With the help of the steering device, you can change the direction of the vessel or keep it on a given course. In the latter case, the task of the steering device is to resist external forces, such as wind or current, which can cause the vessel to deviate from the intended course. Steering devices have been known since the appearance of the first floating craft. In ancient times, steering devices were large swing oars mounted on the stern, on one side or on both sides of the vessel. During the Middle Ages, they began to be replaced by an articulated rudder, which was placed on the sternpost in the diametrical plane of the ship. In this form, it has survived to this day.
Handlebar types
a - an ordinary steering wheel; b - balance steering wheel; c - semi-balanced steering wheel (semi-suspended); d - balancing steering wheel (outboard); e - semi-balanced steering wheel (semi-suspended); f - active steering wheel; g - bow thruster ( propellers opposite rotation); h - bow thruster (reversible propeller)
Depending on the principle of operation, passive and active rudders are distinguished. Steering devices are called passive, allowing the vessel to turn only during the course, more precisely, during the movement of water relative to the hull of the vessel. In contrast, the active rudder allows the vessel to turn regardless of whether it is moving or stationary. The passive steering device consists of a steering column with a gear, a steering machine and a rudder blade. Older designs used single-ply rudders. At present, profile curly rudders are mainly used (Fig. a). If you don’t know how much it costs to repair a steering gear, study our price lists now. The feather of such a steering wheel consists of two convex outer shells with inside ribs and vertical diaphragms for increased rigidity. In general, the design of the rudder blade is all-welded and hollow inside. Exist various ways steering wheel mounts. It can be hinged to the sternpost (fig. a) or installed in the thrust bearing (fig. b). Other ways of fastening are shown in figures c, e.
According to the position of the rudder blade relative to the axis of rotation of the stock, there are:
Ordinary steering wheel - the plane of the rudder blade is located behind the axis of rotation;
Semi-balanced rudder - only a large part of the rudder blade is behind the axis of rotation, due to which there is a reduced torque when the rudder is shifted;
balance wheel- the rudder blade is located on both sides of the axis of rotation so that when the rudder is shifted, no significant moments occur.
Handlebar types
f - active steering wheel; g - bow thruster (counter-rotating propellers); h - bow thruster (reversible propeller)
An example of a steering arrangement with active rudder is shown in figure f. An electric motor is built into the rudder blade, which drives the propeller, which is placed in a nozzle to protect against damage. By turning the rudder blade together with the propeller at a certain angle, a transverse stop occurs, which causes the vessel to turn. The active rudder performs its functions even when the vessel is at anchor. Such a rudder is used on special vessels such as factory ships, whaling ships, repair and auxiliary ships. In addition, the active steering can be used as emergency engine. Rudders, as a rule, are placed in the stern of the vessel. Only in special occasions(for example, on river ferries or canal ships) bow rudders are also used. Why vulkan is attractive The official gaming business is prohibited in many countries, but to increase the maneuverability of the vessel, thrusters belonging to the group are often used active rudders without a pen. Bow or stern thrusters are installed across the vessel in the tunnel. This tunnel also houses two propellers or an axial pump rotor. As one propeller turns, water flows through the tunnel. Due to this, there is a stop, and the hull of the vessel moves. Thrusters are increasingly using variable pitch propellers instead of two propellers or a single axial pump rotor. As already indicated, in order to steering mount acted, pen passive steering should be at a certain angle. The rudder stock is driven by a steering machine installed below deck in the stern of the vessel. There are steam, electric and hydraulic steering machines.
Steering gear with electric drive
a - the location of the steering device
1 - steering machine; 2 - steering pin; 3 - semi-balanced steering wheel; 4 - rudder stock
b - electric sector steering gear
1 - hand wheel drive (emergency drive); 2 - tiller; 3 - reducer; 4 - steering sector; 5 - engine; 6 - spring; 7 - rudder stock; 8 - profile curly steering wheel; 9 - segment of the worm wheel and brake; 10 - worm
On fig. b shows an obsolete design of the electric steering gear. The electric motor through the gearbox drives the steering sector, which is mounted on the rudder stock. Two springs, perceiving wave impacts on the rudder blade, connect the rudder sector to the tiller; the latter, in turn, is connected through a feather key to the rudder stock, on which a profile rudder is placed. If you need to turn the rudder blade, you need to start the motor with a certain speed. In the event of a malfunction of the electric steering machine, the steering wheel is set in motion by a manually operated mechanism consisting of a steering column and a steering wheel. By turning the steering wheel, the worm wheel and the emergency drive segment interacting with it, mounted directly on the rudder stock, are set in motion. The emergency rudder bollard is usually mounted in the stern on the upper deck of the vessel. On modern ships, as a rule, hydraulic steering machines are used. When the steering wheel is rotated on the bridge, the telemotor sensor is triggered. Oil flowing under pressure in the pipeline causes the telemotor receiver to move, due to which the steering pump is driven in the appropriate direction.
