Power-assisted steering system is designed to resist steering resistance by increasing external force, so that drivers can complete steering with less force, also known as power-assisted steering. Its original intention is to make some large vehicles with heavy weight easier to operate, but many automobile manufacturers have equipped them with power-assisted steering systems. It makes driving easier and more agile, and improves the safety to some extent.
According to the different sources of power assisted hydraulic steering and electric power assisted hydraulic steering, power assisted steering can be divided into two categories. Let's take a look at the main principle of mechanical power-assisted hydraulic steering. On the basis of mechanical rack-and-pinion steering mechanism, it adds a whole set of hydraulic system, including liquid storage tank, hydraulic booster pump, mechanical valve connected to steering column, hydraulic cylinder on steering mechanism and piston that can push steering rod.
In addition, the mechanical hydraulic power steering system consists of hydraulic pump, pipeline and oil cylinder. In order to maintain the pressure, the system is always in working state, regardless of whether steering assistance is needed, and the energy and resources consumed are high.
Features of mechanical hydraulic power assist: The whole system is mechanical structure, from the mechanical hydraulic pump driven by belt to the hydraulic mechanical valve body on the steering column, without any electronic system, with mature and stable technology, high reliability and wide application range. Even if the hydraulic system of the vehicle fails and loses power assistance, it can still rely on the traditional rack-and-pinion mechanism for steering.