What is the principle of car turning?
3 Answers
Car steering principle mainly involves the steering wheel driving the steering gear, which then activates the rack and pinion steering mechanism. The following are introductions to the steering system and steering gear: Automotive Steering System: The automotive steering system is used to maintain or change the direction of the car's movement or reverse. The automotive steering system is crucial to the safety of the car's operation, hence the components of the automotive steering system are referred to as safety parts. Both the automotive steering system and the braking system are two systems that must be taken seriously for vehicle safety. Types of Steering Gears: There are worm and peg type (WP type), worm and roller type (WR type), recirculating ball type (BS type), and rack and pinion type (RP type). These four types of steering gears have been widely used in automobiles. Due to the various advantages of the rack and pinion steering gear, its application in small vehicles (including small passenger cars, light trucks, or multi-purpose vehicles) has developed by leaps and bounds; while large vehicles mainly use the recirculating ball steering gear as the primary structure.
The principle of car turning is quite interesting, mainly relying on the friction between the wheels and the ground. When you turn the steering wheel, the front wheels change their angle, and the friction generated between the tires and the road pulls the car towards the new direction. Newton's first law states that an object tends to maintain straight-line motion, so a centripetal force is needed to change the trajectory during a turn. If the speed is too high or the road is slippery, and the friction is insufficient, the car may skid or lose control. The grip of the tires is crucial; with proper tire pressure and unworn rubber, the car turns more stably. For smaller turning radii, it's necessary to slow down to enhance grip. The vehicle's center of gravity also plays a role—SUVs with higher bodies are more prone to rollovers, so it's important to control the steering wheel and maintain a steady speed when navigating turns.
When driving, I noticed that the car turns quite directly by simply turning the steering wheel to rotate the wheels. If you turn the wheel to the left, the front wheels turn left, and the car naturally steers in that direction. The key is that the tires must have good friction with the road surface; otherwise, the car may skid. Once, I took a turn too fast in the rain and nearly lost control, so now I always slow down in advance. Turning becomes even more dangerous when tires are worn or underinflated. In terms of speed, beginners tend to turn or brake abruptly—it’s better to transition smoothly. Always check the rearview mirror when turning to ensure safety. Some cars have sensitive steering and respond immediately, while larger vehicles may require more wheel input. Regular tire maintenance helps prevent slipping. Engine power distribution also affects turning—four-wheel-drive cars generally have better grip on curves.