Steering gear with hydraulic drive
a - a diagram of the hydraulic drive of the steering device of the Atlas type with telemotors; b - hydraulic steering piston
1 - connection to onboard network; 2 - cable connections; 3 - spare canister; 4 - steering pump; 5 - steering column with telemotor sensor; 6 - indicator device; 7 - telemotor receiver; 8 - engine; 9 - hydraulic steering machine; 10 - rudder stock; 11 - steering wheel position indicator sensor
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.
In the future, with the start of export European cars in the United States, the principle has 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, on cars concern Ford the first "safe steering wheel" was demonstrated, 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, there is a button on the steering wheel sound signal. 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. At trucks the range is from 440 mm to 550 mm, for cars - from 380 mm to 425 mm.
At sports cars the wheel is even smaller. A small-diameter steering wheel manufactured by, for example, Momo, a company popular among tuners, requires a lot of driver effort in driving a car, but it has the best transmission torque to the swivel 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 handlebars, it was possible to move the Lobdell wheel only within seven given 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 Ford car Thunderbird, produced between 1955 and 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 driver's door and removing the ignition key from the lock, the steering wheel moves forward and up as much 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
Kit additional options steering wheel replenished regularly. 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. Media center controls located on the multifunction steering wheel, air conditioner etc., will be replaced by a touch panel that will be mounted on the steering wheel spoke. Control onboard systems can be carried out with the thumb of the right hand.
Possible damage to the steering wheel
If you do not take into account all additional functions, the control of which is located on the steering wheel, then the breakdown of it itself is practically excluded.
There may be a gap or backlash. In this case, it is necessary to replace the bushing or adjust the fasteners.
Abrasion protective coating It cannot be called a breakdown of the steering wheel, but most often drivers complain about this particular problem.
The steering wheel of a car is one of those tools that we take for granted. I mean, all of our cars have steering wheels and we haven't heard of cars without one. When buying a new car, we ask the manager a lot of questions about seat upholstery, paintwork, engine, etc. etc., but we never ask about his steering wheel…….
Steering Wheel was not invented with the machine, as many people think, it was invented much later, when the inventors came to this form in a practical way. It turned out that the round or oval shape is the best for control.
The first steering wheel, when a person was just inventing a car (it was at the turn of the 19th century), was far from perfect, it most likely resembled the “keel” of a ship or a sailing boat, and was called a “tiller”. This, relatively speaking, was a stick that the driver pulled either to the right or to the left, and the car changed its direction, just like on motor boat Now. Also, many inventors took from the boat not only the method of control, but sometimes the design, so many of the first cars looked more like a boat!
However, by 1894 the use of the tiller had become ineffective. And the inventors again began to fight over perfect shape. Many took inspiration from the same marine industry and wanted to replace the tiller with simple levers, pull one going right, the other going left. But again, the same marine industry suggested the right decision. For the first time, Alfred Vacheron wanted to use a round steering wheel, he was inspired by the steering wheels of ocean cargo ships. Probably everyone watched films about pirates, and saw the round steering wheels of ships.
His first model was calledPanhard, and in the patent book he wrote it down as a model with a round turning steering wheel.
Tests made in 1894 showed that the ease of driving a car is what all auto inventors have been striving for so long. Already in 1898, all cars from the Panhard series were equipped with a steering wheel. The principle was quickly picked up by other manufacturers, and the wheel spread throughout the world. After this point, the wheel in the shape of a circle became the standard. The oval of the wheel became an invariable symbol of the steering wheel for the next hundred years. Let me notice the steering wheel is round, and still is. IN modern world inventors are increasingly thinking about autopilots, in order to abandon the way we are used to control, the car, according to their ideas, should be completely autonomous. Progress is clear! But let's dive back into those old days.
