Types of steering systems for the modern car

Surely everyone, even a novice car enthusiast, knows the mechanism and operation of steering. If not, we can help you understand the types of steering systems that are fitted to modern cars.

For quite a long time, neither designers nor motorists dreamed of power steering. Initially they were fitted to heavy machinery – dump trucks. It happened in 1938-1939. True, at first they used pneumatic amplifiers – they were simple in technical terms and attached to the compressor of the braking system. In 1951 passenger cars were first equipped with power steering.

Steering mechanisms

Main functions of the steering mechanism:

• transferring and gradually increasing the force that is applied to the steering autowheel;
• the spontaneous return of the steering wheel to the neutral position after the load is removed;

Today passenger cars are equipped with such types of steering mechanism: worm, rack and pinion-rail. Worm mechanism has a number of disadvantages, among which «heavy» and «uninformative» steering wheel. That is why this type of steering is not used in modern cars. The rack-and-pinion steering – the most common type of steering system. Its advantages: small weight, low cost, compactness and a minimum number of links and joints.

Rail pinion steering is well suited to front-wheel-drive configurations and provides the greatest ease and precision of steering.

High-tech and state-of-the-art power steering

Based on the fact that the power steering pump constantly delivers and moves a large volume of fluid, so a lot of fuel is wasted. Designers are working on a number of innovations that will improve fuel economy. One of them – is the introduction of an electronic control system. In this way, the mechanical contact between the steering wheel and the steering wheel mechanism is completely eliminated.  

In essence, the steering unit works in the same way as a steering wheel for computer games. However, in this case, the steering wheel is still equipped with sensors to signal the direction of the wheels and motors that provide feedback to the auto. The raw data from these sensors is then used to control the electrically driven steering mechanism. This eliminates the need for a steering shaft and creates space in the engine compartment.

General Motors has already shown the GM Hy-Wire concept car. The Hy-Wire╶ is a self-driving prototype fuel cell car that is equipped and fully electronically controlled. A distinctive feature of the electronic control system – the possibility of self-tuning the controllability of the car with the help of computer software. The control system in electronically controlled cars of the future can be adjusted with the help of a few special buttons. And it's very easy!

The auto steering system has not changed much over the past decades. However, the next decade will see an era of more fuel-efficient and easier-to-drive cars.

And that's why we're looking forward to an era of more fuel-efficient and easier-to-drive cars.