel to the steering mechanism. It is a shaft with articulated joints. To ensure safety and protection against theft, the column can be equipped with electrical or mechanical folding and locking systems. Additionally, the steering column is equipped with an ignition lock, controls for lighting equipment and a car windshield wiper.
• - performs the transformation of the effort created by the driver through the rotation of the steering wheel and transfers it to the wheel drive. Structurally, it is a gearbox with a certain gear ratio. The mechanism itself connects the steering cardan shaft to the steering column.
• - consists of steering rods, tips and levers that transfer force from the steering mechanism to the steering knuckles of the drive wheels.
• Power steering - increases the force that is transmitted from the steering wheel to the drive.
• Additional elements (steering shock absorber or "damper", electronic systems).

It is also worth noting that the suspension and steering of the car have a close relationship. The stiffness and height of the first determine the degree of response of the car to the rotation of the steering wheel.

Types of steering

Depending on the type of gearbox of the system, the steering mechanism (steering system) can be of the following types:

• Rack - the most common type used in cars. This type of steering mechanism has a simple structure and is characterized by high efficiency. The disadvantages are that this type of mechanism is sensitive to the resulting shock loads when operating in difficult road conditions.
• Worm - provides good maneuverability of the car and a fairly large angle of rotation of the wheels. This type of mechanism is less affected by shock loading, but more expensive to manufacture.
• Screw - the principle of operation is similar to the worm mechanism, but it has a higher efficiency and allows you to create more effort.

Depending on the type of amplifier that provides for the steering device, systems are distinguished:

• WITH . Its main advantage is its compactness and simplicity of design. Hydraulic steering among modern vehicles is one of the most common. The disadvantage of such a system is the need to control the level of the working fluid.
• WITH . Such a power steering system is considered the most progressive. It provides easy adjustment of control settings, high reliability, economical fuel consumption and the ability to drive a car without driver participation.
• WITH . The principle of operation of this system is similar to the system with a hydraulic booster. The main difference is that the booster pump is driven by an electric motor rather than an internal combustion engine.

The steering of a modern car can be supplemented by the following systems:

• - the system changes the gear ratio value depending on the current speed. It allows you to adjust the angle of rotation of the wheels and provides a safer and more stable movement on slippery surfaces.
• Dynamic steering - works similarly to an active system, however, in this case, an electric motor is used instead of a planetary gearbox.
• Adaptive steering for vehicles - the main feature is the absence of a rigid connection between the steering wheel of the car and its wheels.

Vehicle steering requirements

According to the standard, the following basic requirements apply to steering:

• Ensuring a given trajectory of movement with the necessary parameters of agility, understeer and stability.
• The effort on the steering wheel for the maneuver should not exceed the normalized value.
• The total number of turns of the steering wheel from the middle position to each of the extreme positions should not exceed the set value.
• If the amplifier fails, the ability to drive the car must remain.

There is another standard parameter that determines the normal functioning of the steering - this is the total play. This parameter represents the value of the steering angle before the steered wheels turn.

The value of the allowable total play in the steering must be within:

• 10° for cars and minibuses;
• 20° for buses and similar vehicles;
• 25° for trucks.

Features of right-hand and left-hand drive

Left hand and right hand drive

Modern cars can be provided with right-hand drive or left-hand drive, depending on the type of vehicle and the legislation of individual countries. Depending on this, the steering wheel can be located on the right (when driving on the left) or on the left (when driving on the right).

In most countries, left-hand drive (or right-hand drive). The main difference between the mechanisms is not only in the position of the steering wheel, but also in the steering gearbox, which is adapted to different connection sides. On the other hand, conversion from right-hand drive to left-hand drive is still possible.

In some types of special equipment, for example, in tractors, hydrostatic steering is provided, which ensures the independence of the position of the steering wheel from the layout of other elements. In this system, there is no mechanical connection between the drive and the steering wheel. To turn the wheels, hydrostatic steering provides a power cylinder, which is controlled by a metering pump.

The main advantages that hydrostatic steering for vehicles has in comparison with the classic steering mechanism with hydraulic booster: the need to apply less effort to make a turn, no backlash, and the possibility of arbitrary arrangement of system nodes.