STEERING.
For decades, the steering wheel was nothing more than a wooden circle mounted inside the car. With its help, the driver drove the vehicle. So it would be, the driver turned the steering wheel to the right or left and the transport turns obediently. But the essence of the process, the steering itself is very complicated, especially on trucks, and especially when the car is stationary. The force of resistance does not allow the steering wheel to spin freely.
There have been no attempts to introduce amplifiers into the steering wheel production in the world yet. Although GW Fitts already in 1876 already received a patent for a hydraulic steering mechanism. But vacuum system was patented only in 1904, Frederick Lanchester did it in the UK, however, production was never launched by any of the inventors. In 1920 Francis W. Davis, engineerDavis' Pierce Arrow roadster was the first hydraulically assisted car in an attempt to make driving a truck a little easier mass production hydraulic boosters in passenger cars.
Coincidentally or not, power steering also appears on large ships (bulk carriers). Davis begins to improve his hydraulic control system and Cadillac is interested in it. Between 1931 and 1943, Davis receives patents for this invention.
In 1936, Bendix Corporation saw Davis' prospects and signed him to a contract to promote the product (power steering).
In 1939, the first ten models with hydraulic booster were built, only two were sold.
In 1940, there was a war in Europe and it was the war that pushed, further development hydraulic systems. The military wanted cars that were easy to drive. And it was a high point for Davis, he built 10,000 armored vehicles Chevrolet which were controlled by hydraulic booster.
After the war, Chrysler began developing its own amplifier based on the Davis amplifier. Their system was called Hydraguide. The success was immediate and huge, by 1956, one in four cars had power steering.
Now there are also cars with both electro-hydraulic and electric booster. And some companies like Citroen have patented their systems.
The steering wheel is the control center of the car.
Modern cars have an advanced steering wheel, with its help the driver can control not only the radio but also many functions.
And the best ones are on our AUTOBLOG.
Steering- 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- this is the provision of a turn and the maintenance of the direction of movement set by the driver.
Steering system device
Steering diagramStructurally, 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 control buttons multimedia system. 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 dispenser can be equipped with electrical or mechanical systems folding and locking. Additionally, the steering column is equipped with an ignition switch, lighting controls and a windshield wiper. windshield car.
- - 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 some gear ratio. The mechanism itself connects to the steering column cardan shaft steering.
- - consists of steering rods, tips and levers that transfer force from the steering mechanism to knuckles driving wheels.
- Power steering - increases the force that is transmitted from the steering wheel to the drive.
- Additional elements(steering damper 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 has simple design and has a high efficiency. The disadvantages are that this type of mechanism is sensitive to the resulting shock loads when operating in complex road conditions.
- Worm - provides good maneuverability of the car and enough high angle turning wheels. This type of mechanism is less affected by shock loading, but more expensive to manufacture.
- Screw - the principle of operation is similar to worm gear, however, it has more high efficiency and allows you to create great efforts.
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 working fluid.
- WITH . Such a power steering system is considered the most progressive. It provides easy adjustment of control settings, high reliability work, economical fuel consumption and the ability to drive a car without the participation of a driver.
- 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 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 active system, however, in the construction in this case, instead of planetary gear an electric motor is used.
- Adaptive steering for vehicles — main feature is the lack 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 necessary parameters agility, steering 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 is the amount of steering angle before the steerable wheels begin to turn.
Valid value total backlash in steering should 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 driveModern 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 may be located on the right (with left-hand traffic) or left (with right-handed).
In most countries left-hand drive (or right-hand traffic). 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 power cylinder controlled by the dosing 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.
The general structure and principle of operation of the steering system of a car, like many other modern vehicles, can be described as follows. Steering has tie rods, rack and pinion or worm gear steering and steering column ending with a steering wheel. The system functions quite simply: when acting on the steering wheel, the force is transmitted through the steering mechanism to the steering rods, which are pivotally connected to the suspension arms, which leads to a change in the trajectory of the car. In addition, the steering wheel informs the driver about the status pavement, determined by the magnitude of the force applied to the steering wheel. If you do not take into account the size of the steering wheel in sports cars, the diameter of the steering wheel for most cars is in the range of 38-42.5 cm.
