What is the working principle of the steering gear?
4 Answers
The working principle of the steering gear is: 1. When the car is driving straight, the steering gear connects the working fluid overflowed from the steering oil pump with the oil tank, and the steering oil pump is in an unloading state; 2. When the car needs to turn right, the steering gear connects the working fluid overflowed from the steering oil pump with the R chamber, and connects the L chamber with the oil tank, making the left and right wheels deflect to the right through the transmission structure to achieve right steering. The function of the steering gear is to increase the force transmitted from the steering wheel to the steering arm and change the direction of force transmission. The steering gear is composed of gears and racks, and its types include: rack and pinion type, worm and peg type, and recirculating ball type.
The working principle of the steering gear is quite interesting. When the steering wheel turns, it transmits the motion through the steering column to the steering gearbox, which contains a rack or screw mechanism that converts the rotation of the steering wheel into steering force for the left and right wheels. If the car has hydraulic power steering, the power steering pump uses hydraulic pressure to assist, making driving easier and more effortless. I particularly enjoy discussing this system because it avoids the strenuous effort required by old-fashioned mechanical steering, especially providing more stability during high-speed turns. However, the issue is that if hydraulic fluid leaks or air gets into the system, the steering can become heavier, requiring timely maintenance to ensure driving safety.
As a driver with decades of experience, the steering gear is essentially what transfers your steering wheel movements to the front wheels. My old car had a manual system that relied entirely on arm strength, but new cars now use electric power steering—the wheel feels light as a feather, with a small motor assisting the gear mechanism, making driving much more comfortable. I must remind you that the steering system requires regular checks of the power steering fluid or electrical connections, as a jam can be dangerous. Safety on the road comes first—if you notice the steering becoming heavy, get it repaired immediately.
The steering gear basically relies on a set of gear mechanisms. When you turn the steering wheel, the power is transmitted through the shaft to the gearbox, which drives the wheels to turn left or right. I've tried the electric power steering system, which uses an electric motor instead of a hydraulic pump, making it quieter and more energy-efficient. Don't underestimate this component; if it fails, the steering won't work properly, which can be quite troublesome. Just make sure to maintain it regularly.
