26
2026
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05
The world beneath the steering wheel
We are going to talk about the last system of the car chassis.
转向系
Steering system
As the name suggests
it is the system that allows the vehicle to steer
With it
you can freely turn to anywhere you want to go
For example, into that small alley around the corner, hehehe
This system is mainly composed of three parts: the steering control mechanism, the steering gear, and the steering transmission mechanism. In other words, the front of the steering gear is the 'control mechanism,' which includes the steering wheel, steering shaft, universal joint, etc. The lower part of the steering gear is the 'transmission mechanism,' which includes the steering tie rod, steering arm, steering knuckle, etc.
The control mechanism is responsible for analyzing your little thoughts
Then it communicates them to the steering gear
After the steering gear receives this signal
it acts like a big butler
whipping the transmission mechanism to take action
and guides you to the little alley you want to go to
Generally speaking
experienced drivers evaluate a car's steering system mainly by carefully feeling the following aspects:
1. Sensitivity
2. Ease of handling
3. Appropriate "road feel"
4. Reliability
5. Tire-friendliness
It should be noted that
the first three indicators are not necessarily better the higher they are
what matters is that they are "appropriate"
For example, the "play" in the steering wheel can reduce sensitivity
but it also helps to cushion road impacts, making driving less tiring
Therefore, many racing cars focus on sensitivity
while ordinary vehicles need a certain amount of "play"
"Lightness" and "road feel" are a bunch of contradictions.
What? You don't know what road feel is?
Road feel is when the condition of the road is transmitted back to the steering wheel through the wheels.
For example, when you go over a pothole, the steering wheel will shake a bit.
After turning, the steering wheel will straighten back.
These are all manifestations of road feel.
If the steering wheel is light, the feedback force from the road will naturally be light too.
The returning force after turning will also be smaller.
The stability at high speeds will also be a bit worse.
But for the sake of comfort,
nowadays truck steering systems are developing towards 'lightness'.
Reliability is quite easy to understand.
So, what does 'not wearing out tires' have to do with the steering system?
Attentive truck drivers might have discovered a fascinating secret:
When turning,
the angles at which the two front wheels turn are actually different!
(Shocking!)
(Is it willful twisting?
Or a moral decline?)
Why is this?
Theoretically,
when a vehicle turns,
all the wheels should revolve around the same center
in order to avoid tire wear.
Therefore,
when turning,
the turning angle of the inner wheels should be greater than that of the outer wheels
and satisfy a certain functional relationship.
But in reality,
the existing types of steering mechanisms cannot completely guarantee this relationship,
so technically it is impossible to completely eliminate the problem of wheel slip.
Especially for trucks with dual drive axles,
tire wear is inevitable.
Therefore,
a twin-guided tractor will save more tires than a twin-drive tractor.
In addition, many manufacturers have introduced cargo trucks with rear-following steering,
all aiming to allow the wheels to better follow the trajectory
and reduce tire wear.
不过！
There is an even bigger mastermind behind the tire-eating issue.
We won't talk about it in this episode.
We'll leave it for the next episode. Everyone, let's catch the thief together.
Finally,
I also want to recommend to everyone the latest development direction of the transformation system.
That is
electronic control.
For example, Volvo's
dynamic steering system.
This system adds an electronically controlled motor to the traditional mechanical steering system to assist in operating the steering system.
At low speeds, this system becomes very light, while at high speeds, the steering focuses more on stability. The motor can also automatically adjust the steering, compensating for crosswinds and uneven road surfaces, almost like having an experienced driver helping you control the direction. That's why they can accomplish challenges like the following:
In addition, this system can also proactively prevent slipping, prevent lane departure, adjust the steering wheel damping, and so on. Its functions are very powerful.
Is there a kind of urge to buy a Volvo?
Alright, that's it for today.
I hope everyone can not only drive a Volvo truck
but also a Volvo car.
(Brothers driving a Lamborghini, move aside, I'm not talking about you)
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