The steering wheel is connected to the steering mechanism by means of a safety steering column, which has several universal joints. Trauma safety lies in the fact that when head-on collision on high speed it (column) is folded, thus reducing the severity of injuries inflicted on the driver. Modern cars are equipped with electric or mechanical adjustment adapting the steering column to the height of the driver. The change is carried out both in the vertical direction and along the length, or in two directions. Also provided anti-theft protection by locking the steering column electrically or mechanically.
The steering mechanism plays the role of a multiplier of the efforts applied by the driver to the steering wheel with subsequent distribution of the load on the steering gear. The most used type of steering gearbox in cars is its worm and rack and pinion design, with the first option more often used in cars of the last century. The rack and pinion version is a cylindrical gear that is integral with the shaft and moves along the rack, which is pivotally connected to the steering rods. When the position of the steering wheel changes by a certain angle, the rack moves in a horizontal plane and turns the wheels through the rods. A pair of gear-rack is located in the gearbox housing, which is located in the suspension subframe.
Some vehicles are equipped with variable ratio steering, where applied rack with a different tooth profile: in the near-zero zone, the teeth have the shape of a triangle, and closer to the edges, they look like a trapezoid. The design of the rack with different tooth geometry contributes to changing the gear ratio in the gear-rack pair, reducing the steering angle. Thanks to this scheme, driving is much more convenient, more dynamic, and less effort is required on the steering wheel.
Some auto manufacturers use four-wheel steering gears on cars. The design allows for more efficient control and ensures the stability of the machine when driving on high speed. Thanks to this technical solution front and rear wheels cars received synchronization when turning in one direction or another. In addition, improved maneuverability in the case when the vehicle is moving with low speed: front and rear wheels can be turned in different directions. This is achieved due to the fact that at a high speed of the car, silent blocks installed on rear suspension, under the influence of forces during a turn, the car is deformed, preventing the wheels from significantly changing the angle of rotation.
The steering gear is an articulated-lever design, through which the forces applied to the steering wheel are transmitted directly to the wheels, while ensuring the stability of the car when turning. In addition, the design holds the wheels during suspension operation, the type of which depends on the steering gear device.
Most Popular mechanical design steering gear, including steering rods and ball joints(steering joints). In turn, the ball joint, protected from wear by liners, is located in a housing with a closed rubber boot, which prevents dust and dirt from penetrating into the swivel joint. The ball joint is made in one piece with the ball pin, which serves as a tip for the steering rods and forms an additional suspension arm with them.
To adjust the steering, there are several parameters that affect the stability of the car while driving, and the force applied to the steering wheel. The four most important of these relate to angle adjustments: camber, toe, fore and aft and transverse slope wheel hub, as well as two shoulder adjustments (stabilization and running-in). It is worth noting that all adjustments are interconnected and have an important impact on the operation of the entire steering.
Modern cars can no longer do without power steering, which significantly reduces the force applied to the steering wheel, allowing you to accurately and quickly respond to the surroundings while driving. Thanks to the power steering, the driver gets less tired, and gear ratio gears in the gearbox can be reduced, making it more compact. According to its type, the amplifier drive is divided into electric, hydraulic or pneumatic. The latter applies more to cargo class vehicles.
Most of the cars current generation equipped with hydraulic power steering, referred to for simplicity as "power steering". In addition, there is its version - electric hydraulic booster, in which the fluid is pumped by a pump driven by an electric motor. However, the currently used electric amplifier steering, in which the torque of the motor shaft is applied directly to the propeller shaft of the steering wheel or directly to the steering gear. And the use of electronics makes possible application electric booster when parking automatic mode or in a system that helps keep the vehicle in its lane.
An innovative power steering can be considered an adaptive power steering, thanks to which the force applied when turning the wheel depends on the speed of movement. An example of such a design is the well-known adaptive hydraulic amplifier Servotronic. The new product also includes an active steering system. BMW controls, as well as Audi's dynamic steering system, in which the gear ratio of the steering gear depends on the vehicle's speed.
